FAMOUS WISCONSIN MYSTICS... I had suggestions from a few people to put a cow reading Tarot cards on the cover, but that didn't seem stealthy enough. So I used my illustration of the EURASIAN badger. The North American badger looks too fierce, and besides, Bucky Badger already has claim on that guy.
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Excerpt from the introduction to Famous Wisconsin Mystics...
It is the end of December 2001. Writing a book is definitely not on my list of things to do. I have a difficult time with lists anyway and am more adept at procrastination and tangential conversation--just throw me a colorful word and we'll go on a journey to God Knows Where. Best friends extend me great patience. So how did this book, consisting of 27 individuals practicing mystical and psychic arts come about? Truthfully, I'm not sure I can take credit for the idea. I thought that perhaps this was one of those frenzied moments, but that didn't fit. I was only minding my own business. Suddenly and robustly it was as if somebody with a good aim tossed a Wisconsin snowball at me. The idea was "just there," the title vaguely popped into place, and a sketchy outline followed along like a bouncing puppy. But I wasn't convinced. It took a series of uncanny coincidences to transfrom this book idea into a mission.
A couple of days after the first idea struck me, on New Year's Day, 2002, I was weeding a file drawer in my disorganized office. In an obscure file folder labeled "misc" I ran across notes from a psychic reading done in 1998 or 1999 by Kathleen Schneider of Middleton, Wisconsin. In the margin of the paper I had jotted down a curious and forgotten notation proclaiming I would be "writing a book in the year 2002 with a number of people involved, but I will have the final say." At this point, I thought back to the peculiar occurrence that happened to me two days before with the thoughts popping in as they did. Okay, so maybe this notation from a few years ago was snowball number two, launched by who knows what.
I thought about the coincidence but continued to clean--still on a mundane mission to relieve the file drawer of excess baggage. Taking a break, I went to the kitchen to retrieve a Diet Coke. On my way back to the office, with my mind on the notes from the psychic reading, I bumped into an end table with a stack of papers on it. A lone slip of paper floated to the floor. It was a receipt for an interesting book purchased in November 2001, and probably added to one of my "I'll read this later" piles. I now recall how the book caught my eye as I browsed the store aisles, and I remember the clerk even commenting on the title when I checked it out. Listed on the receipt was "Comprehending Coincidence" by Craig S. Bell. Now I am really starting to think about what I perceive to be connections... and counting the snowballs.
Perhaps I should read "Coincidences" sooner rather than later, is the thought that occurs to me. But where did I put the elusive book? I return to my office to explore uncharted territory in search of Coincidence. This could take hours--I'm not exagerating. Surprisingly and instantly, I find this book residing beneath a blank notebook directly above the file drawer. The two paired up like the sun and the moon in an eclipse. Now it's my turn to fire the snowball. Coincidence and of all things, a blank notebook are starring at me! I don't need any more clues. My quest to bring "Famous Wisconsin Mystics" into existence begins....
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INTERVIEW QUESTIONS--Here is just a sample of the many questions asked in these interviews. Each interview has approximately 25-30 questions or points of discussion.
1. What mystical arts do you practice today?
2. Mystic defined?
3. Discuss the development of your abilities.
4. Is there a common thread amongst practitioners?
5. Do you have connection to a structured religion?
6. What is your view on the skeptic?
7. What about when people put up walls?
8. Is there anything unique about practicing in Wisconsin?
9. How do world events affect your abilities?
10. Do you have an on-off switch when you are out and about?
11. Are dreams significant?
12. How do messages come to you--voices, feelings, symbols, etc.?
13. What is your view on reincarnation?
14. Any specific readings you'd like to discuss?
15. Police or investigative cases?
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