Psychic & Spirit Magazine is pleased to interview this month author, artist, psychic and teacher, Cilla Conway.

Cilla is a London-based  artist using a variety of media: video, installation, photography and painting. She is also the author and creator of the Intuitive Tarot and Deva Cards. She also teaches at the College of Psychic Studies.

I first met Cilla at the 1^st. Annual UK Tarot Conference, where The Intuitive Tarot was launched; and immediately felt a connection. She presented me with her book and tarot pack, which I find myself increasingly drawn to (read review in this magazine). Since then, we have been corresponding on areas of joint interest, namely tarot and metaphysics. Please check her article on The Tarot And Quantum Physics in Psychic & Spirit Magazine.

PS: 'there is so much in a name' what does your first name mean? Favourite colour? Soul number (sum of the digits of your date of birth reduced to numbers between 1 and 9. example:12.04.1956 = 1+2+4+1+9+5+6=3+4+3=1)

Cilla: I have no idea what Cilla means! Blue. 3

P.S.: why do you do what you do? When did you start? And what is in it for you-personally?

© Cilla conway

Cilla: I’m an artist, and a tarot worker. I use the tarot because they came to me – doodling one night in 1973 I found that I’d drawn the Tarot Fool, but a very different Fool to those I’d seen in packs before. I found him completely compelling. I then went on to paint the rest of the cards, and they all came through with the same double-charge of energy. It was my first experience of the Otherworld, and I’ve been producing art from there ever since. So I suppose you could say that I really began doing art when I was 26; it continues to grow and change.

What’s in it for me? Connecting to these Other worlds and energies– primarily through my art, but also through my own self-awareness work and the tarot readings, is what gives my life meaning and depth. It’s my soul work.

PS: A Turning point? Was there a teacher, a book, or an event that inspired/influenced what you do, or started you on your path?

Temperance- Intuitive Tarot, © Cilla conway

Cilla: The Tarot itself influenced me. When the cards started coming through, I realised that this was a spiritual path I could follow – the church had lost me a long time before previously. In addition, as I painted the Tarot I learnt about mythology, psychology, history, mysticism – you name it. The Tarot educated me.

P.S.: An unusual, special or extraordinary memory of an experience that still sticks in your mind? What was the significance of it for you, etc.? (something that you do not mind sharing)

Cilla: I was brought up in Zimbabwe and when I was six we went down to Portuguese East Africa for a holiday on the train. I woke up early one morning and, looking through the vent, I saw the sun coming up through the mist. It was like seeing God.

P.S.:  What are you working on currently, and what is your next project?

Cilla: I’m currently producing a set of Deva cards – Devas are the ‘shining ones’. They’re the blueprints of our entire universe. They’re angelic energies, of course, but it will be a very different angel pack to the ones currently on the market!I’m also very interested in land art and am working on a contemporary piece about our use of Christmas trees.

P.S.: A favourite book/quote you were inspired/influenced by?

Cilla: I loved Ferruci’s book ‘What We May Be’, and Jean Houston’s chapter about Asclepius and his healing village in The Search for the Beloved.

 P.S.: You are going on a much deserved holiday, what treasured items are you most likely to always pack with you?

Cilla: My tarot cards (The Intuitive Tarot, published by Connections Publishing and St Martin’s Press); at least three books (at the moment I’m working through anything I can find on intuition), as well as Louise Hay’s Affirmations, and my Celtic pendant.

P.S.: What would you like to be when you 'grow up'?

© Cilla conway

Cilla: I’m doing it now – contemporary and creative art, tarot readings and workshops.

P.S.: When you are not working, how do you have fun?

Cilla:  I go to druid camp!

P.S.: If there is a next life, what would you choose to come back as? Why?

Cilla: A man, just to see how it feels.

P.S.: If there is no next life, how do you imagine you would be spending your time 'up there' anyway?

Cilla: Coming down to have a look at all the places I haven’t managed to get to yet – Australia, New Zealand, South America, China and Japan!

For more information please check:

www.theintuitivetarot.com, www.cillaconway.com