Carole Murray	The Week of March 20th, 2005

Metaphysical Counselor

1. What’s in your wallet right now?

I travel light, so I don’t really have a wallet. In my change purse I have paper money, coins, one credit card, a Metro card for the subway, and a health insurance card.

2. What do you wish your parents taught you about money?

That it’s really okay to have fun spending money. My mother was a frugal child of the Depression and a single mom. She re-used TV dinner trays. I wish that she could have taught me an understanding of luxury.

3. What is your worst habit around finances?

Ordering the cheapest thing on a menu.

4. What makes you happy?

Adventure. Thanksgiving dinner. Billie Holiday. Cherry blossoms. Feeding friends. The Pacific Ocean in San Francisco. Take-off on a flight to a place I’ve never been to. Night blooming jasmine in the French Quarter. Hanging out with my fun husband and wild dog.

5. Personal philosophy around money?

Money equals options and freedom. Money is not necessarily related to intelligence or talent. Some of the most original, creative minds I’ve encountered are living in poverty. Fame and fortune do not necessarily mean happiness. On 9/11, as I was looking out my window at the Hudson River, wondering if fatal toxic fumes were traveling uptown, I had an epiphany. No matter how much or how little money I had in the bank, it was too much if this were my last day on earth.

6. Where does money come from?

From your pocket to my pocket to someone else’s pocket.

7. What would you do with a million dollars?

A million isn’t what it used to be. It’s the new thousand. I’d create a Travel Grant that would allow me and my loved ones to go to places we’ve always dreamed of.

8. What is your most prized possession?

My collection of diaries that I’ve kept since I was 14. As Colette said, “What an interesting life I’ve led. What a shame I didn’t know it sooner.”

9. Who is your role model?

Lucy Ricardo, creative problem solver extraordinaire.

10. What is your greatest achievement?

Being able to spend the past 25 years self-employed doing the work that I love.

11. Where did you get the idea for Serving Spirits?

My childhood was spent in the company of religious statues— Madonnas, winged archangels, haloed saints. When I grew up and started traveling, I saw that every culture had a way of embracing its own Spirits. I had the great good fortune to marry a brilliant photographer who shared my curiosity. Together we created a site to reflect our artistic appreciation of these icons.

12. What contributions to society do you want to make?

I have no grand ambitions. If I can make someone laugh, it’s enough for me.

13. If you could buy one thing right now what would it be?

A brownstone on the Upper Westside of Manhattan with a working fireplace, yard and a weekly cleaning service.

14. Favorite activity that doesn’t cost a dime?

Enjoying the four seasons in Riverside Park.

15. How do you indulge yourself?

I find the missing party in every day.

Carole Murray has spent the past twenty-five years working as a metaphysical counselor in New York City. She uses astrology and Tarot to help clients make decisions that hopefully lead to their greater happiness and personal evolution. She has designed many Tarot decks in limited edition, (including the I Love Lucy Tarot, Day of the Dead Tarot, Aloha Deck, Lucky Dog deck). Her work is featured in the Encyclopedia of Tarot, Vol. III. She also designs autobiographical Tarot decks for those who seek to use their personal symbols for self-knowledge.

In 2002, she and her husband, photographer Aris Dervis, created ServingSpirits.com, a mystical marketplace that returns spiritual icons to a contemporary audience. Her essay, “McMystic: Reflections of an Unlikely Oracle” was recently published on FreshYarn.com.

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