Professional Resume: Christine T. Carmines
Of uncommon upbringing combining Christian, Sephardic Jewish and Egyptian Muslim
ancestry with courteous demeanor, I have specialized in all aspects of the Western
magical tradition for over 40 years. Currently open to a consulting position on
creative projects where my expertise can enhance and advance project originality.
Professional Profile:
- At home in culturally diverse environments.
- Superior ability to find commonality within conflicting belief structures.
- Skillful at constructing win-win scenarios to advance goals with multiple partners.
- Superb at distilling complex, esoteric views into coherent, sensible frameworks.
- Proven ability to think creatively within traditional magical frameworks and apply original
innovations that enliven rather than abandon those frameworks.
- Ability to communicate clearly, providing substance with the heart
- Trained in the technical requirements of screenwriting, storytelling and balancing creative
possibilities with economic realities.
Accomplishments:
1979-1980, 2009 Wrote in two volumes:“Forbidden Knowledge: An Alchemy of the Grand Quest”
a comparison/contrast of the magical cosmologies underlying the 2 seminal Tarot decks of the
20th century..The second volume is the only sole analysis of the Minor Arcana extant.
A teaching tool for 30 years.
Published author: 1983 “Celluloid Warrior”,analyzing the mythical/magical elements in
the middle trilogy of “Star Wars” saga – 30 years before the concept debuted on
documentary TV.
1982 Contracted to teach various aspects of Western Magick for academic credit through the
Consciousness and the Arts Program in the Graduate School of Consciousness at John F.
Kennedy University (state accredited)
1982-1985 published articles Magical Blend magazine on aspects of Western magical
cosmology, Kabbalah, astrology and alchemy (“Magic of the Elements”, “Women,
Intellectualism and Magic”, “If Hermes Made a Film” in two parts, “Astrology Seen”
column contribution)
Summer 1982 prepared in conjunction with artist/illustrator Kiwan and the Artistic
Director of the San Francisco Ballet a full-length magical version of Tschiakovsky's
Nutcracker Suite for the Winter 1983 season.
1984-1989 studied screenwriting, directing and producing at the AFI ; wrote 3 original
screenplays (“The Calling of Jesse”, “Nevermore”, “Impaler”); listened, watched and learned
at the Academy and AFI Libraries and on several film sets.
1993-1995 travelled to Romania and Istanbul to research and location scout my own epic film
project. To acquire start-up funding, developed a unique educational concept, superior to
work-study for graduate level international film students. Concept would solve a major pitfall
in film education, and eliminate a long standing inequity in international production practices.
With a World Bank consultant (Ian D.) introduced and coordinated the first co-operative
major studio venture in history between Sony Pictures (Steven C.) and Paramount (John F.).
Though our project didn’t benefit, our concept was employed at Paramount on the production
of “Titanic”. Such risk-sharing cooperative ventures became the industry standard.
1994 invited to present a paper "The Significance of the Western Magickal Tradition
to the Study of Consciousness" at the annual meeting of the Society for the Study of
the Anthropology of Consciousness, an academic group founded by Carlos Castaneda.
1994-2010 completed 13 vision quests (in 2 four year cycles), supported at 7 Sundances,
fire kept for a vast array of ceremonies (in one 4 year cycle), Bear Danced for 5 years
(completing one 4 year cycle).
2003-2007 Wrote a series of children’s stories, stories featuring a bear cub and dragon
hatchling (“The Bear & Dragon Tales”, The Adventures of Bear & Dragon in Wales and
the Yorkshire Dales”, The Adventures of Bear and Dragon in Paris”, “The Adventures of
Bear & Dragon in America”).
2007 Wrote "The Vlad Chronicles", a non-fiction fiction piece tracing the inspiration,
development and adventures behind the creation of the epic screenplay "Impaler". Unlike
other books on films, it is not a rehash of the script. It is a journey into the realms that
inspired the script and molded the writer into a producer.
Career Summary:
1972-1992 completed my apprenticeship and began teaching privately in USA and UK.
Course topics: Tarot of Crowley and Waite; Ceremonial Magic; Practical Magic; History
of Western Magic; Alchemy for the Practitioner; History of Kabbalism; Divination;
Advanced Practice; Myths of Magic; also read Tarot cards, Arabic coffee and cast
horoscopes during that time period.
1977 guest lecturer History of Western Magic, Department of Physics (USF)
1980-1982 lecturer History of Western Magic, Department of Anthropology (JFK University)
1983-1986 guest lecturer, History of Western Magic and Kabbalism, Department of
Anthropology San Jose State University
1992-1993 guest lecturer with Dr. Mira Z. (Anthropology) in Kabbalism (Stanford
University, California Institute of Integral Studies); team taught with Dr. Z. Workshop
on Kabbalism at Esalen Institute
1985-1998 studied the film industry, learned location scouting, did production liaison work for
Paramount and Morgan Creek, traveled in UK, France, Romania and Turkey doing film
research and reviewing operations in Eastern Europe for Paramount’s Global Marketing
Division. Founded my own production development company Raven’s Wolf Films to work on
magically themed scripts I had written in 3 different genres.
2003 after certification, taught ESL classes as a temporary teacher at St. Giles School for
3 months, left for England, Wales and France to write a series of magical children’s stories
featuring a bear cub and dragon hatchling.
1984-2006 studied dressage with Merrily Page, Charles de Kunffy, Richard Williams and
Arthur Kottas of the Spanish Riding School; re-trained my horse from Western pleasure
to fourth level; wrote “The Alchemy of Equitation”, an article detailing the magic
employed in classical horsemanship.
March 2007 - present volunteer in the SF Zoo; Family Farm (until 2009) and the ARC
(ongoing). Tasks include diet preparation, medical checks, cleaning, interacting with the
public in a cheerful /informative manner, handling the animals, training other volunteers.
December 2010 began an independent consulting practice to avail my knowledge base
to others in hopes of seeing Western magic presented in the culturally pervasive,
spiritually multi-faceted and individually relevant light that our tradition so fully deserves.
Education:
1958-1976 instructed in various aspects of global magic under the tutelage of elders from
Oahu to Syria.
1977 B.Sc. Biology, with emphasis in pre-med zoology and genetics. Includes sufficient
credits for B.A..'s in psychology and anthropology, degrees not requested. (USF)
1994-2009 studied Native American shamanism with Lakota and Hopi medicine women.
2004 CELTA Teaching Certification (Cambridge University)
