COSMIC VALLEY GIRL
COSMIC VALLEY GIRL: The Mediumship Is the Message
THE GIFT (2000)
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THE GIFT (2000)

Cate Blanchett in a role loosely based on Billy Bob Thorton's actual psychic medium mom and Keanu Reeves playing against type

Cosmic Valley Girl investigates how media and pop culture portrays the unportrayable — namely the esoteric, the mystical, the miraculous — and how these collective attempts at “capturing” the unknown shape the way we experience them ourselves.

As we wander through pop culture departure points in each episode, we’ll identify the (sometimes) obscured mystical references sprinkled throughout our favorite books, movies, and TV shows.

For our first season, we’ll explore the concept of ghosts and hauntings and how both are portrayed throughout pop culture and art.

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THE GIFT, the most star-studded Southern Gothic parapsychological thriller you’ve never heard of

A deep cut in the world of ghost media, the 2000 film “The Gift” is a Southern Gothic parapsychological fever dream. Weirdest thing about this movie? Billy Bob Thorton wrote the screenplay based on his experiences growing up with a psychic mother. Most hilarious thing about this movie? Every single actor playing against type and, honestly? Kind of crushing.

This one gave us a lot to work with: psychic intuition, southern gothic elements, and a pretty excellent portrayal of unportrayable experiences.

In this episode, we delve into the astrological underpinnings of “The Gift,” the role of Zener cards (extremely important), and the influence of this film’s portrayal of intuition and vision on the artists involved and audiences alike.

00:00 Catching Up and Weekly Reflections

00:21 Astrological Insights and Movie Introduction

00:42 First Impressions and Cursed Objects

01:01 Exploring Zener Cards and Their Significance

05:24 YouTube Comments and Internet Commentary

08:03 Analyzing the Movie's Reception and Legacy

10:23 Astrological Chart and Movie Themes

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COSMIC VALLEY GIRL
COSMIC VALLEY GIRL: The Mediumship Is the Message
Explore the conscious and unconscious influences shaping our monoculture. This podcast uncovers the hidden layers of alchemy, magic, and esotericism referenced in even the most basic and lowbrow media (our favorite) By diving deep into these often-overlooked inspirations, we aim to enrich your experience of art, media, and culture. Bring back magical thinking! Bring back thinking!