_{By Gail Jansen – Prairie Post}

A new college in Calgary that opened up in January of 2007 is doing more than just opening it’s doors. It’s opening eyes.

The College of Esoteric Arts and its founder Janine Morigeau are hoping with their new endeavour to “bring people back to their own inner power and to do so with integrity”.

With a curriculum that includes Beginner and Intermediate Tarot, Beginner Astrology and Beginner Numerology and future designs to offer The Art of Manifestation in the Spring of 2008, courses at the College can be taken toward accreditation in the (esoteric) Arts or simply for more personal growth.

  “In addition to our accredited programming we also offer individual workshops, that add to people’s life and spiritual evolution,” says Butler – workshops of such titles as: an Introduction to the Esoteric Arts, Rituals and Manifesting Romance.

“We also have a number of courses that we’re currently looking into,” continues Butler, “including Wicca 101.” Although they have not received any direct criticism to date, Butler assures that the school is not about the darker side of the Arts. “We don’t teach Satanism or anything dark. We’re about empowerment and living without constraints and struggle. That’s what we’re about.”

What does this offer to the average lay person who doesn’t necessarily want to become an accredited practitioner? Butler says the courses they teach and the services they offer help individuals relearn what we have all unlearned; the ability to use our intuition. “We all have inherent gifts as human beings. Relearning how to tap into that intuition or instinct can in turn empower us to stand up to do things we might never have done before. Whether it’s standing up to our boss, writing a book or even entering a relationship.”

Citing the tarot as a perfect example of how the Arts can be used to find this sense of power, Butler says, “It helps people connect the person with his or her own intuition or higher self”.

Currently housed in a renovated loft in Calgary, Butler says the College has plans to expand and “as we grow, so will our space.”

With future plans including the creation of a complete social centre for those interested in the Esoteric Arts, Butler says they would ultimately one day like to incorporate a coffee shop, magic store and bookstore into the College. “For now though, we’re still in the beginning stage and constantly evolving.” As for any future courses the college might offer, Butler says, “Future courses will be whatever inspires and feels magical to us and whatever enables us to recreate that for our students.”