Prophette and Shaman Metaphysical Bookmakers was the original metaphysical gambling project. It was concieved at the time when the traditional on race course betting world was changing. The old style man-on-a stool with a white/chalk board and a bag of money was being replaced by internet linked LED screens operated by the major betting corporations. After trying to purchase one of the old stands for posterity, Bob Prophette decided to create his own and give it a twist. Gambling would be on metaphysical beliefs, rather than horses. The stand featured in several summer festivals and was displayed at the Brixton East Gallery in London in 2014.
The project was commenorated in a book – the Guide to Metaphysical betting which is still available from bookstores.
Let’s get metaphysical! “If it can be proved it must be removed.” So reads the inscription on the book of metaphysical bets. Bob Prophette and Penny Shaman bring you their unique metaphysical betting concept, giving you the opportunity to put your beliefs on show and to the test. Faith, romance, magic, the after-life and the cosmos; anything that’s unprovable but true. Do you believe animals have souls? – that the universe considered as a whole is God? – that everything that is and will be has already been determined? Then Prophette and Shaman are the bookmakers for you. All bets are taken and civility is guaranteed.
At the heart of the project were ten race cards mimicking the style of race advertisments, with horse colours and each belief given a horse name and a short description.
