The "Bar Rescue Tiki Curse" is a widely known phenomenon in the bar and restaurant industry, popularized by the reality TV show "Bar Rescue." This curse refers to the alleged negative consequences that can occur after bar owners decide to change their establishment into a tiki-themed bar following a visit from the show's host, Jon Taffer. In the show, Jon Taffer, a renowned bar and nightclub consultant, helps struggling bar owners revamp their businesses and turn them into profitable ventures. One of the recurring themes in the show is the transformation of failing bars into tiki-themed establishments. Taffer believes that the tiki concept has the potential to attract customers and increase profits, as it offers a unique and immersive experience. However, some bar owners who have opted for this transformation claim to have experienced a series of misfortunes thereafter, leading to financial losses, customer dissatisfaction, and even the eventual closure of their bars.
Mesolithic female shaman of Bad Dürrenberg, 7000-6500 bce, with reconstructed regalia from animal bones, horns, teeth, and shells. From a wonderful color-illustrated pdf of “Archaeological Finds from Germany”
The red peaked, felted hats and curled-toe boots and warm mittens of reindeer-hide complete, what I believe to be, the feminine origins of perhaps the first of a very long line of Santa Claus replications. In Miranda Green s book Symbol and Image in Celtic Religious Art she states, animal symbolism associated with goddesses reaches its apogee with horned female images, usually adorned with antlers.
However, some bar owners who have opted for this transformation claim to have experienced a series of misfortunes thereafter, leading to financial losses, customer dissatisfaction, and even the eventual closure of their bars. These alleged consequences have been tagged as the "Bar Rescue Tiki Curse." The curse is said to manifest in various ways.
Magickal materials: Antler
If you’ve shopped for clothing or décor lately, you might have noticed that antlers are having a moment. But humans have been fascinated with antlers long before they were adorning T-shirts at Urban Outfitters. Shamans, magicians, and ancient Pagans have all adored the antler as a symbol of masculine power and the cycle of life. Let’s look at some of the ways antlers can be incorporated into your magickal craft.
Antler Facts
First, the basics. Antlers grow from the heads of members of the deer family, or cervids. Normally only males have antlers, except among reindeer, which have antlers on both male and female animals. An antlered male is called a stag. Male deer grow antlers when reaching adulthood, and adolescent deer’s antlers are covered with a fuzzy material called velvet. In temperate climates, deer shed their antlers seasonally. Experts believe that antlers probably evolved from tusks, which pre-historic herbivores used for foraging and defense.
For magickal purposes, antler, horn, tusk, and bone are all related materials. They represent the spirit of the animal they come from, as well as larger forces of Nature. In Wicca, the male deity is often represented as Cernunnos, “the Horned One.” Technically, antlers are a type of fast-growing bone, not horns. The horns of cattle and goats are a “dead” appendage made of keratin (the same protein in hair and fingernails), while newly-sprouted antlers are very much alive with blood vessels and active cells.
Antlers in Myth
Deer have been an important food source for humans since the beginning of time, so it’s no surprise that the spiritual partnership is an old one. The ritual use of antlers goes back at least 10,000 years. Antlered headdresses and rattles have been recovered from Mesolithic sites, and may have been used in rites to call forth deer for a favorable hunt.
In the Babylonian cosmology, the celestial stag is associated with the life-giving power of the sun. The Norse Prose Edda mentions a kingly stag who sits atop Valhalla and drips bounteous dew from his antlers. Mythologies around the world portray the antlered deer as an elusive and noble beast. The mythic stag is often a shapeshifter or a harbinger of great destiny.
Correspondences of Antlers
The usual magickal correspondences for the antler are Masculine, Solar and the elements of Fire and Earth. Because deer shed and regrow their antlers, the antler has long been tied to the annual death and resurrection of the sun. The antlered stag represents wisdom, nobility, protection, and the cycle of death and rebirth. To Paganas, the stag represents the God who gives his life to nourish the tribe, and who re-emerges in springtime with velvet antlers.
Among heroes and deities, antlers correspond to such diverse figures as Cernunnos, Freyr, Flidais, Herakles, Sarasvati, Diana and Artemis. While antlers are generally thought of as masculine, they also connect with goddesses of wisdom and the hunt. Some have noted that the shape of an antler has a lunar curve as well as a solar ray-like spread.
Antlered Altar Tools
Antlers have many ceremonial and magickal uses. Ritual headgear is one of the oldest and truest uses for antlers. Donning antlers can help you portray the Horned One or connect more fully with the Deer spirit. If you’re drawn to antlers, consider using an antler-handled athame, wand, or staff.
Runes and amulets are frequently made from round slices of antler. With the right materials, antler can be painted, engraved, and burned to produce a customized piece. Or you can simply place antlers on your altar to represent the Stag spirit.
Cutting and drilling antlers is just like cutting through bone in that it produces a lot of calcified dust. Use sharp tools, a dust mask or ventilator, lung protection. If you use power tools, open a window—singed antler smells like burning hair.
Oh, and another thing: Dogs can’t resist the tasty, nutritious appeal of antlers. Keep antlered tools away from pets. (Unless you want to be like my friend, who found her dog chowing down on her runes like kibble!)
Acquiring Antlers
Since antlers are shed naturally, there is no reason to harm an animal to obtain antlers for ritual use. If you have access to land where deer roam free, you can pick up your own during the winter shed season. Observe all local laws and safety rules if you do this. Expect to have company—gathering “sheds” is a popular (and potentially lucrative) activity for off-season hunters and hikers. If it’s your land, it’s kindest to take only what you need. Antlers are an important winter nutrient source for squirrels and other small mammals.
Even city-dwellers may be able to get their hands on antlers. Antique shops and western stores outlets sell shed antlers as décor items. Wood-working shops also sometimes have antlers for use as knife handles. You may have to pay a premium, though: $15-20 a pound is a normal price for good-quality antlers. Some may be shed naturally, and some come from hunters. Ask the dealer how they were acquired, if that’s important to your magick.
How about replica antlers? Especially with the current antler craze, there are all kinds of resin and plaster fakes out there. If you can’t get real antlers, or if you have reservations about harvesting them, you might prefer using replicas as ritual props.
When you incorporate antlers into your spiritual life, you’re joining a long tradition of respect and reverence for the creatures that walk this world with us. Here's to deers!
Read more articles in the archive.
Some bar owners have reported difficulties in attracting the right clientele or maintaining a consistent customer base. Others have faced technical problems, such as issues with the bar's plumbing, electrical systems, or equipment failure. In some cases, customer complaints about the tiki concept being kitschy or inauthentic have proven detrimental to the bar's reputation. Skeptics argue that the curse may be attributed to poor management skills, an inability to adapt to the tiki theme, or a lack of understanding of the target market. They believe that the tiki concept, when executed correctly and in line with customer preferences, can be successful. However, proponents of the curse claim that there is a supernatural or unexplainable force that causes the downfall of these bars. Regardless of one's belief in the curse, it is essential for bar owners to carefully consider the potential risks and challenges associated with any major business transformation. Planning, market research, and a willingness to adapt are crucial to ensuring the success of a bar, whether it embraces the tiki concept or any other theme. Ultimately, the "Bar Rescue Tiki Curse" serves as a cautionary tale for those considering major changes to their businesses..
Reviews for "The Tiki Curse Strikes Back: Bar Rescue's Ultimate Challenge"
1. John - 1 star
I found "Bar Rescue: Tiki Curse" to be extremely disappointing. The concept seemed interesting, but the execution was way off. The show seemed more interested in creating unnecessary drama than actually helping the struggling bar owners. The host, Jon Taffer, came across as obnoxious and arrogant, constantly barking orders at everyone without offering any real solutions. The episodes felt scripted and fake, lacking the authenticity and genuine advice that made the earlier seasons of "Bar Rescue" so successful. Overall, I would not recommend "Bar Rescue: Tiki Curse" to anyone looking for an entertaining and informative show about rescuing bars.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I was excited to watch "Bar Rescue: Tiki Curse" as a fan of the original "Bar Rescue" series. However, I was left disappointed and unimpressed. The show felt repetitive, recycling the same formulaic structure in each episode. The lack of fresh ideas made it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, the "tiki curse" theme seemed forced and gimmicky, and it didn't add any real value to the show. It felt more like a plot device rather than a meaningful concept. Overall, "Bar Rescue: Tiki Curse" failed to live up to the standards set by the original series, and I was left wanting more substance and creativity.
3. Mike - 1.5 stars
I have been a fan of "Bar Rescue" since its early seasons, so I was eager to watch "Bar Rescue: Tiki Curse." However, this iteration of the show left a lot to be desired. The so-called "tiki curse" storyline felt contrived and unnecessary, detracting from the real issues at hand. It seemed like the producers were more focused on creating drama and sensationalizing the struggles of the bar owners rather than genuinely helping them. The host, Jon Taffer, came across as less empathetic and more confrontational in this season, which made the show less enjoyable to watch. I hope that future iterations of "Bar Rescue" go back to the show's roots and focus on providing practical solutions and guidance to struggling bar owners.
4. Emily - 2.5 stars
"Bar Rescue: Tiki Curse" was a bit underwhelming for me. While I appreciate the attempts to introduce a new theme, the execution fell flat. The tiki curse concept felt forced and lacked depth, making it difficult to invest in the show. Additionally, the drama seemed overplayed and unnecessary, taking away from the main focus of the series: rescuing struggling bars. The host, Jon Taffer, appeared less genuine and more scripted in this season, which was disappointing. Overall, I found "Bar Rescue: Tiki Curse" to be a mediocre addition to the franchise, failing to deliver the same level of passion and expertise that made the original series successful.