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Tarot Teachings: Instagram; or, How Selfies and Tarot Make a Beautiful Combination

#selfie

When you’ve been at something for any extended period of time, you tend to get people coming to you for advice, asking things such as “How did you get started?” or “What do you do when ‘such and such problem or challenge’ occurs?”.

I’ve been lucky enough to have some pretty awesome people come to me for insight on Tarot, reading for others, and how I got “started” in this business of modern mysticism. While I’m no elderly sage with all the known answers, I have had a handful of experiences that can hopefully help others who are looking to get their love of Tarot off the ground and running as something more than a personal hobby.

Therefore, I’ve decided to start “Tarot Teachings,” a blog series dedicated to answering the questions I get on Tarot, starting a practice, and what can help when you get tricky clients, cards, or inquiries.

This first post is dedicated to the importance of social media, in particular Instagram, and how you can ride the many waves of the interwebs to best impact your burgeoning business. Want to get the word out about your practice and readings? Check out what worked for me and see if something catches your eye!

Hopping On the Social Media Train

Call me old-fashioned, but I’m not huge on social media in my personal life. I updated every meal, thought, and picture I could when I was in college, but as I get older I don’t feel the need to share my every move with a world of strangers. If you’re looking to get noticed as a professional, however, social media is a must, and it’s arguably essential for building a name for yourself and your brand.

Personally, I think it’s a bit overwhelming to have an Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Vine, Snapchat, YouTube channel, SoundCloud, Periscope (I don’t even know what that is but it’s popping up everywhere); the list goes on. It’s gets too difficult to update all these platforms consistently, and I find it overwhelming as a consumer or potential client to have to find and follow my favorite brands on every single platform out there. While there are several options, quality over quantity is key; I find it best to stick with 1-3 platforms you’re most comfortable with and really focus on representing your brand from something you not only love to run and update but believe in as well.

Instagram, Bam, Thank You, M’am 

It’s no secret that Instagram is HUGE, and I’ve personally found it the best platform for me. Instagram, in my opinion, is twofold in its awesomeness as it not only helps get the word out but can also act as a Tarot Journal, that oh-so-important tool in helping newbies learn and understand the card meanings and as well trusting their own intuitions. Posting a card or mini reading a day with a meaningful interpretation can help you not only start building an audience of followers but help get you in the habit of daily draws which help expand your knowledge of card meanings and how those meanings reflect or influence your daily life.

If you’re looking to expand your audience or test the Tarot reading waters in the public eye, see if running a Tarot-inspired Instagram is right for you. It’s super easy; just follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to hashtag heaven:

Register a user name that resonates with you. It can be something as simple as TamaraTarot, ReadingsByMark, or DawnsDailyDraws; or, you can get creative. AshesAndWineTarot was inspired by the A Fine Frenzy song. I liked the way the words rolled out together, and since it was the first thing that popped into my head, I went for it. If you don’t like what you pick after a while you can always change it, but I would recommend only doing that if you feel really passionate about it; you don’t want to confuse your followers by constantly changing your Instagram handle. Consistency is key!

If you already have a personal IG account, simply register your new one under a different e-mail address. Once I decided AshesAndWineTarot was my handle, I then created a gmail account for it to not only register my new IG but so that if people wanted to get ahold of me for readings, I’d have a way to connect with them (more on that in a moment!). However, you can simply use an address you never check anymore. We all have those e-mail accounts that haven’t been opened in ages. You’ll need to log in to verify that you’re creating the IG account, but once that’s done you’ll probably never have to check it again.

Once your account is created and you’re good to start posting, get to it! While I think it’s important to develop a consistent rhythm (a card a day, a reading a day, a post everyday at a certain time; again, consistency is key!), at the beginning you’ll want to see what works best for you. Experiment a bit with different kinds of posts and see what resonates. My first post was a few sentences on The Hanged Man, and since then my daily draws have evolved into three-card mini readings with astrological information that accompanies them. I also draw a card(s) at bedtime as well as whenever I feel inspired during the day. In the beginning, the format is not important; consistency and heat-felt interpretations are what matter most!

When posting, hashtags (#) can be huge in helping people find your account. Once I post my daily reading, I’ll leave a comment with hashtags that are not only Tarot-related but also related to my reading. For instance, if my daily reading brings up issues of self-love and confidence, I’ll be sure to use #selflove and #confidence as related hashtags. You may not want to go overboard, as too many hashtags can get crazy, but 5-8 will usually help get your account noticed and help connect you with like-minded people.

Once you feel ready, offer up free readings. Make a little announcement on your account that you’re open for (free) business and anyone interested in a reading can inquire either through your new e-mail address or through Instagram direct message. I started with e-mail readings, but if you feel comfortable sharing phone or Skype info, do what works best for you. These free readings will help you work out a system and way of reading that will ultimately help develop your unique style and presentation. Do you type them up in Word and convert to PDF? Do you add a header with a logo on it or keep it simple? Will you use a wireless headset or try just your headphones? While they’re “experimental” in their format, especially if you’ve never read for others before, be sure to keep them as professional as possible. They may be free, but that doesn’t mean they should come cheap!

Last but not least, get a little personal. You don’t have to share every detail of your life with your followers, but a little peak into it will help them see you as a real person and not just some photo-producing drone. Seekers want readings from real people with real personality; if you’re comfortable with the occasional selfie or sharing a picture or two (or fifteen) of your cat, then have had it. Let the real you shine through and you’re sure to see some Instagram success!

Like I said before, this is what worked best for me. Experiment and see what clicks with you and what doesn’t. It takes time to garner a substantial following, and even that doesn’t mean you’ll be getting offers for readings left and right; it simply means you’ll have a platform of an ever-growing audience full of like-minded souls to share with, grow with, and hopefully, if you’re lucky, inspire.

Did you enjoy this first installment of “Tarot Teachings?” Have questions or ideas for topics you’d like covered? Leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail and let me know!

Interested in a reading? Visit my shop and let’s make some magic!

Until next time,

Matt

Tarot Teachings: Instagram; or, How Selfies and Tarot Make a Beautiful Combination was originally published on

#blog #divination #instagram #metaphysical #new age #social media #Tarot #tarot reader #Tarot Reading #Tarot Teachings

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The Fountain Tarot: A Gushing Review

Unless they’ve been living under a social media rock the past few months, almost every Tarot practitioner and enthusiast has been long awaiting The Fountain Tarot. A collaboration between artist/creator Jonathan Saiz, writer Jason Gruhl, and designer Andi Todaro, the deck got its start on Kickstarter and has been hotly anticipated since the project was funded and decks were able to be mass-produced and released. While I’m never one to give into hype, and even resisted buying this deck for a longtime purely based on it being “the next big thing,” I am here today to proudly and loudly admit how completely and utterly wrong I was. This deck is beautiful magic, plain and simple. If you consider yourself a serious Tarot enthusiast, you will be sorely mistaken if you do not head to the deck’s website and put in an order. Now.

While the card-stock is perfect, the finish is perfectly matte, the backs of the cards geometrically sumptuous, and the edges gilded with glittery silver, the true heart of this deck is the jaw-doppingly beautiful artwork. While sticking within the RWS framework, the art is modern but deep, minimalistic yet perfectly detailed. It’s cool palette guides the user gently though the journey of both the Major and Minor Arcana, speaking calming yet placing just the right amount of emphasis on what it needs to say.

While I don’t want to gush, I will admit I’m hard-pressed to find a card I don’t resonate with, much less pick a favorite card to write about in detail. There are a few, however, I’d be remiss to not mention, as there were a handful I was immediately drawn to.

More often than not a card I don’t think twice about, I felt an instant connection to Temperance. Usually an androgynous angel-like figure, something about this card’s step away from the traditional  portrayal spoke to me the first time I saw it. Death is beautifully creepy (for lack of a better term), and the Two of Cups I adore for its cool warmth and emotional depth. Lastly, the Two of Swords is stunning in my humble opinion. While it doesn’t stray too far from the card’s traditional depiction, it speaks volumes on the oceanic depth of the human mind; much like the deck does as a whole. If I could blow this card up and frame it in my living room I would.

One thing I have come to instantly appreciate about this deck is how it helps me with some of the cards I find the most troublesome to interpret. The Nine of Swords, Six of Swords, Four of Cups, Five of Coins, and Eight of Wands are ones which often leave me scratching my head or dissatisfied with general interpretations. Here the art perfectly captures the cards’ essences, remaining faithful to traditon while honoring the artist’s unique vision and helping me grasp a better understadig of the cards and their meanings.

As this deck is clearly a special gift to its reader and querents, I thought I’d interview it using TABI’s Interview Spread (which I found through Tarot Seed who found it through Little Red Tarot; love how connected this community is!). Here are the results:

Card #1: Tell me about yourself? What is your most important characteristic? – The Emperor Ah, a fellow Aries! This card tells me this deck is one that will not dick around; it’ll tell me exactly what I need to hear, even if I may not want it to. It will be demanding and tough yet strong and  righteous. It won’t ever lead me down the wrong path; challenging ones, yes, that will require introspection and growth, but it’ll never give me what I can’t handle.

Card #2: What are your strengths as a deck? – Temperance, reversed Spiritual imbalances are this deck’s forte. Its strength will lie in its ability to shed light on the dark and help me see where I need to shift my balance in order to remain on the path that will best suit my journey toward enlightenment. If I’m feeling stuck in the spiritual shadows, this deck will help me find my way.

Card #3: What are your limits as a deck? – Nine of Coins, reversed The deck can’t do the work itself. While it may be able to help provide answers and suggestions, it’s also a deck that will ask me to take its advice and wisdom and work at it. I can’t simply flip the cards over and get every answer I need. With this deck, I’ll get hints at which direction to head; it’ll be up to me to start the journey and see where it takes me.

Card #4: What do you bring to the table? What are you here to teach me? – Judgement  Release, freedom, escape from that which holds me down. This is a powerful deck for declaration and reformation, and it’s here to show me not only my weaknesses but how I can grow into and surpass them as I work toward finding my true Self.

Card #5: How can I best learn from and collaborate with you? – Knight of Swords Take some serious action! I won’t learn from this deck by using it occasionally; I need to dive in head first and use it as often as I can to work with it effectively. This is a deck that thrives on movement and use, and the more it’s shuffled and drawn the more I’ll learn and gain from it.

Card #6: What is the potential outcome of our relationship? – The Hierophant   Teacher and student, master and apprentice; this deck has volumes of wisdom to teach me if I’m able to really sit and listen to what it has to say. The relationship may not always be an agreeable one, but any bouts of argument will only be encouraged to help my grow both spiritually and mentally as a reader and practitioner. The deck is the perfect mix of old meeting new, and that dynamic will only grow as this relationship gets deeper and more meaningful.

Visit The Fountain Tarot’s website to order your copy today, and follow the creators on Instagram and Facebook for all their latest updates and insights!

The Fountain Tarot: A Gushing Review was originally published on

#blog #divination #fountain tarot #metaphysical #new age #Tarot #tarot cards #tarot deck #tarot deck review #tarot reader #tarot review #the fountain tarot

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Tarotview with Tarot and Tea's Paige Zaferiou

When I was a kid, I was OBSESSED with anything witchy. “Sabrina, the Teenaged Witch” was my favorite show, I could (and still can, thankyouverymuch) quote “Hocus Pocus” by heart, and nothing made my day more than catching a rerun of “Bewitched” on Nick at Nite (is that still a thing?). I’d sneak off to the New Age section of Borders (R.I.P…) whenever I had the chance, and eventually bought a book on teen witchcraft when I was in middle school (hiding it in my closet…among other things) in hopes of cultivating any and all magical necessities to help me become like one of my favorite magic-makers. Afternoons were spent making mini-handmade spell books, and any art I created always had a witchy twist.

While I now understand the definition of the word “witch” to mean a spiritual practitioner and cultivator of energy who helps create the magick of needed change, if you would have told 13 year-old Matt he could grow up to be a PROFESSIONAL witch, he would have probably keeled over in joy. Paige Zaferiou, on the other hand, has made my childhood dream a very tangible reality!

A self-proclaimed “ritualist, teacher, spiritual practitioner, and tarot cardslinger,” Paige uses her gifts as a reader, magic-wheeler, tea maven, and professional witch to help those who seek out her brand of positive, upbeat healing find ways to burn bright as the shiniest version of themselves.

Curious to know more? Keep on reading!

First off, tell me a little about yourself! Where are you from, where are you now, and how did you get there?

Photo by Lydia Hudgens

I have to say, as an astrology enthusiast I feel obliged first to tell you that I am an Aries with a Gemini Moon! And so I love stories above all else — especially adventure, fantasy, science fiction, and fairy tale stories. I would be hard-pressed to tell you why, except that stories bring me deep, lasting joy and nourishment for the soul.

After living in San Francisco for the last five years, I have returned to the Boston area where I was born and raised. Where I come from is extremely important to me; I identify strongly with the granite strength and spirit of the land here in New England. Honoring my lineage and ancestors is a vital part of my spiritual practice, because they are my foundation — and a strong foundation makes for a strong practitioner!

I’ve been running my sacro-magical consulting business, Tarot and Tea, for over two years now. I took the plunge after too many people told me, “you’re really good at reading these Tarot cards. Have you thought about doing it professionally?” And so here I am!

What drew you to Tarot? Was it something you’ve always done or did it come to you later in life?

Now that you mention it, my love of stories is probably part of what made Tarot so attractive to me in the first place. Tarot tells your own story back to you; it helps you unravel and make sense of your tangled threads. And when you read for others, you get to step into their story, if only for a moment! I love that.

I came to Tarot relatively recently, after spying the Wildwood Tarot in a shop and falling instantly and deeply in love with the image on the box. It was love at first sight! I turned and saw the box just as a shaft of winter sun fell on it. Time slowed, music played, and we ran to each other in slo-mo. Just like in the movies~

At the time, I was no newcomer to the art of divination. My mother taught me to read the I Ching when I was a teenager, and I enjoyed it, but from the moment I laid hands on those cards I knew Tarot was my jam.

What, in your opinion, can Tarot do and be used for?

Photo by Lydia Hudgens

I believe Tarot is like a GPS for your life: it can show you where you are, where you’ve been, and give advice regarding the many potential paths — and obstacles — that lie ahead of you. Tarot can provide an aerial view of a certain situation so that you can make informed decisions for yourself. That’s they key — Tarot can give you information and clarity, but it cannot make decisions for you.

Not only are you a Tarot reader, but you’re a self-proclaimed professional witch! What does that practice look like and how do you incorporate Tarot into it?

For me, being a witch is spiritual rather than religious. I am not Wiccan. I view witchcraft like I view painting and drawing: it is something that I have to do, or else my soul will starve. Just as I can’t stop myself from doodling in the margins of papers, I can’t stop myself from walking between the worlds. There were times when I thought I was bonkers because of the strange experiences I was having! I had to learn how to manage it; I had to master my craft so it didn’t get the best of me. I learned how to set boundaries and protect myself, and I learned how to use my natural instincts, habits, and hobbies for intentional magical purposes. Witchcraft is what I love to do, and I’m extremely fortunate that I can make a living doing it!

Tarot is the foundation of my professional witch business. I offer straight up Tarot readings as well as ritual work and magical mentorship — and Tarot is always part of any ritual work that I perform, either for myself or a client.

Tarot help me determine if, when, and how to do work for someone. Before performing a ritual work, I do a reading to get a clear look at and understanding of the situation, to see if ritual work can help the situation, and if so what kind of work would be best. This kind of reading, as I was taught by my sacro-magical teacher Briana Saussy, is called Diagnostic Tarot.

Tarot is a very important part of my personal magical practice, too. Every day I pull two cards: one for the energy of the day and one for advice on how best to use that energy. I share that daily reading on Instagram for the benefit of my peeps. I love my peeps!!

What are your favorite kind of readings to give? Do you utilize spreads or approach readings in a less structured manner?

Photo by Lydia Hudgens

My very favorite kind of reading is the basic three-card reading I learned from my mentor, Theresa Reed aka The Tarot Lady. It’s a multi-layered reading; I can read the three cards as Situation, Challenge/Problem, and Advice as well as Past, Present, Future.

I love doing this reading because it allows Tarot to do what it does best: give you a clear look at and, hopefully, a better understanding of the present moment so that you can make the best possible decisions for yourself. Generally, I prefer these simple three-card spreads to more complex readings. Otherwise, things can get too convoluted.

If someone is interested in a reading, how can they get a hold of you? 

You can find me at www.paigezee.com and can book an email or Skype reading at www.paigezee.com/tarot. I also encourage folks to check out my free daily readings on Instagram @tarotandtea before buying. Free samples for everybody! Hooray!

Tarotview with Tarot and Tea’s Paige Zaferiou was originally published on

#divination #metaphysical #new age #Tarot #tarot-view #tarotview #witchcraft

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Tarot Reader Confessions

I have a confession to make; well, several actually. I posted a video recently that helps you get to know me (take a look-see here), and now I feel like there are a few things I need to get off my chest. Let’s face it, I’m not a perfect human being, or a perfect Tarot reader for that matter, so it’s time to fess up and let you all in on a secret or two.

So, without further ado, some Tarot reader confessions:

1. I am a HORRIBLE shuffler. I don’t know what it is, but 9 times out of 10 I drop the cards, screw up the dovetail, or forget which piles I reversed and which I didn’t. Because of this, I try and keep my shuffling simple and straight to the point. I also ignore any cards that many would consider “jumpers” because, let’s face it, it fell on the floor because I’m shuffling challenged.

2. I don’t like the Celtic Cross. I have tried my damnedest to get a good feel for it, and even blogged about it once, but truth be told I don’t like it and probably never will. There are way too many variations, and since I feel I can’t get a consistent  THIS card means THIS out of any of the interpretations, I’ve officially thrown in the towel. I know it’s a part of Tarot tradition, but what can I say? I’m a rebel.

3. I have a crush on The Magician from Dame Darcy’s Mermaid Deck. Don’t judge.

4. I have Tarot decks that I’ve forgotten about. I opened the chest I keep them all in the other day and found at least three in my collection I forgot existed. Will I be giving them away or trading them? Of course not! What if I need them one day??

5. The Rider-Waite-Smith is my shit. I own and use a lot of beautiful decks that I absolutely adore, but the RWS is the one I always come back to. It just feels so classic and esoteric to me. I love the way it feels in my hands and I feel like a true reader when I’m using it. Does that make me a true reader? Of course not! But let me feel my feelings, OK?

6.  I’ve taken to using Reiki on my cards, and use the power symbol either mentally or physically to cleanse and charge my decks for the highest good each time I use them. Since starting this practice, I have found readings to be much more profound and insightful. Does that make me a “woo-woo” weirdo? I most certainly hope so!

7. I just bought my first Rachel Pollack book. I KNOW! I know. It’s already been too long to go without…I promise I’ll finish it soon.

8.  I really want a cat-themed deck, but may be overthinking how I want the symbolism to look and haven’t found one that’s “spoken” to me yet. Does that make me a crazy cat person or a crazy Tarot person? Or does it make me both…? #YOLO

9. There has been more than one time in my life where I’ve taken all my decks out, sat on the floor, and just played with them. Shuffled them (horribly, mind you), laid them out in fake spreads for pretend clients, gazed at the images, and just held the different decks in my hand while gazing at them. Do NOT pretend you haven’t done the same…

10. Tarot has changed my life, plain and simple. It’s made me a better person, a happier person, a more fulfilled person, a more magickal person, and has helped me feel like I’ve finally found my place in this world. I honestly can’t imagine my life without it

Tarot Reader Confessions was originally published on

#blog #Card of the Day #court cards #divination #major arcana #metaphysical #new age #reiki #Tarot #tarot cards #Tarot Reading #tarot spreads

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New Moon Tarotscopes - June 2015

Artwork by Devany Wolfe of Serpentfire

“Astrologers regard this third sign of the zodiac as the quintessentially human sign, for it seems to sum up qualities that are the distinguishing hallmarks of the human race – intelligence (Gemini is an Air sign), adaptability (Gemini is a mutable sign), and communicativeness (Gemini is ruled my Mercury).” – Joanne Martine Woolfok, The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need

Talkative, energetic thinkers, Geminis love to communicate their thoughts quickly and to as many people as there are wiling to listen to them. Usually high-energy social butterflies who thrive when there’s more than one project to tackle or hobby to get involved with, their energy can be both invigorating and exhausting. As the New Moon enters Gemini today, it’s the perfect time for all of us to slow down a bit, regroup, and plant our feet into the ground a bit more firmly than usual. Calm your mind as the Moon goes dark so that you’re mentally well-rested as the new Lunar cycle revs back toward its radiant fullness. Mediate, journal, or simply sit and contemplate where you are on your journey and where you’d like to end up.

Each person should treat the quiet mindfulness of this New Moon period in a way that bests suits them and their Sun Sign. Take a look below to see how you and your Zodiacal brothers and sisters can best take advantage of the inner-expressive New Moon in Gemini!

Aries (March 21 – April 19) – Eight of Cups

Use this period to detach from emotions and relationships that may no longer be serving you. While you’ve tried to keep everything neatly stacked and set, your work has been in vain. As painful as it is to let go, consider the good it can do for you emotionally, physically, and especially mentally. Every ending is a new beginning, so embrace the opportunity to move forward toward opportunities much more personally fulfilling.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) – Queen of Swords, reversed

You may be tempted to speak your mind at every opportunity you’re given, but this New Moon is giving you the opportunity to slow down and think before you speak. You should never be afraid to express yourself, but be mindful of what you’re saying and how you say it. You may only mean to help or make better, but if you don’t watch your words they can fall as sharply and as cutting as a knife.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) – Ten of Cups, reversed

As the Moon darkens in your sign, reflect on what makes a happy home happy. Are you living your life the way you’ve imagined, or are you finding yourself tied down a bit too tight and making too many sacrifices and compromises? Your feelings matter and your desires deserve to be validated, so if you find yourself unhappy at home, reflect on how you can resolve lingering issues. Piece your thoughts together carefully and express them in a way that is sensitive to others while still getting your point across; communication that validates the emotions of all parties involved is key!

Cancer (June 21-July 22) – Two of Swords, reversed 

While this is a time for reflection, be mindful you don’t start OVERthinking things as the New Moon hits. Already naturally a little introverted, those under this homebody sign may run the risk of letting fears, doubts, and insecurities run so deep that they they cause panic or straight up mental exhaustion. Be kind to yourself and don’t be so hard on what you may consider imperfections; they’re all a part of what make you perfectly you!

Leo (July 23 – August 22) – Queen of Swords

Always the center of attention, this New Moon will be a good time for you to THINK before you ACT. Nurture your thoughts a bit more and don’t be so eager to jump into the center of the stage. Your fiery, royal ego needs  a little break from time to time, so give it an opportuity to let its guard down and be a little more reserved; this will give you the perfect chance to rejuvenate for the weeks ahead.

Virgo (August 23 – September 22) – Ace of Wands

Put your attention to detail to good use and use the New Moon to concoct some juicy new creative ideas. You may be feeling inspired within the next few days, and while most of the other signs are taking it easy, your mutable Earth energy can go with the flow if feeling entitled to be a little more energetic than normal. Put this unusually fiery energy to good use and see what you can come up with; you may surprise yourself!

Libra (September 23 – October 22)  – Nine of Pentacles

Enjoy yourself , Libra! You have permission this New Moon to be a little selfish and stop trying to even out the scales of life so much. You work just as hard as others do and deserve the same fruits of the labor that others gladly entitle themselves to. Think about ways you can treat yourself a little and don’t feel regret for you it; this Lunar darkness is the perfect time to pamper yourself!

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) – Ten of Pentacles

Never one to shy away from extremes, this New Moon asks you to celebrate the simple things in life. Give yourself permission to lower the intensity and find gratitude in the small pleasures of life. Quality time with family, friends, and a good book may be exactly what’s needed to calm your passionate, intense view of the world. Take some time to refuel and recharge; the rest will do your emotional body good.

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) – Two of Swords, reversed

You love expanding your mind and pushing your limits, so use this period to shut the brain off and veg out for a bit! As GO GO GO as you can be, your constant desire to find and experience the next big thing can be mentally draining for not only for you but for those around you. Take it easy, turn on Netflix, and use the next few days to recuperate and recharge; it’s the best way to prepare for your next adventure!

Capricorn (December 22 – January 10) – The Sun

Find ways to express yourself that are meaningful and joyful to YOU! You work so hard to make a better life for those around you, and now it’s time some of that energy was used for some much needed self-love and expression. Think about what makes your determined little heart sing and find ways to incorporate it into something reflective and meaningful as the New Moon darkens above you.

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) – The Hermit

Go in deep, Aquarius. This New Moon in Gemini begs you to do some real self-relfction to help pinpoint where any opportunities or problems need addresing in your life and well-being. Always concerned for others whithout getting too attached, take this time to get to know yourself a little more so you can be of greater service to those around you. You may be a perpetual people-pleaser, but you have to give yourself a little love now and again; really commit to it and see how brightly you shine coming out the other end!

Pisces (February 19 – March 20) – Page of Pentacles

Lay some practical groundwork this New Moon, and see what strides you can make in taking your creative emotions and making solid foundations to build them off of. The New Moon is a time for reflection, but as you have that talent down tenfold, now is the perfect opportunity to make something of all those thoughts and feelings! What can you start to build, create, or forge that will help carry you to success as the Moon grows fuller and brighter?

Interested in a Tarot reading of your very own? Take a look at what I have to offer or drop me a line and let’s talk it out. Happy New Moon!

New Moon Tarotscopes – June 2015 was originally published on

#advice #astrology #divination #empowerment #esoteric #guidance #metaphysical #new age #new moon #occult #Tarot #tarot reader #Tarot Reading #tarotscopes

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Get to Know Your Tarot Reader

I asked YOU what you wanted to know about ME, and here are my answers! Get to know a little more about me, my Tarot practice, and my love for my cats!

Get to Know Your Tarot Reader was originally published on

#blog #divination #metaphysical #new age #Tarot #tarot reader #video

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Hillary Clinton: Scorpion Queen of Cups

I don’t know a ton about politics, and the last thing I want to do on my blog is get political. However, as Hillary Clinton is the only politician we have here in the U.S. to make an offical bid for the Presidency, I thought it might be fun to pull some cards and see what they tell us about her road to the White House so far.

As she is a Scorpio (which I LOVE, btw!), I chose the Queen of Cups to be Ms. Clinton’s significator. Upon performing the First Operation (which you can learn about here), her card was found in the pile representing Pentacles. This tells us right off the bat that the former Secretary of State should continue making issues such as minimal wage, equal pay rights, and healthcare the central theme of her campaign. That’s what the people want, and most of all NEED, and she’d be smart to keep any home and family-related issues front and center as she begins her race to the White House.

Card 1 – What’s Ahead of Her; her biggest challenge she’ll have to face so far The Tower, reversed

When it comes to addressing the Pentacle-laden home/health/family issues, Ms. Clinton may need to shake things up a bit more than perviously thought. It won’t be enough to just TALK about the issues; she may need to prove exactly how she plans to address and fix them. It will be less about show-and-tell and more about plans of action while on the campaign trail. Her voters need to have confidence she can make shit happen if needed, so she should strive to show them exactly what she is capable of!

Card 2 – What’s Behind Her; any issue she’s already addressed and can move on from Four of Pentacles, reversed

As a Democrat going against voters and parties who don’t share her view on the nation’s financial issues, she’s done a fine job of putting her mark on it without letting the issues completely consume her campaign. She knows exactly what needs to be addressed and knows exactly what to say and who to say it to. She may not be waving an “EQUAL PAY FOR ALL” flag at every opportunity she gets, but anyone who has even a slight interest in this race knows who and what she stands for when it comes to the nation’s monetary affairs.

Card 3 – What’s Above Her; what she knows she needs to work on The High Priestess, reversed

A politician may not always be too keen on following their intuition, but this card indicates that Ms. Clinton understands the importance of listening to her gut and following her heart when it comes to making decisions within her politcal career. While she may not always get the chance, as her position surely pulls her in a million different directions, when it gets down to it, she’s most likely well-aware that one of the best deciding factors she has in this political game is her own inner-voice; she is a Scorpio, after all!

Card 4 – What’s Below Her: something she may need to pay more attention to Three of Swords

Running for President puts the needs of an entire nation right at the center of all your concerns, worries, and thoughts, so it’s natural for her to show care for the people she hopes to lead. However, she’d be wise to focus on herself as well, and ensure that while she paves her road to the White House, she takes time for self-care as well. She won’t be good to either party if she ends up sick, hurt, or too stressed out, so should strive focus on her own well-being as well as that of the nation’s. She’s putting her heart into the campaign, and while it may take a few blows, caring for it will help soften any damage done.

Hillary Clinton: Scorpion Queen of Cups was originally published on

#blog #divination #hillary clinton #Hillary2016 #metaphysical #new age #Tarot #tarot reader #Tarot Reading

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The Astrology Spread

I have found myself LOVING Astrology lately. I took a six-week course here in Chicago in the early Spring, and ever since then can’t get enough of natal charts, Ascendants, and trying to guess what people’s signs are after observing them for a bit. So, what better for me than to combine my love for Tarot and my new affinity for Astrology in a new spread I have aptly named The Astrology Spread!?

To get started, you’ll need the following Astrology info from your Seeker: their Sun Sign, their Moon Sign, and their Ascendant (a.k.a. Rising) Sign. If they know they’re birth time, date, and location, this info can be found for FREE at Cafe Astrology. Just click on the Birth Chart link, enter the info, and bingo-bongo, your Seeker’s natal chart! For the sake of example, we’ll use actress Angelina Jolie. Her chart is below:

Without getting too involved, we can see from the chart and/or table (depending on your Astro-skillz) that her Sun is in Gemini, her Moon is in Aries, and her Ascendant is in Cancer. So, what does the spread look like? Glad you asked:

It may look complicated, but I promise you it’s not!

For starters, pick a significator for each of the three Signs. I use Court cards (Pages for woman under 30, Knights for men under 30, Queens for woman over 30, and Kings for men over 30), but you could use Majors, pips, or any other cards you and the Seeker feel accurately represent the qualities of the signs. Once you decide what they’ll be, lay them out as followed:

1. Sun Sign – Who they are. This card represents the Seeker’s Ego, who they really are as a person. While many facets go into making up a person’s personality, their Sun Sign is a good peek into their temperament.

2. Moon Sign – What they feel. This card represent’s the Seekers emotional side, and how they express their emotions. It also shows their inner workings and what may be going on behind the external showiness of the Sun Sign. Think secret motivations and and internal wants/needs.

3. Ascendant Sign – What they show. This sign signifies what the Seeker shows to the world regardless of the Sun and Moon signs; the mask or persona they wear. If the Seeker were to walk into a party where they didn’t know anyone, this sign shows how they would act and be reacted to.

Ms. Jolie is a woman over 30, so in accordance to my practice all of her significators are Queens. Since her Sun is in Gemini, an Air sign, her Sun Sign significator is the Queen of Swords. Likewise, her Moon Sign is in the Fire Sign of Aries, so her Moon Sign significator is the Queen of Wands, and her Acsendant Sign in is the Water Sign of Cancer, hence the Queen of Cups.

Without pulling any other cards, we can already get a pretty powerful feeling for Ms. Jolie’s personality. She’s an interesting mix of Air, Fire, and Water, and while she may come off as maternal and perhaps a little mysterious, behind the Ascendent’s mask we have a woman with a strong will and fiery inner-temperament. It’s also interesting that her Sun Sign significator, the Queen of Swords, and her Ascendant Sign significator, the Queen of Cups, are both looking in the direction of her Moon Sign significator, the Queen of Wands. Perhaps she places more emphasis on her fiery qualities, and feels more at home when expressing her creative, passionate energy.

Once you have a general feel for the Seeker’s personality using the three significators, lay three more cards down (two directly below the significator and one below the other two to make an inverted pyramid). These will be read as followed:

a. – What’s helping. Each significator will have a card that represents what about the Seeker’s Astrological personality is helping them as they live their life and pursue their goals, needs, and wants.

b. – What’s hindering. Which part of this particular Sign personality trait needs to be reeled in a bit or perhaps emphasized more to be used to the Seeker’s advantage? This position will help the Seeker understaff what aspect of each Sign could be holding them back and what they can do to fix any imbalances.

c. – Advice. The last card will severe as general advice that ties the first two cards together, advising on how the Seeker can use the many facets of their Astrological Sign personality to help become the best versions of themselves possible!

If you happen to have a Seeker who has Signs in two or more of the same element (say a Water sign for both their Sun and Moon sign) and therefore have Signs that share a significator, simply lay out cards a.-c. around the particular significator in any way you see fit; on either side or above and below are perfectly acceptable examples.

And there you have it! While this spread will be a little easier to learn if you have some knowledge of Astrology, anyone one can get the hang of it with practice. Give it a try and let me know how it goes; I’d love to hear from you!

The Astrology Spread was originally published on

#astrology #blog #divination #metaphysical #new age #Tarot #tarot cards #Tarot Reading #tarot spread #tarot spreads

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The Robin Wood Tarot Review

Whenever I have a little bit of extra cash (which isn’t very often!), I always intend on saving it for just the right purchase. Today, that purchase turned out to be another deck to add to my collection, and I’m pretty happy with the exchange!

Conceived by artist Robin Wood in 1991, The Robin Wood Tarot is a deck published by Llewellyn in the Rider-Waite-Smith tradition and is self-described on the back of the box as “Radiantly colorful and infinitely captivating”. After having spent the afternoon with it, I 100% agree with the publisher when they say that “The shining strength of this tarot deck lies in its depiction of the Minor Arcana…all of the cards in Robin Wood’s deck spring into pulsating life.” Even before I read the deck’s description on the box, I was instantly drawn to the Minors after my first look-through of the cards. They are some of the most vivid and uniquely designed pips I’ve ever seen in any RWS deck and instantly spoke to me.

While there are some Major and Minor cards I had a pretty adverse reaction to, many delightled me in a way I did not expected. Still, others surprised me with there unique but thought-provkoing takes on what we’re used to seeing, and while my hopes weren’t too high for this deck at the beginning (I often feel the need to collect decks I feel are “classics” even if I don’t think I’ll use them much), I now see it getting added into my regular deck rotation!

Firstly, the box and the card stock were delightful surprises. While neither is super study, the cards sit nicely in my hands and shuffle easily, which is a plus for me as I am not the greatest shuffler. The box opens on the side and acts as a nice quasi-chest for the cards, and while I imagine it’ll get run down with wear and tear, for now it’s the perfect place to hold them until a bag or other appropriate vessel comes along. The black, white, and green celtic design on the back of the cards is lovely as well, and allows me to read the cards reversed (I’m weird and only read reversals if the back of the decks are the same reversed and upright; otherwise, it’s a no go). Two more cards with a spread each also accompany the deck, and I found myself pretty excited by the 15-card option. Any takers for a reading??

Three cards I absolutely loved upon my first encounter with the deck were The Magician, the Eight of Pentacles, and the Knight of Swords:

I found The Magician, my favorite card in the whole of Tarot, to be sexy, quite frankly! I mean just look at that facial hair and the little peek-a-boo of his chest! In all seriousness, I really enjoy how Wood kept inline with the RWS tradition as far as colors and overall “feeling,” but love her addition of the deer headdress and black and white pillar candles. This Magician holds infinite knowledge in his hands (quite literally) and works between the worlds of light and dark/conscious and subconscious/magick and might as a master of both human and animal instinct while appearing powerful but approachable. What else could you ask for in Trump 1?

Usually a card of hard work and diligence (at least to me), the substitution of a child for the usual adult in the Eight of Pentacles added a sense of innocence I never really associated with the the card until now. It’s a pretty powerful statement to doing something for the love of the work and its process. This child isn’t diligently working for the monetary gain of his project but because he loves what he’s doing, plain and simple. He’s creating for the sake of creating, and that’s not often shown when an adult is depicted in the card. While it’s a seemingly minor change, this addition has made me love this otherwise forgettable card more than I thought possible.

Lastly, the depiction of the Knight of Swords upon the back of Pegasus I absolutely adore. Not only does it add to the swiftness of this court card’s energy, but it helps us understand the heroic factor this Knight can represent. While the Knight of Cups is often Prince Charming, Pentacles shows us slow and steady, and Wands gives us a conduit for our creative energy, Swords and his breakneck action looks to becoming to the querent’s rescue. How’s that for a Knight in shining armor?

Admittedly, not all the cards struck my fancy. While there were a few I was not a fan of, The Fool, The Chariot, and The Empress were the ones that really threw me for an unsatisfactory loop (notice they’re all Majors? Really helps make the case for the Minors in this deck!):

For me, The Fool is best represented when his naive and innocent natures are played up; less a “fool” and more of a harmless, wide-eyed optimist ready to take the world by storm! Here, he looks like a court jester-in-training who go dressed in the dark. While I really enjoy the nature-themed background of this card and love that the traditional dog is kept intact (and adorable!), overall this card is not doing it for me.

The Chariot usually represents power and will, and as it’s traditionally ruled by Cancer, protection of loved ones is also a prominent theme. While I actually think the color story of this card is stunning, and was instantly drawn to a not yet understood connection between the green of the horse eyes and the jewel in the prince’s crown (something to journal about later, perhaps?), the addition of the harp is a head-scratcher and the DORKY expression on the figure’s face make me hear Goofy’s laugh overtime I see it (you know the one). There might be enough redeemable qualities in this card to get me to eventually like it, but for now it goes in the “not so much” pile.

Lastly, this poor, poor, Empress. A card of vitality, sexuality, and womanhood, this sad, elderly spinster looks like the babushka-laden second wife of Jim Bob Duggar. Where’s the vivacious carrier of gestating life? Where’s the notion that this card is represented by Venus, goddess of sexual desire and ultimate femininity (I know it’s on the shield, but that’s the only place it’s seen!)? While this card is usually one of a woman and her fully-occupied womb, there’s still a sense of power and liberating sensuality that’s 110% absent from this depiction. Yes, she seems nurturing, as most Empress cards do, but there’s something about this particular one that makes me think Grandma Time instead of Mother Nature.

Overall, and despite a few personal misses, this deck looks to be a sound investment and I’m glad to have added it to my collection. I look forward to working with it in the coming weeks to see what else I come to love (or dislike) about it, and am anxious to further understand how it can help empower me to offer the needed guidance and advice to those who seek it out!

  The Robin Wood Tarot Review was originally published on

#blog #court card #court cards #divination #major arcana #metaphysical #new age #Tarot #tarot cards #tarot deck #tarot deck review #tarot reader

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Don't Know, Do Know, Should Know Spread

A simple 9-12 card spread to help a querent or seeker look at what they don’t know, what they do know, and what they should learn from any given situation.

Don’t Know, Do Know, Should Know Spread was originally published on

#divination #metaphysical #new age #Tarot #tarot cards #tarot spread #tarot spreads

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June Reading

June Reading The World (Significator), Nine of Pentacles, Queen of Cups, King of Cups, Three of Rods from the Aquarian Tarot

Found in the pile representing Swords, our significator The World brings to attention a need for thought-based action for the month of June. How will you take your ideas and use them to formulate articulate, thought-out, and well communicated plans and actions? We’re halfway through the year (can you believe it?!), and as June 1st is a Monday it’s the perfect time to review and revise ongoing yearly goals as well as put new ones into action. Are you where you thought you’d be, or do you need to reexamine how to get there?

Notice the absence of Swords in these four weeks? Even though our main focus is on mental facilities, the way in which we reach those goals is though work on our emotions, material matters, and our creative will! June is packing a punch when it comes to getting shit done, so let’s dive in!

The first week is about putting our nose to the grindstone and getting what needs to get done done! The Eight of Pentacles is all about consistent effort and hard work. This figure has his focus fixed on his hammer and the task at hand. As the month begins, what do you need to focus on and finish up in order to move on? What work needs to be done so that you can put your mind to rest and focus on who and what’s around you? Use this week to put a cap on those on-going projects and goals so that you can open yourself up to what the Summer season plans on bringing!

It looks like our month is very heart-centered, with both the Queen and King of Cups occupying the second and third weeks of June. Now that you’ve worked on finishing up the unfinished material business, you’re able to focus on what drives you emotionally. The Queen leads with her heart chakra, open to give and receive love and emotional-fullfillment. Nurture what thoughts you have on how to open yourself to what moves you most. What can you attract or manifest this second week to drive you emotionally? Is it starting a new passion project? Giving yourself time for self-love and care? Whatever it is, pay your heart attention and listen to what your intuition is telling you in regards to utilizing your actions to gear you towards heart-centered undertakings. In doing so, the third week promises mastery over your feelings and the ability to combine your passions with your drive to see ideas and actions come to fruition!

The Kind of Cups is fire and water, possessing the ability to take love, emotions, and intuitive inklings and meld them into the powerful ability to master them for the greater good. As the third week of June rolls in, the work you’ve done on the practical as well as the emotional planes will manifest themselves in a grand way. While coming from the heart is still the name of the game, you’ll now have the knowledge and ability to use this heart-centered focus to set your sights on what’s next. While the second week is about self-love, the third week is about taking what you’ve discovered and communicating it to others for not only their benefit, but your’s as well. Use this time to understand what you’ve learned the first two weeks and how you can utilize it to pave the way for what’s coming in July.

The fourth and final week of June will see you setting your sights on what is next, but only if you’re comfortable with doing so. As the end of the month approaches, review your progress and be sure all the lose ends are tied up before you set off on your next big adventure. The Three of Rods speaks to seeing your ventures off, so be sure that what you started can carry over comfortably into the next month. Were you able to effectively communicate your ideas in a heart-centered way, or were there some difficulties along the path? Who or what helped or hindered you, and how can you be sure to remedy any problems or take advantage of any successes before moving on? Once you can answer those questions, July is sure to have just as big an impact as June!

Book your own reading

June Reading was originally published on

#blog #divination #major arcana #metaphysical #new age #Tarot #tarot reader #Tarot Reading

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Tarot-view with Happy Fish Carrie Jordan

When I was first looking to make Tarot a professional gig, Carrie over at Happy Fish Tarot was one of my very first inspirations. Both her business and practice were smart, whimsical, and down-to-Earth, and she was clearly coming from a place of love for her work and her cards. She also had an affinity for some prolific blogging and writing, so I has hooked right away.

Like numerous seekers, clients, and practitioners, I’ve got to watch Carrie’s little pond of cartomancy flourish into a raging sea of Tarot knowledge and influence, and her updates and social media presence continue to help keep me inspired on a daily basis as I myself continue to ride the waves of solo-peneurship.

I’m beyond thrilled to feature Carrie on this latest addition of “Tarot-view.” Check it out below!

First off, tell me a little about yourself! Where are you from, where are you now, and how did you get there?

I like the layers to this question, Matt! Physically, I am from Salt Lake City, Utah and I’ve lived here many years. But I think you are driving at where I am in my broader journey. I’m just over a year into the wild path of running my own business! In short, I came from a place of playing small. It took some Tower-like energy to crack me out of this, and I’m still learning to liberate myself and OWN my creative bad-assery. Tarot has been a huge part of this process, and few things give me more fulfillment than sharing my tarot work with others.

What lead you to Tarot? Is it something you’ve always done or were you called to it later in life

About five years ago I was experiencing what you might call a quarter-life-crisis. I had just finished a college degree and landed a corporate job. That was as far ahead as I had planned my life, and when I reached that point I didn’t find the happiness I assumed would come with “real” adulthood. I knew I wanted to be living a more expansive, creative life, but I had no idea what that would look like. I was utterly stuck and stagnant.

Around that time, I had an out of the blue impulse to get a tarot deck. As I began studying and playing with the cards, I started having all of these epic realizations about myself. I recognized very personal facets of my own experiences in the cards. This gave me the inspiration I’d been lacking for so long, and slowly things began to get flowing. A few years later, I started my own tarot business and I can’t tell you how right it feels. Ever since I discovered tarot, I opened to feeling a sense of purpose and adventure.

What, in your opinion, can Tarot do and be used for?

Oh my goodness, how much time do you have? Seriously, I think there are endless uses for tarot! When I got my first deck, I used it mainly for fiction writing – hashing out plots and developing characters. As I got deeper into studying the cards, I used them to understand my personal growth and spirituality. Eventually, that extended into providing readings for others.

In my business, I use the cards to help clients reflect on their own growth. I think one of the most amazing aspects of tarot is the way the cards can bring our unconscious influences to light. I know that my own growth and self-discovery is a life-long process, and in my work with clients I hope to serve as a beacon as they navigate their own unique experiences. Technically I am a tarot reader, but I think of myself as a sort of life coach who happens to use tarot as their primary tool.

I love the “sea-life” theme you bring to Happy Fish Tarot. Where does this oceanic outlook for your brand stem from?

Thank you! It’s funny because I didn’t put much thought into this at first but it has developed meaning for me over time. Symbolically, fishes are associated with the unconscious mind and wishes, among other things. I mentioned earlier the use of tarot to bring unconscious influences to the surface, and this ties in nicely to the imagery for Happy Fish Tarot.

Not only are you a Tarot reader, but you’re a prolific writer as well. How do you combine these two practices within “Happy Fish Tarot?” What do you hope writing brings to your practice and brand that other forms of communication like YouTube videos or podcasts may not? 

I’ve been enchanted by the written word all my life, writing is a form of communication that comes naturally to me. I am definitely an avid blogger – I put up posts for Happy Fish Tarot at least once a week. I also put a lot of love into crafting my newsletters and social media posts. I have these waves of calm purpose come over me when I’m writing – it’s a magical experience, really. I’m learning to get this same level of flow into my verbal communication. I do make YouTube videos occasionally, and speaking becomes easier the more I do it, but when I’m writing I feel genuinely in my element. I want to bring my messages to the world in the most potent, clear way that I can. Right now writing is the most organic way for me to do this.

What are your favorite kind of readings to give? Do you utilize spreads or approach readings in a less structured manner?

At the moment I’m having a blast with a reading I’ve designed called the ‘Bad Ass Manifesto.’ It’s a written document tailored to give the recipient a burst of confidence, gusto and forward momentum. It’s unique in that I write it in first person. This lets the seeker read it as a sort of affirmation or mantra. I get a huge kick out of seeing people come out of their shells and be the most awesome version of themselves possible, and this reading is right up that alley.

I do use spreads, I adore them! However, I’m a little bit picky about spreads. I like the positions to be just the right balance of specific yet open-ended. The vast majority of the time I custom-create a spread based on what the individual client is seeking.

Any advice for aspiring Tarot readers?

I think it’s really important to form a personal connection to the cards. Tarot has a rich history and loads of different methods, and it can be useful to study these. But ultimately, I think the real power in tarot is connecting the images, meanings and concepts to your actual personal experiences. I would also say don’t get too hung up on doing things the “right” way. Tarot is ultimately a personal art and you are allowed to have your own approach. As long as you feel like tarot is enriching your life, you’re doing it right.

If someone is interested in a reading, how can they get a hold of you?

My digital home is www.happyfishtarot.com. I’m also really active on Instagram: instagram.com/happyfishtarot and Facebook: facebook.com/happyfishtarot. Thank you for having me on your blog, Matt!

Tarot-view with Happy Fish Carrie Jordan was originally published on

#blog #four of pentacles #metaphysical #new age #Tarot #tarot reader #Tarot Reading #tarot-view

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Rainbow Pride Spread

The Rainbow Pride Spread using The Starchild Tarot

In honor of June being ‪#‎pride‬ month for the ‪#‎LGBTQ‬ community, I came up with the Rainbow Pride Spread! Utilizing the energies of each color of the rainbow, this spread helps give insight into particular aspects of the seeker’s life, ending with a look at what they themselves should be most proud of. Enjoy!

1. Red – Where you should focus your passion and energy

2. Orange – How your communication effects your social circles

3. Yellow – Your mental process and how you absorb things on an intellectual level

4. Green – Where balance is needed to allow for growth within your life

5. Blue – Where your loyalties lie

6. Indigo – What your intuition may be trying to tell you

7. Violet – How to unlock your creativity and imagination

8. Prisma – What you should be most proud of

Rainbow Pride Spread was originally published on

#blog #divination #gay pride #lgbt #lgbtq #metaphysical #new age #spread #Tarot #tarot reader #tarot spread #tarot spreads

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World Tarot Day; or, What Tarot Has Brought to Me and My Cats

I spent all day thinking about what I wanted to write on Tarot in celebration of World Tarot Day, and I think my thoughts have finally settled enough so that I’m able to pick a point or two out of the mass jumble that’s been running through my head for the past 15 hours.

Aria holds your fate in her paws!

Along with numerous adorable pictures of my cats adorned with cards, Tarot has brought me a lot, most of which I haven’t realized until reflecting on it.

For starters, it’s brought me back a bit to who I used to be growing up.

When I was a kid, I had an unabashed love for all things magical. I had the movie “Hocus Pocus” memorized, and worshiped the ground Melissa Joan-Hart walked on because of her work on “Sabrina, the Teenaged Witch.” My best friend and I would spend hours making miniature spell books, and I would always sneak off to the New Age sections of bookstores to peak at the books on Wicca and magick. If Harry Potter had come about a few years sooner, I surely would have been obsessed. I believed in magic so hard, and wanted nothing more than to be told I was a part of a long linage of beings who had the power to transform anything and everything to their will.

What awkward, chubby preteen wouldn’t want that? (Hell, what awkward 29 year-old wouldn’t want that?)

While the instant-magic of my childhood idles doesn’t exist (I do, however, remain optimistic!), Tarot let “adult me” understand that it’s OK to believe in my own spiritual practices that share roots with the witches and wizards of my childhood. While my spirituality is ever-evolving, I’ve been open to the word of witchcraft, magick, Reiki, crystal healing, yoga, numerology, and astrology; all modalities I would have never had considered access to were it not for the practice of Tarot.

If “13 year-old me” could look at ” 29 year-old me,” I think he’d be blown away at just how much magic there really is out there.

While I haven’t found the right title quite yet, I do consider myself a full-time “mystic-in-training” and whole-heatedly believe “little Matt” would be thrilled.

Tarot has also brought me the ability to help, heal, laugh with, and empower not only myself but people from all around the GLOBE! How amazing is that? I’ve not only read for some amazing clients, but have been lucky to meet and consider so many truly profound readers, lightworkers, mystics, and witches friends, peers, and continued inspirations. The Tarot community and its practitioners and seekers and the brightest, most compassionate, widely-eccentric yet refreshingly-grounded group of people I have ever had the pleasure of being acquainted with.

Beautiful souls are called to these beautiful cards, and my experience with them can attest to that 110%.

Last but not least, Tarot has brought me excitement. I get out of bed every morning and rush to a deck to then spend hours each day thinking about how I can improve my business, reading books or articles on the cards, giving readings to clients and on my social media platforms, and watching hours of YouTube videos of practitioners who share the same joy I do for the practice of Tarot. It’s been a long time since my heart’s been ignited by a passion for something, and I simply can’t imagine my left without the Tarot.

It truly makes me happy, and that’s the greatest gift of all. 

World Tarot Day; or, What Tarot Has Brought to Me and My Cats was originally published on

#blog #divination #metaphysical #new age #Tarot #tarot cards #tarot reader #Tarot Reading #world tarot day

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Springtime Judgement

Spring is my favorite time of year; it’s warm, it’s freeing, and there’s such potential for new beginnings lingering in the air. At least, that’s what it’s SUPPOSED to be like. Here in Chicago, it’s been rainy, cold, and I’ve been buried in a funk I can’t seem to get myself out of.

So naturally, I turned Tarot to this AM and pulled a card to see what insight I could gleam from my pseudo-Springtime doldrums.

Which card reared its perceptive head? Judgment. Dammit.

I was really hoping for The Sun, or the Four of Wands, or the Three of Cups; something to give me SOME indication warmer, better days were ahead. Instead, I drew a card that speaks deeper volumes than the ones I was hoping for.

Judgement, at least to me, is about release; shedding off the weight of all the physical, mental, and spiritual junk you carry around on a daily basis in order to make room for that which heightens your sense of awareness and purpose. It’s not about the trivial, small matters. It’s much bigger than that.

It’s a wake up call.

So what’s a Tarot reader to do? How can I, as well as you, implement this ideal into our lives going forward? That’s what I want you to think about this week. How can you empower yourself to cast off what no longer serves you so that you can refocus on what energizes you and gives you life.

Do your homework.

It might not be fun, but this could be the PERFECT opportunity to examine how you’re living your life vs. how you WANT to live your life and then act and plan accordingly. If there’s a disconnect between the reality and the potential, work to find out how you can bridge those gaps to truly free yourself of the proverbial weight holding you down.

The weather may not be in our control, but how we live our lives certainly is.

Springtime Judgement was originally published on

#blog #divination #Judgement #major arcana #metaphysical #new age #Tarot #tarot reader

[ashesandwinetarot]

Weekly Reading 5/10/15 - 5/16/15

The Starchild Tarot

  There’s a huge sense of ‪connection‬ this week, begging the question “What can you do to find your happy medium?” Understand that even if you FEEL like a ‪superhero‬, we all have our limits. Instead of tackling every project and attempting to complete all the tasks on your to-do lists, truly find ways to connect with where you are now and where you’re going, and, for the time being, find peace on that proverbial precipice. It’s not that you can’t or shouldn’t move forward; it only means this week is the perfect time for ‪reflection‬ and ‎contemplation‬. 

Use this small period of inaction to mediate on what you’ve accomplished so far, how it has effected you and your world, and what you will do to change what’s needed or keep what’s working so that you’re able to set off again and manifest some seriously awesome ‪change‬.

Don’t worry if things seem a bit confusing or you’re suddenly questioning your decisions and actions; that just means you’re actively living and that rightfully demand questions to be asked! Would you rather drift from day to day without any real, thoughtful feelings or active mental stimulation? If the answer is no, then you’re on the right track!

Weekly Reading 5/10/15 – 5/16/15 was originally published on

#Card of the Day #Card of the Week #divination #holistic #holistic tarot #major arcana #metaphysical #new age #starchild tarot #Tarot #tarot card of the day #tarot reader #Tarot Reading #tarot spreads #the starchild tarot #weekly reading