I am so struck by those who have the courage to express their creativity and put their beautiful work out in the world for all eyes to see, no matter what shape or form it takes. And with their hard angels, bright colours and vivid design - The Mystic Mondays tarot deck is a beautiful sight indeed. That’s why when Grace Duong (designer extraordinaire and creatress of the upcoming Mystic Mondays tarot deck) and I connected, I felt like it would be the perfect opportunity to learn more about the process of creating a deck and using Kickstarter as a launch pad to jumpstart the project.

Check out the interview after the cut where Grace talks about her love of all things mystic and her inspirations for this project. It also includes a little mini reading for Grace about her campaign, because what Tarot interview is complete with a consult of the cards? Also, be sure to check out the Kickstarter to support Grace and help bring this vibrant deck to life!

When I was in High School, Tarot cards weren't the only things I was slinging. I was super into Anime (conventions yes, cosplay no) so I accumulated a shit ton of toys and collectibles, particularly Sailor Moon because that was my favourite and it was readily available. Luckily, I've managed to hold on to many things over the years, so I can still enjoy them to this day. 

Which brings me to the Sailor Moon CCG which was released in the late 90s; think Pokemon or Magic The Gathering. Obviously, I was all over it when it came out and the other day, while I was searching the basement, my collection resurfaced!

This entry and topic is born from challenge. This is something that had muddled around in my mind and through the process of thinking, over thinking, and thinking some more, I've finally come to a place in my practice where I know how to confidently tackle this pressing issue and commonly asked question: "what is my life path and purpose?"

Let me first take you back in time, a couple of years ago. It was close to my birthday and I wanted to order a reading for myself. This was before I was providing readings for others (besides friends and family) and prior to me being visible on social media. I looked around online and found someone who I vibed with and ordered a "life path and purpose" reading. The reader worked with the Life Purpose Oracle deck combined with meditation and angel work. It didn't take long to get my report back, and the results? Energy Healer. He also provided some suggestions, divinely inspired, to check out some course offerings and to select something that spoke to my soul. He said I shouldn't spend a lot of money and it wouldn't take much education, but it would be a good way to get my feet wet on a certain bracket of metaphysics that I was drawn to. Well, I didn't pursue energy healing per say, but I did immediately follow his other suggestion and let my gut and heart guide me. It was through this process that I found a spirit guide coach certification course and signed my ass up. I can say with certainty, this was a pivotal and changing moment for me. 

The tarot spread that I'm going to share with you today is one that I use when performing my Pathwalker reading for others. I typically perform it at the start of the reading to get a nice snapshot of what strengths and particulars my querent is dealing with in the moment. It is meant to be personal, insightful and reflective. I then go on to perform the rest of the reading made up of a few different components, but it occurs to me that this small 4 card spread can be a total standalone - and so I wish to share it with you! 

The other day a link landed in my inbox - Top 75 Tarot Websites And Blogs For Tarot Card Readers. Interesting...and I was happy to see, as I scrolled through it, so many familiar faces who I've come to know through the magic of the internet, particularly social media. I was even more shocked to discover that this humble blog made the list!

Well, I wasn't expecting that, but I'll certainly take it so thank you very much. While Tarot has been a love of mine for a very long time, this spot only came into being just over a year ago. You can still read my first ever post and the intention behind it. At the time, I honestly didn't know if I would be able to keep it up. I'd started and stopped things in the past, so I almost prayed that this time would be different. Of course I turned to Tarot for guidance and I was continually shown the Sun during this period and I knew exactly what it was saying. If I was going to do this thing and it was going to grow, it needed sunlight and that meant, I couldn't keep it hidden. I had to approach it as openly and honestly as I knew how and just be exactly who I was. It needed to be an utterly true expression, even if it made me uncomfortable.

Anyway, I'm so grateful to all of you who stop by or care to read my perspective on any of this. I also strongly recommended you check out the rest of the list because there are some seriously awesome blogs included- you won't be disappointed!

For many tarot practitioners, we understand the value in a well constructed question. In fact, if a question isn't clear enough, I'll reach out to my client to rework it so it's more succinct. The philosophy states, the better the question, the better the answer, and so many a great readings start with a well thought out and fully formed question.

But what about those times when you just want a straight forward, yes or no response!? Damn it tarot, I just want to know if I'm gonna get that job or not!

Okay, here's the thing. There is something inherently problematic about a closed ended question where Tarot is concerned, and that's that it doesn't allow any room for grey. I am a firm believer in free will, but I also understand energy and trajectory, so while I think it's possible that Tarot can show us the "likelys", the future isn't set in stone, and so there must always be room for the "maybe". Even if the answer is "yes", it's always a "yes" with a caveat. So, how can you determine probability using tarot? Well, keep reading and I'll show you!

I come into contact with, what seems like, more and more people who are wanting to learn and practice tarot. For a newbie, it can seem daunting. 78 cards (and 156 meanings if you factor reversals) is a lot for anyone to try to memorize, and even when you do manage to memorize each card, you have another huge challenge on your hands. One that asks you to effectively take the cards you’ve memorized and now apply them to a specific person or situation and uncover how multiple cards in a spread may relate. It’s an art and a skill, and I know first hand just how long it can take, how frustrating it can be but also, how rewarded you will feel the moment it does start to click; and it WILL start to click, if you stick with it. 

The other day a friend asked if I could perform a reading for her. "Sure", I replied, "what did you want me to look at?" But, the answer wasn't incredibly straightforward. It was something along the lines of, "I've just been feeling really off lately. I don't know if it's because of this or that, but I'm not just feeling right."

This type of inquiry I would lump into the vague and uncertain pile and it usually takes some work on my part to reformulate the question enough that it actually becomes readable. This time though, I resisted that urge.

I didn't know exactly how I would lay the cards down, but I knew I wanted to answer the inquiry just as it was asked. After all, there must be a way to look at what's happening in and around someone, especially when it feels that whatever it is, is weighing them down.

I'm participating in the Willows East Tarot Blog Hop, so below I have answered the 5 questions that she's put forward to those involved in the hop.

Before we get to that, I first want to say that I think this is a really wonderful way to connect us tarot bloggers, to continue to build community and to help get to know each other a bit better! I encourage any other tarot bloggers who come across this post to check it out and join the hop!

So did you want to learn more about me and my journey with tarot? Read on!

This post includes a worksheet. Get it here!

The court cards in many decks may look like royalty, but don’t be fooled by their fancy exterior! The courts are just like us; full of depth, imperfection and potential. Whether you’re new to tarot or have been practicing for sometime, it probably isn't news to you that the court cards can be one of the more challenging aspects of the deck to master. I too found myself scratching my head at times when these cards would show their face in a spread. Because of this, I needed to formulate a way to break down each character to help me distinguish who they are and how they relate to each other and myself.

"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." - Joseph Campbell

There is something unsettling about the 8 of Cups. Maybe it's because it's been stalking me for a solid year. Or maybe it's because whenever it shows up, it's a stark reminder that I'm still the fellow with his back to one life, though not fully entrenched in another; a kind of sort of between two worlds type of feel. Before I speculate on the true nature or intention behind the 8 of Cups, I first need to come to terms with why it makes me feel ill at ease.

Post Edit: On November 8, 2017 I added a Part 2 to this post that focuses on the reader's perspective. So, getting the most out of the readings that you perform and making sure your services are structured to your liking. If you've enjoyed this post, please also check out Part 2!

This post includes downloadable resources: 1) Email Reading Checklist 2) Email Reading Template (PDF version) 3) Email Reading Template (Doc. version)

Do you want to be able to craft email readings that your clients will savor, save, print and return to time and time again? Of course you do and more importantly, of course they do. This is always the goal of the email readings we prepare and in this post, I will share with you what I feel is most important when it comes to constructing your email readings, as well as provide you a template and checklist to get your started.

This topic seems to be an area of challenge for many, and rightfully so. Picking up on surrounding energy is one thing, but being able to say when something may happen is difficult, because as most of us acknowledge, free will exists. Just because something looks to be moving a certain way, doesn't mean it will stay the course. There are so many variables that can impact trajectory, so I think when we're talking about timing, we have to first acknowledge that timing, like anything with tarot, does not live in the realm of absolutes.

Deck Information: Zombie Tarot by Stacey Graham and Paul Kepple as published by Quirk Books, 2012.

The Zombie Tarot is the brainchild (yup, I kinda punned) of Stacey Graham (writer and professional tarot reader), illustrator Paul Kepple and publisher Quirk Books. I decided I needed this deck after having it continually pop-up for me during my regular course of online activity. The images immediately appealed to my senses and I quickly sought out a more complete view of the deck so I could make my final decision. With all my planned purchases, I like to do research, and part of that research includes getting my eyes on a good sample of images including majors, minors and the courts.