Years ago, while working at the mall, I spontaneously decided to buy a Tarot deck. My co-workers were into astrology and Tarot as a way to understand themselves and find guidance. As a recovering fundamentalist Christian, I was pretty skeptical about associating with anything “woo” or “spiritual” but I was intrigued. On my lunch break one evening, I ran down to a gift shop that sold a few decks. The Wild Unknown Tarot by Kim Krans spoke to me and thus began my Tarot journey.

Fast forward almost a decade and my Tarot journey has shifted and expanded over the years. Though I still use Tarot as a tool for self-exploration, it has become so much more. From helping me to understand potentialities to opening portals to esoteric wisdom, the Tarot has been foundational to my spiritual expansion. I no longer have the beautiful Wild Unknown Tarot, but I have about 20 other decks, not including the many oracle decks I have accumulated. My first Tarot deck is honored as a tattoo of the Daughter of Wands, one of my favorite cards in that deck.

My experience within the realm of Tarot has been primarily with the Rider Waite Colman Smith system. Some of my favorite teachers of Tarot include Rachel Pollack, Benebell Wen, and Josephine McCarthy. The ways of engaging the Tarot that appeal to me the most acknowledge the traditional imagery and interpretations of the RWCS pack, but seek to expand and radicalize those interpretations. I want a Tarot that is liberatory, queer, decolonial and anti-capitalist. The work of Christopher Marm0lejo and Charlie Claire Burgess has been very inspirational to me recently.

When it comes to the mechanism of Tarot, I have shifted from the idea that it is nothing more than my brain interacting with the pretty images on the cards. Now I engage with the cards from a collaborative framework; my expansive (some may say highest) self and the spirit of the cards. One of my favorite decks is Benebell Wen’s “Spirit Keeper’s Tarot” which honors the anima inherent in each card. You certainly do not have to share my perspective on the mystical aspects of Tarot cards to work with me, I just ask that you respect the cards. Also, if you have made it this far in reading about the Tarot, please enjoy a coupon code for 15 percent off of any reading with me: avidreadertarot, all caps.

Whether you are looking for a little guidance on a specific issue or you are seeking a radical shift in your life, the Tarot can offer you support. If you book a reading with me, you can expect to learn more about the traditional symbolism of the original RWCS cards synthesized with radical reimaginings of the cards. It is important to me that Tarot feels accessible to everyone, and not everyone will see themselves in, or relate to, the stuffy, Euro-centric, religious iconography of the original cards. While the RWCS deck is an option for a reading with me, I also have other decks to choose from that are much more inclusive.

If you choose to book with me, you will receive a reading that is not only insightful but informative as well. It is my goal as a practitioner to ensure that my clients have expansive experiences with the cards and leave the reading feeling inspired by the possibilities before them. If you have any additional questions about the Tarot, such as “Is Tarot evil?” or “Is Tarot a tool of the devil"?” (spoiler, it’s not), please feel free to contact me! I am happy to go over any concerns or inquiries about what a reading is like. If you are feeling the energy of The Fool and are ready to jump in, you can book a reading now. There are many readings to choose from, each one customizable, and includes add-ons such as oracle cards or a transcript of your reading. I look forward to working with you!