Stars and Shuffles

Ever feel like past, present, future is the only spread that exists? Same. In this episode, Hannah breaks down how to actually create your own tarot spread; no witchy credentials required.

Then we get into the good stuff; how to ask open-ended questions (and why "when is he going to propose?" won't get you far), why the "now" card is a secret weapon, how to layer in numerology, crystals, and candles if you want to go full ritual mode, and the one thing most beginners don't realize: you can't read for someone who hasn't given you permission.

Whether you've had a deck sitting on your shelf for months or you just got your first one, this one's for you.

Topics covered:

• Why past, present, future isn't the only option
• How to get to know a new deck before doing any real readings
• Hannah's book guessing game (yes, really — it works)
• What makes a good spread question (hint: keep it open-ended)
• Building your spread like a ritual
• Numerology, crystals, candles — stacking the magic
• Reading for someone else and keeping your energy out of it
• The ethics of reading for people who haven't given permission
• Why your spread should tell a story, not just give answers

This one's a cozy session. We're on the couch, it's Cancer season, and we're doing what we do best: learning out loud together. This episode is all about the nodes. If you've ever opened your birth chart, spotted that little horseshoe icon, and thought "what on earth is that?" Then this one's for you.

• 2:11 What are the North & South Nodes?

• 9:08 "How do y'all remember all this?" (We don't.)

• 10:37 The South Node: gifts you arrived with

• 17:00 Whole sign vs. Placidus (saving this one for another episode)

• 21:00 Nodal returns, explained

• 22:09 Are the nodes just the Chinese zodiac's long-lost cousin?

• 26:28 What a nodal return actually feels like

• 37:00 When the North Node transits your South Node house

• 42:00 Where to pull your chart + wrap-up

• Astro Seek — more detail, a little more digging

• The Chani app or The Pattern — clean, easy, lists it all out for you

In this episode: Pull up your chart as you listen!

Homework: Find your North Node, then tell us where it is. We want to know if our '91 and '95 babies are in the same spot.

What does it actually take to quit your nine-to-five and open the witchy shop you've been daydreaming about? We sat down with Helena and Sarah, the co-owners of Hemlock Haus, a metaphysical shop, community space, and full-on vibe in the DFW area, to find out.

Spoiler: the universe literally handed them a strip mall in December 2021. But that doesn't mean it was easy.

In this episode, we talk about how a late-night conversation at a vendor event turned into a Post-it board of dreams, what it looks like to grow a brick-and-mortar from scratch with zero outside funding, why you probably won't profit for three to five years, and how they accidentally built one of the most genuine community spaces around, complete with regulars who just stop by to exist somewhere safe.

Whether you've got a Virgo's love of inventory or an Aquarius's complete disregard for rules, this one's for every cosmic-curious dreamer thinking about making the leap."

We just show up as who we are and hope that who needs us finds us." — HelenaIn this episode, Hannah & Selena sit down with Helena and Sarah of Hemlock Haus, a metaphysical shop in the DFW area. They talk about:

• How a vendor event conversation in 2021 sparked the idea for the store

• Why they spent nearly a year building online before opening their doors

• What it's really like to leave corporate work behind (Helena quit the week of their current location's opening)

• The truth about small business finances and why profits might not come for three to five years

• How they grew from a tiny former dentist's office to a 4,800 sq ft space in just three and a half years

• Their approach to curating inventory: supporting small businesses, LGBTQ+, women-owned, and POC-run vendors

• The unexpected gift of community; regulars, safe-space moments, and people who just need somewhere to be

• Their number one advice for aspiring shop owners

Find Hemlock Haus: Website:  hemlockhaus.com  2nd Annual Goth Prom -> tickets available nowmetaphysical shop, witchy small business, DFW witch, small business advice, leaving corporate job, brick and mortar, crystal shop, tarot, astrology, pendulum, candle magick, Oracle cards, Hemlock Haus, community space, female founders, LGBTQ business, woman owned business, witchy Texas

Feeling creatively stuck? Cards might have something to say about that.

In this episode, we test out a tarot spread we found online focused on uncovering creative blocks. With Saturn and Neptune moving into the fifth house for Sagittarius risings, the timing felt too perfect not to try. We pull three cards to dig into what is really holding Sag risings back from their spark and what it might take to get the creative energy flowing again.

Then, with Cancer season right around the corner, we pivot to a second spread all about inner joy for Cancer risings. The cards come in hot and we break it all down in our signature "we are learning this too" way.

Whether you are a Sagittarius rising feeling creatively drained, a Cancer rising stepping into your season, or just someone curious about what tarot has to say, this one is for you.

No tarot experience needed. Just an open mind and maybe a deck nearby.

Timestamps 

• 02:18 Sagittarius Risings: What is the root cause of your creative block?
• 04:30 Sagittarius Risings: How can you reconnect with your inspiration?
• 06:00 Sagittarius Risings: What mindset shift will help you sustain creative flow?
• 08:19 Pivoting to Cancer Risings and Cancer season
• 09:07 What it means when your rising sign matches the current sun sign
• 10:00 Cancer Risings: How can you access your inner joy?
• 11:55 Cancer Risings: How does your inner voice want to be expressed?
• 13:38 Cancer Risings: How can you make space for your inner joy?

Ever heard the term "shadow work" and just nodded along, hoping no one would ask you what it means? Same. This week, we're finally diving deep — and we brought the perfect guide.

We sat down with Tina Todaro, owner of Sacred Journey crystal shop in Watauga, Texas, to unpack everything shadow work actually is (hint: it's way more than journaling prompts).

Tina breaks down what your "shadow" really is, why ignoring it leads to self-sabotage, and how your relationships are literally a mirror of your inner world. We also get into toxic positivity, anger, inner child healing, and why accepting your shadow might just be the most radical thing you can do for yourself.

We cover:

• What shadow work actually is — and what it isn't
• Why your shadow holds your biggest untapped potential
• How to start if you've never done any inner work before
• Journaling, shamanic journeys, and oracle decks as tools for shadow work
• Which astrology placements feel shadow work the most (👀 Scorpio, we see you)
• Whether shadow work replaces therapy — spoiler: it doesn't

Whether you're shadow-work-curious or you've been avoiding this conversation for years, this episode is your sign to start. No pressure, just some curious companions stumbling through it together.

Connect with Tina: Find Sacred Journey in Watauga, Texas, and check out her monthly Shadow Work classes — held the second Friday of every month.

https://sacredjourney111.com/

Stars and Shuffles is astrology, tarot, and all things metaphysical — for beginners, by beginners.

This episode we continue our discussion on how we give and receive love. We deep dive into the second half of the zodiac signs , from diplomatic Libra to dreamy Pisces. We also cover the second half of the common tarot cards found in love readings.

In this opening episode, we bridge the gap between the stars and the deck to explore how we give and receive love. We’re deep-diving into the first half of the zodiac, from the fiery pursuit of Venus in Aries to the quiet, devoted service of Venus in Virgo.

Whether you’re a "love at first sight" believer or a "let’s see your five-year plan" romantic, we’ll analyze how your Venusian placement dictates your relationship needs and which Tarot archetypes show up when that energy is in full bloom.

In this episode, Selena goes over what astrological energy January through June bring in 2026 for Aries Risings.

Ever wonder how a casual interest in zodiac signs turns into a full-blown spiritual practice? In this episode, Selena Gonzalez and Hannah Mitrea pull back the curtain on their personal spiritual journeys. From Selena’s early days scrolling through sun signs on CoStar to Hannah’s deep dive into Wicca and dream interpretation, we’re sharing the "origin stories" of our practices.

We break down the essentials for anyone just starting out, including:

• The "Big Three": Why understanding your Sun, Moon, and Rising signs is the ultimate key to self-understanding.

• Astrology Apps We Love: Why we recommend the Chani App for beginners over everything else.

• Learning Tarot: How Hannah mastered the cards through TikTok, pen pal readings, and the power of daily practice.

• Finding Community: The importance of sharing resources and taking a "slow and steady" approach to your spiritual education.

Whether you’re curious about your birth chart, looking to start reading Tarot, or seeking a deeper connection to the universe, this episode is a roadmap for integrating spiritual tools with your daily life.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Chani App (Astrology)

• CoStar

• Tarot Practice Tips

In this episode, we dive into what energy the month of January is bringing us. New Year, New Cards!

We discuss the astrological outlook for January 2026, emphasizing the importance of self-care and grounding oneself after the holiday season, with a highlight of the Aquarius stellium, which includes Mercury, the Sun, and Mars in Aquarius, promoting intellectual and communicative energy.

The first week is about letting go of past conflicts, with the Full Moon in Cancer encouraging emotional detox. The second week involves making clear decisions, while the third week brings excitement and newfound love. The fourth week warns against being overly trusting, especially with new relationships.

Overall, the theme is about balancing new beginnings with practicality and skepticism.