Episode 177. I’m going to approach this topic from two perspectives. I’ll start by talking about what to do when you get a reading that doesn’t feel clear - followed by what to do when you’re giving a tarot reading and can’t seem to find a cohesive message. I'll share my best tips so that you can find your way through the fog - or learn from the experience. 

Episode 176. If you've been reading for yourself or loved ones, you might be wondering: what is it like to read for strangers? Jenna Matlin joins me to talk about reading tarot for the general public. Jenna shares her tips for delivering a rock-solid reading, and handling challenging querents. We also talk about the difference between readings for family versus the general public - and how folks should prepare for a session so they get a helpful tarot reading.

Episode 175. Reading tarot for loved ones seems like a great idea, right? After all, who knows you better than a close friend or family member? While there are benefits to getting a reading from someone you trust, there are challenges for both the reader and the querent. In this episode of Tarot Bytes, I'm joined by Melissa Cynova, author of the upcoming book Kitchen Table Magic and cocreator of The Scorpio Sea Tarot, for a frank discussion on what it's like to read tarot for those who are near and dear.

We talk about the pros and cons of getting a reading from someone who knows you well - and what both reader and querent need to do to ensure the reading is unbiased and helpful. Learn when we think you shouldn't read for a loved one too.

Episode 174. There are some real tarot fears out there. Take the Death card for example. People see it and freak the heck out! Why is that? More importantly, how can we understand and dispel those negative connotations? In this episode of Tarot Bytes, Elliot Adam, author of Fearless Tarot: How To Give a Positive Reading in Any Situation, joins me to talk about why tarot scares some folks - and how to look at some "scary" cards through the lens of compassion. 

Episode 173. Although tarot is primarily associated with divination, modern readers know that it can be used for so much more. Jerico Mandybur, the creator behind Neo Tarot, sees tarot as a tool for nurturing yourself. In this episode of Tarot Bytes, we're talking about how tarot and self-care go together beautifully. 

Jerico shares various ways to incorporate tarot into your personal spiritual practice. Methods such as affirmations, journaling, and her fave spread for "checking in" help you take good care of you.  You'll discover the tarot might be the perfect companion when you need a little TLC (tarot loving care). 

She also dishes about her fascinating new podcast Beyond Belief - which explores spiritual beliefs such as stigmata, satanic feminists, and other belief systems in a curious, non-judgmental way. 

Episode 172. When you blend astrology into your tarot reading, you can uncover new levels of information. That's what V. of Red Light Readings has been discovering. She's been using astrology in her Cosmic-politan, a tarot-infused deep dive into your natal chart.

In this episode of Tarot Bytes, we're talking about how astrology influences tarot - and how to create your own natal chart with tarot cards! SO COOL. Prepare to go down a new rabbit hole with V's techniques.

Book mentioned in this episode is Tarot and Astrology: Enhance Your Readings With the Wisdom of the Zodiac by Corrine Kenner.

Episode 171. Do you ever find yourself getting hung up on supposed "tarot rules," and losing your own voice in the process? This happens to all of us, especially when we're first starting out. Rote memorization of what each card "means," can have you sounding like a tarot automaton...and that's no good.

Tarot is a lot like music - while there are certain rules, individual expression is what creates the most interesting harmonies. Majorie Gatson, also known as The Punk Priestess, joins me in this episode of Tarot Bytes to talk about how to break free from the tarot rules that stifle your creativity...and your voice.

Episode 170. One of the methods I use with beginning tarot readers is keywords, which is a list of prompts for each card. It's a great way to get the interpretations down. Beverly Frable prefers to skip that method. Instead, she advises looking for different clues, which helps to develop your own meanings. In this episode, Beverly joins me to teach reading without keywords - and what you might want to consider instead. I love her intuitive approach to tarot - and I think you will too (Plus not having to memorize keywords? SWEET.)!

Episode 169. A few episodes back, Seth Vermilyea of Coming Out Tarot discussed tarot patterns with me. He joins me again today to talk about cards and patterns that might indicate the coming out journey. We also chat about how tarot can support someone before, during, and after coming out of any life closet. Seth is an amazing teacher and tarot reader - I learned so much in this episode. 

Episode 168. Every tarot reader or enthusiast has at one time or another come across a family member who doesn’t support their tarot passion. Sometimes it’s due to ignorance while other times, there are other emotions behind the haterade such as embarrassment, fear, a lack of understanding, or it goes against their beliefs. In some cases, it’s because they’ve had a bad experience with a tarot reader or know someone who did.

For example, my parents didn’t seem to care much when I was experimenting as a teenager. But once I made tarot my livelihood, they were freaked out. My mother was so embarrassed that she wouldn’t tell people what I actually did for a living. She told relatives that I worked for some corporation. Which is crazy because anyone who knows me knows that I would never do such a thing. But to her, the work was so bizarre that she couldn't admit it until years later. I’m sure she’d have a different mindset now because I’ve been doing it so long - and have a few books under my belt. Also, tarot is more accepted than it was back in the day when I first began.

I can tell you though, that it does hurt when your family isn’t supportive. It can take the wind out of your sails and make you feel like putting the cards away for good. Over the years I’ve talked to many other tarot lovers who have shared stories of having to practice or get readings in secret due to a family member who doesn’t like tarot. It doesn’t have to come to that.

In this episode, I'm sharing my best tips for how to deal when your family doesn't support your tarot passion.