The funny thing about this episode is that I recorded an entire first 30 minutes that did not process successfully, so I recorded a 2nd half of the podcast which I'm keeping as the entire episode this time around: a good lesson for me as I have Aquarius in my North node and Leo in my South node. I'm always striving to release my need for perfection and reduce my attachment to any investment in the outcome of my work! We explore the Star card in the Tarot and how it relates to healing from a balanced place that is connected to both earth and spirit, and we touch upon the dangerous natures of cult personalities, spiritual bypassing and narcissistic abuse. If you're interested in the topic of cult personalities as they relate to conspiracy thinking, I highly recommend the Conspirituality podcast. 

Also mad props to astrologer and psychic Monte Farber for so eloquently explaining the tendencies of Leo to me in his summary that a "Leo has stage fright: they are terrified of NOT being on stage." Brilliant!

We talk also about codependency and I often recommend the book "Codependent No More" when the issue of codependency comes up in a tarot reading with my clients. 

If you are looking to engage with a loving and creative community, please join me on my writing page on Instagram at @urbansiren where I host daily writing challenges during each zodiac season. 

Do you have a question you'd like me to address on an upcoming episode? Leave me a message here and in doing so, note that you give me permission to reiterate, paraphrase or play back your question and answer it on an upcoming episode.

If you'd like to support this podcast with a donation of your choice, I'd be so grateful. Please also leave a review, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and share with your family and friends.

Stay in touch with me through all my platforms and services.

Thank you as always for being here! xox Diane

Truth-seeing is one of the greatest gifts we can allow ourselves to experience, as painful as the truth may be at times. Living through this COVID19 pandemic and subsequent economic crisis has tired many of us, beating us down and testing our faith. In this episode inspired by the book "Power vs Force" by Dr. David Hawkins, we explore Leo season and as the sign is ruled by the sun, we also take a look at the Sun card in the tarot, as well as the Strength card as it is ruled by Leo. Seeing the truth can be extremely challenging as it may conflict with our long-held beliefs. Let's feel empowered to utilize the powerful aspects of Leo season to face the truth and be active participants through our sacredly aligned sense of Self. 

If you are looking to engage with a loving and creative community, please join me on my writing page on Instagram at @urbansiren where I host daily writing challenges during each zodiac season. All forms of writing and creativity are most welcome. Keep your eye out for our special IG live events which include Tarot card readings and live poetry readings. It is truly a good time for all!

Do you have a question you'd like me to address on an upcoming episode? Leave me a message here and in doing so, note that you give me permission to reiterate, paraphrase or play back your question and answer it on an upcoming episode.

If you'd like to support this podcast with a donation of your choice, I'd be so grateful. Please also leave a review, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and share with your family and friends.

Stay in touch with me through all my platforms and services.

Thank you as always for being here! xox Diane

Deep breaths, my Friend! We're experiencing a lunar eclipse in the full moon of Capricorn on July 4, and given the strength of this structural energy, it's a good time to take your hands off the full-tilt wheel, be mindful of aggression in the atmosphere and how we might react to that, and come back to a place of centered perspective. We dissect the meaning of the Chariot card in the Tarot as it relates to our present Cancer season, and dive deep into complex Capricorn: a sign of both deep intellectual and emotional power. As a Capricorn Sun and Moon, I'm a big fan of knowing and owning what truly matters on a foundational level, and this is a good time to work with a trained and licensed mental wellness professional as emotions run high this Cancer season. As promised, here are several mental health resources to review should you feel called to do so:

Therapy for Black Girls

H.E.R. Space Podcast

Black Mental Health Podcast

Food is Not Bae

BetterHelp

NYS COVID19 Mental Health Wellness

You are invited to listen to my guided meditations on SoundCloud.

If you feel called to explore your natal chart, I recommend looking your up at Embodied Astrology and tuning in to Renee's podcast as well. Check out MoonGiant to see what phase the moon was in when you were born.

If you are looking to engage with a creative community on social media, please join me on my writing page on Instagram at @urbansiren where I am hosting a daily writing prompt  challenge during #Cancer season. All forms of writing and  creativity are most welcome. Keep your eye out for our special IG Live  events which include Tarot card readings and live poetry readings.

Do you have a question you'd like me to  address on an upcoming episode? Please leave me a message here and in  doing so, please note that you give me permission to reiterate,  paraphrase or play back your question and answer it on an upcoming  episode. You may also email me at myurbansiren[at]gmail.com

If you'd like to support this podcast  with a monetary donation to help me allot the time and resources to  produce this podcast, your donations are most appreciated. Please also  leave a review, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and share with  your family and friends.

Stay in touch with me through all my platforms and services.

Thank you as always for being here! xox Diane

We're moving into a powerful astrological season on June 20 into June 21 as we enter Cancer season on the Summer Solstice, with a New Moon in Cancer and a Solar Eclipse. Just some stuff! In this episode, we explore how the Chariot invites us into our center, encouraging us to find balance and create opportunity for positive potential. I touch on the past few weeks of upheaval and the revolts we're witnessing against systemic oppression. Our collective responsibility is to show up as best we can with intentions cast upon uplifting our brother and sisters and paving the way for long-overdue inclusivity. These past few weeks since #BlackOutTuesday and #AmplifyMelantedVoices on social media, I've subscribed to and connected with several BIPOC (black, indigenous and people of color) podcasters offering community-building tools and mental wellness support:

Therapy for Black Girls

H.E.R. Space Podcast

Black Mental Health Podcast

Food Is Not Bae

The Writer's Haven

Side Hustle Pro

The Friend Zone

Taking care of your mental health is paramount. Resources include:

Headspace

BetterHelp

NYS COVID19 Mental Health Wellness

Moon card in Episode art by The Moon Journal.

You are invited to listen to my guided meditations on SoundCloud.

If you are looking to engage with a creative community on social media, please join me on my writing page on Instagram at @urbansiren where I am hosting a daily writing prompt challenge during #Gemini and #Cancer season. All forms of writing and creativity are most welcome. Keep your eye out for our special IG Live events which include Tarot card readings and live poetry readings. 

Do you have a question you'd like me to address on an upcoming episode? Please leave me a message here and in doing so, please note that you give me permission to reiterate, paraphrase or play back your question and answer it on an upcoming episode. You may also email me at myurbansiren[at]gmail.com

If you'd like to support this podcast with a monetary donation to help me allot the time and resources to produce this podcast, your donations are most appreciated. Please also leave a review, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and share with your family and friends.

Stay in touch with me through all my platforms and services. 

Thank you as always for being here! xox Diane

As we experience the Full Moon in Sagittarius, we explore how to balance our adventurous, rebellious nature with the ability to remain in balance with ourselves and everything around us. In these turbulent times when COVID19 remains a public health threat and voices long to be heard instead of silenced in the wake of racial and social injustices, now is the time to cultivate balance, self care and mindful action. It is a critical time to examine our relationship with extremist thoughts and behaviors. The Middle Path in Buddhism invites us to walk through life in a centered way, without allowing ourselves to be overcome by our desires or our aversions. We learn to relate to life from a place of focused attention and even-keeled discernment. We explore the harvesting potential of the Full Moon, and making conscious decisions about what kind of "fruit" we want harvest as a direct result of the seeds of intention we plant. Life is a cyclical experience, and we always have the opportunity to revisit the ways in which we conduct ourselves and the experiences we wish to cultivate in this lifetime. It's never too late to change and make positive improvements now to help direct us toward a more fulfilling future.

Wellness practices are so important, and I offer some suggestions on how to take care of yourself in these difficult times. Here are several resources to assist you on your mental health wellness journey:

Headspace 

BetterHelp

NYS COVID19 Mental Health Wellness

Watch the June 2020 Strawberry Full Moon Lunar Eclipse here.

For a variety of dynamic mindfulness practices, check out "Peace is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Every Day Life" by Thich Nhat Hanh on Abe Books.

Listen to my guided meditations on SoundCloud.

If you are looking to engage with a creative community on social media, please join me on my writing page on Instagram at @urbansiren where I am hosting a daily writing prompt challenge during #GemInI season. All forms of writing and creativity are most welcome. Keep your eye out for our special IG Live events which include Tarot card readings and live poetry readings. It is truly a good time for all!

Do you have a question you'd like me to address on an upcoming episode? Please leave me a message here and in doing so, please note that you give me permission to reiterate, paraphrase or play back your question and answer it on an upcoming episode.

If you'd like to support this podcast with a monetary donation to help me allot the time and resources to produce this podcast, your donations are most appreciated. Please also leave a review, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and share with your family and friends.

Stay in touch with me through all my platforms and services.

Thank you as always for being here! xox Diane

In this mini episode and during Gemini season, we explore the energy of the Waxing Half Moon in Virgo and the significance of The Hermit card in the Tarot, encouraging us to engage in mindful and purposeful action. In the current COVID19 crisis, we're also experiencing significant violence and the tragedy of biased and unconscious action. In this episode, I speak about one of my heroes, Thich Nhat Hanh: Vietnamese Buddhist monk, poet, activist and positive social change agent, and his dedication to channeling powerful emotions for the greater good. We also discuss the difference between power and force, as highlighted in the book "Power vs Force: The Hidden Detriments of Human Behavior" by Dr. David Hawkins. Should you be interested in alternatives to Amazon.com, consider ordering it from your local bookstore and it is also available here on Abe Books.

If you are looking to engage with a loving and creative community, please join me on my writing page on Instagram at @urbansiren where we are hosting our daily writing challenge during #GemInI season. All forms or writing and creativity are most welcome. Keep your eye out for our special IG Live events which include Tarot card readings and live poetry readings. It is truly a good time for all!

Do you have a question you'd like me to address on an upcoming episode? Please leave me a message here and in doing so, please note that you give me permission to reiterate, paraphrase or play back your question and answer it on an upcoming episode. 

If you 'd like to support this podcast with a donation of your choice, I'd be so grateful and honored to be of service. Please also feel free to leave a review, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and share with your family and friends.

Please feel free to stay in touch with me through all my platforms and services. 

Thank you as always for being here! xox Diane

Welcome to Urban Siren Podcast, where we explore mind, body and spirit through the lens of the Tarot. I'm Diane Ferraro, and I'm honored to be your host on this journey of self-discovery and interconnectedness. We enter the zodiac air sign of Gemini this week, along with a New Moon in Gemini on Friday, May 22. With Mercury as the ruling planet of Gemini, it's a perfect time to practice healthy communication that is inclusive and compassionate, especially during this COVID19 pandemic. In the first half of the podcast, we explore The Lovers card in the Tarot, and its symbolism around connectivity and being in relationship on a sacred level. In the second half, we delve into Mercury's theme of communication. We explore the importance of healthy boundaries with our news intake and by choosing what we absorb. We learn how to cope with the discomfort of this news-heavy time without sacrificing our peace or personal agency. Here are the resources I mention in this episode:

"Wear a Mask" Campaign in New York State (cast your vote!) https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/wear-mask-new-york-ad-contest-cast-your-vote

Black Moon Astrology Cards. I purchased mine from Maha Rose in Brooklyn, NY. In support of small businesses, you might wish to call them and see if they can ship them to you, or contact your local bookstore or metaphysical shop.

The Anthill Podcast. Part 5 is entitled "How dangerous are conspiracy theories?"

Do you have a question you'd like me to address on an upcoming episode? Please leave me a message here and in doing so, please note that you give me permission to reiterate, paraphrase or play back your question and answer it on an upcoming episode.

If you'd like to support this podcast with a donation of your choice, I'd be so grateful and honored to be of service. Please also feel free to leave a review, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and share with your family and friends.

Please feel free to stay in touch with me through all my platforms and services. 

Thank you as always for being here! xox Diane

Welcome to Urban Siren Podcast, where we explore mind, body and spirit through the lens of the Tarot. I'm Diane Ferraro, and I'm honored to be your host on this journey of self-discovery and interconnectedness. As we experience the last full supermoon of 2020 in the astrological sign of Scorpio, and May's Flower Moon (the Old English word Rimilcemona, which I butchered on the podcast--oh my gosh, apologies!--is explained here), we explore our relationship to transformation, letting go, and rebirth. Moving through the process of the COVID19 pandemic, for many of us, feelings of grief are arising. We explore the five stages of grief, also known as the Kübler-Ross model, which are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. These stages can arise in a cyclical nature, rather than a linear nature, and it is important to gift ourselves permission to have a meandering relationship with grief. We also explore the concept of shadow work in relation to personal growth and self awareness, and how shadow work can be a powerful tool to realign ourselves with our truest nature, while releasing shame, guilt and denial.

Tarot decks mentioned in the episode:

The Lightseer's Tarot

Moonchild Tarot

My big 'ole Newfoundland dog Baron has a bit to say on this podcast as well. You can hear him sporadically barking in the background (LOL!). Must be that full moon and his canine/wolf lineage. 

Do you have a question you'd like me to address on an upcoming episode? Please leave me a message here and in doing so, please note that you give me permission to reiterate or paraphrase your question and answer it on an upcoming episode.

If you'd like to support this podcast with a donation of your choice, I'd be so grateful and honored to be of service. Please also feel free to leave a review, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and share with your family and friends.

Please feel free to stay in touch with me through all my platforms and services.

Episode artwork features The Hermetic Tarot.

Thank you as always for being here! xox Diane

Welcome to Urban Siren Podcast, where we explore mind, body and spirit through the lens of the Tarot. I'm Diane Ferraro, and I'm honored to be your host on this playful journey of self-discovery and interconnectedness. As we acknowledge the history of the Gaelic celebration of Beltane, we experience the mid-way point between Spring and Summer. It's a time for rebirth, rebuilding and growth on a collective level. In this episode, we continue to explore The Hierophant in the Tarot, and blend Beltane imagery to connect our own personal enlightenment with the coming of the light in the Natural world. As I mentioned in this episode, a wonderful resource to learn about traditional celebrations is through Danica Boyce's podcast, Fair Folk Podcast. 

Also mentioned in this episode is a clinical study between laughter and fertility featured in Healthland.Time.com, written by neuroscience journalist Maia Szalavitz, which you can read here. 

And, you can find the good work of Brian Clark, astrologer and teacher, right here. Thank you Astrology University for hosting the recent online live summit on Astrology and Relationships, where I had the great opportunity to listen to Brian's talk about "Love in the Time of Capricorn, " which was so profoundly informative and moving for me.

Do you have a question you'd like me to address on an upcoming episode? Please leave me a message here and in doing so, please note that you give me permission to reiterate or paraphrase your question and answer it on an upcoming episode.

If you you'd like to support this podcast with a donation of your choice, I'd be so grateful and honored to be of service. 

Please feel free to stay in touch with me on Instagram on my following accounts:

@urbansirencreative (hub of creative fire)

@urbansirenwellness (all things wellness for mind, body and spirit)

@urbansiren (poetry and writing challenges)

You may also sign up to receive my newsletter (I promise I won't spam you!) on my website Urban Siren Creative. Just fill in the newsletter drop down menu or sign up for my newsletter right here via Mailchimp. 

You are cordially invited to shop my jewelry, body products and tarot card readings on Etsy.

This episode art is the Keeper of the Sacred card (The Hierophant) from The Lightseer's Tarot by Chris-Anne.

Thank you as always for being here! xox Diane

This episode was recorded during the Spring of 2020, several weeks into the worldwide COVID19 pandemic. Now in my fifth year of studying the Tarot, I've found it to be a profoundly helpful guide during times of elation, crisis, and everything in between. As we enter Taurus season, we explore the card associated with this astrological sign--The Hierophant--and delve into its symbolism and how it can help guide us alongside Nine of Swords and The Tower cards as layering components to The Hierophant to support us during this turbulent time. We also explore the ebb and flow patterns of the Tarot, helping us navigate and balance our mind, body and spirit through the cyclical nature of Life.

Much gratitude to organizations offering mental health support during the COVID19 crisis:

Headspace is offering a wide range of free COVID19 coping tools.

NYS Office of Mental Health offers specific services during COVID19 and an Emotional Support Hotline: 1-844-863-9314

As mentioned in the episode, I'm thankful for several people who inspire me through their teachings including:

Tarot for the Wild Soul hosted by Lindsay Mack

Cosmic Cousins hosted by Jeff Hinshaw

Ghost of a Podcast hosted by Jessica Lanyadoo

The Enchanted World created by Amy Zerner and Monte Farber

The Lightseers Tarot by Chris-Anne

I'm also grateful for the book "Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Tarot Journey to Self-Awareness" Rachel Pollack, available here on Amazon. 

I also reference The Aquarian Tarot by David Palladini. You may research a retailer of your choice for this deck. You might also consider asking your local Tarot card shop if they carry this deck or if they could order it for you. 

Do you have a question you'd like me to address on an upcoming episode? Please leave me a message here and in doing so, please note that you give me permission to reiterate or paraphrase your question and answer it on an upcoming episode.

Please feel free to stay in touch with me on Instagram on my following accounts:

@urbansirencreative (hub of creative fire)

@urbansirenwellness (all things wellness for mind, body and spirit)

@urbansiren (poetry and writing challenges)

You are cordially invited to shop my jewelry, body products and tarot card readings on Etsy.

Thank you as always for being here! xox Diane