Quick Magic: Put a Candle on It

You know that Portlandia sketch “Put a Bird on It”? Well, I feel like the spiritual equivalent is “put a candle on it.”

Got a sad corner in your room? Add a candle. Need to make your tarot reading feel more legit? Add lots of candles. Want your journaling practice to look more mystical and monkish? Candles.

But there’s really something to it, as I realized the other day while sitting down for yet another round of zoom meetings and phone calls (for non-tarot things, mind you). I needed something to feel centered and refreshed; that would bring some much-needed magic to my everyday drudgery.

I lit a candle.

…and it worked wonders. Nobody could see the alluring light flicker next to my laptop as I chatted with my doctor during a Telehealth visit. Did the grumpy woman on the other end of the phone know that I was basking in the amber glow of a handsome glass taper? Not at all! But it elevated the moment and made being on hold for 30 minutes decidedly more bearable and glamorous.

Sometimes there’s big magic in the smallest things. My new ritual is to take a brief moment to ground myself before sitting down to work at my desk. I breathe in and out several times with my eyes closed, relaxing and settling into a new mode. When I’m ready, I light my candle and get started. When I’m done I blow it out, close my laptop, and walk away.

I often forget that I have the power to sanctify, embellish, and spruce up my daily life. These small gestures make all the difference and make me feel aligned with myself, even when I’m doing something soul-crushing like bookkeeping. In fact, it reminds me that I’m doing something soul-crushing like bookkeeping because it matters to me and brings security, awareness, and space into my life. Which, even though it took a long road to get there, is magical in its own way.

You may want to experiment with setting intentions or reciting a quick affirmation while lighting your candle, but like all magic, stay with what feels the most authentic to you. I’ve also found that it helps to keep things simple when adding new rituals or elements to your routine, that way you don’t overextend yourself and burn out, dropping the act once it starts to feel more of a burden than a help.

What about you? What rituals do you have around work that keep you focused and grounded? How do you feel magic intersects with the mundane? Can bookkeeping be transcendent? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Did you know that readings, lessons, and spiritual consultations are back? And at a discounted rate? Check out my new fancy schedule to book now or explore options.

Conflicting Card Meanings & the Rolodex Technique

I may be dating myself with this metaphor, but so be it! Back in the olden times we had these nifty contraptions called rolodexes. An unfurled binder of cards arranged by alphabet, you’d write people’s contact information - phone number, address, etc. - on a card. Sitting by your rotary landline phone you could flip through the rolodex, find the number of the person you wanted to dial, and spin away.

Rolodexes have gone by the wayside (so much so, that I couldn’t find a stock image of one - hence the book above) but they’e a useful framework when it comes to tarot meanings. Let me explain.

You may have gotten or conducted a reading that referenced a book almost exclusively. This happens a lot in the beginning stage of learning tarot and is where people often get overwhelmed. It’s 78 cards! That’s a huge volume of images and meanings to become familiar with. The fact that almost all tarot books and little white books (the ones that come with the decks) feature multiple and sometimes contradictory meanings makes the challenge feel nearly insurmountable. How can you create a coherent reading when the meanings are so divergent?

A book-based reading might go something like this:

“So, you have the Knight of Cups here, which means a romantic person with youthful energy coming into your life. This person is charming and mercurial but also could be noncommittal and casually cruel. It’s a time of great romance and adventure but also heartrending emotion. Oh, and this could be about you. Beware of making rash decisions, but also immerse yourself in creative projects and adventures you’ve never tried before.”

Huh?

In this reading, the person is throwing the kitchen sink at the card, actually reading the entire entry verbatim. This makes sense if you’re thinking about the content of tarot books as definitive; say, an entry in a dictionary.

But tarot is an art form not a linguistic system. It’s poetic, not literal, and relies as much on the readers’ intuition and the present moment to unfurl into something transformative and impactful. In other words, you can’t just string definitions together.

Which is where the rolodex comes in.

Instead of treating your readings as a grammatical problem, one where you can consult your dictionary and insert its meaning without much thought or art, think of it as a line of contact with the cards themselves, each being a gateway into whole worlds of meaning.

Over the years you’ll be collecting all sorts of meanings, associations, and experiences with the cards. These are like numbers, addresses, and emails in your rolodex. Each is different but goes to the same place. The Five of Cups can be grief and it can also be release, an emotional turning point, and an old wound. Among any number of other things. Each time you read will be different. Maybe you’ll only need one entry in your rolodex, maybe you’ll need several in a reading. But you certainly won’t need the whole bunch. (Trust me, you’ll have a lot of options as you continue your studies.)

What’s important in this system is that you realize you’re the one making contact with the cards. You’re the reader and your knowledge, intuition, and awareness guides the reading. Yes, it’s more responsibility, but it’s also a lot more empowering, enjoyable and coherent than reading entire lists of meanings at yourself or your querent.

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Want to learn more about how to use this technique? Ready to start your tarot journey? I’m now offering one-on-one lessons at a discounted rate. Book now or reach out with any questions, and do let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Readings for the New Normal

Though I think we can all agree that “normal” is quite a stretch…

The coronavirus pandemic has led to immense shifts in how we live our lives, some of which have influenced my presence here on Incandescent Tarot. In the late Spring I started offering readings again at a sliding-scale rate to support clients and readers during this difficult period. Easing back into reading felt like returning home and, as my home life has shifted considerably, I now have more time to give to reading, teaching, intuition work, and spiritual consulting.

Which leads to an exciting announcement:

One-on-one sessions are back and better than ever!

Here are some of the important changes:

• I’m switching to a lower rate to reflect the challenging times we’re all in. 30 minutes now costs $40 and 1 hour is now $75.

• My offers have expanded, too: You can now book tarot readings, lessons, as well as consultations to grow & support your intuitive and spiritual practices.

• Tarot lessons and spiritual consults are slightly discounted because a) I love them and b) they feel even more important right now.

• My fancy-schmancy scheduling system is back online and improved for easy, instant booking and payment, all in one spot.

• Sliding-scale rates are still available - just reach out and I’ll see if I have any spots left. I’m reserving 5/month, no questions asked, so don’t be shy.

• I’m also reserving several spots for free 30-minute sessions of choice for anyone doing social justice organizing, working as a first responder, health care worker, or care provider (professionally or for family).

• And, unsurprisingly, all sessions will now be conducted online via Zoom, GoogleMeet, or FaceTime.

I’m so excited to be opening the doors to Incandescent Tarot even wider and look forward to working with you all in whatever capacity sparks your interest. You can book below or head over to the official scheduling page for more info:

Signs You're Leveling-Up in your Tarot Practice

Leveling-up in tarot feels like reaching a new peak with its own fresh vista

The initial steps to learning tarot are obvious. First, what on earth are these cards all about? Second, what do they all mean?

Since there are 78 cards to go through, this stage can take some time. But what about that next phase, when you’ve gotten a handle on the cards themselves and are starting to become fluent in tying them together? How can you tell when you’re starting to master tarot?

I have a hunch that this is the time when most people burn out or take a break which is why I’m writing this post. After all, it’s nice to have some affirmation and motivation in this murkier stage of learning to read.

I’d also like to mention that there is no such thing as becoming an expert at tarot. We become more comfortable and fluent, but tarot is truly an art and in-the-moment practice.

We’re never done learning and we’re always on our toes, treating each reading as a new horizon. There are, however, some signs that you’re really getting the hang of things. Here’s a list of moments when I knew my practice went beyond the meanings in the books and into something more personal, powerful, and solid.

1. You can get the gist of a reading without reasoning through it - You might not even notice this happening (that’s the tricky thing about intuition, isn’t it?) but you’re sensing the overarching theme and story of your reading before your brain can catch up and psych you out with analysis and thoughts like “but is that what my book says about the Ten of Pentacles???”

2. You don’t look at the cards like they have one “right” meaning - You might find this feels sacrilegious at first. Maybe there’s an itchiness present when you return to the LWB’s write-ups. This is a good sign! You’re starting to see the poetry of tarot and how each card is more of a gateway to worlds of meaning rather than a road that dead-ends at a single destination.

3. In fact, right and wrong become deeply boring to you - Tarot is meant to expand our understanding. If you’re feeling like an explorer in a new land when you read, you’ve become fluent enough to step aside and let them lead the way out of fear, the desire for control, and the pressure of judgment.

4. You can call up the images of the cards in your mind - Speaking of fluency, this was probably the biggest moment for me in my practice. I’d test myself to envision the Six of Wands, say, when someone mentioned it. As soon as I could conjure the entire deck, I knew that tarot was woven into my consciousness thoroughly. See if you can bring up the whole deck for yourself.

5. You see tarot in your everyday life - Now the concepts of the cards are alive and out and about in your life. If you find yourself seeing the themes of tarot "in real life” you’re not just reading tarot, you’re living it. Congratulations!

6. You begin to develop a personal dictionary of meanings and associations - Rather than sticking to the book, you start to add to it, creating a tarot tome of your own. The experiences you have start to build on your understanding of the cards. Strength becomes not just a symbol of perseverance and self-awareness, but also a container for the times in your life when you’ve had to struggle with yourself. The specificity makes your readings more powerful and personal.

Another note here: there is absolutely no set time in which this can happen. Some of us move fast and others, like me, take a long time to integrate and explore. And, as I always say, you never stop learning tarot, so enjoy the ride and keep seeking!

A Note on the Changes Afoot at Incandescent Tarot

New horizons beckon!

Hello dear friends,

It’s been some time since officially closing shop and I feel like I’ve made the transition into a new mindset and vision for this space. It feels delightful, I must admit! So much joy and inspiration has come flooding in after letting go of the pressure to sell and promote. Strangely enough, I’m probably much better at this now that I’m a “professional muggle”…

In any case, I’ve always been turning over the idea of broadening the scope of Incandescent Tarot, which likely comes as no surprise to clients and those who’ve followed me on my journey. Tarot is a practice rooted in spiritual traditions and magic; while I began my journey highly resistant and sensitive to these ties, it’s obvious that they play a deep and important role in my life. Somewhat hilariously, my client base seemed to have no problem with my identity as “magical skeptic tarot witch,” no matter how much I fought it.

Well, no longer! I’ll be integrating themes of spirituality, magic, ritual, and intuition here on the blog and website. Much like my former podcast, Open Magic, this space will be dedicated to exploring the intersections of these themes with joy, gusto, and an open mind.

And speaking of podcasts, I’ll be launching a Patreon shortly with the goal of funding a new “Incandescent Tarot Podcast” where you can hear me waxing poetic about all these topics. Stay tuned for a more thorough post/announcement about that and how you can support this project while getting rewards like actual tarot readings and… drumroll… the return of the Weekly Forecasts.

No matter your familiarity with my work, thank you for being here. I’m so tickled by how much Incandescent Tarot has grown and being a part of anyone’s tarot journey is one of the biggest joys I know. So, with that in mind, do let me know if there’s anything you’d like to see here, whether it’s in the comments below, via email, or at the Incandescent Tarot Mighty Network.

All the Best,

Gina

How to Interpret your Tarot Reading

Reading tarot can feel a lot like navigating a maze

So you’ve been studying the cards and understand the different groupings and meanings, but when you do a reading and look at the whole spread it’s all a jumble. What next?

Creating a coherent reading out of a tangle of tarot cards is a big challenge. This is where the artistry and magic of tarot becomes obvious. Of all the ways you could go, which one to choose?

Firstly, I’d like to say that it’s completely normal and an absolute part of the experience to be seized with anticipation and/or terror when confronting a fresh combination of cards. Even seasoned readers get the jitters when navigating a reading - it’s one of the things that makes tarot so thrilling.

The main difference between novice and experienced readers may just be that the experienced feed off of this feeling of the unknown. And we’re more comfortable letting our intuition lead the way.

If you’re groaning at yet another “just use your intuition”-themed piece of advice, I’m with you, which is why I’ve written a list of actually concrete techniques to get you started. This is obviously a huge topic that could easily turn into a book, so these suggestions are short; they’re more than enough, however, to help you break through those initial moments of fear and into a beautiful tarot reading.

1. Trust your first impressions - Before you go around looking at cards and recalling their meanings (or, worse, consulting your book!) use the clear space in your brain to notice and feelings, impressions, and curiosities that arise. I tend to find myself gravitating towards a certain card, color, or symbol. Trust that this is your intuition directing you towards what’s most important. Any reading can be interpreted thousands of ways - it’s your job as a reader to use your voice, knowledge, and perceptions to lead the way.

2. Look for pairs and patterns - Now that you have a general idea of the energy/gist/theme of the reading, dive into the cards individually to see if there are any pairs or patterns. Are there more major arcana cards than minors or vice versa? What might this tell you? The more pairs, themes, and connections, the stronger the influence is in the reading. Tie this to your initial impressions.

3. Use your spread positions - Oh right, this formation isn’t just for looks! Each spot in your reading likely has a predetermined meaning or theme. For each, ask how the card might address it.

4. Tell a story - Now step back and look at the reading from a larger perspective. I’ve found that detaching from the personal focus and narrating the story as if it’s about someone else is helpful technique. Trust that the important facets you’ve uncovered in the previous steps will come through naturally.

I hope these tips are helpful as you practice further. Share any of your techniques below, too. And something to keep in mind…

• Tarot is multifaceted - that thing I said about one reading being interpreted thousands of different ways? It’s true. Tarot readings are in the moment affairs. Whatever is important to know will come up.

• You don’t have to be thorough - like the point above, it’s impossible to travel every connection or path. Doing so would result in insanely complicated, long, and confusing readings! Fortunately, tarot isn’t like doing your taxes: You don’t have to account for everything.

• You are the reader - which means it’s your reading! Allow yourself to make decisions and speak in your own voice.

Finding Joy in Work with the Two of Pentacles

I woke up this morning wanting to spend some time in the Incandescent Tarot universe. I’ve been in a frenzy of spring cleaning the past few days; after going hard in that domestic direction, I felt the need to change course - it’s just not fair if I let this space languish! Plus, it’s something that brings me joy.

So jaunty!

So, I sat down at a table in my local coffee shop and… decided to research new bookkeeping software? Needless to say this decision did not make me feel relaxed. Once I stopped and decided to refocus on the fun part (writing) I was all flustered and confused. I lost my zest and excitement.

Suddenly, “More Than This” by Roxy Music started playing in my headphones. Now this is a song that never ceases to delight me. I found myself grinning and swaying in my seat (and likely alarming my fellow patrons). My mood had officially shifted.

And that’s when I got the idea to write this post.

I love how the Two of Pentacles takes the practical nature of the pentacles and infuses it with the energetic, lighthearted energy of the twos. A low number in the suit, this two shows us how following our energy and staying in the moment yields the best (and most enjoyable) results. It doesn’t have to be a serious slog or ambitious reach. Our work can be dynamic and satisfying when we keep things simple.

Achieving this state can be as simple as allowing ourselves to do the fun, small things first. Or, if we’ve made a detour to stress-land like I did with my ill-advised bookkeeping research, we can use something uplifting to reinvigorate ourselves: a song, quick walk outside, or some other type of treat.

Connecting Tarot to Everyday Life

I like to tell people that even when you’re not reading tarot, you’re doing tarot.

We’re talking about a system that’s meant to reflect the human experience, aren’t we? Tarot, as it turns out, is all around us, from the biggest struggles and themes to the most quotidian routines.

Grappling with the challenges of monogamy? You can find that reflected in tarot. Choosing between two dishwashers? That’s in tarot, too.

I’ve written a lot about connecting tarot to the everyday (see: Tarot and People Watching) because I’ve found it to be one of the quickest and most transformative ways to deepen my practice. Not only is it fun, it’s also a helpful way to cement our relationships to the cards.

So how to do this?

It’s incredibly simple: practice connecting experiences to tarot cards. Start small with just one card, though as you gain confidence and fluency, add more to describe more complicated scenarios.

There’s absolutely no right or wrong in this exercise - let yourself relax and have fun making connections.

A pleasant side-effect of this practice? It makes even the most mundane tasks feel magical.

If you’re interested in my personal experiences and associations with cards and daily life, hop over to the Incandescent Tarot Mighty Network where I share these moments and more. And, of course, share your thoughts in the comments below.

The Magic of Leaving Social Media

Do you ever complain about something so often that you catch yourself and wonder, “If I rant on about this so much, why on earth am I still doing it?”

That was me with Facebook and Instagram. Why was I using it? What was I doing on these apps if all it took was one drink to get me to wax poetic about how disconnected, envious, and distracted I felt while using them?

This isn’t to say that Social Media is some unmitigated and absolute evil. Some people have a wonderful time on these platforms. Many use them to gather and cultivate an audience for their businesses and creative work. I, however, found myself being swept away - mired in distraction, green with envy, and disconnected from my personal source of inspiration.

I’d lost the magic.

This wasn’t for lack of trying. I did so many of the little tricks to curb my use, optimize my time (just that phrase is soul-crushing!), and create boundaries. Doing this awakened me to the wily, addictive nature of social media. Even with a black and white screen, app limits with password access, and designated downtime, my brain immediately adapted.

Screen time limit reached? I didn’t even stop to think, I simply got used to entering my four-digit password to ask for more time.

I was simultaneously impressed and repulsed. Clearly, this wasn’t an issue I could reason through.

When I made the decision to stop my full-time tarot reading business one of the most alluring byproducts was that I could finally delete my accounts. I’d stopped using both platforms for personal use years ago and, in all honesty, used my Incandescent Tarot platforms with the regularity of someone who’s deeply conflicted. I posted sporadically, questioned myself into awkwardness, and tried to avoid it.

In other words, I didn’t use these spaces to their full potential. Now, I wonder if all the pressure to be on social media as a business owner of my type is rooted in truth. This is a very “hot take” and I’m speaking on a very personal level, here. The last thing I want to do is shame or pressure anyone into judging their social media presence. To each their own, and I’m full of admiration for people who can use these platforms to inspire healthily. I’m just not one of them. Off social media, however? I’m much more clear, inspired, and motivated.

When I finally hit delete, I felt like I had just walked out of an overwhelmingly loud room. Suddenly, things felt clear - I could see the horizon, hear my own heart beating. Spending so much time gazing at images from other people (and, most insidiously, brands) had dulled my own creative and spiritual perspective. Now that I’m spending more time looking out my window, reading books, and writing from this place of calm, I’m finding a huge surge of creative energy. I wonder how much I could’ve created without torturing myself to fit in and interact healthily on social media. That was, to use a tarot reference, a Fool’s errand for me. Now, however, I’m able to hear myself and create from a place of authenticity. I’m getting a lot more done.

Most importantly, however, I’m feeling the magic come back into my life. One of the main reasons I felt the need to leave social media was that my focus was becoming at once narrow and diffuse. I was gazing into a small screen and being catapulted into a big, colorful, artificial, and in many cases, manipulative world. (Remember when Instagram was just photos from friends and cool artists, but then it segued into jazzy brands and influencers?)

So much of my magic philosophy centers around awareness, love, and stewardship of our world. How could I practice this while my focus was overwhelmed by imagery from afar? Now that I’m detached from these sources, I’m astounded by how much I used them to escape from my here any now, and how much my here and now grounds and sustains me.

The magic slowly returned as I put down my phone and laptop and started tending to my everyday: writing, doing all my favorite kitchen witch cleaning spells, cooking, actually reading tarot for myself… This is what I want to fill my life with.

I’m a bit shocked by how much of myself I’ve found in the wake of my decision to leave Facebook and Instagram. So much of my decision to end Incandescent Tarot the business was because of burnout. I didn’t know at the time how much of this stemmed from the pressure to constantly market myself on social media. Now that’s gone, I wonder if there’s another way to be present as a business offline. Regardless of what form it takes, you’ll certainly see a lot more from me here and on my Mighty Network - I hope you’ll follow along for the ride.

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What do you think about social media, modern life, magic, and business? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below, so please share.