Making the Best of It

A Yiddish proverb says “We make plans and God laughs”.

Everyone knows that good planning is the key to success in many things. We also know that some things don’t go the way you planned.

This can be particularly frustrating for diviners, who often get a glimpse of the future that can help them make plans.

Sometimes, though, things happen that we didn’t see, and didn’t plan.

It’s important to trust that things happen for a reason. When something outside our control changes our plans for us, all we can do is use our tools and our intuition to handle our situation the best way possible.

Mary K. Greer first introduced me to the idea that tarot is not always predictive. Her professional tagline is “Tarot helps you meet whatever comes in the best possible way”. This is a wise way to understand how our divination practices can guide us, but not always give us all the information we wish we had.

Life must always remain something of a mystery, and a challenge.

Sometimes the cards give us warnings, and help us make our plans, but, always, the cards help us make the best of whatever our situation might be.

 Divination, intuition and psychic work can’t, and shouldn’t protect us from every mishap.

Sometimes those mishaps are an important part of our human adventure, and sometimes they are necessary to lead us to the place we need to be.

This weekend, many people will be weathering out a major hurricane, after many more have already been struck in the Caribbean.
Cancelled plans are not the tragedy that loss of home, hearth or loved ones is.

This week, stay safe, wherever you may be. Find the lesson, or the adventure, or the new opportunity that comes from unexpected changes.

Whatever life sends you, find a way to make the best of it!

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Face the Unexpected with Tarot

Wait a minute! How can unexpected things happen to you if you read tarot? Don’t the cards always tell you the future?

Well, no. Sometimes we get strong precognition for ourselves and others. Sometimes the cards give clear predictions. Other times the Universe sends us surprises. That is when we get to make the best use of our tarot cards.

Tarot is great at helping understand the spiritual reason something may have happened. Tarot can help us mitigate a difficult situation. Tarot can help us find the lesson.  Basically, tarot can help us find the silver lining in an otherwise grey landscape.

When things don’t go your way, ask your cards questions like this:

How do I make the best of this?

How can I turn this into a win?

What is something good that can come of this?

How can I mitigate the damage?

That we can sometimes see future events, in dreams, in cards and in visions, does not mean we get to escape all of life’s surprises, both pleasant and unpleasant.

No matter what happens, our intuitive minds always seek perspective, answers and information.  We don’t get to choose what information is given to us, and what is not. We do get to choose what questions we ask, and how we process the answers.

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The Week in Review

This week, I shared a post on my 78 Magickal Tools blog about an activity I dreamed up for group ceremonies and classes. Read “Group Gratitude”, and consider trying this with your group!

My website’s updates are almost complete. Check out the new indexing feature that helps you find things more easily!

 

From Around the Web

On YouTube, I found a video of Baruch K. Tarot pulling cards for Hurricane Matthew. Do you agree with his interpretations? What did your cards say?

Here’s a post from Tarot Elements on Answering Yes/No Questions Using Tarot.

If you are new to tarot, or need a refresher, here is a free on-line tarot course from noted author Joan Bunning. I have shared this before, but like to revisit it from time to time, because it’s worth it.

 

Song of the Week

What else could it be? Here’s a great live video of Neil Young’s Like a Hurricane.

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Image from Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti

Here's another tarot writing prompt from Jamie Morris!

Jame is a writing coach and developmental editor. Check out her website and see how she can help you be the writer you want to be!

 

Three of Swords: Hearts on Fire

Among other things, the Three of Swords can speak of betrayal and the heartbreak it engenders. It can also speak of emotional overreaction! Put those together, and you get the stuff of melodrama! 

Now’s your chance to write a script for a soap opera. If you’re a fan of daytime TV, you might want to create a story line for characters from your favorite show. If not, create a cast of characters of your own and set up a betrayal. Either a financial or sexual betrayal would be a great basis for histrionics by the injured party. 

Have a fabulous time describing their clothes-rending response. But what if he or she goes beyond their first dramatic response? What if they retreat to plan their revenge? 

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Image from Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti

Your One-Card Weekly Reading

Two of Wands

Drawn at random, this is an interesting card for a newsletter with the theme of plans going awry, because the Two of Wands so strongly encourages planning.

The Two of Wands asks you to consider the way you see the world, and the way you want your world to be.

This card can speak of your own ability to manifest your desires, to make your plans and to dream your dreams.

The Two of Wands reminds you to be imaginative and expansive in your vision for your best possibilities.

At the end of the day, it is better to make plans that may or may not go your way, then it is to take no interest in the happenings of your own future.

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Upcoming Events

Sadly, all TarotCon events have been cancelled due to Hurricane Matthew. 

As of today, my upcoming trip to West Palm Beach for readings, house calls and classes is still booking, so call to make your appointment!
 

October 14-23
Christiana's Trip to West Palm Beach

I will be teaching classes and doing private readings by appointment at Pearl Raubert's studio. I am also available for house calls, office calls and psychic parties during this time. Call or text to 561-655-1160 for more information, or to make your appointment.

October 16, 2:30 pm
The Thinning Veil: Psychic Gallery with Christiana Gaudet
Pearl's Studio at Unity Church in the Pines
6073 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach

People around the world honor October as the time of the “thinning veil”. That is, the time when the veil that separates our world from the world of Spirit is at its thinnest, allowing us to easily communicate with our loved ones in Spirit, our angels, guides, and guardians.

This idea of a veil between the worlds that thins toward the end of October gave birth to our celebrations of Halloween, also known as Samhain.

This year, you will have an exciting opportunity to make a profound connection with the spirit world during this special seasonal psychic gallery with Psychic Tarot Grandmaster and author Christiana Gaudet.

Within sacred space, Christiana will reveal information for each participant. Each person will receive a deeply personal reading, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance about all aspects of your life. You may even receive a message from a loved one in Spirit! Those who have attended galleries with Christiana before describe them as inspiring, entertaining and amazing. Each person’s reading is specific and insightful; the information that is revealed in Christiana’s galleries is uplifting, helpful and exactly what you need to know. Don’t miss this opportunity to receive the information you need!

Admission is $30. For reservation, call Pearl at 561-333-3372.

The High Priestess, Tarot and Magic
Tuesday, October 18, 2016, 7 pm – 9 pm
Mary Ellen Collins’ home, the Acreage

Christiana Gaudet will be in town to co-host this event with Mary Ellen Collins. Come find out what the High Priestess has to say to you at this time of year when the veil is thin. We will also be working with a little candle magic!

Please be aware that we intend to record this event for webcasting. There will be no charge for this initial Meetup but the seating is limited. For more information, please contact either Christiana Gaudet at tarot@christianagaudet.com or Mary Ellen Collins at MaryCollins0128@comcast.net.

Pro Tarot: Take your Tarot to the Next Level
Saturday, October 22, 2016 10:30-12:30 pm
Pearl Rauberts’ Studio,at Unity in the Pines
6073 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach
 

Are you a professional tarot reader, or would you like to be? Join Tarot professional Christiana Gaudet, author of “Fortune Stellar: What Every Professional Tarot Reader Needs to Know”, for a class designed to kick your skills into high gear, and get you ready for wherever you want your tarot practice to go.

In this class, you will learn professional-level tarot and psychic skills. You will also learn the practical side of tarot business, including branding and marketing.

Whether you are adding tarot to an existing healing practice, strengthening your skills to improve your current tarot practice or getting ready to launch something new, Christiana will help you find your tarot path.

Bring a notebook, pen and tarot deck. Class fee is $40. For reservation, call Pearl at 561-333-3372.

Psychic Development
Saturday, October 22, 2016 2-4 pm
Pearl Rauberts’ Studio,at Unity in the Pines
6073 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach

Everyone has intuition, and the ability to communicate with Spirit. But how can you learn to hear the voice of Spirit, and attune to your intuition? Join professional Psychic and Tarot Grandmaster Christiana Gaudet for a practical and enlightening exploration of your psychic abilities.

In this class, you will learn techniques that allow you to more clearly discern and communicate truth. You will have the opportunity to practice several techniques, and discover the nature of your own psychic gifts.
Bring a notebook and pen, and any psychic tools you regularly use (oracle cards, tarot cards, runes, pendulum, etc.) Class fee is $30. For reservation, call Pearl at 561-333-3372.

 

Tarot as a Tool for Healing
Saturday, October 23, 2016 2:30-4:30 pm
Pearl Rauberts’ Studio,at Unity in the Pines
6073 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach

Each of the 78 cards of the Tarot deck offers a specific opportunity for personal healing. In this special class, author and noted Tarot professional Christiana Gaudet will share a variety of Tarot healing methods. Each student will have a chance to work with the cards, and find the healing energy for themselves.

This class is appropriate for anyone, from the simply curious to Tarot Beginners to Tarot Professionals. Bring a notebook and pen, and a Tarot deck if you have one. Loaner decks will be available for use during class. Class fee is $25. For reservation, call Pearl at 561-333-3372.

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About Christiana

Christiana Gaudet
Origins Spa and Wellness Center
1537 N Dale Mabry Highway #102
Lutz, FL 33548
 

Private telephone, Skype and in person readings and instruction are available by appointment.

Tarot parties at your home or office are available throughout Florida. 

Call 813-948-4488, toll free 866-99TAROT,
or text or call 561-655-1160
for more information or to schedule your event.

Agent inquiries are welcome.

Will Life Make You Better, or Bitter?

Will Life Make Your Better, or Bitter?

It doesn’t take a psychic to know that sometime, sooner or later, you will face pain, loss, hardship and grief in your life. We all do, and usually more than once. Those difficult experiences always change us.

Tragedy, and the change that comes from it, is often unavoidable. No matter how present we are, no matter how good we are at setting intentions and manifesting the future, there are some things that are simply out of our control.

When that sort of difficulty happens, the only control we have is how we respond to it.

That’s true of smaller hurts as well; those daily irritations and unkindnesses that the world can show us. We can’t control the weather, the government, or the way people treat us, but we can control the way we react to the things that irritate and upset us.

No one is without pain and irritation great and small. Then why do some people seem so much happier than others? The difference has very little to do with the amount of joys and sorrows they encounter.

What makes the difference is simply the way people choose to respond to their difficulties.

Some people let themselves be defined by their part hurts, or their current anger and fear. Other people find the strength and courage to heal, to forgive, to trust, to keep a sense of humor, to grow, and to start again.

These people are defined by their positive nature, rather than by their negative experiences.

Ultimately, life changes us all. Will you let your life make you bitter, or will you use your experiences to heal, find perspective, and be better?

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Three Small Tarot Spreads to Help You Be Better

 
Tarot enthusiasts often laugh at the way tarot tries to strongly encourage us to do the right thing, even when the right thing is hard to do. These three quick tarot spreads will help you find your direction, and your path toward being the better person, rather than the bitter person.

Two Cards – Better or Bitter?

Sometimes when we find ourselves in a kerfuffle with other people, we don’t really know the right thing to do. When we feel offended, or that we have not been treated properly, it’s hard to know whether the right thing to do is speak out, or remain silent. Sometimes we don’t know if we should continue a friendship, or let it go.

When that happens, simply pull two cards.

Card 1: Doing this is the better thing to do.

Card 2: Doing this is the bitter thing to do.
 

Three Cards: Finding Purpose and Healing in Tragedy

There’s a Spanish language expression that basically says that nothing bad happens that something better doesn’t happen next.  Many of us find comfort in the lessons we learn during difficult times, and the blessings that come after a loss. This is a spread about that.

Card 1: A spiritual reason the tragedy occurred.

Card 2: What you must do in order to heal.

Card 3: The gifts that will come from this experience.
 

Four Cards: Forgiving the Unforgivable

Forgiveness doesn’t mean excusing a person’s behavior. Forgiveness means choosing not to dwell on a wrong that has been done to you. Sometimes it even means having compassion for your wrongdoer. Forgiveness is difficult, but, without it, we will most certainly become bitter.

Card 1: Your Injury, or how you feel about what happened.

Card 2: Something you don’t know about the person who hurt you.

Card 3: Your best response to the person who hurt you.

Card 4: Your path to healing.

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The Week in Review

This week, I was able to participate in the Tarot Blog Hop. Our topic was “a Foodie’s Guide to Tarot”. See what I had to say, and follow the links to see what other bloggers did with the topic.
 

From Around the Web

October starts this weekend, and so here are Jenna Matlin’s Tarot Scopes for the month!

I found a really interesting article on women and aging by Stefana Serafina.

Here’s a blog post on Llewellyn’s website from Barbara Moore about her take on tarot, and her new book!

 

Song of the Week

 
Here’s Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror. Somehow, I missed this song when it came out. Now, I think it is my favorite song from the King of Pop.

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Here's another tarot writing prompt from Jamie Morris!

Jame is a writing coach and developmental editor. Check out her website and see how she can help you be the writer you want to be!

Image from Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti
 

Four of Wands: Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

The Four of Wands often shows a group celebrating in the countryside. There’s a positive sense of community associated with this card. But while we might like experiencing such a harmonious event, it’s not that much fun to describe! 

Your literary task, if you accept it, is to write about a family reunion or other group outing—from memory or entirely from imagination. Include details of the bucolic setting and introduce a few of the characters enjoying the excursion. Then create a disruption: Hailstorm? Someone choking? A drunken fistfight? A gang out joyriding who happens onto the peaceful event? 

Whatever disturbance you devise, make sure it not only up-ends the celebration of the moment, but irrevocably changes the lives of one of the characters we’ve met. 

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Visit the Tarot Kasbah!

On Saturday, October 8, from 2:30 -3:30, you are invited to the LaStone Room at the Doubletree Hotel and Executive Meeting Center in Palm Beach Gardens, to experience the Tarot Kasbah at TarotCon.

Your entrance fee is $5. You will be able to shop our vendors and take mini-classes given by our participants.

Come experience an hour that could change your life!  Call me at 561-655-1160 for more information!

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Image from Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti

Your One-Card Weekly Reading

The Wheel of Fortune

The Wheel appears to remind you that everything moves in cycles. If you are on top of the world, enjoy it, because the Wheel will turn and your position will not last. If you are in despair, hang in there, the Wheel will soon turn in your favor.

The Wheel can also appear when we are angry about injustice, either in our own lives, or in the world. The Wheel reminds us that what goes around, comes around. What we do will come back to us, and what others do will come back to them.

The Wheel tells us that we are all part of the great cycle of nature.

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Upcoming Events

Friday, October 7, 8 am
Professional Development Intensive
Doubletree Executive Meeting Center, Palm Beach Gardens

Jenna Matlin, Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin will join me in teaching this day-long seminar. You may be able to get a last minute ticket by visiting the TarotCon Website.
 

Saturday and Sunday, October 8-9
TarotCon (Florida) 2016
Doubletree Executive Meeting Center, Palm Beach Gardens

There is still time if you want to join us for what promises to be a very informative and enjoyable weekend, featuring tarot notables from all over the world! 
You can also visit the Tarot Kasbah for one hour on Saturday, beginning at 2:30.
 

October 14-23
Christiana's Trip to West Palm Beach

I will be teaching classes and doing private readings by appoint at Pearl Raubert's studio. I am also available for house calls, office calls and psychic parties during this time. Call or text to 561-655-1160 for more information, or to make your appointment.

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About Christiana

Christiana Gaudet
Origins Spa and Wellness Center
1537 N Dale Mabry Highway #102
Lutz, FL 33548
 

Private telephone, Skype and in person readings and instruction are available by appointment.

Tarot parties at your home or office are available throughout Florida. 

Call 813-948-4488, toll free 866-99TAROT,
or text or call 561-655-1160
for more information or to schedule your event.

Agent inquiries are welcome.

How Do You Hold Space for Yourself?

“Holding space” is a term we hear often. We hold space for others with acts of service, with prayer and intention, with the support of our company and our empathy. We hold space for others by actively working with energy to surround them with healing light and hold them in comfort. We hold space for others by refusing to judge, and by standing in compassion.

When there is a tragedy or hardship, it’s nice to have others hold space for us. At the same time, it’s really important that we be able to hold space for ourselves.

Even on a daily basis, we need to show up for ourselves in this way.

We hold space for ourselves every day when we practice good self-care. In yoga, there is a physical and energetic process of actually creating space within this body. This can be an excellent way of holding space for yourself, as can other forms of exercise and energy work.
Working with your tarot deck is another great way of holding space for yourself. So is meditation.

Giving yourself the gift of time is another way of holding space. Take time out of your schedule to do the things you enjoy, or to simply rest.
Seeking healing services, such as massage, tarot reading, or Reiki, is another way to hold space for yourself, and to allow others to hold space for you.

Sometimes holding space for yourself means disciplining yourself to do something that is difficult. Sometimes holding space for yourself means just the opposite; cutting yourself some slack.

It’s also really important to practice non-judgment with yourself, and to not hold yourself to standards higher than human.

Holding space for yourself can also mean setting boundaries with other people, without guilt.

When you hold space for yourself, you are showing up for yourself. You are nurturing yourself, forgiving yourself, and believing in yourself. You are being a good friend to yourself.

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Holding Space with Tarot

Some tarot cards advise self-care, or that you put your own needs first. Other cards may suggest holding boundaries with others. Here are some specific card interpretations in context with holding space for yourself.

When you see these cards in a reading, recognize that they may be reflecting the need to hold space for yourself. When you need to hold space for yourself, spending time with these images in meditation can help create the space you need.
 
The High Priestess suggests meditation, looking within, and finding internal spiritual insight and strength.

Strength encourages you to hold space for your anger, and your wild nature, but to keep it under control.

The Hermit tells you to take time apart, and hold space for yourself in quiet solitude.

The Hanged Man advises surrender, to hold space for yourself in a time of discomfort or indecision. This card also advises yoga!

The Star reminds you to avail yourself of healing.

The Four of Pentacles advises self-care, and good boundaries.

The Seven and Nine of Wands can also suggest keeping good boundaries.

The Nine of Pentacles can suggest finding happiness in your own company.

Perhaps every tarot card could be interpreted, in context, to advise some sort of self-care or conscious activity to support well-being. These are some of the cards that most specifically discuss these things for me. Which tarot cards do you see as speaking about holding space for oneself?

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The Week in Review

You may notice that a lot of change is happening on my website, ChristianaGaudet.com. That includes a brand new look, and new indexing so you can find stuff better. However, the process takes time, so be patient, and check back often! It will take a while to get all that material sorted and posted!

On my Community Blog this week, I shared some Advice for Pro Tarotists. Do you know who wants tarot readings? Everyone!

 

From Around the Web

I participated in a survey about Major Arcana 15 on James Bulls’ Tarot website. See what I, and colleagues like Jenna Matlin, Ginny Hunt and Benebell Wen, have to say about this important card. James Bulls has some different views on tarot and spirituality, and does a really good job discussing each person's answers from his perspective. Whether or not you agree with his views, you will find this an interesting exploration of Major Arcana 15.

I’ve just discovered the great website Speak of Secrets! Check out “Shadow Aspects & Tarot”. It’s Part I of what promises to be a very helpful series.

Here’s an article from Heather Plett about holding space.

 

Song of the Week

In honor of the Autumnal Equinox this week, here is Lisa Thiel with Mabon.
 

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I'm thrilled to welcome Jamie Morris to my growing list of newsletter contributors.

Jame is a writing coach and developmental editor. Check out her website and see how she can help you be the writer you want to be!

For the next five weeks, Jamie will be supplying us with tarot-themed writing prompts.

The connection between tarot and creative writing goes back centuries, to the early practice of composing tarot-inspired poetry, which we believe to be the origin of tarot divination.

Today, many writers use tarot for inspiration and story development. Many tarotists use writing to help understand the cards, and themselves, better.

I'm grateful to Jamie for sharing her skills with us, and hope you enjoy this creative tarot exercise!

Image from Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti

 

Strength: Here, Kitty, Kitty, Kitty

 
The Strength card typically shows a beautiful woman gently closing the jaws of a fearsome lion. With Strength, we talk about taming our inner beast, controlling our impulses, or harnessing our own strength to face challenges. But we rarely talk about how the killer instincts of a lion might preserve us in times of danger or how some people won’t listen to us unless we roar!

For this writing prompt, let’s try turning tarot convention on its soft-and-fuzzy ear. Make a quick list of times you’ve loosed your own inner wild cat. (Aim for five examples.) Now scan that list. Is there one that still makes your hackles rise?
 
If so, grab that incident by the scruff of the neck and toss it onto a new page. Write about what incited you. Start by describing the scene. Where were you? Who else was present? Who said what to whom? Was there a moment when you felt yourself getting ready to spring? What was the trigger? What happened next?
 
Finally, after all was said and done, did you feel you used your strength for good? Or ill? Or some nicely complex combination of both?

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Tarot Mentorship Packages Available

I have space in my schedule to offer my custom tarot mentorship package to three new students. Your mentoring package is designed for your needs. We can work on simply learning the cards, and learning to give great readings. We can work on building your tarot business. We can use the cards to find deep personal healing, or we can take your tarot study to the next level. We can accomplish whatever you, as a tarot student, need.

Your package must be ordered and paid for by October 3. Your mentorship program must begin after November 10, but before December 15.

The Mentorship Package includes three ninety-minute study sessions with me, by phone, Skype or email. You will be assigned homework. The tuition is $350.

To be considered for this next round of mentorship, please email me, or call or text 561-655-1160.

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Image from Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti

Your One-Card Weekly Reading

Five of Cups

The Five of Cups acknowledges some loss or grief. In the context of holding space, this card can indicate giving oneself some space to grieve.

At the same time, the Five of Cups cautions us against getting stuck in that place of grief.

While three cups have spilt, two remain standing. We must have the strength to remember what good remains, and to make that good our ultimate focus.

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Upcoming Events

Sunday, September 25, 3:30 pm
Tampa Bay Area Tarot Meetup
Panera Bread, 23388 State Rd 54, Lutz, FL 

Michael Newton-Brown will lead this meeting.
Bring your tarot decks and be prepared for some great tarot games!
You can RSVP on the Meetup, or simply meet us at Panera.

Wednesday, September 28, 7 pm
Global Tarot Circle on Facebook Live

Join us online for a free hour of tarot fellowship, readings and study. Simply LIKE my Facebook Business Page, and visit the page to find the video feed at the appointed time. You can chat in the comment section.. 
If you can't be with us for the live feed, you can watch it in archive!


Coming Soon:

October 7 Professional Development Intensive

October 8-9 TarotCon (Florida) 2016

October 14-23 Christiana's Trip to West Palm Beach. Call or text 561-655-1160 to schedule your party, house call or private reading.

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About Christiana

Christiana Gaudet
Origins Spa and Wellness Center
1537 N Dale Mabry Highway #102
Lutz, FL 33548
 

Private telephone, Skype and in person readings and instruction are available by appointment.

Tarot parties at your home or office are available throughout Florida. 

Call 813-948-4488, toll free 866-99TAROT,
or text or call 561-655-1160
for more information or to schedule your event.

Agent inquiries are welcome.