Incandescent Tarot Podcast

This month’s reading has a fresh energy, led by the formidable and fiery King of Wands. In May we'll be stepping into our power and ambition, showing up, and making things happen. Temperance invites us to balance this output with steady, dedicated care for both ourselves and our communities while Judgment gives us a somewhat comical alarm for when we’re getting off-course. Why pass judgment when we can be chill, focusing on tending to our cups? These cards remind us that life is not a zero-sum game and that change does not lead to a static outcome. Not only this, but the Two of Cups shows us how our new relationships, passions, and artistic or spiritual pursuits are a source of both pleasure and promising growth. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

We’re back at long last with another installment of “Ask a Tarot Reader"! Listen in as I dive into two excellent listener-submitted questions. The first touches on the tens of the minor arcana:“Why do you think the 10’s are so different from each other (or not)? The 10’s of pentacles and cups are so abundant, joyful,  and triumphant, while the 10’s of wands and swords are overwhelming, burdensome, and a real bummer. I know there’s a range of what they can represent, but I’m curious about how you’d explain the apparent contrast.”and the second brings us to the world of the Major Arcana:“How does the Star card relate to the star in the Hermit’s lamp?”Submit your own question .::. https://www.incandescenttarot.com/askatarotreader This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

What a fascinating group of cards for April! This month is animated by the call to move towards peace and fulfillment via the Six of Swords, and it seems as if our environment card, the Ten of Cups, isn’t just giving us a green light, it’s giving us a full-on, resplendent rainbow. This is a long and poignant journey, however, and we’ve been preparing for it for some time. The World from last month gave us a peek at the landscape we’ll be traversing and now our job is to wade into it and stay the course, trusting in our emotions, intuition, and deeper wisdom. Our challenge will be to resist the urge to turn this moment into one of practicality and caution like the Knight of Pentacles. This is not a month to reason away our joy, wishes, or values. Luckily, the Knight of Swords is rising to the challenge and shows us using or words, wit, and conviction for good; choosing what matters to us, trusting in the meaning we make of our lives, and defending our dedication to connection, sweetness, and community. Listen in for the full forecast, including an enthusiastic deep-dive into these two knights, rapturous explorations of the swords suit done right, and lots of impassioned musings on spring as a season for new beginnings. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

This month we shift from the analytic, sharp swords and into the feeling world of the cups. The Two of Cups sees us reaching out and being received by others. What insights can we gift to those close to us? What can be revealed to us in turn? The Hierophant suggests that there’s profound wisdom to explore in this space and the energy to make headway in areas of our life that give us a sense of meaning and purpose. Our challenge card, the Two of Wands, shows a desire to turn away from all this and keep things light, but in doing so we’d just be hiding in our actualization, healing, and self-expression as shown in our opportunity card: The World. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

February’s reading features a bevy of swords cards. We’re poised to step into the shoes (and throne) of the discerning and stoic King of Swords while struggling against “Knight of Swords impulses” in ourselves and others to rush to conclusions, have the first and last word, and figure it all out. Yet underneath it all, we’re undergoing a slow and steady journey away from ideas and expectations we’ve outgrown. The Six of Swords shows a deliberate choice to take responsibility for ourselves and remain open to input from the world around us. Think sailing across the river vs. sweating to build a whole bridge. All this complexity, if we choose to engage with it, steers us towards the fertile shore of The Star where wisdom and peace await. Sounds alluring! And well worth the pointedness of the rest of our reading. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

Listen in as we explore the cards for the first month of 2024! But first, a look at our transition from a Chariot Year (2023) to a year animated by Strength (2024). It’s been a wild ride, and this jump seems both exciting and grounding. The year starts out with a serious and zesty batch of cards. January’s theme is The Hermit, where we travel inward to uncover animating truths that give our lives meaning. The environment is supportive of this quest along with many others touching on themes of romance, connection, and spiritual meaning. The Knight of Cups shows our enthusiasm and more than a little potential to be “extra.” We’ll be challenged to resist the assumption that we have to go it alone like the Eight of Cups, yet the gravitational pull of The Lovers reminds us that life is sweet and exciting when we find people who support, understand, and expand what really matters to us. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

Listen in to the latest edition of “Ask a Tarot Reader,” a segment where we explore two listener-submitted questions: one about how to read tarot and the other a personal question or issue to invesitagate with a two-card tarot reading. This month, we’re starting with a reading about how to survive/endure/thrive in the challenging holiday season, and we finish with a perennial concern: reversed card. To read with them or not? To submit a question // Click hereMore on Reversals // Click hereA few quick podcast annoucements:* I will no longer be sending out emails for each new episode. This is a spam-free space! To stay up to date, be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts (and while you’re at it, do leave a rating and review ;) * In case you missed it, transcripts are available for all episodes. Simply click the transcript bar below the audio player to read the episode in its full glory. (Caveat: the transcript is AI-generated and sometimes I miss ridiculous mistranslations. I hope they’re entertaining!)Our Cards from the Mini-Reading: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

December is here! In this last forecast for 2023, we’re visited by the introspective, questing Hermit who invites us to go inward to find authentic, actionable, and realistic ways to navigate tradition, structure, and lineage represented by The Hierophant (and the entire holiday season). We may find ourselves tempted to overindulge and distract ourselves with celebration and socialization through the Three of Cups; however, healthy expansion can be found in recognizing the meaningful actions we’ve been taking individually and collectively so that we can continue to practice them moving forward. Listen in for the entire reading and be sure to leave a rating and review or share if you found this forecast helpful. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to the latest installation of “Ask a Tarot Reader” where we dive into listener-submitted questions about 1) how to read tarot and 2) personal questions for an answer via a two-card tarot reading. This month, our question about tarot comes from a listener who asks:“How do you read challenging cards without falling to either 'they are good/bad'? Some cards can be seen as so challenging (from knowledge or past experience), yet you seem to be able to read each time with curiosity and openness, without your intuition being cluttered by challenging experiences with the cards. Would you say that comes with practice with the cards/self-care routines/personality trait? What would be your advice(s)? (I ask because I can sometimes feel 'overwhelmed' by certain cards when I read to myself, and it can take away my initial enthusiasm and intuition.)”The question for our tarot reading comes from a listener named G, who asks:“Will I ever feel fulfilled by my professional career again?”Listen in as we discuss their card: The Eight of Cups and The Tower.To submit a question // Click Here This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

I had several moments of pause when recording this episode. 1) To reshuffle or not reshuffle? This spread has a wild repeat, but after a busy event, I knew the draw was thoroughly random, and as much as I’d have loved to not talk about this card again, I do believe that the reading in front of you is exactly the reading you need. And 2) should I re-record? I may not have reacted so elegantly to our repeat visitor! Again, I decided no: this podcast is all about authentic, live tarot readings, including incredulous pauses, hemming and hawing, and all. So listen in for the whole reading where we grapple with the Five of Pentacles once again, yet are joined by the tender and intrepid Page of Cups who asks us to practice positivity and some joyful creative thinking. We may be tempted, however, to distract ourselves from tough spots with newness, achievement, and a full schedule via the Page of Wands. Ultimately, we have the opportunity to retreat into a place of deep knowing - the Two of Swords - where we’ll be able to approach a long-held decision with poise and clarity. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to a new segment of the Incandescent Tarot podcast, Ask a Tarot Reader! These used to be snuggled in at the end of regular episodes, but they’re too much fun to keep in the corner.In Ask a Tarot Reader, I’ll answer two listener questions each month about:* Tarot! how to read, troubleshooting issues, anything that’s been nagging you as you explore this wonderful and, let’s be real, often-confusing practice.* Life! Submit a personal question for a mini-reading at the end of each episode. To submit a question of either stipe visit incancescenttarot.com/askatarotreader or send an email to info@incandescenttarot.com.This month, we explore a question about intuitive readings and advanced decks:I read intuitively using a RW deck. The Prisma Visions Tarot deck draws me. I worry, though: is a deck with such sophisticated imagery too advanced for me? Perhaps I will not be able read intuitively with such a deck? How can I tell whether the deck is too advanced for me?To take a gander at the stunning Prisma Visions Deck // Click Here…and answering a question from lovely subscriber, Lisa, who asks:what should I expect through the end of the year? Will I close any business or find any love interest?See her cards below: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

We’ve finally done it! Our two month exploration (expedition? ordeal?) of the Five of Pentacles is over. This month, we’re in a state of natural focus and determination illustrated by the Eight of Pentacles. Following this card’s dedicated work ethic is opening up a world of joyful connections via the Three of Cups, not to mention a dose of much-needed levity and tenderness. Oh, and did I mention traction? We’re being given the unique opportunity to learn more about the tempting dreams that have lured us off our path in the past as the Ace of Pentacles appears in our ‘challenge’ section, showing us how we may want to use newness, potential, and fantasy to avoid the success we’re working towards. Instead, these cards encourage us to adopt the stance of the Four of Pentacles: deep enduring awareness of our resources, pride in our ability to structure our lives, and devotion to maintaining what we have and staying the course. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

September brings a rare repeat of our central card from August: The Five of Pentacles. We’re tying up loose ends to this challenging card, yet there’s a welcome source of (unpredictable) change on the horizon as The Wheel of Fortune spins through the areas of our life reflected in the Five of Pentacles, bringing changes of fortune, surprising opportunities, or even rapid breakthroughs. We’ll feel challenged to walk back some of our ambitious plans and dreams with regards to money and career via the Two of Pentacles, yet the Six of Swords shows us how we can move forward slowly, deliberately, and armed with lots of hard-won wisdom. Listen in for the full reading, lots of excited exclamations (still can’t get over the Five of Pentacles 2x in a row!), and my thoughts on the poignant, autumnal nature of the Six of Swords. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

This month’s reading is tender and intriuging. The hardship of the Five of Pentacles sees us grappling with material restrictions - what is enough? How do we support our lives? - while occupying a much different role than we’re used to via the King of Wands. We may have more resources at hand than we realize, especially those that center our agency, creativity, and energy. Playing it safe like our challenge card, The Queen of Pentacles, may be tempting, but in reality, our opportunity lies in grieving and integrating the messages around scarcity and capability that have held us back in the past through the Five of Cups. Listen in for the full reading, including my odd appreciation of the fives as a group, the confrontational nature of the King of Wands, and the importance of reading “between” the cards. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

July arrives with a refreshing shift of energy. Armed with new and inspiring ideas, we’re entering into a phase of mental growth and exploration via the Ace of Swords, our card for the month. Our environment is poised to support the daring personal breakthroughs we’ve been craving as The Sun casts its warm glow on our purusits and inner life. We may be tempted to skip our own coming out party by getting distrated in far-fetched plans or alternate futures a la the Two of Wands. Who could blame us when the success of The Sun is casting its light on some restrictive habits and situations we wish we could keep in The Devil. Listen in for the whole reading, including my dizzy dissection of last month’s Wheel of Fortune wildness, a Fool vs. Sun showdown, and my excitement over this opportunity to work with The Devil card. (A special note: there will be no weekly forecast in an attempt to give myself a little summer vacation. Regular programming will return next Monday.) This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

The cards in play for June represent a shift into a period of cultivating balance in our work and material lives. The Six of Pentacles appears as our card of the month, showing us motivated to get in touch with our resources. It’s a practical and calming energy that stands in contrast to the world around us, as The Wheel of Fortune brings some change, chaos, and opportunity our way. We’ll be challenged to make sense of it all and drawn to managing our stress through planning and rationalization via the Queen of Swords; however, our true path forward is in the much more free (and fun) Four of Wands. Listen in for all the details, including a comprehensive rant on the weirdness of the Six of Pentacles and my love of tarot “odd couples.” This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

Hello Tarot Friends! This week’s forecast is in audio format; we’ll be back to the usual written reading next week, but until then enjoy this departure from tradition! As always, thank you for being here. If you enjoy this work and want to support it, consider sharing or subscribing below. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

May is illuminated by the thoughtful glow of The Star, a card that invites us to carve our space for healing, reflection, and vulnerability. We may need to channel the discernment of the Two of Swords, guarding access to our soft underbellies, while remaining wary of our propensity to get carried away or just plain run away from growth like the Seven of Swords, our cautionary tale for the month. Sitting with ourselves via the Four of Cups, especially in moments of boredom or dissatisfaction, holds a mysterious key to our exciting next steps. Listen in for the whole reading and consider subscribingb elow for access to more material working with this reading as we work our way through the month. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

April is all about the feelings as we figure out how to steer our lives with the determination of The Chariot. The Queen of Cups provides essential advice as our card for the month - how can we take gentle and joyful responsibility for our dreams as we work towards actualizing them? The Emperor as our challenge card shows us just how difficult it can be to remain open, receptive, and flexible, yet the opportunity of the Seven of Cups invites us to trade in fear and avoidance for a healthy dose of weirdness and inspiration. Listen in for the whole forecast and consider subscribing for extra reflections, prompts, and a video check-in throughout the month. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe

Listen in as we explore a unique tarot landscape. Yes, The Tower is rising up in the center, drawing our eye, but all is not what it seems. The enduring theme of March is newness - what are we excitedly seeking out right now like the energetic Knight of Wands? It may bring up some criticism via the Queen of Swords who wants to frame our mistakes and misfortunes as catastrophe. Yet the King of Pentacles tells us the world isn’t ending at all; in fact, it’s quite delightful. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe