Well, we’ve decreased our “court card count” to 50% of the reading, and this month’s spread is, overall, far more gentle than January’s. We begin with an invitation to center ourselves in our networks of care through the Nine of Cups. Emotional and spiritual abundance is backing us as we contend with new inspiration through the Queen of Cups and new ways of thinking through the Ace of Swords. It’s not surprising that our opportunity from last month has pivoted into our challenge for February. Embracing the social intensity and drive of the Queen of Wands threatens to lead us into burnout - too much fire is not a good thing! - and the environment this month is, in contrast, characterized by the soothing and beautiful cups suit. Listen in for the full reading and don’t forget to share your insights and impressions in the comments below!

The Ask a Tarot Reader segment is back! This month, we have a timely question from a listener named Kristen, who asks:

what is the difference between a personal card of the year vs. the collective card of the year? How would we relate to them differently and how might they affect us differently? My personal card of the year is always the next year’s collective card - I’m specifically, and personally, wondering what your thoughts are on the experience of living with a tarot archetype 2 years in a row (but maybe in a different way).

Listen in as we explore the ins-and-outs of personal birth cards and the card of the year and how they can inform each other and the year ahead.

To submit a question /// click here

To calculate your birth cards /// click here

To get a mini-reading /// click here

Incandescent Tarot is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Podcast Episode Show Notes: Featuring Quinn Diacon-Furtado

Episode Title: Exploring Gender, Magic, and Memory with Quinn Diacon-Furtado

Episode Description:

In this episode, we are thrilled to host Quinn Diacon-Furtado, a multifaceted writer and creator who delves into the intricate realms of gender, magic, intuition, and memory across various genres. Quinn's unique perspective and creative journey offer a rich tapestry of insights and inspirations.

Guest Bio:

Quinn Diacon-Furtado is a writer and creator who explores gender, magic, intuition, and memory across multiple genres. They are the author of the young adult thriller, The Lilies, published by HarperTeen. Their newsletter, The Slow Read, delves into current book recommendations and cultural reading trends through the lens of Quinn's personal experience with reading (dis)ability. A 2022 Lambda Literary Fellow, and former middle school and high school teacher, Quinn holds an MFA in Creative Writing for Children from Hollins University.

Key Topics:

- The Lilies: Dive into Quinn's young adult thriller published by HarperTeen. Explore the themes, characters, and inspiration behind this captivating novel, which tells the story of four students at an elite private school who find themselves trapped in a time loop reliving their worst memories and greatest regrets. Together, they must grapple with the truths of their pasts in order to find a way out of the loop, before the fabric of time can fully disintegrate. This thriller explores queerness, generational patterns, and how secrecy can rot institutions (and the people who uphold them) from the inside out.

- Tarot and the Creative Process: Learn how Quinn uses tarot to inspire and guide their writing.

- Using Your Practice to Inspire Action: Hear Quinn's thoughts on tarot, community, and bringing your spiritual practice into the real world.

- The Future of Tarot & 'Spiritual Technology': Listen in as Quinn discusses their thoughts on where tarot is headed and the intersection of spirituality and social media.

- Personal Practice and Ancestor Work: Learn about Quinn's persona practice, favorite resources, and frequent tarot card visitors.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Rust Belt Arcana Tarot

Raymond Buckland Romani Tarot

Using Tarot in the Writing Process: Leveraging Tarot Readings as a Creative Catalyst

The In-Betweens: The Spiritualists, Mediums, and Legends of Camp Etna by Mira Ptacin

Clearing Spaces: Inspirational Techniques to Heal Your Home by Khi Armand

The Morgan Greer Tarot

Connect with Quinn Diacon-Furtado:

Website: thisisquinnswebsite.com

Newsletter: theslowread.substack.com

Instagram: @ya_quinn_ya

Join the Conversation:

Have questions or thoughts about today's episode? Share them in the comments of the substack post for this episode or message directly at info@incandescenttarot.com. Don't forget to share and rate and review the podcast on your favorite platform!

Subscribe:

Never miss an episode! Subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform.

Support the Podcast:

If you enjoyed this episode, consider supporting us on [Patreon/Other Support Platform] and consider becoming a paid subscriber to the Incandescent Tarot Substack.

Can you believe it?! For the first time in “Monthly Forecast History” we have a reading of four Major Arcana Cards! That’s right: 100% archetypal power and intensity. Buckle up, because in August we’ll be launching into a Fool’s Journey, battling with The Devil, and resisting the individualist joy of The Sun in pursuit of the meaningful process of (building) Strength. Listen in for the whole forecast including me absolutely losing my mind while turning over these cards.

Hello everyone and welcome to the monthly review for July! I’m sending this out to all subscribers since some life chaos prevented me from getting the Weekly Forecast out to you all this week. I’m loathe to skip anything Incandescent Tarot-related, so I hope this makes up for the absence and maybe gives an enticing peek behind the curtain/look at the magical realm of a paid subscription.

So how was July for you all?

I was looking back at my camera roll and shocked to see how much had happened. I took a trip to visit family up north and was able to take a small detour alone to visit my hometown. I hadn’t been back in almost nine years and it was euphoric and eerie to drive along the backroads of Western Massachusetts and know my way exactly.

We had an interesting group of cards this month - all minor arcana - and the month had a similar feeling of profound everyday-ness. Working through the same issues, going back to the work, driving along the backroads again, and again, and again. What did you learn from all the returning, revisiting, and repetition?

I’m writing this with the knowledge of our cards for the next month and wow. There’s clearly a lot to uncover in this month that can help steer us in the weeks ahead. Be sure to scroll down for reflection prompts to gather your thoughts and insights, and of course the cards for August. (I am shook!)

Before then, a few highlights:

In the tarot-verse: I did a bunch of personal readings this month, including one with a fun structure I’m excited to share. (Anyone else out there into DIY-spreads?) The first card I drew?? Strength! I’m also so excited that a second edition Uusi Design Studio’s Eros Tarot (joyfully NSFW) is on pre-order. What decks have you been enjoying? Always looking for recommendations to diversify my heavily-RWS tarot portfolio.

Reading, watching, listening: Vacation time means reading time and aah and I am missing the feeling of being able to devour a book in two days! I finally read Wandering Stars, Tommy Orange’s follow-up to the wonderful There There (very Five of Cups, Ten of Pentacles, and The Moon with its themes of lineage, grief, and transformation) and Birnam Wood, which I found annoying at first and then absolutely engrossing. It probably didn’t help that many of the characters gave me flashbacks to myself, age twenty, ranting about Noam Chomsky and “decentralized nodes of modality,” but what can you do?

I had the delightful experience of sitting by myself at a movie theater watching a film set in my hometown. Janet Planet follows a single mother and her daughter as they navigate the rhythms of a lazy summer in Western Massachusetts. Set in the 90s, it was like a flashback to my childhood; think Six of Cups nostalgia mixed with zany alternative Four of Wands shenanigans. (This movie made me want to host my own surreal puppet show in my back yard.)

I also got sucked in to the Netflix documentary series about the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, America’s Sweethearts. (Anne Helen Petersen has a characteristically insightful take on it on her substack.) Come for the performative femininity, stay for the deeply relatable characters!

Ace of the Month: This itty bitty baby snapping turtle!

How was your June? I’d love to hear in the comments below! And don’t forget to scroll down for prompts and that insane reading for August.

Reflection Prompts for June

Eight of Pentacles

* What work, projects, or routines naturally drew your focus this month?

* How were you able to remain centered and on task?

* What have you learned about yourself through committing to work?

Eight of Swords

* What self-limiting beliefs, mental blocks, and insecurities were you able to identify this month?

* How did you successfully confront them?

* What do you now know about your true desires, thoughts, and direction?

Eight of Cups

* When did you feel the need to retreat, chase something new, or find fault with the support and resources you have?

* How did it feel to come back home to yourself?

* What part of your desires are you inviting back into your life?

Nine of Cups

* What did you learn about your emotional and spiritual resources?

* How did it feel to uplift and appreciate the love and beauty in your life?

* Did you feel discomfort? How did you soothe it?

and, finally, a look at our next reading…

Cards for August 2024

(I almost didn’t post these because I wanted it to be a surprise in the live reading, but you’ll just get to listen to me huff and puff with incredulity on the recording - I can’t get over this array!!)

We’re back down to earth this month, with a natural focus on work, dedication, and follow-through shown in our theme card, the Eight of Pentacles. The first of three consecutive eights, this card positions us as the makers and doers in our own life story. It’s a welcome change from all the Major Arcana energy that’s been animating our past readings, yet three eights is no small matter and perhaps even a shoutout to our card of the year, number eight in the Major Arcana, Strength. We have some lingering swords-issues in the world around us as the Eight of Swords shows us messily contending with our wishes, desires, opinions, and even self-confidence. Yet our opportunity card, the Nine of Cups, invites us to consider how we might have everything we need and to use our emotional resources to ground ourselves instead of, as our challenge card the Eight of Cups suggests, running to the hills in pursuit of newness or elusive feelings and goals.

I couldn’t keep us from our reading this week, dear readers! Press play above for the full rundown - I can’t express enough how excited I am to see The Magician! I’ll be back with regular programming next week.

In June’s reading we have another court card leading the way. The Queen of Swords encourages us to embrace our power to organize and communicate our thoughts, advocate for ourselves and others, and strive towards a more meaningful and, you guessed it, just world. Yes, Justice is in the air the month as our environment card. We’ll be grappling with how to bring this lofty ideal into our flawed and complicated world, both in our everyday life and our larger communities. While we can accomplish a lot in this space, it’s calling on us to show up mindfully and with directed intention. Yet part of us wants to sneak off and get distracted in daydreaming, fantasy, and frivolous side quests. I’m talking about the Knight of Cups here, our challenge card. The Two of Cups, however, offers us an opportunity to engage with lofty principles in our everyday life and gain some balance by having fun in small ways while inviting in bigger changes. Listen in for the full reading and be sure to leave your comments below.

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.

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

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 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.

Well, dear listeners, we certainly start 2025 with a bang! It’s such a delight to be back recording for you all. Our welcome to the New Year is packed with court cards. Yes, you heard right, 4/4 of our cards are in this group: two queens, one king, and one knight. Phew! January is poised to be full of action, characters, and adventures. We’re being asked to assume the poised and insightful position of the Queen of Swords while dealing with the boisterous and unceasing energy of the Knight of Wands out in the world around us. Reading between the cards, I’m sensing that the wisdom of our card for 2025 - The Hermit - will come in handy. Our challenge is in taking refuge in the false moral or emotional high ground of the King of Cups. What are we trying to protect ourselves from when we pretend we’ve got it all figured out and that the world doesn’t touch us? The Queen of Wands illuminates a path through the challenges of the Knight of Wands that sees us assuming a passionate, powerful, and authentic position of personal authority. Buckle up - it’s a wild ride, but with huge potential for zesty and fruitful growth. Listen in for the whole reading, including me waxing poetic about the passage of time, the first (and only other) time I turned over a spread with all court cards, and losing my mind over this impressive array!

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.

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.

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 here

More on Reversals // Click here

A 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:

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.

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

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.

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:

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.

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 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.

Hello dear subscribers! This forecast is coming to us in a different format because of some unexpected delays this week. But I will not be defeated! We’re going audio because, to quote this perennial wisdom: ‘done is better than perfect.’ (See the unintentional “remix” at the beginning of our recording 😆.) Listen in for a full rundown of this week’s energy (challenging but rewarding!) as well as the classic “things to embrace/things to avoid” segment. If you’d still like to read, click above to access the transcript! We’ll be back with the usual written reading next week. Thanks as always for being here and best of luck in the holiday chaos! A check-in for the monthly reading is also coming tomorrow.

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.)

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

You’re listening to the free version of Incandescent Tarot. If you’d like to support this work and gain access to a treasure trove of tarot content, do consider subscribing below!

We break from tradition this week for an audio version of the Weekly Forecast. Exciting! Life got a little intense, hence the change, and we’ll be back with our usual written forecasts next week. Until then, listen in for insights into the serious drive of The Chariot, the deep search for meaning of The Hierophant, and the Knight of Pentacles’ welcome practicality.

This week, embrace:

* Focus

* Determination

* Openness to new perspectives, the wisdom of tradition

* Committing to actionable steps

This week, avoid:

* Distraction

* Obsession with the exact details of your original plans

* Avoiding responsibility and/or change

Hello Lovely Listeners,

It’s February already, which means it’s time for our monthly tarot reading. What’s in store in the weeks to come? Listen in as we discuss the nuances of our card of the month, Strength, its clashes with our context-card, The Emperor, and how being The King of Wands isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

I’m trying valiantly to embrace imperfection (which, as it turns out, is another theme that falls under the Strength card, ha) but have to add that the audio quality of this episode is not what I’d like it to be! Still figuring out a new recording configuration, so thank you for bearing with me.

As always, do share any comments, questions, or observations in the comments below. If you’d like more insights and reflections on this month’s reading, do subscribe to the paid version of the newsletter. In addition to supporting this work, you’ll get access to additional essays, readings, and *announcement time* a sneak peek at the cards for next month’s reading.

What a welcome to the new year! Listen as I try and fail to contain my excitement over The Fool and its presence in our reading, especially since it’s bolstered by the emotional maturity of the Queen of Cups. This is a time for new beginnings rooted in personal authenticity and joyful interconnectedness. Our challenge for the month is represented by The Hermit, as we may want to turn away from the brightness of a radically new beginning. Solidity and plenty, however, are to be found in the world around us, as The King of Pentacles shows us an opportunity for growth, both in terms of our material resources and personal power.

This month we have an energetic and focused reading to guide us. What happens when we find ourselves warmed and supported by our communities and creative endeavors? The Four of Wands directs us to celebrate and enjoy what’s working in our lives while seeing what we can do to amplify it with the determination and grand vision of The Chariot. We’d be wise, however, not to overburden ourselves with ambition for ambition’s sake or a hefty workload just because we can. Following a speedy path via the Eight of Wands, no matter how tempting, will just bring us right back to where we started. Instead, this reading asks us to embrace restriction and our empathy and humility in order to be sure we’re doing what really matters to us. Listen in for all this and: semi-unabashed self-promotion, an extensive & rambling bonfire metaphor, and lots of rueful chuckling about wands enthusiasm.

Listen in for a tarot snapshot of the final month of 2024 and reflections on our tour of the Strength card over the past twelve months. Our card for December is Temperance, pointing us to a gentle assimilation of all the lessons we’ve learned about Strength and a period of grace (and hopefully ease) as we conclude the year. We’ll be pulled to make some poignant decisions about leaving parts of our lives behind in search of what we know is right via the Six of Swords while trusting our internal compass to guide the way. Our challenge this month is everyone’s favorite catastrophic tarot card, The Tower. Will some things crumble in our lives? Perhaps, but our opportunity card - the Eight of Cups - suggests that our choice lies between seeing endings as solely unjust and painful or necessary parts of our growth.

Explore the themes at work for November as we dive into a curious reading. Two nines show us that the central theme of the month is culmination, accomplishment, and taking the responsibility to end portions of our own stories. We’ll be challenged by a desire to wrap everything up in tidy bows, make strong declarations, and hide behind absolute statements as the Knight of Swords brings their bluster and hidden insecurities into the picture. Meanwhile? A powerful call is pushing us towards facing our true self and doing the next big thing, especially if it’s intimidating and requires us to leave our small and simple ideas behind.

A rambling deep-dive into the topic of certainty and its place in tarot. Can we achieve certainty in our readings? Do we even want to? Listen in to hear what the Strength card has to teach us about looking for answers in tarot, Gina’s “bro voice,” and a story about someone pulling The Tower before a first date.

Listen in for the tarot forecast for October of 2022, aka the episode where I audibly gasp multiple times because we have four Major Arcana cards to guide us through the month - The Chariot, Strength, Temperance, and The Hierophant. How can we use our perfectionistic tendencies for good? What weird truths are we about to learn about ourselves? And how will the pursuit of balance nudge us into challenging and fruitful spaces of learning?

We have a uniquely clear and galvanizing forecast this month, dear listeners. Join us for September’s collective tarot reading as we discuss how personal authority and leadership (The Emperor) can inspire satisfying action (The Seven of Wands) while steering us away from distracting hedonism (The King of Pentacles) and towards mental clarity (The King of Swords). So, you know, really low-key themes at play for the month! It should be a pivotal and exhilarating time, so be sure to listen in to find out how The Emperor embodies “back to school energy,” whether the person in the Seven of Wands is as angsty as they look, and why lazing around in your grape-patterned robe a la the King of Pentacles isn’t actually the best move at the moment.

A glorious and slightly nerve-wracking group of cards greets us this month, but in a “butterflies before you go on stage” way (instead of“buckling under tons of external pressure”). The Queen of Cups represents the themes of the month: emotional wisdom, dedication to love (romantic and otherwise), and a connection to beauty. The Knight of Pentacles, however, wants to keep things on the straight and narrow, but how could we when The Lovers card shows us a tantalizing and transformative opportunity? The Two of Cups lets us know that piddly distractions may tempt us to sidestep an important choice. Listen in for the whole forecast, tips on how to navigate the energies of August, and why I call the Knight of Pentacles “the dirt knight.”

Let’s talk about practice, shall we? In this episode I dive into the how’s and why’s of practice, discuss how a tarot practice differs from, say, a meditation practice, and ways to make your practice more magical and sustainable. This episode centers on personal tarot practices and gently touches on practicing as a way to learn the cards themselves. Come for the helpful tips, stay for the musings on my middle school tarot readings.

We’re back with a new forecast for July, dear friends. Don’t be fooled by the fact that I emphatically state that it’s JUNE in the audio - once again, the concept of time has gotten the best of me! This month - the month of July - we have a Major Arcana card giving us focus: The Chariot. Willpower, action, and trust in our path merges with the helpful structure of the Four of Wands. Taking risks leads to community and a home for our deepest convictions. We may struggle with wanting to initiate new plans constantly via the Ace of Wands, but there’s room for growth in pondering what’s working for us in our daily lives a la the Seven of Pentacles. Tune in for the whole forecast here or anywhere you get your podcasts, and thanks as always for listening.

Hello lovely readers and listeners,

I was running out of time to write out a weekly forecast for you all and thought I’d plug in my microphone and record one instead. I hope you enjoy this spontaneous experiment - the regular written forecasts will be back next week.

Until then, listen to hear:

* How the Four of Swords and Knight of Swords are the ultimate power team

* Compelling thoughts on the Four of Swords: Is that a crypt or cozy stone bedroom?

* All the ways the Three of Cups can rain its magic on us this week (and our friends as well)

The reading has all the features of the forecasts of olden thymes: a full reading, themes to embrace, themes to avoid, and ways to creatively explore and express each card.

Thank you as always for listening and reading and have a lovely week.

It’s finally here, dear friends! Listen in to the first monthly tarot forecast. Get a look at the energies at work, the themes we’ll be engaging with, areas for growth, and helpful insight into any stickiness or challenges that may come our way. This month, we have the intrepid Page of Swords leading the charge as our card of the month, followed by The Wheel of Fortune as a representation of the larger picture and what we’re dealing with. Get ready for change, confusion, and lots of questions. Things get difficult if we fall into the slow, plodding, and practical outlook of The Knight of Pentacles. Things get magical, however, if we leave space for stillness, dreaming, and opening up to the unknown via the Four of Cups. Tune in for the whole forecast here or anywhere you get your podcasts, and thanks as always for listening.

The podcast is back! I’m so happy to be recording again and sharing episodes with you all.

In this episode, I explore the topic of reading for yourself during times of stress which, to be honest, is one of the most common reasons for seeking out tarot readings. How often do we approach the cards, the epitome of collected calm, and ask about something incredibly low stakes like when to do the dishes or where to go for dinner? (Not often! But I recommend you try it sometimes - it’s fun! and a refreshing change.)

Here, however, I share observations and insights from my personal and professional practice about helpful guidelines, techniques, and expectations for readings that:

* touch on sensitive topics

* deal with big decisions

* engage us emotionally, stirring up fear or anxiety

And, because I can’t resist, I touch briefly on how these themes come into play when giving or receiving readings as well.

Those of you who've reached out with questions for the “Ask a Tarot Reader” segment way back in the olden times, fear not! I’ll be addressing those and posting them in upcoming episodes.

For those of you who are unfamiliar, this is a section where you can ask me anything about tarot - my personal practice, experience as a pro reader, questions about the cards themselves. You can also submit a question for a mini, one-card tarot reading, to be conducted on the podcast. I’d love to hear from you! Reach out via email or submit a question on the website here.

If you’d like to be notified when new episodes launch, sign up for the Everyday Arcana segment of the newsletter. This is the inner sanctum of Incandescent Tarot, if you will. Sign up for extra insights, personal ramblings, and updates.

You can also subscribe to the podcast on all major podcast platforms. Do leave a rating and review if you enjoy it, and share with friends far and wide!

An exploration into Judgement, the Ten of Cups, Queen of Swords, and Two of Pentacles for November 2024.

In this solo episode Gina explores the dark, striking world of “negative cards” - those tarot mainstays like Death, The Tower, and the Ten of Swords that show up in horror movies and challenge us to confront the full range of the human experience.

Learn how these cards operate on a spectrum like any other in tarot, often encompassing surprisingly positive notes and meanings. What happens when we engage with “negative” cards from an empowered perspective? What can they teach us? Gina shares personal anecdotes throughout, like how Death and The Tower didn’t actually curse her wedding.

Finally, in Ask A Tarot Reader we have a wonderful question from listener Cat Child about what it means when you draw all the same type of card in a reading. What does it mean when it all comes up cups?

Join us for a lively conversation with the delightful Lucas Taylor of @brightleaftarot. In this podcast, Lucas shares his experiences growing up in New England, connecting with tarot and witchcraft, the allure and mystery of ghost stories, and gives some amazing advice to aspiring readers.

We also theorize about why so many people discover magic during early adolescence (ourselves included), discuss the finer points of pumpkin carving, and get misty-eyed over the landscapes of our youth (and apple cider donuts).

Finally, the very first installment of Ask A Tarot Reader features this excellent question from a listener, Ruby:

What does it mean when a specific card keeps coming up in readings?

For the past few months now, every time I do a reading for myself (once, maybe twice a month), I always get the 3 of Swords, whether I pull it myself or it just falls out of the deck. It seems obvious that there's a message here - it's definitely not a fun card to be getting, so I'm trying to understand what this could mean.

Want to have a question of your own featured on the podcast? Submit at http://incandescenttarot.com/askatarotreader. And, if you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and rate or comment on Apple Podcasts.

Shownotes

Lucas Taylor is a talented tarot reader and collector of cards. You can find him on instagram @brightleaftarot.

For more Lucas magic, check out his Tarot Interview on the Incandescent Tarot Blog.

For a look into the history of ghost stories in the United States and their underrepresented connection to race and trauma, check out the fantastic book Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places.

And, Lucas inspired me to start creating an online version of the Intuitive Tarot Class he mentions in the interview. For more info and to sign up for the waitlist, click here.

The Incandescent Tarot Podcast is finally here! In this episode I introduce the podcast as a whole and then dive into the differences between reading for yourself and getting readings from others/giving readings to others. What happens when we embrace the fact that these two practices are, in fact, very different? And how can we use these differences to have better tarot experiences? I address questions and concerns about objectivity, fear, wish-fulfillment, and the temptation to put an overly positive spin on the cards.

Hello Everyone,

It’s such a delight to be announcing the first ever official, full-length episode of the Incandescent Tarot Podcast! I had to tear myself away from getting fully lost in an editing wormhole to bring this one to you and I think it’s definitely worth it. Listen above or check it out on Apple Podcasts and all your other favorite podcast sources.

I’m so excited to be publishing more episodes in the coming weeks. You can expect solo episodes on tarot, intuition, and spirituality, plus interviews with professionals and everyday people about their practices.

And did I mention you can take part, too? Submit your questions for our regular feature, Ask a Tarot Reader. These can be questions for an answer via a quick tarot reading or more technical/specific questions about tarot, magic, spirituality, and intuition.

I won’t be sending email updates for future episodes lest I become what I despise - an annoying spammer - so be sure to subscribe for the latest episodes and, if you enjoy what you hear, do leave a rating and review. These are so helpful for getting the podcast out into the world and into the ears of new listeners.

Enjoy and happy listening!

Hello lovely friends & subscribers,

I was so blown away by your enthusiastic response to last week’s experimental audio episode. It was a joy to be back in the podcasting chair and doing weekly forecasts again. With all that magic afoot the decision was easy: the forecasts are here to stay and I’ll be creating more audio episodes for you to enjoy.

You can now find these here, on iTunes, and most anywhere you listen to podcasts. I still can’t believe the stars converged to make this happen. It’s delightful.

Because I want to both keep this newsletter streamlined and add avenues to support my work, I’ll be introducing a subscription option. Which means:

The weekly forecasts will be subscriber only while the longform episodes and written essays will be available to all.

So much of the work I do is free and it brings me joy to create and offer these resources. However, they take a lot of time and energy, and my goal this year is to start unabashedly valuing my work and inviting my lovely subscribers and followers to support it.

So, if you’d like to receive audio weekly forecasts in your inbox every Monday starting next week, do sign up to be a subscriber. Subscriptions are just $5/month or $60/year which breaks down to just over a dollar per forecast.

You can also pledge an amount of your choice over the set price as a “Magical Founding Member” if you find this work particularly valuable and enriching. I so appreciate any and all contributions. Use the button below to sign up at the regular subscription price or more.

And what would an impromptu launch be without a special offer? Sign up between now and September 30th to get 20% off for the year, just because. Use this button to sign up with the discount.

Because I’m not on social media, I get by on word-of-mouth and smashing/alluring content alone: Do share this with anyone you think would be interested if you feel inspired. And, if you’re feeling particularly generous, you can also gift a subscription below:

Well, that’s enough announcing and promoting to last me a while! (If you listen to the podcast above, you’ll see that this is definitely my personal Eight of Swords —> Death moment for the week ;) Thank you for coming along this journey with me. I’m looking forward to writing, podcasting, and forecasting for you all moving forward.