Explore every episode of the podcast Arcane Dames
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farewell Episode | 12 Feb 2024 | 00:07:19 | |
The Arcane Dames Podcast will no longer be releasing new episodes. We are sad to announce the end of this project before completing all 78 cards of the tarot, and we both still have an incredible amount of love and gratitude for our listeners. Mel and Alyssa will continue to share our tarot knowledge & spiritual journeys on our own platforms, and we hope you can continue to follow-along and keep learning with us on our separate journeys. Follow Mel: @melofwands Instagram @melofwands TikTok Mel Of Wands Follow Alyssa: @missplacedvisionary Instagram @missplaced visionary TikTok | |||
| Nine of Wands & Letting Go | 06 Feb 2024 | 01:06:32 | |
Join Mel & Alyssa for a deep dive into the energy of the Nine of Wands! We discuss the heaviness of this card, how we get ourselves into it, and how we can get ourselves out. Follow the Arcane Dames: The Arcane Dames Podcast - TikTok The Arcane Dames Podcast - Instagram Arcane Dames | Patreon Arcane Dames | Linktree Follow Mel: @melofwands Instagram @melofwands TikTok Mel Of Wands Follow Alyssa: @missplacedvisionary Instagram | |||
| Four of Wands & Accepting Love | 05 Dec 2023 | 01:05:35 | |
Through an enriching conversation about family, relationship patterns, and Christmas traditions, the Dames explain how they view the Four of Wands in the tarot. Creeping up on the winter solstice, Mel & Alyssa are their most introspective selves in this cozy yet candid episode. | |||
| Queen of Pentacles: Giving, Receiving, & Hard Work | 28 Nov 2023 | 01:21:10 | |
In this episode, Mel & Alyssa explore the energy of the Earth Goddess that is the Queen of Pentacles! We discuss how we experience this energy in our own lives and, as two air signs, are honest about our struggles to fully embody this Queen. You'll also get a window into our varying experiences with smoking weed and a discussion on how to embrace the Queen of Pentacles when you have a fear of structure. Enjoy! Your Ink Story is a human interest podcast sharing the stories behind the body art... Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify | |||
| Ace of Swords: Inspiration & Clarity | 14 Nov 2023 | 01:05:00 | |
In this episode, Mel & Alyssa discuss the divine inspiration and clarity that often accompanies the appearance of the Ace of Swords. We also dive into the limits of this type of idealistic clarity in navigating complex situations in the real world. This is one of those weeks where you come for the tarot lesson & stay for the anti-capitalist rant. Enjoy! Your Ink Story is a human interest podcast sharing the stories behind the body art... Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify | |||
| The Magician & Manifestation | 07 Nov 2023 | 01:08:47 | |
The Arcane Dames are back for a witchy woo-woo Season 3, and we're kicking it off with The Magician! Tune in to catch up with Mel & Alyssa and hear all about their personal manifestation techniques, how they incorporate the five elements of The Magician card into their own practice, and some tips and tricks for going deeper with this card. Your Ink Story is a human interest podcast sharing the stories behind the body art... Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify | |||
| Halloween Bonus Episode | 24 Oct 2023 | 01:33:26 | |
The Arcane Dames emerge from their hiatus to bring you a very special Halloween Bonus Episode! Join Mel & Alyssa as they discuss all of the witchy and non-witchy traditions that make this holiday special. We dig into body image and food norms surrounding Halloween, our personal autumnal rituals, Cemetery etiquette, and what we're calling in for the witch's new year. | |||
| Autumn Equinox Bonus Episode | 19 Sep 2023 | 01:03:40 | |
Mel & Alyssa take a break from their hiatus to share a bonus episode all about the autumn equinox, Mabon, and catching you all up with what we've been up to between seasons! In addition to covering the basics, tune in to hear us chat about the podcasts and audiobooks we're loving right now, what being queer means to us, and the difference between toxic positivity and radical optimism. | |||
| After Dark 3 (Season 2 Finale) | 20 Jun 2023 | 01:09:24 | |
Mel & Alyssa celebrate the conclusion of another successful season of the Arcane Dames Podcast! We play another round of the infamous Tarot Truth or Drink, the game where we have assigned "truth" questions to each tarot card. We pull cards and decide whether to tell the truth, or drink! This episode is particularly saucy as we pull the Two of Cups, The Lovers, and the Knight of Wands. Don't miss it! | |||
| Two of Swords & Trusting Your Gut | 16 Jun 2023 | 01:17:26 | |
In exploring the final card of Season 2, Mel and Alyssa discuss the factors that can make listening to our own internal compass so difficult when it comes to decision making. Listen along as the Dames unpack their struggles with asking for what they need, feeling heard, and ultimately learning to trust their intuition over any external factors. | |||
| Tarot & The Romani Community w/ Romanistan Podcast | 16 Jun 2023 | 01:00:56 | |
Hi Arcane Babes! We're proud to bring you our highly anticipated collaboration with the Romanistan Podcast! Hosts Jez and Paulina treated us to an eye-opening conversation about the roots of fortune telling in Romani culture and the significant impact the Romani people have had on tarot as a form of divination. Find them on Instagram to discover and support all the amazing work they're doing: Romanistan (@romanistanpodcast) Paulina Stevens Verminski (@_paulina_v_) The Hoodoo Tarot - Book Summary & Video The Sibyls Oraculum - Book Summary & Video Lisa Boswell (divinationandfortunetelling.com) | |||
| Our Complicated Relationships with the Knight of Pentacles | 06 Jun 2023 | 00:48:33 | |
In this unfiltered conversation, Mel and Alyssa explore how to balance working and maintaining your personhood under the oppression of capitalism. We share a refresher of the Tarot court and look inward to our past experiences of embodying this Knight card's energy. | |||
| The High Priestess & Truth | 30 Jan 2024 | 01:14:26 | |
Mel & Alyssa finally tackle Alyssa's favorite card in the Tarot: The High Priestess! Join us for a chat about intuition, truth, and the power of knowing. Follow the Arcane Dames: The Arcane Dames Podcast - TikTok The Arcane Dames Podcast - Instagram Arcane Dames | Patreon Arcane Dames | Linktree Follow Mel: @melofwands Instagram @melofwands TikTok Mel Of Wands Follow Alyssa: @missplacedvisionary Instagram | |||
| Eight of Cups: Tears, Laughter & Taylor Swift | 30 May 2023 | 01:11:59 | |
In this episode hosts Mel & Alyssa tackle their opposing views on the Eight of Cups debating whether it is a positive omen or a sign of hardship and ultimately entertaining the possibility that it's both. The Dames get personal about their own struggles with feeling emotionally fulfilled in relationships, debate the merits of Alyssa's favorite Taylor Swift song, and receive divine inspiration for the theme of Season Three of the Arcane Dames Podcast. | |||
| Five of Wands & Silly Vibes | 23 May 2023 | 00:54:39 | |
The rumors are true: Mel & Alyssa are the silliest gooses around. Join us this week for goofy, messy, heartfelt conversations surrounding the tense Five of Wands. | |||
| The Tower w/ Special Guest LINZI SILVERMAN | 16 May 2023 | 01:19:10 | |
The author of one of our absolute favorite tarot decks, The Intuitive Night Goddess Tarot, joins us to unpack one of the most difficult cards in the tarot. In this episode, Linzi, Mel & Alyssa explore the destruction traditionally associated with this card, as well as the empowerment inherent in a tower moment through Linzi's reimagination of the card as "Revolution." Tune in to hear Linzi tell us all about her process of creating this deck and share with us her sage advice surrounding art and spirituality! | |||
| Seven of Swords, Loyalty, & Betrayal | 09 May 2023 | 00:54:57 | |
The Seven of Swords: a card of mischief, deception, and trickery is the lens through which Mel and Alyssa look at the ways us humans can affect one another, and how we can learn about those interactions through tarot reading. | |||
| Four of Pentacles | 02 May 2023 | 01:12:32 | |
Join Mel & Alyssa to discuss the many faces and interpretations of the Four of Pentacles along with the financial messages and trauma inherent in this card. We get real about spiritual misinformation around money, our own experiences with frugality vs. Scrooge behavior, and plenty of side bars along the way. Alyssa also recounts her favorite episode of the hit TLC series Extreme Cheapskates. What else could you possibly need in a podcast? | |||
| Page of Cups & Communicating With Ghosts | 25 Apr 2023 | 00:57:15 | |
This week is a spooky one! Mel and Alyssa talk about the inner world of the Page of Cups. This tarot card is one that represents many themes from naivety, to wonder, to connecting with the paranormal. Join the Arcane Dames as they unpack this multi-faceted member of the court! | |||
| Queen of Wands, Depression & Integration | 18 Apr 2023 | 01:06:48 | |
In this episode, The Dames reveal why the Queen of Wands is such a powerful and important archetype in the Tarot. She is Mel's favorite card and the inspiration for her business name, Mel of Wands. We explore how this Queen has taught us to integrate our shadow side and thrive through, with, and despite of our personal mental illness struggles. | |||
| The Devil & Christian Indoctrination | 11 Apr 2023 | 01:22:04 | |
In this episode, the Dames analyze The Devil as a metaphor, a vehicle for fear, and a stop along the fool's journey of the tarot. Mel and Alyssa face the complexity of straying from your religious upbringing, embracing your sexuality, and finding self-liberation. | |||
| Ten of Swords & Political Optimism | 04 Apr 2023 | 01:13:25 | |
In this episode, Mel and Alyssa dive into the defeat and despair that the Ten of Swords brings with it. We discuss how to make space for the very real pain of this card while recognizing and welcoming the opportunity it provides for growth and healing on both an individual and collective level. Trust that the hosts will tie it all together in the end. | |||
| Five of Pentacles | 28 Mar 2023 | 01:04:07 | |
Mel and Alyssa explore the lonely nature of the Five of Pentacles in this high-energy episode. With both of us having unhinged days in our own ways, the conversation goes to some hilarious places, bringing humor to a rather depressing tarot card. | |||
| Ace of Pentacles & Working With Reality | 23 Jan 2024 | 00:52:01 | |
In this episode Mel & Alyssa explore the fertile energy offered by the Ace of Pentacles! We deep dive into all the different types of new beginnings this card can signify, and discuss how we navigate the tension between our personal power & structural forces when it comes to finances and success. Enjoy! Follow the Arcane Dames: The Arcane Dames Podcast - TikTok The Arcane Dames Podcast - Instagram Arcane Dames | Patreon Arcane Dames | Linktree Follow Mel: @melofwands Instagram Mel Of Wands Follow Alyssa: @missplacedvisionary Instagram | |||
| Four of Cups & Reversals | 21 Mar 2023 | 00:59:07 | |
Mel and Alyssa dive into the Four of Cups to unpack exactly what it is that makes this card so melancholy. We talk about the factors in our own lives that can cause us to disconnect from the love and divinity around us, and we discuss how we've learned to find gratitude and grounding through some of our most depressing times. Join us to deep dive into all the imagery, history & more! | |||
| Ten of Wands & The Crushing Weight of Capitalism | 14 Mar 2023 | 01:09:51 | |
Mel and Alyssa take on the Ten of Wands to unpack the ways our passions, ambitions, and day-to-day activities can weigh us down. We discuss the Ten of Wands as it relates to the sociological concept of Emotional Labor, cycles of abuse, internalized capitalism, and trauma dumping. Join us to learn about the traditional and personal ways this card can resonate! | |||
| Death & Rebirth: Reflecting on Season One & Celebrating Season Two! | 07 Mar 2023 | 01:37:14 | |
In this episode, Mel and Alyssa are back with a bang! We tackle one of the most infamous and spooky cards of the tarot through unpacking what makes this card so difficult to digest, how to interpret it in a reading, and how it has come up in our own spiritual paths. We also discuss the role of White Supremacy in our socialization as white women and how a fundamental part of transformation is unpacking internalized systems of oppression. Man, are we glad to be back! | |||
| After Dark 2 (Season 1 Finale) | 31 Jan 2023 | 00:45:44 | |
Mel and Alyssa reflect on a season of growth, friendship, spirituality & silliness over a few glasses of wine and everybody's favorite Tarot card drinking game. Listen as the Dames share their best kept secrets and realest truths about spirituality, love, sex & Circus Carnies. Melissa Rutigliano: lifestyle container, energy work, somatic practice, and crystal jewelry. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| Two of Cups | 24 Jan 2023 | 00:42:17 | |
In this episode, the Dames cover their last tarot card of Season 1: the sweet and sometimes saucy Two of Cups. Mel & Alyssa discuss discuss different types of friendships, decks for beginners, and the importance of using tarot spreads while reading. | |||
| The Hanged Man & The Golden Dawn | 21 Jan 2023 | 01:06:38 | |
In their last Major Arcana episode of Season 1, Mel and Alyssa explore the deep and mysterious connections between the tarot and the spiritual organization The Golden Dawn. They discuss The Hanged Man in relation to the surrounding cards on the Fool's Journey, and in relation to their own winding journeys through life. | |||
| Queen of Swords | 10 Jan 2023 | 00:41:05 | |
Join your favorite air signs, Mel & Alyssa as they commend their queen. They sound off on the misogyny and misrepresentation clouding the Queen of Swords, share tips for reading court cards, and thirst over some sexy tarot illustrations. | |||
| Crystals, Ethics & Metaphysics: Oh, My! | 06 Jan 2023 | 01:26:51 | |
In this bonus episode, the Arcane Dames welcome special guest Gabby Hammond of Virgo Vibes to discuss all things crystals! We leave no *stone* unturned as we explore witchcraft, the metaphysical properties of crystals, the ethics of sourcing and selling, along with our personal philosophies and experiences working with stones. Gabby gives us some insight into the world of buying and selling crystals and shares some of her wealth of knowledge on the geology and categorization of rocks. She also provides some helpful tips for identifying fake crystals when you're shopping for your personal collection. | |||
| Three of Wands & Getting to Know Your Tarot Deck | 03 Jan 2023 | 00:49:16 | |
In their first episode of 2023, the Dames define the Three of Wands, talk through the signs of spiritual fear-mongering, and reveal the spreads they use to connect with new decks. | |||
| Eight of Swords & Internalized Oppression | 27 Dec 2022 | 01:09:24 | |
In this week's episode, Mel and Alyssa reimagine some of the most commonly held beliefs and myths surrounding the Eight of Swords. They explore the relationship between internal and external barriers to growth, and how internalized oppression and cycles of abuse can blur the line between the two. Through all of their usual tangents and distractions, the Dames are able to explore the true depths of this Minor Arcana card. | |||
| The Moon & What's Hidden | 16 Jan 2024 | 01:33:24 | |
In this episode, Mel & Alyssa explore their contradictory views of The Moon card. Is it a mystical card full of potential for divine understanding, or is it a deceptive card shrouded in mystery and bad intentions? You'll have to listen to find out! Follow the Arcane Dames: The Arcane Dames Podcast - TikTok The Arcane Dames Podcast - Instagram Arcane Dames | Patreon Arcane Dames | Linktree Follow Mel: Mel Of Wands Follow Alyssa: @missplacedvisionary Instagram | |||
| Saturnalia | 22 Dec 2022 | 00:13:32 | |
Mel teaches us about the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia and how it corresponds with the Yule/winter solstice celebrations we know today. She also shares her message to those who struggle with boundaries and family dysfunction during the holidays. https://linktr.ee/arcanedames | |||
| The Chariot & What is Witchcraft, Anyway? | 20 Dec 2022 | 00:58:59 | |
You're in for a treat this week, Arcane Babes! | |||
| Spiritual Psychosis (Part 1) | 16 Dec 2022 | 00:27:05 | |
In this week's bonus episode, Alyssa takes to the mic to discuss her very personal experience with Brief Psychotic Disorder and the relationship between psychosis and spirituality. Big content warning for an honest discussion of depression. As per usual, Alyssa finds herself connecting her experiences to larger structural issues of the white-supremacist, capitalist, hetero-patriarchy. Join in for part one of this rollercoaster ride! | |||
| Five of Swords & Ouija Boards | 13 Dec 2022 | 01:05:09 | |
In this week's episode, Mel and Alyssa let the conversation take you on a journey through the chaos that is the inside of our minds. In addition to a deep dive on the dynamic Five of Swords, we cover topics ranging from tarot reversals and shuffling techniques to the existence of Santa Claus and other spiritual beings. You get a window into our beliefs surrounding witchcraft, Ouija boards, and the ethics of reading tarot for children. Buckle up! | |||
| WTF is Lenormand? | 09 Dec 2022 | 00:11:18 | |
In this bite-sized bonus episode, Mel begins her Lenormand learning journey! She shares her research on how Lenormand cards differ from tarot cards, ways to practice reading them, and her favorite resources for discovering more about this cartomancy system. https://linktr.ee/arcanedames | |||
| Seven of Cups | 06 Dec 2022 | 00:51:59 | |
In this episode, Mel and Alyssa show their true feelings about finding your passions, following your dreams, and the crucial decisions that doing so requires. They discuss how there is no "right path" to be on, and encourage their listeners to create their own definitions of fulfillment. https://linktr.ee/arcanedames | |||
| Dream Work | 05 Dec 2022 | 00:35:04 | |
In this episode, Alyssa shares a basic how-to on working with your dreams for spiritual healing and growth. She explores different reasons you may want to engage in "Dream Work," shares some of her coolest dream experiences, and gives her best tips for inducing vivid and lucid dreams. Highlights include a discussion of prophetic dreaming, connecting with spirit guides through dreams, and using mugwort to enhance dream recall. Don't *sleep* on this one (heh heh). | |||
| Wheel of Fortune | 29 Nov 2022 | 00:57:38 | |
Mel and Alyssa are back with a lively episode unpacking the rich imagery of the Rider-Waite Smith Wheel of Fortune, spiritual misappropriation, the divinity inherent in everything, and how to keep your feet on the ground as you embrace your spirituality. This episode is filled with blunt honesty and sage advice on psychic abilities, interpreting signs, and dealing with Karma. https://linktr.ee/arcanedames | |||
| Confessions of a Lone Lesbian Witch | 25 Nov 2022 | 00:18:59 | |
In Mel's first solo bonus episode, she discusses the trials and tribulations of growing up as a lesbian. From her dating history to her coming out story, she unpacks it all. https://linktr.ee/arcanedames | |||
| Five of Cups | 15 Nov 2022 | 00:45:00 | |
Mel and Alyssa find themselves in the trenches of the Five of Cups this week- a disappointing and concerning card of loss. They discuss empathy for clients, relationship turmoil, and make plenty of unhinged jokes on their own behalf. | |||
| Eight of Wands & Speed | 09 Jan 2024 | 01:24:20 | |
In this week's episode, Mel & Alyssa catch you up on their 2024 goals and intentions before diving into an episode all about SPEED. We share our best Eight of Wands prediction stories and dive into all the different ways this card can show up in your practice. New Year Intention Setting Retreat Sunday, January 14th 9-11:30am The Suite, Hudson Falls, NY Follow the Arcane Dames: The Arcane Dames Podcast - TikTok The Arcane Dames Podcast - Instagram Arcane Dames | Patreon Follow Mel: Follow Alyssa: @missplacedvisionary Instagram | |||
| Is Science the New Religion? | 11 Nov 2022 | 00:31:10 | |
Alyssa kicks off the Arcane Dames' new bonus episode series where the hosts tackle topics in spirituality outside of the regularly scheduled weekly tarot episodes. Today, Alyssa uses her background in sociology to explore the roles of science and religion and society and why so many of us are feeling called to spirituality in this cultural moment. | |||
| Nine of Swords | 08 Nov 2022 | 00:42:35 | |
In this episode, Mel and Alyssa explore the confusing, exhausting agony of the Nine of Swords through the lens of their own struggles with anxiety, CPTSD, psychosis, and mental health more broadly. Join us as we discuss varying imagery and consider how we can find strength and hope in one of the Tarot's most troubled cards. | |||
| Ace of Cups | 01 Nov 2022 | 00:43:11 | |
The cup is full of tea and we are spilling it! Mel and Alyssa discuss healing through sex, dream symbolism and interpretation, and the function of our subconscious minds in this episode. | |||
| Knight of Swords | 25 Oct 2022 | 01:02:37 | |
In this episode, Mel and Alyssa discuss the Knight of Swords in all his intense and confrontational glory. Mel graces us with a special history of Halloween in honor of the best season of the year, and Alyssa cries on the podcast for the first time. | |||