Explore every episode of the podcast Into The Woods: A Journey With the Tarot
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep 27: Blending Art and Archetype in the Mythic Archetypes: Egypt Tarot deck with Spiros Drakatos | 27 Oct 2026 | 00:45:46 | |
In this episode, I interview Spiros Drakatos, one half of the artistic duo known as Second Floor Now. His wife and artistic partner Tonia Avgoustaki makes the other half and it was her love of tarot and psychology that inspired them to create their own deck. The Mythic Archetypes: Egypt tarot deck blends Egyptian mythology and hieroglyphs with tarot! It's such a cool deck and is artistically so beautiful and striking. In our conversation, Spiros and I talk about lots of things from what motivates him to make art, what differentiates Egyptian mythology from other ancient mythologies, and the importance of taking things seriously but also not seriously at all! I really enjoyed this conversation and I think you will too! Check out the Mythic Archetypes Kickstarter campaign. Join the email list here for pictures of the cards I pull and talk about on the podcast, the spreads I offer, and other fun musings on the tarot! Book a reading with Mari | |||
| We Are All Fish! Exploring the Cups Court Cards | 20 Oct 2026 | 00:29:35 | |
In this episode, we continue our Animals in the Tarot series with fish! Fish appear only in the 4 cups court cards and understanding fish as a symbol can help us understand what these characters are trying to communicate to us when they show up in a reading. In this episode, I talk about how fish as the first vertebrates, represent an ancient version of ourselves much more connected to instinct and intuition. We also talk about the Jesus Fish and a few miracle stories, the Hindu myth of Matsya and Manu, and the astrological sign of Pisces. Then I talk about how these myths and themes help us understand the Page, Knight, Queen, and King of cups. We also briefly touch the weirdo Crayfish creepy crawler in the Moon card. Join the email list here for pictures of the cards I pull or talk about on the podcast, the spreads I offer, and other fun musings on the tarot! Check out my workshop and past life regression meditation: Releasing Leo Website: www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 25. The Four Suits: From Card Game to Divination | 13 Oct 2026 | 00:31:37 | |
This week we're going back to Tarot basics and talking about the four suits and the history of Tarot as a playing card game. Why are there four suits? What do they each represent? Is one suit better than others? I answer all these important questions in this episode. Like in astrology, the four suits are connected to the four elements: fire, water, air, and earth. Each suit also is associated with either archetypal feminine energy or archetypal masculine energy. Adding to this framework, I also like to incorporate Jung's theory of personality types and the four cognitive functions (thinking, feeling, intuiting, and sensing), by attributing one of these to each tarot suit. If you really understand the qualities of each suit and some of the numerology, then there's really no need to memorize all the tarot meanings! Learn more about my Reiki offerings Join the email list here for pictures of the cards I pull or talk about on the podcast, the spreads I offer, and other fun musings on the tarot! Check out my workshop and past life regression meditation: Releasing Leo Website: www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 24. Finding Your Spiritual Center with the Hierophant | 06 Oct 2026 | 00:39:59 | |
This week's episode is a deep dive into the Hierophant card and how to work with this archetype to find your spiritual center and connection to the divine. I don't know about you, but I'd never seen the word "Hierophant" before using tarot and had no idea what it was! A "hierophant" is a priest in ancient Greece, more specifically the chief priest of the Eleusinian Mysteries (ancient religious rites in honor of Demeter and Persephone). Before the Rider-Waite-Smith deck in 1909, this card was typically entitled "The Pope." In this episode, we talk about the complicated archetype of spiritual leaders and institutions, ways we look for meaning through religion and spirituality, and how the hot priest from Fleabag, The Leftovers, and Hogwarts can help us understand this card. We close with some powerful journal prompts to use when you pull The Hierophant, which can be turned into a spread if desired. Join the email list here for pictures of the cards I pull or talk about on the podcast, the spreads I offer, and other fun musings on the tarot! Check out my workshop and past life regression meditation: Releasing Leo Website: www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 23. Into the Unconscious: A Journey with Freud, Jung, and Tarot | 29 Sep 2026 | 00:28:28 | |
Shadow work, the unconscious...these are terms used a lot in the world of spirituality and in psychology. But what is it, where did this term originate, and why on earth would we want to access it? In this episode, I take us back to Freud and Jung who popularized the ideas of the unconscious mind, the collective unconscious, dream work, and other methods of making the unconscious conscious (aka shadow work!). I share a few recent breakthroughs that I've had in my shadow work journey, and then we close with some simple ways you can start using tarot to work with the unconscious. Join the email list here for pictures of the cards I pull or talk about on the podcast, the spreads I offer, and other fun musings on the tarot! Check out my workshop and past life regression meditation: Releasing Leo Website: www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 22. Red Hats, Giants, and Strange Birds: Things I Just Noticed in the Tarot | 22 Sep 2026 | 00:27:14 | |
When you’re tasked with putting a lot of meaning into the tiny space of a tarot card, every little detail counts. Pamela Colman Smith, the artist of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, was incredibly intentional with her use of symbols, colors, clothing, environments, and more. I don’t often work with the original RWS deck, so whenever I return to it, I find myself noticing something new—and this is one of my favorite things about the Tarot. No matter how long you’ve worked with the cards, there’s always something you haven’t noticed before. This time, I noticed just how many figures are wearing red hats and started wondering what that might mean and what connections might exist between these cards. Join me as I explore the symbolism of the red hats, along with some other fun new observations I made while looking through the deck!
Check out my workshop and past life regression meditation: Releasing Leo Website: www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 21. 3 Tarot Spreads for Relationships | 15 Sep 2026 | 00:38:34 | |
Relationship readings are one of my most popular requests, so I found it high time for an episode on tarot for relationships. In this episode, I offer 3 different spreads to use for relationships and demonstrate each one. The first is the most commonly used relationship spread, next is a spread for arguments and conflict inspired by the book Fight Right by the Gottmans, and last is a spread for those of you in long committed relationships to help bring your connection a little more attention. If you want all these spreads in your inbox, sign up for the email list here. Check out my workshop and past life regression meditation: Releasing Leo Website: www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 20. Synchronicity and Stalker Cards | 08 Sep 2026 | 00:30:53 | |
Synchronicities are meaningful coincidences that cannot be explained by reason, yet these moments are infused with deep significance. This concept, explored in depth by psychologist Carl Jung, is key to understanding how tarot works and the tarot delivers synchronicities to us constantly. In this episode, we talk about this magical phenomenon, how it relates to tarot and dreams, and how to work with cards that just won't leave us alone a.k.a. stalker cards! At the end, I offer 4 ways to work with stalker cards and provide a simple "stalker spread" for digging into a reappearing card that you just don't understand. Check out my workshop and past life regression meditation: Releasing Leo Website: www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 19. The High Priestess says, "Know Thyself" | 01 Sep 2026 | 00:34:58 | |
In the Matrix, the Oracle points to a sign in her kitchen that means "know thyself." This is exactly what the High Priestess in tarot asks of us. She demands that we look at whats hidden: our secrets, our shadow, the things we've shoved into the dark. This episode is a deep dive into this mysterious and alluring figure. We cover the astrology, numerology, and mythology tied to the card, explore some high priestess characters in popular fiction, and talk about how to work with this card in your own tarot practice. We close with a high priestess inspired tarot spread. Check out my workshop and past life regression meditation: Releasing Leo Website: www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 18. Getting to know your deck with a deck interview | 18 Aug 2026 | 00:19:02 | |
In this episode, I talk about how a deck interview can help you understand the energy of your deck and strengthen your relationship with your decks. I offer my own 4 question deck interview spread and then actually do the interview with a deck I just bought! The new deck I'm working with is the Flower Child deck by Kira Cyan My new workshop, Releasing Leo: A Past Life Regression Experience is available now on my website! Please check it out and tell your friends! Where to find Mari | |||
| Ep 17. Animals in Tarot: Lion | 11 Aug 2026 | 00:22:12 | |
In this episode, I talk about how Lion shows up as a symbol in the tarot. Lions appear in 6 cards in tarot, Strength, Wheel of Fortune, The World, 2 of Cups, and the Queen and King of Wands. We talk about what lions represent in each of these cards, lions in mythology, the archetype of Leo and more! Where to find Mari | |||
| Ep 16. 5 Steps for Reading Multiple Tarot Cards | 04 Aug 2026 | 00:20:22 | |
Understanding the meaning of individual cards is important of course, but the true art of tarot is making connections between multiple cards. It can be challenging to get past interpreting one card at a time, so in this episode I lay out 5 steps for reading multiple cards together. The magic is in zooming out and getting a sense of the bigger picture. I'm now offering a beautiful combination of Tarot + Energy Healing with Reiki. Book a session on my website. Where to find Mari | |||
| Ep 15. 3 Ways to Use Astrology With Tarot | 28 Jul 2026 | 00:18:26 | |
Astrology and tarot are truly two sides of the same coin. Both are elegant and rich tools for self exploration and divination. In this episode, I take you through 3 ways to start incorporating astrology into your tarot readings! We will dive into recognizing astrology references and symbolism in the cards as well as the astrological associations for the major arcana, the pip cards and more. The astrologer I mentioned is Cristina Ferella The 2 decks I mentioned that work with astrological associations: Where to find Mari | |||
| Ep 14. Gender and the Tarot Kings and Queens | 21 Jul 2026 | 00:19:33 | |
I consider the kings and queens in tarot to both be "masters" of their suit. So if they are both the master, how are they different? In this episode, we expand our view of the kings and queens beyond the stereotypical feminine and masculine archetypes. We look at modern examples of kings and queens and how the feeling behind both terms can take on different energies. www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 13. The Tower Paradox | 14 Jul 2026 | 00:30:23 | |
We fear it, we hate it, we crave it, we need it...that's right it's the Tower. Yes it may bring about some of the hardest times in our lives, but where would we be if divine intervention didn't destroy the towers that we imprison ourselves in? In this episode, I talk about why the Tower is one of the most feared cards (and one of my favorite cards) and where we can find hope in it. I share a story of a personal Tower moment in my life and offer a truly special spread inspired by the Tower. www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 12. The Intersection of Tarot and Therapy With Melissa Anderson | 07 Jul 2026 | 00:44:49 | |
In this episode, I interview fellow tarot reader and licensed therapist, Melissa Anderson! We talk about: how Mad Men introduced her to tarot, how tarot and therapy overlap and compliment each other, power dynamics as a tarot reader, and how she sees tarot cards out in the real world. She shares an incredible story of her time in Chicago where she received a dramatic farewell from the Queen of Cups. And we pull a card for you listeners at the end! Where to find Melissa Where to find Mari | |||
| Ep 11. Animals in the Tarot: Horses | 30 Jun 2026 | 00:24:19 | |
Horses have been closely tied to humans throughout history. They've been our companions, our means of travel, our tool in war. In this episode, we discuss horse as a symbol, how it shows up in mythology, and how these meanings can impact our interpretation of Tarot cards that feature horses. www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 10. Embracing the Unknown | 23 Jun 2026 | 00:21:40 | |
The discomfort of not knowing is something we all struggle with and is why some of us might go to a tarot reader. We just want to know what's going to happen! In this episode, I talk about the importance of embracing the unknown, of finding comfort in the fact that we can't possibly know everything. I share a story about an interesting experience I had watching a Tik Tok tarot reader and share a personal story of my struggle with depression during my second pregnancy and how embracing the unknown actually helped me feel excited about life again. Book a reading at www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 9. 8 Tips for your personal Tarot practice | 16 Jun 2026 | 00:26:45 | |
In this episode I share some advice to help you with your personal tarot practice. Try some of them or all of them! My recommended books I mentioned in the episode:
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| BONUS: 2 minute grounding meditation before pulling a card | 12 Jun 2026 | 00:02:14 | |
Enjoy my 2 minute grounding meditation to be used immediately before pulling a tarot or oracle card. | |||
| Ep 8. Animals In The Tarot: Dogs | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:20:05 | |
Welcome to my new series Animals in the Tarot! We're kicking it off with woman's best friend, DOGS! In this episode, we explore the 3 cards in the tarot that feature dogs: The Fool, The Moon, and the 10 of Pentacles. The dogs appear and behave very differently in each card to bring through different archetypal aspects of dog energy. Let's explore! www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 7. How Florence + the Machine helped me understand The Lovers | 26 May 2026 | 00:23:57 | |
In this episode, I share about an experience I had at a Florence + The Machine concert that gave me amazing insight into The Lovers! I also talk about earlier versions of the Lovers card and how sometimes those older meanings still come up in readings. We end with a spread inspired by The Lovers and The Devil to help you with self-love! www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 6. Finding Meaning in the Tarot Numbers | 19 May 2026 | 00:27:25 | |
In this episode, we explore how to find meaning in the numbers of the minor arcana. Each number has its own energy, associations, and is itself a symbol that can enhance our understanding of the cards numbered ace through ten. We look at a few different interpretations of tarot numbers, focusing on my personal favorite which comes from Marianna Louis and her new book "Tarot and the Psychology of the Soul." www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 5. Positive "What If" Questions | 12 May 2026 | 00:17:37 | |
In this episode, I discuss an amazing tool for shifting your energy and an alternative to affirmations: positive "what if" questions. We bring in the tarot to help inspire these questions and go over a simple 2 card spread for times when we feel stuck. www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 4. The Heart of Justice | 28 Apr 2026 | 00:23:28 | |
In this episode, I discuss how Justice is closely tied to feelings and emotions despite how emotionless the card may look. I give some recent examples of when Justice came up in readings, talk about it's place in the path of the major arcana, and compare Justice to other tarot cards involving balance. We end with a creative spread to help deal with conflict and issues of fairness. www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 3. Does the Tarot really answer your questions? | 21 Apr 2026 | 00:22:17 | |
In this episode, I talk about the importance of not giving your power away to the cards. But if the cards don't tell us what to do, what exactly do they do for us? Listen for my take on the magic of the tarot and how it works. I take us through an example reading with the 10 of swords to demonstrate what it looks like when we give our power away to the cards versus when we use the cards to empower US. Then I share some stories of when the tarot was extra magical and spooky and offer an exercise for using tarot cards to inspire questions to ask ourselves as reflection questions or journal prompts. www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 2. The Sun | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:21:18 | |
The Sun card is often associated with words like happiness, success, and optimism, which always felt a bit shallow and I've struggled to connect deeply to this card. In this episode, I take you through how I developed a deeper connection to this card through word association, some of the more powerful meanings and implications of this card, and a recent day I had that felt like a Sun card type of day. We end with a joyful Sun Card spread that I created just for this episode! www.mariofthewoods.com | |||
| Ep 1. A Fool In The Woods | 04 Apr 2026 | 00:23:13 | |
This episode explores the Fool, the first card in the tarot journey, in depth. The Fool is my favorite card in the deck right now because it inspires joy and appreciation for the world all around us. Listen to hear more about why this is my favorite card, what it has to teach us, and real life + popular culture examples to understand Fool energy better. www.mariofthewoods.com | |||