I bought my first tarot deck around 2005 or so, attracted to the art, the mysterious symbolism, and the sense of wonder it sparked in me. I played around with my deck over the years, but mostly stuck to the Major Arcana and leaned heavily on the little white book. I began studying tarot in earnest in 2014, and since then my tarot practice has become an important part of my daily life. I use tarot as a tool for creativity, self-reflection, and connecting more deeply with others.
Tarot reading, like all meaning-making, is a creative act. The real power of tarot comes from the the patterns we draw between the cards and the stories we write from the prompts that they give us. Tarot reading is a kind of poetry.
Tarot is a useful framework for assessing a situation. It helps us process our feelings and examine patterns of behavior, then come up with strategies and appropriate courses of action. Tarot can help us make sense of the world and the way we live in it. It helps us reflect on our own lives with compassion and honesty.
Reading tarot for others is a method of engaging in deep conversation. Tarot doesn’t provide easy answers. It provides a chance to think about the situation from a new perspective. Giving a tarot reading is a way of holding space for the seeker’s needs and emotions, and can lead to beautiful moments of connection. Tarot doesn’t have to be solemn, but it doesn’t do small talk.
That said, my relationship with the cards can be as silly as it is serious. As a queer 30-something who reads too much fanfiction, I love applying tarot to pop culture and vice versa. Using music and stories to think about tarot can enrich our understanding of the cards. It’s also fun!
At Maenad Tarot, I write about what I’ve learned and how I’ve learned it, always coming from a queer feminist perspective. Here, you’ll find explorations of tarot through pop culture and music, reflections on my personal journeys with the cards, and strategies that have helped me grow in my practice. Come on in!
If you’re interested in working with me as a reader, head on over to the Book A Reading page to check out my current offerings. I’d love to read the cards for you. Oh, and wondering about the name? Check out Why “Maenad Tarot”.