Cardslingers Coast to Coast

Episode 140: Cardslingers in the Future

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800

We have plans for the future. Starting in 2026, we’ll be doing the episodes live on our YouTube channel. While this episode covers the status of the audio podcast, the future of audio is tentative due to life changes as of 23/December. We will continue to do book and deck interviews on the YouTube channel as well. Thank you for joining us, and get ready for a whole new way to witness Melissa, Hilary, and Jaymi.

Homework: Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Melissa now has a Patreon! Check it out at https://www.patreon.com/cw/Melissacynova. She's teaching classes and regularly checking in through Patreon live streams. It's a hoot!

Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings. Follow them both and get a quick reading.

Shoutouts

To the end of the year, thank gods.

Thank you for continuing to listen to us. Now you can watch us giggle and chat.

Thanks to the ladybug that landed on Lis’s arm, we view that as a good omen.

Resources Mentioned

100th episode Live

Episode 121: The Three of Cups Live

Episode 131: You have Elvira's Desk?!?!? with Charles Harrington

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc. We also have a YouTube channel at youtube.com/@cardslingerscc. Eventually, we will back up the episodes and have more live content.

Support our podcast with books or decks. We’re adding all the books from each episode to our Cardslingers CC bookshop.org store. Each purchase from this store gives us a percentage to cover our costs! www.bookshop.org/shop/cardslingerscc.

Episode 139: Candles, Oils, Tarot, and Shit: the 2025 review of stuff

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 14:15:45 -0800

We all know Hilary’s the best at unboxing and reviews. However, we all love sharing which decks stood out to us this year. And if you’re strapped for cash this year, you can purchase gift cards from your favorite divination readers. All links in the Resources go directly to the Cardslingers Bookshop at www.bookshop.org/shop/cardslingerscc, where we earn a small commission from each sale.

Homework: Let us know your favorites of 2025, either on the socials or via our email.

Melissa now has a Patreon! Check it out at https://www.patreon.com/cw/Melissacynova. She's teaching classes and regularly checking in through Patreon live streams. It's a hoot!

Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings. Follow them both and get a quick reading.

Shoutouts

Shoutout to Catland Books in Brooklyn, NW. We miss you.

Thanks to the publishers, artists, and authors of all the tarot decks that get released year after year.

The Jamber’ee #1: Life with Symbols featuring Tarot Disassembled

Resources Mentioned

#128: Waiting to Scream in Your Face with the Four of Swords

Fairytale Tarot by Jaymi Elford and Giulia Francesca Massaglia

The Essential Tarot by Chloé Zarka Grinsnir

The Verdance Tarot by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law

The Witch’s Guide to Animal Familiars by Madame Pamita

Memento Mori by Red Wheel/Weiser

A Grieving Tarot by Sarah Kathleen in the UK

Lorenzi Tarot by Irine Lorenzi

Do you like what you hear? Please send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc. We also have a YouTube channel at youtube.com/@cardslingerscc. Eventually, we will back up the episodes. Coming in 2026, we will do weekly content here.

Support our podcast with books or decks. We’re adding all the books from each episode to our Cardslingers CC bookshop.org store. Each purchase from this store gives us a percentage to cover our costs! www.bookshop.org/shop/cardslingerscc.

Episode 138: Reading Us to Fifths

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 14:12:20 -0800

Hey, look, it’s another episode of Melissa reading us to fifths. She’s made a pack of cards using everything up to the fives, with her newest beloved Cosmic Wastes Tarot. While our questions are private this week, we advise you all to dream on and create fanfiction of us (#cardslingersfanfic).

Homework: Read yourself, or others, with cards up to the fives and see how it goes.

Melissa now has a Patreon! Check it out at https://www.patreon.com/cw/Melissacynova. She's teaching classes and checks in regularly through Patreon live streams. It's a hoot!

FYI, Melissa has changed her rates to help those who are not baseline. So, visit her website and sign up for a reading now. https://melissacynova.com/services/

Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings. Follow both of them and get a quick reading.

Shoutouts

Joe’s Mom, thanks for listening.

Courtney Weber, friend of the cast and IRL.

Resources Mentioned

Cosmic Wastes Tarot by Junkyard Prints

Tarot for One by Courtney Weber is an excellent way to learn how to read cards for yourself.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 137: Setting the Bones With The Five of Pentacles

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Past Cardslingers coming at you from Mercury in Gatorade. And Hilary is in Gatorade hell; she thinks the Five of Pentacles is Mercury Retrograde personified. It’s the worst-case scenario manifestation where everything has gone wrong. We discuss the traditional symbolism of the card of prejudice, and how we delve into the self-fulfilling prophecy.

However, it’s in the act of questioning what we’re lacking and asking for help to meet basic needs that the magic of this card shows up.

Homework: Be the light reflecting off the snow. Help someone in your circle of concern.

Melissa now has a Patreon! Check it out at https://www.patreon.com/cw/Melissacynova. She's teaching classes and checks in regularly through Patreon live streams. It's a hoot!

Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings. Follow both of them and get a quick reading.

Shoutouts

Momma Dragons Group to help queer kids in need

Decks Mentioned

Hilary: The Tarot Coloring Book by Theresa Reed

Jaymi: Tarot of Oneness mini by Robyn Voisey

Melissa: The Little Monsters Tarot by Peony Archer and Olivia Mercury Pepper

Resources Mentioned

Margaret Mead, “a healed femur is the earliest true example of civilization.”

The Trevor Project

Do you like what you hear? Please send your feedback to cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc. We also have a YouTube channel at youtube.com/@cardslingerscc. Eventually, we will back up the episodes and have more live content.

Support our podcast with books or decks. We’re adding all the books from each episode to our Cardslingers CC bookshop.org store. Each purchase from this store helps us cover our costs! www.bookshop.org/shop/cardslingerscc.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 136: F*cking Around with The Five of Swords

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Explicit Warning: This episode deals with some non-traditional meanings of the Five of Swords. It is spicy and not safe for kids: much cussing and sexual references.

Ah, the Five of Swords, usually seen as a card of deceit and failed mediation. People who get this card are often seen as people caught in the middle of a conflict. Or needing mediation. It’s a bullying card we often associate with conflicts of interest.

We then amplify this meaning by sharing a few additional unique perspectives. Hilary’s Llewellyn Tarot shows a Welsh mythology portrayal, while Jaymi shows how the Tarot of the Holy Spectrum has a more modern interpretation. And, as usual, Melissa’s decks give the card’s meaning a more off-the-rails interpretation.

However, as Melissa shows in her two card depictions, this card deals with fucking. In the Sassy Burrito deck, we see finger claws that are used in the kink community for pain/pleasure. While the Mystic Garbage tarot has bunnies literally fucking. And boy does one of those bunnies give off "mind your fucking business" vibes.

Homework: If you have difficulty differentiating meanings from the fives and sevens, take these cards out and compare and contrast their vibes. Where can you pull your attention away from?

Melissa now has a Patreon! Check it out at https://www.patreon.com/cw/Melissacynova. She's teaching classes and checks in regularly through Patreon live streams. It's going to be a hoot!

Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings. Follow both of them and get a quick reading.

Shoutouts

Thanks, Erin, for sharing the Tarot of the Holy Spectrum with Jaymi!

Decks Mentioned

Hilary: The Llewellyn Tarot by Anna-Marie Ferguson

Jaymi: Tarot of the Holy Spectrum by Chase Voorhees

Melissa: Sassy Burrito Tarot by Stasia Burrington

Mystic Garbage Tarot by Junkyard Prints Co. Link goes to a YouTube video showing the cards (sold via 3rd party now, so search online for it)

Resources Mentioned

The Omega Institute's Master's of Tarot weekend The link takes you to Omega's main page. Search tarot for more content.

NSFW: These are the items in one of Lis’s cards

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 135: Five of Cups is Mid

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 07:31:37 -0700

We gather today to “celebrate” the Five of Cups, aka the grief card. The traditional card depicts a darkened figure staring at cups that are spilled, while other full cups are visible on the other side. At the time of recording, the Cardslingers had to deal with personal grief, as well as the country's collective grief. Jaymi discusses the power of emotional grief. Melissa expands on the need for memory and meaning. Hilary reminds us that this card contains a bit of the “what if” game and how nothing good comes from playing that game. The past is not our home.

Honor the things we’ve lost and remember what we still have. Feel your feelings fully. We've still got a long way to go!

Homework: Create an ancestor altar. A bowl, a container, a box, a shelf, and add the names of your beloved dead to it. You can also add items to ease the soreness.

Melissa now has a Patreon! Check it out at https://www.patreon.com/cw/Melissacynova. She's teaching classes and checks in regularly through Patreon live streams. It's going to be a hoot!

Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings. Follow them both and get a quick reading.

Shoutouts

Dylan for being a special being. We honor you.

Shoutout to Hilary and Jaymi’s dads.

Shoutout to Melissa’s grandma.

Decks Mentioned

Jaymi: Triple Goddess Tarot by Franco Rivolli and Jaymi Elford

Melissa: The Black Violet Tarot by Heidi Phelps

Hilary: Wild Messengers Alchemical Tarot by Lola Pickett, Tanya Casteel, and the graphical talents of Tigre Pickett (Sadly, this deck is out of print.)

Support our podcast with books or decks. We’re adding all the books from each episode to our Cardslingers CC bookshop.org store. Each purchase from this store gives us a percentage to cover our costs! www.bookshop.org/shop/cardslingerscc.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 134: Stup!d Five of Wands Tent

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Cranky, McCranky pants here, talking about the Five of Wands. Get your ass outta my face. In the RWS, it’s five people with five sticks attempting to build a tent in five different ways. It’s a lot of fire combined with the action and passion of the wand suit—what is your will behind doing something? This card brings the chaos and confusion of any situation.

Homework: What fires did you start, and which ones are you getting burned by?

FYI, Melissa has adjusted her rates to help those who are not at the baseline. So, visit her website and sign up for a reading now. https://melissacynova.com/services/

Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings. Follow them both and get a quick reading.

Decks Mentioned

Jaymi: Shadowscapes Tarot by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and Barbara Moore

Melissa: The Visionary Woman Tarot by Kristine Gorman

Hilary: Meraki Tarot by Kerri Snook of Bouchette Design

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 133: Shoutout to the OGs!

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700

We’re swimming in gratitude today. To battle the dystopian hellscape, we want to take the time to uplift each other. Thank you all for listening and being at our tables. Thank you for being clients, and for sharing your stories with us. We’re delighted you’re here and proud to see how much you’ve all grown.

FYI, Melissa has changed her rates to help those who are not baseline. So, visit her website and sign up for a reading now. https://melissacynova.com/services/

Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings. Follow them both and get a quick reading.

Shoutouts

To Robin for being a long-time client and listener.

To Erin for being a fantastic friend.

Resources Mentioned

Episode 57: “Bunch of Queerdos”

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 132: Don't Come at Us with That Energy

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 09:38:38 -0700

Don’t you have a ban button? Today’s topic is about those folks who come at us and have an expectation of familiarity. Listen as we discuss how we deal with this “best friend” energy, love bombing, and overfamiliarity. Tarot is a service industry, akin to hairdressing, and we do our best to provide objective information on your issues. Boundaries are essential, and we want to give you a service first.

FYI, Melissa has adjusted her rates to support those who are not at the baseline. So, visit her website and sign up for a reading now. https://melissacynova.com/services/

Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings. Follow them both and get a quick reading.

Shoutouts

Shout out to Dr. Erin Baker for the memories in Detroit.

Thanks to Theresa Reed, the Tarot Lady.

Resources Mentioned

Episode 23, “Fire that Freaker”

Episode 64, “Love, Light, and Toxic Happiness”

Single White Female, the movie

The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 131: You Have Elvira’s Desk?!? with Charles Harrington

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0700

This week, your Cardslingers get the opportunity to chat with author and friend Charles Harrington. Charles Harrington has been reading, teaching, and loving tarot for more than 25 years. He has written several deck guidebooks and given keynotes and workshops at conferences, hosted podcasts, and led meetups in the San Francisco Bay Area. He loves to find new and strange ways to use the cards in pursuit of wisdom, fun, and the occasional free cocktail. He is the author of Tarot and Oracle Card Readings for Dummies, Tarot of the Vampires, the Murder of Crows Tarot, the Odyssey Oracle, as well as the forthcoming Llewellyn Tarot Calendar for 2026.

Charles popped on the YouTube channel to chat with us about his new book, Tarot and Oracle Card Reading for Dummies, which was released this year by the Wiley brand. We gush over his book, the process of writing, card reading in general, and get a glimpse of the desk he purchased from Elvira.

Melissa adjusted her rates to support those who are not at the baseline. So, visit her website and sign up for a reading now. https://melissacynova.com/services/

Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings. Follow them both and get a quick reading.

Shoutouts

Charles shouts out to Nicole and Nina, the Wiley editing team.

Melissa shouts out to Taylor in Chicago.

Catiara Marie and NWTS

Elvira and all the excellent books she wrote on the desk that Charles now owns.

Resources Mentioned

From The Book of Tarot by Fred Gettings, “Tarot is a machine, you put a question in and an answer pops out.”

Episode 13: Reversals: Flip That Shit (our reversals episode)

The Odyssey Oracle by Charles Harrington with art by Paolo Barbieri

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 130: And We’re Rolling, Rolling, Rolling Readings with a Pack of Fours

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Welcome to Episode CXXX! And thanks to Eighteen Wheels on a Big Rig, we’ve got all the Roman numbers covered. Melissa reads Jaymi and Hilary to filth with her The Ink Witch deck. Jaymi receives some valuable advice on her upcoming trip (now complete by two months) to Michigan and her experience at the Great Lake Area Diviners Experience (GLADE). Hilary gets some personal advice. We also discuss the notion of doing readings without knowing the topic. Hilary forces Melissa to read for herself, and it’s rather poignant.

Homework: Try doing a reading with your deck up to the fours. What did you come up with?

FYI, Melissa has adjusted her rates to help those who are not at the baseline. So, visit her website and sign up for a reading now. https://melissacynova.com/services/

Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings. Follow them both and get a quick reading.

Shoutouts

"Eighteen Wheels On A Big Rig"

Shout out to Heatherleigh and The Boston Tea Room.

Shout out to Dr. Erin Baker for the lovely time!

Decks Mentioned

The Ink Witch by Eric Maille (link takes you to where you can buy the 2nd edition)

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 129: Did You Pick the Same deck? with the Four of Pentacles

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Melissa and Jaymi chose the same deck, so what do the Cardslingers do… we make a whole thing of it! Today, we’re all using a different Jamie Sawyer deck. And we’re examining the Four of Pentacles. The good, the ugly, and how we have healthy saving tendencies. What will you do with your one precious life?

We delved into our Jamie Sawyer tarot decks to share how one creative mind can interpret a card in various ways. Visit Jamie’s site and see all the cool decks, journals, tarot tiles, and other products she has to share with us all.

Homework: Take stock of what you have, including all the resources, and assess your current situation.

FYI, Melissa has adjusted her rates to help those who are not at the baseline. So, visit her website and sign up for a reading now. https://melissacynova.com/services/

Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings. Follow them both and get a quick reading.

Shoutouts

Thank you, Jamie! We love you and your decks. Seriously!

Shout-out to Claire!

Kahla Givehand and the Soul Collage method

Decks Mentioned

Jaymi: The Felt Tarot by Jamie Sawyer (the deck is still in production, having been funded by Kickstarter a month or so ago). This link goes to the Felted Tarot tiles set.

Melissa: The Out of Hands Tarot by Jamie Sawyer

Hilary: The Pocket of Peers Tarot by Jamie Sawyer (sadly, out of print)

Resources Mentioned

Virginia Woolf’s Room of One’s Own

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 128: Waiting to Scream in Your Face with the Four of Swords

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0700

“Be still and listen to your soul.” Henry David Thoreau

The calmest sword out of the entire suit, the four embodies calm, peace, and a long rest before the action. The figure, typically depicted as a knight, lies over a tomb. Melissa suggests that this is Mercutio from William Shakespeare's 1597 tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. Jaymi ties the card back to being silent and gathering your resources. And Hilary reminds us about the meditative quality of the card.

Homework: Engage in a self-care activity.

FYI, Melissa has changed her rates to help those who are not at the baseline. So, visit her website and sign up for a reading now. https://melissacynova.com/services/

Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings. Follow them both and get a quick reading.

Shoutouts

Happy birthday, Rocco!

Decks Mentioned

Melissa: The Ink Witch by Eric Maille (first and second editions sold out) and The Lorenzi Tarot by Irene Lorenzi

Jaymi: Triple Goddess Tarot by Franco Rivolli and Jaymi Elford

Hilary: Tarot of the Unexplained by Davezilla and Super Attractor by Gabrielle Bernstein

Resources

Finch app, we swear they do not sponsor us. We love them for their mental health activities and corralling to-do lists while getting to hug and support each other through a digital bubble.

The Cartomancer Magazine (Winter 2022 features the Triple Goddess Tarot Four of Swords on the cover.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 127: I’m Not Dancing to That With The Four of Cups

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Happy Pride Month, listeners. In honor of the quiltwork of beliefs, creeds, and queerness, we created a new logo for the cast. Enjoy!

Do you take what is offered? This is the question that the Four of Cups reminds us of. It reminds us to be discerning and establish boundaries. Melissa, Hilary, and Jaymi examine life, the universe, and menopause through the lens of this card. In the Smith Waite deck, this card’s vibe is a total meh. Seeing the figure with their arms crossed is a boundary — a passive form of activism against the norm. Sometimes, it’s better to stand still and hold your ground.

Homework: What is poison and what is medicine for you? Change the world with your voice and boundaries.

FYI, Melissa has adjusted her rates to help those who are not at the baseline. So, visit her website and sign up for a reading now. https://melissacynova.com/services/

Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings. Follow them both and get a quick reading.

Shoutouts

We love you, Donnaleigh

Decks Mentioned

Melissa: The Mystic Garbage Tarot by Junkyard Prints Co. (link goes to an online reseller with images)

Jaymi: The Animystic Tarot by Willow Fay

Hilary: Fountain Tarot by Jonathan Saiz, Jason Gruhl, and Andi Todaro

Resources Mentioned

#12 The Emperor: Put Your Stink All Over That Throne (and the bookshop page)

Monty Python and the Holy Grail turns 50 this year

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 126: The Four of Wands, aka the Jamie Sawyer Fan Club

Fri, 23 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

We’re feeling silly today, and the Four of Wands is a perfectly entertaining card for us today. Celebration, getting your groove on, and finding the flow are the meanings for this card. A stable, creative force and drive all here in the Four of Wands. Why do you have a passion for what you do and how you create? Celebrate the milestone in your life. Celebrate your community.

Homework: When was the last time you celebrated or acknowledged a triumph in your life? Especially when you get out of bed or take a shower.

FYI, Melissa has changed her rates to help those who are not baseline. So, visit her website and sign up for a reading now.

Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings. Follow them both and get a quick reading.

Decks Mentioned

Melissa: The Mystic Garbage Tarot by Junkyard Prints Co. (link goes to an online reseller with images)

Hilary: The Marvel Tarot by Author Syndee Barwick and illustrated by Lily McDonnell (link takes you to a NY local reseller)

Jaymi: The Felt Tarot by Jamie Sawyer just completed a two-week, successful Kickstarter. Check out this sample video on how the cards were made on Jamie’s YouTube page.

Resources Mentioned

“Pop Goes the Tarot” series from Melissa’s Website

Finch app. All of us are addicted.

Steve Jackson Games

“How to Entertain an Idiot Card”. While this link directs you to Zazzle, you can create your own.

Do you like what you hear? Please send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc. We also have a YouTube channel at youtube.com/@cardslingerscc. Eventually, we will back up the episodes and have more live content.

Support our podcast with books or decks. We’re adding all the books from each episode to our Cardslingers CC bookshop.org store. Each purchase from this store gives us a percentage to cover our costs! www.bookshop.org/shop/cardslingerscc.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 125: How to Be Baseline

Fri, 09 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

“Am I going to be okay?” Getting a tarot reading is a personalized way to get to your baseline. Different divination modalities, like Oracle or Lenormand, can keep you baseline because you don’t manifest or read the information. As a reader, you can do a lot of pre-reading. You can get a therapist to help you through the tough times. You can have Hilary do a tapping session to help you find baseline.

Self-care is rule number one for getting back to baseline. Drink Water. Find community. Limit your exposure to news cycles. Go outside and get sun (if you can).

Homework: Try creating something before consuming any content.

Resources Mentioned

Podcasts:

World Gone Wrong Podcast Episode 103 - Why does your Dad know so much about body-snatchers.

This is where Jaymi got her use of baseline versus being “just okay.” They discuss this around the 15:10 mark. However, Jaymi recommends the whole series because it’s just fun.

Jim Harold’s Campfire

Writing Excuses

Almost Plausible

Queen Herbie House

Books:

We Need Your Art by Amie McNee

Decks and Modalities:

Arcana Folia Oracle

Kendra’s Vintage Petit Lenormand (Hilary’s first Lenormand deck)

Theresa Reed’s Patreon (for her astrological insights)

Random:

This is Fine dog cartoon

4thewords.com

Melissa has changed her rates to help those who are not baseline. So, visit her website and sign up for a reading now.

Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings (InstaReads). Follow them both and get a quick reading.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 124: Getting Read to FIlth with The Threes

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0700

That’s right, Lis is back to read Jaymi and Hilary to filth with a slim pack of cards made of The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, The Empress, the Aces, the Twos, and The Threes. Whatever will be revealed, gentle listeners? Jaymi demonstrates a general reading, while Hilary asks a question regarding her business. And we get Melissa to read filth for herself.

Tarot is universal. It is a flexible tool that can be used however you see fit.

Homework: Try doing a reading with just these cards and see how it goes.

Resources Mentioned

Melissa used the Light Seer’s Tarot by Chris-Anne for readings.

Chris-Anne released a lovely full-color companion book to the deck.

Press Your Luck game show (episode 169, nice) – jaymi’s favorite game show in the 80s

Past Episodes

Episode 116: A Year Ahead with The Twos

Episode 106: The Magic of the Aces

Episode 39: How Do We Do This (listener reading)

FYI, Melissa has changed her rates to help those who are not baseline. So, visit her website and sign up for a reading now. https://melissacynova.com/services/

Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings (InstaReads). Follow them both and get a quick reading.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 123: The Three of Pentacles

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Finally, we’re at the Three of Pentacles, Melissa’s favorite card. In the Waite Smith deck, three figures look up at an archway. Each person is dressed differently and participates in the structure differently. Without the architect, there is no way. Without the monk, there is no need. Without the craftsman, there is no physical act. As we look at the other cards, this one represents the resource of resources of all the threes.

Homework: Consider your resources.

Melissa has changed her rates to help those who are not baseline. So, visit her website and sign up for a reading now.

Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings. Follow them both and get a quick reading.

Decks Mentioned

Hilary: The Accurate AF Tarot, first edition by Prism + Fleur

Jaymi: The Buffy Tarot (mini tin edition) by Casey Gilly and Karl James Mountford

Melissa: Shadowscapes Tarot by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and Barbara Moore

Resources Mentioned

MeUndies

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 122: Only The Three of Swords Knows Such Grief

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Good grief, we’re at the three of Swords. We have a floating heart in the middle of a rainstorm on the image in the Smith Waite deck. It’s being pierced with three swords. It’s a bleak card of heartbreak and emotion; many of us hate seeing this card and giving the hard news to clients. Like The Tower card, this card is striking. It’s one of the most emotional cards in a suit that lends itself to air, communication, and braininess.

Homework: Uncertainty is hard, and the sword's resources lead to good communication. Where do you carry your swords in your heart, and how can you safely pull them out to bring joy back into your world?

Decks Mentioned

Melissa: Prairie Tarot by Robin Atot

Jaymi: Wisdom of Pooh, first edition Rue and Vervain (link takes you to all the Wisdom of Pooh offerings)

Hilary: Fountain Tarot by Jonathan Saiz , Jason Gruhl, and Andi Todaro

Resources Mentioned

Heart of Glass by Blondie

French Kiss (the movie)

World Gone Wrong Podcast Episode 103-Why does your Dad know so much about body-snatchers

This is where Jaymi got her use of baseline versus being “just okay.” They discuss this around the 15:10 mark. However, Jaymi recommends the whole series because it’s just fun.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 121: Community is Important in the Three of Cups

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:04:00 -0700

This episode was recorded live in front of a YouTube audience. Friendship is magical and powerful. We can give and receive hope from those we care about. It’s time to build community and keep the energy flowing equally. Hilary calls it the girl power card, and often, the reverse side relates it back to gossip.

Homework: Follow us on Youtube and reach out to your communities. We have your backs. Stay safe, everyone!

Decks Mentioned

Jaymi: World of Warcraft Tarot by Joseph Lacroix, Surfside 3D Studio; and written by Ian Flynn.

Hilary: Tarot of the Sidhe by Emily Carding. Keyword: jubilance.

Melissa: The Sasuraibito Tarot by Stasia Burrington

Resources

Finch app

Leeeeroy Jenkins!

Christine Ashworth

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 120: Fanny Pack Snacks with the Three of Wands

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0800

We’re kicking off the minor threes with OUR favorite, the wands. In the Waite Smith deck, a figure looks over the water to see the ships. And apparently, they have a fanny pack (and jaymi says it’s full of snacks). Hilary looks at the card and sees it as a stepping stone moment. Look out to the horizon (big picture) and yet take care of details. Melissa says we can’t do this alone. There’s teamwork between this figure (Kevin) and the ships in the water. Jaymi says it’s time to put the plan into motion and ensure you have enough energy to carry it through.

Homework: Make your friendship bracelets. Grab a fanny pack and fill it with your favorite snacks to enjoy by the campfire. We slingers are hungry. Is anyone else hungry for snacks now?

Deck’s Mentioned

Jaymi: Deviant Moon Tarot (mini edition) by Patrick Valenzia, (Link goes to the large, borderless tarot); snacks are chocolate cake donuts or Sea Salt Mochi Rice Bites.

Hilary: Mystic Dreamer by Heidi Darras and Barbara Moore; snacks are Yodel’s.

Melissa: The Sasuraibito Tarot by Stasia Burrington; snacks Little Debbie’s Unicorn Cakes.

Resources

Tarot Coloring Book by Theresa Reed

Psychic Tarot by Nancy Antenucci (the NUCC!)

Wild Unknown Tarot by Kim Krans

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 119: Do What You Can

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Hang in there, ‘slingers. Your liberal, queer, fringe, witchy hosts are here to remind you that we love you. We have much more in common with one another. We stand with you. Find your community, get connected, and learn what you can do. Your existence is valid.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 118: We Have to Ouija: Tarot in Agatha All Along

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0800

SPOILER ALERT ONE: Please, DO NOT LISTEN to this episode if you have not watched the entire Season 1 of AGATHA ALL ALONG. We spoil everything: tarot, witchcraft, and the MCU.

SPOILER ALERT TWO: This is a feature-length podcast. Jaymi and our producer, Kendra, decided to publish the full one-hour and 45-ish-minute episode for your pleasure. Jaymi recommends an extended “break” to enjoy this nerdy chat fully. Do some laundry, take an extra long walk (if you can), or do a deep clean of your house before listening. 😀

***

With the Spoiler Alerts out of the way, welcome to a long one. Enjoy this whole audio nerd-out experience of The Cardslingers discussing the 9-episode run of Agatha All Along. Grab a mug and settle in. For each episode, we discuss divination, magical points, and connections to the MCU. Then, we break down the cards and positions in the tarot community’s famous Episode 7, where we watch three readings being done and represented correctly.

Homework: Watch Agatha All Along (again) and try the Safe Passages spread for yourself. Let us know how it went!

Extra Agatha References
Benebell Wen’s Thoughts on the Safe Passage Spread

Hilary’s Insta post from October 2024 shows the almost pentacle spread for the Safe Passage Spread

Agatha All Along Tarot deck (coming July 2025 from Insight Editions)

The Nerdist’s Take on the Cards Meanings by Tai Gooden

Shoutouts

Courtney Weber

Agatha All Along consultants: Megan McDonnell (info from Wikipedia) and Aubrey Plaza (who did say she knows witchcraft)

The Well-Appointed Desk folks (thanks for listening!)

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 117: Welcome to 2025

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Welcome to 2025, everyone! As the new year kicks off, the cardslingers talk about what they are doing and where to find them. Also, if you have products that you want us to review, please email us at cardslingerscc @ gmail.com. We’d be happy to write and do a review.

Thanks to you all for listening, providing questions, and sticking with us through all these years.

Melissa Cynova: bookings, Instagram pop-ups, and maybe events?

Jaymi Elford: bookings, blogging, daily draws, backup reader for Portlandia Fortune Tellers.

Hilary Parry Hagerty: does Friday live streams, private events, more tapping, and readings.

Shoutouts

Panda

Kendra

Gala Darling

Madame Adam

You!

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 116: A Year Ahead With the Twos

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800

We made it to the end of 2024! As a nice wrap-up to our deep dive into the Twos that finished last year (teehee) and to honor the year ahead, we’re getting readings with the Twos. The magic of the twos is about finding balance within yourself during every stage of life.

Melissa showcases how to read with the Aces, the Twos, the Fool, the Magician, and the High Priestess, proving that you can do readings with a small pack of 11 cards. She also gives Jaymi and Hilary suggestions for spells to honor the reading. Melissa, as usual, reads us to filth using very few cards.

Homework: Shuffle your deck and draw cards until you reach the Fool. The card before The Fool is where you came from, and the card behind The Fool may tell you where you’re going or what needs to happen next!

See you all next year!

Past Episodes:

Episode 7: The High Priestess is not your filing cabinet

Decks Mentioned:

The Light Seer’s Tarot by Chris-Anne

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 115: The Struggle of the Juggle, Two of Pentacles

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Welcome back to the “every card in the deck” series. We’re back with the Two of Pentacles. Another stage card, this time, it’s all about physical balance. In the realm of the pentacles, this is all about work, home life, and finances. It’s difficult to be two people simultaneously; we’ll never be a whole person. Be kind to others because we never know what invisible things everyone is going through. We also get into a bit of the work around reading at events.

Melissa:

Light Seer’s Tarot by Chris-Anne

Jaymi:

The Westwood Tarot by Yasmeen Westwood and Kalliope

Hilary:

Honorable Mention: Witch Sister Tarot by Julia Jeffery

Meraki by Kerri Snook (aka BouchetteDesigns)

Media Mentioned

Sample of Jaymi spinning fire poi for STAARCon 2021

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 114: Make a Clear Choice, Two of Swords

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Welcome back to the “every card in the deck” series. We’re back with the Two of Swords, which happens to be a stage card. These cards often suggest we are looking at a movie or a fantasy scene rather than one rooted in reality. Here, we are being asked to calm our minds to make a clear decision. The moon reminds us to use intuition; even the blindfold tells us to go inside.

Melissa:

Smith Waite Tarot by Pamela Colman Smith and A.E. Waite

Hilary:

Meraki Tarot 2nd edition by Kerri Snook (aka BouchetteDesigns)

Jaymi:

Under the Oak Tarot by Ofride and StregaDelleMele

Media Mentioned

Before Tarot by Corrine Kenner, Pietro Alligo, Floreana Nativo, and Simona Rossi Eon

New Directions in Tarot: Decoding the Tarot Illustrations of Pamela Colman Smith by Scott Martin

Stage Cards of the RWS episode of the Tarot by Hilary

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 113: Let’s Talk About Love, Baby

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Today, we’re getting into the Two of Cups. This card is about trust and equality; no one needs to worry anymore. There is so much to unpack in the Rider Waite Smith deck. Lis dives deep into the symbolism and how it relates to the meaning, while Hilary reminds us why this card is excellent for relationship readings.

Melissa: The Prairie Tarot by Robin Ator (out of print). However, you might be able to get a phone app version through your phone store: http://www.foolsdog.com/Prairie/

Hilary: Legacy of the Divine by Ciro Marchetti

Jaymi: The Lighted Window by Lindsay Hook

Shoutouts

Ryan Edwards, creator of The Maybe Lenormand

Andrew McGregor of The Hermit’s Lamp

Resources
Mel Meleen’s Tabula Mundi Tarot site

Susan Chang’s website

Tarot Deciphered by Mel Meleen and T. Susan Chang

36 Secrets by T. Susan Chang

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 112: The Courage of the Two of Wands

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Two two twos-day on Friday! Today, we’re diving into the Two of Wands, the fiery ball of brainstorming power. The mental plans are being developed to lead through to the end of the suit. It takes a lot of courage to look out into the distance and set plans in motion. Once again, we give our opinions of what the card means and share some favorite deck examples.

Homework: Start looking at your dreams. Either write down a dream or start listing micro-motions you can start doing.

Decks Mentioned

Narrative Alchemy Tarot by Krissie Bentley

Soul Cats Tarot by Leeza Robertson and Adam Oehlers

Reflective Tarot by US Games

Accurate AF by Prism + Fleur (first edition)

Wild Unknown by Kim Krans

Tarot Coloring Book by Theresa Reed

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 111: Cardslingers’s Guide to Spoopy Tarot Decks

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Gather round, for the Cardslingers want to share their favorite Hallowmas tarot decks. There are so many decks for each one of our personalities! Enjoy the walk through our seasonal decks. Jaymi misread the artist for the Tarot movie cards; it was Slippery Jack. (as this post on X says).

Mass Market Decks

The Zombie Tarot by Paul Kepple and Stacey Graham

Nightmare Before Christmas Tarot by Minerva Siegel

The Witch Sister by Julia Jeffrey

Dark Crystal Tarot

Supernatural Tarot

Dark Mansion Tarot

The Poe Tarot Redfeather by Trisha Shufelt

Tarot of the Unexplained by Davezilla

Tarot Z by Jaymi Elford and Alejandro Colucci

Trick or Treat Tarot Llewellyn by Barbara Moore and Jonathan Hunt

The Vertigo Tarot by Rachel Pollack, Dave McKeon (out of print)

HoroScare Tarot by Deckstiny

Deviant Moon Tarot by Patrick Valenza

Indie Decks

Skeleton Tarot by Cat RocketShip

The Fantod Tarot by Edward Gorey

Moonshadow Tarot by Ibiza Tarot

Silver Acorn Tarot by Stephanie Buscema and Madame Pamita

Tarot of Twisted Shadows

Oracle

Anna Riva’s Mystic Fortune Cards

The Witchery Pokery Fortune Telling Playing Cards by Wychwood Oracle (out of Print)

Conjure Cards by Jake Richards

Sorcery Underground by Briian David Macdonald

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 110: Creepy Campfire Tarot Psychic Stories

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Happy October. During this spooky season, we’ve decided to share some creepy and spooky stories we’ve encountered while being tarot readers. While some of these stories happen during autumn, they also occur year-round. So stay awhile and listen to Melissa, Hilary, and Jaymi tell stories.

Homework: Play around with your protective circles and expand and contract them. See what happens when you let other sensory critters into your space. Understand when you are open to more psychic events throughout the day or the year.

Shoutouts

Stacey Wolf James

Rachel Pollack

Shining Tribe Tarot

Psychic Tarot by Nancy Antenucci and Melanie Howard

Recommended Episodes

Episode 7 The High Priestess is Not Your Filing Cabinet

Episode 19 Engaging Client in Readers

Episode 42 Spooky Scary Horror Cards

Episode 87 Everyone is a Little Bit Psychic

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc

Support our podcast with books. We’re adding all the books from each episode to our Cardslingers CC bookshop.org store. Each purchase from this store gives us a percentage to cover our costs! www.bookshop.org/shop/cardslingerscc. Finally, we’re announcing our new Cardslingers YouTube channel at youtube.com/@cardslingerscc.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 109: Social Media Down, the BS of Platforms

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Where’d the memes go?!?!? Hilary’s Insta account got suspended for “reasons,” and Jaymi and Melissa are giving her the space to vent, meme, and give good learnings on how to deal with Social Media BS. Know your intent about why you’re on the various platforms and how that can affect your personal, spiritual, and professional accounts. At the time of this posting, Hilary’s primary Instagram account has been reinstated.

Homework: Back up your social media accounts if you can. Diversify on the platforms—Review Hilary’s YouTube live streams on Spammers and scammers.

Platforms we Like

Hilary recommends Vero

Jaymi is more at home on Mastodon

Melissa found her place on Threads

Shoutouts

Theresa Reed

Starcana

RoseRed

Do you like what you hear? Send your feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc. We also have a YouTube channel at youtube.com/@cardslingerscc. Eventually, we will back up the episodes and have more live content.

Support our podcast with books or decks. We’re adding all the books from each episode to our Cardslingers CC bookshop.org store. Each purchase from this store gives us a percentage to cover our costs! www.bookshop.org/shop/cardslingerscc.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 108: Burnout, Breaks, and Rebooting a Business

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Airhorns are back! Welcome back to the reading world, Lis. She’s back to slinging cards, taking bookings, writing books, and crafting decks. Hilary is thankful for all her referrals while Lis is working on other stuff. Jaymi speaks about tarot burnout and how to navigate personal needs and offerings to the world.

Episodes Mentioned

Episode 23: Fire that Freaker

Products Mentioned

Jamie Sawyer’s Pocket of Peers Tarot (out of print)

Theresa Reed and Carrie Paris’s My Living Astrology Chart Kit

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 107: Let’s Revisit Boundaries

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Melissa, Hilary, and Jaymi revisit the world of boundaries. Melissa reminds us that the definition of a boundary is “Rules and guidelines we set in our personal guidelines.” There are real, tangible benefits to having boundaries and enforcing them. You need to feel comfortable and safe first, and then you can worry about others. Boundaries also affect our client relationships. Hilary expands on client discernment and how it ties into relationship and boundary setting. And Jaymi reminds everyone about how hard enforcing boundaries can be.

Homework: Remember that no is a complete sentence. Relisten to our past thoughts on Boundaries in episode 20 to see how your boundaries have changed since then.

Past Episodes

Episode 20

-- Our Bookshop list from Episode 20

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc. We also have a YouTube channel at youtube.com/@cardslingerscc. Eventually, we will back episodes up there and have more Live content.

Support our podcast with books or decks. We’re adding all the books from each episode to our Cardslingers CC bookshop.org store. Each purchase from this store gives us a percentage to cover our costs! www.bookshop.org/shop/cardslingerscc.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 106: The Magic of the Aces

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700

As a nice wrap-up to our deep dive into the Aces, we give some practical ways to use the Aces in your magic. Hilary starts by giving ideas for specific focuses using these cards like new beginnings spells. Jaymi uses cards in her magic. She lays out the cards at her altar according to her identifiers and directions. You can place the magician in the center of the table and have them activate the spells or workings being done inside the circle. Melissa showcases how to read with the Ace, the Fool, and the Magician, proving that you can do readings with a small pack of cards. She also gives Jaymi and Hilary suggestions for spells to honor the reading.

Resources Mentioned

Tarot Spells by Janina Renee

Tarot & Magic by Donald Michael Kraig (out of print)

Tarot Rituals by Nancy Antenucci

The Magic of Tarot by Sasha Graham

Spells for Tough Times by Kerri Conner

Cats Rule the Earth Tarot by Catherine Davidson and Thiago Corrêa

Transparent Tarot by Emily Carding

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc. We also have a YouTube channel at youtube.com/@cardslingerscc. Eventually, we will back episodes up there and have more Live content.

Support our podcast with books or decks. We’re adding all the books from each episode to our Cardslingers CC bookshop.org store. Each purchase from this store gives us a percentage to cover our costs! www.bookshop.org/shop/cardslingerscc.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 105: Ace of Pentacles, My Garden Has Coins

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0700

It’s all about the things. We equate the Pentacles suit with the element of Earth and maybe winter. They refer to money, tangible items, and your home. These cards remind us to ground and how we can ground. It’s finding the safety when you are in the stillness.

Homework: Find the thing you want and get to getting it.

Decks Mentioned

Rider Waite Smith Tarot

Radiant Rider Waite Smith Tarot

Wisdom of Pooh Tarot by Serefina and Angel Mesa, illustrated by Kat L Amsel

Resources Mentioned

The Playing Marseilles by Ryan Edward

Maybe Lenormand by Ryan Edward

Be Here Now by Ram Dass

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc. We also have a YouTube channel at youtube.com/@cardslingerscc. Eventually, we will back episodes up there and have more Live content.

Support our podcast with books or decks. We’re adding all the books from each episode to our Cardslingers CC bookshop.org store. Each purchase from this store gives us a percentage to cover our costs! www.bookshop.org/shop/cardslingerscc.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 104: Ace of Swords

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0700

We dive into the Ace of Swords and the immediacy it brings. Swords bring up thoughts, how we use our voice, and put ourselves forth for change. It puts an edge on things and brings our ideas into focus. Melissa, Hilary, and Jaymi break down the Ace of Swords in various ways and how to tie the card into ways you can use the initial spark of action.

Homework: What cause can you lend your voice to? Take up the sword and think about how you can volunteer your time and money. Listen to some of our examples if you need ideas.

Decks

Narrative Alchemy Tarot by Krissie Bentley

Next World Tarot by Cristy C. Road (Jaymi uses the pocket edition; the link goes to the regular size)

The Shining Tribe Tarot by Rachel Pollack

Luna Soul by Darren Shill & Mike Medaglina

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingersccSupport our podcast with books. We’re adding all the books from each episode to our Cardslingers CC bookshop.org store. Each purchase from this store gives us a percentage to cover our costs! www.bookshop.org/shop/cardslingerscc. Finally, we’re announcing our new Cardslingers YouTube channel at youtube.com/@cardslingerscc.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 103: That’s a Good Lookin’ Ace of Cups

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0700

The Ace of Cups has a comforting vibe. Cups relate to our emotions or things that ebb and flow in our lives. The Ace runs over, showing the honest, true source of the waters of life. The cup offers nourishment and receives love in any shape it comes.

Homework: Figure out what is medicine and poison to yourself. Make a list and keep it handy for when you need self-care. Also, download the app Finch (both Android and iOS).

Decks Mentioned

Weiser Tarot by Weiser Books

Sasuraibito Tarot Deck by Stasia Burrington

Trick or Treat Tarot by Jonathan Hunt and Barbara Moore

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode102: Not Even Once, Ace of Wands

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Aces are the first step of each minor suit. In this case, we relate the wands to the element of fire and a season. It can be the idealized focus for Wands. It’s the ember of the fire seen in the suit. It’s a spark of the idea or connection. They help focus the potential energy into focus.

Decks Mentioned

Rider Waite Smith by AE Waite and Pamala Coleman Smith

Shadowscapes Tarot by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law (Czech edition, now out of print)

Luna Sol Tarot by Liminal 11

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc

Support our podcast with books. We’re adding all the books from each episode to our Cardslingers CC bookshop.org store. Each purchase from this store gives us a percentage to cover our costs! www.bookshop.org/shop/cardslingerscc. Finally, we’re announcing our new Cardslingers YouTube channel at youtube.com/@cardslingerscc.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 101: Intro to the Minors

Fri, 24 May 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Welcome back to the cards. Hilary, Lis, and Jaymi kick off the minors. We see the minors as the day-to-day nitty-gritty items of our lives. These cards are broken down into two aspects: the numbered cards and the court cards. There are four suits to the 56 cards. Each one has its association with an element that relates to one of the four elements: air (swords), fire (wands), cups (water), and earth (pentacles/discs/coins).

We’re going to reveal the numbers as a whole. So you’ll get four episodes detailing the aces, the twos, etc., and then we’ll give a wrap-up. We’ll begin with the Ace of Wands starting next month!

Homework: Separate your deck into majors and minors. Look at the minor arcana and see what comes up. Then, do a reading with the minors and a majors-only reading to see how each reading deals with the same topic.

Resources Mentioned

36 Secrets by T. Susan Chang

Rebecca Szymczak

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 100: Our 100th Episode YouTube Live

Fri, 10 May 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Two weeks ago, we had our 100th episode. Instead of doing a recording, we did our first YouTube Live on our very own YouTube channel. We took questions for viewers, brought Kendra, the producer, on, and had fun. Here's the recording from that.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 99: Curating Your Tarot Collection

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Hilary and Jaymi talk about their journey into right-sizing their tarot collections. Whether it’s because you run out of space or self-imposing a container size, it’s good to take a peek at your collections and see what you have and whether or not it’s still loved and useful for you.

Please read (and download) Jaymi’s article on right-sizing your collection, published in The Cartomancer Magazine (volume 8, issue 2, summer 2022). She is allowing everyone to download a free copy of her article.

Homework: Please share images of your deck collection with us. You can email us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com, or tag one of us on Instagram.

Decks Mentioned

The CrystalStruck Tarot by Moonstruck Crystals

Legacy of the Divine Tarot by Ciro Marchetti

Melissa wants a Delta Enduring Tarot (Out of Print) copy. If you have it, please email it to her.

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 98: Stepping Through Portals in the World

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

The last of the major arcana cards, The World is both an ending and another beginning. This episode examines how The World card is a portal to the past and our future. We also share our favorite World cards from our collections.

Check out Courtney Weber’s Tarot for One, and listen to her That Witch Life podcast.

Other episodes

Into the Mystic, Part One

Into the Mystic, Part Two

Decks mentioned

Hilary: Witch Sister Tarot by Julia Jeffery and The Star Seed Oracle by Rebecca Campbell and illustrated by Danielle Noel.

Jaymi: Tarot of Oneness by Robyn Voisey

Lis: Little Monsters Tarot by Peony Coin Archer First edition is out of print; however, there is a Kickstarter for a new oval edition which you can back until Monday, April 1, 2024.

Episode 97: Reaching into the Mailbag

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

We love you all! And because life got crazy for us all, we’ve decided to clean out the inbox. Here are our quickfire answers to some of your earlier messages. From revisiting meanings in the little white booklet to ethical questions on reading cards for people we know; to learning which decks are good for clients or other situations; we’re eternally thankful for your patience and your questions.

Connected Episodes

Episode 76 When Tarot Come for Me

Recommended

Tarot Disassembled by Jennifer Steidley

Rider Waite Smith Tarot

Reflective Tarot from US Games

Simple Tarot by Angie Green

Scorpio Seas by Melissa Cynova and Maggie Stiefvater

The Black Violet Tarot by Heidi Phelps

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 96: Biblical Angels are Judgy, the Judgement Card

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Heed the call! Let the angel’s voice wash over you. Cleanse the slate of your sins. Judgment is a card of perspective, in who perceives you. Judgment is the law of the higher self. Use this knowledge gained from the past cards of the major arcana to lead you into alignment for the next project, the next stage of your life’s path.

Decks Mentioned

Intro poem from A Poet’s Tarot by Josep Miquel Sobrer, published by Liminal 11

Lis: Little Monsters Tarot by Peony Coin. Lis uses the Out of Print deck, however... you can back the new edition via Kickstarter until March 19, 2024. She also mentions the Shadowscapes Tarot by Stephanie Law

Hilary: Crystal Unicorn Tarot by Pamela Chen OOP and, the Meraki Tarot by Bouchette Design

Jaymi: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert, and the Triple Goddess Tarot by Jaymi Elford and Franco Rivolli

References

Astrology.com's page on Judgment

The Never Ending Story movie

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Support our podcast with books. We’re adding all the books from each episode to our Cardslingers CC bookshop.org store. Each purchase from this site gives us a percentage to cover our costs!

Reminder: We would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 95: Let’s Talk About Twin Flames

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Hilary, Melissa, and Jaymi discuss soul mates, twin flames, and kindred spirits. They relate it back to tarot readings and the divination community. We discuss the concepts, pitfalls to avoid, and how to deal with clients who seek their ultimate love. We recommend that you cultivate a relationship with yourself. Learn what you want in your life and secure your emotional boundaries. Remember that The Lovers card is a new relationship, an endorphin hype card while the Two of Cups is grounded and realistic.

Recommendations

Hilary added this page for more information on twin flames and soul mates. We do not endorse this info at all: https://theeverygirl.com/soulmate-or-twin-flame/.

Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery

Melissa’s Future book (working title: Kitchen Table Circle)

Episode 17: Sexy, Sexy Fun Choices. The Cardslingers discuss The Lovers card.

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc. Support our podcast with books. We’re adding all the books from each episode to our Cardslingers CC bookshop.org store. Each purchase from this store gives us a percentage to cover our costs!

Reminder: We would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 94: That's Not What the Book Says

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0800

We got a listener question regarding condescending feedback and clients that fight you on your interpretation. We tell stories of how this worked in our lives, and we give feedback on how to deal with this situation as it relates to client readings and social media posts. Bottom line: don’t be a dick. (Props to Wil Wheaton.)

Homework: Know the intention and why you’re posting, and that can help you deal with various feedbacks.

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, We would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 93: Welcome to 2024, Fifth Year Baybee!

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Hey, this is our fifth year! And we have so much to share with you all. We give you a small road map of where we’re gonna go this year. Including more card episodes, mentor chats, divination reviews, listener reviews, and maybe discussing some of the US fortune-telling laws.

Resources Mentioned

Empty Cup Oracle

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, We would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 92: Here Comes The Sun (doot doot de doot)

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0800

Clarity is absolute. We look for joy. The Sun card expresses happiness in many forms.

Decks Mentioned:

The Sacred Sisterhood Tarot by Ashawnee DuBarry and Coni Curi

Mary-El Tarot by Marie White

Triple Goddess Tarot by Franco Rivolli and Jaymi Elford

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder: We would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 91: Last-Minute Quick Holiday Ideas

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0800

Happy winter holiday, everyone. In this special episode, the cardslingers toss out what they want in their stockings and some last-minute quick holiday gift-giving ideas. Melissa wants a sackful of tarot decks and books. She would also like more publishers to make tarot books into audiobooks. Jaymi wants an unlimited Google Play gift card to weed her 500+ books wishlist down. Realistically, she’s looking forward to 2024’s Bee Tarot by Kristoffer Hughes and The Awakening Tarot by Monica Bodirsky. Hilary wants Liminal 11’s entire catalog; specifically The Citadel: A Fantasy Oracle.

Decks

Witch Sister Tarot by Julia Jeffrey (Llewellyn)

Mini Decks like the mini Dark Wood Tarot by Sasha Graham and Abigail Larsen (Llewellyn) and the mini Reflective Tarot (US Games)

Tarot of Vampires by Charles Harrington and Craig Maher (Llewellyn)

Sacred Sisterhood Tarot by Ashawnee DuBarry and Coni Curi (Weiser)

Books

Godmother Night by Rachel Pollack, or her other non-tarot works.

The Cards You're Dealt by Theresa Reed

Your Tarot Toolkit by Ru-Lee Story

And, of course, our books also make great gifts:

Kitchen Table Tarot

Tarot Inspired Life

How to Read Tarot

Accessories

Moonlit Faye bags by Jenna Diaz

Spellwork Dice

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder: We would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 90 An Introduction to Tapping with Hilary

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0800

A year or two ago, Hilary started a certification process for tapping. This is a process known as the emotional freedom technique (EFT). It’s similar to the rapid eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) that Lis has been doing. It’s good to work with issues and to clear stresses in our lives. Now, doesn’t that sound a bit like our favorite tool, tarot? It may not solve the problems; however, it can help you change how you feel about it.

So, we’re here with Hilary to learn about her process and how she connects it back to her tarot practice. We even have Hilary take us through a short process of making a consistent card of the day practice.

If you have questions, contact Hilary at her website. Learn more about this on her site’s tapping page. She also has many tapping videos on her YouTube page.

Homework: Try a tapping session, whether it’s the consistent card of the day or another one.

Recommendations

Gala Darling’s Tapping School/Certification

The Science Behind Tapping by Peta Stapleton

Tapping into Ultimate Success by Jack Canfield and Pamela Bruner

Sure I’ll Join Your Cult by Mara Bumford

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder: We would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 89: The Moon is Goth, and It Pleases This B*tch

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0800

The Cardslingers discuss the meanings of The Moon. At its core, this card represents fear and the unknown. It’s a reminder of all we have gone through in The Tower and Devil cards. Yet, this card tells us to recognize the darkness and to learn the lies. Lean into the darkness, sit with it, and learn from the shadows.

If you are struggling and need a helpful friend, contact the following groups: NAMI or the Trevor Project

Decks Mentioned:

https://bookshop.org/lists/episode-89-the-moon-is-goth-and-it-pleases-this-bitch

(Purchases at our Bookshop.org list directly help the podcast)

Trick or Treat Tarot by Jonathan Hunt and Barbara Moore

Triple Goddess Tarot by Franco Ravilli and Jaymi Elford

Star Wars Tarot (from an Etsy purchase)

Fountain Tarot by Andi Todaro and Jason Gruhl

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/

Reminder: We would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 88: Top Three Scary Cards

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Welcome to our Treehouse of Horror, where the Happy Squirrel card is the ultimate scariest card. In honor of the thinning of the veil, we’ll let you all know our top three scary cards. Happy Halloween, Happy Samhain, and Blessed Dia de los Muertos, everyone. Thanks for joining us. Be safe this year.

Cards Mentioned:

Lis: 9 Swords, Lovers, 10 Swords

Hilary: 10 Swords, Tower, Death

Jaymi: Tower, Devil, 3 Swords

Decks Mentioned:

Tarot of the Buroughs by Courtney Weber (out of print)

Smith Waite deck

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder: We would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Lis is Teaching, Advanced Tarot Class

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 18:54:52 -0700

Sign up now, for a new Advanced Tarot class with Melissa. And in the comfort of your own house. Hosted with EventBrite, this class happens in the evening of October 23, 2023 (5-6:30 Pacific, according to Jaymi’s account.)

Click here to grab a ticket!

From the page itself:

Join us for Advanced Tarot - Beyond three card readings, an exciting online event where you'll dive deeper into the mystical world of tarot. Expand your tarot skills and discover new ways to interpret the cards beyond the traditional three-card spreads. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced tarot reader, this event will empower you to unlock the secrets of tarot like never before. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your tarot readings to the next level.

Also, it's going to be a good time. :)

Episode 87: Everyone is a Little Bit Psychic

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Happy October, everyone. Kicking off the divination month, we dive into the psychic arts, thanks to our listener question from way back when. We discuss the differences between how you can tell if it’s real or not, how to hone it in with practice, and what to do with the information after you get it.

Our listener from the UK says,

TL, DR: For those of us who are not born gifted in this regard, what can we do to strengthen our intuition and learn to understand what it shows us?

I am a beginner reader who enjoys studying tarot in my spare time. I've bought books by Rachel Pollack, Melissa's book, and Barbara Moore's Tarot Spreads book, and I take time to practice on willing friends.

One thing I know we probably can’t learn from a book is how to nourish and develop our intuition.

I appreciate that some of us on this planet are born with a stronger gift than others, such as clairvoyance or psychic ability, and it amazes me to hear how you all get clear visions and exact information from your readings.

In your opinion, can anything like this be learned, and if so, how do we strengthen and nourish our intuition so we can level up our tarot practice both for ourselves as a healing practice and in reading for others? (I sometimes think I can picture something, a kind of vision or snapshot, that I could communicate to somebody, but then I don't know if it's me inflicting my own ideas on them or if it's my intuition popping up and handing me helpful information.)

Homework: Write what you think the next day will look like in a journal. Do this for two weeks. How accurate are you?

Books and Decks listed in this episode

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder: We would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 86: The Cardslingers Weigh-in on Renaming Cards

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Jaymi’s noticed something interesting happening in the tarot world. There are a lot of decks out there that are renaming cards. For example, some decks rename The Hanged Man to the Hanged One. Suits get renamed; the same with court cards. So, she put it on the kitchen table for Lis and Hilary to give some information.

It comes down to the intent behind using the tarot, who you are reading for, and how you live. Give permission for gender not to be as important in tarot. Renaming makes their power our own. Take it and own it.

Homework: What are your thoughts on renaming cards? Do you like it? Is it helpful or not?

Episodes Referenced:

The Hanged One, Episode 48

Significators Series :

Deck Resources:

Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert

Numinous Tarot by Cedar Wren McCloud

Tarot for Kids by Theresa Reed and Kailey Whitman

Legacy of the Divine by Ciro Marchetti

Future Ancestors Tarot by Lexa Luna Studio

The Writer’s Block Tarot by Vivian Caethe and Amber Peter. Deck may be Out of Print; however, you can get the book at Amazon.

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, We would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode85: Uncover Your Meanings

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Tarot is a language. Like any other language, speaking and understanding the components takes time. Today’s listener question asks,

Are there any cards you straight-up disagree with the description listed in the “little white book”? How did you discover the meaning it has for you?

We recommend that you take in the info when you are new and then branch out and question the experts. Read the cards how you want because you are the master at reading tarot in your style.

Homework: Look at your deck (or decks) and compare the images. Where are the synchronicities, where are the differences? Keep a list of these meanings and add your own.

Resources
The Complete Guide to the Tarot by Eden Gray

Legend: The Arthurian Tarot by Anna-Marie Furgison, Out of Print

Scorpio Sea Tarot by Melissa Cynova and Maggie Stiefvater

Tarot Inspired Life by Jaymi Elford

Triple Goddess Tarot by Jaymi Elford and Franco Rivolli

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, We would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 84 The Star: Barn’s burnt down, now I can see the moon

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 06:17:39 -0700

Some call it the card of hope. Others see it as the calm that comes after the destruction of The Tower. The Star brings healing and space to mend. Now, you are okay; things are safer and softer. In this episode, we dive into our thoughts around this card and pull some examples from our collections. We also discuss how many decks display the central figure nekkid on these decks.

Homework: Look at your Star cards and compare and contrast. Go outside and look at the sky. Be gentle to yourself.

Melissa: This Might Hurt by Isabella Rothman & Addison Duke

Hilary: Gilded Tarot Royale by Ciro Marchetti

Jaymi: Triple Goddess Tarot & Creatures Tarot by Sara Kathleen

Cori: The Herbal Tarot by Michael Tierra and Candis Cantin

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 83: This is Not a Tarot Deck

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0700

The Cardslingers tackle the topic of reviews, criticisms, and feedback. While we tend to focus the discussion on the books we’ve done, the information can apply to your tarot business when clients write reviews or send you feedback (both positive and negative). We give some ideas on how to take the feedback and what we want to see in reviews.

Homework:

Leave a review for Cardslingers in your favorite podcast app. Ask your local booksellers if they have copies of our books for sale. If they don’t, they can order copies for you. You can help us and other authors by leaving a constructive review on our book’s page on Amazon or GoodReads.

Our Books:

Melissa Cynova
– Kitchen Table Tarot

– Tarot Elements

– Kitchen Table Magic

– Scorpio Seas Tarot

Jaymi Elford

– Tarot Inspired Life

– Triple Goddess Tarot deck

– other various tarot decks with Lo Scarabeo and other publications. This link takes you to her website publications page.

Hilary Parry Haggerty

– How to Read Tarot

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 82: Bring Out Your Towers

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0700

We stalled on talking about cards due to this ugly vibe. No one likes to get this card in a reading. We’ve hemmed and hawed long enough, and we’re pushing through this one. Today’s card is The Tower. Watch us put on our big person underoos and listen to our thoughts on this difficult card. Is it really the big bad card people think it is?

Decks Referenced:

Melissa: The Sasuraibito Tarot

Hilary: Wild Unknown Tarot

Jaymi: Creatures Tarot

Homework: Relisten to Melissa’s invocation and relax into the moment. You can get through this shit. You CAN do it.

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 81: Getting Touchy Feely

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0700

The Cardslingers tackle a sensitive topic of deck boundaries. How do we cleanse our decks? Who do we allow to touch our tools? We get a bit deep about boundaries, cleaning, and possession around our divination tools. Is there

There was a small side topic that was touched on in Episode 32, which made me want to ask a question. Feelings about other people touching your decks. This got me thinking about a situation I found myself in, and I’m looking for advice and opinions.

How do you all reset/cleanse your decks? What is the preferred method of the Card Slingers trio? For example, let’s say someone has touched your deck or, worse - had the balls to use it for reading without consent, and you’re trying to rekindle a relationship with that deck after the fact. Is there ever truly a lost cause outside of a deck too damaged to use?

I have put the deck back in order, smudged it, and put selenite on it. It’s sat on the shelf since then, unused. I can’t shake the disrespected feeling, and I’m hoping you all may have another option I can try before I throw in the towel and give up on this specific one.

Tarot decks we mention in this episode:

Jaymi will add this later after she gets a chance to re-listen. Feel free to help her out (Thanks!)

Melissa: Sasuraibito Tarot

Hilary: Wild Unknown Tarot

Why the Giant Sequoia Needs Fire to Grow

You also may want to listen to Episode 73: WTF, Why is my deck mad?

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 80: Let’s Talk About Stuff

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Melissa and Jaymi work on their new musical (don’t worry, it’s not coming out anytime soon). They answer a good listener question from Laura T.:

When I read cards, I like to have two rocks..a silver obsidian and a quartz wand. One anchors me, and the other I just like to hold. Are there any objects you like to have in your space when you read?

Place items around you that make you feel grounded. Keep stuff to keep away the bad vibes. Keep what you need to make your reading space feel comfortable. Anything that makes you feel calmer and happy does help readings.

We recommend that you visit local gem fairs to get good deals. The Pyramid collection also has great stuff at good prices.

References

Episode 43: Event Season Cometh (this is where we recommend a tarot go bag for events)

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading from any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 79: Wearing All the Hats

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 08:44:35 -0700

Running a business is a marathon. Getting into this profession requires everyone to wear all the hats. Marketing, social media, sales, accounting. In this episode, we spend some time talking about wearing all the hats.

Homework: Look at your energy and figure out your capacity. Learn what you can do at this moment or when you’re at your best. Doing so will help you uncover what is sustainable.

Past episodes:

Episode 69: The Business of Reading with John Verbrugge

Resources:

Reality Check blog posts: Part-time versus going full-time posts from Hilary and Theresa Reed

Scoob’s website

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 78: It’s About Time

Fri, 26 May 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Understanding and developing timing in tarot is one of the true moments when you can play with your cards. There are so many different systems out there for divining “when” questions. Melissa, Hilary, and Jaymi discuss various methods they know of and use. We also recommend ways that you can develop your own systems based on your personal locations and situations.

Homework: Practice timing readings. Work on your own system, start big, and then delve deeper into specifics. And ask for feedback to know.

References:

Madame Pamita

Al Juarez (his “Cuando, Cuando, Cuando” class is amazing)

Christiana Gaudet, Timing Class on YouTube

Hilary’s clock spread

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading from any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 77: We’re All Family with Nancy Hendrickson

Fri, 12 May 2023 00:00:00 -0700

The cardslingers invite mentor Nancy Hendrickson onto the cast. She helps us dive deep into her world of writing, family history, and her art of healing with blends of tarot. Nancy says, “The more you know about family, the more you know about yourself. People want their stories told.” So, it’s time to get personal with Nancy and learn more about connecting with the ancestors.

Nancy’s books, Ancestral Tarot and Ancestral Grimoire give readers a powerful method to connect to ancestors of all types. Not only do we have a birth family, but we also have a magical family. These books are meant to be worked with and used rather than swiftly read.

Her final wish for the community is to be clear about what we want and take our practices to the next level by finding our niche in tarot and to take the courage and authenticity to do our own.

We’re so grateful to have Nancy in our community and a mentor to us all. Go buy her books, Ancestral Tarot and Ancestral Grimoire. Find Nancy online at www.sageandshadow.com and on her Instagram at @nancysageshadow.

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 76: When Tarot Comes for You

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Hilary and Jaymi talk about reading tarot for your self and Mary K Greer’s Tarot for Yourself. Strangely the two do relate, and cross over, and we feel it’s time to chat about the connections and our observations. We discuss what happens when the cards call you out and go a lot deeper than you expected for reading material. And we share stories of when tarot came for us when reading for others.

Homework: Record readings from others and get permission to write that down. See if there’s a message for you in them. Learn to discern how this happens.

Recommendations:

Cardslingers Episode 33 Stalker Cards

Cardslingers Episode 30 Birth Cards

Mary Greer’s Tarot Cycle series:

Tarot for Yourself, (three editions out all with the same name, link goes to current edition);

Tarot Constellations, revised and renamed Who are you in the Tarot? for a 2nd edition, and to Tarot Archetypes as a 3rd edition;

Tarot Mirrors.

Tarot for One by Courtney Weber

Tarot Visions podcast episodes on the Tarot for Yourself Read-along (show notes include links to any worksheets Jaymi made)

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading from any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 75: Too Many Dang Card Meanings

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Reading and understanding cards can be hard for beginners. The companion book or little white book (LWB) can be viewed as a boat or a harbor that anchors you instead of being set adrift on a sea of tarot meanings/interpretations. However, as you grow and learn, you’ll find that cards have a wide variety of meanings. So, in today’s episode, we answer two listener questions about how you figure out what cards mean to you when the LWBs have different meanings.

Homework: Keep a meanings journal. Compile various meanings for each card from all the sources you have available to you. Do it online or printed and see where things intersect and differ. Personal meanings are as valid as what “experts” write.

Decks Mentioned:

Scorpio Sea Tarot by Maggie Stiefvater and Melissa Cynova

Handl Tarot (and the companion books, Major Arcana, and Minor Arcana, by Rachel Pollack)

Mary-El Tarot by Marie White

Wild Unknown Tarot by Kim Krans

Herbal Tarot by Michael Tierra and Candis Cantin

The Savvy Soul Tarot by Julie Waidelich

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading from any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 74: Filling in the Blanks

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Usually, tarot uses the information from the cards that readers lay on the table. But what about what doesn’t show up? Can it tell us anything? Hilary and Jaymi talk about how one can read between the lines and show what’s missing from what doesn’t appear in a spread. Jaymi views cards in a spread as the main focus. When cards or suits don’t appear, they’re unimportant; things are a-ok. The real answer is what’s being shown. However, Hilary sees things differently. Listen in to hear her framework.

Homework: Do a few readings exploring missing cards or seeing what’s not on the table. See how this expands your readings for both yourself and others.

We Recommend:

Tarot for One by Courtney Weber – which contains info from Hilary on this. Also a great resource for anyone wanting to read for themselves.

Significators episodes:
#49 What are Significators?
#50 The Cardslingers Weigh in on Significators

Tarot Bytes with Theresa Reed and Hilary where they discuss this very thing

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading from any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 73: WTF, Why Is My Deck Mad?

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0800

Welcome back, Lis! We missed you. And what is this? A haunted deck. Oooh. Thanks. Hilary hates it, and Jaymi wants to get her hands on it. So, dear listeners, we’re discussing personalities we assign to our decks, whether they are truly haunted or angry. We give you ways to deal with these personalities.

Decks mentioned:

Untold Tales, a home-made deck by Ingred Blackstock (Jaymi was not able to find a link, sadly)

Deviant Moon Tarot by Patrick Valenza (link takes you to purchase the Borderless edition)

Mary-El Tarot by Marie White

Haindl Tarot by Hermann Haindl (has wonderful companion books by Rachel Pollack)

For more on this topic:

Read Sophia’s (Hilary’s mentee) third newsletter, which discusses using “used” decks.

Our friend and mentor Beth Owl’s Daughter has some cool wisdom from her newsletter dated 31/MAY/2022.

What I mean is that the Tarot starts out as a system that you can read up on, learn, practice, and use. And that’s great. And that’s where most people stick.

Cool.

Except I have noticed that, given half a chance, it doesn’t take long before the cards start to really GET you.

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 72: Sooo Many Spreads

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0800

Hilary and Jaymi revisit some listener questions focused around spreads. This episode revisits and expands information from episode 53. Which is “what spreads do you guys use, and how to determine which to use for each client?” We recommend you have a small stockpile for various topics. We also like to create our own spreads from scratch and often use a spread creation deck. Hilary has a formula for reading spreads which is “card interpretation + positional meaning + interaction of cards = interpretation within a spread.”

Homework: think about spreads you use, and dig deep into thinking why you have them and use them.

Good Books and Decks for Spread Creation:

Tierney Sadler’s Deck of 1000 Spreads

Kimbery Tsan’s Spread Crafter’s Oracle

Go buy Hilary’s book, How to Read Tarot.

Also, go buy Tarot Elements by Melissa Cynova to get a whole spread program to help fix your shit.

And, Jaymi’s book, Tarot Inspired Life, also has a chapter on spreads with using and creating them.

Listen to these Past Episodes

37– for Celtic cross information

50– Cardslingers weigh in on significators

53– To Spread or Not to Spread

Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 71: Manifesting Jason Momoa with Theresa Reed

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 09:29:51 -0800

Hilary and Jaymi take time to chat with one of their beloved mentors, Theresa Reed. Join in as Theresa shares many great nuggets of wisdom, including this one:

“We must never take our elders, teachers, and mentors for granted. They deserve the ultimate respect for passing down their experience and wisdom. To be in the presence of greatness and knowledge is a gift, one that can be taken away in the blink of an eye.

So today, thank the teachers, mentors, and wise elders in your life. Show your gratitude for what they are giving you. Honor them NOW while they are still here.” https://www.thetarotlady.com/the-hit-list-elders-mentors/

Theresa Recommends:

Rebecca Gordon

Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone

Mary K Greer

Rachel Pollak

3 A.M tarot

Cassandra Snow

For more about Theresa Reed, follow her on her Twitter and Instagram accounts. Or sign up for her Patreon.

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 70: Welcome to 2023

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0800

Welcome back to Cardslingers in 2023. We've had a nice winter break, which allowed us to relax and update the site design a bit. Hilary and Jaymi give a preview of what's to come this year! Thanks for sticking by with us. We're glad you're here.

Mentors series
More reader questions
More card episodes

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 69: The Sexual Key to the Tarot

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0800

Content Warning: While we’re under an explicit tag for cussing, we get sexually explicit in this episode. So, please don’t listen to this around kiddos; we also want to be aware of those who have sexual traumas or issues around sex. We’re not making fun of anyone’s sexual kinks or labels. Our crew spans all types of sexuality.

Jaymi digs deep into her tarot library, and comes up with an amazing gem for this special 69th episode. She reads from the “sacred text” of The Sexual Key to the Tarot by Theodor Laurence (Signet 1971). And the Cardslingers crew responds and retorts. What a way to end the year.

Cards drawn from:

The Tarot of Sexual Magic

The Erotic Tarot

The Waite Smith Tarot (RWS)

We also mention the Big Mouth on Netflix, too.

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 68: Newbie Reader with Bo

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0800

What happens when two authors and tarot readers get together and reminisce about their history with tarot with someone who is freshly learning to read tarot? We welcome in “newbie” reader Bo Jofferon, who reminds us what it is like to be a reader in their first five years.

Each tarot journey is different. Your journey will be different than everyone on this ‘cast. Remember to go at your pace. Find the helpers and have the confidence that you can do this.

Want more of Bo? Find him at https://www.fenrirtarot.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/Bo_Joffrion_Tarot.

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 67: Business of Readings with John Verbrugge

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0800

The Cardslingers get down to business, the business of readings. Special guest, John Verbrugge, is here to help us understand more business for readers. While coming in from the tech world, John gives us all some great advice on running your readings as a business owner. Think big and look to the future. Invest in yourself. Here’s hoping Hilary gets her private jet one year. So much good homework here. Thank you, John.

Visit John at www.tarotgeek.com and email him at john@tarotgeek.com.

Here are some articles from Hil that may help you realize that you are the TALENT, baby… and that you’re running a business, not a hobby:

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 66: Scammer Be Gone

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0700

The alternate title of this episode is “Grand Rising, Beloveds!” Be careful of how you get a witch’s attention. Scammers online, and off, are everywhere and we’re fed up with it. Even tarot decks are being “counterfeited” and scammed. Listen to our stories about scammers; being copied; or having to deal with unhappy people who think we’re frauds. Amanda sums this up by saying, “It's easy for scammers to infiltrate a profession that people don't want to recognize as "legitimate". If it was easier for tarot readers (who are published authors, who have large followings, who have online courses) to get a goddamn verification checkmark, it'd sure help…”

Read up on how one person was scammed out of a fortune in Portland, Oregon. https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2010/05/portland_man_accuses_hawthorne.html

Read Hilary’s fantastic post on how to recognize a scammer reading as it’s happening: http://tarotbyhilary.com/i-got-scammed-by-a-reader-how-it-happened-to-me-and-how-you-can-prevent-it/

There are different ways to deal with imposter/scammer accounts on Instagram or TikTok. Hilary’s episode on Spammers, Scammers, and Charlatans is here: https://youtu.be/UQ9A-RAlLpk

Email us with your tarot-related questions. Booking a reading is done through our websites, and nowhere else.

Melissa: hello@melissacynova.com

Hilary: hilary@tarotbyhilary.com

Jaymi: tarot@innercompasstarot.com

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc.

Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 65: Stop Being Unhappy for a Living

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 09:21:51 -0700

Note: Zoom had some technical glitching in recording, so there may be some weird transitions in this episode. Don’t let it get in the way of this good stuff.

Self-care is the best care. What happens when you can’t even look at another deck? We’re talking about how to not turn into a chunk of charcoal. This field is lonely, and burnout can be real. Learn how to create containers for your readings and setting boundaries. Take time to understand your needs, wants, desires, and values which can free yourself from burnout. These things are the underpinnings for living the life you desire.

We discuss a future three-part series of self-care while doing the work (before, during, and after) from our friend Ellen the Red. https://ellenthered.appointlet.com

Hilary recommends Gala Darling’s Magnetic Mindset book https://bookshop.org/books/magnetic-mindset-how-to-make-love-to-the-universe-and-manifest-anything/9798218030568

Homework: Brainstorm your self-care ways. Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc. Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 64 Love, Light, and Toxic Happiness

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0700

Let’s talk about the dark side of the tarot community. Readers are people, not products or things. Yes, we appreciate each other's ideas and opines. However, there is a way to come at us and befriend us, and help us through our own journey. Think about how you use your privileges towards others and remember that a person is at the other end of the communication channel. Also, there is no light without the dark, and our screw-ups are what lead us to our brilliance.

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc and now on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc. Reminder, we would NEVER DM YOU for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.

Episode 63: WTC Series: Craftsman Formula

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0700

Welcome to the last formula for our “What to Charge” series, where we show you our consummate competence. That’s right; we’re talking professional-level charging. We’re using craftsman instead of master because, at this level, you do so much more than just read and offer advice. You craft magic with the cards between your hands.

At this level, you can continue to read, but you also reach out through other avenues like teaching and writing. Many professionals turn away from the event reading and general public spaces and want 100% control of their future. Learn to cultivate the leader within and acknowledge the amazingness you are. Learn to leave a tarot legacy.

Homework: Watch StrongBad “Trogdor” for the in-jokes. Keep on learning and developing your skills in both tarot and business.

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 62 WTC Series: Journeyman Formula

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 10:07:56 -0700

We push the What to Charge series one level further with the Journeyman level of charging for your reading, being a Journeyman. What does this mean? Well, at this level, you’re 3 years or more off book and should be charging between $50-$100 depending on where you live. This level is about experimentation with your readings or learning what works, including dropping prices. It’s also about looking deeper at the cards or finding your niche in this niche market. At this point, you have confidence as a reader and now look at what you do as a real business dealing with all the areas a real business takes.

Homework: Think about your brand/career and who you are as a reader.

People we mentioned

Pamela Chen https://www.magicalpam.com

Episode 61 WTC Series: Apprentice Formula

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 21:47:19 -0700

We’re back with another episode of the What to Charge series. Today we dip one step above a Student level to Apprentice (aka “knight”). You took your skills and knowledge as a Student and have started putting it into practice. This is where you do it all events, online, friends,and family; and to make the mistakes that help you develop your business acumen. Charge for situation versus time.

As we keep saying, be transparent about whether or not you need the book for readings. Being honest is what sets us apart from the scammers (more on this in a future episode #66). Have integrity. Don’t be something you aren’t.

At this level, we recommend $40 - $50 (depending on your location and “off-book”ness). At this time, we suggest you test whether or not you want to do psychic fairs by going and doing fairs while charging $25. This is the time to read everything our mentor and friend, Theresa Reed, posted about reading and business building. She’s got a lot of good stuff to share.

Next time we’ll kick it up a notch and share our thoughts on being a tarot Journeyman. Until then, have fun, get comfortable charging, and make great mistakes. We love and see you and support your journey.

PREORDER HILARY’S TAROT BOOK ON AMAZON! Arrives this fall.

We also love and adore Jamie Sawyer’s decks and work for the Intermediate practitioners. Especially her Pocket of Peers and the forthcoming Out of Hands Tarot decks.

For reading at fairs or other pricing info, grab Jenna Matlin’s Have Tarot, Will Travel and Have Tarot, Will Party.

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 60: WTC: Student Formula

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 14:37:39 -0700

Welcome to the wild world of reading for others. Our student formula helps you dip your toe into getting used to charing for readings. Students are those who have studied the cards for a bit and may still rely on books for deeper meaning.

At this level, you’ll be charging $25-$30 and hopefully you aren’t using your books. At this stage you’re learning you’re authentic reading self. Set expectations for the readings and be realistic. Be transparent in all you do, and let people know what is acceptable. Align your expectations and don’t compare yourself to others.

PREORDER HILARY’S TAROT BOOK ON AMAZON! Arrives this fall.

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 59: Introduction to What to Charge

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 21:23:27 -0700

Welcome to the long-awaited series on what to charge for your gifts and readings. We kick off this series by letting you know how this will go, some of our stories from the trenches, and other things to consider before you jump straight into making tarot a business. Thanks to our listener who came in and asked, “Being off book for 3 years, what can I start charging others for reading?”

Our formula takes the following into consideration: Where are you located? How long have you been reading? How much do you WANT to make?

We’re happy to you’re with us.

Homework: Figure out what readings you want to offer? Look at your readings and view them from their clients. Melissa wants you all to take a nap.

Recommended resources:

Jenna Matlin’s Have Tarot, Will Travel, and Have Tarot, Will Party for good beginner books on tarot business

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Need business help, visit SCORE where they have tons of hours of classes: https://www.score.org

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 58 Why is The Devil Always Hot?

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 04:14:51 -0700

Melissa, Hilary, and Jaymi bring up many Disney properties to discuss aspects of The Devil. Dating far back from Roman Catholic/Christianity origins, The Devil brings in the aspects of choice, from staying chained to following the pretty one who promises the world to us all. He is comfort, safety, and security that protects us from stepping into our promised greatness. This is an opportunity to remove the chains from your neck.

If you struggle with The Devil card, place The Hierophant next to it and see how they align and where they differ. Both teach you. Make sure the medicine you have is really healthy and not harming you.\

Call Safe Connections at 314-531-2003 to help get you out of an abusive relationship.

As always, the National Suicide Hotline is 800-273-8255.

Decks mentioned:

Hilary

Legacy of the Divine by Ciro Marchetti https://bookshop.org/books/legacy-of-the-divine-tarot-with-paperback-book/9780738715650

Jaymi

Runic Tarot by Jack Sephiroth, Allen Dempster, and Jaymi Elford https://bookshop.org/books/runic-tarot-kit/9780738770734

Melissa

The Sasuraibito Tarot

https://www.etsy.com/listing/963042390/the-sasuraibito-tarot-78-card-deck-and

The Housewives Tarot

https://www.amazon.com/Housewives-Tarot-Domestic-Divination-Kit/dp/1931686998

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 57: A Bunch of Queerdos

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 09:49:06 -0700

Representation matters. Melissa, Hilary, and Jaymi talk about their queerness and how we can see beyond the gender to get to the core of their energy. Jaymi’s mission is to remove the binary from the cards and give readers and sitters the power to create their own language for gender inside the cards. Hilary wants the bi-erasure to stop and to know that when we share our queerness with others it is with honor and privilege. And Melissa sees you. Really.

Please do not out anyone who is queer, it is not safe to do so everywhere. If you need help, reach out to one of these two hotlines:

The Trevor Project https://www.thetrevorproject.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org 800-273-8255

Decks we discuss:

Queering the Tarot by Cassandra Snow https://bookshop.org/books/queering-the-tarot/9781578636488

Pride Tarot by U.S. Games, Inc by various artists https://bookshop.org/books/pride-tarot/9781646710034

The Modern Witch Tarot by Lisa Sterle & Vita Ayala https://bookshop.org/books/the-modern-witch-tarot-deck/9781454938682

This Might Hurt by Isabella Rotman and Addison Duke https://www.thismighthurttarot.com

Melissa Recommends:

Mystic Garbage Tarot – forces you to be non-binary https://www.etsy.com/listing/779719080/mystic-garbage-tarot-rainbow-tarot-tarot

Animal Totem Tarot by Leeza Robertson and Eugene Smith

https://bookshop.org/books/animal-totem-tarot/9780738743486

Slow Holler Tarot (out of print)

https://slowholler.bigcartel.com/product/pre-order-slow-holler-tarot-deck

Jaymi Recommends:

Transient Light Tarot by Ari Wisner https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1788178203/

Charlie Claire Burgess from the Fifth Spirit Tarot has inspired Jaymi to expand and broaden the language of writing deck books to deconstruct the binary. https://www.fifthspirittarot.com/

Hilary Recommends:

Any animal or nature deck for a workaround that helps bring out the energies and intent of the cards. Hilary also works with archetype decks.

Wild Unknown by Kim Krans https://bookshop.org/books/the-wild-unknown-tarot-deck-and-guidebook-official-keepsake-box-set/9780062466594

Wild Messengers Alchemical Tarot by Tanya Casteel

https://www.etsy.com/listing/716847128/wild-messengers-animal-tarot-card-deck

Tarot of the Burroughs by Courtney Weber (out of print)

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 56: Coming Out of the Broom Closet

Fri, 27 May 2022 08:55:29 -0700

We all write, read, and live tarot. Yet, there are people who still discriminate against tarot and paganism is very real. So, today we tell stories about our experiences around this. Melissa wasn’t able to come out until she wrote her first book. Jaymi had friends who refused to acknowledge her growing passion for the cards and her path. And while Hilary grew up in a progressive location, she still felt the eyes of others upon her.

If you can’t come out, stay where you are and know we support you. Your beliefs are yours. We’re here to protect you. We can carry the weight for you. We want you to be safe.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-8255

St. Louis Pagan Picnic happens on June 4th & 5th. Go see Melissa and have your books or decks signed. Admission is free.

Books Mentioned:

Silver Ravenwolf - To Ride a Silver Broomstick

Raymond Buckland - Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft (aka the big blue book)

Scott Cunningham - Wicca, a guide for the solitary practitioner

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 55: Temperance Says, Being is an Art

Fri, 13 May 2022 00:00:00 -0700

This week we delve into the alchemy of the Temperance card. Hilary nails the meaning, by saying “focus on balancing yourself rather than your entire life.” Heck. Even Crowley’s Thoth Tarot gives Temperance the name of Art. And it’s so true because balance is a verb, not a noun. We stand with Ukraine; we’re thinking of you and we send our love and balance out to you. Find joy in the small moments.

Decks Mentioned:

Hilary - The Luna Sol Tarot by Darren Shill and Mike Medaglia

Jaymi - Cosmobeings by Joanna Nelson; quote from Trish Sullivan

Melissa - Mystic Garbage Tarot by Junkyard Prints Co

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 54: Under the Influence

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0700

The cardslingers dive deep by discussing reading/divining under the influence of prescription drugs, and how stress affects readings. We touch on trauma responses and therapy techniques that can help us. We also tackle the myth of near-death and gaining psychic powers; we all have our own powers and they are unique to each one of us. Thank you to the listener who reached out to us to ask us this question and to hear our stories. We love you. We see you.

Don’t let medicine and science scare you from getting the help you get or from reading cards for yourself or others.

Check out Episode #29 for more information on reading while sick, or drunk.

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 53: To Spread or Not To Spread

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0700

Our episode this week is inspired by listener Lindsey O. who said, “Hi there. I am brand new to Tarot and I am confused about spreads…. I feel like you can go to Pinterest and find millions of spreads. But I also feel like sometimes they get in the way of the actual message of the cards. I can’t keep track of what each position of the spread is, and then the meanings of the cards, and reversals…. It’s just so much. So my question is: what are the spreads you guys use, and how do you determine which to use for each client?”

Melissa uses the same spread in her profession because it works. She fills in the gaps between the cards with her intuition.

Hilary uses them in her readings when the clients need them. She doesn’t see 3-card readings as a “spread”.

Jaymi does keep a folder with a canned set of spreads she uses for her clients. None of these are more than five cards. Occasionally, she’ll try something out for herself to learn more about them when she needs to write them for other spreads.

We totally recommend you sign up for both Beth Owl's Daughter and Joanna Powell Colbert’s newsletters. Also, sign up for Hilary and Melissa’s newsletters, too.

Well, Lindsey hopefully we’ve given you some good information on spreads, collecting them, and how to use them. May their sacred space containers serve your needs. And you don’t need to memorize any of the spreads in your collection.

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 52: Death, Touches Us All

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0700

The Poe Tarot’s Death card says, “The boundaries which divide life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?”

Death. It touches us all. It’s hard, it’s painful, and we aren’t well versed in dealing with it. While we all agree that death is transformation, we spend time focused on the deeper implications of loss and grief and how it changes us all. Especially with the past two years and all we’ve dealt with. Death does sport the number being 13, so keep in mind that it’s a small comfort to know that we’re about halfway there. It reminds us that there is something coming next in the sequence of majors.

Bottom line: Keep your dreams and goals high. Don’t fear death and roll with the punches.

Resources:

Melissa: The Mystic Garbage Tarot

Hilary: The Mary El Tarot by Marie White

Jaymi: The Shadowscapes Tarot by Stephanie Pu-Mun Law

The Poe Tarot by Trisha Leigh Shufelt

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 51: The Good, The Bad, and Those A$$hole Cards

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 08:15:39 -0800

We address some fun listener questions in today’s episode. Anna F. asks, “What is your favorite minor arcana suit and why? Which do you least relate to?” while someone on Melissa’s Facebook said, "How do you know which cards are the asshole cards?" Strap in and enjoy our thoughts.

Jaymi: My favorite is Wands and the least relatable are Cups.

Hilary: Favorite is Cups and the least relatable are Swords (due to the time she spends in her head).

Melissa: My favorite is Swords and the least relatable are Pentacles.

We think all the cards, no matter what their standing meanings, can be assholes. It all depends on the question asked and the bias of those sitting in the reading. It’s important to have these questions and discussions and to understand the tools we have at our disposal.

Homework: Do what we did and rank your minors from favorite to least favorite. Doing this exercise every now and then can show you insights to where your life may be. Keep a record of your asshole cards and what situations they show up.

Upcoming News: Melissa wants to let you all know about her new podcast, “Hey, Cynova” where she and Bo pull cards for questions you all send in.

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 50: The Cardslingers Weigh in on Significators

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0800

Tarot is a language of symbols and we are found in every card. In this second episode Hilary, Jaymi, and Melissa share their thoughts and stories about significators. Fear of screwing things up and being wrong is what keeps beginners from playing with ideas and owning them as their own methods. Try it and use it if you like it.

Hilary didn’t use them when starting out. She doesn’t use them now. However, she can and does use cards chosen with intent as the client and reading needs. She will pick a card based on personality traits rather than the image.

Jaymi didn’t start out with it because it’s too much to memorize and remember. She does intentional draws with cards for herself and with clients for homework purposes. But as far as what significators were meant in the past, no she doesn’t use an older system.

Melissa thinks significators are stupid. She learned from Eden Gray, and back then, genderized cards were more important back then. Because of that, she would pull the cards. As she grew in her style and reading practice she grew away from the practice.

We also think significators and how they were used in the past brings up how we can pick apart the tarot so white issues. The world is more diverse than what the cards wanted to display on the cards.

Thanks again to Chuck K. and Karin S. for giving us something to dive deeper into.

Decks mentioned

Pocket of Peers by Jamie Sawyer

The 90s Tarot by Kristi Prokopiak

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 49: What are Significators?

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0800

Historically, significators were pulled to represent the person being read. Usually chosen by their appearance. More modern definitions allow the full deck and can represent the client in reading, or a situation that is drawn randomly or handpicked. In Lenormand, they are used to represent clients and partners and many modern decks include a bigger diversity of images for people. Thanks to Chuck K. and Karin S. for taking us down the significator hole.

There are so many other ways to use them in your readings. You can keep them out for magical intent. You can even use ALL the cards out of the deck to physically focus a reading.

We want to remind everyone that while we say gender is a social construct, it STILL is hella important to one’s identity and it does matter.

Homework:
Research significators and think about how you’d use them for yourself or for clients.

References mentioned:

Eden Gray’s The Complete Guide to the Tarot

Carrie Paris's “The Relative Tarot” Guidebook has a whole section on how to choose them

Benebell Wen Holistic Tarot (from her website)

Pocket of Peers Tarot

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 48: Unclench Your Fist and Just Be, The Hanged One

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0800

This week Melissa, Hilary, and Jaymi dive back into the series on the Major Arcana with a discussion of The Hanged One (aka The Hanged Man). Yes, we’re renaming it because gender is a social construct–many other decks do this too!

So, if The World card–the beginning and end of cycles–is a portal; then the Hanged One is the middle pause. They bring self-sacrifice for the greater good. They bring enlightenment and get new perspectives on the situation at hand. It’s time to sit back, relax, and just be in the moment. No matter what.

Decks we mention

Transient Light Tarot (sold out and coming back in June 2022)

The Pacific Northwest Tarot

The Sacred Sisterhood Tarot

The Wild Messenger’s Alchemical Tarot

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 47: We’re Baaaack

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 08:39:05 -0800

Hey, look, new year, new us! We’re back and feeling spunky. Just a short episode to touch base and let you all know where we’re at and what we’ve been up to. We share what we got from the winter holidays. We also talk a lot about our lifelong addiction to collecting, storing, and displaying stickers. And we give you all some insight into what to expect from us in 2022. We love you, we think you’re worthy, and you’ll always have a seat at our tarot table. Nurture your light!

Decks we mention

Tarot for Kids https://www.soundstrue.com/collections/authors-theresa-reed/products/tarot-for-kids

“Guide to the Strange and Eternal” Tarot Deck https://cosmicbutcher.bigcartel.com/product/gttsaetarotdeck

The Meme Tarot https://usa.doiydesign.com/products/meme-tarot/

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 46: Uh-oh! Freezing in a Reading

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 12:33:00 -0800

Picture it, you finish shuffling your cards and turn over three. You start your reading and deliver the first part of the reading. All of a sudden your mind blanks, and nothing comes. Uh-oh! You’ve hit a mid-reading block. Hilary and Jaymi demystify mid-reading blocks and give some suggestions for how you break free from the mental block. Thanks go to L for sending in this fun question.

Recommended Books:

Melissa Cynova’s book Kitchen Table Tarot

Liz Worth’s Going Beyond the Little White Book

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 45: Sign Them Up

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0800

Pre-recording chatter can lead to a great podcast. In this case, Jaymi asks Melissa and Hilary about how they do their newsletters. Not wanting to waste the airtime, we jumped in and turned it into a podcast. See how awesome we are?

We share tips on getting started on yours. Keep a file on newsletters outside of the tarot world and be engaged with who you connect with. Don’t fear your writing style, it takes some time to cultivate. Speak to your friends in the message, know they want to hear from you.

Becky Skoobish from https://skoobmark.com recommends:

Be consistent (time and date)
Use a cohesive theme for the month
Drive people to your website cos that’s where the work happens

Great Newsletter Resources

Melissa and Hilary use http://www.mailchimp.com

Jaymi uses https://madmimi.com

Book to get Newsletter Ninja https://newsletterninja.net

Homework: Do you have space and time for the newsletter? Answer this and then figure out your themes of the year.\

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 44:Post-reading Aftercare for Readers

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0800

Event season is now upon us and knowing how to care for yourself after you do readings is extremely important. Hilary, Onareo, and Jaymi talk about what they do after their readings (both for events or in general). Grounding and disconnecting is the name of the game when it comes to post-reading aftercare. Time to let go of the readings, forget them, and enter back into your own world.

Take a simple bath or shower. Turn it into a ritual by adding Epsom salts (magical properties) or baking soda (good for detox). If it’s too late in the evening, then at least wash your hands and face.
Wear or keep stones nearby: black tourmaline, selenite wands (good to clear your decks and body). Tiger’s iron helps Jaymi while Onareo uses tiger’s eye. Hilary keeps her mala beads on while reading and she takes off when she’s done.
Putting a pinch of salt under your tongue keeps you grounded in-between readings.
Scented sprays: Hilary uses color energy aura spray, Jaymi uses 7 Brooms, and a palo santo spray. Onareo uses bergamot (a citrus that helps in getting your power back) on his hands or in his bath. Florida Water is another good cleansing spray.
Sleep: Reading is hard work on your body. Let your body get as much rest as it needs to reset itself.
Eat something: It doesn’t need to be the fast-food junk that Jaymi gets but eating something after reading does help to break the energy you have.

Onareo’s Post-Reading Aftercare Ritual

Take the four aces from the minors and shuffle them as you ask, “what should my after-reading ritual be?” Then pick one of the aces and think of all the ways that the elemental energy and do one. Some examples might include

Swords (air) = do something mental; read, use feathers.
Cups (water) = drink water, have a bath, use sprays.
Wands (fire) = burn incense, cleanse with smoke, rub a taper candle over your body and then light it to release that energy.
Pentacles (earth) = do something physical; walk, play with crystals, do mudras or yoga.

Extra Resources:

Aftercare article by Hilary

http://tarotbyhilary.com/tarot-reading-aftercare-from-both-sides-of-the-table/

Jaymi’s Favorite Clearing Spray, 7 Brooms https://www.byailynn.com/shop/7-brooms-a-clearing-spray

Herbs, oils, and stones can be found everywhere, make sure what you purchase is ethically sourced.

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 43: Event Season Cometh

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0700

Editor’s note: this episode was recorded on Jaymi's birthday in August. Some shenanigans took place…

The holidays are coming up! This means lots of people want to hire readers for their parties. Listen in as we help you go from horror story event pain to living your best event plans. Be aware and understand your needs as you learn the ropes of reading at parties. We’re going deep into some event self-care tips.

Do these things during event season:

Raise your event prices from Halloween through New Year’s Day.
Don’t be near a sound speaker (at all). Where you sit DOES matter.
Manage your health. Know who you can get for your backup support.
Get a headcount to read for everyone (or offer certificates to those who didn’t get a reading).
Clearly express your needs to the client.
Take breaks, get help from bartenders, or other helpers.
Have an event-aftercare routine.

Bring an event go-bag! Things to include (besides decks) are table dressings/crystals, battery-operated candles, tissues, face wipes, hand sanitizer, energy clearing spray, tissues, throat lozenges, water, business cards (and holder), timers (sand or meditation), payment readers.

You can still sign up for the Kitchen Table Gathering happening November 6-7, 2021. It’s virtual and you’ll be able to learn from Onareo, Potter, V from Redlight Readings, and our very own Melissa. Hilary and Jaymi will also be in attendance. It’s a fun and fantastic time!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kitchen-table-gathering-tarot-conference-tickets-157000112563

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.

Episode 42: Spooky Scary Horror Cards

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0700

Hilary and Jaymi welcome guest host Onareo for a spooky trip through tarot’s scary horror cards. Chris is a mystic from the East Coast, and his Instagram feed is fun and informative. He’s also one of the instructors for this year’s Kitchen Table Gathering.

As an added bonus, this week’s episode is brought to you by one of our 13 listeners. Lucky number 13 asked, “Which cards for you are the cards you never want to see in a reading for yourself and especially, if different, what cards do you find difficult to read for a client. And how do you overcome that situation, what methods do you use?” Thanks for this excellent question! Hope you don’t get too scared of our responses! *cue maniacal laughter here*

You can still sign up for the Kitchen Table Gathering happening November 6-7, 2021. It’s virtual! Come learn from Onareo, V from Redlight Readings, Potter, and our very own Melissa. Hilary and Jaymi will also be in attendance. It’s a fun and fantastic time! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kitchen-table-gathering-tarot-conference-tickets-157000112563

Resources Mentioned:

Mary K Greer’s Archetypal Tarot and Who Are You in the Tarot?

Theresa Reed’s new deck Tarot for Kids (which is fantastic for readers of ALL ages)

Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.