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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 Learn more from past Hilary as she developed her points of view on The Tarot Lady's blog. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: Tarot Reader, Tarot Reader, Where Does Your Money Go? Productivity tools from a part-time tarot reader Reality Check - What It's Really Like Working as a Part Time Tarot Reader 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.