Dr Jo's journey with Tarot
My aunt, Cathie, introduced me to tarot…
When I was in my mid-teens (~mid 90s) my Aunt used to use the Tarot to sit and discuss things with me. I had emotional issues around friendship dynamics, and because my Aunt was also studying psychology at university at the time, I now know, the Tarot lends itself very well to this style of emotional support. Sadly, my Aunt never got the chance to pass on what she learned of Tarot because she died suddenly when I was 19 years old from a brain haemorrhage. The death of my aunt traumatised me because we were so close. She had been supporting me for most of my late teen years. I remember the morning she died because I had a psychic experience while getting dressed. I was putting on my socks (I remember it so vividly), and a clear message came through “You will remember today”, this was so clear I said it out loud.
The Covid19 lockdown solidified my decision to practice tarot…
As many of us experienced, lockdown consolidated a lot of people’s deep desires into a reality, and so by then, I felt ready to explore divinatory tools at that stage in my spiritual journey. I studied the Tarot, Wisdom Cards and even spent several months creating a poetic bond by meditating with Runes. The Tarot is the tool that captured my creativity and imagination and I have spent most every day with them ever since.
My first professional tarot reading…
In 2022, I gave my first professional reading. I used a photo of the client (I asked clients to take a photo for me to use) from which I would ‘tune-in’ to their energy and give the reading. I recorded a voice note of the reading and took photos of the wisdom cards for the client. I sold these general readings through Etsy and it worked really well and was a great experience.
Connecting with more than my spirit guides…
After my first remote tarot reading, I realised I was also connecting with human spirits, those who are no longer physically in this world, or ‘half’ in this world through neurodegenerative disease, like Alzheimer's. A few years later I explored mediumship tarot with Jenna Matlin, but I feel it’s not yet time for me to pursue this aspect of psychic work and so remains in the background of my mind.
The Way I Read Tarot
I’ve had numerous teachers in Tarot, some from books, some directly in-person and online, and one thing is true among them all: to be able to read tarot one needs to have a meditation practice.
My ‘spiritual’ practice, if you want to call it that, involves two daily meditations; morning and evening. I started meditating in 2015, regularly, and I can honestly say it changed (and saved) my life. I live in a less reactive way, and have a better quality of life than I used to.
During meditation I released my quietened mind that was receptive to more than this world; dimensions, wisdom… which combined with tarot was phenomenal!
I class myself as an ‘intuitive tarot reader’ (perhaps ~65% intuitive, 35% conscious), and so the way I read tarot is first to connect with my spirit guide team, who then connect to the client’s guides. I then receive ‘messages’ that are conveyed to me through the imagery of the cards; colours, stories, patterns… and these can trigger emotions and visions from which I use to divine the meaning.
The card decks I use for clients are the popular Rider-Waite Smith decks and have quite a few derivations of this deck that I use regularly.
What I Ask From Tarot
For myself or any client, a tarot reading is a chance to give space to a subject in one’s life that may be unclear, and so I ask for the best information that will a) Encourage the client, b) Help give clarity, c) Give practical advice. So, with this in mind, information about DEATH is not helpful. And, focussing on things that cannot be changed, or things we have no power to change, is not helpful information.
I have boundaries with my guides to NEVER give me information on death or things that cannot be changed, so I will not know and cannot keep anything from you.
In addition, I do not ask about health matters either. My accuracy, while good, is marred by the seriousness of health matters (having grown up in a medical household), I’m not that kind of Doctor! Medical journeys are complicated and I am sure there are psychics who specialise in medical queries but I do not, and I have set boundaries with my guides who will never give me medical information even for myself and I suffer a lot with medical issues!
I love how useful Tarot is for questions around career, relationships, and daily life, specialist on what to focus to get to the next step. ‘How to get UNstuck’, is one of my favourite uses; to get motivated, and how to help ourselves evolve out of sticky moments; these are where I excel in tarot!
How I Give Tarot Readings
I read 1-to-1 (Zoom) readings, and remote (recorded) readings.
I’ve tried to read at someone’s home but it was so distracting; I didn’t feel I gave them the best reading I could have given if I’d been in my own space, so I don’t offer that anymore.
The thing I love most about live 1-to-1 readings is that the client and I can have a good chat and interaction about what is coming up in the reading, and manoeuver the reading in a way that is more beneficial for them by asking spirit for further explanation and confirmation.
Even so, from my earliest readings I have proven that remote readings are just as effective, which is why I will always offer remote readings for those who are on a more restricted timetable, time-zone incompatibility, or budget. For remote readings you are welcome to give me as much information beforehand about what it is that you want to get from the reading, or if you don’t know you can just leave it up to me and the guides. (NB: I never read someone without their permission which is why I may ask for a photo of you holding up a specific phrase).