I started noticing Indie Tarot in some of the popular tarot groups on Facebook and I was definitely interested. She is pursuing a Doctorate in Psychology and she's a tarot reader? What a great combination! When you ask most tarot readers what other sciences go with Tarot one of the first disciplines you would think of is psychology (Jung and such). So it was awesome to see someone putting that into practice! I caught up with her and was able to have her answer a few questions for me!
How did you get started with Tarot?
My intrigue about tarot sparked, when I went in for tarot reading, for the first time ever!
How did you get started with Tarot?
My intrigue about tarot sparked, when I went in for tarot reading, for the first time ever!
This was sometime in 2007, and I was in the middle of a very emotionally challenging and difficult life-phase. There was truly a need for spiritual grounding and healing in my life & and I found myself seeking and making acquaintances with a lot of healers and regressionists…and was also seeking a tarot reader, when I heard of this system of divination & healing.
It was through my mom’s friend that I was introduced to this young reader in the city of Mumbai (India). That’s how I first laid eyes on a tarot deck!!....& in case you are wondering, it was the Rider Waite Universal!
A few days later, I just couldn’t stop thinking about that colourful deck of cards …and felt an inexplicable attraction and pull towards them! So I went ahead and purchased the Universal Rider Waite! And that’s where my journey with the tarot began!!
I started reading books, started reading for myself. Then gradually felt the confidence to read for family and my friends….and for a long time… in fact, for the MAJOR chunk of my life with tarot- I have read exclusively for family members and friends and friends of friends and friends of friends of friends…
I was encouraged by one of my close friend for whom I had read for several times to start offering my services as professional reader…and so I did... and here I am!
What is your favorite thing about Tarot?
That it never gets old! And I mean that in two contexts…
One….The spark of the relationship with the cards never gets old. The spark never fades. Even after many years of studying and working with the tarot, the cards continue to reveal newer facets and newer layers of meanings to me. As I continue to evolve and understand myself, so does my understanding of the cards and my relationship with it deepens and evolves. And THAT continues to keep me totally mesmerized with the tarot’s never ending depth of wisdom.
And two… how the JOY of doing a tarot reading never fades! That’s my favourite state of being – right amidst creating a tarot reading for someone, and then witnessing to the effects of these readings.
What deck(s) do use?
I have quite a collection of tarot decks I must say! And I must really get down to filming that “updated” tarot deck collection video that stays on my to-do list…!!
But, answering your question- I do not have one specific deck or a few specific ones that I work with really.
Even before doing a tarot reading, for someone, I do not decide beforehand what deck to work with.
I just let the moment when I begin the reading decide for me, by drawing my attention to whatever deck I feel would be right for that reading and for that individual.
But some of my old and new favourites (apart from the classic Rider Waite) are:
Does your spiritual path come into your relationship with tarot?
It was through my mom’s friend that I was introduced to this young reader in the city of Mumbai (India). That’s how I first laid eyes on a tarot deck!!....& in case you are wondering, it was the Rider Waite Universal!
A few days later, I just couldn’t stop thinking about that colourful deck of cards …and felt an inexplicable attraction and pull towards them! So I went ahead and purchased the Universal Rider Waite! And that’s where my journey with the tarot began!!
I started reading books, started reading for myself. Then gradually felt the confidence to read for family and my friends….and for a long time… in fact, for the MAJOR chunk of my life with tarot- I have read exclusively for family members and friends and friends of friends and friends of friends of friends…
I was encouraged by one of my close friend for whom I had read for several times to start offering my services as professional reader…and so I did... and here I am!
What is your favorite thing about Tarot?
That it never gets old! And I mean that in two contexts…
One….The spark of the relationship with the cards never gets old. The spark never fades. Even after many years of studying and working with the tarot, the cards continue to reveal newer facets and newer layers of meanings to me. As I continue to evolve and understand myself, so does my understanding of the cards and my relationship with it deepens and evolves. And THAT continues to keep me totally mesmerized with the tarot’s never ending depth of wisdom.
And two… how the JOY of doing a tarot reading never fades! That’s my favourite state of being – right amidst creating a tarot reading for someone, and then witnessing to the effects of these readings.
What deck(s) do use?
I have quite a collection of tarot decks I must say! And I must really get down to filming that “updated” tarot deck collection video that stays on my to-do list…!!
But, answering your question- I do not have one specific deck or a few specific ones that I work with really.
Even before doing a tarot reading, for someone, I do not decide beforehand what deck to work with.
I just let the moment when I begin the reading decide for me, by drawing my attention to whatever deck I feel would be right for that reading and for that individual.
But some of my old and new favourites (apart from the classic Rider Waite) are:
- Morgan Tarot
- The Gypsy Palace Tarot
- Psychic Tarot Decks – by John Holland
- Housewives tarot
- Cook’s Tarot
- Journey of Love Oracle Deck
- The Gita Deck
- The Oracle of Rama
- The Sacred India Tarot { super love this one! It’s truly “My” deck! }
- Art of Life tarot cards
Does your spiritual path come into your relationship with tarot?
Yes, absolutely!
I think, that we all are – whether consciously or unconsciously, walking a spiritual path, with transcendence - being the end destination for our Souls. We all might be on different kinds of path, and perhaps we are all at different levels and different points in this journey, but the goal remains the same. The quest for Transcendence…or Moksha - as it called in the Indian Hindi language.
But attainment of MOKSHA, does not come from escaping of life of course….in fact it comes from a deep engagement with & understanding and discerning of it. The better you get at this engagement, the more you learn to own your Soul Sovereignty within this connected cosmos we are all a part of.
And for me, the tarot has been my tool of choice for deepening my understanding of life- as the spiritual school that it really is.
Tarot connects harmoniously with the Hindu scriptures and their spiritual teachings, such as those in the Bhagvad Gita and The Ramayana, with the Spiritual teachings of the Bible, with Buddhism and with almost every well-written spiritual & self-help book out there today.
Tarot has help me unfold my spiritual path- through the process of healing for myself as well as others, which is an important aspect of any spiritual progress on any “type” of spiritual path..
Being a student of Psychology, do you find that tarot and psychology come together?
I will give you an analogy for this one…
IF Tarot and Psychology were to be people, CHEFS to be more precise…I would see these as two different chefs as having their own styles and approaches – but working in the same kitchen with access to the same ingredients!!
They each just use their own individualized methods and techniques, to cook up very similar (if not the exact same) food for the wanting souls!
Each Chef has its own perceived merit points & demerit points of course and whoever’s style of cooking you prefer of course, will determine where you go for your soul-food.
That’s exactly how I feel about these two areas of study and therapies. Very connected. Very much operating in the same realm and their end goals of healing line up extremely well too. After all, a lot of philosophical thought that modern tarot readers like us are in love with- comes from psych theories… and how can we forget Carl Jung’s direct contribution to tarot too! So, definitely they are very connected…
Clinical cases of abnormal behaviour based very much on brain physiology however, is like that one section within the kitchen that would ONLY be open to the Psych Chef, for now…
But in many areas of counselling, tarot has already opened its arms wide and accepted psychology as a big contributor! The acceptance of tarot as a tool in psychological practice, is slowly but steadily changing too. The door is not as wide open on this side…but its slowly creaking open. For sure!
Are you going to use Psychology in your practice?
I already do actually!!
I combine the skills I learn as a counsellor, with my tarot readings to the extent that the event of a tarot reading allows.
And I am also thinking of opening up an option for Skype Readings, which will help me harness the power of those skills better with my clients… and I do think those are fantastic contributors to the reader that I am ..
They even influence how I actually read the cards, how I am not afraid of considering the minute details, how I like to see a holistic picture of the client mapped out in the cards and outside and how I approach readings- specifically calling it the “humanistic” approach- ALL an influence of my psych training…
But, the bigger question for me is – will I be able to bring in TAROT in my psychology practice someday? I do still think that the structures of both these formats of counselling, have their own distinct differences and despite their shared goals they each are very much contained within their assigned separate boundaries, for the large part. And I have immense and equal respect for both, really….
Currently, I am very inspired by Dr. Arthur Rosengarten, a clinical psychologist and author of the well-loved book – Tarot and Psychology. As a psychologist who also includes tarot with his practice –what with his Wheel of Tarot Cards and specific spreads and techniques…. Dr. Rosengarten has opened my eyes to a lot of therapeutic possibilities…but as of now, I am personally still exploring!
But I want to… I truly want to marry to two and work with them as a couple- in BOTH my roles!
How does your family feel about you reading tarot?
My parents have been my supporters from day one. My mom was one of my first querents ever… and she continues to be my querent to this day.
My Dad and brother and now my Husband too – are eager querents as well… and my BIG supporters in this life-long venture!!
I am lucky to have them all as my personal band of cheerleaders!
Does your culture come into play with your tarot practice?
I think, that we all are – whether consciously or unconsciously, walking a spiritual path, with transcendence - being the end destination for our Souls. We all might be on different kinds of path, and perhaps we are all at different levels and different points in this journey, but the goal remains the same. The quest for Transcendence…or Moksha - as it called in the Indian Hindi language.
But attainment of MOKSHA, does not come from escaping of life of course….in fact it comes from a deep engagement with & understanding and discerning of it. The better you get at this engagement, the more you learn to own your Soul Sovereignty within this connected cosmos we are all a part of.
And for me, the tarot has been my tool of choice for deepening my understanding of life- as the spiritual school that it really is.
Tarot connects harmoniously with the Hindu scriptures and their spiritual teachings, such as those in the Bhagvad Gita and The Ramayana, with the Spiritual teachings of the Bible, with Buddhism and with almost every well-written spiritual & self-help book out there today.
Tarot has help me unfold my spiritual path- through the process of healing for myself as well as others, which is an important aspect of any spiritual progress on any “type” of spiritual path..
Being a student of Psychology, do you find that tarot and psychology come together?
I will give you an analogy for this one…
IF Tarot and Psychology were to be people, CHEFS to be more precise…I would see these as two different chefs as having their own styles and approaches – but working in the same kitchen with access to the same ingredients!!
They each just use their own individualized methods and techniques, to cook up very similar (if not the exact same) food for the wanting souls!
Each Chef has its own perceived merit points & demerit points of course and whoever’s style of cooking you prefer of course, will determine where you go for your soul-food.
That’s exactly how I feel about these two areas of study and therapies. Very connected. Very much operating in the same realm and their end goals of healing line up extremely well too. After all, a lot of philosophical thought that modern tarot readers like us are in love with- comes from psych theories… and how can we forget Carl Jung’s direct contribution to tarot too! So, definitely they are very connected…
Clinical cases of abnormal behaviour based very much on brain physiology however, is like that one section within the kitchen that would ONLY be open to the Psych Chef, for now…
But in many areas of counselling, tarot has already opened its arms wide and accepted psychology as a big contributor! The acceptance of tarot as a tool in psychological practice, is slowly but steadily changing too. The door is not as wide open on this side…but its slowly creaking open. For sure!
Are you going to use Psychology in your practice?
I already do actually!!
I combine the skills I learn as a counsellor, with my tarot readings to the extent that the event of a tarot reading allows.
And I am also thinking of opening up an option for Skype Readings, which will help me harness the power of those skills better with my clients… and I do think those are fantastic contributors to the reader that I am ..
They even influence how I actually read the cards, how I am not afraid of considering the minute details, how I like to see a holistic picture of the client mapped out in the cards and outside and how I approach readings- specifically calling it the “humanistic” approach- ALL an influence of my psych training…
But, the bigger question for me is – will I be able to bring in TAROT in my psychology practice someday? I do still think that the structures of both these formats of counselling, have their own distinct differences and despite their shared goals they each are very much contained within their assigned separate boundaries, for the large part. And I have immense and equal respect for both, really….
Currently, I am very inspired by Dr. Arthur Rosengarten, a clinical psychologist and author of the well-loved book – Tarot and Psychology. As a psychologist who also includes tarot with his practice –what with his Wheel of Tarot Cards and specific spreads and techniques…. Dr. Rosengarten has opened my eyes to a lot of therapeutic possibilities…but as of now, I am personally still exploring!
But I want to… I truly want to marry to two and work with them as a couple- in BOTH my roles!
How does your family feel about you reading tarot?
My parents have been my supporters from day one. My mom was one of my first querents ever… and she continues to be my querent to this day.
My Dad and brother and now my Husband too – are eager querents as well… and my BIG supporters in this life-long venture!!
I am lucky to have them all as my personal band of cheerleaders!
Does your culture come into play with your tarot practice?
Good question!! Made me think and discern my thoughts before I could answer how I feel! I would think Yes… and No…
Let me try and explain my thoughts around this…
Cultural experiences and influences- make us who we are… so of course, one might find me very Indian in one way or very Canadian in one way or ther other… …And perhaps these cultures also define my everyday choices, like that of clothing and personal style and accent and my daily food and home décor etc, all that might make up the kind of personal vibe I put forth and so these influences definitely become a part of everything I do ….perhaps even tarot!!
And I also say NO, because consciously I don’t try to add a cultural flavour to my image as a reader or to my practice itself… I just bring who I am, and what I have to the table!
But I like the various tarot decks that have been birthed into this world to reflect the different cultures they come from! The Sacred India Tarot, for example – is SO Indian!! - both culturally and religiously… and since I am born an brought up surrounded by various stories in that tarot- I quite enjoy it!
So perhaps the reader’s culture and how it makes them unique does come into play, don’t you think?
Let me try and explain my thoughts around this…
Cultural experiences and influences- make us who we are… so of course, one might find me very Indian in one way or very Canadian in one way or ther other… …And perhaps these cultures also define my everyday choices, like that of clothing and personal style and accent and my daily food and home décor etc, all that might make up the kind of personal vibe I put forth and so these influences definitely become a part of everything I do ….perhaps even tarot!!
And I also say NO, because consciously I don’t try to add a cultural flavour to my image as a reader or to my practice itself… I just bring who I am, and what I have to the table!
But I like the various tarot decks that have been birthed into this world to reflect the different cultures they come from! The Sacred India Tarot, for example – is SO Indian!! - both culturally and religiously… and since I am born an brought up surrounded by various stories in that tarot- I quite enjoy it!
So perhaps the reader’s culture and how it makes them unique does come into play, don’t you think?