Circus Cast: Tarot Mama, The Fortune Teller

At the edge of the circus, in the shadow of the big top, there lies a gypsy wagon. Wheels worn, paint chipping, it’s colors fading—one can just see the symbols that tell the tale. A scattering of white stars. Lined palms. A crystal ball.  

Step through the fringed-curtain and sit at the round table if you are….
 

 The Fortune Teller: Curious, but tolerant of mystery, the Fortune teller has a way of knowing more. A reader of energy, thoughts, and emotions, The Fortune Teller offers oft-unseen sights to those who travel beside her. Likes: candles, metaphors, fringed scarves, things that look ancient, roots. Dislikes:things “everybody knows…”, certainty, solid explanations. 

Magpie Circus Cast Member: Trenda Plunkett of Tarot Mama

Trenda and I met online when our internet stars aligned. I love how she sees Tarot as a way to tap into your intuitive wisdom. I’m looking at a big period of transition in my life, so Trenda did a reading for me to help me prepare. Her accesible language and positive approached helped me feel well-equipped and safely anchored for my upcoming challenges. 

Join us now in the Fortune Teller’s wagon to learn more about this creative cast member…  

Tren w/ her backstage pass. Photo by Regan P.

Q: Trenda, your moniker is “Tarot Mama.” How does the concept of mothering come into your work with tarot? 

From childhood, I have been the mothering sort. I mothered my two younger siblings, and oftentimes, my parents as well. Family and friends called me a mother hen, because if someone was sad or sick, I doted on them, doing whatever I could to help them to feel better. Even now, I instinctively shift into “Mommy Mode” when someone in my circle of family and friends is unwell or feeling low. Nurturing others nurtures me, and drawing cards for my clients (or family and friends) is a wonderful way of calling forth that part of my spirit.

Just as a mother wishes to bless her children with gentleness, caring, and wisdom, as a Tarot reader, I believe I am called to bring those things into the Tarot experience for those who entrust me with providing intuitive readings. I approach each reading with the utmost care and attention, setting aside quiet, meditative time before beginning the process of working with my cards. When someone poses a question for a reading, I first allow myself to feel the words subjectively, from my heart chakra. Because I am a natural empath, I immediately feel the vibrational power of the emotions behind their words. This response helps me tap into my client’s energy and allows me to receive a more accurate reading. However, it is vital for me to gently shift my own maternal response to their situation or fears out of the way before I begin drawing cards. To do this, I consciously center myself in my third eye chakra. This ensures the reading comes from my intuitive connection to Spirit and not my emotional (heart) center. I like to have a clear quartz crystal and an amethyst gemstone near to me and my cards during a reading. The clear quartz fosters clarity, and the amethyst supports my third eye.

Q: How do you go about choosing which deck to use for someone’s reading?

If my client doesn’t have a particular deck preference, then it’s up to me to choose for them. I offer readings using five unique decks, though I do own others. It sounds strange to say so, but truly it often feels as if the deck chooses the client, matching up with the personality of the person as well as the emotional nature of the question. I hesitate to name an absolute favorite deck, much like a mother does not wish to call one of her children a favorite. I suppose I could say that the deck I use most often for myself is the Tarot of the Magical Forest. I invariably use this deck for my younger sister, too, as its images perfectly suit the playful, imaginative nature of her spirit.

Because I share the images of the cards drawn with my client, I must anticipate the emotional response a particular deck will evoke. Some decks feel more accessible than others. For example, if I have sensed a client is a bit anxious about the idea of a reading, I might work with the aforementioned deck which features forest creatures, or perhaps the sweet and child-like Gummy Bear Tarot.  The Truth-Seeker’s Tarot with its brilliant colors and gold foil detailing, is both elegant and eye-catching. The watercolor paintings of The Mystic Faerie Tarot are beautifully rendered and draw me deep into the faerie realm every time I work with them. By including readings complete with cards drawn on my website, I give potential clients a glimpse into the personalities of each deck. I hope this aids my clients in selecting a deck for their own readings. Of course, I am always happy to choose for them if they prefer. I’m always, always, amazed at how the cards open up our eyes and help us to see what resides beneath the surface. 

Q: What is one common misperception about Tarot that you’d like to dispel. 

The misperception I’m faced with most often is the belief that Tarot is evil, so of course my first instinct in answering this question was to share why I believe that notion is false. However, it is not for me to persuade anyone else what is good or bad, so I will simply say I feel it is a borrowed belief, having been passed down through time and left unchallenged by most. As I have changed and come into my own spirituality, I have challenged my inherited ideas and philosophies, asking myself, “Is this true for me?” Having felt drawn to Tarot for a long time, I finally trusted what my intuition had been telling me: Tarot is a wonderful tool for self-discovery and personal growth. Only then was I able to release those old perceptions and embrace Tarot’s truth for me. 

Sometimes it is more powerful to talk about what something is rather than what it is not. First of all, I should say I do not consider myself an expert. I am, and always will be, a student of Tarot, just as I will always be a student of Life. I do know that Tarot is not meant to frighten those who work with it or those who seek a reading. A Tarot reading can shine a spotlight on areas of our life, be it beliefs, behaviors, thought patterns, relationships, which we might otherwise choose to ignore. 

Now there have been times when I very nearly blew a raspberry at the cards which appeared during a personal reading. I know, I know, that’s so immature, but it isn’t always easy having missteps and poor choices pointed out to us. However, after a moment’s reflection (and a sheepish apology to my treasured cards and the precious realm of Spirit), I choose to absorb the wisdom being offered and begin making an effort to change what needs mending or restructuring in my life and Being. 

Somehow, working with Tarot has helped me move more firmly into my own power. Granted, I don’t always stay centered in that healthiest of places, but then who does, right? Taking the time to do readings for myself provides me with an objective view of my strengths and weaknesses, victories and struggles, sorrows and joys. Tarot has brought an incredible sense of grace into my life . After spending time looking within during a reading, I can sense a very real shift in my spirit, a movement toward a sincere desire for gentleness, for myself and others. 

You can find Trenda at Tarot Mama, where she offers a weekly drawing for a free reading, along with an on-going series on Tarot 101. Tell her Magpie Girl sent you!  

What is your circus persona? To get your backstage pass and choose from a mysterious cast of characters, just join my mailing list. (Top o’ the page, stage right.) Email me a picture of your backstage pass, and get featured as a Circus Cast member. (Link love included!)  On with the show!

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