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The Archetypal Tarot Podcast explores the universal human patterns of the archetypes of the Tarot uncovering provacative mythology for the 21st century
Episodes
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
In this episode of The Archetypal Tarot Podcast, host Cyndera Quackenbush sits with Brigit Esselmont to dive deep into "intuitive manifesting." Brigit, a leading expert in tarot and personal transformation, shares insights from her newly released book Intuitive Manifesting: Align with Your Inner Wisdom and Attract Your Dream Life. She explains how manifesting goes beyond the surface-level pursuit of goals and dives into a powerful co-creative partnership with the universe. By tapping into the wisdom of tarot and other intuitive tools, Brigit reveals how we can manifest more meaningfully, authentically, and in alignment with our true desires. Whether you're seeking clarity in your desires or looking to build a deeper connection with your intuition, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on creating the life you truly want. Tune in for an inspiring chat about blending psychology, spirituality, and tarot to manifest your dreams.
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
I truly believe everyone has something unique to offer the Tarot world. If you’re a writer or artist or wise wanderer YOU have a unique perspective that will enrich this community. You can offer yet another bridge to self-understanding and inner illumination that no one else can.
It has been my great joy to sit with and press “record” on over 100 conversations with wisdom seekers of the world.
And then I met Mandy.
When I had a chance to review Mystic Storyteller: A Writer’s Guide to Using the Tarot for Creative Inspiration, I had a moment to myself where I said, “THIS is the book I wish I could have written!”
Truthfully, Mandy’s got the creds to speak thoroughly on tarot and writing. She has written over a dozen literary works and even has a couple pen names under her belt!
Well, if you can’t beat ‘em, join em! And we do just that here on Substack in our latest Archetypal Tarot Podcast.
I cannot even begin to describe how much this book offers writers, creatives and tarot enthusiasts alike. This book is CHOCK-FULL of guidance as Mandy takes you by the hand, weaving in her personal experience with the timeless wisdom of the tarot. If you’re like me, you might for the first time feel capable of writing that first great American novel!
Her book covers:
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Enhancing creativity.
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Strengthening writer’s intuition.
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Inspiring ideas and composition.
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Improving storytelling proficiency through building confidence and encouraging authenticity of voice and style.
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Nurturing rich character- and world-building practices.
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Elevating plot and scene development skills.
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Troubleshooting writer’s block.
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Supporting self-discovery and wellness routines.
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Mapping out a memoir.
The companion deck, illustrated by Roz Kazaz, is inspired by Rider-Waite-Smith but incorporates the modern visages and true diversity that reflect our world. Playfully, writing paraphernalia populates the tools of the tarot characters:
Mandy’s fundraising campaign reached full support since we recorded this podcast. If you would like updates on the book’s release, join Mandy’s mailing list here: https://www.haintbluecreative.com/books/mystic-storyteller
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
In this episode of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast, hosts Julienne Givot and Cyndera Quackenbush dive deep into the archetypes surrounding the current political landscape.
This podcast begins with an exploration of how the ancient Greek legend of Cassandra’s gift of foresight—and the accompanying curse of being disbelieved—resonates with recent political challenges. Julienne shares her own "Cassandra moments," reflecting on alarming agendas such as Project 2025, while emphasizing the need for collective action and community in the face of rising authoritarianism. With insights into the dynamics of modern democracy and the importance of staying engaged, this episode is not just a discussion but a rallying call for listeners to remain vigilant and connected.
Tune in for an enlightening conversation that blends mythology, politics, and the power of collective heroism!
Have you registered to vote? You can check that out in just 30 seconds here:
Saturday Aug 12, 2023
Saturday Aug 12, 2023
This podcast celebrates the beautiful blooming of the Rosebud Tarot, now available from Weiser Books! Cyndera interviews artist Amanda Lee Stilwell and writer/diviner Diana Rose Harper.
This deck depicts the glories of roses in their many forms along with vintage photographs collaged with sensuous altar imagery. Each card interpretation is introduced with an individualized poem that opens and expands the image translation (this podcast features Diana reading her poem from “The Star”). Tarot titles and suits are creatively re-imagined, busting old tarot restrictions to make both a queer and BIPOC-friendly deck.
In addition to deep discussions on process and collaboration details, this podcast also unveils powerful gardening magic such as intentional tools and the use of rose stems as protective wards.
After witnessing this playful deck and its creators, prepare to have your perspective of roses - and tarot - transformed.
Sunday Apr 23, 2023
Sunday Apr 23, 2023
Cyndera welcomes Melissa Townsend - artist, psychic and card creator - to her home in Suisun, California. Over tea, the two discuss the deep process of working with the philosophies of Putanjali through the creation of art work inspired by the yoga sutras. Townsend has dedicated a painting of her personal process to EVERY yoga sutra (Books 1-4). The work of the sutras and the art of Tarot are compared and contrasted. The vital nature of doing such deep artistic work in the age of AI is revealed.
Melissa's work can be purchased through her website at https://melissa-townsend.com
Melissa's Bio:
Melissa Townsend is an Artist, Author, Psychic & Astrologer, and lives in San Francisco with her husband and son.
She has been a practitioner of Yoga for over 35 years, and studied Sanskrit for over 15 years, now teaching the language to others. Melissa has also translated the Yoga Sutras, and has been creating paintings inspired by them since 2011. The paintings, translations, and commentary of the Yoga Sutras, Book One and Book Two, have been published in full-color, soft-bound books and as Meditation Cards.
You can also find Melissa on YouTube videos on Astrology and the Tarot. She has created a couple Tarot Decks including The Subtle Tarot.
The unifying force behind all of Melissa's work lie the age-old questions, the ones that push us onto the spiritual path, “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” All of this is a way to engage with each other, as we all ask and try to answer those questions.
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Monday Apr 03, 2023
The Rider-Waite-Smith deck has been known as the preeminent Tarot deck that first illustrated the entire Minor Arcana along with a re-imagining of the Major Arcana that has influenced hundreds of deck on the market today. This podcast interviews Weiser author and editor Judika Illes and researcher/artist/designer Kathryn Sky-Peck about their recently released Weiser Tarot that features Pamela "Pixie" Colman Smith's original line art with freshly watercolor painted cards. The Weiser Tarot presents a fresh face that embraces figures on a varying spectrum of skin tone and gender orientation. The creators' process with this landmark deck inspires all of us to come to this antiquated deck with fresh eyes and to "examine each card one by one, prior to considering the interpretations of others." The 78 pieces of art, originally drawn by Smith, "open our intuition and imagination to explore our hearts and minds" (Illes 2022).
More about Judika Illes:
Born in New York City, Judika Illes is a lifelong lover, student, and practitioner of the magickal arts. She is the author of numerous books devoted to magic spells, witchcraft, saints, spirits, and the paranormal including the best-selling Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells and Encyclopedia of Spirits. Her other books include Pure Magic: A Complete Course in Spellcasting, Magic When You Need It, Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, and Daily Magic, a perpetual calendar of spells, rituals, and feasts. Judika is also the curator of two books of occult fiction. Someday she will publish some occult fiction of her own. Judika is a certified aromatherapist and has been a professional tarot card reader since 1988. Judika has worked as an editor for Weiser Books since 2015. Before that, she worked for The Witches’ Almanac. She teaches about spell-casting and other topics in the US, internationally, and virtually. Her website is under construction, but Judika is easily found on-line at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJudikaIlles Instagram: @judikailles and Twitter: @JudikaIlles
More about Kathryn Sky-Peck:
Kathryn Sky-Peck has been a life-long student of the esoteric arts. Currently Creative Director at Red Wheel/Weiser, she has been with Weiser books off and on since 1981 when she first began working with the publisher. She is an award-winning poet, a fine artist, and—when the grace of youth allowed it—a modern dancer. She sees all these art forms interconnected, finding color and movement in words and music in poetry. She has been the sole proprietor of Sky Peck Design for the last 27 years, where she maintains a select group of clients, most notably The Witches Almanac and Ibis Press. In her role as book development director at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, she authored Who Has Seen the Wind? and The Poet’s Delay, both compilations of poetry based on the museum’s art collection. She loves the anonymity of being in the background, from where she’s had the honor to work with, support, and learn from some of the occult world’s best-known authors. Not on social media, she lives at the edge of a New England wood with her cat Milo.
Monday Feb 27, 2023
Monday Feb 27, 2023
The Tarot Lady, Theresa Reed, visits the Archetypal Tarot Podcast with tips on intuition and the power of free will. We discuss her book on Astrology and Tarot and how to overcome fears of "bad" charts or cards.
This episode begins with Theresa's own story - how she was in a slump with her career and was surprised to get a reading that she would one day run her own business. She has now been a successful tarot reader for over 30 years and author of many publications. This interview and book details how most of us need to "twist our fate" to best understand ourselves, bring our gifts to the world and thrive even when challenges in our charts arise. If you're curious or drawn to better utilizing tarot and astrology to guide your decision-making The Tarot Lady is the wise sister you've always wanted to listen to!
For video of this special interview, become a subscriber at archtypalstories.substack.com!
Saturday Apr 30, 2022
Saturday Apr 30, 2022
Monday Jan 31, 2022
Monday Jan 31, 2022
This episode we welcome back a long time friend of the podcast, Rashunda Tramble. (You might know her as Rash of Stay Woke Tarot). We recorded this late last year about her book: The Numinous Tarot Guide: A New Way to Read the Cards. If you don’t have a copy, well we highly recommend it. We discuss her book, reexamine tradition and unpack some gems found in The Hierophant card.
About Rash
Monday Jan 31, 2022
Monday Jan 31, 2022
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Website: chris-anne.com
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Instagram: @pixiecurio