The Archetypal Tarot Podcast explores the universal human patterns of the archetypes of the Tarot uncovering provocative mythology for the 21st century
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In this illuminating episode of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast , host Cyndera Quackenbush sits down with sustainability pioneer Jaimie Cloud, founder of the Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education , to explore how our ways of thinking shape the future of life on Earth. At the center of the conversation is Cloud’s lifelong journey: sparked by an experimental global education program in her youth and deepened through decades of observing planetary trends. Her new book, Response-Able: How to Liv...
Step into a world where knights, mottos, mythic beasts, and phoenixes rise again—and discover how Renaissance symbolism can illuminate your readings in entirely new ways with Tarot Emblemata: Decoding Magical Symbolism . On this episode of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast, Host Cyndera welcomes artist and deck creator Nitasia Roland for an enchanting conversation about (one of her) latest decks. Drawing from 16th-century French and Italian emblem books—particularly the 1551 collection curated by Cla...
In this illuminating return episode, host Cyndera Quackenbush welcomes back acclaimed astrologer and oracle creator Vicki Iskandar , author of the Chinese Five Elements Oracle , for a powerful deep dive into the 2026 Lunar New Year : the Year of the Fire Horse. Building on the subtle, behind-the-scenes revelations of the Wood Snake year, Vicki explains why 2026 marks a dramatic energetic shift—from hidden negotiations and inner reinvention to bold visibility, truth-telling, and action. The Fire ...
On New Year’s Day, Cyndera Quackenbush welcomes Julienne (Jules) Givot back to the Archetypal Tarot Podcast to revive a long-standing tradition: a collective archetypal and tarot reflection for the coming year. The episode serves as a contemplative portal blending tarot, archetypal psychology, lived experience, and cultural reflection after a difficult and grief-laden 2025. The core archetype drawn for the year is The Amateur, selected from the Identity Pursuit archetype board game (no longer in...
Host Cyndera Quackenbush sits down with artist and tarot reader, and creator of the Visionary Woman Tarot , Kristine Gorman. What unfolds is an intimate, wide-ranging conversation about intuition, healing, grief, and the courage it takes to live and create outside the norm. To see card images and video of this interview (releasing 12/22/25), head over to https://archetypalstories.substack.com/ Kristine shares the soulful origins of the Visionary Woman Tarot , a deck born not from trends or theme...
This episode of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast welcomes visionary artist, mystic, and deck creator Lalania Simone for an in-depth journey into her newest creation, the Wise Earth Medicine Tarot . This rich and heartfelt conversation explores how the timeless wisdom of the animal kingdom finds expression through tarot archetypes, becoming a living bridge between nature, spirit, and human experience. Host Cyndera’s desk, strewn with cards from Lalania’s decks, sets the tone: this is a celebration of...
What happens when you take the tarot apart—piece by piece—to see what it’s really made of? In this lively and thought-provoking conversation, host Cyndera Quackenbush sits down with artist, author, and tarot creator Jennifer Cooper Steidley to explore her innovative deck, Tarot Disassembled , and its companion guidebook . Born from an unexpected moment of inspiration (watching her young son take apart a sandwich!), Jennifer began to imagine what it would mean to “disassemble” the tarot—to pull a...
Step right up dear traveler! Jump into the shoes of an ancient ship’s stowaway and discover the landscapes of the Tarot firsthand with a visionary lens! In this episode of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast , host Cyndera Quackenbush welcomes artist and deck creator John A. Rice to discuss his 5-year visionary creation, the Mindscapes Tarot . Unlike traditional decks that spotlight human figures, the Mindscapes Tarot invites us into vast, symbolic landscapes—vivid oil pastel paintings that immerse the...
Even the most night-souled and moon worshipping amongst us sometimes just need to soak in the SUN and open to the gifts of warmth and light. In these last hours of late summer, step into the golden glow with this special episode of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast . Host Cyndera Quackenbush welcomes illustrator and mental healthcare worker Shannon Christie , whose radiant affirmation deck Sun-Steeped invites us to bring the warmth of golden hours into our daily lives. In their conversation, Shannon ...
This episode explores the profound symbolism of bees, channeled through "Our Lady of Bees," as a response to global chaos and division. Julienne Givot shares how this divine feminine presence encourages community, joyful activism, and finding strength in collective action, like bees swarming. The discussion emphasizes mutual support, patience, and creating a better world by choosing love, echoing through personal anecdotes from protests and a prayer for interconnectedness.
To close out Pride Month, this vibrant episode celebrates queer voices in tarot through the lens of Tarot in Other Words , a newly released anthology edited (and contributed to) by Cassandra Snow. In this intimate conversation, Cassandra shares the behind-the-scenes journey of curating this one-of-a-kind collection featuring personal, poetic, and powerful essays by leading queer tarot writers. This luminous episode offers a heartfelt exploration into queer tarot wisdom: ✨ How tarot offers radica...
Happy New Moon in Gemini! The Archetypal Tarot Podcast welcomes guest Laura Carbone, a Berlin-based musician, psychic medium, tarot reader and sound healer with Sicilian-German roots. In this soulful and illuminating conversation, Laura and Cyndera dive deep into the emotional landscapes we all carry—grief, repression, and the sacred work of reclaiming the voice. With a sampling of Laura’s healing sound work, this podcast explores the power of embodiment, the archetype of the Wounded Healer, and...
In this soulful and engaging episode, the Archetypal Tarot Podcast welcomes guest Kaity Craven about her “Moonflower Moments” practice with card readings. She invites us into the magical world of intuitive card reading — a journey that’s equal parts playful, profound, and occasionally butt-kicking (in the best way). With decks at the ready and intuition in the driver’s seat, Kaity, a card and nature-rhythm reader, shows how each card becomes a doorway into deeper questions, unexpected answers, a...
On this captivating episode of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast, host Cyndera engages in an intimate conversation with Romani guests Paulina Stevens and Jezmina Von Thiele. Together, they explore the powerful intersection of Romani heritage and the world of tarot, discussing their bold decision to publicly identify as fortune tellers—a choice that invites both recognition and backlash. Amidst the complexities of their journey, Paulina and Jezmina reveal how their activism intertwines with their prac...
In this thought-provoking episode of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast , hosts Julienne and Cyndera dive deep into the current climate of social and political upheaval, exploring how archetypes like the victim, warrior, and the strength of community can guide us through these chaotic times. Julienne Givot, original co-founder and Archetypal Tarot Podcast host, returns to discuss the pervasive victim archetype in modern culture, its disempowered and empowered expressions, and the healing potential tha...
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 ...
In this powerful and dynamic episode of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast , host Cyndera welcomes Stacey Williams-Ng, the visionary artist behind the Rhythm & Soul Tarot . This groundbreaking deck bridges the worlds of tarot and music, offering a unique and deeply spiritual perspective on both. Drawing from her Southern roots and a lifelong love for music, Stacey introduces us to a deck that channels the essence of four foundational American music genres—Blues, Jazz, Rock & Roll, and Country—...
In this engaging episode of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast, we meet Rachel White, a multifaceted creator who has bridged various spiritual practices. Rachel shares insights about her Totem Tarot deck, which reimagines traditional tarot archetypes with mythological figures as varied as Odin, Venus and Coyote. Rachel - who has a bit of the trickster humour herself - is lively, informed and wise. She gives the world a modern shamanistic approach that can navigate corporate conversations right along w...
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 T...
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 coll...
Join us on the Archetypal Tarot Podcast for an enchanting episode with Cyndera Quackenbush and special guest David DePasquale , the creative force behind the mesmerizing deck, The Storyteller’s Tarot . David, a seasoned animation art director and storyteller, delves into his latest tarot project, where mythology, history, and spirituality intertwine to craft a deck brimming with vibrant narratives from around the globe. Discover how David's deep-rooted passion for storytelling influenced the cre...
Celebrating our 100th episode of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast, Julienne Givot and I take a moment to reflect on our incredible journey over the past decade. It all began in a closet in San Francisco, where we embarked on a quest to explore archetypes and the Tarot, weaving together our personal stories and insights along the way. Throughout the years, our lives and the podcast have evolved, shaped by significant events such as the global pandemic which brought us back together. In this reunion, ...
This is a book about Tarot, and it will scratch every itching question that asks, “Can I really ask the cards that ?” Not only that, but this is a fiercely practical guide that will hold your hand as you face these questions. It will give you accessible understanding and WORDS in the face of life’s events that often rob us of speech. Plus, Theresa, aka the Tarot Lady, is just fun and comfortable to talk to. Her voice, as in all her books, comes through familiar and warm like a best friend. She s...
Your Archetypal Tarot Podcast Host, Cyndera Quackenbush here! After spending decades with the Tarot, I find myself still tapping all their mysteries and layers of interpretation. Here and there, the Lenormand started to tap at my window and I got curious what this divination system was all about. I got my first Lenormand deck years ago, and drew my first card (a practice I later learned was not suited to Lenormand readings). What card did I get? The Coffin. Not long after that the pandemic began...
This delightful dialogue with Kara Simons introduces her new book You Belong Here: A Story of Otherworldly Help in Finding My Place, which will launch its Kickstarter campaign on May 7th. Kara recounts her journey of breaking away from a restrictive and damaging belief system rooted in Mormon theology. Her experience of being torn away from deep family connections at a young age paved her path toward a direct connection with the other world. She found guidance from the forces and animals of natu...
For the Archetypal Tarot Podcast’s special Women’s History Month edition of the podcast, we’re featuring the art and interview of Rachel Phillips! Though her work doesn’t (yet) appear in the form of tarot decks or grimoires, Rachel’s creations tap into the communicative powers of photo manipulation and the magic that such manipulation has on our own reflections of time, ancestry and the journey of women as both the viewer and viewed. Rounding out the end of last year, Cyndera had the chance to g...
Archetypal Tarot is thrilled to release this latest podcast with guest Dr. Giavanni Washington about her new oracle deck, The Black Goddess Within . It was inspiring to meet a woman who has followed her ancestral wisdom and is blazing a powerful path of healing through conversation and connection through the imagery and words of her oracle. This deck, for Every Body, features photographs of real woman embodying the goddesses of Africa in its many territories and elements (beautifully bedecked by...
The Chinese 5 Elements Oracle is a deck to accompany you in the adventure that is and will be 2024, and also in the new cycle we find ourselves according to Chinese Metaphysics. 2024 launches “the Age of 9” which is the last cycle of the 180-year great cycle of the Nine Periods. It is said to bring back a rise in Yin Energy, ruled by the Fire trigram Li which is associated with spirituality and middle aged women (never been so excited to turn 40 this year!!) The Lunar New Year itself will welcom...
If you were to walk a Tarot path and see each familiar card, Major and Minor, with a recognizable human face, you will have stumbled onto the Unfolding Path universe! In this interview, Athene and Cyndera discuss spiritual belief and creation as well as how she makes the tarot images tangible and relatable in an intuitive way. Athene shares her journey with us, which in turn becomes a tool that can welcome communication with the beyond to inform our own paths. The imagery included in this deck f...
This newly released oracle deck was created by artist Carrie Paris and writer Tina Hardt. The Beloved Dead invites us into conversation with ancestor archetypes and spirit guides. Pictures of the past from both known and unknown sources help to shed light on unconscious patterns unfolding in our daily lives. This rich conversation between Tina and Cyndera unveils how this Oracle deck came to be (it started with a picture!) and how the collaboration between Tina and Carrie blossomed (it started w...
