Insight into the past, present and future

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n Atlantis Eclectic Boutique on Euclid Avenue sits a table in the back corner. Decorated in dark blue, ivy and vines, the shop’s decor takes place in an underwater realm. At the shop, you can pick up anything from rare items, local artist’s artwork, incense, jewelry, henna and tarot card readings.

Tarot Card reading is a skill that is shrouded in mystery and sensationalism. Sitting down with Stacey Cohen, the skill of tarot cards and esotericism are brought to light.

Operating solely on weekends, Stacey Cohen offers the henna body art and tarot card sessions.

Tarot are playing cards that have been used since the mid-15th century, and since the 18th century, they have been used in divination, occultist and mystic settings. The practice of giving tarot readings exists in a broad world where they are also used to facilitate a mental or spiritual pathway.

Cohen considers herself a jack of trades in the healing arts.

Q: How did you find tarot?

COHEN: Well, I am a visual artist. Right now my art is henna. I was a commercial illustrator full time for over 16 years before I switched professions. I’m now a licensed therapist with my private practice. I do spiritual life coaching where more esoterics and meditation can be involved — the “weirder” stuff, one might say. I also do Reiki and soon will be getting my masters level certificate.

I started tarot at my friend’s kitchen table; and one day, she brings over these circle cards. It’s actually the Mother Peace deck, which is the deck that I still use. She asked me to read my cards and we just had fun. I started free styling and whatever would come into my mind, I would say. Then I started taking it seriously.

Q: How did you get started working at a table in Atlantis?

COHEN: Well, when I went into Atlantis it was to get my work sold on consignment, and I just became friends with the owners. One summer when I was searching for a new job, I needed a way to make some money. They set me up outside with a table where I did my henna art and tarot. When the second part of Atlantis was expanded, I moved inside the temple area in the back corner. It had AC and everything. It was great. I work weekends. Saturdays are the staple.

I work on Fridays and Sundays as well. It’s steady and I love it, so I don’t see it as work. It’s so much fun. I figured, why don’t I use my skills? I come from the burner culture, so radical self reliance is something i hold dear to my heart. I thought, why not?

Q: Is there a specialty that you have doing readings? Any specific philosophy?

COHEN: I consider myself a positive reader. When I do a reading, I am doing it for the greater good. With the information that comes through, it’s getting put towards that person and their spiritual growth. Even if the growth is painful, that’s not a bad thing. If it’s challenging for the person to hear, it’s challenging for a spiritual guidance and I consider it positive. I’m not doing it for any intent except to guide.

Q: How familiar is tarot card reading to things like the occult?

COHEN: Well, I don’t really hang out with those people. I know enough about it to know that it’s not for me. I would consider it using that energy and that information for one’s own benefit. That’s for dark artists. I’m doing it as a service, not for me.

Q: How accurate is it? Is it “fortune telling?”

COHEN: Well in many ways, it can be misconstrued as such. I’ve been asked if I’m a palm reader and I always try to draw a line between what I do and “fortune telling.” I have a friend in California I share readings with, and it affirms the reading all the more when he comes back and says how on point it is.

Q: What do you technically do physically when you read tarot cards?

COHEN: Oh, you’re talking about the spreads. Well, when I first started I did the classic three card outline, where each card is drawn and it represents the past, the present and the future. There are all kinds of different spreads and shapes to do to represent all types of questions and paths.

For me, I intuitively go about how many cards to put down. I usually put down three and then once I feel I’ve extracted enough information, I’ll put down more and create rows of three. If our conversation reaches new boundaries and the topic is changing, I will finish the reading and redraw tarot.

Q: Is there an inherent ideology related to tarot card reading? Like paganism?

COHEN: There are so many different ways to practice tarot and so many belief systems that one can have; there isn’t any one specifically for tarot. There are so many different types of cards and so many types of readers. There are certain decks that are customized for paganism and themes that coexist, but I don’t necessarily consider myself a pagan.

Q: What is the difference to you between religious higher level and a mystical higher level?

COHEN: You know like in evangelical churches people will claim that others “caught the holy spirit?” And the whole talking in tongues? It’s all different lingo and different beliefs, but it’s all tapping into the same thing. No matter the label, it’s all the same source, at least to me anyway.

Q: You are also a therapist. How close is what you discuss during your readings to your therapy sessions?

COHEN: I keep a box of tissues near the table. Sometimes what we talk about can be too intense, and they can’t really process it except to cry. People cry minimally once every week at my readings, I’m used to it at all my jobs. However, I actively keep my tarot readings away from my private practice clients.

Q: Do you have any tips or advice for people who either want to get readings done or want to learn how to give readings?

COHEN: Because I rely solely on intuition as my guide, I encourage others to be empowered by trusting their intuition. When they are choosing their deck and they really like it, go for it. If they think they have a natural understanding of the images and what is being talked about, go with it.

I go with my intuition. I go with my gut. Any time I’ve doubted my intuition is a time I’ve gotten myself in trouble.

As far as getting readings done, if you sit down with someone and they have a bad vibe and it wasn’t someone you’d want to go get coffee with, don’t do it. You won’t be getting a good read. Intuition should be used both ways.

All of Cohen’s sessions offered at Atlantis are paid in measurements of by the minute. At fusionartstudio.wordpress.com, the prices are mapped out.

What is Tarot?

There are different descriptions and different uses for tarot. Self-described witches use it, spiritual spirits use it, mystics use it and curious people use it. For each use and drive, there are many different tarot decks to choose from.

“I’m a healthy skeptic,” Cohen said. “I really enjoy studying metaphysics and esoterics but I have also been like, ‘ok, this person is just trying to get your money.’ They are completely full of it.”

“I’m still a skeptic,” she continued. “However, [I] have gone to a few fairs and met people that have hit it completely out of the ballpark. I do believe there are people who have the gift and then people who are greedy and feeding off people’s desire to know about their life.”

No matter the usage, the design of tarot is all about guiding.

“There are many ways to tap into universal information. The cards are one way. The cards are a tool. The cards are a bridge,” Cohen said.

How Tarot works

There are two types of levels within the deck, Major and Minor Arcana. The suits that are largely imagery, such as ‘The Lovers’ or ‘Death’ are Major Arcana. Minor Arcana are numbered tarot with suits such as pentacles and swords. Using this image, certain themes and life challenges are inspired and a dialogue is set up with the reader and the client.

“I use the symbols on the cards as a springboard for the reading. Wands can mean things like passion [or] direction. Swords can be conflict or protection. Cups are emotions and the psychology of the person,” Cohen said. “When I pull the death card out, I make sure to let them know that it doesn’t mean that they are going to die. I do not get that information. It can be really positive. It implies resurrection or resurgence.”

There are numerous ways to go about reading tarot. The client comes with a question, sits and sees what happens, or they experience both.

“If you want to start with a general state of the union and then maybe some questions will come up. Generally people want to see where the cards go,” Cohen said.