Talkin’ Tarot With is a monthly feature designed to introduce my readers to different tarot readers from our wonderfully diverse community! Each month, I’ll be asking various tarot readers 3 questions about their tarot philosophy and style, plus pointing you to their websites and blogs so that you can learn more about them! I like to hand pick tarot readers that I feel are talented and interesting.
If I could pick one person that personifies Mother Earth, it would be Joanna Powell Colbert. I met Joanna about two years ago at the Readers Studio, where she was sitting behind a booth selling copies of her deck, The Gaian Tarot. I was intrigued with the deck but even more interested in learning about her.
And what I have learned about Joanna is that she is one of the most sincere and nurturing people on the planet. Her whole presence spells warmth. And this shows up very strongly in her deck. When you hold it in your hands, you can feel her love and spirit in every single card.
Joanna’s work as an artist, teacher, reader and leader of earth-centered spirituality brings a powerful vibe to the tarot community. It’s a gentle reminder that we are all here connected on this earth and we must take care of this planet – and each other.
Joanna Powell Colbert is an artist, writer, and teacher of tarot and earth-centered spirituality. The Gaian Tarot, nine years in the making, combines her love of archetypal art with the mysteries of Mama Gaia, the natural world. A Collector’s Edition is nearly sold out, and a mass market edition has just been published by Llewellyn. She teaches workshops and e-courses on earth-centered spirituality, manifesting your dreams, and tarot as a tool for inner guidance and self-exploration. Joanna lives in the woods outside Bellingham, Washington, where daily encounters with the mysteries of the natural world continue to inspire and inform her work.
Joanna’s tarot deck can be found at www.GaianTarot.com. The Gaian Tarot Circle site is a community of people who love the deck: www.GaianTarotCircle.com. Joanna blogs at www.GaianSoul.com, and she’s active on Facebook and Twitter.
The Gaian Tarot is going out on a Blog Deck & Book Tour during the month of September, and Joanna will be chronicling the tour on her Gaian Soul blog (http://www.GaianSoul.com), as well as on Facebook and Twitter. She is currently presenting an e-course on “Tarot Counseling for Self & Others” taught by her friend James Wells (http://www.GaianSoulGrove.com/jameswells-tarotcounseling/), and enrollment is open through midnight Monday, September 5th.
Joanna will traveling a lot this fall to support the release of the Gaian Tarot. She’ll be at the Traditions in Western Herbalism conference, vending and doing readings, in New Mexico mid-September. (http://www.traditionsinwesternherbalism.org/intro.html) She will also be presenting a couple of workshops with Carolyn Cushing in Easthampton, Massachusetts on October 1st and 2nd, (http://artofchangetarot.wordpress.com/2011/04/07/connecting-with-mama-gaia-a-day-of-retreat-reflection-and-sharing/) and then will host a Gaian Tarot Retreat with James Wells and Bev Haskins outside Toronto, Ontario on October 7-9. (http://www.gaiantarot.com/retreat/)
Check out Joanna’s answers to my questions below:
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1. What is your philosophy about tarot reading?
Joanna: It’s all about helping the seeker (querent or client or self) access her or his own inner wisdom. I always set sacred space before doing a reading, and I ask for divine guidance. I like having a conversation with the seeker. I don’t talk at the person. I want to talk with them, and ask them what they see in the cards. I help the seeker to create open-ended questions instead of closed, yes/no questions, at the start of a reading, as this leads to a richer experience.
I stay away from predictive readings except in a general weathervane sort of way. A prediction is often disempowering to the seeker. A person who seeks a prediction often really just wants reassurance about a troubling issue. We can create a question or series of questions that ask something like: If X happens, what is my best course of action? If Z happens, what’s my best course of action? Those questions are helpful and empowering.
2. How do you feel a client might get the most out of a reading with you?
Joanna: A client should have done a little prep work before the session by brainstorming questions he or she wants to ask. S/he should understand my style of tarot consulting and not ask for a predictive reading. S/he should ground and center before the reading, and be willing to be open to guidance and inspiration from his or her own Deep Self.
3. What is your best piece of advice for an aspiring tarot reader?
Joanna: Practice, practice, practice! 🙂 Practice reading every day, for yourself or for others. Turn up a card a day and watch for patterns. Dialogue with cards that turn up over and over again, in an active visualization, to find out the personal meaning the card has for you at this time. Keep a tarot journal, marking down epiphanies and revelations on your tarot journey. Take a class from a good teacher. Find tarot community online, or in person at some of the wonderful conferences and events we are so fortunate to have. Have fun!
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A heartfelt thanks to Joanna for taking the time of her crazy busy schedule to chat with me. And for those who are hesitating – go and purchase the Gaian Tarot. I’ll be reviewing it in a few weeks but here’s a preview: it is amazing!
Blessings!
Theresa
http://www.tarotmentor.com
© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011
I’m Theresa Reed (aka, The Tarot Lady). I’ve been a full-time tarot reader for 30+ years — which, in my industry, makes me pretty badass.
I’m definitely not your average Tarot expert — I drop the F-bomb, I quote rappers, and I’m obsessed with pop culture + reality TV. Folks come to me for straight-talk + tough-love — without the woo-woo fluff. 
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