Talkin' Tarot With Koneta Bailey

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.

A few years ago, at a tarot conference, I got a little tap on the shoulder. When I turned around, I was face to face with the sweetest smile on earth. That smile belonged to Koneta Bailey of New Paths Tarot. I had been following Koneta on Twitter and other social media platforms so it was great to finally get to meet her in person.

What I love about Koneta is that she is quietly prolific. No big, blazing “look at me” horn tooting – just a dedicated tarot practitioner, blogging away without any fanfare. And oh what a lovely blog (I consider it one of the most underrated tarot blogs by the way)! Every few days, Koneta posts a “Card By Card” post where she dissects a randomly drawn card down to the bone. Each post is illustrated with different tarot images, giving the reader an in depth and multi layered look at the card. This is a great way for beginners to gently develop their skills and for seasoned pros to expand their knowledge.

She’s taking all her tarot knowledge a step further and is currently working on a tarot deck and companion book with her husband, Bob. From what I can see on her blog, this book is going to be one worth waiting for.

Koneta has a lot to share with tarot lovers of all stripes. If you haven’t checked her work out, I suggest you do. In my opinion, Koneta is like the still waters of tarot – she runs very deep.

You can find her blog at: New Paths Tarot

Email her at Koneta@newpathstarot.com

Follow her on Twitter @KonetaB

Check out her answers to my questions below:

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What is your philosophy about tarot readings?
Koneta: First and foremost, I believe that Tarot is a tool. A tool for personal exploration and discovery; a tool that can allow each of us a glimpse into our own soul enabling us to peer through the window of our psyche to better understand who we are, and why we make the decisions we do. But, maybe more importantly, the Tarot is a tool that can help us strengthen our intuitive abilities, whether we are reading for ourselves or others
A Tarot reading should shed light on your situation and answer questions, but it should also reveal more questions to explore, suggest options you may not have already thought of, and offer advice for the best possible outcome.

How do you feel a client might get the most out of a reading with you?
Koneta: As cliché as it might sound, Honesty is the best policy, and keeping an open mind. I find that a reading works best when these aspects are present on both sides of the “reading table”. Also, be as specific as possible in your query without the fear of judgment or a betrayal, and rest assured that anything discussed or revealed in a reading is totally confidential.

What is your best piece of advice for an aspiring tarot reader?
Koneta: The first thing I would advise is to find a deck that speaks to you on some level. A deck that evokes thoughts and feelings within you just by looking at the images; A deck that speaks to you on some level and that you feel a connection with. Once you have chosen your deck study it, learn it, practice with it. When I first began studying the Tarot, I kept a journal, and I still use it to this day. Pull a card each day if you can and enter your impressions in your journal. It does not matter what time of day you choose to do this, whatever works best for you. Use as many sources available to you to study that daily card.

I find the best journal is one that you make or design for yourself. This isn’t as complicated as you might think. My journal is a sturdy hard cover note book that I didn’t particularly care for the cover design, but the book itself was otherwise perfect. So, with my computer, printer and some full sheet label paper, I made a custom fit cover.

Most importantly have fun. Yes, I believe reading Tarot is a serious endeavor, but you can still have fun. As with anything, If you enjoy what you’re doing, the better you will be at it. Being a Tarot reader is no different.
Above all, Happy Tarot’ing and May Your Tarot Journey Always be Enchanted.

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Many thanks to Koneta for making time for this little chat. Get to know her better at New Paths Tarot

Blessings!

Theresa