My fav tarot readers & astrologers
Even ballers need guidance sometimes
When I was a professional tarot reader, this was *the* time of year people booked me. The reason was simple: people had time. Time to party, time to be hungover, time to reflect, time to dream, time to freak-the-fuck-out. The onslaught of self-improvement rhetoric this time of year propels many of us to turn to tarot or astrology, secretly hoping it’ll make us feel more in control. Bless us. It’s very human behaviour.
Although I’m no longer a practicing tarot reader (except for one-off special events like this) I will never stop telling you what to do. Today my instruction is simple: please for the love of god be selective about who you choose to trust with your precious time, energy and money. Discernment is your friend when booking a reading. Be street-smart. There are plenty of scammers, idiots and manipulators out there using tools like tarot to play God and fuck you up. To receive a reading from someone is to put yourself in an innately vulnerable position, there’s no way around it, and many practitioners do not respect the inherent power they have access to over the client.
Your gut is your best ally when considering who to consult with. A recommendation from your least-desperate, most stable friend is probably decent. Anyone who makes you feel confused, high, or dependent on their answers is probably not to be trusted. No reader is a saviour. No reading should promise certainty. At their best, readings are really productive conversations, not lectures from a self-proclaimed guru. A skilled reader can help you feel genuinely seen and articulated. Ideally, this experience helps you see yourself and your choices more clearly, so you can engage with life honestly and confidently. When your outlook feels grey or scattered, the visual and archetypal aids of tarot and astrology can help bring more colour and connection to your worldview. As corny as it sounds, my favourite readings were always the ones where the querent told me they felt less isolated, more open to experimentation, and freer to be (and back) themselves.
Having said all that - here are some recommendations.
Five Good Tarot Readers:
Polly Staniford is a Sydney-based tarot reader and filmmaker who I recommend to anyone local wanting an in-person reading. I saw her in 2024 for a very emotionally resonant tarot reading; my first in several years. I felt in good hands with her. She also makes delicious tea blends.
Natalie Labriola is a US-based tarot reader (and very skilled astrologer) who I’m lucky to know. Her book Tarot: Timeless Secrets of Ancient Mirror was published in the UK last year and a US edition is forthcoming. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. Her substack, Born at the Right Time, rules.
Liliana Perez is a US-based spirit artist and medium who describes herself as a first-generation Xicana indigena, cosmic channel, and artist. Her tarot readings are one of a kind.
Kayle Karbowski is a US-based artist and facilitator who works with astrology, tarot, and plant medicine. In 2019 she founded Other Dust, a psychospiritual consultancy and technoapothecary focusing on developing intuition and reclaiming interdependence in an age of disconnection. She’s bloody wonderful.
Rashunda Tramble is a Switzerland-based writer, tarot reader, and author of The Numinous Tarot Guide: A New Way to Read the Cards. I love the way she writes and speaks about the cards.
Five Good Astrologers:
Maliea Croy is a Los Angeles based astrologer and therapist offering readings and therapeutic astrology intensives to clients on zoom. Her perspective is practical, informed, and endlessly interesting. I especially recommend Maliea’s work if you are an artist, performer or have any kind of dedicated creative practice that you want support with. She has a cool website, weekly podcast and bang-for-buck patreon.
Jules Ferrari is a NSW-based astrologer and writer who has read the charts of my whole family. Her yearly forecasts in RUSSH magazine, as well as her workshops and newly-launched podcast, are excellent. I especially recommend Jules to any parents who want to (respectfully) look at their child’s birth chart.
Grace Tebble is a Sydney-based astrologer with incredible wisdom and style. I consulted Grace when I was in the middle of writing Magic Words. Her interpretation of the birth chart of this project was completely inspiring and instructive to my completion of it. Her cosmic playlists are also great fun.
Luzie-Selene Lonsdale is a Melbourne-based traditional astrologer drawing from Hellenistic and Vedic astrology. Her astrology writings are some of the best I’ve read.
David Odyssey a US-based writer, astrologer and magician. He is the former astrology columnist for NYLON and hosts a fab astro podcast. I like his vibe.
And for the girls who would rather read for themselves than talk to another human being (respect!) here are Five Good Tarot Books:
78 Degrees of Wisdom - Rachel Pollack
Tarot for Change - Jessica Dore
Tarot - The Library of Esoterica
The Creative Tarot - Jessica Crispin
Tarot for Your Self - Mary K Greer
Happy 2025!