Photo: Courtesy of Amethyst Astro Tarot
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
I was born in Istanbul in a Sephardic family (Ladino was the secret language for the adults so, unfortunately, I can’t speak this beautiful language…) and I lived there until I was 32 years old.
I have a BA in Economics and master’s certificate in Banking and Entrepreneurship. I worked in the banking sector for 10 years and my last position was the Head of Credits Department specialised in corporate banking. I did live in Italy, in the Netherlands and in 2013 I moved with my husband to Edinburgh, Scotland. I am still in Edinburgh living with my husband and 2 children. I love photography, learning new languages and reading.
Coming to Tarot and Astrology: I have a Tarot reading certificate from International Tarot Foundation (ITF) and I am mentoring in ITF. I am a member of TABI.
I am currently a Diploma student at the Faculty of Astrological Studies in London. I think that continuous studying and reading in these disciplines are essential. That’s why as cliché as it may sound, I would be a lifetime student. And I really like exploring and learning more while I offer my professional services in both.
What fascinates you the most about Tarot?
I feel that Tarot as a whole is a very deep divination method. It is not only cards, decks but the history that is to be explored is also fascinating. And looking at -what some people may think as ‘only cards’- these creative art pieces that do have substantial background and trying to understand the past and the present to be able to get some clues or give guidance about the future are really amazing.
Which Tarot Deck do you prefer to use for your readings?
I started reading with Rider Waite Smith centennial deck. However, I am very much amazed by Robert M. Place decks as well. In this regard, even though I am still in the learning process (to learn a deck completely takes a lot of time and effort in my opinion), I like using The Alchemical Tarot of Marseille by him, and I use The Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery by Place as well. And I do like the Jean Pierre Payen 1713 (TdM) recreation by Yves Reynaud, too. The number of decks I have and I use are not limited to these, but these are the ones I often read with.
Do you have a favourite card or a favourite card combination?
It is hard to tell if I really have a favourite card but I may tell that I like the cards like The Tower or 10 of Swords which are seen as challenging by some people because of the burning Tower, people falling down or a person on the floor stabbed from the back with 10 swords respectively. However, messages that are tried to be given through symbolism are more than what the depictions show. Why do I like them then? Because they go with ‘everything happens for a reason’ and ‘there is always sun after rain!’.
And as a spread, even though it might not be easy to read and weave, I like the Celtic Cross a lot. To give a brief explanation, I may say that with the Celtic Cross, we try to find answers for ongoing, complicated or long history events.
And what interests you the most about Astrology?
I believe that Astrology is a tool that helps us to put the pieces together in complicated jigsaw puzzles such as our natal charts. It is a strong guidance to answer a lot of ‘whys’ in our lives, why we were born and why we exist.
Is there a specific sign that has a special place in your heart?
Specific sign…I would say signs since I have great heart connection with people who have their Sun placed in Capricorn and Pisces. But may I ignore myself, ‘the Virgo’? No😊
How can we use Tarot and Astrology to improve our lives?
First of all, I have to tell that to use the guidance given through Astrology and Tarot in the right way is in the hands of the chart owners and sitters respectively as the final decision what to do with that guidance is in their hands.
How do we use them? As I explained in the 2nd question, most important thing in Tarot is to be able to perceive past and current conditions rather than trying to predict things.
And coming to Astrology, in terms of natal chart, it does help us to understand ourselves better with our strengths and less strong qualities to be improved. Coming to forecasting methods, it does help to grasp the opportunities or obstacles coming our ways and get prepared accordingly.
What are your wishes for the future?
My biggest wish is, together with my husband, to help and see my children grow with health as ‘good’ humans and to travel as much as I can with my family.
I think in terms of career both in Astrology and Tarot, my wishes are to be recognised for what I am doing and to be able to pass the information to others who are enthusiastic about these disciplines via mentoring.
Where can our readers find out more about the services you offer and how can they get in touch with you?
Please feel free to contact me via:
Website: https://amethystastrotarot.com/ (My blog and shop)
Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/amethystastrotarot/
e-mail address: tpastrotarot
Photos: Courtesy of Amethyst Astro Tarot
