The Phoenix Letter
Reflections, Readings, and Resonance
Why This Blog Exists
One of the main reasons I created this blog is simple I want you to get to know me. I believe that who you work with is just as important as the services they provide. Beyond the titles and credentials, there is always a person with a story, values, and experiences that shape how they show up in their work. This space is where I will share those parts of myself with you. My goal is to let you see the heart behind the practice, the lessons I am learning along the way, and the perspectives that guide me. From time to time, I may invite others to write here as well, but for the most part this blog will be my own reflections and insights.
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How I Became a Tarot and Oracle Reader
My journey into Tarot and Oracle reading started back in high school. Early in a long-term relationship, I was given a reading by my partner’s mother. I still remember how powerful that experience was. It felt like more than just cards it was a glimpse into truth, reflection, and clarity. Over the years I often asked her for another reading. She never did, and while I was not devastated, I was always a little disappointed, because I knew how strong her gift was.
Years after that relationship ended, I received word that she had passed away. This news was difficult to process. I had been close with that family we ate at the same table, shared the same home at times, and built memories together. She was almost like another mother to me, and her passing felt deeply personal. What struck me most was that I sensed it before I even heard the news.
Not long after her death, something shifted. I woke up with a certainty I had not felt before: I wanted to be a reader. It was as if she had left me a gift, awakening something that had already been quietly forming within me. From there, I began practicing with family and friends. The more I practiced, the more natural it became.
Eventually, I worked with a hotline to offer readings, but I quickly realized how much of the value was being taken from the readers themselves. That was when I decided to step out on my own, building my practice independently and connecting directly with those who sought guidance.
For me, Tarot and Oracle reading is not just about interpreting cards it is about carrying forward a gift that was passed to me in a very real way. It is about honoring where it came from and using it to offer insight, clarity, and healing to others.
The Illuminated Tarot
The first deck I really learned from was The Illuminated Tarot by Caitlin Keegan. It is a 53-card deck designed for both divination and gameplay, but what struck me about it was how familiar it felt. The deck is based on playing cards, which was meaningful because the very first reading I ever received came from someone using playing cards.
At the time, I did not realize this was cartomancy the art of reading with playing cards. Later, when I picked up The Illuminated Tarot, I realized that my first real deck mirrored the same tradition I had been introduced to years earlier. Although cartomancy is not necessarily my specialty, it felt like a full-circle moment to begin with a deck that blended tarot, oracle, and playing card traditions.
A Reading from The Illuminated Tarot
For this reading, I pulled the 10 of Diamonds.
The image shows a couple standing together, gazing out over a small town or city. Visually, this spoke to me immediately as a relationship reading. And as always with readings, I encourage you to take what resonates and leave the rest.
What I see here is the challenge of conflicting schedules. One person working in the day, another at night, and the result is that you may be missing each other both literally and emotionally.
Traditionally, the 10 of Diamonds points toward wealth, success, and financial stability. It is a card of abundance and prosperity, a sign that hard work is paying off. However, the flip side of this energy is the reminder that financial security does not replace love and connection. Yes, success is important, but if the pursuit of money pulls you away from your relationship, it may create strain.
This card also carries a subtle warning: be mindful of your environment and who you are letting into your circle. The people you surround yourself with can directly impact your stability, both financially and emotionally.
The 10 of Diamonds suggests that this is a season of financial growth and opportunity, but balance is needed. Pay attention to your relationships as much as your money, and do not let one cancel out the other. Find ways to align your schedules, even if only in small ways, so that love and connection stay just as steady as your success
Stone of the Week: Tiger’s Eye
Tiger’s Eye is known for its golden-brown bands and shimmering surface, long celebrated as a stone of strength, clarity, and protection. Traditionally, it is carried for courage, focus, grounding, and prosperity.
Spiritually, Tiger’s Eye is also a stone of balance, harmonizing the practical with the spiritual, and helping us stay steady in times of stress. Many consider it a stone of luck and empowerment, which is why it remains so popular.
But there is something deeper about Tiger’s Eye that I do not hear spoken about often. In my own practice, Tiger’s Eye has revealed itself as a stone of ancestral connection. For me, it serves as a bridge to remembering and honoring my ancestors. Its golden threads feel like ties to those who came before me, carrying their wisdom forward.
That is why Tiger’s Eye is one of my favorites. It is not only protective and empowering it is also a reminder that we are never alone on our path.
Closing Thoughts
That’s all for this week’s reflections, readings, and stone wisdom. Before I sign off, I want to leave you with something different to check out a beat I made. Music has always been another creative outlet for me, and before I stepped more fully into the world of therapy, coaching, and readings, I was a beatmaker and producer. That is a whole story within itself, and one I will share more about in future posts. For now, consider this a small window into another side of my journey.
Until next time, stay grounded, stay open, and remember the journey is just as important as the destination.
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