Even those unfamiliar with Tarot will likely feel unsettled by cards like Death or The Devil in a reading. The archetypes depicted in these cards are deeply ingrained in the collective consciousness of almost every human, resonating across cultures and time. They tap into primal fears and universal themes, making them impactful even for those who have never encountered Tarot.

During readings, Seekers (and some Readers) often shudder at the appearance of The Devil, and it’s quite understandable; the horns, wings, talons, chains, fire—almost every corner of the Waite-Smith’s depiction of Lucifer is unsettling. But there is an intention to his appearance, of course: he is meant to stand out. Think of him as an early adopter of all things counter-culture, and, more recently, a staple of the early 2000s mall scene: Hot Topic.

My husband and I watch quite a bit of cooking content at home. Whether it’s America’s Test Kitchen, any of the hundreds of Gordon Ramsay shows, quirky Claire Saffitz’s YouTube channel, or the plethora of videos produced by New York Times Cooking, all of these content creators share an interesting disdain for one technique usually tethered to the world of desserts: tempering.

When I started Page of Cups Tarot in May of 2022, I didn’t realize how much of a gratifying challenge it would be. Whether it be offering my services all over the San Francisco Bay Area, hosting Instagram Live Readings, contributing to others' creative endeavors, writing my own thoughts here on this blog, conducting digital readings through Etsy, hosting Tarot meet-ups, working events at colleges, parties, and launch events, taking on mentees, or simply conducting an in-person reading, I’ve started to get a better understanding of how Tarot should continue to express itself in my life.

When I started Page of Cups Tarot in May of 2022, I didn’t realize how much of a gratifying challenge it would be. Whether it be offering my services all over the San Francisco Bay Area, hosting Instagram Live Readings, contributing to others' creative endeavors, writing my own thoughts here on this blog, conducting digital readings through Etsy, hosting Tarot meet-ups, working events at colleges, parties, and launch events, taking on mentees, or simply conducting an in-person reading, I’ve started to get a better understanding of how Tarot should continue to express itself in my life.

There’s nothing that quite slices through the fog quite as quickly as Justice (XI) does when it pops up in a reading. Justice is impartial and unbiased, readily encouraging the querent to welcome their analytical side.