Pause, Perspective & the Wisdom of Surrender

In this episode of This Ain’t Fortune Telling, Clo is joined by Victoria to explore one of the most misunderstood, and often resisted, cards in the tarot: The Hanged Man.

This archetype doesn’t ask for action.
It asks for something much harder:

A pause.

Together, Clo and Victoria unpack the symbolism of The Hanged Man, including the upside-down perspective, the sense of suspension, and the quiet clarity that can emerge when we stop trying to force movement. This card isn’t about being stuck or punished, it’s about stepping out of patterns long enough to see something differently.

The conversation moves into real-life application, exploring what it feels like when life slows down unexpectedly, when clarity doesn’t come on demand, and when the only real option is to sit with what is.

Through teaching, reflection, and a live reading, this episode invites listeners to reconsider their relationship with waiting, surrender, and the discomfort of not knowing what comes next.

As always, tarot here isn’t about predicting the future, it’s about understanding the moment you’re in so you can meet it with more awareness.

• The symbolism and imagery of The Hanged Man
• Why this card represents perspective, not punishment
• The difference between being stuck and being in a meaningful pause
• Resistance to slowing down in a productivity-driven world
• How perspective shifts often require stillness
• What surrender actually looks like in real life
• The emotional experience of uncertainty and waiting
• How to work with periods of suspension instead of fighting them

• The Hanged Man represents perspective gained through pause
• Not all stillness is stagnation — some of it is necessary
• Surrender is not giving up — it’s allowing clarity to emerge
• Growth doesn’t always come through action
• Resistance often makes a pause feel longer than it is
• A shift in perspective can change everything
• Waiting can be productive when it creates awareness
• Not knowing is part of the process, not a failure of it
• The Hanged Man invites us to stop forcing and start seeing

This episode includes a live tarot reading exploring what it means to be in a “paused” phase of life and how to work with that space instead of trying to escape it.

• Where in your life are you being asked to pause — even if you don’t want to?
• What might become clearer if you stopped trying to force an answer?

Host of This Ain’t Fortune Telling
Tarot for clarity, not prediction

🌐 https://thisaintfortunetelling.com
Read the blog, book a reading, or explore current offerings

Looking for Victoria? You can reach her here at Taurus Moon Tarot 514-793-3906

If this episode resonated, share it with someone who’s in a season of waiting, and consider leaving a review to help others find the show.

Until next time, trust what’s showing up, and pull with intention.

A Panel Conversation

In this episode of This Ain’t Fortune Telling, Clo brings together a small panel of tarot readers and tarot-curious humans for an honest conversation about the cards. What draws us to them, what frustrates us, and what still confuses us.

Joining Clo for this roundtable discussion are Tara, Meaghan, and Sabrina, bringing a mix of seasoned experience and fresh perspective to the table.

Together, they talk about how people first find tarot, the role intuition plays in reading the cards, and the many ways tarot can support self-discovery and personal growth. The conversation also touches on common misconceptions, frustrations within tarot culture, and the tension between structured learning and intuitive interpretation.

Along the way, the panel explores topics that often spark debate in the tarot community, from reversals and symbolism to the impact of social media and the evolving language around the cards.

At its heart, this episode is about curiosity. Tarot isn’t presented here as a fixed system or a set of rules to master, but as a reflective tool that helps people understand themselves, their patterns, and their choices more clearly.

• How people first discover tarot and what draws them in
• The role of intuition in reading the cards
• Why tarot decks and imagery can resonate differently with each reader
• The joy — and challenge — of reading for others
• Frustrations within tarot culture and common misunderstandings
• Reversals, structured meanings, and intuitive interpretation
• The influence of social media on tarot practice
• Doubt, skepticism, and evolving relationships with the cards
• Gendering and language within tarot symbolism
• Tarot as a mirror for personal growth and self-reflection

• Tarot can be a powerful tool for reflection and self-discovery
• Intuition often develops through practice and curiosity
• Different readers approach tarot in very different ways
• Tarot culture can be inspiring, but also complicated
• Social media has changed how people learn and share tarot
• Doubt and skepticism are a natural part of the learning process
• The cards can open conversations about identity, archetypes, and symbolism
• Tarot is less about predicting the future and more about understanding the present

Host of This Ain’t Fortune Telling
Tarot for clarity, not prediction.

🌐 https://thisaintfortunetelling.com
Read the blog, book a reading, or explore current offerings through the website.

TaraT.Inspire@gmail.com

If this episode resonated, share it with someone who’s tarot-curious and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.

Until next time:
trust what’s showing up, and pull with intention.

Fate, Choice, and the Truth We Can’t Avoid

In this episode of This Ain’t Fortune Telling, Clo is joined by guest host Meaghan for a conversation about two tarot archetypes that tend to make people squirm: The Wheel of Fortune and Justice.

Together, these cards ask one of the most uncomfortable, and liberating, questions we face as humans:
What is life putting into motion, and what part do I play in what happens next?

This episode explores the tension between what we can’t control and what we absolutely can. The Wheel reminds us that life moves in cycles, seasons, and timing that don’t always ask our permission. Justice reminds us that our choices, actions, and patterns still carry weight, and eventually, truth asks to be acknowledged.

Through grounded conversation and real-life reflection, Clo and Meaghan unpack how these cards show up in readings, in relationships, and in the everyday decisions that quietly shape our lives. They talk about accountability without shame, surrender without passivity, and why accepting consequences can actually bring more clarity and freedom.

As always, tarot here isn’t about predicting what’s going to happen — it’s about understanding what’s happening now so you can meet it consciously.

• The Wheel of Fortune as cycles, timing, and movement beyond our control
• Justice as accountability, truth, and natural consequence
• Why these cards often feel confronting in readings
• The emotional reality of facing our role in our own stories
• How to hold the tension between surrender and responsibility
• Letting life move while still making intentional choices
• Why accountability isn’t punishment — it’s clarity
• How awareness of our patterns supports better decisions
• What it means to accept outcomes and move forward

• Life moves in cycles whether we’re ready or not
• We can’t control everything but we always have choices
• Every decision carries consequences, both supportive and challenging
• Accountability creates momentum and clarity
• Surrender and responsibility can coexist
• Emotional honesty helps us make aligned decisions
• Justice doesn’t punish, it balances
• Growth comes from acknowledging our role in our own lives
• Accepting outcomes is part of living consciously
• Awareness turns reaction into choice

Clo — Tarot Reader & Host of This Ain’t Fortune Telling
Tarot for clarity, not prediction.
🌐 https://thisaintfortunetelling.com
Read the blog, book a reading, or explore current offerings through the website.

Meaghan — Guest Host

Somatic Sexologist & Intimacy Coach

Meaghan’s contact info:

somaticaintimacycoaching.ca

venusianwomb.com

If this episode resonated, share it with someone navigating a turning point, and consider leaving a review so the show can reach the people who need it most.

Wisdom, Solitude, and the Light You Carry

In this episode of This Ain’t Fortune Telling, Claudine (Clo) is joined by Victoria for a deep, thoughtful exploration of The Hermit.

Together, they unpack the symbolism of The Hermit, moving beyond the idea of isolation and into the card’s true medicine: wisdom, introspection, and inner guidance. This conversation invites listeners to slow down, turn inward, and notice what becomes available when we stop searching for answers outside ourselves.

The episode also explores why so many of us resist solitude, how journaling and reflection support self-discovery, and how to recognize the difference between healthy withdrawal and avoidance. Through a live tarot reading, Clo and Victoria illustrate how The Hermit often appears during periods of recalibration. Moments when life is asking us to pause, listen, and reconnect with our own lived wisdom.

Importantly, this episode reframes solitude as something that can coexist with community, creativity, and support, reminding listeners that going inward doesn’t mean going alone.

• The symbolism and deeper meaning of The Hermit card
• Why The Hermit invites slowing down rather than disengaging
• How inner guidance differs from external validation
• Resistance to solitude and the fear of self-discovery
• Journaling as a tool for reflection and clarity
• The difference between restorative solitude and avoidance
• Why The Hermit often appears during major life recalibrations
• The role of community support during introspective phases
• How creativity can emerge in quiet, reflective seasons

• The Hermit symbolizes wisdom, perspective, and inner guidance
• Solitude can be a powerful catalyst for personal growth
• Journaling supports deeper self-reflection and clarity
• Resistance to Hermit energy often comes from fear of what we might find
• The Hermit invites us to slow down and listen inward
• Healthy solitude restores; avoidance drains — awareness matters
• This card often shows up when life needs recalibration
• Community and solitude are not opposites — both are necessary
• Creativity often flourishes during introspective periods
• The Hermit encourages us to trust our lived experience

This episode includes a live tarot reading that explores how The Hermit can guide us in understanding our purpose, honouring quiet seasons, and recognizing the support available to us, even when the work feels inward.

Claudine (Clo)

• 🌐 Website: https://thisaintfortunetelling.com
• 📝 Blog, calendar, and offerings available on the website
• 🔮 Book readings and one-on-one work directly through the site

Looking for Victoria? You can reach her via text at Taurus Moon Tarot - 514-893-6906

If this episode resonated, consider following the show, sharing it with someone who’s in a reflective season, or leaving a review to help others find it.

Until next time —
trust what’s showing up, and pull with intention. 🃏✨

Momentum and Mastery on the Fool’s Journey

In this episode of This Ain’t Fortune Telling, Claudine (Clo) is joined by guest Meaghan for a grounded, embodied exploration of two powerful tarot archetypes: The Chariot and Strength.

Together, these cards explore what it really means to move forward/. Not through force or hustle, but through intention, self-awareness, and nervous system regulation. This conversation reframes momentum as something that must be sustainable, and strength as something rooted in presence rather than control.

Through teaching, real-life application, and a live tarot reading, this episode invites listeners to examine how they make decisions, how they relate to discomfort, and how curiosity can soften fear during times of transition.

As always, tarot here isn’t about predicting the future. It’s about understanding the energy you’re working with so you can choose how you meet it.

In This Episode, We Explore:

Tarot as a tool for clarity, not prediction

The Chariot as agency, direction, and conscious choice

Strength as inner authority and emotional regulation

Why movement without regulation leads to burnout

How hustle culture clashes with nervous system needs

What it means to choose a path and release other options

Why curiosity can ease fear of the unknown

The importance of acknowledging emotions rather than suppressing them

How self-awareness supports meaningful personal growth

Key Takeaways

Tarot clarifies energy, not fate

The Chariot represents agency and the responsibility of choice

Strength teaches presence, regulation, and inner steadiness

Sustainable growth requires intention, not force

Hustle culture often ignores the body’s limits

Choosing one path means letting others go

Curiosity is a powerful ally during transitions

Emotional experiences are meant to be felt, not bypassed

Regulation comes from staying present with discomfort

Self-awareness is essential when navigating change

Live Reading Highlight

This episode includes a live tarot reading focused on moving forward with confidence — offering insight into how to balance direction with emotional capacity during moments of uncertainty and transition.

Keywords

Tarot, The Chariot, Strength, Self-Discovery, Intimacy, Somatic Sexology, Emotional Regulation, Decision Making, Nervous System, Personal Growth

Sound Bites

“Tarot clarifies energy, not fate.”

“Choosing a path means letting other options go.”

“Curiosity is a powerful tool for growth.”

Connect & Learn More

Claudine (Clo) — Host

Website: https://thisaintfortunetelling.com

Blog, calendar, and offerings: available on the website

Readings & one-on-one work: book directly through the site

Support the work: Buy Me a Coffee (linked on the website)

Meaghan — Guest

Somatic Sexologist & Intimacy Coach

Meaghan’s contact info:

somaticaintimacycoaching.ca

venusianwomb.com

Choosing Your Truth Without Abandoning Your Values

In this episode of This Ain’t Fortune Telling, Clo is joined by guest host Tara for a grounded, honest conversation about two powerful archetypes in the Fool’s Journey: The Hierophant and The Lovers.

Together, these cards ask some of the biggest questions we face as we grow:

• Who taught you what’s “right”?
• Which beliefs did you inherit without choosing?
• And how do you choose alignment without betraying your values — or yourself?

This episode explores the tension between tradition and choice, external authority and inner truth, and what it really means to live with integrity.

• The Hierophant as tradition, belief systems, and inherited rules
• The Lovers as conscious choice, alignment, and values-based decisions
• How family, culture, religion, and “shoulds” shape our lives
• Why The Lovers is not about romance — but about integrity
• The difference between honoring tradition and staying stuck
• How to choose yourself without burning everything down

Clo and Tara bring these archetypes into real life through honest reflection, lived experience, and grounded conversation.

This episode includes a live tarot reading in response to the listener question:

“I feel torn between what I was taught is right and what I know I want.
How do I make this decision without betraying myself or others?”

The reading focuses on clarity, self-trust, and aligned decision-making — without prediction or pressure.

You can honor where you came from without living there forever.
This isn’t about rebellion — it’s about integrity.

• 🌐 Website: https://thisaintfortunetelling.com
• 🎧 Patreon & extended episodes: https://www.patreon.com/ThisAintFortuneTelling

• TaraT.inspire@gmail.com

If this episode resonated, consider:

• Following the podcast
• Sharing it with someone navigating a big decision
• Leaving a review to help others find the show

Until next time —
Trust what’s showing up.
Pull with intention. 🃏✨

Before we rush into a new year, this episode invites you to pause.

After revisiting the opening arc of This Ain’t Fortune Telling, from The Fool’s leap to the polarity of intuition and structure, Clo reflects on what 2025 truly asked of us and how those lessons shape the year ahead.

This is not a prediction episode.
It’s a grounding, reflective conversation about participation, choice, and meeting your life with intention.

You’ll be guided through a powerful New Year tarot spread designed to help you release what no longer belongs to you and orient yourself toward 2026 with clarity, not pressure.

• A reflective look back at Episodes 1–4 and the archetypal themes they introduced
• What 2025 revealed beneath the surface — energetically and emotionally
• Why the New Year isn’t a “clean slate” (and why that’s a relief)
• A 5-card New Year Orientation tarot spread
• How to work with tarot as a practice instead of a prediction tool
• A reframing of intention, participation, and choice for 2026

You can pull this spread anytime — now, later, or seasonally throughout the year.

1. What 2025 is leaving me with
2. What I’m ready to release from 2025
3. The core theme of 2026
4. How to work with this energy
5. What wants to grow in 2026

✨ Extended interpretations and journaling prompts are available on Patreon.

In the extended version, Clo:

• Pulls her own cards for 2026 using the same spread
• Explores the collective archetypal energy of the year ahead
• Shares guidance on how to revisit this spread throughout 2026
• Offers deeper teaching on using tarot as an ongoing reflective practice

This space is slower, more nuanced, and designed for those who want to go deeper with the cards.

“What am I being asked to participate in right now — and what am I no longer meant to carry?”

Return to this question whenever you pull cards this year.

If this episode resonated with you:

• Follow This Ain’t Fortune Telling on your podcast app
• Leave a review or rating
• Share this episode with someone who might need it

To access extended episodes, tarot spreads, journaling prompts, and behind-the-scenes teachings, join us on Patreon.

👉 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThisAintFortuneTelling
👉 Website: https://thisaintfortunetelling.com
👉 Email: claudinelascelle@hotmail.com

This isn’t about predicting your future.
It’s about choosing how you meet it.

Trust what’s showing up.
Pull with intention.

And let the cards support your clarity — not replace it.

Episode 4 — The Emperor & The Empress (with Victoria)

Come for the tarot, stay for the truth.

In this episode of This Ain’t Fortune Telling, Clo and co-host Victoria sit down with two of the most talked-about archetypes in the deck: The Emperor and The Empress. We look at how these cards show up as structure vs. softness, boundaries vs. nourishment, strategy vs. creativity—and why you actually need both energies to build a life that feels solid and alive.

We talk about patriarchy, parent wounds, over-giving, control freak tendencies, and what it really looks like to “be in your power” without steamrolling yourself or anyone else. If you’ve ever felt like you’re either doing too much or not enough… this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen & follow the podcast
Follow, rate, and review This Ain’t Fortune Telling wherever you listen. It helps more people find the show.

🌙 Join us on Patreon
Want the extended Emperor & Empress convo, extra prompts, and monthly collective readings?

• Tier 1 – The Curious Fool: Early access + monthly collective pull
• Tier 2 – The Tarot Coven: Extended episodes, extra teachings, spread library & monthly raffle for a free reading
• Tier 3 – The High Priestess’ Table: Deeper dives, seasonal rituals, quarterly live circles & more

👉 Join the coven on Patreon: patreon.com/thisaintfortunetelling

☕ Buy Clo a coffee
If the show has supported you and you want to say thank you in a simple way:
buymeacoffee.com/thisaintfortunetelling

🌐 Website
Show notes, updates, and more about Clo’s readings & coaching:
https://thisaintfortunetelling.com

📩 Get in touch / book a reading
Questions, feedback, story for the show, or want to book a reading?
Email Clo at claudine@thisaintfortunetelling.com

Looking for Victoria? You can reach her via text at Taurus Moon Tarot - 514-893-6906

If this episode hits home, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s learning to balance power and softness. And if you want to go deeper with The Emperor & The Empress in your own life, you’ll love this month’s Patreon extras.