Death and Resurrection As Muse: Stirring Your Creativity in Times of Crisis with Tarot’s Forgotten Iconography, Symbolism and Storytelling Power with Laetitia Barbier
Why isn’t the Death card the last in Tarot? Is the Devil card about damnation or irreverence? Explore these questions in a month-long journey through Tarot’s major arcana. Delve into the history, symbolism, and evolving archetypes of each card, from the 15th century to today. Through parlor games, journaling, and creative projects, students will reimagine the cards, culminating in a unique artwork. Uncover the timeless allure of Tarot and reignite your imagination.
This class is taught through Morbid Anatomy. Purchase tickets on their website here.
Tarot Office Hours: Tokens of Power: The Symbolism of Scepters, Staffs, and Wands in Tarot
In the Tarot, many figures hold scepters, staffs, and wands—but what are they really holding? Why do some raise them, point them, or yield with these symbolic objects? Join Laetitia for Tokens of Power: The Symbolism of Scepters, Staffs, and Wands in Tarot a literary exploration of the symbolic gestures in tarot. We will delve into the deeper meanings of authority, power, and surrender through these objects. Whether lifted in command or lowered in acceptance, they guide us through moments of leadership, manifestation, and personal transformation. What stories do they tell, and how do they shape the journeys we undertake?
This special event is free for Patreon subscribers. To become a member of our community, join here.
Tarot Office Hours: The Devil’s Holiday: Krampus, Saint Nicholas, and the Balance of Power
To celebrate Krampus Nacht, and the devilish Krampus descending from the mountains to collect the naughty kids in his basket, we’ll explore the duality of the Pope and the Devil in the context of the Saint Nicholas and Devil tradition. Together, we’ll perform a special tarot spread to honor the Night of a Thousand Horned Ones, tapping into the powerful symbolism of this ancient, dark celebration.
This special event is free for Patreon subscribers. To become a member of our community, join here.
FREE EVENT: Elements: Book Release Celebration and Conversation with Author Stephen Ellcock
Join us for an afternoon with acclaimed author and image alchemist Stephen Ellcock as we celebrate the release of his new book, Elements, on October 17, 2024. This visually stunning work explores the elemental forces that have inspired thinkers and artists for centuries. Drawing from ancient philosophies and Eastern traditions, Ellcock curates a journey through earth, water, air, fire, and aether, blending modern and historical imagery. The event includes a conversation with the author on humanity’s connection to nature in times of crisis.
RSVP to this FREE event here.
Brooklyn: In-Person Tarot Reading at Quimby's Bookstore NYC
Join Laetitia for a 30-minute reading session on Saturday, November 9 and December 7, as she shuffles her cards in the intimate Tarot room at the wonderful Quimby’s in Brooklyn! She will provide an in-depth Tarot card reading tailored to your needs and the queries you seek counseling for. Try to arrive 10 minutes early; it's a great opportunity to explore their magnificent shop!
Quimby’s Bookstore is located at 536 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Schedule a reading here.
FREE EVENT: Astro-Black Mythology: An Introduction to Sun Ra with Dr. Marques Redd
Sun Ra (1914-1993) is a visionary jazz musician, poet, and prophet. Join Dr. Marques Redd as he provides an entrée into his work through an analysis of what he calls “astro-black mythology.” We will explore his innovative fusion of Egyptology, musicology, dance, religion, astronomy, physics, and much more. Sun Ra aimed to tie humanity back to that which we had originally been one, the entire sweep of the cosmos, and we will aim to understand how we can push forward his vision.
RSVP to this FREE event here.
Tarot Office Hours: The Feast Of Fools: Saturnalia's and the spirit of Madness
Step into the wild and joyful world of "Revelry of the Fool," where we embrace the spirit of Saturnalia and the Tarot’s Fool in a night of chaotic celebration. In true Saturnalian fashion, we’ll explore how, during this time, the tables turn on social norms, celebrating freedom, spontaneity, and the unpredictability of life. Join us for a feast of folly, where the Fool guides us through laughter, revelry, and the liberating power of breaking from routine and convention. Expect a night of surprises, joy, and unrestrained playfulness!
This special event is free for Patreon subscribers. To become a member of our community, join here.
The Suit of Swords in the Tarot: Winter & the Warm Embrace of Death with laetitia Barbier - College of Psychic Studies
In this 2-part online workshop, we'll study the suit of swords and its connection to Winter Solstice - what's hiding under the ice. If the suit is traditionally associated with the intellect and the rational mind, it has a quality that the other suits don't present: sarcasm and a dark, sweet and weird sense of humor. Pushing us to define our values and our taboos, the suit of swords is a lot less bleak and a lot more human that it appears.
This online class will be taught through College of Psychic Studies. Purchase tickets here.
FREE IN-PERSON CLASS: At the Gate of Janus: Creating Meaningful New Years Intention - Tarot After School with Spooksvilla + Friends
Join Laetitia for the third session a series of special evening Tarot classes at the hallucinatory palace that is Spooksvilla + Friends, in the East Village of NYC. In this session, we’ll pay homage to Janus, gates, and passages, traditionally depicted with two faces, one looking forward, the other backward. Guardian of transition between pas and future, we’ll invoke his assistance for setting meaningful intentions for the upcoming year. Through a set of didactic exercises designed to help us reflect on the past year, we’ll identify our desires, and create a roadmap for the year to come.
RSVP to this FREE in-person event here.
The Art of Tarot Journaling: Archetypal Introspection and Self Exploration for a Daily Practice, with Laetitia Barbier
Unlock the power of Tarot journaling in this transformative three-week course. Move beyond traditional divination and explore Tarot as an introspective tool through art, psychology, and holistic practices. Engage in practical exercises like free associations, automatic writing, and dream analysis. Learn to craft a personal Tarot methodology and create a syncretic calendar to celebrate your unique traditions. Reconnect with your humanity and discover hidden aspects of yourself through daily, playful acts of journaling.
This class is taught through Morbid Anatomy. Purchase tickets from their website here.
FREE IN-PERSON CLASS: The Phoenix Egg: Embracing Seasonal Rebirth - Tarot After School with Spooksvilla + Friends
Join Laetitia for the fourth session a series of special evening Tarot classes at the hallucinatory palace that is Spooksvilla + Friends, in the East Village of NYC. The equinox marks the moment when the hours of daylight overtake the darkness of winter. It’s a time of revitalization. We fight to fill our lungs with new energy, shed old ways, and plant seeds for growth. In this class, we will discuss how to incorporate the Tarot to make the most of this seasonal shift.
RSVP for this FREE in-person event here.
The Suit of Cups in the Tarot: Spring & the Language of Imagination with Laetitia Barbier, College of Psychic Studies
In this 2-part online workshop, we'll study the suit of cups, its connection to the spring equinox, the iconography of renewal, and the infinite emotional variations these cards conjure, from Lucas Cranach to Gaston Bachelard, Heraclitus to Melusine. Through iconographic examples, parlour games and discussions, we'll study the narrative arch of the suit of cups and how to read these cards in the context of a reading or for more meditative pursuit.
This online class is taught through the College of Psychic Studies. You can purchase tickets here.
Tarot Office Hours: Bibliomancy Reading
Join us for a free reading session where Laetitia will use Joris-Karl Huysmans' A Rebours as an unconventional tool for fortune-telling. Drawing inspiration from this decadent masterpiece, Laetitia will offer readings that delve into the surreal and symbolic layers of the book, unveiling unexpected insights while guiding participants through the enigmatic world of Huysmans’ work. Each reading promises to seamlessly blend literature and divination in a truly extraordinary way.
This special event is free for Patreon subscribers. To become a member of our community, join here.
Tarot Talk Show, with host James Ferrera & special guest Thea Wirsching
Tarot Talk Show is back and proudly welcomes Thea Wirsching, "The Pluto Babe," creator of The American Renaissance Tarot, when she joins host James Ferrera from James Jude Tarot as he pulls cards from her deck to guide their conversation.
This special event is free for Patreon subscribers. To become a member of our community, join here.
Brooklyn: In-Person Tarot Reading at Quimby's Bookstore NYC
Join Laetitia for a 30-minute reading session on Saturday, November 9 and December 7, as she shuffles her cards in the intimate Tarot room at the wonderful Quimby’s in Brooklyn! She will provide an in-depth Tarot card reading tailored to your needs and the queries you seek counseling for. Try to arrive 10 minutes early; it's a great opportunity to explore their magnificent shop!
Quimby’s Bookstore is located at 536 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Schedule a reading here.
FRENCHTOWN NJ: FREE IN-PERSON TAROT SESSION AT ARTYARD, WITH THE CARNIVAL OF THE END OF THE WORLD TAROT
Join Laetitia Barbier for a reading session as she’ll be shuffling cards from Kahn + Selesnick’s Carnival at the End of the World Tarot deck in ArtYard’s Laboratory Gallery. She’ll provide 10-minute readings, which will be tailored around you, your needs, and the query with which you need counseling.
Reservations for readings are necessary. Subscribe to the Artyard newsletter to know more!
Tarot Office Hours: Honoring Our Dead: A Live Altar
This November 1st, as we celebrate the "thinning of the veil," guests are invited to a deeply reflective event to honor those they have lost. In this sacred time of remembrance, we will come together to evoke the life of a person we have lost—whether a family member, an ancestor, or someone who inspired us. Through the sharing of stories, memories, and personal reflections, we will create a collective shrine that celebrates the lives of those we wish to memorialize. This act of honoring invites healing, connection, and a moment to hold the dead close in our hearts during this poignant time of reflection.
This special event is free for Patreon subscribers. To become a member of our community, join here.
FREE EVENT: Occult Eye - A Conversation with LA Publisher Bibliomancers
Join us for a discussion with LA Publisher Bibliomancers to discuss their new release, Occult Eye, and the creative process behind their library of curatorial work.
Follow Astraleyes on Instagram
Follow Bibliomancers on Instagram
RSVP to this FREE event here.
FREE: Mortimer and the Witches: A History of Nineteenth-Century Fortune Tellers with Author Marie Carter
Join Marie Carter as she discusses her new book, Mortimer and the Witches: A History of Nineteenth-Century Fortune Tellers, published by Fordham University Press. The book explores Mortimer Thomson's 1857 articles on fortune tellers of Broome Street, later compiled as The Witches of New York. Carter will delve into the inspiration behind her book, 19th-century fortune-telling practices, the struggles of working women, and Thomson's unique biography.
RSVP to this FREE online event here.
Tarot Office Hours: Surrealist Tarot - An Exquisite Corpse Experiment
Join us for a special Tarot Office Hours, where we’ll dive into the dreamscapes of surrealism and tarot. Together, we’ll conduct a "Cadavre Exquis Tarot Experiment", crafting a collaborative spread that unfolds like a surrealist story—layer by layer, card by card—unlocking unexpected insights through the magic of collective imagination.
This special event is free for Patreon subscribers. To become a member of our community, join here.
FREE IN-PERSON CLASS: Tarot Grammar: Understanding the Language of the Cards - Tarot After School with Spooksvilla + Friends
Join Laetitia for the first session a series of special evening Tarot classes at the hallucinatory palace that is Spooksvilla + Friends, in the East Village of NYC. In these classes, we’ll deconstruct the mystique of classic Tarot topics and approach them practically, exploring how to let our intuition guide us with spontaneity. For our autumnal opus, we will explore the idea of Tarot Grammar.
RSVP for this FREE event here.
Tarot as a Shrine: Inviting the Dead into the Reading Space, with Laetitia Barbier
Can we find wisdom through our connection to the departed with the help of the cards? If Tarot can serve as a soundboard for introspective work or esoteric meditation, the arcana can also help us reestablish a dialogue with the gatekeepers of our past. This two-part class will cover shrine-centric ancestral worship throughout history, discuss the concept of ancestry beyond the tight parameters of bloodlines and DNA tests, explore the importance of creating space and time for such practice, and discover how the image-based language of tarot offers an ideal framework to start this conversation.
Purchase tickets for this class here.
Paris: In-Person Reading Cards at Belladone Antiques, September 28
Join Laetitia at Belladone Antiques in Marché Dauphine for a special day of readings that conjure the world of the Wunderkammer.
For these upcoming sessions, Laetitia offers you a choice: either a classic tarot reading or a unique Cabinet of Curiosity Tarot spread. In this special spread, each card is inspired by a meticulously curated artifact, inviting you to deep introspection and discovery. From taxidermy fish to memento mori, convex mirrors to astronomical globes, we’ll explore our inner strength, confront the impermanence of existence, befriend our monstrosity, and celebrate our uniqueness.
These sessions are scheduled for Saturday, September 28. Further details will be provided a few days before.
Paris: In-Person Tarot Readings In The Cave - Saturday, September 21st
Join Laetitia for a one-hour reading session on Saturday, September 21st, as she conducts her Tarot card readings in the private museum of artist David Sphaeros. Immerse yourself in an in-depth session with Laetitia, where she tailors the reading to your individual needs and the specific questions you seek guidance on.
Embracing a collaborative and conversational style, Laetitia ensures you have the space, voice, and guidance necessary to clearly comprehend the messages from the cards. Reservations are required. Please select your preferred time from the options listed below.
London: Tarot Card Symbols in Conversation with Laetitia Barbier - In-Person at Treadwell's Bookshop and Event Centre
Join us for an extraordinary evening at Treadwell's with Laetitia Barbier, a world-renowned expert on tarot imagery with a B.A. in Art History from the Sorbonne. In conversation with Christina Oakley Harrington, Laetitia will explore the strangest stories in tarot art history. The event includes a drinks party with complimentary wine and access to our vintage tarot exhibition. Don't miss the chance to have your copy of Laetitia's acclaimed book, Tarot Divination Cards: A Visual Archive, signed.
Purchase tickets to this event here.
London: Reading Tarot Like A Surrealist - In Person Class at the College of Psychic Studies
From its beginning in the 1920s, the surrealist movement championed artistic exploration through methods such as free association, automatic writing, and exquisite corpses - collective drawing and texts made without knowing others' contributions. Inspired by psychoanalysis, the surrealists used playfulness, group exercises, and the quest for liminal states to subvert their own predictability and free themselves from the constraints of the rational mind. Surprises, accidents, and reveries brought to the surface the inarticulate visions of the subconscious mind and unlocked the doors of self-discovery.
In this in-person workshop, we will work in the same way, using tarot as an intuitive and introspective tool that guides us to rekindle our own imagination. What better way to tap into the source of our subconscious than to play the bizarre games invented during the surrealist movement? Come along, and let's have some surreal fun with the cards.
The class will take place in the College of Psychic Studies, London. You can find more info HERE.
London: Arcane Intuition: Refining our Intuitive Edge with the Tarot - In-Person Class @ College of Psychic Studies
Join Laetitia in the legendary College of Psychic Studies in London! In this four hour class, we'll explore several practical exercises using the tarot to reconnect with our own instincts, employing strategies ranging from our creative drive and liminal experiences to archetypal invocation. Through use and practice, much like flexing a muscle, the flow of intuitive insights strengthens and becomes more accessible, enriching our perspectives with a sense of depth and assisting us in our development.
Tickets and infos via THIS LINK
London - In person Tarot Reading at the College of Psychic Studies
Join Laetitia on Friday September 13 as she’ll be shuffling her cards back for the first time a the legendary College of Psychic Studies! Laetitia will provide an in depth Tarot card reading, which will be tailored around you, your needs and the query you need counseling with. Reading sessions are extremely limited; you can find then HERE.
FREE ONLINE EVENT - Past Life Regression: Into The Fertile Void with Hypnotherapist and Daniel Ryan
Tuesday, September 10th
6pm - 7pm EDT
Admission: FREE - Donation accepted.
Join hypnotherapist and past life regression specialist Daniel Ryan for a 60-minute immersive workshop, offering an introduction to The Fertile Void: Transpersonal Psychology, Hypnosis, and Past Life Regression, the upcoming course he will co-facilitate with Jeff Greenberg, beginning on September 15th.
Following a brief presentation, participants will engage in a group, past life regression practice, with a focus on exploring the concept of the fertile void. Together, we will delve into the ineffable, sharing our most refined interpretations of this profound experience. This session offers a glimpse into the transformative material that will be covered in greater depth during the course.
To join the event, click on this link.
The Picture of Dorian Gray Bibliomancy
This Saturday in the Secret Tarot Clubhouse, I’ll be doing free decadent bibliomancy using Oscar Wilde’s Picture of Dorian Gray. Everyone will get a short fortune aphorism and the interpretation by yours truly.
Interested in joining? Become a member here.
The Fertile Void: Transpersonal Psychology, Hypnosis, and Past Life Regression, with Daniel Ryan and Jeff Greenberg
Join Daniel Ryan and Jeff Greenberg for "The Fertile Void: Transpersonal Psychology, Hypnosis, and Past Life Regression," an innovative and experiential course that bridges traditional psychology with spiritual exploration. This course delves into transpersonal psychology, focusing on the fertile void—a space for potential growth and renewal. This journey of self-discovery and awakening integrates ancient wisdom with modern therapeutic techniques, offering profound insights and practical tools for holistic well-being.
Tickets available for purchase here.
Locking Eyes with the Sphinx: An Archetypal Meditation in the Symbolist Manor of Painter Gustave Moreau, with Laetitia Barbier
Step into the dream fortress of Gustave Moreau in this imaginative meditation class, where we'll explore the famed 19th-century French painter's house-studio in Paris. Known for his mystical and intricate works, Moreau's home serves as a sanctuary for mythology and imagination. As we tour each room in our minds—from the mundane dining salon to the light-filled painting studio—we'll encounter allegorical inhabitants like pagan gods and mythical creatures.
Tickets for this virtual event are available for purchase here.
Prophetic Bestiary: Animal Power, Symbolism and Mythical Teaching In the Tarot, with Laetitia Barbier
Rewild your Tarot eye with Laetitia, as she guides you on a cross-cultural journey through the realms of beasts, chimeras, and theriomorphic gods. Explore archetypal animality across various card divination systems. Through the study of iconography, engaging in practical exercises, and immersive meditation, we will discover new configurations to reignite a more instinctual approach to Tarot. A perfect melange of theory and practice, this class will definitely fan the flames of your untamed spirit.
Tarot Office Hours: Marcel Belline & Mage Edmond
Marcel Belline, renowned as a French seer, astrologer, and cartomancer, is prominently associated with the Oracle Belline and the Grand Tarot Belline. These two decks, attributed to the 19th-century Magus Mage Edmond, were originally published by Grimaud in the 1960s. While immensely popular in France for decades, they remain relatively obscure in the United States. In this session of Tarot Office Hours, Laetitia will delve into the intriguing history of Marcel Belline, Mage Edmond, and their enduring legacy in the world of tarot and divination.
Artomancy: Leonora Carrington
This transformative class uses visual art for self-discovery, exploring an artist's world each session through games, journaling, Tarot, and creative tasks. Over four months and eight sessions, it merges introspection with art, fostering a sacred bond with creativity and imagination, and revealing deep insights into our inner selves.
This session will be dedicated to Leonora Carrington- We’ll look at mystical monsters, rituals and Nature as seer.
FRENCHTOWN NJ: FREE IN-PERSON TAROT SESSION AT ARTYARD, WITH THE CARNIVAL OF THE END OF THE WORLD TAROT
Join Laetitia Barbier for a reading session as she’ll be shuffling cards from Kahn + Selesnick’s Carnival at the End of the World Tarot deck in ArtYard’s Laboratory Gallery. She’ll provide 10-minute readings, which will be tailored around you, your needs, and the query with which you need counseling.
Reservations for readings are necessary. Subscribe to the Artyard newsletter to know more!
Bookclub: Last Love in Constantinople, hosted by Brian Johnson
Our special book club meeting around Milorad Pavic's Last Love in Constantinople will be held on Wednesday, August 7, at 6 PM EDT.
Brian has kindly offered to host the event, and I'll be there to overshare my love for this superbly strange novel. In preparation for our discussion, Brian will provide a few questions and prompts to guide our conversation about the book.
We encourage all participants to read the book beforehand. You can of course buy a copy but also read it for free HERE. However, we welcome your attendance even if you haven't finished it. Your presence and insights will enrich our discussion.
FREE EVENT: Photosensitive - A Conversation With Bea Nettles, Creator of The Iconic 1970 Mountain Dream Tarot
In 1970, Bea Nettles began creating the Mountain Dream Tarot, considered the first fully realized photographic tarot deck. Teaching photography at the Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, she spent five years meticulously crafting each card using the Appalachian Mountains as a backdrop, finding inspiration from her family and artist friends. The original deck is now owned by the Beinecke Library, Yale University.
In this event, Bea will be in conversation with Laetitia, and showcase a curated selection of her beautiful images, exploring the stories behind each portrait and the technical challenges she faced while staging, printing, and even sewing the cards.
Tarot Twins: Working with Doppelgangers, Mirror Images, and Dual Realities in the Cards, with Laetitia Barbier
Discover the hidden connections within the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot in this engaging two-session class. We'll explore the twin phenomena among the 78 arcana, examining how uncanny resemblances and abstract bridges create pairs that resonate with deeper meanings. Through stories from art, legends, and fiction, and practical exercises, you'll learn to identify and interpret these tarot twins, uncovering their intricate relationships.
Tickets available for purchase here.
New York: In-Person Readings at Spooksvilla + Friends
Join Laetitia for a 30-minute reading session on Saturday, July 6 and August 3rd, as she shuffles her cards in the low-key Psychedelic Temple of the Lower East Side, Spooksvilla + Friends! She will provide an in-depth Tarot card reading tailored to your needs and the queries you seek counseling for.
Laetitia adopts a collaborative and conversational approach, offering you space, voice, and guidance to clearly interpret the messages from the cards. Reservations are required. To make a reservastion click HERE.
Artomancy II: Buster Keaton
This transformative class uses visual art for self-discovery, exploring an artist's world each session through games, journaling, Tarot, and creative tasks. Over four months and eight sessions, it merges introspection with art, fostering a sacred bond with creativity and imagination, and revealing deep insights into our inner selves.
This session will be dedicated to Buster Keaton- We’ll look at physical and non-verbal communication, the Underdog Archetype and comedic relief.
Confession of a Diviner: Madame Pamita
Join Laetitia for an interview of Ukrainian diaspora witch, Tarot reader and artist Madame Pamita for a Our first guest will be Ukrainian diaspora witch and Tarot reader and owner on Madame Pamita’s Parlour of Wonders. We’ll talk about her experience integrating her Ukrainian origins, folk magic traditions into contemporary practices and bridging between ancient wisdom and modern spirituality.