My Journey
Ever since I can remember, I felt like I didn’t understand this World. It baffled me.
To say I felt different was an understatement.
Since it seemed that my way of being in the world was not the norm, I tried to fit in.
And so it went.
Even when I started my photography business in 1995, I tried to stay within the lines to keep others happy with my work.
I had moments where I wanted to be free from all the restraints, but I didn’t see how I could pull that off.
Then, in 2007, my son was born, and my life changed dramatically.
I enjoyed every single minute with him. We were always off having adventures.
His entrance brought me so much joy, play, and an opportunity to experience life through the eyes of a child. He was the first human being I felt truly “got me” and completely understood.
My son’s presence woke me up from a deep sleep.
I quickly gravitated towards the magical, the spiritual, and the edges... the stuff that I had always loved and dabbled in but had been scared to fully step into.
I found a Network Chiropractor’s office “for my son”. But really, it was for me. I loved that the Network practice focused on energy instead of physical manipulation.
I simply could not get enough books and conversations about Energy work, Shamanism, Astrology, and related topics.
So I did a year-long mentorship with a Shaman. I became a Reiki Master. I took Astrology classes, and then more, and then master classes. And, I started playing around with Tarot.
One day, a friend asked me for advice on his relationship. I happened to have opinions about this relationship and knew I couldn’t provide unbiased guidance. But the cards could. He loved the Tarot read and wanted to refer me to his friend. So, I did another read and another, etc.
Apparently, it was time to truly learn Tarot.
A wonderful friend and Tarot teacher constructed a class for me, and I couldn’t get enough. After finishing her class, I immediately began creating a Tarot Deck using my photography. This has been an unbelievably transformative experience. If needed, the Tarot would provide me with the experience from a particular card while I was creating or writing about it. I am simply amazed by the Tarot and my continual journey within it. Tarot is a Truth teller and, believe me, it will hold you to it.
Back when I was learning Reiki, I realized it was based on systems and components that related to a person’s Astrology/Natal chart. I now saw how Tarot lived within the Astrological and Energetic fields, providing a deeper look and a more transformative experience.
In 2020, when everyone was at home during COVID, I decided to offer a new service. I did distance Reiki, Tarot, and Astrology all in one session. I would start with Tarot so my client could meditate on the cards during our distant Reiki session. Then, after the energy work, I would weave the Astrology, the Reiki session, and the Tarot reading together to produce a more magical and informative experience.
Just like photography, my esoteric practices keep evolving.
I’ve started teaching Astrology and I am about to teach my first Tarot class. My Tarot deck is getting printed, and my Tarot book is almost complete. And, I’m constantly finding new teachers.
This is truly a wormhole for me. There is no end, and that makes me tremendously happy.
I have taken my practices into my photography sessions with tremendous results.
For me, life is not about putting things in different compartments. It is about incorporating it all.
My spiritual life is not separate from the rest of my life.
It is all one.
And everything and everybody I encounter is my teacher. Always.
Much love,
Stephanie
My teachers: Lynda Boozer, Marie Manuchehri, Meredith Swaim, Sabrina Monarch, Paul Selig and The Guides, MoonZoulMagic, Dave Clark, Tom Kenyon, and Ginger Bayley