I recently met Natalia Benson at an event, a Los Angeles–based tarot and astrological expert who I was instantly intrigued by, because I love everything having to do with tarot and astrology. True to her astrological assortment (Aries sun sign, Capricorn ascendant, Sagittarius moon), she finds inspiration from a number of creative outlets, including running her namesake jewelry company and deejaying under the name Ninth Child, along with having a monthly astrology column on WhoWhoWear. Make sure to follow Benson on Instagram for monthly inspiration and astral insights; you can also book an astrology or tarot reading with her as I did.
After an incredible private reading at her home, I turned the cards on Natalia so to speak, to find out more about her.
What is Tarot?
To me, it’s a very magical tool for self awareness and self empowerment. Tarot acts as a guide to tap into the intuition and access more information than we typically have a connection to with our conscious mind. The unconscious mind is oceanic in it’s power and access to information.. Tarot is one such tool where we can take a look at what is in there and then reinterpret our relationship to it. aka. perhaps thinking more positively, or seeing a situation in our life from a different more empowering perspective.
How and when did you start reading Tarot?
I started studying and reading the Tarot around the age of 23, so about 7 years ago now.
What deck(s) are you currently reading with?
I read with the Aleister Crowley Thoth Tarot Deck. I love it’s symbiosis with Astrology as well the the guide book which is called: Tarot: Mirror of the Soul by Gerd Zeigler. It’s one of the most incredible takes on the Tarot I’ve found, as well as the most positive and empowering.
What are your favorite and least favorite cards to pull in readings? Why?
Well, I definitely always love to get a “positive” vibe card, like The Sun or 10 of Cups of something. (2 of Cups is fun too, ‘The Love Card’) I typically don’t like to pull The Tower or any of the tricky Swords Cards b/c it usually shows me I am choosing to have a negative take on something or am about to experience a powerful, perhaps intense change.
What has tarot taught you?
Most importantly, it’s taught me to not take my negative mind so seriously. Oftentimes my ideas around what is happening, versus what is actually happening are very different. Tarot has taught me to move out of self-limiting behavior and relationships and look at the bigger picture. The Tarot also has a bit of a sense of humor, if I ask the same question too many times… the cards will sometimes have a bit of a sarcastic answer.
How can people benefit from Tarot reading?
Inner peace. Assistance on making decisions that one feels unsure about. Clarity around anything that troubles you.
You also practice astrology. What do you think will be the astro theme of 2017?
In my report for Who What Wear this year, I mentioned internal centering being a huge theme as a means of actually attracting what you want into your life. So, if you want the money, figure, the complexion, the wordly stuff… it’s an inside job. You can read it here: http://www.whowhatwear.com/annual-horoscope-2017
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