We’re continuing the StaarCon 5 spotlight series with another exciting guest. We’re about halfway through a this point, but there are still more headliners and presenters to cover.
Who’s headlining, you might ask?
- Siddharth Ramakrishnan
- Cardsy B
I’ll grab some other folks along the way, too, like Mitchell Osborn! And we’ll be sure to check in with the conference’s host, Christiana Gaudet.
If you haven’t heard about StaarCon yet, then let me just tell you that it’s a divination-themed conference. You can attend in-person or online. Either way, it’ll be filled with tons of awesome workshops from great presenters.
Speaking of those presenters, let me tell you a little bit about Katrina Wynne.
Katrina Wynne, MA
Katrina‘s been around the Tarot community for quite some time…over 50 years, Haha! Her specialty, Transformative Tarot Counseling™, combines Tarot and oracle tools with counseling wisdom and therapeutic skills. Although she started as a solitary practitioner of Tarot her first 20 years, she’s had the wonderful opportunity and delight of teaching what she calls “The High Art of Reading” to ambitious beginners and experienced professionals throughout the world for 36 years…in-person, and then embracing Internet platforms for the last 12 years. Prior to 2020, she traveled the world on her annual “Tarot Tour”, teaching at Tarot conferences, Meetup groups, and private settings…while doing historical research on the roots of Tarot along the way. Now her vast knowledge and dynamic teaching style is incorporated into her new online school, Going Pro with Tarot™. As a retired psycho-spiritual counselor, she now concentrates her time on producing cutting-edge online programs, as well as offerings with fabulous guest teachers on unique topics, plus, there’s always a free online gathering around the corner for Tarot enthusiasts to share and network. Although she claims that writing is not her favorite thang, preferring speaking, she, none the less, published her book, An Introduction to Transformative Tarot Counseling, as a way of showing our community that readings can support amazing changes for querents. She enjoys writing her monthly weblog post, My Sacred Journey, on a variety of fascinating topics that include, but are not limited to Tarot. She calls herself a “Forest Mystic” and lives a reclusive life in the woods off the Oregon Coast, US.
To learn more about Katrina and her many offerings, please see Tarot Counseling. https://TarotCounseling.org
Alright, you know how these spotlight articles work, right? I ask some questions, people answer, we all read and get to know them a little better and the world becomes a slightly more magickal place. Let’s get to it.
Q&A
What’s the quick story of who you are, what divination methods you specialize in, and how you got started on your spiritual path?
Some of us, perhaps all of us, we’re born with some sense of our spiritual nature. I know my journey started when I was around two years old and continued by making friends with the tree-people, now my family. Fortunate for me as an adult, yet lonely as a child, I paid attention to my inner guidance, what some call intuitive or psychic, and made difficult decisions to follow my own path, not the one that society tried to impose on me.
Growing up in Texas, US, and being totally into metaphysics, with no teachers or resources available, I was self-taught as I embarked on my spiritual studies in my teens. I became a solitary practitioner, including Tarot cards and the I Ching, then found great Astrology teachers and Earth-based spiritual resources and groups.
A point came when I decided to go more deeply with Tarot…and it’s been expanding from there ever since. In 1990, I entered graduate school and studied psychotherapy. Of course, the first thing I did was to start exploring ways to combine Tarot, psychology, and spirituality…which then became “Tarot Counseling”, for folks were asking me to teach and offer readings. I didn’t want my style to be confused with fortune-telling, so that’s when I started using this new title, as well as establishing my website of the same name, in 1994. What an honor it is to be StaarCon’s annual yearly forecast presenter!! I look forward to sharing this powerful and inspirational class with you… online.
Are there any resources (including your own works) you would recommend so that people can be more prepared for your workshop(s)?
It’s such a thrill each year to present the opportunities and challenges on all levels of the coming year, based on the numerology. Example: 2025 = “9” / IX The Hermit.”
Although I would recommend my book/ebook/audiobook to anyone who wishes to learn a more transformative way of relating to reading cards, or offering metaphysical services, it’s only briefly related to my StaarCon presentation.
My weblog articles wouldn’t be much more helpful…and are free at MySacredJourney.org.
Bring a journal and download the handout for my annual StaarCon presentation, for I cover the history, symbolism, psychological profile, and spiritual aspects of the Year Card. There will be plenty of journaling prompts as you explore the significance of the coming year. Then, this experience expands when we meet for the four quarterly “Afterglow” sessions, as we continue to gather, journal, and share how our year is unfolding under the influence of the year’s forecast.
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What’s your most memorable experience at a festival?
So many festivals, so little time to share these wonderful stories. Here are some highlights...
I was part of the Oregon Country Fair for 29 years, ending in 2020. I had the delightful opportunity to read with so many interesting people, seeing 14 folks/days for 3.5 days.
It was such a high honor to be one of the main speakers at Readers Studio - Tarot and Psychology event…and it was on my birthday too!! Always a delight to commune with our Tarot Tribe there.
Yet, I must say that I truly love the StaarCon hybrid event and haven’t missed a year!! Presenting the annual forecast is such a deep dive into major arcana Tarot cards, where my extensive research, knowledge, and experience come together within a beautiful and exciting PowerPoint slide show with so many amazing Tarot cards from a vast diversity of decks.
Who has been highly influential in your own spiritual growth?
First, nature and Great Spirit are the main influences. Then taking that knowing into the symbols and archetypes from the card’s visuals is the art I’ve cultivated using all my many teachings…from Jungian psychology and Processwork, to Taoism, mystical Christianity, to Kabbalah/Qabalah/Cabala and other mystical teachings. In the Tarot world, I closely resonate with and respect the work of Mary K. Greer, Christine Payne-Towler, Rachel Pollack, Robert M. Place, Mark Horn, and so many other wonderful mentors.
Aside from your own, what workshop are you most looking forward to attending at StaarCon 5?
I tend to watch most of them. Everyone has something to contribute in a meaningful way. And how great that this hybrid conference is a resource for us to engage in all year…amazing!! That being said, I’ve always loved the work of Siddharth and his neuroscientific approach…something I will continue to study and learn from. Christiana hosts such fun group activity for us! Pamela is a Tarot elder with lots of wisdom to share. And, I know that Queen has something special for us to experience... can’t wait. If I were there in person, the singing bowls would be a relaxing, and possibly altered state experience for me.
What’s the best place for people to find out more about you?
Connect with me by going to the “Contact” page and check off the newsletter box to keep up with all the wonderful activities and offerings:WebsiteCheck out my new online school. Self-study and supervised courses are available: Going Pro with Tarot™Monthly articles on my weblog: My Sacred Journey
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
If you’re wonderful about stepping up your Tarot skills and would like a free consultation, just follow this link and scroll down to “Prospective Student Coaching” and select a time that works with your schedule: TarotCounseling.org
But wait, there’s more!
Want to see what Katrina will be presenting this year at StaarCon? Click on the banner below…
More about StaarCon 5
StaarCon 5 is a multi-track hybrid tarot, divination, and metaphysics conference that will take place on January 24, 25, and 26, 2025.
The conference will be held in person at Palm Beach County’s newest hotel, Delta by Marriott at Palm Beach International Airport, and online on the Accelevents Events Management Platform.
This upcoming StaarCon will be my first. I’m thrilled to not only attend, but also to be able to give a couple of workshops myself!
If you’re interested in learning more about the event, be sure to check it out on the Facebook group, StaarCon Community, as well.
Article written by Aerik Arkadian with Katrina Wynne, MA
Aerik Arkadian 
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