Your Podcast Future Looks Bright
We use cards from the tarot Major Arcana to predict your next must-listen.
Any tarot reader will tell you each card has a certain energy, a vibe if you will, and podcasts are no different. Combining the podcasting world with tarot reading was as natural as dyeing your own hair during a pandemic — we’re all coping in some way or another so why not have a little fun while doing it?
Just so you, my dear audience, do not get overwhelmed (let’s be honest, so I don’t get overwhelmed either) we’ll start with the first half of the Major Arcana. For those who are unfamiliar with tarot cards, each deck is typically made up of 78 cards, with 4 different suits; the first 22 cards make up the Major Arcana. Depending on the tarot deck, each card will have certain themes and imagery to invoke those meanings. Drawing on the different themes of each card I will be pairing them with podcasts that emulate that feeling. Take this journey with me and enjoy some beautiful tarot art along the way.
0. The Fool: The Human Orbiting Circus
In tarot, The Fool is often associated with innocence, idealism and new beginnings. Visually represented as a person wearing ragged clothes and no shoes, The Fool is on a journey to the unknown whether they are prepared or not. The sweet naive Janitor in The Human Orbiting Circus comes to mind, with their dreams of one day becoming a part of the fantastical radio show broadcast from the top of the Eiffel Tower. This fiction podcast feels like a childhood memory, looking at the world with eyes of wonder and hope, despite its many unknowns. The Fool goes to the beat of their own drum and embraces the impossible.
I. The Magician: Flyest Fables
The Magician taps into full potential, having all the tools and skills to manifest whatever one sets their mind to, so of course that’s Flyest Fables. Flyest Fables tells two stories, one of Antione, a young boy bullied in school who is transported to another world by a magical book, and Princess Tiesha who is on a quest to save her kingdom. Both rise to the occasion when required by their circumstances, and inspire hope to all.
II. The High Priestess: Kalila Stormfire’s Economical Magick Services
The High Priestess represents the subconscious mind, journey, and spirituality. Without question Kalila Stormfire’s Economical Magick Services fits the bill of a spiritual journey and awareness of the unknown. Kalila is a professional witch, helping those who come for advice or assistance when dealing with magic. Magic is not easy nor is acknowledging sides of yourself that you hide from others but in the end it’s all for the better.
III. The Empress: Lil Black Witch
The Empress in tarot is depicted as a beautiful woman, kind, nurturing and full of abundance. When pulling the Empress in a reading, it can represent compassion and nurturing ideas through reflection. Lil Black Witch is a nonfiction podcast made by two black women to create a safe space for minorities and educate the audience about magic. This podcast reflects on the complexities of magic within BIPOC and LGBTQIA communities, allowing for the audience to manifest their own magic in the process.
IV. The Emperor: 99% Invisible
The Emperor is typically seen as an established paternal figure that protects over others, and in some readings it can be seen restoring calm out of chaos. Think of that dad friend who knows how to fix things or brings you sliced fruit in trying times. Roman Mars, the creator and host of 99% Invisible, evokes the essence of the Emperor, informing the audience of the histories behind overlooked everyday parts of civilization. 99% Invisible provides logic and reason to a cluttered world.
V. The Hierophant: Spiritual Shit
The Hierophant calls to one to seek a guide or mentor to help explore a more spiritual side or honor traditions of your culture. It’s not always easy to seek guidance, but Alea the host of Spiritual Shit provides a straight-to-the-point take on spirituality, helping us all navigate the modern world while embracing our spiritual side. As The Hierophant, Alea guides the audience through everything from ghosts to new age awakenings.
VI. The Lovers: Caravan
The Lovers card reveals how you connect with others and how you love yourself, bringing harmony to otherwise seemingly unlikely forces. Naturally, Samir from the fiction podcast Caravan comes to mind with their ability to forge relationships and love fiercely in a way that softens even the most surly of individuals. Not everyone would welcome a banshee into their life so willfully like Samir.
VII. The Chariot: Latina to Latina
The Chariot represents success, determination, and willpower to overcome any obstacles. In a world dominated by white men, it’s not easy for Latinas to break into any industry without perseverance. Alicia Menendez hosts Latina to Latina, an interview format podcast talking to remarkable Latinas about their journey to success. In this podcast, you get to know Latinas at the top of their game and the challenges they faced getting to where they are today.
VIII. Strength: Gender Reveal
Strength takes a more literal form in tarot, but also it teaches about strength of compassion and sense of self. Listening and being kind are two of the greatest strengths of all, making Gender Reveal, a nonfiction podcast about nonbinary and transgender folk, a wonderful fit. This podcast has frank discussions about gender with notable people in the trans community, and gives a platform for voices not usually heard in the media. Like the Strength card, Gender Reveal helps push boundaries and tries to answer questions like: “Just what the hell is gender?”
IX. The Hermit: The Glass Letters
The Hermit is about inward thinking, meditation, and reevaluating one’s life.
Nothing says The Hermit like a person retreating to a deserted island solely to escape the drudgery of society. In the fiction podcast Glass Letters, the narrator Riz has isolated themselves and begins an inward journey as they start to receive messages in glass bottles on the seashore.
X. The Wheel of Fortune: Greater Boston
The Wheel of Fortune is there to tell you there are things in your life that you cannot control, and struggling against the current will only cause more grief. Enter: Greater Boston. This fiction podcast emcompasses the vastness of Boston, showing the continuous change, luck (good or bad) that can happen to a community within one city.
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