Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda O’Neal.
Hi Linda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I was born in Vietnam but grew up in Austin, Texas. I mention my birthplace because fortune telling is big in my community, but people don’t read tarot cards; they read playing cards. My mother and I loved getting our fortunes read. It was unusual that all the Vietnamese readers used playing cards while Westerners used tarot. I later learned that using a card deck is called cartomancy. I joined the Great Resignation of 2020 and left the classroom after 15 years of teaching. I took classes at the INLP Center and received my license in Neuro-linguistic Programming. Simply put, NLP helps people reframe limiting beliefs, which have become their default thinking, into thoughts more aligned with who they are rather than who they’ve become. But while I was getting my license, I needed income. I became a cartomancy reader for the app Purple Ocean. Cartomancy helped me learn the fundamentals of tarot. As a Buddhist, I combine the wisdom of mindfulness with my tarot. NLP is helpful because I can give my clients fundamental strategies on how to deal with their anxiety. Most people seek a tarot reader when feeling lost or anxious. I guide people away from their anxiety while tapping into the spirit world. It’s exciting.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been relatively smooth so far?
Teaching was a toxic but stable environment. And let me be clear: the kids are not the toxic ones. The system sucks. But, teaching provided a guaranteed paycheck. Forgoing the stability to do what you want is always scary. That’s the struggle. Trusting yourself. I had to learn how to market myself, build a website, build an email marketing campaign, and learn how to film, edit, and podcast. Learning all this new tech was challenging. But my mantra was: I trust my ability to learn. And that’s what got me through some very frustrating learning curves.
I appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Austin Tarot Therapy?
My trailer in front of Yarrow and Sage is magical. My inner child thinks I’m the coolest. The vibes are so good. It’s a safe environment with good energy, and everything is absolutely confidential.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Just start and pivot when you hit a bump in the road. Adapt or die. But most importantly, trust your ability to learn.
Pricing:
- Austin Tarot Therapy is located in front of Yarrow and Sage
- Tarot Readings are $120 an hour.
- Available for events and private parties
Contact Info:
- Website: austintarottherapy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austintarottherapy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindareadstarot
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/austin-tarot-therapy-austin?osq=Austin+Tarot+Therapy
Image Credits
Images were taken by Mason ONeal
