Deidre Rodriguez shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Deidre, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
My inner world and connection to my ancestors.
There are many spiritual practices and cultures around the world that place value in ancestor veneration. Of all occult practices I have dabbled in or studied, that piece of spirituality has been the most potent and rewarding for me. Of course, it helps that I have a 4th house stellium. IYKYK.
As a creative and artist, my inner world is one of the most important aspects of myself and my practice. I draw almost all of my ideas and artistic creations from it. Giving myself the space, environment, and freedom to internally explore any and all themes has been a huge supporting pillar in helping me cultivate the resilience and expression my life has required of me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Deidre Rodriguez — I am a tarot reader, astrologer, songwriter, and musician from San Antonio, Texas. I currently live in Austin and conduct most of my magical readings out of City Alchemist on East 6th.
My personal spiritual practice is an amalgamation of several things. I come from several cultural backgrounds, including Karankawa (Texas Indigenous), Moravian, Bohemian, and Spanish, and I draw influence from each of those ancestral groups. I would identify it as a colorful mix of folk magic, chaos magic, occult study, theology, and ancestor veneration.
The tarot readings I offer specialize in helping creatives find their confidence and inspiration, and in channeling peoples’ ancestors. Often times, remembering who we are and where we came from can aid in bringing forth our best creative ideas — that’s what I try to offer my clients each time I read for them!
Currently, I am in the process of organizing a class that focuses on teaching the tarot by way of song and music. Tarot is a very intricate and ever-evolving system of symbolism — it has always helped me as a reader and budding medium to have songs to associate with each card. Plus, it will be an excuse for me to nerd out about my favorite music and tarot all in one conversation!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I had a near-death experience in 2023. I spent the first 27 years of my life being perfectly healthy with no underlying issues, but on a morning in late August of 2023, I woke up in renal failure and liver failure. I would go to the hospital and not leave until January of 2024 after receiving two organ transplants. I still have very little of an explanation as to why this happened.
In November of 2023, weeks before my operations, I had a near-fatal bout of internal bleeding in my GI tract and stomach. I passed out, and as I did so, my soul left my body. I watched myself from above as nurses and doctors rushed into the room and tried to revive me. It felt like watching an episode of ER on a weekend morning with my mother as a kid. The atmosphere was warm and loving in embrace — not unlike being underwater on a hot day. It was an incredible feeling until I realized…I didn’t have a body. I remember looking for my hands and seeing what can only be described as stardust in the place of them. I slowly began to understand that I was ‘dead’ or very close to being so. I saw no light, but I felt it and that presence gave me a choice: stay, or go. In that moment, I actually got angry. I refused to believe that I would die at 27 in a hospital bed after surviving the medical neglect for so many months already. The last thing I remember from that moment is me thinking, “put me the f-ck back!” And just like that, I was back in my body and came back into consciousness.
After that experience, I feel as if I am able to truly be present in the world and view it for what it really is: simply a set of experiences. Despite the pain, sickness, and everlasting medical effects I now have to deal with, I am grateful to have such an eye-opening experience this early in my life (pre-Saturn return, too!). It showed me just how much I can handle and that I don’t have to be afraid of any experience. I know now that I can persevere through anything and come out stronger on the other side. Additionally, I feel as if I am able to have a stronger sense of understanding for my fellow human beings. I take fewer (keyword here is ‘fewer’…) things personally and am able to let the inconveniences of life roll off my back.
I feel very empowered by this experience.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You were right. You were right about it all.
There is, in fact, magic in this world. Your feelings matter and were spot-on. Creativity and sensitivity are powerful catalysts for change and shouldn’t be suppressed and shamed. Giving people a leg up and support is not naive, it is the type of kindness that the world needs. God is not an image or something to be fearfully worshipped — it is an essence that exists inside all of us.
You. Were. Right.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
God is a woman and/or a feminine entity.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
My songs.
The healing and empowerment I have helped my clients achieve for themselves.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hexetarots/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpAJYreWzYPchsOdE3glYUQ
Image Credits
Deidre Rodriguez
