Frequently Asked Questions

Where do we meet? What if I live in another state?

All classes are held via Zoom video call so you can participate from anywhere!

What if I’m not sure if this is for me?

I’m pretty sure that if you are drawn to this, you will benefit from it! Check out all my free offerings and the growing body of videos and writing on the site. You can also use the button below to send me any questions that are not answered here.

I just can't afford it right now, but I really want to participate. Is there any kind of sliding scale or work study available?

So glad you asked. Yes, I am committed to making this work available to all. Please click here to reach out to me directly and explain your situation so I can discuss this with you. No one turned away solely for lack of funds.

The Umaverse Vision & Mission

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

John Lennon, Imagine

THE UMAVERSE VISION

Our vision is a world of love and beauty, where all that is needed is freely shared and where all people experience their true nature as free beings.

THE UMAVERSE MISSION

To help people feel alive, discover their authentic being, live authentically, share their unique gifts with the world, remove blocks to their awareness of love’s presence, and learn to feel joy more often and more easily.

To facilitate authentic awakening in everyone who comes into my field.

To reach people who are ready for this particular flavor of wisdom and to offer them guidance and assistance to come out of the darkness into the light of their own awareness.

How am I different from other tarot readers?

I am 100% focused on a personal understanding and interpretation of the cards within the context of your unique situation. I am grounded and down to earth, easy to talk to, and gentle. I am also powerfully insightful into what you need and do not hesitate to speak clearly and honestly. That said, my delivery is compassionate and kind, so you feel supported and heard. My goal is to help you access deeper insight and greater joy.

What should you expect during your first reading with me?

You will be welcomed warmly into the virtual meeting place. I will check in with you and you can let me know how you are feeling. I will ask you to discuss what is going on that you wanted a reading about, and through that preliminary conversation I will begin to clarify your question(s).

After that, I will start to draw some cards. I will show them to you, let you examine them closely via the video screen, and then ask you to say anything that comes up for you when you look at them.

Then I will start to discuss the cards and the meaning she intuits for you personally and your situation. Readings with me are collaborative, and you will be asked to participate fully.

I will always ask if my words resonate with you, take your clarifying questions and comments, and respond authentically and honestly. As the reading continues, I may pull additional cards for more layers of meaning and clarity.

No matter what the cards indicate or how you feel about them, I will always stay present and grounded with you throughout the session. There is no right or wrong way to receive a reading.

As the end of the session approaches, I will ask for any last comments or questions, make sure you feel complete, and then the meeting will end.

When it is over, I will send you photos of all your cards and send you a link to the audio recording of your session so you can download it and listen again. You also have the option to decline the recording in which case, I will not record your session (the Zoom interface always lets you know if a meeting you are attending is being recorded).

How do I use tarot cards in my coaching work?

Tarot cards are one of many tools that I use during spiritual coaching and self-discovery journeys. All of the coaching work is focused on finding your authentic self, living your authentic life, speaking your authentic voice. There are so many ways to access all of that and tarot readings are combined with other oracle means, conversations, meditations, active practices, journaling and so much more. If you are interested, I will also guide you in using your own tarot deck(s) during your coaching sessions or journeys.

Can I read my own tarot cards? Can I learn to read for other people?

Absolutely. It just requires you to start drawing cards and playing around with a deck (or decks) that you resonate with. Most decks come with a book that tells the basic meanings of each card. There are also courses and books you can study. However, most professional tarot readers will tell you that the best way to learn to read tarot is to do it. Always remember to trust your intuition about what a card means within the context
of the question being asked. Your intuition must be used in conjunction with any published information about meaning of a card. To get started, you can enroll in an Intuitive Tarot class or workshop with Uma. Check the Event schedule to see what’s
coming up.

Are tarot readings accurate?

Tarot readings are always “accurate” in that the cards chosen are always delivering a relevant communication about your situation. It is your reader’s to interpret the cards correctly and specifically for you.

Do tarot cards predict the future?

It is important to recognize that here at The Umaverse, tarot cards and readings are not meant to predict the future. This is not their function. They are a tool for self-understanding that helps you successfully navigate life’s twists and turns and make the best choices for yourself.

What's the difference between a psychic reading and a tarot reading?

Tarot readers use tarot cards as the foundational information for a reading. They refer back to the meanings and symbolism of each card during the entire reading. Psychics, on the other hand, profess to tap into a source of knowledge about the person they are reading for that is outside the material world. Most tarot readers use their intuition during a reading, but this is generally different from psychic work.

Are tarot cards a load of rubbish?

No.

What is a tarot reading?

The purpose of tarot cards is not fortune telling, as some seem to mistakenly think. Instead, a tarot reading is an exploration of your question or issue, using the symbolic meaning of the card or cards that are drawn to delve deeper into what is going on, what it means for you, what is called for from you and what you can learn from the situation. Oftentimes, a certain outcome may be indicated if you successfully meet your challenge, but this is much different from a prediction. It is always important to remember that the future is unwritten, and nothing can change that fact.

What are tarot cards?

Tarot cards are a tool for self-understanding using symbolic imagery and words and consisting of two parts – the Minor Arcana and the Major Arcana.

The Minor Arcana is just like a deck of playing cards, with 4 suits and 14 cards per suit (ace through king). The Major Arcana usually includes 21 cards that are numbered Roman numerals I through XXI.

These days, there are literally hundreds if not thousands of tarot decks available. Many artists and writers have made their own decks and there is a plethora to choose from. There are also different kinds of “oracle” decks that are not tarot decks. What makes it a tarot deck is the structure described here.

What are the four suits of the minor arcana?

The Minor Arcana suit names vary from deck to deck. Traditionally, the suits were called Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles (or Disks). In the deck I use most often (Osho Zen Tarot Deck), they are Fire, Water, Swords and Rainbows.

Which tarot deck do I use and why?

I currently use the Osho Zen Tarot Deck for most of my readings because it is focused entirely on life as a journey of awakening. This is in complete resonance with my perspective and my work with clients. I have used this deck for so many years that many levels of meaning for each card has been revealed to me. Thus it is a powerful tool that I can interpret and utilize quite rapidly during client sessions.

How do you pronounce "tarot"?

In English, Tarot is pronounced “tah-row.” The final “t” is silent.