Author Spotlight with Aleena T. Grant
The Mastery Guide of Tarot Reading
Introduction: The Author and The Book
Aber Stoat Books is pleased to begin author interviews for the bookstore’s blog. For our first interview, I'm excited to introduce you to Aleena T. Grant, a publishing division author who writes under a pen name. Her work seamlessly blends personal experiences with tarot guidance and mental health applications. Grant is a private person who values the sacred space between her personal life and her work, allowing her authentic voice to shine through her writing without distraction.
Aleena T. Grant’s debut book, THE MASTERY GUIDE OF TAROT READING, helps you understand tarot, offering guidance, self-introspection, and healing in a really compassionate and non-mumbo-jumbo way. This book's smart and caring approach shows how the cards can be more than just tools for fortune telling tricks—they're a way to improve yourself.
Please join Grant and me as we explore the story behind the book and the motivations that brought it to life.
Background and Inspiration
1. What inspired you to write a tarot guidebook?
I’ve always been passionate about how tarot can serve as a mirror to our inner world. Over the years, I noticed so many people approaching tarot just for predictions, missing its deeper potential as a tool for healing and self-awareness. My own journey through anxiety and emotional challenges showed me how tarot helped me process feelings and gain clarity. I wanted to share that empowering approach—using tarot not just to foresee the future but to nurture mental health and spiritual growth.
2. Can you share a personal experience where tarot played a significant role in your own mental health journey?
Absolutely. During a particularly difficult period of depression, I turned to tarot daily—not to predict outcomes, but to ask questions like, “What do I need to understand about my feelings today?” The cards helped me slow down, reflect, and gently confront emotions I might have otherwise ignored. It became a form of self-therapy, a safe space to explore my inner landscape without judgment.
Tarot and Mental Health
3. How do you see tarot as a tool for self-reflection and emotional healing, rather than just fortune-telling?
Tarot is fundamentally about storytelling and symbolism. When you engage with the cards, you’re invited to explore your subconscious thoughts and feelings. It’s less about “telling the future” and more about opening a dialogue with yourself. This process can reveal hidden fears, hopes, and patterns, which is incredibly healing. It’s like having a compassionate guide that helps you navigate your mental and emotional terrain.
4. What are some common misconceptions about using tarot for mental health, and how does your book address them?
One big misconception is that tarot is purely mystical or superstitious, which can make people hesitant to use it for serious mental health work. Another is that tarot readings are about predicting fate, which can feel disempowering. My book reframes tarot as a practical, accessible tool for self-exploration and emotional insight. I emphasize asking open-ended questions that invite reflection, helping readers build a healthy, grounded relationship with the cards.
5. In your experience, how can tarot help people who may not have access to traditional therapy or mental health resources?
Tarot can be a gentle, affordable way to start mental health work on your own terms. It encourages mindfulness and self-inquiry, which are foundational to emotional well-being. While it’s not a replacement for professional therapy, tarot can complement it or serve as a first step for those who feel stuck or isolated. It permits people to take an active role in their healing journey.
Practical Application
6. Could you walk us through a typical tarot session focused on mental health? What makes it different from a traditional tarot reading?
In a mental health-focused session, the emphasis is on open-ended questions like, “What’s this feeling trying to tell me?” or “How can I nurture myself right now?” Instead of seeking predictions, we can explore the symbolism of the cards to uncover emotional truths and coping strategies. The reading becomes a conversation, a way to deepen self-awareness and compassion rather than a forecast of events.
7. How do you recommend readers use your book in their daily or weekly self-care routines?
I encourage readers to set aside a quiet moment regularly—maybe once a day—to draw a card and journal about what it means to them in the context of their mental health. Using the spreads and prompts in the book, they can track emotional patterns, celebrate growth, or gently confront challenges. It’s about creating a ritual that fosters connection with oneself.
8. Are there specific tarot spreads or cards you find especially helpful for addressing anxiety, depression, or stress?
Yes! For anxiety, I often do a three-card spread focusing on “What is causing my anxiety?”, “What can I do to soothe it?”, and “What is the potential outcome if I nurture myself?” Cards like The Star, The Hermit, and Strength often come up as powerful symbols of hope, introspection, and resilience. For depression, spreads that explore self-compassion and inner child work can be transformative.
Spirituality and Symbolism
9. How do the symbols and archetypes in tarot cards resonate with universal human experiences, and why do you think this is so powerful for mental health work?
Tarot archetypes tap into collective human stories—hero’s journeys, transformation, loss, renewal. These symbols resonate deeply because they reflect our shared emotional experiences. When someone sees their own struggles mirrored in a card, it can validate their feelings and remind them they’re not alone. This connection is incredibly healing and can shift perspectives in profound ways.
10. How do you balance the mystical or spiritual aspects of tarot with its practical, therapeutic uses?
I honor both aspects equally. The spiritual dimension invites wonder and connection to something greater, which can be comforting and inspiring. At the same time, I ground readings in practical questions and actionable insights. This balance helps readers feel both uplifted and empowered to make real changes in their mental health.
Inclusivity and Accessibility
11. How can someone with no prior experience with tarot or spirituality begin to use your book for mental health support?
My book is designed for beginners, with clear explanations and gentle guidance. I encourage newcomers to approach tarot with curiosity rather than pressure to “get it right.” Starting with simple spreads and open-ended questions helps build confidence. The key is to treat tarot as a supportive companion, not a test. I added as much information as I could in one place to make it a great reference guide.
12. What advice do you have for skeptics who may see tarot as mere superstition or fortune-telling?
I invite skeptics to consider tarot as a tool for storytelling and self-reflection rather than magic. The power lies in the questions you ask and the insights you draw from the cards. Even if you don’t believe in the mystical side, tarot can still help you access your intuition and think about your life in new ways. It’s a creative, symbolic language that anyone can learn.
Impact and Outcomes
13. Have you received feedback from readers or clients about how tarot has impacted their mental health? Could you share a memorable story?
Yes, many readers have shared how tarot helped them feel less alone during tough times. One woman told me that using the book’s prompts helped her recognize patterns of negative self-talk and gradually replace them with kindness. Another reader said tarot readings gave her the courage to seek therapy after years of avoidance. These stories remind me how powerful this work can be.
14. What do you hope readers will take away from your book, both spiritually and emotionally?
I hope readers come away feeling empowered to be their own healers and spiritual seekers. Spiritually, I want them to feel connected to a deeper wisdom within themselves. Emotionally, I want them to cultivate compassion, resilience, and a sense of agency over their mental health. Ultimately, I want tarot to be a source of light and guidance on their journey.
Looking Forward
15. How do you see the role of tarot evolving in the broader conversation about mental health and wellness?
I believe tarot will increasingly be recognized as a valuable complementary tool in mental health, especially as people seek holistic and accessible ways to care for themselves. Its blend of symbolism, mindfulness, and storytelling fits well with modern wellness trends. I’m excited to see more integration of tarot into therapeutic and spiritual communities.
16. Are there any upcoming projects or topics you’re excited to explore next in the realm of tarot, spirituality, or mental health?
Yes. I’m currently working on a few ideas. Nothing is set in stone as of yet. I have been working on getting my tarot deck made, the secondary art that is present in the book. I’ve been doing it myself, so the process is slow-moving. I have also been working on a guide to help others spot fake crystals. That's a common issue in metaphysical shops, where sometimes they don’t realize they're selling fakes, so don’t take it out on them. It’s more for “to avoid and move on.”
17. You write under a pen name and maintain a private personal life. Can you share why you chose this approach and how it influences your work?
Certainly. Choosing a pen name allows me to create a clear boundary between my personal life and my work as a tarot reader and author. Tarot and mental health are deeply personal and sometimes vulnerable topics, so maintaining privacy helps me protect my own emotional space while still offering authentic guidance. It also lets readers focus fully on the messages and insights in the book, rather than on who I am personally. Using a pen name is a way to honor both my need for privacy and my commitment to being a trustworthy, compassionate guide through the cards.
Thank you for reading. Please share if you enjoyed this interview.
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