Welcome to tarot by innowen.

Looking for answers to life’s questions? Want to know what the universe has in store for you in love, money, and your career? Then you’ve come to the right place.

I’m jaymi “innowen” elford and I read tarot. I give reassurance and help you design a roadmap to reach your dreams.

This site contains tarot reading tips, deck and book reviews, and new and interesting ways to use your tarot cards.

Last week, I attended the first Tarot Intensive held by Katrina Wynne at her home along the coast. The weather was beautiful for the entire week and I’ve come home with new ideas, tricks, and a whole new crew to support me on my tarot journeys. I have also attained Level One Certification in Katrina’s Tarot Counseling Certificate program. Now that I’m settled in and have hand time to recuperate, I feel ready to write about this wonderful experience. Read the rest of this entry

Yesterday I found out that Mantra, a place where I’ve been doing wine tasting readings for over a year now, closed. This saddens me because Mantra was such a great place to learn about wine; sit and sip local varieties; and meet new people.

They gave me a great opportunity to read for others at a great location. I enjoyed being able to give something back to the area that I called home.

With Mantra closed, I am now seeking new venues and opportunities to do tarot readings at places in Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon. If you have a bar, club, or gallery and would love to try something new… please give me a buzz. I’d love to show you what tarot and I can do for you.

Next Tuesday, I’ll be heading out to the coast to participate in Katrina Wynne’s Tarot Intensive. From morning to evening I’ll be steeped in taroty goodness with a few other students who are interested in learning from her. The program starts out in teaching tarot basics but quickly progresses to intermediate and counseling skills.

I’ve known Katrina for several years now and she’s a wonderful instructor. Katrina’s very much an intuitive reader and I look forward to hearing and learning about the cards from her perspective. Plus, it’s always fun to camp out in her wonderful coastal wilderness property. I’m looking forward to recharging my batteries with this trip.

Because her classes at the Intensive lead up to her Level One certificate, I signed up to take that exam. Wish me luck on passing and receiving the certificate. I don’t if she has any spots left for the intensive but you can always go check Katrina’s site and email her if she’s got any more spots open.

When I get home, I’ll post details of my journey at the intensive.

Last Sunday I stood in front of a small group of people and talked to them about tarot. I gave them the history of the cards, debunked some myths, and answered a lot of questions about how to personally connect with the cards. Anna talked about the runes, and compared them to tarot. She also dove a bit into spirit guides and how one can connect with them.

Overall, we had a fun two hours sharing stories and learning about how the tarot worked. Looking forward to teaching this one again in autumn.

Just want to send out a general reminder that Divination for the Curious happens Sunday, July 11th from 3pm – 5pm in Vancouver, WA. We’ve still got a lot of spaces left so if you’re interested in tarot or runes, please come on down! This is a free class.

I’m fascinated by tarot imagery and art and love seeing collections readers and enthusiasts have. A few weeks ago, I went through my collection and made up this list. The links will take you to the corresponding deck page on aeclectic.net, which is my favorite tarot deck resource online. As you can see from the list, I tend to be drawn to the darker and sometimes more abstract decks; as well as the faerie realm decks. Feel free to share your list or favorites in the comments below.
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I’m happy to announce that I’ll be co-teaching a class on tarot and runes with my friend Anna. This isn’t a how to read type of class, however. I’m still developing that course. Instead, this two-hour class is geared for the general public who are curious about the tarot and runes and want to know more about the history, structure, and how to find a reader. If any of this sounds like you, then come join us on Sunday, July 13th at 3pm.

Divination for the Curious
Sunday, July 11th, 3-5pm
at 1811 Main Street, Suite 200 Vancouver, WA, 98660
email creativearts@shadesofmaybe.com for more info

Come learn about the mystical arts of tarot and runes. Let Anna and Jaymi introduce you to the divination tools, their history and myths, and help you select the right reader to guide your questions. This class does not teach how to read with the tools. It gives a general overview for the curious. No experience necessary, and no prejudices allowed. No cost, this one’s on us!

Tuesday was World Tarot Day and apparently, Towel Day, and Wear Lilac Day as well. So, armed with that information I decided that it was only fitting that I did any, and all readings, on a towel. (The lilac part comes in later *gryn*.) I invited my tarot enthusiast friend over for a Tarot Party and boy did we have fun.

As part of the official World Tarot Day fun, I participated in the one-card draw that answered the question, “What is the message of Tarot to us worldwide at this time?” I drew the Eight of Swords from the Shadowscapes Tarot. I interpreted this card as, “The Spirit of Tarot says that we should stop relying on one sense (our eyes) and use the rest of our senses when dealing with the world around us. In doing so, we shall be free from the prison that we’ve made for ourselves.” To continue reading about my adventures in the World Tarot Towel Tea Party, click the read more link.

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Tomorrow is World Tarot Day. This holiday promotes the use of Tarot for the benefit & growth of the spiritual self. Founded by Den Elder, this adventuresome event has been going strong since 2003.

People all over the world will spend some time tomorrow to celebrate with their decks. As for me, I’ll be devoting a day of study to the cards. I’ll work on my Tarot School homework, swap readings with a friend, and take part in the World’s Largest Tarot Reading. This reading answers the question of: “What is the spirit of Tarot for the next year?” Stop by tomorrow, so you can view the results and hear more about my adventures.

For more information on World Tarot Day, visit the official website at www.worldtarotday.org.

I’m excited to announced that I am a confirmed speaker for the 2010 San Francisco Bay Area Tarot Symposium (BATS). This is a two-day tarot event hosted by Thalassa and the Daughters of Divination dedicated solely to the love of tarot. There’ll be workshops, a tarot bazaar, raffles, and of course, readers and tarot enthusiasts from all over the world. I attended last year and had an absolute blast!

Speakers this year include: Mary Greer, James Wanless, Teressena Bakens, Joseph Ernest Martin, Marcus Katz, Diane Wilkes, Ellen Lorenzi Prince, myself, Ms Rabbitt McMatthews, and many more who have not been announced.

My workshop teaches attendees how to use their tarot decks to inspire the storytelling muses in all of us. I’ll give attendants some ideas on how to craft characters, settings, and plot for their own stories. I’ve posted the full class description on both my Classes and Events pages, so go check them out for details.

If you love tarot and live on the West Coast, you do not want to miss this annual event!