Transform
As the orange light of sunset vanished and was succeeded by an astonishing white glare… the strangest transformations took place.
—from Orlando by Virginia Woolf
A gifted astrologer once blessed me with a profound reading during a chance encounter. Aided by that celestial science, she proclaimed the purpose of my spiritual quest with a singular eloquence.
“You are to become a priest of magick.”
And then only a short time later during a private session, a renowned metaphysical teacher and clairvoyant envisioned me in this identical role, but in much early times.
Such a lofty goal resounded deeply within me. Contemplating this lifelong challenge further, I found it best to cast aside any of the title’s more obvious religious connotations. In this way, I arrived at its elemental meaning: a priest is an individual trained and capable of performing divine rites of value to a likeminded community. A broad definition of magick is an undertaking activated by a need for desired change. From this I was able to articulate my vocation of Tarot reader as one using the cards to guide others open to their possibilities along the pathway toward transformation. And to hopefully do so in an egoless manner.
Always interested in Ancient Egyptian society and religion, I sought additional enlightenment in that culture so infused throughout with the divine. My investigations focused on the many-leveled priestly caste of those legendary times. From among their ranks, the functions of a particular sector spoke directly to me. For their work aspired similarly to facilitate experience of the mystical in the everyday world. They accomplished this through such magical applications as dream interpretation and occult ritual, as well as varied forms of counseling and healing. Their ability to perform so productively was the result of intense training, skill, and inner-wisdom.
The Egyptians strove for spiritual evolvement through a harmonious balancing between the mundane and sacred realms. I share this challenging aspiration, believing real transformation results from such divine equilibrium. The Tarot can guide us toward this sacred state wherein genuine change can happen.
To achieve this, our reading will focus on you. Working together, we will uncover those hidden aspects and conflicts impacting different planes of your existence. As your guide, I will direct my interpretive skills and intuitive sense to illuminating the path of your own mystical journey. Along the way, repetitive, unhelpful patterns will be examined and your unique strengths encouraged. The cards will assist us in revealing life trends and potentialities.
I do not provide easy, simple, or “quick-fix” answers. While fate is involved, I truly believe our destinies are not pre-determined, but shaped tremendously by the choices we make each and every day.
Be assured that I will be well-prepared for our time together. At the start of the session, I will ask if you would like me to focus the reading on a particular conflict or issue. These can include, but are not limited to ones concerning love and romance, relationships of all kinds, family, career, spiritual path, or almost any other area you might specify. I ask you to be ready and receptive to the possibility of my re-phrasing your initial reading inquiry in a way best serving a productive experience.
I know not what to ask of thee.
Thou art the knower;
Give what thou deemest best.
—Ansari of Herat
Alternately, I can conduct an “open reading”. Here, you will not specify a particular concern at the session’s outset. Instead, we will have faith in our coming together as reader and seeker to grant us wisdom through the cards during this uniquely-shared moment. The information gained will focus on the present while uniting influential factors from the past and upcoming trends. For myself, I prefer the open reading process since our mutual surrender to its source—the "knower" in the quote above—often yields the most unexpected and significant results.
On occasion, a client requests me to use the cards to read the mind of someone not present at the session. I consider this an unethical invasion of privacy. I am also sometimes asked to communicate with the dead. I address both of these challenges similarly. We may reach the absent person through the seeker and the continuing relationship existing between the two of them.
In these ways, I provide transformative readings capable of helping you become your most optimal self.
I hope you accept this invitation to join me as we reveal, understand, and transform together.
There is gold buried in your heart, but you are not yet aware of it.
—from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna by M
Click Here to read one of my most profound testimonials by artist David Palladini, creator of The Aquarian Tarot.
Orlando does not simply read the cards; he reads the heart. His intuition was clear; his interpretation in effect an act of translation of image into poetry. He not only understood the cards, he understood the metaphors unfolding in my life at the time of this reading. His clarity, enthusiasm, ability to articulate the task at hand, and compassion were great gifts to me. In contemplating the reading afterwards, I find the information very useful yet again. I think Orlando's reading has provided a great deal of clarity and practical direction. It's one thing to have a reading that makes your feel good. It's quite another to have a reading that is so accurate and specific in its instruction that you can't really ignore its advice. Pure of heart, Orlando is an amazing reader and a guide to others on their paths.—Normandi Ellis, award-winning author of Awakening Osiris: The Egyptian Book of the Dead
I was simply floored by the depth of Michael’s reading. This is a significant incarnation for me, and the reading went into great detail to extract the meaning of each card that appeared, explaining the precise nature of the challenges. I watched as all of my aspects showed up, with Michael tracking and explaining the meaning of each one with pinpoint accuracy. The last card, which he drew intuitively—as he knew there was something else to be revealed—presented me with the overriding and shining determinator of this incarnation—"The Sun". Really, I am still blown away by it all. Each time I meditate upon it, I have new realizations. Michael is a master Tarot reader, and I would recommend him to all those who wish to understand themselves and their life path on a deeper level.—Constance Demby, Internationally-acclaimed, Grammy-nominated Recording Artist and Master Musician Healer
I read my own cards and have had countless Tarot readings over the past fourteen years. But Michael's interpretation and expression of the cards are so much more spiritual and healing than any of these. He transcends the ordinary as he interprets the conscious and subconscious meanings of the cards practically, while giving me the understanding and knowledge to make positive changes in my life. Michael is a warm, loving, kind, and humble soul whose purpose is to teach us on a very deep level about who we are and the potential of who we are becoming.—Heather M.
When I met Michael, I immediately felt his clear, bright energy. As he spoke, I experienced his intelligence; his open, curious mind; and his passion for the Tarot. He has a deep, rich knowledge of the Tarot that is illuminated by his questing spirit. Michael is a master Tarot reader and teacher. When he began my reading, I was aware that I felt seen, welcomed, and safe in the space he created for our work. He focused immediately on the challenging issues that were central in my life, which he unfolded through the story he told that the cards revealed to him. Michael opened a pathway for me, showing resources I can use to move forward and grow. He also illuminated my deeper spiritual path. I felt centered, grounded, and meaningfully supported. Michael moved my soul.—Neila Wyman, LCSW, LP
Orlando was able to put words to the feelings I have been experiencing lately and read the cards with such sensitivity and insight that I was truly amazed. Not only did I come away with a clear articulation of the challenges in my life right now, but also with a real idea of how I might create a game plan to address them. Every time I have a reading with Orlando, I feel a surge of energy and a resonance with a kindred spirit. His insight, generosity, and wisdom help alleviate my doubts and assimilate what I had viewed previously as disparate elements of my life. I look forward to the pleasure of working with Michael again soon.—Patricia Y.
Michael Orlando's impressive reading was beyond my expectations—especially since it was conducted without my presence as he simply meditated upon a single card for me on the other side of the country. Michael's generosity, talent, and wisdom shown through the excellent messages he provided by which I have gained more insight into the nature of my own soul and existence.—Emmanuel N.
A volunteer at our Quest Bookshop Psychic Fairs, Michael is one of the most amazing Tarot Readers we have. His clients always inform me of how wonderful he is. It is one thing for a customer or two to comment on a reader, but when every one of them feels a need to tell us how wonderful he is, that speaks volumes. Since Michael has been working with us, we have never had anything except enthusiastic, appreciative, and positive feedback. If you are looking for a rich, rewarding session with a Tarot reader, Michael is the one to see. And speaking from an administrative point of view, he is a professional in every sense of the word. Michael is a delight to work with and probably the most dependable person I know. There's just no way one can go wrong in dealing with him.—Lyn Trotman, Manager, The Quest Bookshop
Amazing and mind-blowing answers to your most secretive questions! Orlando’s reading alleviated pounds of self-doubt, gave direction, and was very accurate on things most dear to me at the moment. He encourages feedback and personal interpretation. Very much the skeptic all of my life before this reading, I would now recommend anyone to dare themselves to enjoy the experience. I feel blessed by this needed encounter.—Elizabeth T.
Michael Orlando is a pleasant and thorough tarot reader. He helped me find my own answers and explained what he was doing and why. He was easy to understand and at no time tried to make choices for me. It was a pleasure to have a reading done by him.—Eileen Croutch, Executive Director, The Canadian Tarot Network
Michael is one of the most gifted and talented Tarot readers I have ever had the pleasure of having a reading with. His enlightening and creative way of reading the Tarot is moving and really gives you a sense of direction in your life.—Jennifer Lall, Spiritual Intuitive/Medium
I definitely feel that I was guided to reach out to find Orlando. His energy came across in our initial contact and was quite encouraging. During the reading, I experienced the depth of love and sincere desire he possesses to help others through his work, especially relating to spiritual matters. I felt blessed for having had the experience to share all that I did with Orlando, as well. I am very excited about incorporating the Tarot into my dream work and was amazed at how the reading reflected my dreams in such profound ways.—Marilyn S.
Michael's energy, spirit, and graciousness are always welcome at Wainwright House. His generosity made the event a huge success. Everyone was thrilled with their readings. We look forward to Michael sharing his gifts with us again soon. The wisdom, energy, and love he brings to us is the essence of Wainwright.—Janice O'Brien, Director of Marketing & Special Events, Wainwright House
Orlando’s reading moved me in ways I cannot express. I believe it was the message I needed at the time in order to persevere to what I know is attainable. I am definitely planning on returning soon to see him again. Orlando’s reading has helped me in tremendous ways.—Naomi K.
Orlando is an extremely talented Tarot reader. He is a clear and luminous vessel. His reading for me was insightful, very accurate, and empowering.—Demitra Vassiliadis, Astrologer
I thoroughly enjoyed my reading with Michael and found it very insightful.—Harriet Wagniere, Director, The Metaphysical Center of New Jersey
Tarot Decks
An instrument of revelation.
Fashioned from the simplest of substances.
Nothing more than humble paper.
Made into cards adorned with lovely images.
Even so, true magic happens when you and I
Surrender to their messages.
And this magic we will create together
Through their divine assistance.
For your reading, I will most likely be using the following decks. Click on the deck name to see the cards comprising them:
Jean Dodal: This Tarot deck first appeared in France sometime around 1701. The cards’ vivid, uncomplicated drawings and symbolic color scheme remain remarkably direct today. Some specialists believe the early French decks preserve, more purely than any other, the intentions of the original Tarot diviners as a tool to track the soul’s journey.
Aquarian: Inspired by the Rider-Waite-Smith Deck (see below), renowned contemporary Italian artist David Palladini created what must be one of the most artistically sumptuous decks of all time. It uniquely combines the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles with Palladini’s inimitable vision, all veiled in Medieval mystery. While stunningly capturing the early-1970s visual eclecticism of its genesis, it remains a timeless classic in its own right.
In some cases, I will embellish the reading by drawing cards for additional guidance from the following decks. Click on the deck name to see cards from them:
Visconti-Sforza: The original purpose of these 15th-century Italian cards was for game playing by the nobility. Named after the powerful Milanese families who commissioned it, this and similar decks were only adopted later for divinatory practices. The precise identity of the artist responsible for this notable Tarot is still a debated subject among scholars.
Rider-Waite-Smith: One of the most important Tarot decks of the 20th century, occultist Arthur Edward Waite and artist Pamela Colman Smith collaborated on these cards first published in 1909 by William Rider & Son of London. Although at first glance charmingly simplistic in design, they conceal profound depths of mysticism. This deck continues to shape innumerable ones worldwide to this very day.
Third Eye Oracle: First conceived in 1985, this extremely rare deck was twenty years in the making for artist Gary Lund, noted painter, sculptor, and animation film designer. Oracle cards such as these facilitate direct communication with the inner self and elemental forces. In the artist’s words, this stunning deck assists in accessing “your inner vision within cycles of growth and change”.
Reaching Toward Higher Realms
If we are facing in the right direction,
all we have to do is keep on walking.
—A Buddhist Proverb
The paths toward transformative enlightenment are many. I humbly lay before you those ever-evolving routes along which I have discovered blissful fruit. May you find the same and much more upon your own.
Click on the individual topics below: