Meet Alanna L.P. | Owner of Magdalena Tarot Inc.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alanna L.P. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alanna, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
I’m an activist at heart, so activism is part of Magdalena Tarot’s mission. I grew up in a strict Catholic family in Louisville, KY, a Southern, predominantly Christian, conservative town. It was a difficult place to be a bisexual, teenage witch, so I know what it’s like to long for a spiritual connection outside of the cis, white, straight world. I became an activist in high school because I want to live in a world where we can all experience Divine love and joy every day without fear of oppression.

The core foundation of Magdalena Tarot is Tarot readings and astrology predictions. My goal is to help my clients embrace the Divine within by guiding them to what is best for their soul (not always their desires). I welcome everyone to my Tarot table regardless of race, gender, identity, sexuality, or religion. I offer digital readings for anyone anywhere in the world and in person readings for Denver locals.

Recently, I invested in gay and queer Tarot decks (unfortunately I have yet to find a deck geared towards lesbian) to offer more inclusive imagery for my clients who may not identify with the traditional cis, straight white illustrations of the Tarot. I feel part of my mission is to help rework Tarot into an artform that is post the cis, white, heterosexual world that it was created in.

There’s a lot of reasons why we need to reinvent the wheel in spirituality, astrology, and Tarot. There are good ideas in the old paradigm but the world is changing and we need to update the system so that it works in our dawning new world. I’m currently writing a book due out next year that will help marginalized seekers connect with these Old World energies in an inclusive way. Follow me to stay in touch and learn more about my upcoming book.

In addition to offering Tarot readings to anyone in need of guidance, I write inclusive horoscopes for OUT FRONT Magazine, the oldest LGBTQQIP2S magazine in the country. Old world astrology can be heavy on gender emphasis, so I approach my horoscope writing in an inclusive way, using they/them in the singular form if a pronoun is needed and using partner(s) to speak to the growing polyamorous community.

In addition to offering psychic readings to all seekers, I am also the caretaker of the Spiritual Wellness Center, a historic home and inclusive spiritual center in the heart of Colfax. I welcome guests to the center by helping book and prepare the facility for events. The Spiritual Wellness Center welcomes anyone who needs a space for a spiritual event, healing session, lecture, or yoga class to use our space which has been a spiritual center in Denver for 100 years.

It’s a lot, but I love what I do and it brings me joy to offer help to so many people not only in Denver but around the world!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The Tarot found me in the courtyard of duPont Manual High School in Louisville, KY. I attended Catholic school for grades K-8 so I was enjoying meeting new people outside the Catholic community that ostracized me because I had questions about God that no one could answer. One of my new friends had a Tarot deck at lunch one day and I was intrigued by the images. I spent all lunch making up stories about Dragon Ball Z (because of the suit of pentacles). I really wanted a Tarot deck but my parents were very conservative Christian and had no problem raiding my room and throwing out “sinful” things like my rock and metal CDs and witchcraft books. They even banned me from lighting candles at home because they were afraid my witchcraft practice would burn the house down. Senior year of high school I found a Tarot deck in a used book store and it changed the course of my life. I was a casual Tarot reader for most of my 20’s, mostly because I found the accuracy of my readings haunting. For example, I pulled the Tower, Death and the Devil on the day of the big earthquake in Japan in 2011. I was living in Japan at the time of the disaster and it was a terrifying experience foretold by 3 explosive cards in a simple three card reading. I had no question by that point that my Tarot readings were accurate but I didn’t know how to offer my readings to others just yet.

After the earthquake, I went back packing in South America in search of myself. Tarot decks weren’t widely available in South America so I lucked out when I found a Tarot deck in a small bookstore in Quito, Ecuador. The deck came with a few basic colored pencils, a Tarot reference book and a plain Tarot deck and it was my job to color it!

I was suffering from PTSD after the earthquake, traumatized and looking for answers. It was comforting to draw a card and color it to learn the meaning. It took me a year or 2 but I finished the deck. I never recommend DIY therapy so if you are having problems and are interested in Tarot, seek professional help in conjunction with your card readings.

I didn’t want to go back to Japan because of the uncertainty about Fukushima Daiichi, the crippled nuclear reactor. Strong aftershocks continued to pelt Japan, so I thought it best to return to my hometown, Louisville, KY, where my spiritual seeking continued. I met a witch who ran a metaphysical shop named Lady G. She was impressed with my Tarot reading ability and invited me to study Tarot with her and a small group of her advanced students. ady G not only introduced me to the Tarot, she also introduced me to honoring the mother goddess and to the use of scents and smells to calm and inspire the mind, body and spirit. Lady G also booked me as a reader at her small psychic fairs but I wanted to expand.

In 2014 I made an informative video that earned me a place in the Biddy Tarot’s Master the Tarot Card Meaning Class. Bridget’s lessons were so informative that I took more of her classes and ended up interning with her for a place in her Grow Your Tarot Business online class. The invaluable information Bridget provided me with helped me launch Magdalena Tarot Inc. in late 2014.

I launched as a strictly Tarot reading business but expanded into other avenues like astrology, numerology, publishing, and an Etsy shop. Magdalena Tarot has survived for almost 10 years because when I feel stagnant, like Madonna or Lady Gaga, I reinvent myself to stay relevant. It takes a lot of diligence to grow a loyal audience and even more to find out what your audience wants to hear. Finding a work/life balance can also be hard. There definitely is a sweet spot where input and output is a happy balance of what you realistically have the time and resources to create and what your audience wants to see. It can take a lot of observation before you have an “ah-ha” moment!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Denver has a lot to offer and each neighborhood has its own flavor. Here is a tentative schedule if one of my BFFs came to visit me. This trip would ideally happen in late spring, summer or early fall.

Monday: University Hills
We’ll head to Observatory Park to check out the observatory in the morning. When we start getting hungry, we’ll head to Little Jerusalem for a unbeatably tasty falafel sandwich, lentil soup, humas and baklava. After lunch we’ll wander over to the famous Bonnie Brae Ice Cream and then take a stroll through University Hills. Next, I’ll introduce my friend to Shining Lotus, a metaphysical book store with an impressive used book selection. We’ll get a Tarot or astrology reading before we go to dinner. We’ll have Indian Oven’s delightful, spicy Indian Buffet before we catch a movie at Chez Artiste, a small independent, neighborhood movie theater on South Colorado Blvd.

Tuesday: West Denver and Golden
We’ll head to the Westside of Town to kick off the day on Wednesday. We’ll start at Westside Books and wander around the area. Then we’ll head to Sloan’s Lake for a walk and reading our books in the sunshine. We’ll catch the sunset hiking around Red Rocks and wrap up the evening exploring the unique shops and bars in Golden.

Wednesday: South Broadway
We’ll start the day off with coffee and book browsing at Mutiny Information Café. Then we’ll head to Pie Hole for lunch. Next we’ll travel down South Broadway to check out the antique shops on Antique row. The last round of shops we’ll visit is the fantastic Goddess Isis Books and Gifts where you can find the biggest collection of Tarot Decks (that I know of) in Denver as well as metaphysical books, crystals, an acropachy. If we feel the need to get another psychic reading, Goddess Isis has readers who can help answer burning questions. Next, we’ll head to Washington Park for an evening stroll and stop in GB Fish and Chips for dinner then Drinks at #Vybe, a cozy gay bar with a big heart. Then we’ll head to Milk Bar’s goth night and dance the night away!

Thursday East Colfax: We’ll have lunch at Pete’s Kitchen then spend some time at Tattered Cover perusing the books. We’ll also check out metaphysical books, stones, tarot cards and décor at Herbs and Arts and maybe even pick up an essential oil blend to help with our current intentions. I think Herbs and Arts gives the best astrology readings in town so we’ll see if anyone is in to look at our charts. Then we’ll head to Hooked on Colfax to look at our new books and enjoy coffee and snacks. After that, we’ll head to Izu Sushi for dinner and kill some time at One Up playing nostalgic arcade games before a fun filled night of karaoke at Blush and Blu, a local lesbian bar where all are welcome.

Friday: Capital Hill
We’ll start the day off heading to the Denver Art Museum. Lunch is a a picnic with Snarf’s sandwiches in Cheeseman Park. Then we’ll head to the Botanic Gardens for a stroll to admire the flora and fauna of the season. After that we’ll check in at Marijuana Mansion, a 420 friendly hotel in an allegedly haunted marijuana themed Victorian Mansion where we’ll be spending the night. We’ll head to City O City for dinner before we catch a ghost tour of Capital Hill. After hearing chilling urban legends based on the spine tingling history of Denver History, we’ll pop into Black Box or Your Mom’s House to hear some tunes and have a drink. Then back to the Marijuana Mansion for a late night meet up with friends in our hotel room.

Saturday: Downtown
We’ll make sure we get plenty of sleep and then grab breakfast around Union station. Then We’ll hop on a pair of bikes and bike Cherry Creek Trail. If we feel adventurous and in the mood for a long bike ride, we’ll catch Highline Canal Trail and bike through Fairmount Cemetery, Denver’s 2nd oldest but grandest cemetery in my opinion. We’ll stop for dinner at Pho OK, one of my favorite Pho restaurants in Denver. Then we’ll go get cleaned up and head to Meow Wolf for a playful, psychedelic evening at the interactive museum for the mind.

Sunday: 17th St
We’ll take it easy on Sunday as my bestie’s trip wraps up. We’ll start the day with a walk in City Park and try out paddling around the lake in the Swan boats. After getting some fresh air, we’ll grab lunch at Illegal Pete’s because I love their Beer Battered Fish Burritos! After lunch we’ll head to 17th St where we’ll grab a drink, watch some horror movies and play pinball at the Crypt. We’ll have our farewell dinner ta Thai Basil because their avocado boba and pad Thai are worth the trip. After that, we’ll have one last drink at the Thin Man and then say farewell until next time!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to thanks Chris Guleff of Metaphysical Designs. Magdalena Tarot Inc. was a baby when I met Chris in 2015. Through Chris’ guidance and mentorship, I’ve been able to grow my business from a small, online Tarot reading business to a umbrella that includes an occult themed vintage and antique shop, a fashion label and a magazine. Chris is a beloved friend and a constant source of support, inspiration and motivation.

Website: www.magdalenatarotinc.com

Instagram: @MagdalenaTarot

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-davis-content-creator

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magdalenatarotinc/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVbV9u7_9yR4rw7deNzMmyw

Other: Etsy (where you can buy Tarot readings and occult themed vintage and antiques) www.etsy.com/shop/magdalenatower Amazon (where you can buy my books) https://www.amazon.com/Alanna-L.P./e/B093DXHNHG%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

Image Credits
Spade Archer Photography for the photo of me reading Tarot, black and white photos by Bellawillow Photography