I live in Wellington, New Zealand. I attended Victoria University, where I completed a B.A. in English Literature.

My early fascination with Astrology became an obsession over two decades ago, after Garth Carpenter gave me the key to my birth chart by working out my ascendant, even though I had been unable to provide him with a time of birth. This was no mean feat. He then told me that he was ‘of two minds’ as to whether to do my chart analysis for me. Obviously, he had seen something which had unsettled him. This both terrified and tantalized me. I had to know more…

Although I attended a couple of workshops with Alison Maciver, I am mostly self-taught, as Garth himself told me he had been; driven by my passion for this subject, to ever further my knowledge and understanding. I begin most days, poring over the planetary transits in my ephemeris, whilst sipping on a coffee…

I do believe that most people out there can function perfectly well in their daily lives, without being aware of the astrological influences that each is subject to, moment by moment, hour by hour… But when a person is struggling with a situation in their lives, or perhaps just wanting to understand their own strengths and weaknesses from an entirely new perspective, it can be very helpful to be able to access this kind of ‘inside information.’

I began using the Tarot about six years ago. I had worked with Rune stones in the past, so understood the process of divination.

One thing I would like to say here, is that I am very particular about the kind of Tarot deck I use – and how I use it. I had previously shunned the Tarot altogether, because I had been repelled by some of the imagery of the more traditional decks.

But since discovering the wonderful ‘Lover’s Path Tarot’ by Kris Waldherr, I have been re-awakened to its true potential as a tool for personal and spiritual growth. This Tarot deck, contrary to the suggestion of its name, may be applied to as many spheres of life as any other Tarot deck, but distinguishes itself in significant ways.

Most of the suits have been re-named for example, ‘Pentacles,’ as ‘Coins’ and ‘Wands,’ as ‘Staves;’ but perhaps more importantly, many of the Major Arcana cards also, for example, ‘The Devil’ has become ‘Temptation;’ ‘The Hanged Man,’ ‘Sacrifice’ and ‘Death,’ ‘Transformation’ – providing a more constructive focus, while at the same time liberating the concept from some of its more occult associations.

This Tarot deck is a truly inspired piece of work – as well as being visually very beautiful, which I feel resonates with me and the work that I do.

Karen Astrid, November 2015.