🌙 Introduction
In this first feature of our creator interview series, we step into the world of Sasha Graham — tarot author, teacher, and storyteller whose work invites us to experience tarot not just as a practice, but as a way of living.
From shadow work to sensuality, from daily practice to gothic storytelling, Sasha’s approach to tarot is immersive, bold, and deeply personal. In this conversation, she shares her journey, her philosophy, and the worlds behind her decks — including her newest release, A Vampire's Tale Tarot.
🔮 The Interview
✨ The Beginning
Your journey with tarot feels incredibly alive and personal. How did tarot first enter your life, and what drew you to it?
I was born on Halloween. It kinda explains everything. My Iowa granny would write letters and address me as, “The Good Witch of the East!”
Purchased the RWS deck when I was in middle school circa 1981 so I could tell fortunes at a fundraiser. The only problem was I had NO idea how to read the cards. I opened the pack and was utterly confused.
My stepsister’s best friend, a born again Christian, found me with the cards, grabbed the deck away from me, and lit them on fire in a dumpster (we lived on a farm). She told me they were the devil’s cards. I saw then and there just how powerful tarot is.
My first book, Tarot Diva, was written specifically because I never wanted anyone to be overwhelmed, intimidated or afraid of something as cool and mysterious as tarot cards.
🌿 Living Tarot
You often speak about tarot as something to be lived, not just read. What does “living tarot” mean to you in your day-to-day life?
The best way to understand the arcana is to embody your cards. It can be done on a moment-to-moment basis. Each card is a doorway to infinite meanings and experiences.
I’m feeling “swordsy” right now while answering your questions as I’m relying on my intellectuality. I’m also accessing the “Page” part of myself because I want to stay youthfully open to inspiration.
I might feel like the Queen of Pentacles as I prepare my lunch and then like the Lovers card when enjoying it — fully seeing, tasting and experiencing every morsel.
One must embody the tarot in order to truly understand the arcana. Otherwise you are just memorising meanings and cheating yourself of Tarot’s spiritual, sensual and mystical experience.
🔥 The Creative Spark
What inspired you to create 365 Tarot Spells, and what role does daily ritual play in your connection with tarot?
I’d just finished 365 Tarot Spreads and realised I could use the same structure for years worth of spells! Plus, I adored Jenina Renee’s Tarot Spells.
Writing the spell book unleashed so much magic in my life!
My daily tarot work is more of a practice than a ritual. Ritual comes into play when I’m spellcasting or doing ancestor and archetypal work.
🃏 The Heart of the Cards
Is there a particular card that holds deep personal meaning for you?
It might sound basic but the WORLD, DEATH, LOVERS, MAGICIAN all feel immediate, impactful and bring me great joy. They make me feel alive, alert and expanding.
🎭 Storytelling & Symbolism
Do you see tarot as a form of storytelling?
100%! Living is storytelling. Giving a tarot reading is storytelling. Receiving one is storytelling.
If I’m teaching or writing, I want it to feel immersive and inspiring — and I strive to give that experience to everyone engaging with my work.
🌙 Behind the Scenes
What was one of the most memorable moments in your journey?
Preparing for my first Readers Studio Conference presentation in 2016 was massive, challenging and terrifying.
To present there meant you had “made it” in the tarot world. I delivered a 2½ hour masterclass on shadow work — which became the foundation for the Dark Wood Tarot.
That moment truly felt like my launch.
✨ For the Reader
What would you want a beginner to understand?
A beginner’s mindset is your greatest gift!
Throw out the books. Don’t worry about being right.
Clear your mind. Focus on what draws your attention in the card. Let that be your message.
Fear shuts everything down.
🕯️ Personal Practice
Do you have daily rituals?
I practice ashtanga yoga daily and pull a tarot card.
Both help me become present.
The more present you are, the more alive you are — and the richer life becomes.
Ghost Stories & Tarot You’ll be appearing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe later this year with Sasha Graham’s Ghost Stories & Tarot, blending live storytelling, ghost stories, and interactive tarot. What drew you toward live performance, and how does stepping onto a stage differ from creating through books and tarot decks?
Theater is magic! I originally came to NYC to be an actor and, in the 90’s, made a name for myself in indie horror films. Now, as an author, I am often teaching, lecturing and, essentially, performing. Live theater fosters immediate intimacy and connection between the performers with an audience. Best of all, it can’t be replicated by artificial intelligence. Live performance is one of the most beautifully human things we do! Stage is a communal, cathartic space whereas books and tarot decks are intimate, one-on-one, portable experiences. I also wanted to create an experience that was more exciting than a plain, old book-signing event. I want to engage and entertain people and what’s better than ghost stories and tarot?
🌟 Words of Wisdom
What advice would you give to others?
Follow those weird, wonderful things you can’t stop thinking about.
Just DO THE THING.
Creativity isn’t always flowy and magical — sometimes it’s hard, uncomfortable work. But that’s part of the process.
Also… always work with people who are better than you!
🖤 The Worlds Behind the Decks
🌲 Dark Wood Tarot
Shadow work is everything. Tarot helps us confront what we don’t know — and what we avoid.
If we want change, we must face what’s holding us back.
🏚️ Tarot of the Haunted House
Homes are a metaphor for the self. Exploring a haunted house is exploring the hidden, shadowy parts of ourselves.
Plus… I love gothic horror!
🕯️ Dark Side of Tarot
The hidden and confronting aspects are the entire point of tarot. That’s where growth happens.
🦇 A Vampire's Tale Tarot
Inspired by Anne Rice and a journey to Transylvania, this deck explores power, sensuality, shadow, and transformation.
If Dark Wood is about exploring the shadow, Vampire’s Tale is about bringing that shadow into the light.
Expect magic, indulgence, and a world you might want to escape into forever.
✨ Choosing a Deck
For those discovering your work for the first time, how would you guide someone to choose which of your decks is right for them?
Books and tarot decks choose you as much as you choose them. Take a look at the covers and notice what draws your attention — that’s usually where you’re meant to begin.
Here’s a little guide:
- If you love a gothic fairytale atmosphere, explore the Dark Wood Tarot
- If you’re drawn to lush, nature-based imagery, the Tarot of the Witch’s Garden is a beautiful place to start
- If you’re curious about tarot history and esoteric insight, Llewellyn’s Complete Guide to the Rider Waite Smith offers a deeper dive
- If you want to explore spreads, 365 Tarot Spreads opens up endless possibilities
- If spellwork calls to you, 365 Tarot Spells brings ritual into your practice
- And if you want a little bit of everything… step into the world of A Vampire's Tale Tarot
⚡ Quick Fire
- Coffee or tea? → Coffee!!!
- Morning or night readings? → BOTH
- Tarot or oracle? → Tarot
- One word for tarot? → Sublime
🖤 A Special Collaboration
To celebrate the release of A Vampire's Tale Tarot, we’re honoured to offer exclusive signed bookplates for Oneness Emporium customers.
A personal touch from the creator herself — available while supplies last.
🌙 Closing
Sasha Graham’s work reminds us that tarot is not something we simply learn — it’s something we live, breathe, and become.
✧ ✧ ✧
This is the first in our creator interview series, and there are many more voices to come.
Other titles by Sasha
1909 Original
Coming Soon!
Discover the Golden Art Nouveau Tarot One Card at a Time
