By Giulia Piceni. Cover image by Rosy Ramírez.
Tarot cards have always been a captivating subject, as they hold a certain mystique that many of us love to unravel. Rediscovering the most magical and spiritual dimension of life in today’s complex world has become harsher than ever. The ancient practice of tarot reading can provide a key to better understanding our personalities and the world around us. Letizia di Battista, a tarot reader with a wealth of experience, knows this better than most. We had the opportunity to interview her and uncover the secrets of this fascinating world.
How does it feel to work as a tarot reader? Before beginning this journey of rediscovery, what were your opinions and prejudices towards the practices that are now your work as a tarot reader?
I didn’t really care about the world of tarot cards, and perhaps didn’t pay much attention to it. However, there has always been something about tarot cards that fascinated me since I was young. I’ve always been attracted to them; there has always been something that captivated me. Despite this, I had never approached it, partly due to my family and upbringing and partly due to my strong rational nature. I remember feeling extremely confident in my rationality.
Who or what were your biggest inspirations at the start of your journey?
My journey began with yoga and meditation. The first people who inspired me were my yoga teachers at Dhrumayoga School in Florence, where I started my practice in 2011. From there, yoga opened the door to many other experiences and studies. It was like the first piece of a jigsaw puzzle. I’m not sure if there’s a specific person I would recognise as a mentor. I would say that the desire to continue exploring, studying, and searching came mainly from within me. Also, some sufferings that I experienced during that time really pushed me to look for a way to feel better with myself and to know myself better.
What are the major challenges you encountered in this career change into tarot reader?
I have been facing various difficulties, and it’s something I continue to do every day. Perhaps the biggest challenge I have encountered is bringing my own work, energy, and message into the world. Before this drastic change, I had always worked for others, be it companies, clients, or employers. I had always represented the organisations I worked for. So, finding myself promoting and exposing my own message and work has forced me to confront many insecurities and fears, such as the fear of not being good enough, not being ready, or not being adequately prepared. I believe that everyone in this line of work faces these fears, but not only them, of course. Even artists and anyone who sells and offers their work also grapple with a lot of uncertainties and self-doubt every day.
The space where you work has a particular aesthetic and energy. How did you realise that was the right one?
I didn’t exactly choose this space, but I kind of found myself in it because it’s my grandparents’ house. I live in one part of the house, while two other rooms are used for workshops, yoga classes, tarot reading and meditation. Interestingly, in the past, these two rooms had been used for storage purposes since my grandmother’s death more than two decades ago. It was a place with a much different vibe than today – the windows were always shut, it was dark, cold, filled with furniture, books and photos. Now it has become a warm and welcoming environment.
Much of the beauty of my workspace was already there, such as the frescoes and the structure of the house – these were not within my control. However, the energy of the space depends on me and what I bring into it, including the people who pass through it, the intentions, and the words spoken. I take care of this space every day as if it were an altar by energetically cleansing it.
Three items without which your day wouldn’t be the same
As I was trying to answer this question, I found myself thinking about how many potentially unnecessary things fill our everyday lives. This led me to make a well-considered choice. In the end, I came down with these choices: first, my meditation cushion. I could meditate without it; I could do it anywhere as long as I have my body and presence, but the cushion makes everything more comfortable and cosy. In fact, meditation in the morning is definitely something I couldn’t start my day without.
Secondly, I would say my agenda, where I write down all my sessions and other important things that I need to do; I would be lost without it on a practical level. It also allows me to calm my mind a bit because every time I think of things I want to do or need to do, I write them down, and this helps me let them go. Another thing I would add to my three-objects list is my moka pot, my coffee maker. I only drink coffee in the morning, and, for me, it’s about the ritual of preparing it, waiting for it, smelling it, and hearing the coffee come out. I usually make coffee after my meditation when I write, read cards, and do my things. It’s a very important moment for me that helps me start the day well, take my time, and create my own space.
Many are approaching meditation, manifestation, or even tarot reading through social media like TikTok. What is your opinion about this?
I honestly know very little about TikTok because I’ve never used it, so I can’t really form an opinion. However, I have noticed, while randomly reading some articles from relevant magazines, that manifestation has become a trend on TikTok. However, I am quite active on Instagram and find it to be a very useful tool that has helped me discover teachers (including my tarot teacher), participate in retreats and training sessions.
Unfortunately, the spiritual and holistic world has become a bit of a trend on social media, transforming it into a ploy to monetise from people who share somewhat superficial content. But in the end, I believe that everyone reaches out to the teachers they need or the clients or users who resonate with their energies. Therefore, it’s probably good that there is such a variety on social media so everyone can find their path and community.
How does a reading session unfold: what should we ask and what not? How should we approach it? To whom are these practices not recommended in terms of mindset?
To summarise my approach to conducting tarot card readings, I tailor my method to suit both in-person and online sessions. I start each session with a short centering and relaxation ritual to create a focused and receptive atmosphere. My focus is solely on present themes, and I work with the querent to develop a clear question before proposing a suitable card spread.
It is important that the querent actively participates throughout the reading, creating an interactive and engaging experience. It’s essential to keep in mind that tarot readings do not provide all the answers or tell the querent what to do in their life. Instead, they offer a fresh perspective and clarity on relational dynamics. My goal is to help the querent access their inner wisdom and uncover answers that external distractions and personal biases may hide.
While the tarot can be a helpful guide, it is ultimately up to the individual to make their own life decisions. The intention is to empower the querent to connect with their own insights, fostering a sense of clarity and self-discovery.
What are the first steps you recommend to a newcomer who wants to enter your magical world of tarots?
Follow your intuition, step by step, with curiosity and openness, to see where it will take you. When I went to my first yoga class twelve years ago, I couldn’t imagine where it would take me. I could have thought about everything that would happen afterwards. For some reason, I felt the call and the urge to go and try that class. So the idea is just to follow what’s calling you, whether it’s a lesson, a book, a workshop, a retreat, or a course. During this journey, don’t worry too much about the consequences, where you’re headed, or what you’ll do, but follow the flow as everything comes at the right time.
The feeling is that nowadays, people who are interested in my world focus more on the end goal and forget about the process. For example, as soon as they start a course, they have already decided that it should be their job and approach it as if they were choosing a university to go to. On this topic, my suggestion is to start with great humility and follow your intuition without long-term goals in mind.
