Contemporary witch, artist, writer, tarot reader, and San Francisco native Casey Zabala followed her inner wanderlust and intuition to create the exquisitely hand-drawn Wanderer’s Tarot deck. Modified by the need for feminine insight, these cards were designed for the modern-day witch and everyday woman. “The Wanderer’s Tarot is a feminist deck because it aims to support all people in their spiritual evolution while focusing in on female bodies and the female experience,” explains Zabala.
Credit: Casey Zabala
The dreamy tarot collection contains two editions: the Midnight and Solar decks. According to Zabala, “the Midnight edition is a hand drawn 78 card deck, based on traditional Tarot symbolism, and transmuted by feminine insight and awakening. For the magical practitioner, these cards speak to our magical tools and talismans. Created within a ritualistic framework, the deck holds true to the process of magic, and encourages others to engage in the art of manifesting and the journey towards self-knowledge.” The Solar edition has the same illustrations but is an inverted deck with a smaller guide to the suits, majors, and court cards, each guiding you to illumination.
Credit: Casey Zabala
We caught up with Casey Zabala to discuss her calling to the practice of magic and creation of the self-published Wanderer’s Tarot deck, the healing and transformational power of the cards, how Zabala copes with the challenges of being a modern-day witch, and her plans for the future.
Rogue Habits: When did you first learn about Tarot and did this coincide with realizing you were a magical practitioner?
Casey Zabala: I was gifted my first tarot deck from my mother’s dear friend on my 13th birthday. The cards spoke to me with clarity and a deep knowing that I had not felt before. My first tarot reading with my first deck opened me up to direct communication with Spirit. From then on, I was committed to a path of working with my intuitive abilities and discovering all there is to know about tarot and magic.
Credit: Casey Zabala – Midnight Deck
RH: Did you feel a calling to create The Wanderer’s Tarot? What is the meaning behind the name?
CZ: I had a knowing that I would create my own tarot deck for some time, but it wasn’t until I was finishing my bachelor’s degree at the California Institute of Integral Studies, and seriously committed to an academic study of the tarot, that I felt the timing was right. I was definitely called to create the Wanderer’s Tarot, and the drawing of the cards was a beautiful channeling experience. The name, “Wanderer’s Tarot” is an homage to the Fool’s Journey through the tarot. As seekers, we are always learning, and forever curious. The Wanderer is never satisfied, and forever adventuring through the arcane mysteries of life and the cosmos. Wanderer’s Tarot is the seeker’s ally through life’s blessings and challenges.
Credit: Casey Zabala – Solar Deck
RH: Your deck is a combination of the traditional study of tarot with feminine insight and awakening. Can you speak more about the role feminism plays in this tarot and how this can help women, especially as a guide in today’s world?
CZ: Tarot is an incredible tool for self-care, healing, and transformation. Tarot’s healing abilities are integral to my work as a reader, and I’ve found them to be incredibly powerful for women who are in need of affirmation and support. The Wanderer’s Tarot is a feminist deck because it aims to support all people in their spiritual evolution while focusing in on female bodies and female experience. As I was drawing the deck, I began to draw naked feminine bodies. I believe this was a channeled directive from the Goddess herself, asking that women be seen and acknowledged for their emotional and physical labor in the world, and in-between the worlds. The realm of intuition and healing work has traditionally been ruled by the feminine. I wanted to pay homage to that lineage within the court cards, with each Philosopher, Goddess, Prophet, and Wanderer.
RH: The illustrations in the deck are beautiful. Were you always creative and which card is your favorite?
CZ: Thank you! I’ve been an artist from day one. I’ve been a photographer, sculptor, creative writer and dabbled in other mediums as well. Drawing has become my main focus recently, but I’m always exploring. Currently, my favorite card is the Two of Moons, since it’s been coming up a lot for me in my personal readings.
Credit: Casey Zabala
RH: As a modern-day witch, what are some of your biggest challenges and how did/do you train in your craft?
CZ: Since I live in a city, I am always working on integrating nature and the landscape into my magical workings. We have become so detached from the natural world, and I hope to heal some of that disconnect within myself and hopefully for others. I find the realm of social media to be challenging as well. I am constantly asking myself, how much of my magical practice am I willing to share in the digital space? It’s an interesting pull – to share, or not to share.
I identified as a witch when I was quite young, reading any and all occult/mystical books I could get my hands on. Later, I trained with the Reclaiming Collective in San Francisco to gain more understanding of group workings and coven structure. Now, I am mostly a hedgewitch, although I strive to mentor other witches in their magical work, as well as foster community around spiritual growth.
Credit: Casey Zabala
RH: What are your favorite spiritual rituals/tools for managing everyday life?
CZ: I am an avid dream collector and practice active journaling. Begin writing down your dreams – little symbols you can remember, or feelings you wake up with, and your dream world will open up to you. There is so much rich processing that happens while we are sleeping, and integrating it into waking consciousness is seriously powerful. I also enjoy maintaining altars in my home, which keep me attuned to my magical practice and engaged with the Wheel of the Year.
RH: Do you have any new projects in the works? Plans for the future?
CZ: Yes! I am currently organizing the inaugural Modern Witches Confluence, which will be held on October 28th, 2018 in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. We’ll have some incredible witchy teachers all in one place, and it is sure to be a truly sacred experience.
I am working on creating more educational tarot material to share with students who are unable to attend my workshops in person, as well as an oracle deck. I am so excited about this project but am keeping the magic secret — for now.
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