Sarah Faith Gottesdiener
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photo by Nancy Neil |
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With the recent release of the Many Moons Workbook (covering July - December), it seemed like a perfect time to share the radness that is Sarah Faith Gottesdiener. Sarah is a designer, artist, intuitive, tarot reader, supporter of all human beings (her current Instagram description is "You Are Doing A Great Job"), college professor, occult workshop teacher and creator of Modern Women. Her work explores intersectional feminist proganda, channels of distribution, and the spiritual. And she took the time to chat and share her process. |
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What prompted you to create the Many Moons (formerly 12 Moons) Workbook? This Workbook came out of my own practices of working with the phases of the Moon for years, which led to me giving workshops about the subject. I got the clear message that I was to write a book, and commit to this project for 3 years. So, here it is! I changed the name from 12 Moons to Many Moons, because 12 Moons was confusing: the workbooks come out twice a year, in digestible chunks, and 12 Moon correlated with the 12 Full Moons of 2016. Some years there are 13, and I also want to put the emphasis off the Full Moon. While it is an energized and auspicious time, there is always work to be down during every phase, if you choose!
There is a lot of new and exciting additions in the new Many Moons Workbook, could you fill us in? I'm very excited about what is new for this volume. It is much longer and comprehensive. I have wonderful contributors such as Diego Basdeo, The Hoodwitch, The Money Witch, Dori Midnight, and Lindsay Mack. Really really experienced, talented, and knowledge voices! There is also a Moon tracker in the back so you can record what was happening for you during the different phases. |
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How did you begin your journey into Tarot? When did you feel ready to teach tarot to others? (I took her 3 part series at Otherwild and highly recommend taking any of her courses.) I got into Tarot in my early twenties, like a lot of people. I felt ready to teach when I made myself ready! Ya know? We hold ourselves back sometimes because of imposter syndrome and the like. I'd been reading cards for people for 12 years, reading books, had taken workshops and classes, and had also worked as an adjunct professor at Scripps, Otis, and FIDM. Teaching workshops on Tarot combines a few of my loves: Tarot, teaching, and knowledge sharing. It is so important that we pass along our learning to others, so that they may learn and be empowered.
How do you balance and prepare yourself before a tarot reading? Practicing a really high level of self-care is integral for me when giving readings to others. It is hands down the reason I don't do it full-time, as it is so much upkeep. I don't drink within 24 hours of a reading, I must have a good night's sleep, be well-fed, and have my channel clear of stress, be grounded, etc. I meditate for long periods of time and drink specific teas and tinctures to facilitate both grounding and opening up to messages. That's just me—I really truly look up to the amazing readers I know who do it full-time! They deserve your respect, and your $$$! :-)
There are so many sources and modalities out there to pull from. Where do you draw your energy and inspiration? My main inspiration comes from Feminist Witches of the Pagan tradition, like Z. Budapest and Starhawk. Currently I am reading Laurie Cabots: Power of the Witch. I love invoking the elements, and thinking of those as energies we work with, and pass through.
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And tell me about a couple of your projects, Modern Women and Issues . . .
Modern Women is what I call tees, ️totes, etc. and printed matter I design and distro. It truly would not be possible if not for incredible small businesses who carry it such as yourself. [Thanks for the love! I wouldn't exist if it weren't for amazing artists such as you! And I do love all the shops that carry your work, too!]
"Issues" is an annual publication that a collaborator, Nicole Killian and myself curate and design. "Issues" highlights womxn-identified and queer-identified creatives. We wanted a physical place to showcase really inspiring people that sometimes get overlooked in the art and the design worlds. It is sold at Printed Matter, The MOCA Store LA, and Draw Down Books.
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I know you are a fine artist as well as a designer. How did you go from art to design?
I started waking up to the power that was inherent in the mass distribution of design, whether it be a t-shirt, a print, or a publication. It is really for the people, in a sense, because all of those are attainable for most: they are all relatively affordable, accessible to all, and walk around in the world. I decided to spend my efforts and energy focusing on design, which is two-fold: the work I do for clients like Nike, Sephora, or small businesses, and the still admittedly strange, pro-womxn, pro-intersectional feminist t-shirts and such I create.
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| How do you incorporate and also balance your design work with your metaphysical magickal work?
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And the book party! Many Moons Book Release Celebration
at Otherwild 1768 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, California 90027 |
