Updated August 2020. I have always been interested in the spiritual side of life. In grade school my friends and I, amidst playing ninja in the forests where I lived, also tried to meditate. We would climb into the back of the crawl space at my friend Mike’s house and light incense and work on sitting still, breathing and certain gestures we had learned from books about martial arts. When I was 13 I was in a local mall bookstore with my Grandmother. I saw a tarot set for sale, the Mythic Tarot, and immediately asked her if she would get it for me. Being a loving support of my interest in all things, mystical, weird, or macabre, she immediately said yes. It was also around that time that I discovered Aleister Crowley, the Qabala, and ceremonial
magick at a local psychic fair. The stage was set.

The next year I was in a serious accident while driving a scooter in the Dominican Republic. I can tell you getting nailed by a dump truck that has decided to pass around a blind corner is no fun. While learning to walk again I also started to ask some big existential questions of the universe. I became voracious in my reading quickly tearing through all the philosophy, religion, and political books the school library had to offer. I started to try to figure it all out. I was lucky to be supported in my search by my family. This was all before the internet was around so I started to talk with whoever I could find that was willing to speak with me about it – priest, jesuits, occultists, anyone who would cross my path.

After high school I went to a local art school and studied sculpture. Now that I was living on my own and in Toronto I delved deeper into my spirituality. Looking for groups, and setting myself regular practices working on all the stuff I had started as a child in my friend’s crawl space. Yogic breathing, learning to control the body and the mind, moving and feeling energy. I got into martial arts again. I finished art school with a real dislike for the art world in general, but an intense love for religious art.

After university I found my way to doing graphic design and later worked freelancing for many big companies in the financial sector. My fascination with the spiritual continued to grow. I got initiated into some western mystery schools. I found new friends to do ceremonies with. I traveled to India, spent time with native elders, hosted community retreats, studied counselling, and continued to seek for answers. I came to really dislike my work and jumped like the fool into working as a reader for a website in 2002, then a local store, and finally in 2008 ago set out on my own.

In 2008 I was crowned to Shango in a traditional Afro-cuban lineage. Marking my own personal dedication to walking with the Orisha which I started at the turn of the century. This path has deeply influenced my personal life and world view. Eventually leading to the creation and publication of The Orisha tarot.

I spend my time enjoying being a parent to two amazing humans. Enjoying my polyamorous relationships. Cycling, rock climbing, and wondering about the future during covid.

The Hermit’s Lamp, as part of my vision to make available great decks, books, spiritually supplies, and really exciting events. I’ve been reading tarot now since 1986.