We recently connected with Angeliska Polacheck and have shared our conversation below.

Angeliska, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Covid has brought about so many changes – has your business model changed?

When the pandemic first began in 2020, I realized pretty quickly that I would have to shift a LOT of things in the way that I work with clients. I live with a chronic illness that makes me more vulnerable to viruses like Covid, and so protecting my health became essential.

Luckily, I’d already been giving my non-local, international, and disabled tarot clients readings over the phone (with full satisfaction!) for many years, so making the transition to only doing remote readings was an easy pivot! I’ve actually found that they are more potent and allow us to go deeper than an in-person session — mainly because I’m able to channel in an even more focused way, when I’m not needing to hold the physical space for myself and my client.

But — the pandemic bit into my business in a big way – as did navigating my own complex health during a time where I was constantly asked to put my well-being at risk for the entertainment of others. This was in Deep Covid — when we were technically still trying to “flatten the curve”. But I regularly had people demanding access to in-person readings and for me to come read tarot at their parties. It was definitely tough, navigating that inherent ableism that got really LOUD during that time. And honestly, it still is.

I’m back to reading at events and officiating of weddings again – but with the awareness that I’m still taking a risk that could result in me no longer being able to do the work most, were I to suffer even more long-term effects than I already do from Long Covid.

There’s no back up plan here, no real retirement or 401k. Just me continuing to read tarot for people who find me until I’m an ancient crone and finally keel over, or as long as my body, mind, and spirit will allow me to continue.

We live in a culture that doesn’t have much respect or reverence for the work of witches and mystics, and with the advent of tarot becoming incredibly “trendy”, it’s easy to be exploited or feel disposable – especially when everyone and their mom picked up a tarot or oracle deck in the past few years, and decided to start charging for readings.

It’s hard knowing that I lost formerly loyal clients because I chose to continue to protect my tenuous health by shifting to remote sessions only, since the pandemic began (and continues on, unabated). I’m working on getting the tarot trailer ready to see folks in person again, soon — but it’s requiring some upgrades in terms of ventilation and repairs to make it more comfortable! In person readings will be offered only to clients who’ve had a phone or zoom reading previously with me, and who are willing to participate in a health screening, with layered protections. And those session will be priced quite a bit higher than my remote sessions, as access to my physical space and person will definitely come at a premium! In person sessions will run 90 minutes to 2 hours and, will include a complimentary smoke cleansing/energy clearing, and a mystic tea service.

Through it all, though – I’m even more dedicated to the work, and so humbled that I get to support my life by doing work of service that fulfills me so deeply.
I strive to make the work I do accessible to all who need it, and though I finally had to raise my rates for the first time in over a decade of doing this work, I still offer sliding scale payment, for folks who really need it!

Giving tarot readings is my FAVORITE thing! I love doing this deep work so much, and I learn something new, with every reading I give. Working with so many kind-hearted, inspiring, amazing people feels like such a privilege and blessing.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve been working with the cards for over 30 years now, and offering readings professionally since 1999. I inherited my mother’s tarot (who died when I was seven) deck when I was eleven years old, and have been avidly delving into the mysteries ever since.

My years of experience, combined with my dedication to continuing to attune my psychic ability to assist people in reaching their greater good and highest potential have contributed to a reputation as a trusted guide into spiritual and healing work.

I’m a Capricorn sun, Gemini moon, Pisces rising who was born exactly at 11:11am (yes, for real!) on the 10th day of the 1st month! This feels like a really perfect combination for doing the work I do: going deep into the mystic realms, talking about magic all day long, and being grounded enough to make that my full time vocation.

I’m endlessly fascinated by the human psyche, all forms of divination, the spirit world, faeries, angels, ghosts and dreams – and I delight in sharing my sense of wonder. I have a serious passion for guiding people towards healing, with a trauma-informed, collective liberation focus. We are living through some really intense and frightening times, and it means a lot to me to be able to support folks who are struggling with transitions, grief, and anxiety with an open heart and gentle approach.

I especially love working with people going through major life shifts — whether it’s reinventing yourself, sudden loss, career pivots, divorce and break-ups, 1st and 2nd Saturn Returns, and all kinds of other big moves and transitions.Many people who come to me feel stuck or lost — like they’re looking for something just out of reach, but their path and purpose is still unclear. The tarot is an amazing tool for clarifying why we’re here, and what will be most generative to focus on! I also offer astrological transit readings, dreamwork (symbolism + interpretation), mystic counseling, and writing to heal coaching.

I’m based in Austin, Texas (though I got my start reading professionally in New Orleans!) and I adore all my loyal local clients, plus so many amazing people I get to read for over the phone or by Zoom from all over the country, and the world. I also enjoy reading for parties and events: Sister Temperance Tarot has read for beaucoup bachelorettes, birthdays, baby showers, and bar mitzvahs!

I have helped create lasting memories at company holiday parties, product launches, private dinners, VIP areas, backstage for top tier performers, anniversaries, weddings, film and gallery openings, corporate events (family day, team building), for branded events, conferences, afterparties, and all kinds of festivals.

Everything I have built with my business and the work I do has been from the ground up – and I’ve built my reputation through serving my clients and community with a fiercely loving heart. I’ve been honored to be voted Austin’s Best Tarot Reader 9 years in a row, because of that devotion to compassionate spiritual service.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Carving out a place for myself in a pretty unusual field has taught me so much over the years – but one of the most important lessons has been about the value of building a solid reputation as skilled and ethical tarot reader and trusted spiritual advisor within my community here in my hometown, and beyond.

I’ve been doing this work for a very long time now — way before it became more of a mainstream thing. That excitement may begin to wane at some point, but the reality is that people have always sought out mystics and witches for guidance and support, over many centuries — and I believe that they always will. I’ve seen many readers start their businesses, and then fall away, over the years. I truly believe that doing this work is a soul-calling. It can very intense, and it’s essential to hold strong boundaries and ethics, if you want to make it sustainable!

I’m grateful to have developed such a strong regard among my beloved clients as a reliable authority in spiritual matters, and someone they can come to with deep and personal emotional issues. Working from a trauma informed approach, being dedicated to compassion towards all beings, and my devotion to service is what sets my work apart from readers who might do this kind of work only for entertainment or to make money off desperate seekers.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I remember being 33 years old, and just on the other side of my Saturn return. I was feeling pretty lost in my career path, and in the relationship I was in – but one thing kept shimmering at me, like a beacon in the night: that I really missed reading tarot for people. I lived in New Orleans for seven years, but left back in 2005, after Hurricane Katrina blew my roof off. For a long time, my mind wasn’t really on being of service to others – I was in survival mode myself, and really in no shape to be doing deep spiritual and emotional work with people. So, I worked fun, creative retail jobs for awhile, and ended up becoming an antique dealer.

I loved that work – but something was really missing for me. I knew I wanted to help people – to go deep with them, and to be of service. But I didn’t know how, or what – and for some reason, I’d decided that no one in Austin was going to seek me out for tarot readings the way they did in New Orleans! I really ran from doing this work, for quite a few years – because I’m stubborn, and because I’ve found that it’s pretty common to be terrified of taking a leap, and testing your destiny.

It turns out, that eventually I felt ready to stop running, and discovered that my destiny was right there – where it had always been, patiently waiting for me. It really was one of those “If you build it, they will come” kind of things. It took awhile to build up a clientele, and get my footing, and for about five years, I was still dealing antiques at Uncommon Objects.

The day I realized that I was ready to focus on tarot full time was a big one – it was scary, but absolutely necessary. I never looked back, and now – helping people find their true work and career paths that bring them deep fulfillment has become one of my specialties!

All these years later, some people are still surprised when they find out that reading tarot is my full time career – because it’s an unusual one, for sure. The hard things I’ve gone through all help me better understand and support my clients with empathy and an awareness of what it’s like to survive unimaginable disasters and traumas — and to emerge with grace, and hope.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sistertemperance.com
• Instagram: @sistertemperancetarot
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sistertemperancetarot

Image Credits
Alexandra Kacha