This isn’t the easiest thing to talk about, but it’s important that I do so.

I was only able to be unapologetically myself when my dad passed away three years ago. It was a very surprising thing to realize and something I felt guilty about for a long time. But I’ve made peace with it, especially after understanding what’s truly behind this.

We’re shaped by systems: familial, cultural, ancestral, past-life, and spiritual systems. As soon as we’re born, we’re introduced to narratives about how to be and live on the planet. Our parents, teachers, friends, the school, books, films, media, and all the institutions that run the world condition us in certain ways.

A big part of the spiritual journey is identifying and releasing this old programming and learning to live life on our own terms. What my dad’s passing taught me was how deep-seated certain beliefs can be. While I was actively doing the inner work for years, I was blissfully unaware that my dad’s mere presence was unconsciously blocking me from expressing myself fully.

After his passing, I got two piercings, dyed my hair blonde, launched a gay sex podcast, got into Drama School, and recently bought my first mermaid tail! (ALL of which my dad would disapprove of.)

I also felt more comfortable blending my masculine and feminine energies and challenging gender boundaries. I’ve found myself embracing makeup (I can feel it’ll turn into an obsession), rocking a mermaid shell crown, and fearlessly expressing my feminine side.

I’ve been fascinated by the concept of gender since college, and I’ve had many conversations about it on my Can’t Host podcast over the past few months. One such conversation was with my friend, queer and non-binary artist Ari Wisner.

Ari is the creator of the Transient Light Tarot by Hay House. They’ve been on my Can’t Host podcast previously, talking about Non-Binary Queer Sex and Relationships, and I was excited to have them back to chat about their Tarot deck on The Lit Up Lightworker Podcast.

Specifically, in this interview, you’ll learn:

• Alternative terms for masculine/feminine energies
• The importance of having gender-neutral art in life and Tarot
• Why Ari added four extra cards to their Tarot deck!
• How to navigate life’s changes and transitions

Click here to watch the interview and explore Ari’s queer and gender-neutral tarot deck.