Calling Cards: An Interview with Diviner & Astrologer Marli Mari

Marli Mari is a diviner and astrologer dedicated to helping others navigate life with clarity, confidence, and connection. With six years of experience and as the founder of Magic + Mari, Marli is passionate about making divination both meaningful and accessible.

In advance of her upcoming workshop at The Red Shoes, we sat down with Marli to learn more about her journey, her practice, and what participants can expect to experience.

What first drew you to divination and working with cards?

Marli: My spiritual journey began with exploration, and a lot of that came from my mom. She practiced tarot and astrology, and she would read for us growing up. My very first decks were the Rider-Waite Tarot and a Floral Oracle deck. My mom was very eclectic and always supported curiosity and spiritual exploration—that’s what really planted the seed for me.

Can you share a bit about your personal practice—how do you connect with your cards?

Marli: Whenever I get a new deck, I always do a “deck interview.” I’ll ask it questions to get a sense of how it reads, the types of questions it responds well to, and the kind of answers it provides. I also read through the guidebook, because I love decks that are rich in meaning and come with strong explanations. My approach is less about pure intuition and more about building a real understanding of what each deck offers.

For those who are new, how would you describe divination?

Marli: To me, divination is communicating with the Divine. The word itself comes from being “inspired by the gods” or the sky. With cards, it’s about what it means to be in communication with your higher self, God, or whatever name you give to the Divine.

With so many tools—tarot, oracle, astrology—how do you help people discover what resonates most with them?

Marli: It starts with recognizing that everyone has different types of intuition. Tarot, for example, originated as a playing card deck and has a very structured system—the Major and Minor Arcana with archetypes that always repeat. Oracle decks, on the other hand, are created specifically for divination, so they’re more fluid and vary widely in intention and design. Helping people find what resonates is really about guiding them toward the tool that speaks most clearly to their intuition.

What are some misconceptions about divination that you want to clear up?

Marli: One big misconception is that it’s intimidating or even invasive—like the cards will somehow expose your deepest secrets. But divination is not nearly as daunting as people imagine. Yes, it’s mystical and spiritual, but it’s also very accessible and practical if you allow it to be. My goal is to help people feel comfortable whether they’re reading for themselves or receiving a reading.

What can participants expect from your Calling Cards workshop at The Red Shoes?

Marli: It will be informative and hands-on. I want participants to leave feeling curious, inspired, and equipped with a new tool for their spiritual journey. This workshop is meant to be a launching point—your practice will evolve over time. I encourage people to come ready to learn and also to allow their journey to take shape in its own way.

Why is building a personal relationship with a card deck so powerful?

Marli: I believe every tool carries its own energy. When you get to know how a deck works best—whether it’s guiding introspection or helping you identify next steps—you can use it more effectively. Building that relationship deepens your practice and gives you confidence in your connection to the cards.

How do you approach challenges like spiritual bypassing?

Marli: Spiritual bypassing happens when we use spirituality to avoid emotions or reality. It’s tempting to skip over the hard stuff, but if we don’t go into divination seeking clarity and truth, we end up more detached from ourselves. Facing the challenging parts is what makes the practice truly transformative.

Do you have a favorite deck right now?

Marli: Yes! I’m currently very connected to the 52 Blues deck by Grandma’s Baby Apothecary. It’s a round, playing card-style deck created by a sibling duo, and it comes with a gorgeous guidebook that could double as a coffee table book.

Every time I read with it, I feel empowered—it gives me a completely different experience than my other decks.

✨ Join Marli Mari for Calling Cards: Building a Personal Divination Practice at The Red Shoes on Sunday, October 12. This beginner-friendly workshop offers a grounded introduction to tarot and oracle cards, helping you build a personal connection with the tools that resonate most with your spirit.