Reading tarot cards for nearly 30 years, Melissa Cynova knows the cards are not magical or mystical, but that the individual receiving the reading makes them meaningful. She has also discovered many of her clients show up with extremely complicated problems.
One longtime client of the Jefferson City native came for a reading after suffering multiple traumatic events including divorce, a car accident and subsequent paralyzation. But Cynova felt the one reading wasn't enough.
"I felt like I let her down. I got this idea of breaking her life up into parts. I wanted to workshop these readings, doing them one at a time," Cynova said, noting they did readings about her new house, emotion tied to her divorce and moving, and her physical state. "It took awhile but she started to feel better. None of this was because of me, but I just helped her get out of a stuck place. That is what the readings are, looking forward."
Cynova also utilized these same tactics as she went through numerous hardships including job loss, the passing of three loved ones and health issues all in one year. To help get herself "unstuck" during this time, the best-selling author did the things she does best - put pen to paper and read tarot cards. As a result, she completed her second book "Tarot Elements: Five Readings to Reset Your Life," which was released in March and published by Llewellyn Publications.
Cynova is excited to discuss her latest work and visit with her hometown community during the last stop on her national book signing tour from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at Downtown Book & Toy II at Capital Mall.
Cynova developed the five readings described in "Tarot Elements" as a program for hitting the reset button on life. According to information provided by Llewellyn Publications, the earth reading is about home. Air is about mind, fire is about body, water is about heart/emotions, and the spirit reading is about your soul and spiritual practice. This book shows readers how to do the five readings, so they can focus on one aspect of a problem at a time and resolve the issues that are holding them back.
"You are standing here, healthy and whole, but asking how do I move forward? What can I do right now to make my life better, easier and make more sense?" Cynova said. "It is about empowering people so the stuff doesn't knock you down."
Cynova has seen how tarot cards and readings are a helpful tool to do encourage people to move forward, despite common misconception.
"Some people think they have Satanic powers or are evil in some way. They are just pieces of paper. I read for people of all faiths," Cynova said. "It is just a tool. This is a conversation between your institution and my intuition. These cards are a way to strengthen that and shine a light a little further down a path."
Little did Cynova know her current path would include being a prolific tarot card reader, teacher and author of the subject while growing up in Taos and Jefferson City. As an avid reader, she wanted to be an author since she was 6 years old and had a knack for writing. She was 14 when a friend at school gave her a deck of tarot cards, simply telling her she needed to learn.
Cynova became intrigued and practiced almost every day with her father, former Jefferson City Police Department captain Robert Cynova.
"He is my biggest supporter, he and my mom (Wanda) both," Cynova added.
Graduating from Truman State University with a bachelor's degree in psychology, Cynova worked for 15 years as a social worker before moving into the human resources field. However, it was after a conversation she had with a neighbor in college following her reading that convinced Cynova she should explore reading tarot cards more.
"I told her I was not good at it and still needed to use my book. She told me the situation I had done the reading for and I had nailed it and the reading was fantastic," she said. "It is great when your parents tell you that but this really motivated me. Mary helped me discover what tarot is and how to use it. She believed in me before I did. I dedicated my first book to her."
Cynova began reading more at friends' parties and then through EVERYDAYCIRCUS, a St. Louis circus entertainment service, after moving to the Missouri city. She soon started reading at corporate events and parties, growing a reputation for her solid tarot card readings.
"I then started a blog to teach my Canadian friend how to read cards. It soon attracted 3,000 followers, and I gradually developed my business," she said, noting she utilized the name Little Fox Tarot for many years until changing it after her first book, "Kitchen Table Tarot" was published.
In fact, that book derived from Cynova's blog teachings to her friend and eventually thousands of followers. She said many other books about tarot tend to be written several decades ago and read more like a dictionary. Cynova took a more modern approach.
"I use a lot of pop culture references, which I also use teaching my own classes. For example, I compare the 'emperor' card to South Park's Eric Cartman when he was dressed up like a cop saying 'Respect My Authoritah!'" she said. "These other books are wonderful and helped me learn and start with my feet on the ground. However, I feel my book, used in the right way, helps beginners get the meaning of the cards and properly apply the symbolism. I want (tarot card reading) to be accessible."
Cynova still teaches classes at her kitchen table, and is still blown away that "Kitchen Table Tarot" won a bronze International Publishing Award for Best First book and was published in Russian and Polish.
"My husband Joe built me a shadowbox, then the book came out in Russian and then Polish, printed in three languages. I guess I need a bigger shadow box," she said with a laugh, adding that she also has a daughter, son, four black cats and a tortoise named Phil. "At least this second book was already published in Russian and Polish, so we won't have to worry about that again."
But more shadow boxes cataloging Cynova's work are definitely in the cards. She is currently working on a kickstarter tarot card deck with Cat Anevski, as well as another deck with another friend. Cynova was also asked to write a book to accompany a new tarot card set and is working on a book about folk magic, discussing the reason how certain unique folk sayings and superstitions originated and why they are still used or said.
Cynova is excited to take a break from her busy schedule to visit with her parents, family, friends and fans this weekend and at the upcoming book signing. She is also glad her husband, children and in-laws will be be with Cynova in her old stomping grounds. She hopes to shed light on those curious about tarot cards and readings.
"Tarot card reading is similar to having a conversation with a really good friend. I'm asking, 'What is your question?' or "What are you worried about?' Then looking at what is going on followed by the best way tot move forward," Cynova said. "The cards aren't magical, but finding that confidence and piece of mind that it brings you is magical. It's nice to have that peek ahead sometimes."
Melissa Cynova's books are available anywhere Llewellyn Publications are sold, Amazon and Barnes and Noble. For more information, visit melissacynova.com or find her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.