Meet Natalie Kirby | Tarot Reader and Death Worker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie Kirby and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
While I find that I’m still working a lot, I love that I have more of a presence in my children’s lives. They’re pre-teens, and I’m savoring the the remaining amount of their childhood before they hit the tulmultous teenager years. Being PRESENT is the biggest impact. Second to that is just about being an example that there’s no one right way to experience this Life – one can create their own opportunities and the world they want to live in. They just really need to have a LOT of audacity.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

This is a funny question. Currently, there are THOUSANDS of tarot readers out there, and it’s a really weird kind of career choice anyway. The spiritual industry is a delicate one- it’s an area where human beings search for deeper meaning to life and their existence, and at the same time, there’s a great amount of vulnerability that can make people easy targets for being taken advantage of. I see this a lot with the imposter accounts that are created on social media, so it is a challenge to even say, “Oh, yeah, I’m a Tarot Reader” and be taken seriously.

But I believe in what I do, and while there are thousands of tarot readers, there’s only one me (I hope…). I chose the name “A Tarot Storyteller” because I come from a family of storytellers, my sister and brother, my mother, my aunts, grandfather- natural storytellers. The way I explain convoluted concepts is usually in anecdote and storytelling (I used to have to explain insurance, deductibles, and out of pocket maximums to school teachers, bus drivers, and crossing guards…I KNOW).
I read tarot more like that- enough for the Seeker (that’s what I call my clients) to can understand what’s going on, but it’s important to me that they take the information and integrate that into their own understanding and apply accordingly, much like the way fairy tales are meant to serve. (I’ve noticed that most of my readings require a level of effort and work for the Seeker for progress to be made) The fun part is how all the right cards come up in such a way meant for that individual person. THAT is the magick!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

There are sooo many places in the DFW area I love to visit. I’m a bookstores/cofffeeshops/record stores/magick stores person. Recycled Books in Denton, Deep Vellum in Deep Ellum, Lucky Dog Books or The Wild Detectives in Oakcliff are all incredible bookstores. Deep Vellum is also a publisher while The Wild Detectives is a coffee/cocktail spot that often hosts events. I’ve been to so many coffeeshops in DFW; Edison Coffee and Novel Coffee are close to me, but I would have to take them to Golden Boy in Denton, or Cultivar off Peavy (which means a stop to the Arboretum in Dallas or a walk around White Rock Lake, where there are also some little dirt trails in the woods). I could go on and on with coffee shops alone. My husband and I love to see shows (music) at Deep Ellum Arts Arts Co., Amplified (formerly Gas Monkey), or even Killer Tacos in Denton for local bands (I haven’t even hit up the Ft. Worth area…can my friend stay longer than a week?). Recycled Books has incredible records, but then there’s Josey’s Records, Spin Coffee and Vinyl (yeah, it’s a coffee shop WITH records!), Good ole trusty Half-Price Bookstore Flagship, and then there’s Top Ten Records and Spinster in Oak Cliff. (Which means an obligatory stop at Xaman Cafe for some Cafe de Olla and a bit of Meso-American brunch!) Assuming my friend is of the magickal path, we would visit The Labyrinth “Dallas’ Oldest Witch Shop) Metaphysical store. Honestly, if we were there off Greenville Avenue, I would grab some ramen at Wabi House too. And then check out a show at The Granada. Okay, back to metaphysical stores- there’s a lot that’s come up here recently but Silver Pyramid in Richardson is pretty solid, and Bewitched in Denton has just grown so much, and more importantly, they carry items from local creators, artists, and craftspeople. If it was the first Sunday of the month, we would for sure hit up the Dallas Psychic Fair in Addison (which means grabbing some Shwarma from Sanabels while we talk about our readings). There’s also Hearth Wisdom Store and Witchology Bar over in Arlington that’s worth a visit (I’d hit up some Kindred Coffee if I was over there, or if I wanted some delicious coffee and biscuits, I’d head over to Dwell.). I love museums, so I would absolutely visit The Kimbell Arts museum, and Modern Arts Museum of Fort Worth (they’re across the street from each other) Ampersand coffee is close to the museums, and much like Xaman Cafe, they have a little cocktail area in the back. I have to get back to Dallas so my friend can enjoy visiting the Perot Museum, Dallas Museum of Art, and/or the Nasher Sculpture Center, and of course we’d have to make a late night, post-show-show at Lee Harvey’s off Gould Street (freaking delicious food! Legit wings and onion rings).

I haven’t even gotten to people- which I swear I know the SALT OF THE EARTH human beings from all walks of life and backgrounds. I feel like I could write volumes about all of this, and I still wouldn’t do it justice, so I’m going to make myself stop now. (Although, I will quickly name drop Cat Anton, a beautiful individual that can be found at almost any metal show, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard or Lettuce show- look her up when you can. She’s a treasure and fully encompasses and lives her art…psst, it’s her. She’s the Art).
Crap, I haven’t even talked about the markets- I’m usually working them as a tarot reader, and while I’m often at the ones in Denton like Every Witch Way Denton or The Mosiac Market, there’s also Crows Alley Market in Hurst – all great for those looking for oddities.

Okay, seriously, I’m going to stop now for real…this one will never have closure, and I’m thinking of another twenty other things/places/people to see/meet/visit. So sorry…

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Where do I begin?! My family and friends are, hands down, my biggest supporters. My former collegue and mentor John Ledebur was the first person who acknowledged my potential as an entrepreneur and took the time to contribute to my development. Coleman Stevenson, creator of The Dark Exact tarot deck (Portland,Oregon), has been an inspiration and huge supporter of my endeavors, always sharing my work, including me in her collaborations, and of course connecting me with other amazing creators, readers, and talent. Naha Armády (L.A, CA), the founder of 22 Teachings, School of Hermetic Science and Magickal Arts and the other students/members have contributed to my ongoing growth and discipline in the work. Locally, Elizabeth Bernal has been the biggest contributor in PUSHING me out into the public, getting me way out of my comfort zone. And Monique Paulette of Forbidden Fruit, she and her partner Sarah both coordinate the Mosiac Market, and she’s always referring people to me. I could go on and on, and I hate that I can’t list everyone here, but there really are so many people who contribute to my progress.

Website: https://linktr.ee/atarotstoryteller

Instagram: @atarotstoryteller

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