Hi my beautiful souls, fall is almost here…. I will admit that I am sad to see the Summer go, however I am very excited about the change that the new season has in store. Fall is the time of the Harvest, deeply related to the Suit of Pentacles in the Tarot. It allows us to truly harvest our goals, needs & desires. It is such an important time, because we leave the fall to enter the Winter Time which is associated with the Suit of Swords, Air (Thought) & The Hermit. Keep in mind those things that you will like to bring into fruition as 2017 makes way for 2018. Grace Duong has transformed the concept of Monday’s instead of it being something we can often dread, look at is a Spiritual Restart. This is a tremendous deck to cozy up with a cup of tea, and get deeply to the heart of matters.
-HERU JEROME
Mystic Mondays, by Grace Duong
Interview
Grace Duong creator of Mysic Mondays
“Rainy days & Mondays always get me down” The Carpenters
We can change the way that we approach Monday’s with an excitement and vigor for what is in store as well as the changes that come! Grace Duong has created a deck that isn’t too top heavy in its imagery to allow one to connect with self on a daily basis. This is a tremendous tool for anyone to include in their spiritual arsenal.
Worthy Tarot: Tell me about yourself, where are you from & where are you currently? How have these locations influenced what you do creatively?
GD: My name is Grace – I’m a creative person at heart, always cooking up new ideas & creative projects. I freelance as a graphic designer & art director in Los Angeles. I’m originally from Philadelphia & actually started my journey in the fine arts taking various art classes on Saturdays since my middle / high school did not have a strong arts program. I ended up working for a mural artists & joined stage crew so that I could paint sets in high school. I ventured off into the graphic design program at the Tyler School of Art – Temple University in Philadelphia & was drawn to the idea of visual communication & how that could impact societies at a larger scale, & (hopefully) in a beneficial way. Philadelphia instilled a strong sense of traditional art, from concepts like scale, angles, form that all help to inform me in my design practice now. Los Angeles has given me a certain freedom to explore different avenues. I felt tied down to a certain way of doing things the “right” way, however all of that training has allowed me to explore & create what feels & sparks true to me – what I want to express, whether its photography, illustration, or any other media. I think all these medias can be used to convey your big idea, that you have permission to use all of them how you’d like, & to have fun with it! I certainly did that with Mystic Mondays, seeing it as more than just illustrated Tarot cards. There’s also an App, videos, gifs, that all live under the Mystic Mondays brand & speak the bigger brand message.
Mystic Mondays, by Grace Duong
Worthy Tarot: What drew you to Tarot & Oracle, what aspects of your energy have found their way into your deck? How does this make your deck unique?
GD: I was always interested in the metaphysical & spiritual world. It began when my cousin Sylvie gifted me a tarot deck about 8 years ago. I found I didn’t fully relate to the art of the cards & the way they were written, so it inspired me to create my own! I think this deck encompasses my own personal punch of positivity & warmth. My style often has bright & bold colors, & I found that was especially important for this deck as energy carries vibrations & each color carries a vibration also. My intention was for people to use Mystic Mondays tarot as an intuition tool. I wanted it to be accessible for people to want to learn & grow from their experiences with using it. Tarot often has a dark & negative connotation to it – but it doesn’t have to be that way! Tarot is for anybody & everybody.
Mystic Mondays, by Grace Duong
Worthy Tarot: We are entering an Air Age which is associated with thought. When you examine air it can blow everything around that is not tethered. People are trying to find their footing & light as they enter this age & are drawn to the magic & spirituality of the Tarot. The face of the Tarot just like our new age is changing, how do you feel your deck lends to this revolution?
GD: Mystic Mondays is all about beginnings. As Mondays are associated with the start of your week, Mystic Mondays is about setting intentions that will carry on with you to guide you through the rest of the week. Embracing a spirituality practice does not have to be hard, or heavy, & you can incorporate it into your life however you’d like! My take on this Tarot & Mystic Mondays is that it can be much more lighthearted & fun to introduce clarity, guidance, & intention into your everyday life & that there is no “right” or “wrong” way of doing so.
Mystic Mondays, by Grace Duong
Worthy Tarot: What inspires you & how was that inspiration incorporated in your deck?
GD: I’m inspired by different books I read, people I meet, & places I go. Feelings & emotions are very much a part of my life & I wanted people to be able to feel a part of themselves while using this deck. I’m inspired by bold personalities, particularly women, for forging the path for other strong females who not only want to create a product, but make a positive impact doing so.
Mystic Mondays, by Grace Duong
Worthy Tarot: Would you ever create another deck, think about this one as I know 78 cards are a huge undertaking!
GD: I would definitely be open to it! Never say never J.
Worthy Tarot: If you could have your favorite artist/artists create your dream deck who would they be?
GD: Well, I recently found that Salvador Dali created a Tarot Deck & I looked through it! So that already exists. I would actually love to see more modern decks out there as I’m drawn to bold graphic styles & colors.
Mystic Mondays, by Grace Duong
Worthy Tarot: If someone is interested in your deck how would they get a hold of you?
GD: Mystic Mondays is on social! So definitely hang out with us there. You can also check out our website & email us!
Mystic Mondays, by Grace Duong