About Me

I am Melissa Schafer.

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I call myself a walking contradiction. I find it is not my downfall, instead it is a strength. I believe that the power of both science and magic together create a holistic ontological view. Trapped within an 'us vs. them' paradigm, a sterile world perspective currently exists, one that denies the beauty of nuance and the truth of the 'and'-- the in-between spaces where coexistence and nuance should thrive. A deeper understanding of this symbiotic state shows us that we live in an environment where we can surpass, rather than merely meet, our highest potential.

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 Growing up, I was a deeply imaginative child, one who never found the universe devoid of power. That sense of curiosity still drives me, along with a belief that there is a greater sentience woven through everything. I’ve never experienced a rigid separation between myself and the “other,” whether that’s history, nature, or even beloved objects. Everything holds a kind of aliveness or an intelligence we can learn to listen to and be impacted by.

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I discovered tarot at 16 and was immediately drawn to its rich symbolic language and cultural depth. My first deck, The Mythic Tarot, felt like a natural fit, especially as I had already fallen in love with Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology in my early teens. Even earlier, during an Indigenous People’s Day in 3rd grade, I became fascinated by different worldviews and ways of understanding existence, something that continues to shape how I read today. 

 

In my 20’s, I graduated with an education in Botany and took Herbalism courses. I enjoyed my time in science, but learned that science is forever evolving and to accept it as immutable law is to live within a limited existence. During those young-ish years, I learned to hold space for the paradoxes laden within our existence. My practice involves the integration of both sides of these binaries, and through that, transmutation becomes available. 

 

As I deepened my practice, I began reading for friends, and over time, word spread organically. What started as a personal passion (borderline obsession) has grown into something I now feel called to offer professionally.

 

This work is something I intend to cultivate and grow with for a lifetime. I’m always learning, expanding, and refining my practice. Currently, I’m expanding by studying astrology. During this pulpal stage of learning, I’m offering donation-based or low-cost chart readings while I continue developing that skill. Looking ahead, I’m thrilled to divine at public events and create spaces for ritual, art, and the endless learning that this wisdom offers to those who seek it.

 

If you feel called to collaborate, I’d adore connecting with you. Please reach out via email below.