Melissa Cynova 
Andrew is the owner of the Hermit’s Lamp in Toronto, and is a reader, an author and deck creator. He also has only podcast that I’ve ever binged. The Hermit’s Lamp podcast features a huge variety of folks from the magical, spiritual and divinatory worlds, and I’ve learned something new from every guest on the show. If you are looking to build your online community, or just to have your mind blown open, you should absolutely check it out.
xo Lis
LFT Questionnaire
1. What you appreciate the most in your friends.
I appreciate kindness, passion and creativity in my friends. I need to be with people who are inspired by being alive. There is so much wonder here but pettiness and the details of life can hid it if we let it happen. Being around folks who are passionate prevents that from happening.
I also need authenticity in my friends. I crave deep connection with people and need to know they can reciprocate. Without that trust I’m not interested. If they aren’t who they say they are then it will probably not develop very far.
2. Your idea of happiness.
Living in the ever present now and sharing from that place with the world.
3. Your idea of misery.
Small talk for the rest of my days…
4. Your favorite colors and flowers.
I’m pretty fond of the pink in the lotus that is part of my koi tattoo.
I tend to find the beauty in all things and people so I don’t have strong preferences.
5. Your favorite poets.
Walt Whitman, Robert W. Service, Lao Tzu, Enrique Enriques
I am a big fan of those people who can use their words to trigger an experience of the sublime. Where we both lose and find ourselves in relationship to the whole of creation. Often for me this comes through the idea the wildness of the world and life.
6. Your heroes/heroines in fiction.
Doctor Who
7. What role does divination play in your life?
Divination has helped me see who I am, avoid tragedy, survive tragedy, find love and keep it, build success in the world, mend my body and heart, and work tremendous magick.
For me divination is a direct method of connecting to a place where everything is knowable.
I spend time most days using tarot to reorient my mind and heart to the tasks at hand. Working with it to shift states to what is needed in order to be present with my kids, or write this article, or work some magick, or whatever needs doing.
8. Your heroes/heroines in real life.
Jack Layton, Terry Fox, my Madrina Jackye Anderson,
9. What is your present state of mind?
I am harried by the pace of things right now. there is a lot of wonderful things going on but it is taxing my capacity. So I am enjoying a mix of overwhelm and delight – often at the same time. Slowing things down a bit is a project that will probably take months to get to. Or perhaps I’ll just acclimatize to the way things are right now.
10. What is your favorite tarot deck or divination tool?
The photo reproduction of the Jean Noblet Tarot de Marseille done by Joseph Peterson.
11. Your favorite songs?
Blinded by the Light by Bruce Springsteen, Jackie Wilson said by Van Morrison, Everything by the Subhumans,
12. What is your favorite word?
Monkey
13. What is your least favorite word?
Bored
14. What sound or noise do you love?
Happiness
15. What sound or noise do you hate?
My kids fighting
16. What turns you on?
Openness and bravery
17. What turns you off?
Disengagement
18. What is your favorite curse word?
All of them.
When I was a teen I worked in a factory with some of the most foul mouthed people ever. I learned to appreciate the ability to start cursing until you felt done versus just popping off a word or two.
19. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
I’ve already been, and heard it said, but it is too sacred to share.
