Head Charmistress Tina Hardt

Tea, cookies, dog-eared decks of playing cards and the ubiquitous box of Kleenex. Those were my memories of my grandmother’s parlour in an old, drafty former-rooming house filled with orbs, self-rocking chairs and two wild and witchy cousins. My parents would drop me off every morning before going to work. 

My cousins were my biggest early influences. Teresa, who lived in the charged back room, lives and breathes astrology; Julia Suzanna, who the room “kicked out” with alarming frequency, is a gifted psychic. Their mother, my aunt, was an esteemed reader in a downtown tearoom. Yet undeniably, the most colourful cartomancer in our family was my maternal grandmother, a high-spirited Sagittarian who lay out cards for all of the ladies in her High Park neighborhood. That is, until she got older. And more vulnerable. And her son, a celebrated killjoy, told her that she was going straight to hell if she didn’t stop. So, she stopped.

While my grandfather, a Dr. of Philosophy led the austere life of an academic (happily buried in books, politics and chess pieces), my grandmother spent many heady days learning how to read cards from the Romany who’d camped on their land in the Carpathians. I never learned my grandmother’s system of reading. She read with a truncated pack of cards, but I vaguely recall that the ace of hearts meant love, three noisy queens – gossip or some drama; and, the ace of spades promptly heralded the need for more tea and tissues.

In the “fullness of time”, I would develop my own role and professional path with tarot, oracles, playing cards, and then: Oh oh! As Diviners, we all step into our own light and purpose, and there’s no doubt that from the moment I laid my third eye on a tin filled to the brim with tiny, shiny objects, I was charmed. Possessed. Today, my prized collection of casting charms is easily in excess of 1,500… ok, who’s counting? It should be insured with Lloyd’s of London. (Face palm.) ‘Nuff Said. Except for this: Together we’ve done a lot of thumping good work, spiritual, diagnostic, situational, investigative, predictive, healing and therapeutic. As “Head Charmistress” of the Charm Casting Academy, my aim is solely to help you curate your forever collection, refine your style and method, and then put it into sacred service for self and others. And, of course, to share a few laughs with this beautiful community along the way! Charms have a sense of humour, and they also want you to feel light, bright and full of insight.  

I’ve been fortunate and honoured to author Charm Casting. Divining with Trinkets, Trifles, Baubles and Bits, and coauthor The Relative Tarot, Sirens’ Song Lenormand & Kipper, and the Beloved Dead Oracle. Thank you, Red Wheel/Weiser Publishing. 

“Having a session with Tina was one of the best birthday gifts I could have given my wife.  My wife and I didn’t really know what to expect. This then turned into one of the best experiences of our lives. Tina first made us feel very comfortable by making a large pot of tea for us to share in her house by the lake. After we shuffled the deck, Tina laid the cards out and explained the cards she saw in front of her.  What she said read like a novel that immediately connected with what was happening in our lives. This turned into an engaging conversation. She allowed my wife and I to openly talk about our current thoughts and how we saw our futures; bringing us closer and left feeling very connected with each other, and we continued to talk for days.”
– Kagan & Rita M.

"As President and Director of Talent Resources, I carefully select entertainment with the appropriate expertise, personality and understanding of the event’s objective. I can rely on Tina to engage and capitivate my clients and leave them thinking, “wow, that was a special event."

– Carol Priest, Carol Priest Entertainment
“Be the Highlight”

“Tina’s heart and soul goes into each reading, and her intuitive spirit comes through brilliantly. She truly cares about eachclient and treats them as if they are a long time friend even though they have just met. As a reader, Tina is kind, knowledgeable, interesting, compassionate and funny. She takes her time with her client, and explains everything thoroughly. I have had tarot card readings before but honestly can say that Tina was spot on with all the readings I have had with her over many years.”

– Michele N.

” I surprised my sister with a tarot party for her birthday, and it was an amazing experience. It was a pleasure working with Tina. In the lead up, she set the right mood and ensured that everyone was prepared to get the most out of their readings.On the night of the party, Tina was her usual warm, engaging self, totally professional and focused but also happy to go with the flow of a fun night. We all gained some awesome insight into big questions in our lives and 8 months later, I was still thinking about my reading.”

– Sarah O’.

“II’ve known Tina for around twenty years, have sought her guidance on many occasions when at a cross road in my life. Any reading she’s done has been spot on and helpful. I absolutely recommend her work.”

– Allison F.

I would like to thank fêted shutterbug, Roger Carlsen photography for his preternatural talent, patience and tireless support because I’m the worst model —ever. 

Also, much love to Grant Ivens, saywhat.com for being the brand beneath my wings.