About Bekka
I am a queer, neurodivergent, chronically ch(ill), arts professional and tarot reader on Mohican and Schaghticoke land (upstate New York), who also happens to be a Licensed Clinical Massage Therapist in the state of Illinois.
It’s true, my journey has been a strange one, but I will try to provide some clarity for you, as I so love to do in my work.
I grew up in upstate New York, a messy, headstrong Aries (sun) child who spent much of my time coloring, reading, playing cards with my grandfather, and making general mischief. I waited til I moved to Chicago in 2013 to finish my BFA and come out of the broom closet—only 6 years after coming out of the other closet in high school.
Admittedly, insisting on buying a discounted crystal healing book at B&N at the age of 12 may indicate that subtlety has never been my strong suit. I started my tarot reading journey (officially) in 2014 when I bought my first deck. A decade later, I have read for several events, many one-on-one clients, and I am still very much in love with this system.
EDUCATION
Associate of Science in Fine Art
Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC), June 2013
Bachelor of Fine Arts
School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), December 2015
“Self-Taught” Tarot Reader
This simply means I have not taken any trainings with any established readers. Nothing exists in a vacuum, so of course, in learning I meditate on cards just as much as I read books and have conversations and stumble into divine inspiration. As an old friend from college used to say, there are prophets everywhere.
I do try to be good about citing information as I’m aware of it. Surely, you will learn more about my background in time through the tarot service page, community and resources page, and my blog.
Diploma of Clinical Massage Therapy
750hrs of clinical study and practice.
School of Massage Arts (SOMA), August 2017
President’s Honor List : Achieved 90% or more in both academics and attendance upon graduation from The SOMA Institute.
Holding Space: Trauma Awareness in Healing Arts
A class on trauma awareness for bodyworkers and yoga teachers lead by LCPC Rachel Sherron at Inner Sense Healing Arts. This was the first (and longest—in terms of hours) of several courses taken around trauma awareness for my practice(s) as I felt the education was lacking in my formal education.
NARCAN training (online)
Rensselaer County Department of Health NARCAN program.