By Elizabeth Gracen:
One of the best gifts that I gave myself for Christmas last season (I'm worth it, right?) was a Year Ahead consultation with my favorite Astrologer, Angel Lopez, and a Year Ahead Tarot reading with my wonderful guru, Brandon Alter, aka The Spiritual Gayz. I had never done that kind of thing before, but when January rolled around I was eager to sit down with two of my favorite fellas and talk to them about what the year might hold in store for me. Among other things, I found out that I was barreling toward my Second Saturn Return and that December was going to be a 5 of Pentacles month for moi. Both of these revelations caused me a bit of concern, but what's so great about The Spiritual Gayz is that they talk you through it and delve deep into the possibilities of how you can positively navigate the more challenging obstacles that might be on the horizon. Let's just say that I'm smack dab in the middle of that 5 of Pentacles month, and the unexpected stressors are certainly there, but I'm undaunted. Just like everyone else, I'm gonna get through this, and I can't wait for 2021!
That being said, since Flapper Press is highlighting eclectic gifts for the season with a focus on small businesses, I couldn't overlook one of the most unique gifts you could give that special someone. Why not buy them a Year Ahead reading with The Spiritual Gayz?
I reached out to Brandon and Angel to ask them about what courses, readings, and special events they have available for the holiday season.
EG: Hello, boys! Like almost everyone in the world, I’m so ready for 2020 to hit the bricks! One of the things that has kept me sane this past year is having the Spiritual Gayz as a touchstone for my worried mind and sometimes troubled spirit. Your courses, webinars, podcasts, and personal readings have really helped me—and so many others—get through this mad year. I want to tout whatever you both are offering because I truly believe that a 2021 Year Ahead Tarot spread and Astrological reading make the perfect, eclectic gift for someone special. Please tell our readers all about what The Spiritual Gayz are doing and how we can join in on the fun.
SG: We are building a community of seekers who want to explore themselves through the Tarot, Astrology, and many other forms of mysticism. This year, we started bi-weekly Breathwork circles, we host a monthly Astro Club, and next year we will continue teaching our in-depth Tarot and Astrology courses.
EG: I have my own opinion about this since I had both a Tarot and Astrological reading in January of 2020, but what would you say are the benefits of a year ahead spread and reading? What can a person learn about themselves and their world from these readings? SG: It's all energy. We know this from quantum physics; everything is a vibration. Tarot or Astrology readings help us understand the energies that are coming in and how we can best work with them. It's a great way to wrap your head around the most available opportunities and invitations that the year ahead presents.
EG: I know that you two have been incredibly busy as spiritual leaders and guides this past year. We’ve all needed so much help. What is the most important thing that you’ve learned during the year? SG: I think we've learned how to surrender. Acceptance is a key principle of spiritual practice, and we've been learning it all year long. Being forced to sit with ourselves, in our tiny bungalow, for months on end has helped us learn patience, trust, and faith in a deeper way.
EG: If you could offer advice for our weary souls here at the end of 2020, what would it be? SG: This year has been a complete inversion of our normal reality, and that sort of accelerated transformation takes a toll. In fact, we still don't even have the complete context for what we have lived through.
Taking care of yourself is the top priority. Being gentle with yourself is not something that comes to us easily, but we all must learn how to treat ourselves tenderly.
This year is not something we will immediately snap back from. Find the things that soothe and nourish you; time in nature, naps, and lots of laughter are our go-to healing modalities.
EG: Any words of encouragement to our readers about what the stars of 2021 hold in store for us? SG: After spending so much time in restrictive and punishing Capricorn energy, Jupiter and Saturn (the two planetary teachers) will be spending the next year in Aquarius.
The Astrology of this next year is so much brighter because Aquarius energy has us taking responsibility for optimism, hope, and our communities.
We look forward to a year of learning how to work together, letting our authenticity shine through, and connecting with other people who understand the future must be shared by all.
BRANDON ALTER is a spiritual healer, Tarot reader, Astrologer, mystic and writer living in Los Angeles. He is passionate about sharing spiritual tools that have helped him reconnect to the wisdom of his heart. Brandon is a thoroughly trained healer and teacher who co-hosts The Spiritual Gayz with his husband, a twice-monthly podcast dedicated to exploring the wide reaches of spirituality, without pretending that it all makes sense. Brandon’s mom took him to his very first psychic when he was seven and gave him his first Tarot deck when he was eleven. Since then he has devoted himself to the study of Tarot, Yoga, Pilates, Reiki, Astrology, and the myriad ways one can work and heal with the help of the spirits.
ANGEL LOPEZ is a film producer, writer, astrologer, and co-host of the podcast, THE SPIRITUAL GAYZ alongside his husband, our Spiritual Guru Brandon Alter. Angel has been studying and working with both tarot and astrology for twenty years. He hosted the astrology web-series, ASTRO TALK WITH ANGEL, and writes the blog ASTROLOGY REALNESS. He has also had pieces published on Upworthy.com and The Huffington Post.
On the film side, Angel produced the Sundance Film Festival award winning film DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, as well as the features THE DINNER and STATE LIKE SLEEP. He also wrote and directed his own short film, I CAN’T WITH YOU, which had its premiere at the 2016 HollyShorts Film Festival, and he recently finished producing filmmaker Justin Simien’s second feature, BAD HAIR.