Tarot Readings & Tarot Courses in Canberra
Not fortune telling. Something far more useful.
Tarot has a reputation problem. For many people, it conjures images of crystal balls and vague predictions… and that’s a shame, because what tarot actually offers is something much more grounded, much more interesting, and considerably more empowering than that.
At its heart, tarot is a tool for self-knowledge. A structured way of slowing down, looking inward, and asking better questions of yourself. In a world that moves fast and rarely invites reflection, a tarot reading can offer something quietly radical: space to think, language for what you’re feeling, and a perspective you hadn’t considered.
At Soma, tarot is offered by Susannah French: scholar, writer, and reader whose approach is as intellectually rigorous as it is warmly human.
Meet Susannah
Susannah French brings something unusual to the tarot room: a PhD from the Australian National University, where her research focused on the female experience of autism through the lenses of feminist theory, sociology, and critical disability studies.
That academic background shapes her tarot practice. Susannah reads with depth, precision, and a strong feminist sensibility. She understands how systems of meaning are constructed, how stories shape experience, and how reclaiming the power of interpretation can be an act of genuine agency.
But she also brings warmth, curiosity, and a deep respect for the person across the table. A reading with Susannah is a conversation that is thoughtful, grounded, and centred entirely on you.
Tarot puts the power of interpretation back in your hands.
That’s not a small thing.
FAQs
Do I need to believe in tarot for a reading to be useful?
In somatic therapy, we begin by first supporting your body to find and re-find safety and stability, which we call regulation. As we build regulation together, we learn the unique language of your nervous system. Only then is it safe to work small pieces of ‘activation’ or tricky past moments.
This approach ensures you can come back into safety and stability with each ‘activation’. This is a key component to ensuring you are not re-traumatised, and that we don’t overwork the system.
Rather than focussing only on the story, processing traumas is done through sensations, images, movements, behaviours, emotions, and meaning, allowing your body to respond to the perceived danger in a way it wasn’t able to at the time.
This allows the ‘driving’ force behind your symptoms to be resolved, and many people experience a sense of peace, a connection with their vitality, and a sense of being more themselves.
Is tarot the same as psychic reading or fortune telling?
No 🙂 Tarot is a reflective practice, not a predictive one. Susannah’s readings are grounded in the present: what you’re experiencing, what you’re navigating, what options or perspectives might be worth considering. The cards don’t tell you what will happen, but help you think more clearly about what is.
What should I bring to a reading?
Yourself and ideally a sense of what you’d like to explore. You might have a specific question, a situation you’re working through, or simply a feeling that something needs attention. Any of these is a good starting point. If you’re not sure what to ask, that’s okay too, Susannah can work with open readings.
Can tarot readings touch on difficult topics?
Yes, and Susannah holds that with care. Readings sometimes surface things that are tender or complex, which is often part of their value. Susannah brings both sensitivity and groundedness to these moments. If you’re navigating something particularly difficult, it’s worth mentioning when you book.
What’s the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
A psychologist is trained to assess and treat mental health conditions through talk-based therapies.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication and often works with more complex or acute mental health conditions. Many people work with both; a psychologist for regular therapy and a psychiatrist for medication management. If we think a different type of support might help you, we’ll always be upfront about that.
How long is a tarot reading session?
Session lengths and pricing are available when you book. If you have questions about what format might suit you, feel free to reach out before booking.
Are readings available online?
Yes, readings with Susannah are available both in person in Canberra and online, so you can access them from wherever you are.
Can I learn Tarot with Susannah?
Yes! If you’ve ever been curious about reading tarot yourself, whether for your own reflection or to read for others, Susannah offers a beautiful, carefully designed course across four Saturday afternoons.
More than a surface-level introduction, Susannah’s course is an education in the history, structure, and practice of tarot, taught by someone who brings both scholarly depth and warmth to the work.
What you’ll cover: Across four sessions you’ll explore the history and origins of tarot, learn to read both the Major and Minor Arcana, work with a range of spreads, and engage thoughtfully with the ethics of reading for yourself and for others. You’ll also discover what kind of tarot practitioner you are, because there is no single right way to read the cards.
What you’ll walk away with: Confidence to read for yourself and the people you love, a working knowledge of the Major and Minor Arcana and how the suits speak to each other, the ability to choose and work with spreads that suit your questions, a copy of Susannah’s eBook to keep, and lifetime access to her ongoing resources.
A gap week between sessions gives you space to practise solo before the series closes together — a lovely rhythm for integration.
$500 | 20 places only.
Contact us for more info.
Is the tarot course suitable for complete beginners?
Absolutely, it’s designed with beginners in mind. You don’t need any prior knowledge of tarot, and you don’t need to own a deck (though if you have one you love, bring it). The course takes you from curiosity to confidence across four thoughtfully structured sessions.
What’s the difference between a reading and the course?
A reading is a one-on-one session focused on your personal questions and situation. The course is an education in tarot itself; you’ll learn to read the cards yourself, understand the system, and develop your own practice. Many people find doing both is a rich combination.