In this episode of the Soul Professional Podcast: Global Conversations Series, we sit down with John Marani, a certified astrologer and tarot master whose journey bridges two seemingly different worlds—federal intelligence and metaphysical practice. With a background as a French language analyst for the FBI, John shares how he quietly integrated astrology and tarot into his life before eventually bringing these tools forward to guide both his own path and the lives of others.

Our conversation explores the balance between logic and intuition, the role of free will in spiritual guidance, and how tools like tarot and astrology can support deeper self-awareness. Through a live reading, themes of reassessment, emotional integration, and stepping into leadership emerge—mirroring the broader collective shifts we are all navigating. We also discuss current astrological cycles, including major planetary transitions and eclipses, and what they may signal for both personal evolution and the world at large.

• Tarot and astrology serve different but complementary purposes—tarot offers immediate insight into present energy, while astrology reveals longer-term cycles and patterns.
• Intuition is not separate from strategy; it is a guiding force that, when trusted, brings clarity to decision-making in both life and business.
• Personal growth often requires a period of reassessment, where reflection becomes necessary before expansion can occur.
• Emotional processing is part of leadership. What we move through internally shapes how we show up externally.
• Stepping into leadership is less about becoming something new and more about fully owning what is already present.
• Boundaries and discipline become essential during periods of rapid change, especially within larger collective shifts.
• Astrological movements, such as Neptune entering Aries and upcoming eclipses, can act as catalysts for transformation—inviting both disruption and deeper alignment.
• Spiritual tools are not about prediction or control, but about empowerment and conscious choice.

John Marani is a certified astrologer and tarot master. He has studied the tarot extensively on his own and has done hundreds of tarot readings over his nearly 36 years of practice. He prides himself on being an honest reader who provides real-world guidance with empathy and compassion. He is a certified Tarot Master from the Tarot Certification Board of America, and received the honor of High Priest of Tarot from the Tradition of the Witches Circle, Occoquan, VA.

His astrological background includes private or classroom study with many different astrologers. John is a graduate of the Midwest School of Astrology's certificate program, graduating in June 2018. Later that summer, John received his Level 1 certification from the National Council for Geocosmic Research (NCGR)'s education arm, the Professional Astrologers' Alliance.

John's background involves extensive work on teaching and training adult learners. It forms part of his academic background, but he has been teaching people how to teach since 2006. John teaches astrology and tarot to motivated students of all levels, from beginner to aspiring professionals. John is also an ordained minister through the Ministry of Light Interfaith Church, Lorton, VA, and is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to perform legal weddings.

John resides in northern Virginia and provides in-person tarot and astrology consultations regularly at Sticks & Stones in Fairfax, VA, as well as at other local and regional psychic fairs and other events.

You can learn more about his work at: https://linktr.ee/astrotarotjohn