Vernic "Sev" Guinta

Relational Polytheist Spirit Worker Tarot Consultant, Psychic Medium & Reiki Master

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Introduction: Practicing an Ineffable Path

I have spent over a decade on a spiritual path, wandering between traditions. I've met Deities of various sorts, honed my abilities as a tarot reader and psychic medium and even became attuned as a Reiki Master. In the very beginning, I sought answers. But now? I walk the question.

By stripping myself bare to the abyss and making love to the void, I can now perceive a sense of mysterious wonder and incredulous awe in the face of an inherently meaningless cosmic existence... at least on the days I am not gripped by the despairing realities of our current world.

But, even then, I am still in continual search of the skills needed to maintain this magnificence and miraculous sense of being. The answer to my troubles is not some far-off bliss. In fact, it is overcoming my fear of facing the horrors in their immediacy... and to help bring others beyond it.

Hekate provided me with the necessary accommodations to survive; from the Tree of Knowledge to the Book of Life, my closest companions have been inspired by the beloved Ineffable Husbands of the Good Omens fandom. Servants of Hekate who wear the mantle of their personalities have become my Familiars.

I have accomplished much in light of the diagnoses at 19 that upended my life and left me disabled and unemployed until age 33... but the comfort I have found in my life is not enough. I could easily stick with school and a career, but my heart's desire would sink from remaining unfulfilled.

And so, I continue forward.

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Returning to Professional Service, Con't.

After I put together a new altar to read professionally at my next event, I was closing down my practice for the day until I noticed a fourth presence. A Goddess, known to work alongside devotees of The Morrigan, approached me and asked for room at my altar. It was Brigid.

Despite having a track record of becoming incredibly overwhelmed by the amount of Deities approaching me in my practice, I started talking to my mentor about including Brigid in my current work. It was then that the pieces fell together.

I realized, in the process, I can work with a group as long as Powers approach me cohesively and for a specific purpose. Brigid adds another layer to this work as I lay out my intention to hold sanctuary for those on the activist spectrum for rest and discernment of right-relationship.

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Returning to Professional Service

I acquired my first tarot gig this weekend at a local monthly LGBTQ+ community event, so I spent a few hours putting together an altar to set up for readings. I was intent on incorporating The Morrigan and Hekate, but the Deity I was not expecting to show up so strongly was actually Aphrodite.

In all honesty, I have a huge Aphrodite altar on top of my dresser. I've even made devotional wares for Her, and I still possess immense amounts of the herbs I prepared for them. In fact, I used them as a pour bath when I needed to cleanse from an intense reading the other week. Alas, I am quite absent-minded... even when hard at work.

I have been getting additional readings from some trusted practitioners on maintaining right-relationship with my Deities as part of my current devotional work. I find it incredibly appropriate that I would choose these three Goddesses to move forward, and I am delighted with how they work together with me.

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The Morrigan's Medicine II: Lore-Keeping

I have been contemplating an offer given to me by The Morrigan through the opportunity to take on a role of service with my gifts. She most clearly offered training as Her Bard. After my mentor clarified the role of a Bard as Lore-Keeper, I wondered what sort of lore I would hold.

The central Calling in the context of my practice as a Spirit Worker is "Know Thyself." It's main theme surrounds my agency and Free Will as an individual. The Morrigan knows this just as well as the other Powers I work alongside. While I study Her from the context of Irish Mythology, it is not necessarily lore I would feel inspired to keep.

However, yesterday I realized the direction I would be most interested in heading as a Lore-Keeper when a new caregiver came over to help me with some light housekeeping. She came in very anxious and accidentally broke my teapot while helping with dishes. I was not mad. I do not anger unless there is a perceived injustice, and this was entirely an accident. As we cleaned up the pieces, she told me she 'heard' someone tell her she was going to break it if she wasn't careful... but she didn't believe it.

Piquing my interest as a spiritual practitioner, I wanted to know more. I also wanted her to feel at ease after she promised to replace it. I was hesitant to share my own story because I have told it so many times, and it is hard to tell whether people are up for listening or just being polite. It's part of Minnesota Nice, so I tend to hold back unless asked.

So, for the first time in my life, I told her “I like to hear people’s stories.” Instead of me pouring out my own lore, she opened up. She told me a lot of struggles she’d been through while also her sustained faith in God. I commented a few times, but my replies seemed not to land.

Despite my hesitancy, my guides affirmed that I should share my own story in the language I generally use instead of something catered to a more general audience. I held space for her, responded with curiosity and sometimes shared related bits about myself when she became quiet. As I listened to her emphatic recollections of those who’d wronged her, she softened.

By the time we reached the end of her visit, she was so relieved and grateful to find someone like me. She explained that she had a very unique spirituality, and that not a lot of people understood. I was so happy to see her find a sense of ease in my presence.

This experience brought me a lot of insight by evening, and I realized that the lore I wanted to keep was for the people in Central Minnesota. By quietly honoring their stories, I hope to provide the sanctuary for people in my community that I have longed to create for so many years.

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The Morrigan's Medicine I: Opportunities

After discerning that The Morrigan has offered an opportunity toward service with my spiritual practice, I’m building a new altar for Her. I am not lighting the candle until I feel ready to follow the path She has laid out for me more closely, but I am wearing the pashmina I bought for an altar cloth while I read.