Meet Robin De Lano | Intuitive Tarot Card Reader & Singer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Robin De Lano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Robin, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Well, I’m a really bad employee and I only like following my own rules! Just kidding….kinda. There was this thing called ‘The Pandemic,’ and the industry I was working in shut down for about three months.  Like a lot of people, I panicked and wanted to run for the hills – or my parents house. Unfortunately my parents sold their house years ago, so that would leave me running in the hills – and I don’t like bugs or coyotes. So, one evening at a very small party which included me, a friend and my cat, Nugget, we decided we were not going to let something as silly as a worldwide pandemic crush our dreams! We kicked our witch-y-ness into high gear; spells, astrology charts, and tarot cards filled our night!  In a moment of pure clarity Nugget, and my friend, looked up from their tarot reading and said, ‘meow,’ and ‘You MUST start a Tarot reading business – you can help so many people.’ Up until this time, I had done professional tarot readings before – for parties, friends and co-workers, but had never thought about it as a business. However, the Tarot Gods had other plans for me – that night I built a simple website landing page, while my friend gave my tarot business a shout out on her Instagram. Before I knew it, I was reading cards like a witch on fire!

The amount of clients I first acquired was a bit overwhelming due to the fact I had no structure for my business. I was kinda hoping my spiritual business would organize itself. Oh, did you say I can’t cast a spell to help me organize zoom readings? Yeah, that’s where I was – so, I bit the bullet and reached out to a really good psychic/medium friend of mine for some spiritual mentoring. She helped me organize a new system, and instilled a new perspective around what it meant to be a real spiritual advisor. I’m not perfect by any means, and it’s been a slow growth process over the past three years, but my tarot cards are still doin’ their thing! They continually bring magical guidance and clarity to my clients’ lives. I never thought I would be reading cards for this long, or that so many people would enjoy them, but it’s been such a pleasure to meet so many great people, and to push myself in spirituality and business.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It all started when I was about sixteen. My mom was really interested in the psychic arts, and was also highly intuitive. She took me to this restaurant that used to live in the middle of Universal City Walk called Wizards. Wizards used to have seven dollar psychic readings during the day, and a restaurant and bar by night. My mom and I would go there lot….for the readings, not the cocktails. Although if the place was still there, you better believe I’d be up for a magical margarita. Wizards used to make the psychic readers wear these long purple coats sewed up with big gold stars. Now that I’m thinking back on it, it was really silly, but Wizards is where I met one of my good friends and mentors, Rebecca Fearing. We now laugh about how I met her – in her purple robe and hat! Rebecca gave my mom and I one of the best medium and psychic readings ever – I was hooked!

At the same time, I was also drawn to another passion of mine – music. I love to sing. If you’re reading this and you’re an artist, then you’ll understand the doubt that can plague a creative’s mind at times. I was no exception. I was always wanting to know how I did at an audition, and as most singers/actors know, we don’t always get feedback. Well, I found out a way to get feedback – psychic readings! I would usually find a way to spend all of my nonexistent extra money on psychic advice. In the fortune telling industry I would be known as a psychic junkie, and I was hard core. I knew if I didn’t learn how to read my own cards, and trust myself, I was gonna end up with no money, and no future.

Not long after, as the universe would have it, a Tarot Deck found its way into my little hands.

One summer while I was on tour with a small show, in my down time, I taught myself the meanings of the Tarot cards, and started reading. I offered up my new found skills to some of my cast mates and they loved it!

After returning from my tour, I headed back home and began hanging at the local crystal shop, with all the rich hippies. Not to my surprise, I relapsed and bought a Tarot Card reading. It was awesome! I asked the reader what her secret was, she told me I implemented it, and this was when my reading skills and intuition took off!

This whole time I was also still pursuing my dream of being on Broadway. So, as a good artist, I was always in acting class. During an audition technique workshop, my teacher asked me to share one of my special skills with the class. I said, ‘I read Tarot Cards.’ The teacher made a stink face, and told me, ‘that’s weird.’ She said, I should never mention I did anything creepy like this to any Hollywood professional. Her comment, and reaction, scared the witch out of me, and for the next five years I never told anyone I read cards.

After a while, I forgot about cards, and focused on my singing. However, one week a friend of mine was going through a bad break up. To sooth her soul, I told her I’d give her a tarot reading to cheer her up! I gave her a reading so accurate she was amazed, and told me I needed to read cards for a living – or at least for a party or two. I listened to her, and she started referring me out to others, and I was back reading cards, and all things witchy.

Do I still think about that acting teacher who told me I was weird? Yeah, I do. I know that her observation was purely personal, and it obviously did have an influence over me, but seeing how the cards help people become more powerful than someone’s opinion. Also, the cards are fun for me, and a way for me to connect with people, and myself. If anything, they were helping my artistic expression of singing, so, I stopped denying my love for the cards, and came out of the spiritual closet.

I’m most proud of taking responsibility for my spiritual gifts.  I really enjoy reading the cards, and know I have a knack for it, but it wasn’t until I believed I had something to offer that I reached out for training. I also received guidance from others who had spiritual businesses and trusted them, which helped the development of my abilities.

Is a career in the psychic arts easy? Uhm, no. Sometimes, even in the spiritual industry, people can get competitive, and sometimes this industry gets a bad rap. However there are amazing, brilliant readers, and light workers out there as well, and I feel the good definitely out- weigh the bad. I don’t feel any career is ‘easy.’ Especially a career you feel called to pursue…but that’s what makes it worth it. Everyone has their lessons to learn, we’re all in it together.

What I love most about reading cards is I get to be nosy, and look into people’s lives – ha! Just kidding! Honestly, what I really enjoy is connecting with people, and knowing I made a positive difference in their lives. Or, I validated something they were already feeling, and our connection gave them the confidence to make the decision they needed to make, in order to move on, move up, or move beyond. Every time I do a reading I learn more about my soul as well. When I read for you, and look into all the possibilities your life has in store, my soul is connecting to your soul, and our guides are communicating with both of us – it’s a spiritual group effort. The cards are there to help interpret the messages, so I may guide you to pursue your best choices, and to achieve your soul lessons, so you don’t have re-learn them in this lifetime, or another –

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I’d start with a bang, and throw my guest into Los Angeles culture by hitting the salad bar at Whole Foods, or stopping for the most expensive smoothie ever recorded in history at Erewhon.

Then hit a gas station so they could give me a dose of compassion. Living in the Sunshine state is hard work, and always extra, but we’re gonna have a good time, and maybe buy an electric car while we’re at it –

We’d then get our eyebrows done at Wax, Melrose and maybe wave at the La Brea Tar Pits as we head into Korea town, for some of the best Sushi at IKI Ramen. IKI Ramen is, of course, a Ramen spot but the sushi is amazing! Also, if you’re up for Karaoke, The Brass Monkey is the spot – but this is for later in the evening.

Being as we’re heading East Side we’d definitely want to stop at Bavel in DownTown. But I’d make reservations the day before, cause this place is hoppin’. Bavel has some of the most amazing cocktails/mock-tails and super fresh and inventive food!! Yum! Or, if they feel like Mexican, and something a little less fancy, we’ll head over to Highland Park for the best homemade tacos at Homestate. And yes, they make their own tortillas.

The next day I’d probably drag you to the Observatory after getting an overpriced coffee at…well, basically anywhere. We’ll take in the Universe show which makes you feel like you’re floating through space and time, and then head down to the valley. The Local Peasant in Sherman Oaks, or Spin the Bottle in Toluca Lake is always fun.

Before Uber-ing to the star studded Soho House at the West Hollywood location, we’ll stop for Margarita either at Casa Vega, or Sharky’s on Coldwater Canyon. I know what you’re thinking – Sharky’s!? Yes, Sharky’s. They have the strongest margarita I’ve ever had. If your guest doesn’t drink, hit the salsa bar, or get some guac at Casa Vega. They’ll be happy.

The next day we’ll have to do a work out at Hot 8 Yoga, or a meditation class at the Den to get our energetic fields to align with Mercury retrograde so we may safely drive on the 101. We’ll then get our nails done, at the first nail shop we can find on Groupon, cause why not!

Feel like Mexican again? I know I always do! Petty Cash in West Hollywood is where the BEST nachos live, and also some really great skinny margaritas. Not as strong as Sharky’s, but at least you’ll be sober enough to call an Uber, and not your ex-lover. Ahem…of course I’m not speaking from experience. OR if you feel like Vegan nachos – Gratitude Cafe is famous for its amazing Vegan cuisine, and ‘I am sharing’ is my fav!

We’re not that far from the Hollywood Cemetery, so an afternoon stroll with the ghosts will be super cool. Not only is it beautiful, but I may call a ghost hunter friend to tell us some cool stories about the dead!

That night, there will probably be a cool artist or band in town, so a stop at Hotel Cafe would be the place to go, and maybe a low-key celebrity appearance.

*If it’s still summer, and if I have a hook -up, we’ll return to the cemetery for a VIP movie night! One of the best things to do in the summer for sure!

The next morning, we’ll drive from the East Side, but not before we enjoy an egg Sandwich at Egg Tuck. More than likely Santa Monica will call to us, and I’ll beg any friend who lives on the West Side to lend us their parking spot for the day so we can set our eyes on beach life.

On the way to Santa Monica, we can drive through Beverly Hills, and if time allows, split a chicken salad and the Beverly Grill (one of my favorite salads ever), as we ease-drop on some fancy Hollywood meetings.

Making our way to the Beach, we’ll have a beer at Shutters or Casa Del Mar, or if there’s live Jazz at Shutters or Harvelle’s that night we’ll stay for a spritzer, or a vodka rocks (respectively.)

If you want to end your food spree with a bang, we’d make a rezzy, and head back to Encino to Scratch Bar and Kitchen, for a purely originally curated meal for your taste buds. But bring daddies credit card, ’cause it ain’t cheap! *I’ll probably ask you, or your daddy, to treat since I picked you up from the airport. (hehe!)

Your final and last day, we’ll head up to A’WAY Malibu, for a day yoga retreat with real food to cleanse our bodies of the drinks, and spirits of Los Angeles.

You’ll probably have to Uber/Lyft yourself to the airport, while I get my chakras realigned for the next week ahead, considering the above exhausted my energetic fields for the next six months.

exhausted my energetic fields for the next six months.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There is no way I could only shout out to one person. It takes a village as they say, and this business took a village of witches! Kyle Thomas (my amazing friend and celebrity Astrologer) Colby Rebel (my mentor, friend and business mentor), Rebecca Fearing (my friend, mentor, and one hell of a medium), Danielle Paige (major Instagram boss babe, and spiritual being who helped me launch my business), Tawney Lewis (my good friend, amazing psychic and ghost hunter) Dalal Bruchmann (my good friend and amazing musician who helps me with all things website-y and tech-y), and my grandmother… the original bruja – Carlota Leon, who used to braid my hair so tight as a child, I have PTSD whenever I see a fine tooth comb.

Website: www.rockinrobintarot.com

Instagram: @rockinrobintarot

Other: My tarot article will be making a splash the New York Post the first week of October along with my Tarot Card pulls for the month!

Image Credits
Brendan Minto