About

Oracles Are All About Relationships

Since a divination reading is a co-created endeavor, let me tell you a bit about who I am

A little about me

I am Cody Hooks, a writer, artist and spiritual caregiver working at the crossroads of astrology, divination, chaplaincy, and personal and collective healing.

I live in the Boston area, where I've trained as a multifaith chaplain in local healthcare institutions, including two units of Certified Pastoral Education. I graduated from Harvard Divinity School with a Master of Divinity in 2022. While there, I led a variety of tarot-related experiences, collective readings, and rituals. My past and ongoing research focuses on ancient and modern divination, especially oracles, as well as dreaming, death and dying, pilgrimage, contemplative prayer and non-theistic spiritual care.

In addition to more than a decade of experience with astrology, tarot and other such spiritual practices, I hold a BA from Yale University, where I co-led a drag troupe and wrote about queer spirituality, farming communities, and relationships to the landscapes we call home. That journey led to a five-year stint as a community journalist and editor in the rural Southwest.

I have primarily studied Hellenistic astrology, an ancient tradition that has been recovered and reinterpreted by astrologers like Demetra George, Chris Brennan and Chani Nicholas. My practice also includes modern astrological techniques, especially the use of Asteroids and Sabian Symbols.

My Philosophy & Commitments

My approach to oracle readings is based on the simple idea that We Are Each Other's Oracle.

When two people sit down to do a reading together, we are drawing a sacred circle around ourselves. Everything that happens in that circle — asking questions, sharing stories, working with images, thinking through associations and checking in with our feelings — is a divined message. In ancient times, the oracle was thought to speak with the voice of a god. Whether or not the idea of a "god" resonates, in these sessions, we become oracles for one another.

I am committed to an ethical practice of divination and spiritual care — one that honors our inherent dignity, stories, life experiences, and deepest pains, hopes, and imaginative impulses. My training as a chaplain means that I not only respect but embrace and affirm the unique dimensions of your life, particularly the religious and spiritual. I believe that divination can be healing, and as such I am committed to preventing harm and providing compassionate benefit for your whole being. Furthermore, I support the ethical guidelines laid out by the International Association of Ethics in Astrology, which has informed my own set of guiding principles.

I'm happy to talk with you about this framework and these commitments, including how this understanding is supported by my research of divination, the history of tarot, and contemporary spiritual care and chaplaincy.

My deck

I created the So Damn Divine Oracle in early 2020 and have been expanding and interpreting it ever since. This work is at once scholarly and guided by discernment, intuition, and collaborative oracular insight.

This is the deck I primarily use with clients.

To stay up to date on its development, you can sign up for my newsletter.

Cards from the So Damn Divine Oracle

Other Things to Know

What is an Oracle Reading like?

Oracle readings are much like tarot readings. A deck of oracle cards are shuffled and cut, a few of the cards are laid out in a particular arrangement, and then we discus those images and ideas for somewhere between 30 and 90 minutes. We draw between one and five cards, depending on how long the reading is. I intuit a spread based on your situation. Generally, I ask that you come with a question: something pressing and "alive" in your reflections or decision making; preferably, this is an open-ended question, rather than one that pits two options against each other (Yes or No, A or B, etc). That being said, if you don't have a particular question, we can do a more free-form reading — be prepared, though, because our symbolic wanderings can get wild! It's important to affirm that the power is shared between us. We both interpret the cards, using our insights to arrive at a more complete understanding of the situation and its possibilities.

What is an astrology reading like?

Astrology readings are also co-created endeavors of meaning making, but they are based on more "technical" information - that is, your birth chart and the interpretive techniques used to understand it. When you fill out the Request a Reading form, you'll let me know your birth information. I will then email you information about payment, scheduling, as well as a copy of chart. We primarily look at your birth chart (the planets, houses, aspects, etc.) and any significant transits that have just concluded or are coming up. I use Whole Sign Houses, which is ancient, as well as asteroids and Sabian Symbols, which are both modern additions to the practice of astrology.

Do I have to know my birth time for an astrology reading?

It's ideal, but not necessary. If you cannot find out your birth time (perhaps from a relative, birth certificate, baby book, etc.), we can still do a reading together. It won't have all the information we could cover if you did have your birth time, but many techniques (including outer planet transits, Sabian Symbols, and asteroids) do not require a birth time.

How do I know which type of reading to get?

This could depend on a lot of things, but most of all — can you sense which style calls to you? Astrology readings are more structured, as they are based on your natal chart and transits. Oracle readings are more about what happens in the moment. You can read about the different offerings here. If you need help deciding (for you or someone else), I offer a free introductory conversation (about 20 minutes).

Is this confidential?

Completely. I am committed to an ethical practice of divination and spiritual comradeship, and that means I will never share your information without prior permission: not your email address, not your chart, not a photo of your cards, and not your stories. I'm am glad to talk with you more about how my practice is supported by research into divination, the history of tarot, and contemporary spiritual care and chaplaincy.

How do I pay you?

I accept PayPal and Venmo. Those links will be included in our email exchange.

Can I purchase a reading for someone else?

Of course. You can find Gift Cards in the Offerings.

Can I buy a copy of your deck?

Not yet, but I do anticipate publishing it in due time. If you'd like to stay updated, you can sign up for my newsletter.

A Note on Cost

I want to meet people where they are — spiritually, emotionally, and financially. To that end, readings are priced at various points. Oracle readings are available in half-hour increments. Astrology readings are available on a sliding scale; please pay as you are financially able. I occasionally offer experimental readings at reduced costs, which you can find out about on my newsletter. Spiritual Journeywork conversations are donation based.

I accept PayPal and Venmo.

If you would like to do an oracle session together but are unable to pay the cost (especially if you’re a student, care worker, or low-income), please reach out to me. No one will be turned away.