Quarter - spring - 2026
Creative Living with Epiphany Castro
K.N.Robertson - writer wait!
I did not know when I began The Writer Wait Universe that so many new doors would open as a result of the interviews I already feel so fortunate to be apart of.
Interviewing Co-Founder Epiphany Castro lead to some unexpected delights such as a writing mentorship with Ink and Soul Magazine’s other Co-Founder and Editor, LaToye Manley-Davis an other surprises mentioned in Ep. 2 Let’s Dish!
I had other plans on who I might like to interview this quarter, but in interviewing Lord John Snow last quarter, I was introduced to Epiphany Castro by way of her support of her claimed nephew Lord Snow. Her support has begun to envelop me as well and I am forever appreciative for both of my newfound aunties.
Author K. N. Robertson shares Marco Polo Chat with Bay Area Poet, Creative Director, and Co-Founder of Ink and Soul Magazine, Epiphany Castro. This discussion includes topics such as her shortlist of favorite poets, lessons from the garden, going vegan, and creative living!
My new aunties, an afterward
This quarter’s interview unexpectedly turned into mentorship, allegiance, and opportunity. The interview took place months ago now, but from it I gained two new aunties.
I find it difficult not to bring Lord Snow from the previous quarter into this afterward, as if it was not for his Aunt Epiphany’s consistent support of the Writer Wait posts that featured him, I may not have had the pleasure to communicate with her.
After about the second (or was it the third) post that she shared to her stories from my interview with him, I was compelled to reach out in gratitude.
During this time, Miss Epiphany’s spirited energy shone through her responses, and she asked me to give her magazine a look. Of course, this thrilled me and I confessed that Writer Wait was initially intended to be a podcast with a companion magazine, not a blog, but I was pleased at how the blog was coming along still. I sent her the link after making it public and in return she shared her previous blog, Epiphany Land with me (linked below).
It was a true creative back and forth right away. She invited me to discuss the idea of writing for Ink and Soul Magazine and though I had no idea what I would write about, I was eager to see what she had in mind and after reading her blog and looking into the FREE first issue of Ink and Soul Magazine, I was hungry to interview her for Writer Wait. I never thought she would say yes, and yet, in her true lighthearted way she replied, “Yep I’ll give you an interview Easy peasy.” What sunshine.
As the interview concluded a month later, I ended up on the subject of the sitcom Girlfriends. I let her know that the world I was shaping in the series to follow Exposing Lesser Demons was not unlike a magical version of that show. Miss Epiphany was delighted to learn that I was “magical” too as she put it. Apparently, she is a fan of The Originals and enlightened me that the woman who played Lynn on Girlfriends is married to the man who plays Klaus on the vampiric wolfy, witchy drama. Now that’s tea!
The interview was shortly over after this exchange, but our communication had apparently just begun.
Briefly after this moment as I was laying down for the first time in over 24 hours, she sent me a message requesting an article right up my alley:
“I have an assignment if you should accept of course” Her message began.
“I’d like an article; 800 to 1300 words about the gaping hole in the sci fi fantasy space for black folks and all things magically delicious.”
How could I say no to that? Of course, I said yes. I slept for a day and then got to work on that and my early chapters of the sequel to Exposing Lesser Demons to share for this quarter’s story segment (below).
My first draft of the article had a ton of heart and plenty of sass, but it was the other co-founder of Ink and Soul Magazine who reached out to personally chat with the big flaw with my first attempt at writing a magazine article.
Miss LaToye Manley-Davis was kind enough to accept my late-night call and let me know first that she appreciated my willingness to write for them (to my surprise, as I was the one wanting to thank her for considering me as a writer) and secondly she informed me that she never – and I mean never – takes such care with a request for a rewrite.
With a fine-tooth comb, she had already sifted out the gold from my article, drowned as it was in quotes of others and a style that was far more academic than necessary.
She wasn’t wrong. I used every bit of advice I could remember from high school and college English classes on how to write a paper. The article was so full to the brim with expert quotes that it lacked the one benefit to having an author write it – authority!
My word document was returned to me with paragraphs of input from the co-founder that Miss Epiphany referred to as “academic.” Miss Toye invited me to be the authority in my next draft and spent over 2 hours explaining what from my first draft she loved and even deep diving into personal experiences with me about our perspective lives. We got deep. Fast.
My next draft was better, though it was a merging of the two articles that she weaved together without adding any of her own words that had me floored! I would never have put them together in that way, but all of the words were my own. Every thought was my brainchild, and dare I say, it came out as an 800-word masterpiece!
Apparently, I had some serious opinions on own voice narratives and their place in racial equity.
There is so much I can say about my uniquely blossoming relationships with each of my new aunties, but both feel sacred to me in a way that makes me think, this is not the time to further expound, but if you’ve read this far, please check out my article:
THE STORIES WE WERE DENIED: THE SPACE BETWEEN PRESENCE AND ERASURE
featured in the third quarter edition of Ink and Soul Magazine. And please keep up with the evolving website InkandSoulMagazine.art for more stories, articles, and potentially even tarot readings from yours truly,
K. N. Robertson
If you are looking for something more specific, here is a video of a creative who utilizes tarot for each chapter to prevent writer’s block. Please return to the Writer Wait Blog next quarter to see how I literally have not had writer’s block again, and happy writing.
Wands for Witches
All throughout Quarantine I bounced between the series that would ultimately begin with Exposing Lesser Demons and another series that I must be vague about for now. Let’s just say it was based on a specific aspect of nature that I would then personify into an alternate future tale.
Both stories appealed to me so much. One black AF fantasy series and one Afrofuturistic dystopian duology.
After months of hopping from one to the next, I decided to allow tarot to be the definitive tie breaker to direct my attention to one avenue once and for all. Pentacles for the nature themed tale and the suit of Wands would represent the witchy tale. The outcome is obvious now, but the specifics blew me away.
Beyond pentacles and wands, tarot decks include swords, cups, and 22 major arcana that could have also come out. I hadn’t stated how many cards I would pull at the moment, but upon shuffling and stopping, I took the first card at the top of the deck. The answer was certain as the deck revealed the Ace of Wands, portrayed in the Witches Tarot Deck with one wand standing in solitude at the peak of a hilltop.
Before I could catch my breath, I decided to take the following 2 cards: The 8 of wands and the Queen of wands.
The message was clear without interpretation. The witchy series ought to be first. I then decided to flip the deck over and reveal input from the bottom of the deck which, to me, informs of what this is all about, in other words, why this series must be first. To my great pleasure, the card shown was The Sun card – a card of ultimate happiness, fulfillment of childhood dreams, and – like the suit of Wands – a representation of the element of fire. Specifically in this case, Leo and the burning hot Sun!
At the time that I drew these cards, Exposing Lesser Demons was not even a thought. It was initially going to be a 3-book series of thick books; Exposing Lesser Demons sprouted from the need to draft a proof of concept and introduce a taste of what this world is and who I am as an author before releasing books that could near 1000 pages as an unknown indie writer. To build trust with readers, I took the backstory of a side character who had been through something I had yet to fully explore and this small bite taught me a lot about one of the more central characters and truly informed me of who Deana really was. I am so satisfied that this proof-of-concept tale was written first, but in 2020, before I knew her story would be told first, I speculated that the 3 cards that I pulled might have had messages about the 3 books I had already intended to write.
First book (now the second book and the one I am currently writing): Ace of Wands; This is my passionate new beginning. A spark of inspiration that brings me to a new place in life through this creative path.
Second Book (now the third): 8 of Wands informs me that this is when my career really begins to heat up and many opportunities fly my way as a result. Alternatively, this is when my body of work truly begins to find its audience. No matter what, the momentum really picks up.
And the final (expected) story, which at the time I knew the very least about: Queen of Wands; This book exalts my career and positions me as a true boss in this field. The conclusion of the series crowns me as a leader and nurturer of other creatives.
And overall: The Sun Card let me know that beginning with this project brings me the utmost success and especially happiness. Looking back, that makes sense. I look forward to the nature-based series, but this witchier series embodies the reason that I wanted to write a book to begin with. My real dream has always been to write what I want to see, specifically to write for T.V. and writing a self-published book seemed like an affordable way to write a show and own the rights. I read a very influential book for Hollywood Screenplay writers and turned Exposing Lesser Demons into what I hope is one day the first season of a Black Fantasy TV series.
There are other ways to use tarot in writing that I have learned about but have never practiced such as allowing tarot to give you ideas and even let it lead a story’s events.
A simple three card spread can guide you in creating a vague idea.
Card 1: Who is the Protagonist?
Card 2: What is the inciting incident?
Card 3: What is the inevitable conclusion?
To me the above spread is a tale of someone discarded by society in spite of being an innovative thinker. They have made peace with life on the bottom rung, but a magical encounter with someone or something allows them an opportunity to change their life. In the end, with magic and their creative mind, they rise to a role of leadership or potentially royalty.
Allow yourself to be further inspired by the details of the cards, the images, the unique tools of the above Magician, even the further meanings of each card. For instance, the magician and Queen of Wands are both characters who weild magic. The Fool (protagonist) could potentially be the one who discovers their own magic abilities. This particular Magician card has aspects of ancestral magic and this Queen of Wands might even come from a magical family line.
If you would like to do this story without magic, think of other characteristics of The Magician Card. This character is considered a trickster and smooth talker as they are ruled by the planet Mercury. Perhaps the protagonist is swindled or inspired by the Magician-type character to drastically alter themselves, to alter how the remainder of the world perceives them which leads to the protagonist becoming the confident, energetic, boss that is the Queen of Wands.
For more information on this version of The Magician card, see The Card of the Quarter segment below. I recommend not being married to the idea of this above Queen of Wands as she is subject to change, but for now, I’m happy to utilize this version as a stand in as we are very far from the quarter in which a definitive Queen of Wands will be required.
First Chapters: Exposing Lesser Demons SEQUEL
K.N. Robertson
Read Story →
CONTENT WARNING
Aftermath of domestic violence
Drug references
Suicidal tendencies
“Because life molds the outer world to reflect the inner arrangement of our minds, there is no way of bringing about the outer perfection we seek other than by the transformation of ourselves.” – Neville Goddard
card of the quarter - the magician
As Above So Below.
As Within So Without.
The Magician is a master of all suits who understands that all occurrences begin in the mind. It is the first step in the tarot journey and portrays a young adult with much power to alter the world.
If you wish to change the world, there is nothing to change but yourself, beginning with the mind.
Channeled song: Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson
This is a timeless reading and finds you in the quarter in which it is meant for you.
“Maybe. I love you. I don’t know. Please be mine.” They’re going back and forth in their head about you and what they should do with all of these feelings, but it’s the seeds you plant in other avenues that let them know they have to have you.
channeled message of the quarter
dragonfly spirit tv
Additional Messages:
Although I did use the same two decks as last quarter, I PROMISE YOU I THOROUGHLY shuffled both decks. If you saw the shuffle, you would have thought I was doing too much, and yet again the number 8 flew into the reading represented by the 8 of Wands. TWICE! Wands is the second fastest suit and the 8 of wands is one of the most rapidly moving cards in tarot (I need to add a comment section so you can correct me if I’m wrong), but this feels to me that communication is quickly headed your way. If not communication, then some fast moving energy is present.
In the above reading I assumed that this was you (and another significant person signified by the other deck) tossing around ideas and messages and waiting to see what sticks. Yet, as I look closer for additional messages, I cannot ignore the numbers. The number 8 showed up last quarter, and again this quarter. And as August, the 8th month, is quickly approaching, I am left to wonder for another quarter, if there is an energy shift or communication that occurs in the next quarter, specifically the month of August(although 8 and 9 were both highlighted last quarter and I did specify that it may be August or September).
I am rereading additional messages from last quarter and I am shocked to see that the additional messages from then are synchronistic with the tarot video for this quarter. Especially in the realm of you being on someone’s radar who you think is out of your league in some way, possibly in a professional manner. Both messages mention someone being pleased to work with you while you are in disbelief that this collaboration was even an option. Please continue any passion projects you may have recently shared and if this message resonates with you, so too might last quarter’s additional messages.
Channeled Messages from the Card of The Quarter
The Magician Card represents the planet Mercury which rules both Gemini and Virgo (Which begins in AUGUST, also mercury is the planet of communication!!! IJS) In combination with my above findings, I am again believing this could mean unexpected communication in the month of August for some.
The number 1 may also be significant. As last quarter’s trail blazing Fool energy steps into this new role, perhaps you are now being regarded as a leader, as one signifies leadership. It’s lonely at the top, darling, but recall you are in the 8 of wands as well as a significant person represented by the King of Pentacles. You won’t be alone for very long.
The number 1 also represents new beginnings, and reaffirms the idea that your significant person already sees you as someone who has initiated something that will lead to material success. You’re breaking ground on a project destined to succeed.
Flowers in the traditional magician card are to suggest something is blossoming in the real world. Our springtime magician has flower blossoms to suit the season and his graduation gown represent that this is a season of blossoming for many. The conical hat as opposed to a traditional cap suggests that learning for this young magi is not complete.
This southern Magician still has power over all four suits, however the wand has been replaced by the wooden roots of a root worker and the pentacle replaced by a golden necklace with the face of a recently deceased elder relative, both signifying added power of the ancestors. In combination with the robes and chords, the word “legacy” is synonymous with this particular magician card. Depending on surrounding cards/channeled messages, the querent could be continuing the legacy through various traditions or even creating new life.
Alternatively, the character in the Rider Waite Smith Magician card appears to me as someone virtuous and chaste. For some viewing this, this may signify that you’re in a season of celibacy. I just celebrated two years of celibacy myself and that could be one reason that you vibrated here. The Writer Wait magician’s devotion to knowledge as power might even suggest that they have not made much time for romance. If you’re in a romantic entanglement that leaves you feeling less than fulfilled, let this be your sign to focus your attention to more important endeavors. Focusing on the suits or avenues of your life that are in better flow will encourage the avenues that are not as in flow to improve. Sharpening you power or knowledge, or mastering your coin might be going better. So if your “cups” or your romantic life has become a negative distraction, shift focus to the other realms in which you have power and this troublesome area will improve.
From the Mixtape of Destiny
Imagine finding an old mixtape with a list of songs and artists you have never heard of that include various artists once famous but since lost to time.
A list of music from the 80s and 90s fell into my hands some time ago and though I never uncovered the tape itself, the titles spoke to me and whispered channeled messages. I sought out each song for further messages. One particular track jumped out for this quarter.
A Side: Nobody Does Me by Diane Schuur (1991)
“Tried being free, but the nights were so blue.”
“I’ve made up my mind, got myself together. Just say you’ll be mine and we’ll stick like glue. I got this feelin’ and it’s true: Baby nobody does me like you do.
”Timeframes: Morning, All day, Moonlight, All night
Names: Larry/Lawrence, David/Dave, Diane
Notice the lyric “I’ve made up my mind…” The above reading talks in depth about how your person has been back in forth in their mind about what to do with their feelings for you. Even a dream I had shortly before this reading showed me that my someone special was doing the same. I shared about this dream in the reading. The cards in that reading as well as these lyrics lead me to the same conclusion. They know what they want now.
You have been on this person’s mind all day and all night.
At first they felt like a prisoner of love, but once “freed” sadness ensued. You have likely freed yourself from waiting for them and have shifted your focus away from romance in general.
If you haven’t then take this advice. Your pursuit of other endeavors has clearly turned this person on beyond belief. You don’t try to prove your worth, you walk in it.
Although the lyrics say “… Just say you’ll be mine…” In the video I mentioned that the person who pulled away first is the one who should initiate the romantic offer. Especially as the one who pulled away first is attracted to the other’s decision to focus on themselves rather than chasing external love. You know which part you play. You both pulled away, but one of you was rejecting love and the other was seeking self love and peace.
I do feel called the quarter to also mention this does not have to be a romantic connection for everyone although my mind went there. I do believe for many this begins professional and progresses due to professional curiosity, yet becomes romantic. But please do not dismiss that this runner chaser energy is lowkey giving familial, not romantic.
Rethinking this from a familial perspective, I am called to delve into my personal life, just a tinge, for an example:
A younger relative is currently expressing hostility towards the family and creating unnecessary divisions, presumably to attain a sense of liberation from judgment concerning their choices. This response appears to convey a desire for freedom and independence, despite the fact that no one is attempting to “imprison” or condemn this individual. Ironically, this person yearns for the familial unity they are actively rejecting. While the remainder of us proceed with our lives, it is probable that this individual will ultimately seek to rejoin the family from which they have so firmly distanced themselves.
How you interpret this quarter’s reading is up to you, but I do hope this brief example helps.
affirmations of the quarter
Affirmations, Askfirmations, and Subliminal Messages
The Affirmations in this video were first stated in the “I” form as well as the “you” form beginning with “I love how…” or “I love that…” for added heart chakra stimulation.
For additional magic they were also done as “I” and “you” form askfirmations as inspired by Neville Goddard.
Ex. “Isn’t it wonderful that joy is inevitable?”
Alternatively they may have been asked as “how is it” statements such as “How is it that you are so magnetic to opportunities?
The body of the included affirmations and askfirmations include:
Everything in the universe conspires for my highest good Every atom every cell in my body every step. this is law.
Joy is inevitable
Every seed I plant bears fruit
Everything is always working out for me
Unexpected opportunities always find me
Unexpected checks are always making their way to me
Life is always unfolding in my favor
Everything is rigged in my favor
Everything is already working out
I remain centered
Miracles are always unfolding for me
I accept my goodness
I assume the life
I desire and it forms around me.
This too shall work in my favor
I remain loyal to my peace
My wildest fantasies continue to become my reality
The best of life always comes to me
Everything always works out for me
Success belongs to me
I flow with the current of life
I flow through life
I am relaxed in my intention
I am magnetic to opportunities
I attract the right people and the right circumstances
The more I relax the more my desires flow to me
There is nothing I desire more than my peace
It’s my pleasure
Life is my pleasure
All is well
Miracles are happening right now
I remain loyal to knowing that everything is working in my favor
I feel relief
I attract my desires with ease
Life is constantly rewarding me
wrap up
The posts in this quarter include the first chapters of the upcoming sequel to Exposing Lesser Demons, a tarot spread for story writing, and another Writer Wait Podcast interview to get the creative juices flowing. Creative Director and Co-Founder of Ink and Soul Magazine, Epiphany Castro, joins Author K. N. Robertson to discuss various topics, including vegan recipes, poetic moments in cinema, and several aspects of creative living.
from author K.N. Robertson
Thank you, reader, for supporting this independent media. Support of independent media is a form of protest as this was not chosen for you by the 10 people who chose 90% of public media, but your choice in what to support and what perspective made it to you.
Other FREE ways to support Writer Wait include, sharing this page to anyone who may enjoy, interacting with the videos by liking of commenting on YouTube, subscribing to the Writer Wait YouTube channel, and reaching out to be interviewed by author K. N. Robertson! Many future interview slots are full, but ironically, the next quarter guest spot still remains open. Thank you so much for your time and attention. It has been a great pleasure providing this material and I do hope I can continue to do so in the quarters ahead.
K. N. Robertson
support the work:
from author K.N. Robertson
Ink and Soul Magazine truly has the potential to be the next great magazine for The Culture. The opportunity to collaborate with them continues to reward me in ways I could not have previously foreseen. At this time, the best way for me to contribute to them is via additional content that I can provide, but so far, I have been unable to truly show the full expansion of my gratitude.
If you would, please help me further show them gratitude by purchasing, enjoying, and spreading the word about their magazine, and visit their GoFundMe to provide financial upliftment or share the link with others who may want to support. Thank you so much for your time and continued assistance of all of us at Ink and Soul Magazine.
Link to KNRobertson.com Donation Page
Thank you so much for your donation of time here at The Writer Wait corner of the Ink and Soul Magazine site. If you would like to further support this mission, please consider telling a friend about an aspect of this platform that they may enjoy and sharing the link, join me on your favorite social media platform, and leave a financial contribution at the following link:
https://knrobertsoncom.wordpress.com/donate/
Yours truly,
K. N. Roberson