One encounter, in particular, left a lasting impression on her. It was when a client went quiet for weeks after a session in which she had drawn all negative cards. “I thought they hated my reading,” the Ipoh-born recalled.
But when that particular client finally contacted her, the message was one of gratitude: Mia’s words had pulled the client back from depression and the brink of suicide.
“I think that’s why I read tarot – people sometimes need to hear it directly from someone,” she told FMT Lifestyle.
This deep connection with her clients is what drives the KL-based Mia in her work as a tarot reader. At 31, she has built a practice that draws clients from all walks of life – filmmakers, business professionals, and more.
Reading tarot online gives Mia the flexibility to juggle her many roles: cat rescuer, online thrift shop owner, home-based resin artist and candle maker. Clients simply schedule a video call, and Mia dives into her deck of Tarot cards to explore their future.
“If our schedules don’t match, I offer recorded readings,” the eldest of two siblings explained. Clients send a selfie so she can “get a vibe of their energy” – and clarify their questions. Mia then records her readings and sends it to them within seven days.
That need for clarity is what drew Mia to tarot in the first place. During the pandemic, she found herself overwhelmed with personal struggles.
“I was at my wit’s end with love problems,” she admitted. A friend recommended a tarot reading for guidance, and the experience was both overwhelming and helpful.
Inspired by how much the reading helped, she immersed herself in the world of tarot, watching readings on YouTube, buying a lesson book, and getting her own cat-themed tarot deck to start practising.
“I would say the reviews from my clients have proven I’m a good reader!” she enthused.
She said she believed in the power of chance – that the card someone pulls on a particular day carries a message meant for them. “I don’t think that’s a coincidence. You were meant to hear those messages.”
Her first “clients” were family members, and the experience was so moving for them that it validated her decision to pursue tarot reading.
Interestingly, Mia, also a part-time mass communications lecturer, does a reading for herself once a month. As an overthinker, she said, tarot helps clarify her thoughts and guide her “to where I can focus my energy on for the month.”
Her love for storytelling plays a big part in tarot reading. With her background in acting and theatre directing, Mia approaches the cards with a unique perspective. “I love how the cards tell stories.”
A natural hustler and self-proclaimed jack of all trades, Mia juggles multiple jobs to “supplement fluctuating incomes” while chasing her dream of becoming a successful actor. Despite the struggles, she said it is worth pursuing her passion of tarot reading.
In film, she had supporting roles in Gavin Yap’s “Geng Kubur” and “Sabung” by “Roh” director Emir Ezwan, set to release next year.
She also starred in Joon Goh’s short film “Mop,” which was selected for Germany’s Landshut Short Film Festival this year.
Her advice to fellow hustlers? “Take breaks and slow down if you need to. Find your purpose, which may change seasonally – be it a loved one, a dream, or even a lifestyle. And stick to it.”
Follow Mia Sabrina Mahadir on Instagram.