Caroline DeBruhl, Author at Creative Loafing Tampa

A close-up graphic illustration showing the central detail of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot card number Ⅱ The High Priestess. Seated between two pillars—a dark pillar on the left marked with a white letter "B" and a white pillar on the right marked with a dark letter "J"—the High Priestess wears blue flowing robes with a large solar cross across her chest, a horned crown featuring a central full moon sphere on her head, and holds a partially exposed scroll bearing the text "TORA" in her lap. Behind her, a veil decorated with yellow crescent moons, green palm leaves, and red pomegranates spans the space between the pillars.

Oracle of Ybor: My friend just had a devastating loss, and I need to get her through it

And what do I do about this affair I want to have?

by Caroline DeBruhl September 24, 2026September 25, 2026

Dear Oracle, A friend of mine just experienced a devastating loss. Her heart is completely shattered. So is mine. I want to be able to support her in this unbearable grief but I’m at a loss of what to do. It’s such a worst-case scenario that everything I can think of to help just seems […]

A close-up illustration of the Nine of Cups tarot card. Positioned under a semi-circular arc of nine golden chalices against a bright yellow background, a central figure with dark curly hair and a red, feathered beret sits with arms folded over a patterned white robe. The figure is framed by vertical green draped fabric in a traditional Rider-Waite style tarot design.

Oracle Of Ybor: I want to run for public office, but have anxiety about what that would entail

And what do I do about all the mutual friends I have with my ex?

by Caroline DeBruhl September 4, 2026September 4, 2026

A cropped illustration of the Knight of Wands tarot card from the classic Rider-Waite-Smith deck. The image shows a knight in full steel armor wearing a bright yellow tunic patterned with black salamanders and a helmet adorned with a large, flaming red plume. Riding an orange-brown horse with a fiery mane, the knight holds a wooden wand sprouting small green leaves upright in his right hand against a pale blue sky.

Oracle of Ybor: I’m a musician, and a perfectionist, so I have anxiety about experimenting with my ‘sound’

And what do I about the person I fell hard for in Paris?

by Caroline DeBruhl August 21, 2026August 21, 2026

Here is the SEO-optimized, accessible, and gender-neutral alt-text for the cropped card illustration: Alt-text: A close-up cropped illustration of the King of Cups card from the traditional Rider-Waite tarot deck. Positioned center frame in a medium close-up, a crowned figure wearing a gold crown with red accents and a yellow robe adorned with a red collar sits on a throne shaped like a shell or curved stone. The figure holds a golden cup in their right hand and a golden scepter in their left hand, set against a light cream-colored background.

Oracle of Ybor: I think the universe is telling me to stop binge drinking

The King of Cups has a big heart and deep feelings.

by Caroline DeBruhl August 3, 2026August 3, 2026

A flat-lay photograph showcasing a spread of classic Rider-Waite tarot cards scattered on a flat surface, with the "Strength" Major Arcana card featured prominently in vertical orientation at the center. The Strength card, labeled with Roman numeral "VIII" at the top and "STRENGTH" at the bottom, depicts a figure in a white robe crowned with a flower wreath and an infinity symbol floating above their head, calmly taming a yellow lion under a yellow sky. Other major and minor arcana cards—including The Devil and The Hanged Man—lie partially overlaid and angled beneath the central card in a collage arrangement.

Oracle of Ybor: It’s time to be strong for your friend that seems unhappy with life

And another shitty boss question, too.

by Caroline DeBruhl July 24, 2026July 24, 2026

A hand with many silver rings holds The Emperor tarot card up to the camera with a gothic candle in the background

Oracle of Ybor: Is moving back to the city I once loved a mistake?

If you want to move, there is a cost.

by Caroline DeBruhl June 25, 2026July 14, 2026

A hand pinches the corner of a Six of Swords tarot card on top of a deck on a pink background

Oracle of Ybor: Why did my platonic lesbian soulmate ghost me?

‘It’s up to her and up to fate to rejoin you in life. What you do have control over are your actions, and those need to be addressed.’

by Caroline DeBruhl June 25, 2026June 25, 2026

The Sun vintage tarot card

Oracle of Ybor: Is my abusive family too old to yell at?

‘There is an optimism, both bright and deep with The Sun, and it’s a light that endures.’

by Caroline DeBruhl May 28, 2026June 25, 2026

Cropped close up of a Vintage Four of Pentacles Tarot Card

Oracle of Ybor: How do I stop my middle schooler from becoming a bad guy?

The cards say great things can come out of discomfort.

by Caroline DeBruhl May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

A hand holds "The Hierophant" tarot card from the Rider-Waite deck against a soft pink background. The card depicts a religious figure in red robes and a triple crown, seated between two pillars and holding a scepter. A small stack of face-down tarot cards with a gold-and-white sun pattern is visible behind the held card.

Oracle of Ybor: I need to pull cards for my own troubles

Sometimes, I feel lost or overwhelmed with the world or frightened about the future.

by Caroline DeBruhl April 17, 2026April 17, 2026

Close crop of the King of Wands tarot card

Oracle of Ybor: Should I bother leaving my toxic tech job?

And how to stay grounded with medical anxiety.

by Caroline DeBruhl April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

A close-up illustration of the King of Swords from the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. A figure with a stern expression wears a yellow crown and a red hood under a blue tunic and purple cape. They hold a large silver sword upright in their right hand against a pale blue sky with a single cloud and soaring birds.

Columns, News & Views, Tampa Bay Journalism Project

Oracle of Ybor: Your friend is a fucking asshole

I cannot imagine what it felt like to receive such an atom bomb of a letter.

by Caroline DeBruhl March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

A close-up illustration of "The World" tarot card. A central figure with long blonde hair is depicted partially draped in a purple sash, holding two white wands while floating within a large oval wreath made of green leaves. The background is a solid light green, and white clouds are visible in the upper corners. The image has a classic, textured printing aesthetic with visible Ben-Day dots.

Oracle Of Ybor: I’m about to start a family with a longtime partner, but I keep thinking about my exes

I don’t think I still want them…but I do think I still want them to want ME.

by Caroline DeBruhl February 13, 2026February 13, 2026

Zoom in of a vintage tarot cart featuring The Chariot.

Oracle of Ybor: How do I avoid burnout under fascism?

Balancing strength, stamina and care is key.

by Caroline DeBruhl January 22, 2026February 18, 2026

A close-up illustration from the Seven of Swords tarot card featuring a figure in a red fez and orange tunic. He moves stealthily, carrying a bundle of five swords in his arms while looking back over his shoulder at two swords standing upright in the ground against a bright yellow background.

Oracle of Ybor: How do I beat the winter blues?

The cards indicate connecting with the good in others, even when it’s tough.

by Caroline DeBruhl December 1, 2025December 1, 2025

The Five of Swords tarot card from the Rider-Waite deck is centered among a pile of scattered cards. The card depicts a man holding three swords and looking over his shoulder while two defeated figures walk away, leaving two swords on the ground.

Oracle of Ybor: I’m worried about my somewhat controlling daughter who moved from Florida to rural Missouri

Her husband is kind, but can be a bit cocky, too.

by Caroline DeBruhl November 14, 2025November 14, 2025

Close-up illustration of the Three of Cups Tarot card from the Rider-Waite deck, showing three figures celebrating together by raising three golden cups against a blue background.

Oracle of Ybor: I’m in a ‘What am I doing with my life?’ spiral

The cards suggest spending the next six weeks reflecting.

by Caroline DeBruhl November 4, 2025November 4, 2025

A close-up illustration of the "Strength" tarot card. Against a solid yellow background, a woman in a white dress with a floral crown gently holds open the jaws of a red lion. An infinity symbol, or lemniscate, floats above her head.

Oracle of Ybor: After losing my wife to cancer, how do I date casually?

Seeking happiness is a way to honor her.

by Caroline DeBruhl October 17, 2025November 4, 2025

A close-up illustration of the Ace of Pentacles tarot card, showing a pale hand reaching out from a white, spiraling cloud in the top left. The hand is holding a large, bright yellow coin or disc inscribed with a black pentagram (five-pointed star). The background is a bright blue with subtle white rays of light emanating from the coin.

Oracle of Ybor: What do the cards say about being able to actually buy a house?

I do think you’ll be able to find a house that feels like a lasting love.

by Caroline DeBruhl October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

A high-angle, close-up shot of the "Seven of Cups" tarot card lying upright on a scattered pile of other tarot cards. The central card depicts the silhouette of a person facing seven golden cups floating in clouds, each holding a different object or illusion.

Oracle of Ybor: ‘Numb, dumb and confused’ after a breakup

This is the first time a question-writer has sent in their own tarot pull.

by Caroline DeBruhl September 18, 2025November 4, 2025