We recently had the chance to connect with Niki Canela and have shared our conversation below.
Niki, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m most proud of the inner garden I’ve been tending quietly for years. It’s the unseen work — the prayers whispered when no one is around, the journaling that unravels old wounds, the discipline of choosing growth over giving up. To most people it’s invisible, but for me it’s the soil that everything else grows from.
Safe Space Tarot, my creative visions, even the way I show up for others — all of that blooms from the roots I’ve built within myself. Nobody sees the seeds I’ve planted in silence or the storms I’ve had to weather, but those hidden foundations are what give my life its strength and authenticity. That inner resilience is what I’m most proud of, because it makes everything else possible.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Niki, the heart behind Safe Space Tarot. I was born and raised in Miami, and for over 15 years I’ve been reading tarot as a way to connect with intuition, healing, and the deeper layers of our human experience. What started as something personal and private has grown into Safe Space Tarot, a platform where I channel guidance for the collective, share timeless readings, and create a sanctuary for people to feel seen and supported.
What makes Safe Space Tarot unique is that it blends mysticism with real life. I believe spirituality isn’t just candles and cards — it’s about how you show up in the world, how you process challenges, and how you align with your own power. My vision is to make tarot accessible not just as a form of divination, but as a tool for self-discovery, emotional growth, and empowerment.
Right now, I’m expanding into YouTube, offering collective readings and timeless messages, while also working one-on-one with clients who want deeper clarity. Safe Space Tarot is still growing, but it’s a reflection of my bigger dream: to build spaces — both online and eventually in person — where people can come together to heal, to learn, and to feel less alone.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I’ve been blessed with friends who have acted like mirrors for my soul — people who saw my light long before I fully recognized it myself. During moments when I doubted my path or felt too drained to keep going, they reminded me of who I really am and what I’m here to do. There were times when I wanted to step away from tarot or hide my spiritual side, but they were the ones who kept encouraging me to share it — to remember that what I offer isn’t just “card reading,” it’s energy work, empathy, and guidance that genuinely helps others.
They’ve shown up again and again — whether it’s sending me messages after a reading saying, “You have a real gift,” or just holding space for me during the low moments. Their faith in me became the bridge back to my own faith in myself. I think everyone needs people like that — the ones who don’t just see what you do, but see you, and remind you of your purpose when you start to forget it.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of being seen — and the possibility of being rejected — has been one of the biggest obstacles in my life. It’s something rooted in childhood wounds, past trauma, and moments of rejection that left a deep imprint on me. For a long time, I kept my gifts quiet because I was afraid of what people might think if I shared the most authentic parts of myself.
Through therapy, inner work, and mental health tools, I’ve been unpacking that fear little by little. These days, I see my creative work almost like a personal form of exposure therapy: showing up on YouTube, posting on my new tarot Instagram @safespacetarot__, and stepping back into in-person tarot events. Each time I push past the fear, I reclaim more confidence and remember the joy that made me fall in love with tarot in the first place. It’s been a process of transforming fear into fuel — and letting my voice be heard anyway.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
For me, that’s Safe Space Tarot. It’s not just a brand — it feels like a passion project I co-created with the universe. Even as I pursue other goals, like going back to university or building new skills, Safe Space Tarot remains deeply personal to me. It’s the natural extension of years spent reading tarot for friends, studying mysticism, and learning the art of divination.
What makes it so meaningful is that it’s more than a project — it’s a reflection of who I am. It’s where my love for spirituality, creativity, and human connection all meet. I’m committed to nurturing it for as long as it takes, because I know as Safe Space Tarot grows, I’ll continue growing alongside it.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I give myself permission to disconnect from the noise. I’ll do little phone and social media detoxes and head to my favorite park here in Miami — the same neighborhood where I went to school as a child. There’s a tree I always go back to, almost like an old friend.
I’ll sit in the grass, put my feet in the soil, and let the sunshine wash over me. In those moments, my nervous system gets a real break. I love watching the squirrels chase each other and the ducks float by — it’s simple, but it’s my happy place, and it reminds me how much peace is available when we slow down and return to nature.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Safespacetarot__
- Youtube: NikiSafeSpace
