Life has been a bit off kilter for me of late, and it was with some surprise that I realized I had not really actively booked any parties for the Halloween season. Sometimes our cocoons feel so snug that we are loathe to leave them. Thank the gods that one of my friends offered my services to a wonderful local business last night. It was hard to blast myself out of the house, but I dutifully donned my fortune- telling garb, hopped a broom, and was off. (Trundling out in my long dress, striped tights, shawls, and head wrap, I realized that I want to dress like that every day. Is that odd?)
My destination was an eclectic little coffee shop/hookah lounge owned by an amazing and creative young couple. I was tucked away in a perfect corner, away from the main buzz of the shop, and the readings commenced. They were wonderful and inspiring and (I’m told) spot on. As usual, I felt edified by the process and humbled to be part of each client’s journey.
Earlier, on my way to the shop, I said my usual prayer that I might be used as a vehicle to bring truth and enlightenment into each querent’s life. Sometimes it’s hard to deliver bald truths. If you know me, you know that I go to great pains to ease into bad news and put a lot of energy into not upsetting or offending. You can imagine my chagrin when the cards were blunt and unrelenting with one young person about their love life. Several times in the reading, I half apologized, saying that I would never be so bold. That’s right, I wouldn’t. However, when we don the mantle of seer and if we take the calling seriously, the cards will reveal many things that we would never discuss with strangers in polite company. While I recoiled at the bluntness of the message, I continued the reading, trusting the oracle. The client was rightfully upset, as they wanted this thing badly, but said later that they were getting the same message from friends. My magical friends often joke about the “Cosmic Clue by Four,” but this one didn’t feel funny. It was a painful truth, almost too real for the telling. My delivery would have been more tender, less abrupt. Apparently--and wisely--the cards SHOUTED IN ALL CAPS. Message delivered.
The beauty in messages like this is that after the truth is met, toe to toe, each individual can begin the task of rebuilding the relationship or situation. The cards reveal the future if things continue unchecked the way they are. If we make moves to rectify a bad situation, the outcome changes. Tarot offers a marvelous opportunity for self-correction and preventing derailments if we do the work required.
When something like this happens, I look my client in the eyes, and I tell them that they are perfectly whole and wonderful human beings who deserve good things. I try to pour all the love and understanding that I can into the hole in their hearts. I usually pull more cards for guidance and their best course of action. Then I have to send them off to deal with this new truth. I will probably never see this person again. This is the way of it. They may internalize the message and make changes or they may discount me as a fraud and ignore the words. I pray that they will open their hearts and minds to truth and align more closely with their soul’s purpose. To them and others like them, I send love and peace and passionate understanding. May they find healing and wholeness.
