Parlor Tricks
  by Carol Burye

I have a ritual for laying out my cards. I keep them wrapped in green silk. Silk because it’s a natural fiber and green because it matches the color of my eyes. I hold the silk encased cards toward me, with the final fold to the left. With my right hand I start the unwinding process until the familiar cards are visible. Setting them on the table, I smooth the silk as much as possible with the cards laying diagonally, to the left, in the center. The green on the back of the cards matches the silk. The scent of the long ago spilled candle wax remains fragrant. I know these cards better than I know most of my friends.

I began reading tarot cards sixteen years ago. I love the idea that the symbols and pictures awaken my intuition enough to allow me to tell a person about portions of their life that I otherwise could not know. I read palms, do numerology, have a crystal ball, and have a basic understanding of astrology, but tarot is where my heart lies.

This is my last reading tonight. I am excited that I can go to bed soon. She walks into the room now. I gently smile and she returns a coy glance. I am intrigued and feel curiously playful. I motion to the cushions for her to sit down and extend my hand.

When our hands touch, I say with a smile, “Hi, I’m Laura.”

“I’m Sarah.”

“What kind of a reading would you like tonight?“ Secretly hoping for tarot.

“I’d like my cards read, but how much does it cost?”

Money is a touchy subject with me. I have a range and I often just pick a number at random. That shirt looks expensive, $30. He hasn’t showered in days and I just want to get him out of here as soon as possible, $15. I’m saving for a trip, $40. I ran out of gas again, $35. Repeat customer, $20, always.

“It’s $25 for a ten card spread. How does that sound?”

“Okay, but it’s only $20 down the street.”

“She’s not working tonight and I smile more.”

She smiles in return and our eyes lock. There is no challenge on her part, only eagerness. I pick up my cards, feel their weight, their energy. They are warm tonight. It’s a routine of shuffle, bridge, and square the deck until they feel right. Until they have a voice of their own that will speak through mine.

“Cut the deck,” I say, as I motion to the cards on the silk.

Normally, I don’t allow anyone to touch my cards. They have my energy and to let another’s fingers grace their surfaces would disrupt that, but tonight I’ll make an exception. Most people would simply cut the deck into two even stacks, but she has the cards placed in five uneven piles. I gather them back into their form.

“If you have a question for the cards, I want you to think it, but don’t say it out loud to me.”

Tonight I have chosen the most common ten card spread. Typically I will place all ten cards on the silk, look at the patterns in the cards and then begin the reading. Tonight I have decided to lay down only one card at a time.

“The first card is your present situation, the Ten of Pentacles. It means family, home and contentment. You are very happy in your present situation. You deeply love your partner and you feel safe and secure in your home and in your life.

“The second card is the major influence in your life right now, The Magician. You have many opportunities to use your artistic talents right now. You are an amazing artist, showing both beauty and pain in your work.

“The third card is your goal, the Seven of Pentacles. All of your hard work with your art will come to fruition as you have hoped. You will soon be offered help from a prominent art dealer who will get your works shown at galleries in New York and London. You are looking toward your future and it is bright.”

With a shy smile, Sarah asks, “So what does the next card say?”

“The fourth card is your far past that led you to the present, The Hermit. You spent quite some time alone. Although you were with people, you always felt alone, like an island, never quite understood. You studied and sought the answers to your pain, but found none. You almost gave up in despair.”

A tear forms in Sarah’s eye, but no words are spoken.

“The fifth card is the recent past, the Six of Cups. A friend from your childhood recently came back into your life, changing your world, by giving you unconditional love. You were unsure about accepting that gift but have finally given in completely.”

Another smile as she wipes a tear from her cheek.

“The sixth card is your near future, the Wheel of Fortune. In accepting that love into your life, you have opened yourself up to change and allowing fate and destiny to have their say. Your emotions have been turbulent but right now you are coming into a time of utter happiness and joy.

“The seventh card is you, The Empress. You are content and secure and would like to be a mother soon. You are putting your energy into building your future home filled with all of your love and kindness.

“The eighth card is your feelings, the Four of Wands. You have just been married and had a celebration of your love. You feel safe and secure and are dancing to the harmony of that love.

“The ninth card is your hopes and fears, the Two of Wands. You are waiting to see what will happen. You have the world in your hand but sometimes you fear the happiness that may come with your dreams being realized.”

I look up from the cards. “You’ve had a very positive reading so far. Would you like to turn the last card?”

Without a word, Sarah reaches down to turn the tenth card, the outcome. Both of our eyes recognize the card as she lays it on the silk.

“No fair,” Sarah says in frustration. “How do you do that? It always comes up The Lovers. You stacked the deck again!”

“I did not! You saw me shuffle and you’re the one who cut the cards this time.”