Halloween is a holiday that is changing. I thought it had completely died this year. Not one single trick-or-treater came by the house, whereas last year, we ran out of candy – twice!
I’ve noticed that more and more parties for adults are springing up, and not just parties that are a reason to drink – but full-blown Halloween Parties with costumes, music and contests.
I was invited to read cards at a wine bar this year on the night before Halloween. I agreed with the owner that I would read for free for anyone who came in costume. Since this is a rural/forested area, I really didn’t expect anyone to dress up.
Was I in for a surprise!
Hansel and Gretel, Pinocchio and the Blue Fairy, Michael Jackson and the Mad Hatter all showed up, and in serious costumes, too! I was set up in a separate room above the party, and the line formed as soon as I arrived. Of the 20 or so people I read for, not a single one had ever had their cards read. That made it really fun for me. I love the cold read, and readings only lasted 10-15 minutes so I had to get it right the first time. I read for people (and creatures!) of all ages and backgrounds. Even I am amazed as every reading unfolds: no two readings are alike.
On Halloween Night I read at a local, very popular restaurant. I had my own table right up in front of the room, far away from the nearest patron, so although my client and I had audio privacy, I was visible to everyone in the room, and they could see that the readings were ‘safe.’
Before I left for this party, I had been engaged in a conversation online with professional Tarot readers, all discussing whether it was right, or even proper to remove some of the scarier-looking cards from the deck before doing entertainment-style readings. Many readers stated that they would not do such a thing, but one of them had landed her first paying gig on the stipulation that she remove the Death card, and others. She asked the opinion of the professional members of the forum.
My personal feeling is that you can remove any cards you want..you can leave half of the deck at home..it doesn’t matter – if the cards want to say something, they will, and they’ll use whatever you give them to work with. So, I promised the forum that I would remove some cards (sanitize my deck, as they call it) for one of the two Halloween gigs I had.
I removed the Death card before going to the the restaurant last night.
As soon as I began the readings, I was glad I had removed it. After all, the owner – a good friend of mine – would not have been happy if clients were anxious during their dinner. I can’t blame him – owning a restaurant in this economy has to be a singular challenge. The people I read for were such sweet folks who came to support a local business. I was so relaxed that I felt like I was in my own living room chatting with friends. And the clients were as varied as the night before. At this venue, I didn’t put a time limit on the reading, I just read until it naturally came to a close.
The woman pictured above sat at the table with me and as always, I asked her name. “Nicole,” she said – but I already knew that. She’s a local newscaster, and I watch her every evening. She was a fun read, and her boyfriend graciously took pictures of us to post here on the blog.
At about 10 pm the restaurant was empty and I began packing up my things. As I was folding the table cloth I brought, I looked down, and there on the floor was the Nine of Cups – wedged underneath the leg of the table! Now, the Nine of Cups isn’t the world’s happiest card, but it’s not as loaded with symbolism as the Death card or the Tower.
I’m still wondering how it got there — and more importantly, WHY!
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Your readings sound like a great deal of fun. I would never have taken a card out of the deck – but then, I read privately (in person), through e-mail or over the phone, so I nver had to really face the issue. As you say – it is best to protect the interests of the people that are allowing you to read in their facility.
BTW – The gentleman took a great pic of you adn your client!