Page 44 of The Irish Gypsy
Simon grinned. "Now something to amuse theladies. Let's see. There's a spot up the river that is frozen wherepeople are skating. There's all sorts of booths set up, chestnutsellers and fortune tellers."
"Oh, yes, please," begged Barbara.
The brandy was going to their heads and Kittysaid, laughing, "You do exactly what I do, Simon."
"What's that, Kit?" he drawled.
"Plant seeds in people's minds and watch themflower."
He gave her a knowing wink.
"Kitty, tell our fortunes now," Barbarabegged.
"I thought we were going to get our fortunestold tomorrow, down by the river," Kitty protested, but she felt inher pocket and pulled out her Tarot cards, that she had beenconsulting earlier in the day. "I'll do Barbara and Simon. Terrydoesn't like them," offered Kitty.
"What do I do?" asked Barbara.
"Shuffle the cards, and while you are doingit, make a wish and also ask a silent question that can be answered'yes' or 'no'. Now divide them into three piles with your left handand choose one of the piles."
Barbara picked the one in the center.
"I'll do the wheel of fortune, so place sevencards in a circle. Let me explain a little," Kitty said, knowingthat Barbara loved this ritual. These cards tell about life anddeath, good and evil, love and hate, strength and folly, successand failure, truth and falsehood; the whole of human experience.The cups represent love, the pentacles represent money, the wandsrefer to your work, and swords are the unlucky suit."
Barbara solemnly laid out the cards.
Kitty turned all seven face-up before shebegan the reading. "Oh, Barbara, your cards are good. I can tellyou right away that the answer to your question is 'yes' and youdefinitely will get your wish. The first card 'Strength' representsyou, yourself. It shows a woman closing the jaws of a lion. Thesymbolism means that true strength lies in gentleness. You have aspiritual power that is stronger than material power. The secondcard, the 'King of Swords' stands very close to you. It representsan overly stern father who inflicts verbal abuse on his children.The next card, the 'Six of Wands' means the triumphant resolutionof all your difficulties. Eventually, you will realize your hopesand desires by utilizing your quiet strength. The 'Seven ofPentacles' is the Fate or luck card. With the 'Two of Cups'following, it means you will be lucky in love rather than in gamesof chance. The 'Two of Cups' which shows a young man and a youngwoman holding a loving cup, is the beginning of a romance orflirtation. It is also a time card; your wish will come true withina two. It could mean two weeks, two months or even two years. The'Knight of Wands' always has dark hair and dark eyes. He is theromantic knight in shining armor who will come into your life. Yourlast card, the 'Sun' is a wonderful card filled with joy. It showsyou have a sunny disposition and when combined with cups andpentacles, means the beginning of a long-lasting relationship."
"Oh, Kitty, you're wonderful," said Barbara,laughing.
Simon picked up the cards and reshuffledthem. "God, I hope mine aren't all sweetness and light," heteased.
Kitty frowned as she turned Simon's cardsface up. She didn't like them. "The answer to your silent questionis 'no'; however you will get your wish. The card that representsyou is the 'Knight of Swords". An aggressive young man, headstrong,reckless, self-destructive, quick to take offense. This is followedby the 'Chariot', which usually is a good card, but when it isreversed like this, it means self-indulgence and dissipation ofenergies. It also hints that perhaps soon there will be ascandal."
"Ah, the plot thickens," said Simon,laughing.
"Your third card is 'The Hanged Man'. Itshows a young man hanging upside down from a cross. Notice that heis neither nailed nor tied to the cross, so he can free himself atany time and straighten out if he really wants to. This is followedby the 'Seven of Wands'. All sevens imply change. Social mattersare disrupting your home life. The 'Four of Cups' means you havelots of friends, many parties, drinking and good times."
"Ah, better and better," said Simon with agrin.
"The 'Ten of Swords' has many meanings," saidKitty.
"What an awful card--the poor man has tenswords stuck into his back," said Barbara.
"It's not always a death card," assuredKitty. It can mean the dark arts, the underworld. When coupled withthe 'Hanged Man' it means you have gotten so deeply involved inwrong activities you cannot find your way out. The 'Devil' meansmore self-indulgence and being chained by materialistic values.Your possessions can come to possess you if you put money beforepeople."
"My character is laid bare!" grimacedSimon.
The library door opened and Patrick came inwith a married woman. "Sorry, we thought this room would be empty,"he apologized.
"That's obvious," said Kitty stiffly. "Simon,I should be delighted to go with you tomorrow. Shall we go back tothe party now and leave these older people to themselves?" Kittyasked tartly.
Barbara and Kitty were sharing a room andwhen they were in bed, Kitty asked, "Who was that with Patricktonight?"
"Just one of his flirts, I imagine. Probablysowing the last of his wild oats before he settles down," she said,giggling.
Kitty caught her breath. "What do youmean?"
"Well, nothing's been said of course, but Ithink he has his eye on Samuel Haynsworth's daughter, Grace."
