Summer Solstice in Santa Barbara is a serious party. It reminds me Mardi Gras in New Orleans. This year was no exception with a great parade and an after-parade party in Alameda Park downtown.
But I wasn’t there. Instead I read cards at an after-Solstice toga party. The party was a combination of a birthday and a charity event for a child. I arrived at 1:30 pm, set up my table, signs and accoutrements and read cards from 2:00 to 6:30 pm. I read for around 50 people. There were around 200 people at the party.
I felt funny about wearing the toga at first. It made me reflect on the complaints people have about cultural appropriation. But tarot cards didn’t appear in Europe until around the fall of the Roman Empire so there probably wasn’t many card readers during the heyday of the Roman Empire. Oracles yes, card readers no. Besides, I would have stuck out in street clothes believe me!
I had a great spot with a patio for my table and some shade for my clients. I was a bit out of the main action and view of my spot was blocked by some gigantic 10 foot balls they had floating around in the pool. I was a little worried at the beginning so I took a deck with me down to the middle of the action and invited people up to have their cards read. This was the ticket! Once the word was out I didn’t need to wander around anymore although I did read for one client in a grassy area at his request. Thank God I had a laminated deck!
I felt energized and alive! The readings came quickly and easily. I spent more time with those who were in the most need. I also enjoyed reading for children (with their parents’ permission).
The best question of the day hands down was: “What will my legacy be to my children other than money? They will have plenty of that.” What an outstanding, well thought out question! I told the client how appreciative I was for this insightful question. I was able to give the her a very deep, attuned response to this wonderful question.
The children’s’ questions were a curious mix of very insightful and silly. I loved reading for a couple of girls and boys who were wondering about their eventual career. I even got to answer questions about unicorns and fireflowers!
Many people had no initial questions which was fine. For these clients I used a combination of elemental, directional and non-positional spreads. The most interesting client in this group was a lovely young woman with a very penetrating gaze and no-nonsense aura about her. Her compelling, mental prowess was perfect for a set of elemental spreads. The inspired answers provided her the gentle suggestion of incorporating more emotional context in her life for more holistic balance. I got her to smile at that!