Ep. 3 Tarot Reading
Ivy: “A tarot reading of your own cards?”
Briar: “In our presence, no less. How would this help you at all?”
Valerian: “Since we may be working together for some time, I might as well lay all my cards on the table. A bit of a trust exercise, you see. I want you to see where I came from, who I am, and for us all to learn where we are headed together.”
Valerian: “I was outcast from my community after a spell went awry; I accidentally mixed up ingredients and someone got hurt. I’ve read the histories that mention you two: the disgraced daughters of a high level demon lord, with no place even in Hell. We may have more in common than we yet realize.”
Briar: “We bloody well know our own past and I can see where we are at the present. Let’s get on with it and move toward the future, where your task for us is complete and we can go back to our corner of purgatory.”
Ivy: Maybe she really does need our help… No one in their right mind would trust a demon to help with self-improvement.
Valerian: “Let’s see what we’ve got… Past: Four of Swords reversed. Present: Ace of Cups reversed. Future: Ace of Swords.”
Briar: “What a rudimentary form of magic…”
Valerian: “Past card is Four of Swords, reversed. This signifies a history of burnout and overworking, restlessness, anxiety, and a need for self-care. I was so exhausted when I mixed that cursed potion… I had been trying hard to become a healer, working all hours of the day and night when needed by the community. I began to doubt myself, to question my purpose, then came the disaster. Afterward, I couldn’t bear to stay and face what I had done.”
Valerian: “Ahem. Moving on. Present is Ace of Cups, reversed. This indicates emotional depletion, suppressed feelings, and a need to nurture the creative and spiritual self. After the incident, I came to these woods to recuperate. I wanted to be away from people, from their demands, judgments, and expectations. My husband offered to let me move to his home in the capital, but I preferred trees and solitude while I recover myself.”
Valerian: “Future card is the Ace of Swords, which heralds mental clarity, breakthroughs, and decisive new beginnings. I’m ready to remake life on my own terms and although I have my husband’s support I feel this is something I must do myself. However, I do need help; that’s where you come in. I need your magic to build a fresh start, a new home, a thriving business, and most importantly, to get my sense of confidence and happiness back.”
Briar: “A witch, down on her luck, resorting to the kinship of demons to nurture her soul. Our kinds are historically at odds, but you want us to not only help you fix your life, but pretend to enjoy it? What a sordid tale indeed.”
Ivy: “Come on sis, what have we got to lose?”