The tarot cards

We can learn things in the strangest places on this planet.

                      The tarot cards

I went to an old dark carnival on a hidden road outside of Sarajevo.
I have been having a dream about a Gypsy woman. The dreams had brought me to the carnival tonight.

I didn't believe in heaven or hell. Old Army had contorted my mind and I lapse into a barbarian state. I was isolated and alone with being surrounded by a company of Soldiers.

I aspire a passage to peace and calm in the mist of hate and war. It was an Indian Summer. A warm evening I wandered into the dark carnival. Beautiful young women with dark eyes and flowing black hair seduced me with their smiles. The shapely young woman did not tempt me yet.

I was trying to find a remnant of my soul. The creed of the Army was eating away at my spirit. Kill or be killed.

I hear musical wind chimes calling me to follow the sound. I ended up at a beautiful decorated tent. Welcome was written in many languages. A beautiful Gypsy woman appears at the entrance of the tent. She bowed to me. Showing me a full and beautiful cleavage. She waved me into the tent.

She tells me welcome in perfect English. She tells me to sit down and rest. She ask would I desire some tea? She smiles and whispered. "We have a lot of time my stranger friend. Few have the desire to visit us tonight."

I agree to the tea. She brings the tea to me. Tells me. "This is a spiritual tea for friends only. It is pleasing to the mind and the soul. My homemade blend. Allow us to talk without fear. Allow me to probe your mind without the walls of a masquerade."

I told her I wanted one answer only. She slowly turns and moved her legs slowly. Allowing me to see her tan and strong legs. With a gentle smile she stands up  and goes behind me. Leaning her body into mine. I felt the heat of her warm body. She whispered into my ear. " You came here for many reasons. Death is near you today. You are dark with hate. My price to save your life will be cheap."

She sat down and spread the cards on the marble table. She tells me. "These card are very old. Rarely do they lie. The cards are the passages to things to be. Nothing is written in stone. We are creatures led by greed and the thrill of testing life. Destiny and the unknown can turn paradise into hell. Hell into paradise."

The first card was the Joker. She smiles and tells me. "The Joker looks at life without fear. He can laugh and smile in the heat of the battle."

The second card was the Traveler. She tells me. " The traveler loved the road more than love and family. Nothing will hold him down."

The third card was the Goddess of birth. She tells me. "Life will come out of you. Great things will come to you if you allow the heart to be re-born."

The fourth card was the Jackal. Her face showed sadness. She whispers "The Jackal  can mean many things. A man must control his anger and not allow hate to base his life on."

The fifth card showed the God of light. The Gypsy woman smiles and tells me. "Few have the gift of greatness. Some of us are born to live and die. Do nothing but suck the energy out of this beautiful planet. Your dreams are hidden today. I can feel the hope and desire to escape this place you are in today."

She takes my hand and whisper. "Your aura is black You need to meditate and forgive the sins of the past. A person filled with hate and pain is just waiting for death. He is forgotten and lost."

She brings my hand to her breast. She tells me. "My heart beats. Your heart is beating. Don't allow the bigots and liars to kill your dreams and goals. Many parasites will desire to take you down to their level. We are brethren and sister. I feel the gypsy soul in you. Few of us can see the world with open eyes. I see the Gypsy in your eyes and heart. Please stay free."

I take her hand.  I kiss it gently. I thank her for her time and lay a $100 on the marble table.

She stands up. Puts her arms around me. Kisses my lips and then my cheeks. Whispered into my ear. "Be like the wind. Don't allow the world to control you. You must control the world around you."

I leave the carnival. I reach into my pocket. The Gypsy woman slips a necklace with a white crystal.  I put the the necklace on.  I feel better already.

                            Coyote

Author's Note

Any errors. I would appreciate the help.

Reviews

[TamiViolet]

As I have said before, many of your works remind me of Hemingway, one of my favorites...

I enjoyed the story as there is much wisdom behind it, yet I'm very cynical at times, perhaps because life and experience have made me that way... I suspect the things that the beautiful gypsy woman told you were not the mark of revelation; moreover, her prophetic wisdom was something you knew all along, perhaps you simply needed to hear the words.... After all, look at the destruction you were witness to....

I may be way off on this one, Coyote, just my perception... I just know that whatever lessons we learn arise from answers already deep within us....

I must comment on the brilliant description and symbolism used, and although the atmosphere is realistic, you weave it remarkably... A truly enjoyable read...

[Dane Osborne]

You good sir, have a talent that is intelligent , authentic, and rare. How this story intermingles the horribly real with the whimsy of possibility is something quite special.

[bba]

This is one magnificent story! The characters are well written, and the story has a good vibe. I felt good after reading it! XD

bba

[Laura]

I really enjoyed this. The atmosphere was so realistic and the tone of it was very mysterious and yet at the same time, not. It was a very interesting story and like all of your other work, I really love this one. There's always something about what you write that makes each piece very unique and interesting. Kudos!

[CT]

The atmosPhere and tone of the story fit the setting and plot well, though a few metaphors were either overdrawn or forced. Overall, though the piece was well written. While the story has the potential to be thought provoking and contemplative, I feel, in my humble opinion, that it falls slightly short of that mark. Oh, and a word of advice: you fluctuated between past and present tense, and that really breaks up the flow of the story, and is the main reason I was disappointed. I used to have the same problem. I recommend just picking a tense and sticking to it.
Anyway, while this isn't the best piece I've read recently, it's far from bad. Quite the contrary, in fact. It sets a moody, not-quite-dark-but-almost feel that I rather like, and most of the symbolism shines brightly. With a little bit of touching up, you could have something truly special here, but as it stands, this is a solid, albeit
somewhat forgettable piece. Keep up the good work, my friend.

[TheCreativityItself]

You write your stories in a really special way... It makes me think.
I really do love this one. I was scrolling in your list with you writings and read this title, clicked on it, read it, love it!!!!

TheCreativityItself (or just Hananja)

[light and ashes]

Cool story and it has a inspirational and true lesson to learn from it. Very good job :]

[SilentScreaming]

Being interested in tarrot cards and mystic things i was keen to read this when i read the title.
This is a very wise write, full of details. I enjoyed reading this immensly. Great write, Coyote.

[Dori]

Being a tarot reader myself, I just loved this story! You wrote: "These card are very old. Rarely do they lie. The cards are the passages to things to be. Nothing is written in stone." This is the absolute truth! This stanza really hit home with me: She brings my hand to her breast. She tells me. "My heart beats. Your heart is beating. Don't allow the bigots and liars to kill your dreams and goals. Many parasites will desire to take you down to their level. We are brethren and sister. I feel the gypsy soul in you. Few of us can see the world with open eyes. I see the Gypsy in your eyes and heart. Please stay free."

Brilliant!

[Lisette Gentry]

it was a good story i liked it a lot it had a feel of mystery to it and sent a message of hope you write very well the only flaw with the story is that you jumped from past tense to present tense
you need to pick one and stay with it and the story will flow a lot better.
also with this sentence The shapely young woman did not temps me yet. it should be tempt not temps
other then that well done.