Page 70 of The Uprising
‘I won’t pretend not to be a little wary of the dark arts,’ he said. ‘But okay, go ahead, you two mistresses of magic. I agreed to come so there’s no point holding back, is there?’
‘Don’t worry, Sylvia doesn’t deal in the dark arts. She’s what’s known as a lightworker—she uses her considerable gifts to help heal the consciousness of the world,’ said Cara.
‘Forgive me,’ said George, looking at Sylvia. ‘I didn’t mean to offend.’
Sylvia said, ‘Believe me, I’ve been accused of a lot worse than dealing in the dark arts. Besides, the cards have revealed to me repeatedly that you and Cara are Twin Flames. Please take solace we are connected for the greater good and it’s your time to step into the light of understanding so you may fulfil your destiny together.’
Sylvia shuffled her cards as George looked on, fascinated, despite his reservations.
‘What would you like to ask first?’ she said, glancing from George to Cara. George looked at Cara.
‘We need to know his whereabouts in Tudorville. Last thing I heard, he was invited to stay at Pontefract Castle with an old friend of the family, Lord Darcy. But I’m concerned that the rebels have taken control of the castle and he’s gone missing.’
Sylvia laid the cards down on the table in front of them. ‘Okay, so I’m using a mixed deck of cards—there are some Tarot and some others from my Angel decks. Are you ready to begin?’
‘Yes,’ they chimed together, and Cara touched George’s hand and flashed a reassuring smile in his direction.
‘As I deal the cards, George, please tell me when to stop. There’s no particular way to do it. Just prompt me when it feels right and keep the question about where you are in Tudorville, in your mind.’
Sylvia looked at Cara. ‘Hold the question in your mind as well, Cara, and then we will transmit the power of three.’
‘Stop,’ said George after several seconds.
Sylvia flipped the Tarot card over to reveal a glossy image of a skeleton riding a white horse through a field of bodies. Cara gasped, and George said, ‘Um—I’m not sure I like this game.’
‘The death card is not inherently bad; particularly when it’s upright like this one. I think you may have had it in previous readings,’ she said, raising her head to look at Cara.
‘Yes, and it terrified me then too. But, what do you think it means for our question of George’s location?’ Cara asked.
‘I don’t know yet. I usually get a better picture once we see it in the context of several more cards, but let’s start with the possible meanings.’
‘Go on, I’m bracing myself,’ said George, trying to lighten the mood.
‘Well, the upright divination is one of an ending: transformation, renewal and rebirth—that kind of positive death as opposed to a physical loss of life.’
‘That’s encouraging,’ he said, and returned Cara’s squeeze of his hand.
‘If the card were reversed it could signify disaster, revolution and perhaps political change, which seems apt for the situation, so you must tread lightly, all the same.’
‘Look at the banner with the emblem of the rose. I’ve never noticed that before. It’s not red like the Tudor rose, but it seems spookily significant,’ said Cara.
‘The upright death card also symbolises reincarnation and transformation, so it’s a perfect card for you, George.’
‘What do you think it means in this situation?’ he asked.
‘Let’s continue,’ said Sylvia as she continued to deal the cards.
George raised his hand and Sylvia paused once more, revealing a vividly coloured card. ‘Ah, this is the Hermit card—we seem to be skipping the Angel cards today and are firmly on the Tarot track.’
‘Is that a bad thing?’ asked Cara.
‘No, none of it is bad. It’s simply the path George is on.’
‘Somehow that doesn’t put my mind at rest,’ said George.
‘The Hermit signifies silence, divine guidance and a teacher. Please keep your question in your minds because something is coming to me now.’
The room grew warmer and Cara removed her scarf as she watched Sylvia begin to sway gently and slip into a trance. Cara looked at George and smiled. She had grown used to readings with Sylvia, but this was an unfamiliar experience for him.
