[VE] Another lesson yet to learn

As you step into the dimly lit chamber, the rich scent of incense fills the air, mingling with the soft, ambient music to create an atmosphere that feels both otherworldly and inviting. The fortune teller, sensing your presence, greets you not with words but with an understanding silence. She doesn't need to guide you to your seat; you find it with the same intuition that has become your way of seeing the world. As you settle in, the air around you seems to thrum with the energy of unseen presences, and you sense rather than see the fortune teller preparing for the reading.

With a gentle, almost imperceptible nod, the fortune teller understands your struggle, your desire to flee from the very essence that has come to define your existence. "The spirits whisper," she begins, her voice a melody that resonates within the very core of your being. "You seek understanding, perhaps a way to sever ties with the unseen," she whispers, her voice a soothing balm to your frayed nerves. "Let us see what the cards reveal about your journey."

With a deliberate and thoughtful motion, she draws forth a deck of tarot cards, their edges worn by time and use, each card adorned with intricate symbols and images. You feel the subtle shift in the air as she shuffles the deck, the cards whispering among themselves, eager to reveal their secrets.

She fans the cards out before you, their faces down, and gestures for you to choose three. Your hand moves, almost of its own accord and despite being unable to see the cards, drawn to the cards as if by an unseen hand.

The first card, Death, announces itself not with an image but with a feeling, a profound sense you have become so familiar with. "Death," the fortune teller's voice is gentle yet unwavering, "is not a literal end but a symbol of profound change. It is a representation of the transformation you are undergoing. The affinity that defines you is not a mark of what you've lost but a sign of what you are becoming. Embrace the change, for it is through this death of the old self that new paths are forged."

Next, the Moon's essence envelops you, a card of intuition, dreams, and the unconscious. "The Moon," she explains, "guides you to navigate by the light of your inner truths, through the shadows of uncertainty. It speaks to your ability to sense what cannot be seen, to hear what is not spoken. The path you walk is not on the physical plane but one that requires you to trust your instincts. The whispers of the spirits that you perceive, the secrets carried on the wind, are your allies in the darkness. Your affinity, though you view it as a curse, is a powerful guide through uncertainty."

Finally, as the presence of the Seven of Swords unfolds around you, its essence weaving a complex tapestry of caution and insight, the fortune teller's voice takes on a deeper, more serious tone. "The Seven of Swords," she begins, her words deliberate, "carries a warning of hidden dangers and indirect threats. It is a reminder that not all is as it seems. In the shadows of your journey, there are those who weave plots with threads of deceit, their intentions veiled behind masks of camaraderie and false goodwill." She pauses. "This card reveals the intricate dance of shadows you must navigate. The followers of darker paths, those who have blood on their hands, move silently around you. Their whispers are not of the spirits but of humans lost to darker desires. The spirits around you, attuned to truths that lie beyond the veil, will whisper warnings and guide your steps away from betrayal."

The fortune teller pauses, allowing the weight of her words to settle around you. "Your journey is one of profound transformation, guided by the unseen and the unheard. Embrace your affinity, for it is not only a bridge to the spirits but a lantern in the dark, revealing truths hidden from others. Trust in the journey, Míngzé, for the path you walk is yours alone, illuminated by the light of your own spirit."

As you leave the chamber, the readings linger with you, a beacon in the darkness. Perhaps, in embracing this part of yourself, you will find the completeness and peace you seek. With the spirits as your guides, you step out.