The Magical Tarot Deck

by Marieke Lexmond

  ‘The only one who can take it off is the witch who put it there.’

  ‘Another witch did this to you?!’ Mara is horrified.

  ‘You should have never brought me back. I was getting closer to convincing her to set me free.’

  ‘I…I…I tried to save you.’

  Normally, Lucy would punish her, and it would be over with. But now this possibility is taken from her; she’s in new territory and she’s not entirely sure how to handle this. Using reason is not her strong point. Mara has always been a good apprentice, if she has to trust someone…‘You did what you thought was needed to be done. You cannot tell anybody about this. Am I clear?’

  ‘Yes Ma’am,’ Mara can’t hide her relief. It’s unimaginable not to be able to reach your magic. She feels terribly sorry for her grandma.

  MADRID, NEW MEXICO

  Cal is back in the sunroom. The smell of his mother’s perfume is everywhere in the house, so comforting. He had spent a lovely evening with Helen. Every time he vows to come and see her more often, and every time he disappoints her. While she’s out running some errands, he wants to take the opportunity to take the Deck for another spin. It has been a wildly exhilarating experience. Now that he knows what to expect, he feels prepared. Reverently, he takes the Deck from its pouch when his cell phone pings. For a moment, he thinks about ignoring it, but his curiosity gets the better of him.

  ‘Come home! Lucy is back.’

  Now he wished he hadn’t looked. Damn it! He holds the Deck in his hand. To shuffle or not to shuffle? Is it wise to keep them waiting? He knows the answer to that question. You will always regret it if you keep grandma waiting. Reluctantly, he puts the cards back and walks upstairs to pack his bag.

  FAIRY

  Ceri hadn’t moved from her spot in the meadow. Now that she knows that she can leave, it paralyzes her. Too much change in a short period of time. She will need time to process it all and think about all the implications. No way she can face her children and pull them into this uncertainty—or Bert. Feelings of anger, despair, confusion, and even wonder wash through her; this jumble of emotions is hard to navigate. On top of everything else, there’s a battle going on inside between her human- and fairy-side. Mab and Felaern have pulled the fairy part of her to the surface, and her body is having a hard time finding the right balance. No doubt, there are more mixed children, but all her life, Ceri has thought she was human and has never experienced her fairy self. Although she’s always been playful and a little mischievous, the feelings that surface now are alien to her, and they conflict with her human sense of what’s right and wrong. She never realized the vast difference between the two. It scares her.

  For now, she will just sit here and let it all flow through her. The meadow comforts her, and the connection to the Land of Fairy is quite something. It’s impossible to describe the way she’s intertwined with every living thing here. Anything earthbound that is. She has a million questions. She will need to find a fairy who can tell her what this all means. Not only does she feel everything, the scents are overwhelming, and she swears she can taste the honey on a bee’s tongue, harvesting it from a flower. When she closes her eyes and lets herself drift through these senses, it feels like the Land is her body. Riding this wave, she floats in a new reality.

  NEW ORLEANS

  As soon as Tara comes into the kitchen, clearly upset about something, Bridget sneaks out. Taking a leap of faith that she would be able to talk to Seamus in person as well, she has entered Tara’s room and is now arguing with her granddad.

  ‘You need to be a bit clearer on how this works!’ Frustration is mounting as it seems that Seamus has no clear instructions on how to travel between the cards.

  ‘It’s not an exact science. You need to follow the magic streams.’

  ‘What does that even mean?!’

  ‘You have to believe, Bridget. Believe in this card, in yourself, and in magic.’

  ‘Great.’ Sarcasm is dripping from her voice. ‘Now we have this card,’ which she shakes in front of the painting. ‘Apparently, it is already working, disturbing as it is. There is no other one, so we can’t change it anymore, and we have no idea how actually to go about it.’

  ‘I think your boyfriend did an excellent job. He would he be a powerful witch if he had real magic. That image radiates insight and feeling. A true artist! You should be proud.’

  Bridget’s face shows what she thinks about it, and Seamus bursts out laughing.

  ‘Insecurity doesn’t become you, honey. It’s time to think outside the box. The box is way too boring for you. You’ll see.’

  No chance she was going to win this argument with her grandfather, better to concentrate on the problem at hand. ‘Give me something to work with, Seamus, this is very important. I need to make it work as soon as possible.’

  Seamus looks behind him in the portrait. ‘I’ve got to go.’

  ‘No, no, no, no, wait!’

  ‘You’re going to need all three of you for this. Make the card come to life, and once you’re out, you will have to “feel” your way between the cards.’

  Seamus looks back again, gives her one last encouraging smile, and walks away.

  ‘Wait. Damn it!’

  But he doesn’t return, frustrated, Bridget stomps out of the room.

  Bridget has taken the dogs out for a walk along the River Bend. The muddy waters of the Mississippi River have always had a calming effect on her. The dogs run up and down the hill, while she strolls along on the path on top. Away from her family and the magic heavy house, she instantly feels better. The image that Wes had painted on the card had shaken her more than she would like to admit. Nobody has ever been able to resist Maeve, so why would Wes be any different? But to paint them as a unit of three! Where did that come from? Moon runs back up to her and licks her hand. ‘Talk to her,’ pops into her head.

  ‘It’s not that simple.’

  ‘It is. Just start talking.’

  Bridget looks down at him quizzically with a raised brow.

  ‘What are you afraid of?’

  ‘What do you know?! You’re a dog.’ Bridget could swear Moon rolled his eyes before he charged off down the hill after the others.

  So disturbing, Moon is way too smart. Quietly, she keeps walking, but her moment of peace is gone. Now she has to think about Maeve. How she could get that conversation started. Moon is probably right. You just start somewhere. There is so much unsaid between them…With a big sigh, she turns around, whistles for the dogs, and heads back home.

  Emily has joined Tara and Gwen in the library. It’s a big room, at the back of the house, with wall-to-wall bookshelves full of grimoires, spellbooks, anything related to witchcraft. Books, manuscripts, you name it, collected over the centuries. A treasure trove of information and knowledge. Gwen had left hours ago, but Tara is unable to give up. The floor is covered in open books, with possible spells to help find the Magical Tarot Deck. In the corner is a salt circle, not fully closed, with magic tools in the center. It’s clear that Tara had immersed herself in every available spell to try to find a way to connect to the Deck.

  ‘How about this one, Granny?’ Emily carefully hands over a hundred-year-old book. She still feels awful about what happened and is trying in every way to make up for it. Tara reads the spell. Not bad…It’s to find what you desire.

  ‘Let’s try it.’ Emily jumps up and helps Tara to stand, excited that she found something.

  ‘You can watch, but you have to wait here and stand very still. I don’t want to distract the spell in anyway.’

  ‘Of course!’ Emily is thrilled she can watch. Her magic is starting to bloom, and she gobbles up any information she can get. To see her Gran at work is awesome.

  Tara closes the salt circle and gets to work. It’s a spell about desire, something that’s in the heart. All it requires is her chalice to be filled with water blessed under the full moon. Slowly, she pours the water into the cup while she thinks about desiring the Ma
gical Tarot Deck. Then she steps in the center of the circle, closes her eyes, and twirls her finger through the water. Softly, she recites the words of the spell. ‘Look in my heart, see what’s there. Help me find my heart’s desire.’

  Time and time again, she chants these words in a rhythm that resonates within her. This is actually a perfect spell, as magic is desire in one way or the other. Emily is mesmerized when she sees the water swirl up from the cup. It grows and grows, way more than would ever fit in a cup. Then it starts to envelop Tara. For several minutes, Tara is the center of the water funnel before it starts to move outward. A gasp escapes Emily as the room seems to become transparent, and the water funnel becomes two hands searching for Tara’s desire. For a short moment, Seamus materializes in the space, but then the water becomes a wall that slams into Tara, and the room is back to normal. All the books on the floor are soaked, and Emily rushes over to Tara who is unconscious on the floor. Oh no. Did she mess up again?!

  ‘HELP!!!’ she screams.

  The door bangs open, and Maeve runs in with Wes on her heels. Without hesitation, Maeve feels for a vital sign and visibly relaxes when she feels Tara is okay. A backlash from a spell can be a bitch, but her Grandmother will be fine.

  Wes comforts Emily. ‘I’m sure she’ll be fine.’

  ‘It wasn’t my fault.’

  ‘I know, honey. She’s been trying spells all day.’ He’s taking in the chaos in the room.

  Maeve lets her hands travel a couple of inches above Tara’s body and mumbles a healing spell. Very soon, Tara coughs.

  ‘You see,’ says Wes to Emily. The tension that has been holding her body leaves her, and she gives a sob of relief.

  ‘Damn it!’ manages Tara.

  ‘What happened?’ Maeve looks around.

  ‘Emily found a desire spell. So, I thought if I concentrated on the desire for the Deck, it would take me there. But the spell finds your deepest desire…’

  ‘Grandpa. I saw Grandpa.’ Emily fills in.

  ‘Apparently, he is what I desire the most. The Fates wouldn’t have it, and they bounced the spell back to me.’

  ‘Ouch.’

  ‘Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. Help me upstairs, I’m done for the day.’

  ON THE ROAD

  Cal has decided to take the long way home through Santa Fé and the Rio Grande National Forest. It only adds an hour and a half, but it will give him more time to think. This Tarot Deck is extraordinary! It has possibilities far beyond his wildest dreams. He would love to meet the gifted witch who made this. It’s something you only read about in the history books. A tool made in the glory days of witchcraft. That there is someone capable of making this is amazing. The things he could learn. His mind rambles on as he watches the desert pass by. The long roads are soothing, cruising at a comfortable seventy miles per hour.

  NEW ORLEANS

  Bridget walks into the house and heads straight for the kitchen. When she opens the door, her sister is whipping up something. It seems to be the only place she’s happy. Softly singing, her hands move fluidly from flour to the butter. The scent of something sweet hangs in the air, and it’s like her curls are dancing on some imaginary waves. A love, coming from somewhere deep within, hits Bridget by surprise—a longing to re-connect. She feels Moon’s gentle nudge, an encouragement to finally take the step. Start mending what she so brutally had cut off. Gosh, she’s been so stupid. Bridget clears her throat.

  Maeve turns and smiles. ‘Hey, you’re back. You missed all the drama.’

  Bridget is determined to not let herself be distracted now that she’s finally found the courage, ‘Maeve, we need to talk, I…’ Maeve hesitantly takes a step back.

  ‘I…I’m…Shall we have some tea?’ Moon gives a short bark, and Bridget throws him an irritated look. Maeve feels something is coming, and she’s not sure if she’s ready. But they both sit down.

  ‘What’s up, Bridget? Did something else happen when you talked to Grandad?’

  ‘No.’ Bridget looks around for inspiration. ‘I want to…’

  A car honks outside. Maeve glances through the window. ‘It’s Mom!’ She doesn’t hesitate and gets up to go greet her mother and Tom at the door.

  Bridget looks at Moon and shrugs. He just leaves the kitchen to stand next to Maeve, who pats him absentmindedly.

  ‘How was the drive?’ inquires Maeve.

  Luna kisses Maeve on the cheek, and as she moves to do the same for Bridget, Bridget evades her and walks to Tom to help him with the bags. ‘After I disappeared for a bit with the card debacle, it was pretty uneventful. So happy that Tom came. Could you imagine if I would have been driving on the freeway alone?!’

  ‘Come, we’ll fill you in.’ Maeve motions them into the kitchen; when Bridget passes her, she quickly asks, ‘What is it you wanted to say?’

  ‘Nothing, it’s not important.’

  Tara lies in bed recovering from the backlash of the desire spell, when she hears Luna arrive. Although she’s happy Luna is home, she doubts that she will be able to do more with tracking spells than she did. But at least she will have someone who is more practical and won’t let her emotions rule her. At the moment, it feels like her whole family is against her. For some time, she lets all sorts of scenarios pass through her mind. Obviously, a conventional spell is not going to find the Deck. What can she do? With all her years of experience, she must be able to think of something. Somehow, the Deck is protected and shielded from a tracking spell. She even tried to access her own card, but that didn’t seem to work either. Tracking the paint was a dead end. Seamus had used it too much on other paintings. Then she stops; Diane, yes, that’s a possibility. Oh dear, she’s not going to like it. With renewed hope, Tara gets out of bed. No time to waste.

  ‘NO! Absolutely not!’ Diane is standing in the middle of her living room, facing her mother and her older sister Luna. ‘Have you forgotten what happened last time?’

  ‘We’re desperate. Nothing seems to work.’ pleads Tara.

  ‘So now you decide it’s a good idea to sacrifice my sanity?’ Her normally quiet, steady voice rises to a high pitch. ‘I won’t do it. There’s too much turmoil. My…My dreams are horrible enough as it is. If it wasn’t for Alice, I would have lost my mind. I’m hanging by a thread.’

  Luna winces, she doesn’t envy her sister’s gift. To see the future and not be able to do anything must be nerve wracking. For years, they have tried different teachers to help Diane channel her sight. But not many understood the extent of her visions, and in the end, there was not much they could do. It has been trial and error ever since. Luna puts a calming hand around Diane’s shoulder, which she shakes off immediately.

  ‘I know what you’re doing.’ Her eyes shoot daggers at Luna. ‘You both will do anything to achieve your goal—no matter the consequences!’

  ‘That’s not true,’ counters Tara. ‘We love you, you know that.’

  ‘It’s just that Lucy’s grandson has the Deck, and it’s only a matter of time before Lucy gets her hands on it.’ tries Luna.

  ‘I don’t care. It can’t be as bad as what you’re asking me to do.’

  ‘She will force us to do things we don’t want.’

  ‘That’s exactly what you are doing now.’ counters Diane.

  ‘You are our only chance, dear. Don’t you think I’ve tried everything?’ asks Tara.

  ‘She did. She showed me. And before I came, she ended up unconscious from the backlash of a spell,’ adds Luna.

  ‘Are you okay?’ Diane is immediately concerned. She might be resisting, but she’s a caring witch.

  ‘Yes. Yes. It’s not us grown-ups I’m worried about. We can handle ourselves. But what if little Lisa gets drawn? That would be so traumatic…’ Tara lets the silence stretch.

  An image of a panicking Lisa in an unfamiliar witch’s workroom flashes before Diane’s eyes. She closes her eyes and tries to expel the vision. ‘I’ll think about it.’

  Tara hugs her. ‘Thank you.�
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  Gwen sits at the bar in Under the Witches Hat. It makes her feel at home. The atmosphere is one of cheerfulness and frivolous magic. The Goddess knows she needs that right now. She just wants to strangle Tara. What a reckless woman! All her secrets will be the downfall of this family. What options does she have? They need to get that Tarot Deck back and quick. Calm, she needs to stay calm. Maybe another one of these cocktails will help. She waves Ron down, and he makes his way toward her.

  ‘Please.’ She holds up her empty glass.

  ‘Of course, I wish I could join you.’ He answers as he takes in her sad face. ‘Can I make you a special cocktail?’

  ‘Why not?’ Gwen sounds downright fatalistic.

  Ron reaches out and grabs her hand while he looks her in the eye. ‘It will work out. We might seem like an unruly bunch. But we’ll get it back for you.’ The bar shrinks and then expands, a witch’s promise carries a lot of weight. Something connects from Ron to Gwen. For several seconds, they both feel the bond growing.

  The door opens, and Selma walks in. Instantly, Ron lets go of Gwen’s hand, and all seems back to normal. As if nothing has happened. Nothing, except for that tiny little tingling in the back of Gwen’s neck. She hides her shock and watches Selma as she walks over to Ron and gives him a kiss. They clearly love each other, so what did just happen? She has never felt her magic resonate with somebody else before.

  Ron points at Gwen and Selma walks over. ‘Can I join you?’

  ‘Please do. I could use some company.’

  Selma gives her arm an encouraging squeeze. ‘It must be a bit lonely with all these Madigans. It’s not always easy, I know.’

  Gwen gives her a smile. What a nice woman. When Ron puts their cocktails in front of them, she doesn’t look at him, but instead keeps her focus on Selma.

  FAIRY

  Ceri’s consciousness floats through the Land of Fairy. Her body is still in the meadow, while her mind wanders through her new homeland. She’s pure feeling, and all her senses are heightened. Her arms feel like the branches of a tree, rising up to the sky, and a gentle breeze rustles through the leaves. It tingles like your lover’s touch can tease the tiny hairs on your body. It’s electrifying. She can feel every detail of the land and at the same time experience the whole. Is this what it means to be the Keeper of the Land? Every time, she tries to form a coherent thought, it escapes her. It dissolves like water running through her fingers. Ceri encounters an infinite number of creatures and plants that are unknown to her—so much to learn. It’s exciting and frightening, overwhelming, and strangely comforting. These mixed emotions run through her, one at a time, and sometimes in waves. She has no idea how long she’s been in this space, a second? Minutes? Days? Or maybe even years? It doesn’t matter. Her Fairy mind has taken control, and for a Fairy, time is endless. Liberated from moral dilemmas, feelings of obligation and responsibility, she experiences this new state of being. She is truly free.