The Celestial Curse

by Marie Cameron

  Strength - present position. This card shows qualities such as courage, patience and diplomacy. . Used together through quiet determination can bring the client results and success in any area of life. In the negative this card can represent weakness, self-doubt and the lack of self-discipline.

  King of Cups - hopes or fears. This card shows a male who has quiet strength, emotionally balanced and in control. Uses diplomacy rather than force and shows generosity, love and graciousness. He is also wise, calm and tolerant of those around him. In the negative he can be devious, sulky, and childish or have a hidden agenda.

  The Emperor - helpful matters (what is working for you in relation to the question asked). This card shows a male figure that represents power and authority. When this card appears it shows financial stability, ambition and achievement. It can also represent a powerful male influence, to look at things with a clear head or with a rational manner.

  Four of cups – challenges (energies preventing you from achieving your desired goals). This card suggests feelings of boredom, inward discontent and indifference. Can also signify disappointment in someone or in a situation therefore you need to be careful that you do not miss new opportunities due to this mind set.

  Three of Swords – Outcome – This card represents sorrow, division, depression, grief and rejection. It can also show stormy emotions within the family and separation in a relationship through either emotions or physical distance. On a positive note with surrounding cards it can show optimism, forgiveness and a releasing of pain.

  I look through the above descriptions and try to make sense of the reading. Not really having a clue, I decide to put everything away for now and concentrate on my other homework. Since I missed class this afternoon I’ll have to come up with a good excuse tomorrow as to why I skipped and didn’t call to let them know. I’ll probably just blame it on an upset stomach. I study for a few hours before deciding to put everything away and go see what April is doing. I find her in the sitting room watching My Cat from Hell. April looks at me and says “we should totally get a couple of kittens!”, then turns back to the TV. I laugh as I join her on the sofa and tuck my legs under me. I know to just ignore April when she starts talking about getting a pet. Today it’s a kitten, tomorrow it will be a rabbit, just like last week it was a puppy. The woman is animal crazy, that’s why she is majoring in Zoology as she wants to work with animals, although she hasn’t decided what field yet. We often have this debate on both of our career paths as I am studying Business Management. I am aiming to work within the financial sector, as I always liked working with number, seeing important people in their expensive suits and could see myself in their place gaining the respect of my colleagues and clients by my hard work and being recognized for that hard work. Earning my money and buying my dream house and car, maybe a kid or two playing in the garden. And a handsome husband who works just as hard as me, but still finds the time to be with his family and have those annual holidays in the South of France, or New Zealand or any other exotic place we can think of.

  I watch the rest of the show before calling it a night. After all it has been a long day and I have a feeling it will be an even longer week. Saying good night to April I make my way to my room and get ready for bed. Using my en-suite bathroom, I brush my teeth and wash my face.

  “Good night April”, I shout.

  “Good night Amber”, a muffled reply comes through the wall as I turn off my lights and snuggle under the quilt. I set my alarm on my mobile and plug it in to charge. I close my eyes and drift off to sleep before my mobile screen goes blank.

  Chapter Five

  The next couple of months fly by as I juggle my university classes with my tarot reading lessons given by my aunt. I’ve learned a lot from Aunt Betsy about the cards and I practice every day, mainly on April and myself. I haven’t uses the Celestial tarot cards yet. Aunt Betsy says im not ready for them but I don’t see how not, after all they are just playing cards and I’ve been practicing with the borrowed deck I got from aunt Betsy that first day. I’ve learned what the cards mean and how to link them together during a reading and how different positions in a spread can lead to different interpretations of the cards.

  I am currently at Aunt Betsy’s and this is my tenth week doing the same things over and over with her telling me to have patience and to go through the cards one by one, writing down in my diary the meanings and what they represent in the question asked. Which in this instance is, will I pass my upcoming exam? So far I’d say the answer yes but not without hard work and effort.

  First card was Three of Wands which means; completion on first stage of project leading to progress.

  Second card was Nine of Wands which means; perseverance important to pull reserves for a final push.

  Third card was The Chariot which means; triumph over difficulties. Strength of will needed to succeed.

  And the forth card was Four of Swords which means; A short rest and recovery period following a recent strain on the mind, body and subconscious.

  “Just remember Amber that the tarot cards are a tool for us to use to connect with a higher power. It can happen through Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, Clairsentience and your subconscious. But you have to open yourself up and not just belief but be willing to receive the information through your guide or listen to the energies around you and what they are trying to tell you. On a daily basis you listen to what your intuition is telling you, well it’s the same with the cards. You listen to your guide through sense, sound or sight depending on the level of your abilities and devotion to develop your spiritual essence…”

  I sit and take in as much as possible of what Aunt Betsy is telling me while looking over the cards and committing to memory the reading I’ve just done. I can’t help but feel a little doubtful about the reading thought as when I use the borrowed cards I feel detached somehow, like I know these aren’t the cards I am meant to be using. Aunt Betsy has stopped talking now and asks me what is on my mind, so I decide I have nothing to lose by voicing my opinion. I turn in my seat so that I am looking at her in the eyes and I know I have her full attention.

  “Aunt Betsy you know I am grateful to you for teaching me how to use the tarot cards and all but when I use the cards you lent to me I can’t help but feel agitated somehow, like they are the wrong ones and I should be using a different deck or something.” I say. She sighs and sits back. She looks down to her lap for a couple seconds before saying,

  “I think I know why you are feeling the way you do. It’s because you are the keeper of the Celestial Tarot Cards and should be using them to practice with, so that you get used to using them. I didn’t want you to practice with them though because I didn’t want to take a chance of something bad happening.” She says. She looks at me and I can see she is wary about me using the cards but a look of resignation passes through her expression before she gets up from her chair and walks towards the door.

  “Wait here and I will go get the box. You should start using them to practice with now so that your energies can get uses to each other.” She says over her shoulder.

  As she heads to wherever the box is kept, a visitor knocks on the front door. Standing up and walking over to the heavy mahogany door I look through the glazed panels and see the outline of a huge figure. The height and width of the figure shows it to be a man. Aunt Betsy hurries down the stairs huffing and puffing. I reach the door and swing it inwards. Standing in the door way is a man I’ve never seen before. Big doesn’t begin to describe how huge this guy actually is. Tall dark and handsome come to mind when I think of how to describe him. Dark brown slightly messy hair that’s almost black, blue eyes fringed with long thick black lashes, a straight strong nose, high cheekbones with a firm jawline and a hint of a stubble and slightly full lips which tuck down a little at the corners as if he frowns a lot, which he seems to be doing now…at me.

  “Um…can I help you?” I ask the slightly scary but oh so edible specimen standing in front of me.


  “No.” he says before charging passed me through the house and into the kitchen. It takes a few seconds for the shock to wear off before I shut the door and hurry into the kitchen and demand to know what this caveman thinks he is doing! But before I can open my mouth to ask, Aunt Betsy comes waltzing into the kitchen, hands full with the box and greets the rude man like a long lost friend. I listen as they converse and feel like im the intruder. Finally Aunt Betsy takes notice of me stood off to the side with a scowl and introduces us.

  “Amber this is a very good friend of mine Caleb, Caleb my niece Amber” she says, oblivious to the tension between us.

  “It’s nice to meet you” says tall dark and grumpy.

  “Nice to meet you too” I say with a false smile and bat my eyelashes sarcastically.

  He grins and extends his hand, im guessing for a hand shake so when he lifts my hand to his delectable mouth and kisses the back of it, my face muscles forget how to work as they slack before heating with a blush and my legs go all jellified! Dropping my hand he steps back a step and watches me. Aunt Betsy is casually mulling around the kitchen getting cups together for drinks.

  “Aunt Betsy, why don’t you see to your guest while I will make the drinks and bring them into the sitting room?” I ask while directing her towards Caleb and turning to the kettle.

  “Ok dear. Tea with milk and two sugar please. Caleb coffee no milk and one sugar, correct?” She asks Mr Grumpy, I mean Caleb…

  “That would be wonderful.” He replies, following Aunt Betsy out the room but keeping eye contact with me as he passes. I glare at him until he passes through the doorway and out of sight. I don’t know what it is but something about him just irritates me. I go back to making the drinks while thinking of the man in the other room. I gather the cups onto a tray and set three scones onto a place and place them next to the cups. I turn around with the tray in my hands and jump. Caleb is leaned against the door jamb watching me with scrutiny in his expression.

  “Sorry I didn’t mean to startle you, I only came to help with the tray.” He says while standing up to his full height. He walks towards me intent on taking the tray so I pass it over and open the doors instead. Caleb follows behind me and thanks me when I hold the doors open. I let the doors closes behind us and follow him into the sitting room where Aunt Betsy is sat with the box. Caleb places the tray on the coffee table and hands out the mugs before taking the tray back to the kitchen. As he returns Aunt Betsy clears her throat before she starts to speak.

  “Amber there is something I need to tell you, I have been waiting for the right time to talk to you about it though and since Caleb is here now I might as well tell you now since it concerns him greatly.” She says. I look between the two sat opposite me with narrowed eyes. There both watching me and it makes me feel a bit nervous, like I have been left out of the loop and like maybe I don’t want to be included for my own sanity sakes. Of course that wasn’t going to happen anyway and what Aunt Betsy tells me next just confirms it.

  “When I told you about the twelve people who were cursed by Clarabelle River what I didn’t tell you is that I personally know a couple of these people. You see Caleb here is one of the twelve that was cursed. He came to me fifty years ago hoping I was the one Clarabelle spoke of, the one witch who would be able to break the spell and set not only himself free but his companions too. Sadly we soon discovered that I wasn’t the one he had been searching for but we stayed in contact, knowing that one day I would pass on the cards to the next keeper. Which is you and so here we are today.” She says. I look at them watching me with wary expressions on their faces. If im reading between the lines properly, then what they want is to find out if I am the future witch he and his friends are waiting for to remove the curse. I voice my suspicions just to be sure.

  “Ok so let me see if I understand correctly.” I say sarcastically, then continuing in the same tone, “you want to see if im this witch that can break the curse that was put upon these people because they burned a poor woman at the stake who ‘wrongly’ took offense and put a curse on these lovely people, you want me to see if I can lift the curse now that im the new keeper and set these lovely murderers free? Is that right?” I ask as Aunt Betsy looks at me with an amused smile on her face but Caleb’s expression is a lot more darker, probably thinking about taking those big strong hands of his and wrapping them around my tiny fragile little neck until I cease to struggle!

  Betsy

  I watch Amber raise a challenging eyebrow at Caleb and Caleb’s scowl darken further before his expression goes blank and turns towards me.

  “Why don’t we get this over with quickly Betsy I have other things to do before I can call it a night?” Caleb says to me.

  “Yeah like maybe murder a poor defenceless kitten or something!” Amber mutters but Caleb hears her comment and the scowl from before returns with vengeance to Caleb’s handsome features.

  “Of course Caleb, let’s get started then with Ambers permission of course?” I look to Amber who nods back at me while giving Caleb her sweetest fake smile.

  “Alright Amber, if you would be so kind as to join me on the floor we shall begin the meditation.” I say and watch as Amber huffs and puffs while sitting on the floor opposite me.

  Caleb

  I watch as Amber joins Betsy on the floor and think what a crazy woman she is. Her comments a few minutes ago threw me off a little and all I could think about was what a joy it would be to give her the spanking she obviously needs! The truth is that I always carry around the guilt of the past and I try to make up for it by doing as much good as possible since. That’s the whole reason I got into the homicide force to begin with is so I can try to assuage some of the guilt and ultimately earn redemption. I watch as the meditation begins and Betsy starts chanting. They are both sat in a locus position and I watch as vibrations stir the air around the two women. As the chanting gets faster, the vibrations get stronger and Amber begins to faintly…glow!

  I watch stunned as the evidence I needed is presented before me. Betsy stops chanting and the vibrations quiet down before fully stopping. Amber continues to faintly glow and as the two women open their eyes they take in the uniqueness that is Amber. Finally after centuries of hoping and searching, I can finally see an ending in sight. I feel light and happy inside and realize that for the first time I can actually almost feel something positive!

  Amber

  When I open my eyes the first thing I see is Aunt Betsy looking back at me. Secondly, I notice the glow surrounding my body like a second skin and thirdly, I look at Caleb, who has such a look of pure happiness on his face that I don’t think he even realizes he is smiling at me. He also has a look of hope and maybe a little tenderness in there too. I soften a little towards him; after all he has had a difficult few centuries dealing with his burden.

  “Im guessing the glowing effect means im the one who can break your curse?” I say to Caleb. He quickly schools his expression and looks to Aunt Betsy who looks to me and says, “Yes Amber this means you are the only person in the entire world who can release these people from their suffering.” She says seriously.

  I think it over for a couple seconds before replying, “Ok teach me what I need to learn in order for free them. What would I need to do anyway, is it a spell, a potion, what?”

  She looks a little confused before saying, “To be honest I don’t really know what it will take to lift the curse, I was just taught the incantation to find Clarabelle’s heir. I will have to research the answer to that and let you two know when I find out.”

  I glance at Caleb who is trying to hide his disappointment at having to wait even longer now that he has found me. Aunt Betsy looks at Caleb too and notes his sombre expression.

  “Cheer up Caleb. The first hurdle in finding Amber has pasted, now we just have to find out how she can lift the curse, which I’ll ask around the covens, meanwhile Amber will learn the ways of the Celestial Tarot cards. And once she has mastered that, I will teach her to use he
r magic.” She says and shuffles back to make room between us. She reaches for the box with the hand carved sun beside her and places it in the middle of the floor between us. I remember what happened the last time I touched the box and find myself feeling a little self-conscious in front of Caleb. I ignore him and just focus on Aunt Betsy and the box. Aunt Betsy looks at me and says.

  “Before we continue with the cards Amber you need to learn how to control your energies and how to infuse them with your personal energy. Whenever you take the cards out of their box for a reading or to study them or for whatever reason you decide to consult them, always say the following phrase; ‘Thank you guardians for your protection, for watching over me and providing me with knowledge and wisdom of the universe.’ You can say this within your mind, it doesn’t need to be out loud as it’s a private message passed between you and your guardian. Sometimes there maybe more than one guardian guiding you so if it feels right, then follow you intuition and common sense and continue the reading. I would advise you to have practice readings first until the cards have aligned with you and you are confident in yourself and the cards abilities before doing readings on strangers. Also keep a diary of your readings so you can refer back to them and see what works, what doesn’t, what changes you can make to the interpretations as you see it and how to tie the cards together to receive/understand the message given by the tarot cards, your guardian and the universe.”