The Tarot Room – Georgianna

For almost a month now, thousands of people have been involved in the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Protests have been spreading rapidly, with many more rallies planned for tomorrow.

It’s an important story that seems to be growing, and I thought it would be a good topic for Tarot Views the News.

This is not meant to be a predictive reading, but rather a quick look at the energies surrounding the situation.

Using the Rider Waite Smith deck, the card I pulled was #15, the Devil.

A winged beast with horns and the feet of a bird sits on something solid looking. Chained to it are a man and a woman.

It’s the chains around the necks of the naked couple that drew my attention first.

In this context they might represent being chained to a desk, kept down by ‘the man’, or bound to the vicious circle of materialism with its spending highs and austerity lows.

People are feeling stripped bare and tied up. They’re calling for change to the financial structures, and freedom from oppression and economic bondage.

Looking at the picture though, it seems that the chains aren’t very tight. Have they maybe become comfortable, or is the couple just too afraid to try to make a run for it?

It’s also interesting to note that the couple have horns, and each has a tail. They’re not all that different from the beast, though they’re much smaller, and apparently dependent on his good will.

The card speaks of obsessions, intensity, and roadblocks. It focuses on the physical, and in its more challenging aspect, can represent materiality gone mad, greed, and addictive-like imbalance.

There are pit falls here for everyone involved.

For the protestors, the Devil might be reminding them to be careful not to get so caught up in the fight that they lose sight of the spirit in which they first began.

It’s important that everyone recognize the Devil in themselves, as well as the humanity in their adversaries.

With respect to law enforcement, the Devil could be pointing to the danger of heavy handedness or the imposition of unjust sanctions and/or arrests. Hopefully, they’ll avoid this trap.

And for those being protested against, Wall Street and the corporate decision makers, the card might be asking them to examine their own shadows.

Where might the Devil be managing more of their affairs than they intended or were even aware of?

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Flag of Virginia

This week, the Virginia Federal District Court rejected a constitutional challenge to Chesterfield County’s fortune-telling regulations.

Patricia Moore-King, working under the name of Psychic Sophie, is a psychic practitioner, spiritual counselor, Tarot writer and teacher.  She challenged the law after being denied a business license back in 2009.

The county deemed her a ‘fortune-teller’, and rejected her application. In Chesterfield, a fortune-teller is defined as,

Any person or establishment engaged in the occupation of occult science including a fortune-teller, palmist, astrologist, numerologist, clairvoyant, craniologist, phrenologist, card reader, spiritual reader, tea leaf reader, prophet, psychic or advisor or who in any other manner claims or pretends to tell fortunes or claims or pretends to disclose mental faculties of individuals for any form of compensation. 

Chesterfield County, Virginia

Though fortune-telling, or psychic reading isn’t technically illegal in Chesterfield County, the rules are so tight it might as well be.

To open a psychic business, the operator must start by paying a $300 tax in order to obtain a business license. It’s worth noting that most businesses in the county that earn less than $10,000 a year don’t have to pay such a tax. Nightclubs and adult businesses only have to pay $100.

In addition to the tax, a ‘fortune-teller’ has to submit five personal references from residents of the county confirming their ‘good character and honest demeanor,’ and that they’re ‘bona fide county residents’.

The references are sent to the Chief of Police who can then choose to do a criminal background check on the applicant and make further inquires about their moral character. A Police Permit must be granted in order for a license to be approved, and the Chief of Police has final discretion.

Performing fortune-telling services without a license can lead to fines of up to $500 for each offense.

If a license is approved, the psychic business can only be established in the General Business District. Other businesses zoned to this district include adult businesses, pawnbrokers, auction houses, material reclamation yards, and vehicle impoundment lots.

Even within the general business zone, and while holding a license, there’s no guarantee a psychic reader can set up shop. They must first obtain a Conditional Use Permit, which may or may not be granted. Both the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors must review the application. Either can reject it, or prescribe additional conditions to the rules already in place.

In her complaint, King argued that her work constitutes free speech according to the US Constitution, and that the zoning laws and onerous license procedures inhibit her freedom of expression and discriminate against her based on her beliefs, viewpoint, and content of expression.

She also maintained that the regulations violated her freedom of religion. She felt that by defining her work as ‘fortune-telling’ and ‘occult’, and restricting that activity, she and her beliefs were being discriminated against without any compelling governmental interest for doing so.

The Virginia Federal District Court disagreed. They decided that her predictions and counseling services were ‘inherently deceptive commercial speech, and that the regulation of them is reasonably drawn.’

They rejected the argument that King’s rights were violated under the First or Fourteenth Amendments, or the Religious Land Use claims she brought forward.

It’s a disappointing decision. I hope it gets appealed and eventually overturned.

If you’re interested in reading more about it. Jason Pitzi-Waters has been covering the case for a while and has an excellent post about it up on his blog. There’s a fantastic quote from Mary Greer at the bottom of the article.

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Babylon Village

The Board of Trustees for Babylon Village, Long Island, is considering a set of new regulations for psychic reading businesses.

The new proposal recommends they be rezoned to the industrial part of town presently populated by small factories, gas stations, and a gym.

This zone not only serves industry, it’s also the location designated for businesses described by the village code as having ‘objectionable characteristics’.

If anyone in Babylon Village decides to open a peep show, massage parlour, adult bookstore, or porn house, this is where they’d have to set up shop.

In addition to rezoning to the sketchy part of town, the proposal would require psychic readers to obtain a license, be fingerprinted, and buy liability insurance to run their business.

Mayor Ralph Scordino insists there’s no intent to disparage clairvoyants, only a desire to protect the public.

The one psychic storefront presently in the downtown core would be allowed to remain where it is.

Trustees are scheduled to vote on the new regulations September 27th.

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Scottish Flag

A 2006 visit to a Tarot reader by Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond was cause for general amusement in parliament a couple of weeks ago.

Opposition and Labour Party leader Iain Gray asked about Salmond’s visit to Gypsy Amalia, who apparently has a picture of him on display in her caravan.

Rather than try to deny the event, Salmond endorsed Amalia saying she correctly predicted the result of the 2007 election, which of course, he won.

He even went so far as to say he’ll be back to visit her again to find out when the next Labour leadership contest would be held.

It was all in good fun, and nice to see that the Tarot reader came off on the positive end of the joke.

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Downtown Alexandria

Rachel Adams, a psychic living in Alexandria, Louisiana, is taking her new town to court.

She’s trying to overturn a fortune-telling ban that prohibits her from operating her business, Readings by Faith.

When Adams moved to Alexandria last year, she applied for a business license to open her shop. Not only was she refused a license, she was cited by police and faced a potential $500 fine or 12 months in jail.

According to Section 15-127 of the city code, even if you’re doing it for free, psychic and Tarot readings are illegal in Alexandria.

The Town Talk newspaper reports that it’s unlawful …

for any person to engage in the business or practice of palmistry, card reading, astrology, fortunetelling, phrenology, mediums or activities of a similar nature within the city, regardless of whether a fee is charged directly or indirectly, or whether the services are rendered without a charge.

Adams sees her psychic work as an expression of her religion, and according to her attorney, Tommy Davenport, the ordinance is suppressing her ability to practice her faith.

Members of the Alexandria Council, said that they were surprised by the suit, and wished Adams had approached them first before filing.

They said that they would have considered an amendment to the ordinance rather than trying to defend it in court.

Adams’ attorney, however, said that due to the criminal charge against his client, the lawsuit was the best way to proceed.

And he may have been right. Just two hours after presenting four similar cases where fortune-telling bans were overturned, charges against Adams were dropped.

Davenport hopes it’s a good sign that the ordinance itself will soon be overturned. I hope so too.

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Mississippi State Seal

Last week, Tommy and Marie Costello filed suit in U.S. District Court against Hattiesburg, Mississippi, claiming its fortune-telling ban is illegal.

The couple was issued a notice of violation on December 29th of last year for their business, Marie – Psychic Reader.

Though they went ahead and closed down their shop, they feel that the law against fortune-telling is illegal censorship, and in violation of both the U.S. and Mississippi constitutions.

Further, they claim that their rights to due process have been violated, and that their ability to discuss their skills and to advertise their professional services have been silenced.

The Costellos seek a declaration that the city ordinance is illegal prior restraint of free speech, an injunction requiring repeal of the ordinance, and unspecified damages.

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Frankfort, Kentucky

Angela K. Cornett, a massage therapist from Frankfort, Kentucky, made an interesting observation in an article she wrote for the State Journal.

When she was looking over the various business license fees in her city, she discovered that some professions were being charged a lot more for their licenses than others.

And it didn’t seem to be based on how much they might earn. Here’s a list of some business license fees Cornett mentions in her article:

•Precious Metal Dealer – $10 a year
•Massage Therapist for one location – $60 a year
•Itinerant Massage Therapist ie. setting up a stand at county fairs, or other public events – $150 each event
•Convention Center or Hotel business – $1,000 a year
•Fortune-telling business – $1,500 a year

Pretty hefty fees for psychics and itinerant massage therapists. You’d almost think Frankfort was discouraging them from doing business there.

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Jack Layton

Today’s Tarot Views the News focuses on the passing of Jack Layton, leader of Canada’s Opposition, and the New Democratic Party.

I’m only pulling one card for this segment, but as usual, this is not a predictive reading, nor is it an attempt at mediumship.

It’s simply one Tarot card looking at the phrase – Jack Layton’s Legacy.

The card I got was #19 – the Sun, and it couldn’t be more perfect.

The Sun is inspiring, creative, and enthusiastic, all words that could easily describe Layton.

His passion, energy, and optimism were infectious, and he was personally responsible for many Canadians, young and old, caring about, and even entering politics.

The Sun card is also about exposure, and bringing the truth to light, even if it’s uncomfortable.

Exposing injustice was one of Layton’s political hallmarks. He stood for government transparency, and regularly shone light on issues and people many politicians ignore.

And he didn’t shy away from the spotlight himself, seeming to enjoy the opportunity to be in the public eye. And like the child in the card, he wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable, or have fun.

Finally, the Sun represents victory, and Layton had many. The biggest perhaps being this past May, when he become Leader of the Opposition, bringing his party the biggest win in its history.

Jack Layton had an incredible life. His impact, like the Sun, was positive and powerful.

In a final message to Canadians, he closed with the following words:

Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

The child in the Sun card couldn’t have said it better. We’ll miss you Jack, keep shining.

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The saga continues … Meridian, Mississippi has changed their minds again. Fortune-telling is now legal.

City council voted 3-1 on Tuesday in favour of rescinding the longstanding, and hotly debated ban on fortune-telling in the city.

Threats of legal action by the American Civil Liberties Union prompted the change of heart. A lawsuit would be expensive, and the city would likely lose on constitutional grounds.

But not all councillors were convinced, and psychic readers won’t be able to set up shop just anywhere in Meridian.

Though such businesses are now legal, according to the Sun Herald, business zoning classifications for where they’ll be allowed will be highly restrictive.

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Just a reminder to readers in New York State, fortune telling is still officially illegal there. And that goes for New York City as well as the rest of the state.

Of course you wouldn’t know it by the number of psychic shops in town, but according to an article in the New York Times last week, as well as the penal code itself, it’s true.

The Class B misdemeanor is listed as No.165.35 and reads as follows,

A person is guilty of fortune telling when, for a fee or compensation which he directly or indirectly solicits or receives, he claims or pretends to tell fortunes, or holds himself out as being able, by claimed or pretended use of occult powers, to answer questions or give advice on personal matters or to exorcise, influence or affect evil spirits or curses; except that this section does not apply to a person who engages in the afore described conduct as part of a show or exhibition solely for the purpose of entertainment or amusement.

The law was added to the code in 1967. It’s been around for a while, but obviously isn’t enforced too often. But just last month it was. Sylvia Mitchell of Manhattan was charged with illegal fortune telling.

It’s important to note that she was also charged with grand larceny for allegedly defrauding people of thousands of dollars by claiming to remove ‘blockages’ of some sort. If the charges are true, I find her actions reprehensible.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it now, if someone tells you that you have a spiritual block or curse that they can remove for a fee, they’re very likely con artists. Don’t give them your money.

But this other business of being charged with something as broad as ‘fortune-telling’ is something legitimate readers should pay attention to. Even those who just read cards and make no claims to spiritual connections or occult powers.

The obvious way around the law is to do what people have been doing for years. They simply add the disclaimer ‘for entertainment and amusement purposes only’ to all marketing materials and websites, whether they mean it or not.

As it stands the law, and its loophole, seem to be a bit of a sham. Some readers are definitely entertaining, and even amusing, but that’s not why most people go to get readings. And everyone knows it.

And yet, if a reader admits that most, if not all their readings are meant to be serious, they could be arrested. It’s crazy.

Can’t we just use the laws we already have against fraud to protect people from scammers, whether their scam involves pretending to be a fortune-teller, priest, doctor, investment mogul, or any number of different occupations.

And for the people who believe that they can get or give advice from cards, or crystals or relatives passed on, let them, without fear that they’re engaged in a crime.

Being paid for a psychic or card reading should not be illegal. The Maryland High Court said it well in their decision to repeal a fortune-telling ban in Montgomery County, Maryland in 2010,

Fortunetelling may be pure entertainment, it may give individuals some insight into the future, or it may be hokum. People who purchase fortunetelling services may or may not believe in its value. Fortunetellers may sometimes deceive their customers. We need not, however, pass judgment on the validity or value of the speech that fortunetelling entails. If Montgomery County is concerned that fortunetellers will engage in fraudulent conduct, the County can enforce fraud laws in the event that fraud occurs.

The County need not, and must not, enforce a law that unduly burdens protected speech to accomplish its goal. Such a law will curtail and have a chilling effect on constitutionally protected speech.

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