The Day After

This was the morning after the wedding itself, so there were a few sore heads in the crowd. That actually added to the atmosphere. The guests who were feeling sharp were full of energy. The ones who were not quite there yet were good-humoured about it and leaning into the fun of it all. It made the whole thing feel relaxed and easy.

I was booked through Tara Fae Events, and they were brilliant from start to finish. All the timings, all the logistics, everything I needed to know to arrive prepared. That kind of coordination makes a real difference on the day.

The Setup

I was set up outside, right beside the greenhouse and glass section of the building. There was a parasol for shade, the old stonework close by, the grounds stretching out behind the guests as they sat down. It was a beautiful spot and people were comfortable there straight away. Being outdoors in that space opened people up before the reading had even begun.

It started slowly, the way outdoor daytime readings often do. People are moving around, finding their bearings, figuring out what is on. Then word travels and the pace picks up. By the middle of the day there was a steady stream, and by the afternoon it had become a real mix. One-on-ones, couples sitting down together, small groups gathering round to watch their friends get read.

The Guests

The guest list was largely American and they were wonderful people to work with. Warm, great fun, not taking themselves too seriously. But they were also genuinely curious about the cards and interested in the conversations that came out of them. People who are up for a laugh but open to something real as well. That combination makes for great readings.

I was working alongside David Lewis, a cartoonist who had come over from London. He was brilliant and the guests absolutely loved him. When you have two acts like that running side by side at a relaxed outdoor gathering, people float between them and the whole day finds its own easy rhythm.

The Cards That Came Up

Two cards kept appearing throughout the day more than any others.

Judgement came up again and again. That card is about looking back at what you have actually built and achieved. We live in a world obsessed with what is next, always chasing the next goal or the next milestone, always moving on. Judgement asks you to stop for a moment and really see how far you have come. People who have built something significant often need that reminder most.

The Star came up just as often. It is a card about nurturing. Nurturing the people around you, but also making sure you are taking care of yourself. A lot of the guests were people who had worked hard, built their own businesses, gotten to a real level of success. And now they were focused on helping and supporting everyone around them, often at the expense of themselves. The Star was a gentle nudge that you cannot pour from an empty cup.

Both cards felt very specific to that room, which is what I love about this work. The cards always find the right people.

Ballyfin Demesne

I have to say it again. Ballyfin Demesne is extraordinary. The house, the grounds, the staff and the care and attention throughout. Everyone working there was warm and proud of the place and it showed. As a venue for any kind of celebration it is hard to imagine better, and as a backdrop for tarot readings it was the kind of setting that makes the work feel special before you have even started.

It is a gig I will not forget in a hurry. Michael and Alexandra, thank you for having me as part of your celebrations.