Brendan rolls toward me and reaches into a pocket on his wheelchair. He then holds out two tarot cards, one in either hand. I realize these cards must be from the printed Perillian deck, because their imagery looks both wildly familiar and abstractly different. In his left hand Brendan holds the Six of Swords, arranged with the same symbolism as the gate outside. In his right hand Brendan holds The Star, shining singularly in a night sky.

“Chase, you are officially invited to join The Lianist Foundation as a Guide-in-Training, to fulfill the unique purpose you designated in your Hermetic Dawn reading. I imagine you’re back to school soon, but should you accept, you’d be welcome to take weekend web-seminars to fulfill your potential. Then, next summer, you’d have a Guide job here waiting for you. Most importantly, you’d become a vital part of the team building The Lianist Foundation as we open, helping shape our organization from root to branch. We can discuss the full details later, if you choose to take the Six of Swords, our official Lianist symbol.”

Brendan holds this card a little higher, glancing down at it with pride.

“However, if you don’t wish to join us formally as a Guide, you’re always welcome to remain a part of The Lianist Way as a member, either casually or actively involved in the sector you identified. Of course, you’re also free to fully move on, taking with you whatever lessons might have resonated. If you choose this trail, The Star is yours to take as a token of the experience.”

Looking down at the cards in Brendan’s hands, I find I am once again presented with objects that carry heavy meaning. I decide instantly that, whichever card I choose, I will keep it with me—maybe it can even become my own externalized mantra, like Logan’s fidget spinner still in my pocket. After all, this card can symbolize all that I’ve learned on this trip and all the ways I’ve grown.

The question now remains: What trail do I think will enable me to continue growing and uncovering mysteries?

I reach forward and take the Six of Swords. I accept the invitation to join The Lianist Foundation as a Guide because it feels like I’m meant to belong here.

Click here

I reach forward and take The Star. I decline the invitation to join The Lianist Foundation as a Guide because I need to continue defining things on my own terms.

Click here

I take the Six of Swords from Brendan and the smile that spreads on his face is almost as bright as the sunlight pouring in. And why shouldn’t it be? The Lianist Way seems to take the best of the Perillian tarot and expand upon it in the right direction. It feels so similar to the work I’ve done on myself, I can’t ignore it.

“Most excellent,” Brendan says, reaching out his other hand to shake mine. “This is the first step in a very beautiful journey, Chase. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have someone with your spirit and knowledge on board.”