My eyes light up as they fall on the Ace of Cups.

“That’s an excellent sign,” I continue. “The Ace stands for one, the number of new beginnings, but also indivisibility. And Cups are the suit of emotions and flow. Definitely an auspicious place to begin, perhaps a sign this goal is worth obtaining.”

I glance over at Chase, but he is still absorbed by the booklet and his journal scribbles. That’s fine, since this next phase of my reading is the part he never likes. He thinks any personal touch dilutes the tarot’s meaning, but I believe it only enhances it.

“Now, Logan, can you tell me what you’re drawn to most in the Ace of Cups?”

Logan considers my question a moment. “Visually speaking? I guess my eye is pulled to the central cup in the card.”

That tracks. Others might be drawn to the heart symbols or the flowing ocean background, but Logan has always been one to cut to the heart of the matter. Knowing I now need to read this Cup symbolism to Logan, I stare down at the card and try to tap into my inner Empress.

“The Cup in this card traditionally stands for a central source of life,” I begin.

“In this case, I’d say it represents the fountain of life. A source of abundance, but something equally elusive and difficult to grasp.”

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“In this case, I’d say it represents the holy grail. A source of strength, but also of mystery and great danger.”

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“If the fountain of life represents the goal we seek, then achieving it will require intuition and courage,” I conclude.

“Says the nurturing Empress mother,” Logan replies, smiling.

“That brings us to second position,” I carry on. “This card represents potential obstacles that could stand in your way.”

I reach forward and flip the second card to reveal the Queen of Pentacles.

“Oh, wow. In the material Pentacles suit, the Queen represents the duality of a mentor. She can spin her wheel of creativity just as easily as she can spin a web of entrapment. She has great gifts of protection and bounty, but she is also prone to corruptible wealth and luxury.

“So, Logan,” I finish, “which part of the card speaks to you most?”

“If we’re looking for obstacles, I think the message is clear,” he begins. “We shouldn’t be seduced by material wealth. We’d also better be wary of the answers to our questions, because they might trap us just as easily as they might inspire us.”

“Yes,” I respond, even though I hope that idea isn’t remotely true. I want to say our obstacle will be someone who will take advantage of us to obscure the truth, someone who will do us harm in the name of helping. But this is the danger of reading a person whose intention you’re invested in: letting your own feelings inform the reading.