James Kambos
If you’re a magical person, you know that a great deal of responsibility comes with walking a magical path. You must be kind, caring, and ethical. You understand karma and know that our actions—positive or negative—will come back to us. As you live a magical life and as your skills in the magical arts begin to grow, many people, magical and non-magical, will seek you out to help them with their lives. That’s why it’s important to learn how to be what I call a “magical friend.”
Sometimes the only thing a person needs from you is someone to lean on and someone who will listen. But many times people will need your help handling complex issues in their lives. The idea for this article came about because I think magical folk need to be prepared for the people and situations they may encounter along the way. This is my story. Your story may be different.
You don’t need to be a high priestess or a practicing Witch to develop a following of dedicated individuals who will come to you for magical help and advice. If you have psychic abilities or talents in using the tarot, regular playing cards, or a pendulum, you will be in demand. People will also beat a path to your door if you’re known for scrying.
This all reminds me of my childhood growing up in the hills of Appalachia. Almost every backcountry village or hollow had their own psychic, card reader, or conjurer. Most communities had someone who had the gift of “second sight,” who could tell your fortune. I can remember visiting some of these “seers” and having to wait on the front porch because so many other people were ahead of me. As I recall, their predictions were usually extremely accurate. They were able to help people with financial/business concerns and, of course, matters of the heart. They could tell you if your husband was still seeing that redhead, and they knew what really happened to that boy who disappeared down by the coal mine last winter.
If you have similar skills, be prepared to be a psychic counselor-confidant-friend.
It’s in the Cards
When I was still in college, I visited one of these backwoods-country card readers. Her reading and predictions were right on target. I was hooked. I knew this was something I wanted to do. Soon after, while standing in a slow-moving supermarket checkout line, something caught my eye. It was an inexpensive paperback titled How to Tell Fortunes with Playing Cards.
That was my turning point. I bought it and read it cover to cover. I did a few spreads for myself. Then I called a friend and did a reading for him. He sat across from me on the floor of my apartment. With each prediction his eyes got wider. I wanted to stop because I thought I was way off, but he told me to keep going.
Before I knew it, my friend came back with a friend. The same thing happened. Soon, on most Saturdays, friends were stopping by for card readings and my magical “career” was launched.
Over the years I expanded my talents and began using tarot cards and a pendulum, also with good results.
I’ve Got a Secret
In fact, I’ve got lots of secrets, and if you begin to do any magical work for others, you’ll have quite a few, too. My best advice to you is to keep your mouth shut. If you really want to be a helpful magical friend, you must learn to keep what you’re told by those seeking your help confidential. This is one of the greatest responsibilities you’ll have as a magical friend.
Not only is it unkind to spread gossip, but it will also hurt your reputation. On top of that, the more you talk about your magic, the more you’ll weaken the results.
If there is one aspect of the human condition that will bring people to you seeking magical help more than anything else, it’s love. I have probably done more card readings and pendulum consultations for people in love, falling in love, and falling out of love than for anything else.
I’ve had people come to me for card consultations who were having extramarital affairs and anything else you could imagine, but I always keep it to myself. Now, don’t get me wrong: if my reading shows that person is headed for big trouble, believe me, I tell them. What they do with the information I give them is their business.
When dealing with someone else’s personal life, you should feel flattered that they trust you enough to confide in you. Never betray that trust, and never judge anyone.
Love Me, Love Me Not
Love. Falling in love. Falling out of love.
If there is one aspect of the human condition that will bring people to you seeking magical help more than anything else, it’s love. I have probably done more card readings and pendulum consultations for people in love, falling in love, and falling out of love than for anything else.
Here are some points to remember when doing magical work for those dealing with love. First, love is blind. You, as a magical friend, may think to yourself, What do they see in that scumbag? Remember, don’t judge; just do what you’re asked. Second, don’t sugarcoat any kind of answer you see in a love reading of any kind. Give it to ’em straight. Third—and this is a biggie—don’t cast any love spells involving a specific person! A love spell directed at a specific person is a form of manipulation and can lead to some disastrous karmic consequences. So no love spells to bring a specific person into someone’s life should ever be performed, by you or the seeker, no matter how much they beg. Also, please warn the person seeking love to avoid any online spellcasters dealing in love magic.
While we’re on the subject of love, be aware that love is probably the one thing that can make people needy and dependent. Be careful if someone begins to become too dependent on you and asks for too much magical help. There was one woman who used to come to me several times a week for tarot readings concerning her love life. I told her that the readings were very strong and that I didn’t see her situation changing for about two or three months. I had to urge her to stop coming to me so frequently and to ride things out.
If this type of situation happens to you, explain to the individual that magic and divination should be empowering. A reading should prepare someone to make wise choices on their own; it shouldn’t make them dependent on you.
Love magic can put you, the magical friend, in an awkward position. My best advice here is to keep in mind that it’s okay to occasionally give someone a glimpse into the future of their love life, using your favorite divination tool, but don’t let them turn it into a crutch.
Spellbound
I hear it all the time: “Can you put a spell on my spouse/boss/neighbor?”
Yes, I could, but I won’t. Spellwork for friends can get you into an uncomfortable situation. First of all, you may not clearly understand their goal. Also, you probably won’t have the same energy as they do about the matter, so the results won’t be the same. Most importantly, if the spell doesn’t work, it’s going to be your fault.
What you can do is direct them to books about spellcasting. Llewellyn, for example, has a great line of spell books for all skill levels. Suggest that they learn to cast their own spell and you could coach them. Add that it will be more effective that way.
I’d hate to see a relationship go sour because a spell didn’t work. That’s why I don’t do spells for someone else.
Dollars and Cents
Should you charge for your services as a soothsayer, diviner, or magical friend? I can’t answer for you, but I don’t. I don’t think I should charge a friend, and I just enjoy doing it.
But if you decide to do this sort of thing full-time and it’s your means of making a living, then of course charge for your services. Just be sure to follow your state and local business ordinances.
Even if you don’t charge, I see nothing wrong with accepting a small gift in exchange for a reading. Now and then, after doing quite a few readings/consultations for certain people, I’ve been given a pound of gourmet coffee or fine chocolate.
Living a magical life is a powerful way to live. Being a magical friend to those in need adds to that power. When people come to you to ask your advice and you help them see what their future may hold, you empower them. You have it in your power to help people make wise choices. Go ahead—spread the magic!
James Kambos writes and paints from his home in the beautiful hill country of southern Ohio. He learned about magic by watching his Greek grandmother perform folk magic spells that she brought from Greece. He graduated from Ohio University.
Illustrator: Tim Foley