Backstory: I was in a slump and Mi Espirito noticed. Ke suggested a trip to a botanica to get a certain thing would help cheer me up because of cultural and personal connections. I had balked at the idea of getting yet another tchotchke, but ke assured me that the item would be cheap and once I obtain it, I will see why ke said to get it. The item did turn out to be quite cheap, and after looking it over and cross-referencing some things, I found much humor in having it. Out of respect for Mi Espirito nudging me into getting it, I took to having the item out when using the baraja.
Ke looked at it, and tapped the table beside it. “<I didn’t require you to have [that] in hand when doing readings with la baraja.>”
“But it’s because of la baraja, that I have [that]. Not only that, the connection you pointed out implies that [that] now a part of [a certain tradition] for me.”
Ke smirked. “<But that’s not your intention for it.>”
I blushed. Guilty. I was already finding other uses for it. Quick, turn the camera! “What was your intention for having me get it?”
“<To prove to yourself that you are dedicated.>” Ke took a deep drag on kir cigarette. “<It was never in question to me. But your doubt keeps tripping you up, and you needed a little help in smacking it back down.>”
My mirth fled. Have I been toyed with? “So… another wild goose chase? Another sum of money thrown away?”
“<Not thrown away.>” Ke smirked so hard. “<If I had asked you to buy one made of precious metals, would you have? No. Because you would never be able to use it, assuming you actually bought it. I sent you to the botanica for two reasons. I wanted you to be able to get [it] in good faith and clear conscience. And I wanted you to spend as little money as possible to get it. No one goes to a botanica for precious metals. No one except suckers that is. The fillings in your teeth probably have more precious metal than [that].>”
I noticed no matter how much ke draws on the cigarette, it was never consumed. It reminded me that no matter how clearly I see, I don’t see everything. The thought turned my gears into seeing things from kir point of view. “Ah. That explains the directive to get something with personal meaning instead of the standard [thing]. So I would be able to repurpose it afterward.”
“<Yes. And you did.>”
“And that explains why it got so hot even though I wasn’t holding it. Another connection made, another current flow.”
“<You’re catching on.>”
My turn to smirk. Okay. I get it. I really have to stop comparing what I do and how I do it to what is written in books and blogs. Mystery Cult of One, indeed. “In the manner of my tradition, right? Mi Tradición Personal. Mi Camino.”
“<Yes.>”
The current represented by the [thing] took me. Words feeling like burning ash filled my throat. I did not try to hold them back. “[Redacted redactions of redactology.]”
“<Welcome back, Mija. Don’t forget to keep up with your Spanish lessons.>”
“Sí, Maestro.”
For what it’s worth, I do feel much better.