Bangalore's own Future perfect

In times when ambition and progress are fraught with doubt and uncertainty, new-age soothsayers have emerged as source of inner peace and reconciliation. As elsewhere, the young brigade in the city too is lining up to the tarot card readers for solutions to difficult life situations and to catch a glimpse of that silver lining lighting up the future.

Tarot reading dates back to medieval Italy, where a deck of cards each adorned with a symbolic picture was used to predict one’s future—a practice that continues till today. There are different types of tarot decks such as the Universal Waite or Robin Wood. These are usually “cut” by the questioner and then read out by the reader who interprets them, throwing in a fair amount of intuition.

Nilakanth A Ramesh, a tarot card reader whose office is located at Bannerghatta Road, prefers tarot card reading over astrology in helping out people. Says Nilakanth, “I get a lot of young software professionals coming to me with problems related to love life, career and health … Depending on different formations in which the cards are laid out, every card in a particular position carries a specific meaning. As we start reading the cards, a whole starts emerging. And one ends with solutions that the questioner has control over.” Tarot cards are finding ready acceptance over astrological predictions because they involve the questioner in tracking the solution.

Pandering to the childlike need of reassurance in each one of us through psychic readings, are centres like Awakening in Koramangla and Gold Touch Beauty Salon on 100 Ft Road. Many practitioners like Nilakanth also operate from their homes. And for all your indulgence, you have a price to pay: each reading could cost you anywhere between Rs 500 and 1000.

All said, here’s a novel way to give your morale a shot in the arm.