Chimera nods to Ayshara and to Lyskard and Louisa, graciously she points them to her table of wares.
"I will be happy to help you all as soon as I have finished here. Please take your time to peruse my stall while you wait"
She then turns her attention to the Gardener and pulls out a deck of cards for her, and shuffles the deck while concentrating hard on the question. After a pause, she draws the first card and lays it face up on the table, the centre of the cross of this cross and triangle spread.
"Your first card, the significator, represents the prime energy manifest in your life. In this case it is the Nine of Cups, representing happiness. You will gain contentment and satisfaction from your garden. I see you achieving your deepest desires and savoring the beauty of your creation leading to a state joy and abundance, radiating fulfillment and bliss."
Chimera smiles, this is a very positive and restful first card and will set the tone for the reading. Chaimera draws the next card and places it above the first card, the apex of the cross.
"The second card represents Air and it describes your spirit, process of thought and the influence of reason. This card is the Magician, representing a mastery over word, mind, and matter. You have the ability to turn ideas into actions, handle problems, and control your own life life. I can see you starting a new project, great work or a new way of life. I see you using arcane and eldritch technologies to create an eloquent and moving communication."
Another positive and happy card, how fit for the young lady sitting opposite her right now. Chimera draws a third card and places it to the right of the significator card.
"This card represents Fire and is used to describe motivations, creative energies and the influence of passion. In this case, the Queen of Wands symbolises the essence of fire behaving as water, such as a rainbow. In your garden you find the natural embodiment of passion and sensuality that is always the center of attention. Others can see their desires and ambitions reflected there and it inspires them."
Chimera grins and nods, then draws the next card, placing it below the significator. She frowns as she looks at this card, for it indicates a change in fortune.
"This card represents Water describing your emotions, meditations and the influence of love. The five of cups has appeared reversed here and this usually shows the need to accept a loss. It is not clear what, but I see the need to overcome sadness and grief so that you can get on with your life. The first step towards this is in realizing the value of what you still have, and once you do this. dissatisfaction will give way to a new hope and understanding. I see this as alluding to something gained that may have fallen below expectations."
Chimera looks reassuringly at Gardener, this may have been a bit of a low card, but it has a positive learning experience attached to it. The next card that she draws goes to the left of the significator.
"The fifth card, placed to the left of the significator represents Earth and it describes a physical presence, your position in life and the influence of the material world. The Chariot, when reversed is representative of an ineffective use of force. In relation towards your question, it shows a battle against something that is actually necessary. If you continue with this lack of discipline and poor direction you are in danger of fanning the flames of a situation already out of control."
How many times has the best intentioned gardener fought against a garden "pest" only to discover they were actually an ally? This is the sort of thing that Chimera is starting to see in the cards. Maybe it is a little bit of trying too hard to erase imperfection without realising that often beauty is found in the imperfections. Chimera draws the next card and places it to the bottom left, beginning the base of the triangle.
"This represents one of two opposing forces, the Page of Wands, when reversed is the dark essence of fire behaving as earth, such as dry wood. Here it is showing me the surprising appearance of a new passion. Beware of a trickster who may unexpectedly ignite a dangerous situation. It mighy even represent a person outwardly timid, but harbouring unexpected inner fury. This is a card telling you to be cautious of advice and weigh up things carefully."
From a very positive beginning, this reading has taken on a very cautionary turn, nothing too negative, but certainly a warning to be careful. Chimera draws the next card and places it at the bottom right of the triangle.
"This is the force that opposes the bottom left card. These forces may be external, but they are frequently one's own inner archetypes in conflict. The Ten of Cups (Satiety), when reversed tends to represent dissipation, debauchery, and stagnation. In this case I see it as taking one's good fortune for granted which can lead to problems in domestic and social matters and may lead to a lack of fulfillment."
So, a conflict between advice and complacency, a very difficult balancing act and one that will take a great deal of care to navigate. Chimera draws the next card and places it in the thrid vertex of the triangle, touching the bottom of the card at the base of the cross figure.
"The eighth card is known as the reconciler card and it is is the force that will help to resolve the conflict between the bottom left and bottom right cards. By meditating on this force and bringing more of it into your life, you can bring the matter at hand to a swifter conclusion than would naturally occur. This is the King of Cups, reversed and shows me the dark essence of water behaving as air, such as rain clouds in a gray sky. This shows me that something you see as being strong and stable, is in fact weak and false. Don't succumb to exterior beauty and charm, but look deeper, look into the essence of all growing things and you will see the true heart."
Chimera smiles, seeing rain and water in relation to a garden and growing things is always a good sign. Chimera draws the final card and places it so that it completes the triangle.
"The ninth and final card represents the final outcome unless you change course. The Knight of Cups, when reversed is the dark essence of water behaving as fire, such as a flash flood. Don't give in to feelings of insecurity but don't allow idealism to become divorced from reality. Keep yourself grounded in your garden, feel the essence of the soils and experience all the aspects of growing things and all will be well with you."
Chimera looks kindly at the Gardener and takes her hands into hers for a brief moment. Then she hands Gardener a small hessian sack, that is moving and pulsing slightly.
"Plant this in your garden when the moon is full, it will bring you luck, but don't look at it until the planting or it won't work."
Satisfied that the mandrake will serve as a guardian, Chimera smiles at Gardener before beckoning Louisa and Lyskard over for thier reading.