My most favourite tradition at Samhain is travelling to Pioneer Lang Village for their Spooky Halloween Night.  This year I arrived at my destination well past twilight.  My plan to take a few snapshots of an entity roaming the grounds amongst laughter from the kids of all ages dressed as ghosts, ghouls, witches, vampires and princesses was not likely.  Instead of allowing my tardiness to upset me, my friend Rob and I went with the flow.  

Out in the fresh, crisp air, we talked and walked along the dirt road past the tractor drawn wagon ride, crafts, face painting, magic show and slightly scary carved pumpkins exploring what it was like a hundred and fifty years ago.   Rob and I entered the dimly candle lit general store.  Young and old had gathered for a palm reading.  

Palmistry is the belief that the hand - more particularly the lines and other markings on the palms reveal both character and the future - fingers reveal hidden characteristics and the palm shows the events and direction of a person's life.  

Four girls around the age of six pushed their way to the head of the line.

The two adults accompany them stood back tending to their youngest in a carriage and a female family friend or member took pictures.  No one paid any attention when the last child in the group put her tiny hand turned to have her palm inspected in the Reader's hand.  Looking down the gypsy woman ran her index finger along the life line to see beyond the present.  She took a long pause seemimg to weigh her next words with great care.  I happened to catch her say of a tragic event that would occur.  During the later years of the young child's life there was a break.  She would suffer a life or death experience - a health problem would cause the point of death which she would bounce back from but not one hundred percent.  

The precious information given was lost on the child's close family.  I'm sure if they had heard of the grim spectre of death it would stir up all kinds of fears and feelings.  

Because readings fall under the class of entertainment most people don't take the predictions seriously.  It is not up to the Reader to convince people that what they say is true - time will reveal what will come to be.

( At the same time as the child's palm reading I had a family member living a life or death situation.  I believe that the gypsy woman's  message was also meant for me.  My father had been worried about the health outcome.   The message for me was that my family member would bounce back but not one hundred percent.    On November 1st, I was informed of an operation that took 8 1/2 hours and it looks like they got everything harmful out as well. )