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CARDS & LETTERS

Psychic Counseling by Kyler James

Ah, to achieve greatness in life! That’s what I encourage in the artists who come to see me. Painters, actors, singers, musicians. Writers, computer programmers, kindergarten teachers. As my father said, “Do a job right or not at all”—referring to my snow shoveling. (I wanted to say, “Not at all!”) But now I say, do a job 100% or choose something else. That’s how I approach my work, and how I hopefully inspire my clients to approach theirs.

Maria Callas in Terrence McNally’s Master Class says, “Discipline, courage—here—right here from the gut. It’s our work that matters, only our work.” I can’t believe there are performers that I know who haven’t yet seen this play [which was then running on Broadway]. It’s a tribute to all the great teachers of life and art. Stella Adler was mine during my acting days, and I use everything she taught me for my psychic work.

As Callas, Patti LuPone invokes: “Genius, inspiration, a gift of God!” This is what I try to encourage in my readings—and nothing less; I’m not as much a fortune-teller as a fortune-teacher, a teacher of individual Fortune.

Genius isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you work for. Callas put every ounce of her being into her work. You can’t have it two ways; as I tried to convince a friend, choose either the New Jersey family life, or a great career in the theatre—but “You can’t have both, dahling,” as Stella often reminded us. (There are exceptions, of course, but they’re exceedingly rare.)

When Grace Bumbry, the Met diva, made a grand entrance into my throat doctor’s waiting room, she was admitted tout de suite, before all of us. Now I see that she deserved to go first: she had worked for the privilege. Master Class illustrates what it takes to achieve something high in life—the single-minded will it requires to get there.

Let’s see if the apparent sadness of today’s letter has a hidden quest for greatness behind it:

Dear Kyler, I have recently broken up with my lover of eleven years. We met in college and moved to New York together. After years of unhappiness and misery we have decided to go our separate ways. Being that I just turned thirty, I am at a crossroads in my life. Could you please help me by telling me what’s in store for my future? Thanks, Stephen.

The future’s what you make it, Stephen; what’s in store for your future is what you choose in the present. You are the 3 of Swords, Sorrow. Saturn, the serious teacher, is exalted in Libra on this card, creating the Vision of sorrow—a time for understanding life’s lessons.

The King of Disks, your former lover, proudly faces you on his horse. He knows he must climb the hills of his future to pursue his ambition in the world.

The secret of how to utilize the past is to break away from it. The 5 of Swords, Defeat, says you’ve got to take charge of your mind by defeating the enemy—fear. Martian fives have courage and strength, which you need to overcome your sorrow.

The Queen of Swords in the near future seeks an emotional mastery of the situation, yet struggles with heart and mind. This is such a difficult time for you, Stephen; you want to conquer your difficulties, but careful not to lash out at others instead.

Next in sequence is the 9 of Swords, Cruelty, and the 7 of Swords, Futility. So many swords, so many mental battles! Stephen, may I suggest seeing a therapist to help you sort out the anger and pain and confusion? If you’d like to call me, I’ll recommend someone wonderful.

By the spring of next year, you will succeed in achieving a foothold in the world; the Prince of Disks promises that your struggles will literally pay off. The anguish of all those swords will translate into the excellence of the prince. Like Callas, you will take the pain from your life and use it for your work. Through self-understanding, you will pave the way to your future success. ▼