Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling
Divining with Tarot, Palmistry, Tea Leaves & More
By Paulina Stevens & Jezmina Von Thiele
Softcover | 200 Pages
Uncover the wisdom and traditions of Romani fortune-telling with Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling. This insightful guide, crafted by Paulina Stevens and Jezmina Von Thiele, takes readers on a journey through the ancient arts of divination, including tarot reading, palmistry, tea leaf reading, and more. Rooted in Romani cultural heritage, each technique is explained with practical steps and enriched with stories and personal insights that highlight the cultural significance behind each method.
Readers will find detailed instructions for interpreting tarot cards, analyzing the lines and shapes of the palm, and understanding the messages hidden within tea leaves. Whether you are a beginner curious about fortune-telling or an experienced reader looking to deepen your practice, this softcover book provides both spiritual and practical tools to expand your divination skills. With 200 pages of wisdom, techniques, and cultural context, Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling is an essential guide for anyone interested in the mystical arts and Romani traditions.
Cultural Wisdom and Romani Spirituality: The book weaves in Romani beliefs and values, offering a spiritual framework that emphasizes respect for intuition, ancestral guidance, and the sacredness of divination practices. This background provides readers with a deeper understanding of the spiritual roots of each method.
Personal Rituals for Connecting with the Divine: Readers are guided in setting intentions and creating sacred space before divining. Simple rituals, like grounding techniques and using natural elements (candles, crystals), help open the mind to receive clearer messages.
Meditative Exercises to Enhance Intuition: The book includes mindfulness exercises designed to heighten intuition. Practices such as deep breathing, visualization, and journaling are integrated to foster a strong spiritual connection and improve interpretive clarity.
Incorporation of Symbolism and Archetypes: Through exploring Romani cultural symbols and archetypes, the book deepens spiritual insight into commonly used symbols in divination, such as natural elements (water, fire) and animals, which helps readers uncover the layers of meaning in their readings.
Tarot Spread Techniques and Card Meanings: The book introduces Romani-inspired tarot spreads that bring new perspectives to traditional card interpretations. For instance, spreads unique to Romani culture can help focus on life paths, relationships, and guidance from ancestors.
Palmistry Interpretation Techniques: Detailed illustrations and explanations of palm lines, mounts, and hand shapes provide readers with hands-on guidance for practicing palmistry. Each line and feature is associated with traits, strengths, and potential future paths, making it accessible even for beginners.
Tea Leaf Reading Instructions and Symbol Guide: Readers are taught the Romani art of tea leaf reading, including preparation methods, cup orientation, and interpretation of common shapes. The guide lists symbols—such as stars for success or birds for messages—helping readers build confidence in interpreting tea patterns.
Step-by-Step Fortune-Telling Rituals: The book provides structured rituals that guide readers from setup to conclusion, covering everything from shuffling tarot cards with intention to properly cleansing tools between readings. These steps ensure accurate and respectful practice.
Practical Advice on Using Common Objects: Beyond traditional tools, the book encourages using simple objects like everyday tea, personal trinkets, and even natural elements like stones to enhance readings. These practical approaches make divination more accessible and versatile.
Guidelines for Ethical Divination: Emphasizing respect for privacy and sensitivity, the book offers practical advice on delivering messages with compassion and maintaining boundaries, essential for anyone sharing readings with others.
Together, these spiritual and practical tools provide a complete, enriched experience for those looking to explore Romani divination arts. Whether the reader aims to enhance personal insight or offer readings for others, this guidebook blends mystical understanding with practical know-how to help readers grow confidently in their divination journey.
—Kristen J. Sollée, author of Witches, Sluts, Feminists
“Jezmina and Paulina have written a thorough, insightful, and conversational guide to fortune-telling, yes—but more importantly, to the Romani psyche. Most of us grow up straddling two cultures, and it effects how we think, how we perceive, and how we move through space. Readers will gain a solid grounding in Romani divination practices and Romani spirituality. While much of our culture remains closed to outsiders, Jezmina and Paulina continue their mission of building bridges between the Romani and other cultures and helping others appreciate our beautiful, diverse traditions. Laćhi buti, phenja! (Good work, sisters!)”
—Caren Gussoff Sumption, author of So Quick Bright Things Come to Confusion and Three Songs for Roxy
“Secrets of Romani Fortune-Telling is a beautifully written guide for anyone wanting to practice the art of divination, but it’s so much more. Authors Jezmina and Paulina pull back the curtain, inviting us into their hearts and homes, and share a little slice of magic born out of centuries of resilience.”
—Paige Vanderbeck, host of The Fat Feminist Witch podcast and author of Witchcraft for Emotional Wisdom
“Jezmina and Paulina have created a beautiful portrait of Romani life and culture highlighting historical aspects, members of the community, and personal narratives while giving everyday advice to keep your mind, body, and spirit balanced and healthy. Thoughtful and inclusive, Secrets of Romani Fortune-Telling is a comprehensive guide to tarot, palmistry, dream work, tasseography, and spiritual health with an emphasis on reverence and respect to the community, one’s elders, and ancestors. This book is a love letter to Romani culture and an invitation into understanding more about it.”
—Katelan Foisy, artist for The Hoodoo Tarot and Sibyls Oraculum: Oracle of the Black Doves of Africa
About the Author
Paulina Stevens grew up in an insular Romani-American family, destined to leave school, marry young, and become a fortune-teller. By age seventeen, her fate was sealed—until she decided to leave her community and redefine her identity. Paulina is the subject of the podcast Foretold. Hosted by Los Angeles Times reporter Faith Pinho, the podcast follows Paulina as she navigates the consequences of her decision. She is based in Los Angeles.
