Name: From Cup to Page: Spilling the Ancestral Tea
Start: 2024-10-19T18:00:00-04:00
Location: Fezziwig's Food & Fountain

From Cup to Page: Spilling the Ancestral Tea

Join Deadwick's Ethereal Emporium and authors Jezmina von Thiele and Paulina Stevens to celebrate the release of their book, Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling!
Guests are invited to savor a Romani-inspired evening tea service (prepared by the culinary witches of Fezziwig's) while engaging in divination demonstrations. This author duo will share their experiences, from growing up Roma, learning the traditions of Drabarimos, or fortune telling, and their unique writing process.
"Many folks know that the people referred to as “Gypsies” are related to fortune telling in some way. Most do not realize that we are a real diasporic ethnic group originally from India, called Roma, and that because of centuries of persecution, our work options were limited to trades like fortunetelling, metalworking, performing, and other trades we’re associated with. While Roma did not create tarot cards, we were the first to use them as divinatory tools and create tarot reading as a job. We are often appropriated, oppressed, and caricatured. But, more and more, Roma are becoming visible for who we really are."
Jezmina and co-author Paulina Stevens both grew up with fortune telling as a family trade, and share their approach to tarot, palmistry, & tea leaf & coffee reading. The book quotes other Romani readers, healers, artists, & writers on the trade and their experiences. By centering Romani people in this work, they give a more accurate representation of Roma fortune tellers. This book is perfect for beginners and seasoned fortune tellers alike.
For more about Romani culture, visit romanistanpodcast.com where you can listen to their podcast, and check out our resources page where you can learn more about Romani culture and activism. You can also listen to Romanistan wherever you get podcasts.
Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling is available for pre-order from all major booksellers, and will be available at this event for purchase as well in-shoppe at Deadwick's upon release.
This event will gather at 6:00pm at Fezziwig's Food and Fountain at 112 State Street, Portsmouth.