“I’ve seen you where you never were
And where you never will be
And yet within that very place
You can be seen by me.
For to tell what they do not know
Is the art of the Romany.”
Have you ever thought about gypsies? What is it, being a gypsy: belong not to place but the road? Gypsies are famous for telling fortunes and for their craft, which is selling luck to everybody, while always insisting they have none. I tested this fact with an old gypsy woman selling amulets when I saw her last time: “What bâk the divvus?”-”What luck today?” “Kekker rya“-”None” was the reply, as usual, -”I never have any luck.” Being gypsy is like being a mirror that reflects all things but not itself, and shows you what it knows not.
That gypsy woman though knew her trade well, and was famous for her charm and luck bringing amulets: some were of very elaborated designs. I had to travel quite a way to meet her first time and once again few months later to take it; I have heard about people who waited for their amulets for years : “the time didn’t come yet”, or being refused to have one.
My one was a necklace; a string, made of a black thick horse tail hair, with silver coins, snake, a moon and stars on it and some knots; this string was adjourned with a little heart shaped nut and a chip of wood. “It will work as long as you believe in it”, said that woman. - “Never cut this string with knife and be careful not to lose it, otherwise your fortunes would be reversed”.
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