On September 8th at the historic Cine El Rey, Fernie (they/them) of Golden Mirror Fortunes launched their Book, The Joy of Tarot. Fernie describes themself as, “Your Mom, […] Best Friend, […] Principal, and Diva, all rolled into one,”. Fearing that book launch parties are a dying art, they aimed to demonstrate expressing oneself to their fullest extent, and encourage others to do the same.
Community The Oracle Built
The event was planned by Splendor, decorated by Elevents, florally coordinated by Southern Roots, and catered by Bodega Tavern & Kitchen and CC’s Sweets, along with activities by Uniko & Joanna Art. These are all local businesses Fernie would later thank for their support when Golden Mirror Fortunes was budding and blossoming. The seer changed through six couture caftans during the night, most made locally by artists like Laisa Chavez Macias and Alfredo Torres III, boasting lace, sequins, and feathers. The event also had both drag queens and wrestlers handing out Fernie’s signature fortunes, and a stock of books that were sold out before the end of the night.
Performances then started in alternating order, with wrestling matches emceed by Fortuna Wrestling‘s founder, Alvaro Riojas, followed by drag numbers emceed by Saruh Tea. Fernie cited both communities as significant to their journey for how welcoming they were. The latter was described as an environment that fostered talent and skill. Alternatively, Fernie was often invited to be the ring girl for Riojas, who aimed to bring more of Lucha Libre’s pageantry to the Valley. Fernie cites a deep allyship with the wrestlers, as most are solely allies, but comfortable enough to perform hypermasculinity, violence, and homoeroticism.
The show was kicked off with Downtown Felix and Xavi Montenegro’s match, followed by Briyan-t and Sayrus’, and Criss Austin and Mooncat Franco’s respectively. Between these brawls were two sets of performances by Saruh, Avira Luvhe, Jade, Geneva Karr, and Luna Karr. What is likely the most significant performance, however, was placed directly in the middle. Fernie delivered a lip sync of Judy Garland’s “I Feel Lucky,” in a caftan made by Andrea Alteraciones. For the second set of signings, Fernie switched to another Andrea piece named Flora, inspired by a Florence Welch advertisement, changing once more before ending on their catchphrase sentiment:
“Adios, mis amores! Los quiero mucho!”
Bottom (left to right, top): Mooncat Franco, (middle) Xavi Montenegro, Alvaro Rojas, Fernie, Downtown Felix, Criss Austin, (bottom) not found, Sayrus, Briyan-T
Paths That Led Here
Having started their journey quite young, Fernie had magical roots and was raised with a curiosity that would turn into practice. Their rancher upbringing, queer journey, and educational profession fostered a willful determination, and community leadership skills. The sybil had first started reading professionally to help with a sizable debt imposed on them, applying to psychic networks before getting hired as a telephone psychic. Golden Mirror Fortunes came about from an Instagram account made during the waning years of a relationship. Describing it as “finding [themself] through [their] community,” Fernie and Paloma answered a call for vendors at 2019’s Pride in the Park. Reading themed fortunes throughout the event, they cited a joy for listening to and helping others.
The book came about after an homage post of the advertisement that inspired Flora, catching the attention of Cosmopolitan’s resident astrologist at the time, Sarah Potter. A comment led to chatting, leading to connections with both Potter and Lisa Stardust, who Fernie credits as a tremendous help in navigating the publishing world. They also befriended Theresa Reed, who would later write the book’s foreword, after offering a birthday reading and gaining affirmation that they could write a book. After an initial rejection, the book was picked up by Barbara Moore, of Llewellyn’s tarot department. The book reflects Fernie’s attitude towards fortunes as guidance, warnings, assurances, rather than strict prophecies. It strays from toxic positivity, and judgemental readings, able to provide harsh news, while still accounting for free will. The former assistant principal formatted a couple of later chapters as self-quizzes, “werk-sheets,” and journaling prompts, also injecting anecdotes and personal examples throughout.
A Look Ahead
Fernie describes themself as filled with love about how commonplace they have made their talents, believing they are as successful and ever present as they are now because people believe in them. When asked what card they currently feel depicts them the most, they said The Sun, as not only the start of something new, but representative of their wish to be “the sunlight” that elicits queer joy. With Fall here, and scarier risks for people of all creeds and communities, they offered a card pull and guidance. They advised to not give up on the world, because your hopelessness is the goal of the people that would harm you. The card pulled was The Knight of Swords which depicts someone brave on a mission, confirming the author’s call for the community to “charge ahead and do what you know is right.”
