Fortuna's Luck

The universe takes care of me. It’s always been that way. Most of my friends will admit, I have a pretty charmed life. When I travel I am often met with a meal, a bed, and travel accommodations. Once in a
while I’ll arrive to find beautiful clothing awaiting me. It’s been
this way since I was a little girl. Now don’t get me wrong, this is
not a take/take relationship with the powers that be, but it is a
relationship with what some have come to call Fortuna’s Luck.

Fortuna’s luck is known by many names: Gambler’s luck, Gypsy fortune, etc. Most
people who have it can’t quite explain what it is. It’s being at the
right place at the right time, and getting out of the wrong place in
the knick of time. It is also very much about bartering. Those who
have it will tell you, they may not have a lot of money, but they
always have a skill, or a trinket they are willing to give, for any
goodwill bestowed upon them.

I often will trade a tarot reading for dinner at a nice restaurant, or a trinket for a bottle of good wine. I’ve also been known to trade healing sessions for a reading or two. Often I’ll give my tax guy a
painting for his help with my refund. Fortuna’s luck is give and
take. What you receive you must always give back in some shape or form.

But Fortuna’s luck isn’t all fun and games. Fortuna herself is a force to
be respected. She’s the original “Sailor Jerry” Gypsy muse and a
rockabilly icon. She haggles, she barters, and gambles. She’s as
beautiful as she is glamorous, which of course is her draw. But people
can get drawn in to her allure and forget that everything you receive
you must return. Gamblers gamble away their money in hopes of great
riches, and those who do win can take that money for granted. It is
then that Fortuna becomes a cruel mistress. As fast as she gives these
gifts, they are taken away. The only way to appease Fortuna is by
respecting her.

To bring Fortuna’s good fortune to you create a small area designated to her. Fill a bowl with pennies and coins and
light green candles. See a penny on the street? Pick it up and ad it
to your bowl. The saying “Find a penny pick it up and all day you’ll
have good luck,” is straight from Fortuna’s ruby red lips and into your
ear. Add and subtract from your money bowl. Use the money to buy a
lottery ticket and if you win add some of it back. In order to keep
energy and good luck flowing there needs to be movement.

Being part Gypsy I am known to carry around little gris gris (mojo) bags
filled with small trinkets and charms. Every time I find an odd little
key or a bit of change on the street I add it to my pouch. This not
only makes me aware of what’s out in the world, it makes me aware that
everything has a spirit and it must be respected. When you give a
little, you get a whole lot in return. That my friends is Fortuna’s
luck.

x to the o,

Katelan

Originally posted on Constellation Magazine