Perception: The Roma practice black magic and witchcraft. They will curse you if you cross them.
Reality: Throughout history, Roma have practiced various forms of fortune telling, including tarot card reading, the use of crystal balls to foresee the future, and palm reading. Bad omens are a part of traditional Roma belief systems, but magic is predominantly used for good: to cure disease and prevent signs of aging, for example. Many Roma also believe that wearing amulets and lucky charms provides protection from harm, bad spirits, and disease. Today, fortune telling is practiced by a select few who have been carefully taught the ancient craft.
Devlija Šuvalić (80),
Fortune Teller
“I’m not a prophet that takes money from people after looking at their palms, the cards, or the cup. I do it because people ask me to tell them something about their lives. I never ask people for money nor do I tell them how much they should pay me. If people want to buy me coffee, sugar, or cigarettes it’s their choice—and I’ll allow it. People like to have their future and their fates revealed by the cards. Some come to me to ask about love; they love somebody and want me to tell them if there is any hope or a future for this love. I tell them what is revealed to me by the cards and from the cup. I never lie. Some people come to me who are interested in their health. Many are sick and I always try to tell them something positive with the hope that they will not become desperate. I never tell them bad things, but I also never lie. Even when I see something bad, I try to convey it in beautiful words. I learned to look into the future from my grandmother. She showed me how because, even as a little girl, I always asked her about it. I loved the tarot cards. They were colorful with beautiful images on them, so I was always interested in learning what one could do with them. It’s not right when people say that we are just gypsy women who only want to make money the easy way. That is not what I want. I want to make people happy and hopeful. I’m an old woman and I’m not able to work, so if someone offers me coffee and sugar for my services, I think that that’s normal and I am thankful for it. I would never cheat anyone. It is important to be honest with people. They will be able to recognize a cheater versus a true fortune-teller. And, if people want to come to me to hear their future, no one should be able to stop them.”