Steeped in medieval European mystique, Gypsy culture and the occult, tarot cards are certainly not something one would expect to be popular in China. However, just as Westerners may be drawn to the foreign allure of the I Ching and fengshui, young Chinese are becoming more curious about this Western divination tool.

Although it seems at odds with the traditional surrounds of Beijing's historic center, an intriguing cafe offers its patrons tarot card readings, with a side order of coffee.

Tarot Cafe, owned by Wu Yelan and her husband Zhao Zhengjie, sits almost hidden from view in an unassuming nook off Di'anmen Xidajie. Inside, purple curtains are draped over doorways; mystical images and objects cover the walls; customers sit nattering on comfortable chairs as they wait for their tarot reading appointments with Wu.

What began as a hobby many years ago has now blossomed into a full-time job for Wu, who, besides giving tarot card readings in her cafe, also has a monthly horoscope and tarot column in the new bilingual magazine Metrostyle.

"I never thought tarot card reading would become a full-time job," said Wu.

Four years ago, Wu held a position with a government department and Zhao worked as an editor, but both found the daily grind repetitive and tiresome and decided to ditch the nine-to-five routine and start their own business.

The plan was to open a cafe with a difference, a cafe that would stand out among the Starbucks-influenced cafes that were springing up around Beijing. At that time, Wu was discovering that she had a talent for giving accurate tarot card readings and thought about combining her hobby with the cafe. And so Tarot Cafe was born.

Today, most of Wu's clients are young Chinese women who come from far and wide to pose questions that intrigue them. Questions regarding career, health and family often make an appearance, but romance-themed questions tend to dominate.

"Love is a popular topic everywhere on the Earth," said Wu with a smile. "It's one of the eternal questions for human beings."

Despite tarot cards being linked to the occult, superstition and the supernatural, Wu does not associate them with these things. She takes a more philosophical stance. "I'm not that superstitious or interested in the supernatural stuff," she said. "The most important thing is to get the client thinking about their life how they can change it for the better."

Wu sees tarot more as a way to provide guidance and doesn't believe her clients should get hung up on the outcome of a card reading.

"No matter how accurate the reading is I will tell them the most important thing in life is to know that you are the person who is in control of your own destiny," Wu said.

Although tarot cards may take center stage in the cafe, the menu is extensive and a strong enough draw for those who have yet to succumb to the allure of tarot. The menu features the usual coffee suspects: espressos, lattes and mochas, alongside imported herbal teas, liqueurs, cocktails and snacks.

However the stars of the menu are the 12 zodiac cappuccinos. Created by Wu and Zhao, each one is uniquely flavoured with syrups and liqueurs to reflect a particular zodiac sign.

So, whether you are interested in knowing how your star sign would translate into a caffeine-based beverage or about what the future might hold, a visit to Tarot Cafe should be on the cards.

China Daily

(China Daily 06/01/2011)