Breakfast in the A.M., Tarot Cards in the P.M.

Dianna Perez, a breakfast attendant at the Fairfield New York Manhattan/Central Park, takes pride in keeping the buffet well stocked and helping guests with special requests. Outside of work, she pursues one of her special interests: reading tarot cards, which she uses to gain insight into the past, present or future.

Tarot cards have been used in Europe from the mid-15th century. Clients pick from a deck of cards, each of which represents a different symbol. Dianna helps interpret its meaning for her clients – mostly family members and friends. The fool card, for example, represents innocence or the beginning of a journey, while the strength card represents power and bravery.

“I’ve always been intuitive and find the process of reading the cards gratifying,” said Dianna, who has been at the Fairfield since its opening in 2016. “I get insights that I think will be helpful.”

Along with regular business and leisure guests, the Fairfield hosts families of patients awaiting treatment at Mount Sinai West, a major medical center nearby. Dianna sees parallels to her study of Tarot cards.

“The patients and their family members who accompany them are at a turning point in their lives,” she said. “At breakfast before leaving for the hospital, they’ll share their stories, which are both sad and hopeful,” much like she sees when off-duty reading tarot cards.