NORFOLK, Va. — The repeal of an old piece of city code has paved the way for a clearer future for the city of Norfolk. Literally.
Tuesday, Norfolk City Council approved an ordinance to repeal an old section of the city code that prohibited the "practice of palmistry" in the city. This includes "palmistry, palm reading, phrenology or clairvoyance, for monetary or other compensation."
Clairvoyance, defined as "the supposed faculty of perceiving things or events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact", may encompass "metaphysical" practices such as psychic readings, tarot card decks and more.
Existing since at least 1979, violation of the city code could technically be classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
However, palm readers like Samantha Weaver do not recall there ever being enforcement of the code.
“The thing that hurts the palm readers, and tarot readers, is that everyone thinks you’re a fraud. You have to keep your credibility," Weaver says, who's been practicing palm reading in Norfolk for decades.
"I'm sure somebody out there predicted this would pass," Councilman Tommy Smigiel said during Tuesday's vote.