Pages symbolize messengers, youth, innocence, opportunities for change, new possibilities, new growth, new experiences, acquisition of knowledge and expression of new emotions, risk-taking, grace, and art. Wands represent inspiration, energy, passion, feeling, enterprise, careers, ambition, matters pertaining to the "spark of life" and the element of fire. Traditionally the Page of Wands represents the restless spirit and impulsiveness of adolescence. The Page of Wands can often represent a sense of dissatisfaction and a yearning for change or a new challenge. Or it can symbolize taking risks with a particular role you have played, exhibiting a part of yourself that has previously been hidden. Perhaps you have grown dissatisfied with hiding this side of your nature and now you want to let it burst forth and bloom. Looking at the cards, both images seem to be wearing masks. The female Daughter of Wands in the Healing Tarot kneels before a roaring fire holding her left hand over it as if trying to capture the flames. On her face is a mask with Celtic symbols over the mouth area and flames rising up to the top of the head. Her body is also decorated in Celtic spiral tattoos. She seems both frightening and mysterious - as though she could be welcoming you or warning you away. The figure on the Secret Knave of Wands wears a typical Medieval type outfit and his face is ghostly white, almost as though he is wearing a mask. His left hand is also upraised. He seems to be making the #1 signal with his hand. This certainly feels right to me today. From both cards I get a sense of encouragement and support. The Daughter of Wands is telling me that I can control the energy of the fire as long as I am careful to shield myself. The Knave of Wands is telling me that I'm #1, I'm the best and I can handle this challenge with no problem. This may seem a bit boastful but I find it very reassuring too. Today I facilitated my first Mandated Reporter Training workshop for about 10 staff mostly group leaders with some specialists. I was nervous but confident I could handle it. I wish I had spent a bit more time preparing. In fact, next time I want to create a cheat sheet for myself so I can make sure I cover all the bases. But overall I got a really good vibe from the group. There were some moments of low energy but overall I think they were engaged and heard the message. I threw in a few light-hearted moments and we joked a bit about some kids deserving a whoopin' or two. But we also were serious about the fact that physical discipline and abuse are different things and how to identify the signs. I felt very passionate about the topic and I think that helped engage them. I think the Page of Wands in its two different incarnations was telling me that this is a new opportunity for me to take a risk and exhibit a new part of myself. And I think it was also telling me that I can face this challenge like a champion - very wonderful and comforting sentiments. My dear hubby was kind enough to drive me to the site and wait for me so he could drive me home. I always appreciate when he does things like that. This sight happens to be quite far out in Queens and it would have taken me at least 1 1/2 hours to get home via mass transit. So when you count the weather, the darkness and the fact that I've never traveled there via mass transit before - I owe hubby a big thanks. He really is a supportive and loving hubby, even when I'd like to strangle him and/or he'd like to strangle me. Luckily we've never given in to our homicidal urges, despite numerous temptations. Overall it was a really great day and I feel a surge of positive energy and optimism about myself and my future. Anyone care to join me in a chorus of Helen Reddy's "I Am Woman" - "I am strong. I am invincible. I am Woman!!"