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.  Cups represent emotions, love, pleasures in life, matters pertaining to the unconscious, intuition and the inner planes; the element of water. 

An appropriately hopeful and joyous card for the Readers Studio.  I expresses the joy and connection I always feel for this Tarot tribe and at the same time it suggests that this is the start of a whole new realm for me.  New possibilities and new starts for myself.  Who knows where those possibilities can lead.

Today started out well.  It's a bit chilly out and a little drizzly but nothing too horrible.  I met Elizabeth at the entrance to the PATH train at around noon so we could begin our voyage out to the Readers Studio.  We're rooming together this year (in an effort to save as much cash as possible).  We managed to wend our way along the various transfer points without serious mishap and spent the time alternately chatting and getting into deep, serious conversations about various topics.

We finally arrived at the hotel and got ourselves settled in.  We decided to grab a bite to eat at the pub in the hotel lobby before heading over to the Readers Studio.  The food was good although the service was a bit slow - the place only had one waiter and that poor guy was very busy at that point.

Then we got over to the ballroom and the greetings began.  We weren't allowed to register yet because neither of us were taking the evening workshop with Wald and Ruth Ann.  So we chatted with Sasha and Emanuela - the lions at the gate, and got some clues as to what was in the goody bags. After catching up with them for a few minutes, I repaired to the ballroom too check out the vendors wares. 

I found myself drawn to Garnet's table which was filled with amazingly gorgeous and powerful wands as well as seductively tinkling bellydancer hipscarves and some stunningly beautiful altar clothes (by Nattacia).  I couldn't resist so I ended up buying a beautiful wand with a citrine tip and decorated with tiger's eye stones and wrapped in very earthy, wild fabrics including one with leopard print.  I also grabbed up two hipscarves and two wraps.  I knew I'd wear one of the hipscarves for Garnet's lunch & learn session tomorrow. 

Then I meandered over to Ciro's table.  It was adorned with his breath-taking artwork on prints, pillows and other amazing works.  I'll be honest, I glanced at the table and moved on.  I spotted Teresa Michelsen and walked over to say hello, then I spotted what she had in her hands - a copy of Bob Place's Vampire Tarot!!!  I shrieked "where did you get that".  She told me Bob had a few copies for sale at his table.  I hastily babbled some type of goodbye and sped away.  When I got to Bob's table I learned that he has already promised it to someone else.  I took a deep breath and despite my disappointment managed to ask him to keep me in mind if the other person didn't claim their deck.  Then I strolled over to Rachel Pollack who had some of her stunningly gorgeous and powerful priestess necklaces out.  I looked at them and immediately felt myself drawn to one.  It was lovely with an image of a leopard (or maybe a cheetah) mother with her cubs.  The stones on the necklace included carnelian, strawberry quartz other warm, glowing stones (Rachel actually gave me a card that lists them all but now I can't find it).  As soon as I touched it, I knew it had to be mine.  I claimed my prize and picked up a copy of Rachel's new book of poetry as well.  Then I moved on to Joanna's table.  I was enthralled with her Tarot amulets.  There were several that I liked but I ended up getting two - a Fool amulet decorated with pale green and yellow beads and a Lovers amulet with pale red and orange beads.  The colors of the beads drew me more than the image on the amulet, but how appropriate that the Fool and Lovers showed up.  It was very appropriate in light of some of the conversations I had been having with folks.

Then I ran into Gavin who showed me his breath-taking copy of Ciro's new deck - Legacy of the Divine Tarot.  Once I was able to stop drooling I dragged myself over to Ciro's table and pick up the set which included the deck, a book and a print.  I love the feel of the cards.  They are matte and have a very smooth texture to them.  The artwork is just stunning.  It was especially great to learn that Nattacia was the inspiration for the Queen of Cups.  I spotted Ellen and Lou and spent a few moments chatting with them.  After a while I realized I had to get out of the ballroom before I bankrupted myself.  I strolled around the mezzanine and lobby area just catching up with friends both old and new.  A group of AT folks was getting together for dinner in the restaurant but I decided to hold off a bit.

After the evening workshop ended I once again relentlessly harassed Bob and was able to get my Vampire Tarot along with a copy of Bob's Annotated Guide to the Tarot of the Seven-fold Mysteries.  Then I met up with Ellen, Lou and Teresa and joined them for dinner.  The conversation got very interesting when Ellen and Teresa started talking about questions they would not answer.  Each had gotten some really intense ones and I'm sure dealing with them was nerve-wracking.  The food was good and the company wonderful.

After that we repaired to the little sitting area outside the bar and hung out with Cheryl, Corrine and Dan (who were kind and generous enough to bring wine).  So we sat there hanging out and catching up with folks who strolled by us.  After a few hours we were all tired and headed to our rooms.  I was just so wired that I couldn't get to sleep right away so I decided to check my email and stuff.  Then I finally hit the hay.

As I ponder this first day back amongst my Tarot Tribe, I realize how appropriate the Brother of Wands truly was.  It was a time of newness and excitement; a time of making new friends or reconnecting with old friends in a way that seemed new.  There was love and laughter and welcome in every aspect of the room.  It was a time of joy and celebration; a sense of being happy just to be with each other.  Egos were left at the door as we all approached this even wide-eyed and full of hope and happiness.  It truly was a time out of time where we could just enjoy being with each other.