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.

The Fradella Page of Staves shows a young hero called Desert Fox dressed in fatigues and standing outside a bunker in a desert.  She hold a short staff in her hand and is calling out to someone.  Her short blonde hair almost seems to match her camouflage costume.  The sky behind her is leaden and gray.  The Page of Wands in the Anna K Tarot shows a young boy dressed in red and light blue standing on a makeshift pedestal and peering over a stone wall.  He holds a staff in his left hand and his right hand grasps the top of the wall as he peeks over to see what awaits outside the wall.

Both cards offer a sense of youthful exuberance and enthusiasm.  Desert Fox is apparently calling to the troops nearby.  Is she calling them to a battle or letting them know that all is safe?  She reminds me of those passionate, enthusiastic and determined young men and women who used to enlist in the military when their country was at war (specifically WWII).  They are so sure of the rightness of their side; confident in their resolve and determination.  This is the hopeful and somewhat naive young adult who charges forward to conquer the world and just doesn't realize how harsh and difficult the world can be.  Sometimes the "right" side doesn't win and sometimes even when you do all the right things, the result is not what you hoped.

The young boy on the Anna K is obviously curious and eager to explore what lies on the other side of that wall.   He has been protected and shielded up to now.  His world and surroundings have made him feel secure and confident.  Failure and struggling are just not part of his reality.  He has probably never experienced fear, worry, want or despair.  I remember feeling this way as a youngster.  I thought I could conquer the world.  I could take on any challenge and emerge victorious.  I remember my arrogance when I first applied for jobs.  I was sure that even without any experience I had the education and smarts to basically run the place.  Looking back now I can smile at that arrogance but at the time I truly believed it.  I have seen youngsters coming up behind me exhibit that same arrogance and confidence and I know they will eventually become wiser and less cocky.  It is part of growing up.

For today, that arrogance and cockiness; that energy and enthusiasm has been a bit tempered.  Maybe the Ace of Swords yesterday has cut some of my ego down to size.  I still have some faith that I will be able to make things better for Smitty and Edward but I have accepted that it might not occur in the way I would like.  I have to accept that those with more experience and knowledge of their needs will need to be consulted with and their advice heeded.  I have peeked over that wall and realize that what lays outside is more than we can handle on our own.  We need reinforcements and being cocky and arrogant isn't the most effective way to recruit them.  It's a bitter pill to swallow but it's also better to do it now so that we can change our approach and get them the help they need.