First, I want to apologize for my extended absence. I am excited to say I am starting a new career path, and have gone back to school. This is why the topic of this post is so apropos--I feel like I've got the Page of Wands on my side :)
The beautiful Page of Wands is the perfect companion for reaching goals. Also known as the Princess of Wands, she is the youthful, feminine aspect of Fire energy. This is an exuberant, friendly energy. It makes me think of the sign of Leo--fun, playful, perhaps even flamboyant, but also very committed and motivated.
The bright red hair Mary Guinan gave the Princess of Wands for Julian De Burgh's Celtic Deck is loose and flows to her shoulders, indicating passion and freedom. She stares into the strong, steady flame of her torch, studying the living colors and kinetic energy. Since this is the Page/Princess, and thus is a "youthful" energy, its appearance in a reading may indicate that the potential of a fledgling idea.
Like the Princess of Wands in the Celtic Deck, the Princess of Staves for Kris Waldherr's Goddess Deck shows the goddess, Freyja, with long, free-flowing red hair. Instead of a torch, she carries a thick staff with sprouting leaves. This symbolizes the fertility of the imagination, and Freyja is a creative fertility goddess. The Fire energy I feel from this card is warm and encouraging, like the sunshine on growing plants. Freyja, a member of the Norse Vanir, may be the goddess of fertility and beauty, but she is also a warrior goddess. This reminds us of the dualistic nature of fire itself; this necessary, beautiful element is dangerous and destructive. Nowhere is this duality more evident than in the case of certain forest seeds. These seeds can only sprout after a forest fire, as they need intense heat.
Creativity is a messy process. It involves destroying ideas that don't work, destroying first drafts, and raging frustration. The Page of Wands joyful demeanor reminds us that keeping the process play keeps these fires banked and working for us, not out of control.
Robin Wood's Page of Wands is a little girl with long, flowing hair and a row of firecrackers hanging from her belt. When the Page of Wands indicates a person, this person will usually be a young, energetic, fun-loving little girl. Alternately, the person may be a youthful, exuberant adult. This energy is rather androgynous. Whoever this person is, they have tons of potential and are very bright. The little girl on this card has so much enthusiasm and inner glow that the wand she is holding becomes a blazing beacon. The light is strong and pure. The girl is inspired, but she is also a conduit, channeling enthusiasm and inspiration to others. She is a risk-taker, a path-maker, and a leader.
In some readings, it may seem like she is holding a lightning rod, instead of a beacon. The person the card represents attracts luck and abundance through their joie de vivre, their optimism, and their risk-taking. The person this card represents may be a fount of ideas and encouragement. Like all court cards, the Page of Wands may also represent an aspect of the questioner herself.
Okay, this next one is kind of unexpected and esoteric, like many of Barbara G. Walker's cards.
Atargatis is an ancient
Canaanite goddess. Here, she represents the woman as a fearful devourer/castrator of men, with her vagina dentata. At the same time, she is offering her breasts for sustenance. I read this as a metaphor for the dangers and rewards of risk-taking, a specialty of Wands. It could also be read as a metaphor for dysfunctional obsession, sexual or otherwise.
Now, I want to say that I myself believe very strongly in women's empowerment. While I admire Walker's work, I feel that this card alienates male questioners. While it is successful at portraying the negative, Shadow, reversed Princess/Page of Wands, how does this image illustrate the dynamic, joyful, friendly energy of the Page/Princess of Wands?
I do have to give kudos for the marriage of the phallus (seen on the top of Atargatis' head) and the yoni.
Reversed, the Page/Princess of Wands is a person who is impulsive, reckless, manic, and emotionally exhausting, consuming those around them. If appearing in regards to a question about an event, Page of Wands indicates that either the event will not "ignite" or it will burn out of control. Look to the other cards for clues, and trust your intuition.
