I felt embarrassed to meet Mary Greer and Rachel Pollack without having had the chance to read their major books. And, I really made no secret about it. To me, it seems like if I am going to a conference for serious tarot folk, then it’s almost disrespectful not to have read the big names. I know it’s all in my head–it’s my issue and not theirs. But that’s what makes it important to me!

At least I knew in advance what they looked like, so I didn’t have a conversation like this:

Me: Hi there, I’m Richard.

Super Famous Author: Hi, nice to meet you.

Me: So, do you do this professionally?

Super Famous Author: Actually, I’m a super-famous author.

Me: gluurghh *impales himself on nearest sharp object*

So anyway, I’m happy to say that I got over my issues on the last day, just in time to speak to both of them a little at lunch. And of course they were both great to talk to. And, I am pretty sure I can read faster than they can write, so next year this will not be an issue at all.

But before that, I took lots of pictures of them at a distance. Rachel was easy to catch in frame, since she usually sat at a table between me and the stage. So, I could take a picture of the presenter and get her photo in the process. Mary was a bit more elusive, but I got several pictures over the course of the conference. In this one, I think she noticed I had my phone pointed at her. Oops! Every stalker’s nightmare…

Every time he got near the stage, there was applause and people chanted his name. I think he was really touched by the reception he got.

…causing Rachel to spin around to grab her notebook in a blur of action. Whatever he said grabbed her attention!

…at the start of the last day.

People greet and hug as Ruth Ann looks victorious.

This was my favorite part of the readers studio. Carolyn Guss of www.tarotmuse.com gave a presentation all about the Seven of Cups. It was engaging, and funny, and informative. I made sure I gushed about it to Ruth Ann and Wald later, because I want to see more from her if at all possible.

What a horribly out-of-focus picture. Sorry, but that was the best I could do with my iphone.

[edit: Ok, well how about this picture, instead. It was taken by Beth Owl's Daughter. You can tell by the way it's in focus, and zoomed in appropriately....

]

Sound was a real issue during the whole conference, but we got by.

Here we have Rachel Pollack asking a question. Too bad the camera chose to focus on the audience rather than the presenters. Oh well!

Incidentally, I liked her question quite a bit… it’s something that’s been on my mind lately. Just because something has four parts, that doesn’t necessarily mean it maps well to the four tarot suits (or at least not the RWS minors anyway). For instance I think it’s interesting to ponder the differences between Yetzirah and Ruach, and whether they both really map to the swords cards in a way that’s usefully congruent with the symbolism and imagery on the cards. Also, I’ve seen the four worlds mapped to the tree of life, but I’ve also seen four overlapping worlds mapped to overlapping trees of life. I think the second way seems clearer and more “right.” Then again, I’ve also seen a viewpoint that says that all of the minors are contained in each major, for a total of 22 x 56 = 1232 shades of meaning in the minors. And perhaps each major is contained in each of the four worlds, leading to 4 x 22 x 56 = 4928 shades of meaning in the cards. I don’t know enough to have a firm opinion on all these things. Yet. But it’s certainly not as simple as mapping any four things you want (food groups, for instance) to the suits and it automatically being useful.

Lots of interest in the various vendors!