BAck from Tarot Heaven-Toronto Tarot Symposium

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 20 Jul 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

lawguy51	20 Jul 2003
Sit back and relax, this is going to be a long one. I know we were all joking last week about how jealous everyone was of my good fortune to have the opportunity to spend two weekends with Rachel Pollack and Mary Greer, but for me, it has turned into something far beyond my wildest expectations. Let me just say that, if last week was high school, then this weekend was university. Whereas last week I was surrounded with students I would consider beginners or at my somewhat intermediate level (if I may be so bold), this week I was surrounded by worldwide authorities, professional readers, practitioners with years of experience, and of course had the delight of spending more time with Mary and Rachel. So let me just walk you through the weekend to give you a taste of my extraordinary 3 days in my own home town. Friday night: I walked into a university meeting room to 4 or 5 banquet-type tables with numerous people sitting around, but not too many. I spotted Mary Greer sitting at a table and as I approached she saw me and said to the table "Well ask Steven about the Omega Institute, he was just there taking our ourse." Talk about instant credibility! I settled down next to a remarkable woman who everyone seemed to revere for the deck she had created. Her name is Ellen Lorenzi-Prince and her unpublished deck (although several people at the conference had her home-made version, including the host, James Wells) is called Tarot of the Crone. You can view it at www.croneways.com. She was lovely to talk to and I felt quite disarmed and comfortable. Soon Rachel sat down and I was next introduced to Tom Tadfor Little, a nuclear physicist from New Mexico who also happens to be the co-author of Mary Greer's next book on the Court Cards. All of the presenters got up on a small podium and introduced themselves and what their talk would be about during the weekend. One of the organizers, Amy, who was to do a presentation on Numerology, actually introduced me to the audience as a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada for whom she worked. I was feeling pretty darn cool! Saturday: OK, those of you Golden Dawn fans are going to love his. After browsing at least 70 decks that were for sale, we all sat in a circle. James Wells announced to the crowd that he wanted to do something different. He said, "You know, we always talk about the Golden Dawn but we never do anything. So this morning we are going to kick of the Symposium with a Golden Dawn ritual." Now I know didley about the Golden Dawn but it was very cool. 4 of the presenters, including Ms. Greer, partook in the invocation after we did a group meditation. Mary started it off invoking what I believe were points on the Tree of Life. It sent chills down my spine. She sang these Hebrew words off her tongue, and the otherwise demure, soft spoken woman was now transformed before my eyes into a high priestess. Everything about her, her posture, her eyes, her voice commanded my full attention. After the 4 had finished they circled us and were doing something I have never seen before but I'm sure one of you will explain it to me. As they walked, when they hit a compass point they would dive forward with the arms and then come up and put an index finger to their lips. It was an unbelieveable experience. Then we all drew a card after asking for guidance during the symposium (something like that) and I drew the Queen of Cups which I thought meant that I should trust my intuition during the weekend. We then meditated on our own card, entered the card as many of us have done...anyway, you get the idea of how special this ceremony must have been. Mary was the first speaker. She spoke for an hour and a half on interactive readings and the traps and situations to avoid during a reading. Utterly fascinating. Let me give you her number one rule: You don't have to fix anything for anybody, your client will come up with their own solutions. After lunch, local reader/teacher Bev Haskins led a fascinating seminar on archtypes in stories and how the best stories (Harry Potter, Star Wars, etc.) go through the same stages and that the major arcana does the same. I can fill those interested in on this in another post. Then came some free time. And the most exciting part of the weekend for me. I was sitting with three people I had met. Two of them were very experienced part-time professional readers, one was brand new but I had instantly sensed that she was highly intuitve and me. Jeff said, let's do a reading. Sarah, the newbie said she'd never had her cards read. Jeff and Georgiana said, well you have to have your cards read and then said, Steven, you do the reading. I declined. No way I was going to do a reading in front of these two. Well, we had our cards on the table and Sarah picked mine so the other two said, it's your reading. Sarah didn't have a question so I decided, what the hell, and announced that I would use a spread by an extremely knowledgeable, witty, professional and great looking guy named Umbrae, Umbrae's Horseshoe! OK, ok, but I did say he was extremelly knowledgeable. Now what possessed me to use such a complicated spread I don't know, except, as I've told Umbrae on several occassions, it's a spread that just works for me. The two readers were fascinated with the concept of the two card draw at each position. I won't go into details of the spread, but as we went from position to position, I would lead off with my interpretation, then the other two would add to it and we would get into wonderful discussions with Sarah on the cards in that position and how they related to cards in other positions. It was a mind-blowing experience. I think it took us an hour and half to complete the reading. I would have paid the admission fee just for that hour and a half. Jeff had a way of dealing directly with the pictures (we were using my Universal Waite deck) that was fascinating. But I held my own with the pros and Sarah was an amazing querant, so inquisitive and giving and open. Then came Paul Hughes-Barlow from Brighton, UK. He's a well known tarot reader and palmist and has a book coming out on elementary dignitaries. His talk was a bit over my head but fascinating nonetheless. He has this system using numerology and dignitaries where he reads what he calls strings of cards. Then we had a break, then dinner together then home for the night. What a day! Sunday, today, started with almost two hours from Rachel Pollack on the Forest of Souls. I'll leave you with a tidbit. She told us of a Hebrew word for paradise, PRDS. she turned it into an acronym for studying a card, Pshat-literal, Renez, intellectual, Drash- a wider understanding and Sod - mystical understanding. She said that the literal picture can take you straight to the mystical, but if you leave off the literal and mystical meanings, then all you end up with is Research and Development (R&D, get it!). Well, it was funny when she said it! There were several other talks today that I won't go into. The symposium ended with us standing in a circle, invoking another protective circle. We drew a card, created an affirmation, then turned to the person on the left and individually gave that person the affirmation as a blessing to that person. The one given to me sent chills up and down my entire body. Then we took pictures, hugged, exchanged emails and the symposium was over. So that's it. I talked up Aeclectic with everybody. Mary seemed the most interested and I explained that she didn't have to be a subscriber to post, just register. Cross your fingers! Oh, I almost forgot, I was standing by the card and book booth and Mary came up as I was eyeing her Tarot Mirrors book. "Oh", she said, "that one is going out of print soon". I had noticed her signing a bunch of her books earlier and then noticed that she had signed this one. "Well", I said, "If it's going out of print and you've signed it, I'll just have to buy it", to which she said, "I can personalize it for you, I have the same coloured pen right here". What she added was, "To Steven, Student and Friend". OK, now I've overdone it! I also gave both Mary and Rachel a signed copy of my novel which they seemed thrilled to receive. Rachel asked if she'd see me next weekend and I said I couldn't afford to spend any more time with them for a while! I got big hugs from both ladies and left. So, since I've now got you all the colour of green, remember that picture I posted last week of myself...Mary and Rachel. Well, take a look at it now.....! Lawguy51 :D

lawguy51	20 Jul 2003
Hope the picture attaches to this one

lawguy51	20 Jul 2003
ok, one last try to attach the picture. OK, I'm having technical troubles. I got last week's picture signed by Mary and Rachel. I have become such a groupie!!

Ruby7	20 Jul 2003
Wow lawguy! It was really interesting to hear about your weekend. I will have to make it to the Toronto Tarot Symposium sometime (I live in Ottawa and have friends in Toronto), I'm assuming it is a yearly event, so maybe next year. Thanks for sharing your experience, Ruby7

Alissa	20 Jul 2003
What a **fabulous** tale! I loved reading every minute of it, and I only managed to hold back my raging jealousy with my happiness at how much you gained from it all. Again and again, thank you for coming back and sharing such wonderful experiences with us all here. p.s. between you and I, lawguy, I second your Umbrae comment ;)

Mimers	21 Jul 2003
Wow, Lawguy! That is so awsome! I am really happy for you. Thanks for sharing all of the details with us. I imagine you will have a lot more to share as time goes by. I am also glad you are out of your dry spell. Everything happens for a reason. Take care, Mimi

Cerulean	21 Jul 2003
I've also run into Ellen L-P. at two recent symposiums and she is a very encouraging, kindly and talented person...and completely nice to know. I'm very glad that you went and got Tarot Mirrors as well. It's fun to read your thoughts about this and confirmation on upcomng books. Paul Bellows on Elemental Dignataries and Tom Tadforlittle/Mary Greer's Court Cards are books that I'm glad to know about--so thank you very much. Any other topics about the symposium, I'll be glad to read. Thank you, Mari_hoshizaki

Umbrae	21 Jul 2003
...wow...

Major Tom	21 Jul 2003
Wow indeed! Thanks for sharing with us. I do hope your plugs for Aeclectic bear some fruit. :smoker:

Silverlotus	21 Jul 2003
Wow. I wanted to go to the symposium so badly, but I didn't dare spend the money on it. Now I wish I had gone. *sigh* So envious! :P

Astraea	21 Jul 2003
Lawguy, how absolutely wonderful. To go from the "tarot doldrums" of a few weeks ago to this simultaneous harvest and seedtime of experiences seems to me a sure signpost that you're tracking beautifully with your lifepath! The dipping and putting fingers-to-lips during the Golden Dawn ceremony might have had something to do with the magical injunction: "To Know, to dare, to will, to keep silent."

soiitaire	21 Jul 2003
Hey there Mr. Lawguy! We met in Toronto and I have to agree with your assessment of the conference. I was Ellen Lorenzi Prince's traveling companion from NJ. I just put her on a train and now I'm back at work. GRRR The conference was truly wonderful and we loved Toronto. I've never been to Toronto but plan to go back real soon. Your city is beautiful! I'm also floating on air, even if a bit tired! James and Amy did a great job pulling everything together. The location was perfect, the speakers truly amazing, the meals delish, and the other attendees were all fascinating and excellent company. To me 1/2 of the fun is catching up with old tarot buddies and making new friends. I enjoyed meeting you and hope to see you next year! Soiitaire aka Brigit..

anjocoxo	21 Jul 2003
Why do I have to live in this country, why can't I live in Toronto???? (I'm so envious, snifff,snifff) Thanks for sharing that with us, what a fantastic experience it must have been. Anjo

lawguy51	21 Jul 2003
Quote: Originally posted by soiitaire Hey there Mr. Lawguy! We met in Toronto and I have to agree with your assessment of the conference. I enjoyed meeting you and hope to see you next year! Soiitaire aka Brigit.. Hi Soiitaire. Gee I searched and searched for a fellow Aeclectician (new word!) and couldn't find one. And there you were! Well, I'm still reeling from the weekend. Today was kind of hard to take. And you're right, the people were what made the event. Hope to see you there next year. Boy, am I ever glad I said nice things about Ellen in my post!!!! :) Lawguy51

Jeanette	21 Jul 2003
Well, as we used to say as kids where I came from, "Oooooh, you LUCKY STIFF!" I don't know how that saying originated, but it conveys the feeling perfectly! Please share more.......

amyel	21 Jul 2003
Lawguy, what a FANTASTIC (to be read with the same drawn out voice as the lotto for life commericials - you Ontarians know what I mean!) experience! I really enjoy raeding about your weekends - feel free to share even more!

Melvis	21 Jul 2003
What a wonderful weekend you had, Lawguy! It sounds like you were able to immerse yourself in the world of tarot for a couple weeks. (Why yes, I am turning a lovely shade of olive green at the moment!) :D Maybe I'll get to one of the Tarot conferences one of these days. Perhaps by 2005 I'll be over my whole flying phobia and I'll be able to attend the Australian event! (Yeah, I dream big! ;) ) Thanks for sharing your experiences! Peace, Melvis :TSTRE

isthmus nekoi	22 Jul 2003
Sounded excellent lawguy, thanks for sharing :) Are there any plans to hold this again next year?

soiitaire	22 Jul 2003
[quote]Originally posted by lawguy51 [b]Hi Soiitaire. Gee I searched and searched for a fellow Aeclectician (new word!) and couldn't find one. And there you were! Well, I'm still reeling from the weekend. Today was kind of hard to take. And you're right, the people were what made the event. Hope to see you there next year. Boy, am I ever glad I said nice things about Ellen in my post!!!! :) Hi Lawguy! I'm a rather new Aeclectic member. I think I'm up to a total of 10 posts. :) Truthfully, I can't believe I've missed out on the Aeclectic forum this all these years. I belong to other yahoo tarot groups, but seem to have missed out on all this great information. I've always enjoyed Aeclectics' deck updates. I know I'LL be back next year:) :) We all have busy lives and sometimes can be short on cash and/or time. I'm always making excuses like that, but after this event, I've decided it's really important to MAKE the time to do these things. I'm THAT much richer for it. Although tired, I'm still glowing. Who sleeps at these things? I had an absolutely fabulous time. Toronto is a beautiful city. James and Amy and several others as well as the staff at the venue took EXTREMELY good care of us and made us feel warm and welcome. It was fun meeting so many new interesting people, meet people face to face for the first time who I've chatted with on some of the lists!!! and also catch up with friends made at other conferences. There's a part of it that reminds me of that Alan Alda movie, Same Time Next Year. When we meet it's one big gab fest and we take up where we left off. All of the presenters were outstanding and spent quite a bit of time mingling with us before and after their presentations. The staff at the venue were exceptional and the food was terrific. Even the long drive up and back with Ellen Lorenzi Prince and Debbie, a tarot buddy from NY, was immensely enjoyable. I was able to listen to Ellen talk more about her wonderful Tarot of the Crone and her take on the dark goddesses. Hecate and Kali look completely different to me. And Debbie is a plethora of information on anything and everything related to tarot. :) My only complaint is why didn't I take yesterday off from work I'm STILL so tired. soiitaire aka Brigit ;)

lawguy51	25 Jul 2003
[quote]Originally posted by isthmus nekoi Sounded excellent lawguy, thanks for sharing :) Are there any plans to hold this again next year? [/QUOTE Yes, the intention is to make it an annual event. Lawguy51

lawguy51	25 Jul 2003
Quote: Hi Lawguy! I'm a rather new Aeclectic member. I think I'm up to a total of 10 posts. :) Truthfully, I can't believe I've missed out on the Aeclectic forum this all these years. I belong to other yahoo tarot groups, but seem to have missed out on all this great information. I've always enjoyed Aeclectics' deck updates. I know I'LL be back next year:) :) Hi Soiitare. I've been away for a few days so I didn't see your post. Well it's a week later and I'm still in the throes of Tarot heaven. I just came back from 4 days at the cottage where I immersed myself in The Shining Tribe (book and cards). I didn't think I would take to it but it's really growing on me. Keep those posts coming! There are amazing people in this forum and a plethora of knowledge, opinion and humour. :D Lawguy51

full deck	26 Jul 2003
Quote: I settled down next to a remarkable woman who everyone seemed to revere for the deck she had created. Her name is Ellen Lorenzi-Prince and her unpublished deck (although several people at the conference had her home-made version, including the host, James Wells) is called Tarot of the Crone. You can view it at www.croneways.com. I took a peak. It's interesting and has some delightfully insightful comments on some of the cards. Her "Death" card is some of the most profound symbolism I have seen in a long time. I can understand why she has gained some appreciation.

isthmus nekoi	26 Jul 2003
Quote: Originally posted by lawguy51 Yes, the intention is to make it an annual event. Oh, that sounds great ^_^

Gerbear	26 Jul 2003
Quote: Originally posted by lawguy51 I settled down next to a remarkable woman who everyone seemed to revere for the deck she had created. Her name is Ellen Lorenzi-Prince and her unpublished deck (although several people at the conference had her home-made version, including the host, James Wells) is called Tarot of the Crone. You can view it at www.croneways.com. Lawguy51 :D Ellen is presently planning to stop at the 100 decks which are already committed. If there is enough interest, she may consider doing more or seeking a publisher. Several of her friends are trying to convince her. I don't have mine yet, but having seen a friend's copy it is a wondeful and insightful deck.

lawguy51	26 Jul 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Gerbear Ellen is presently planning to stop at the 100 decks which are already committed. If there is enough interest, she may consider doing more or seeking a publisher. Several of her friends are trying to convince her. I don't have mine yet, but having seen a friend's copy it is a wondeful and insightful deck. I know she has 'shopped' the deck to a few publishers but no bites yet. I'm confident someone will publish it. At least I got to go through her very own deck while she stood next to me and explained some of the cards!! Oops, there I go again, getting carried away.... Lawguy51 p.s. yea, 400 posts, 100 more to go!

The BAck from Tarot Heaven-Toronto Tarot Symposium thread was originally posted on 20 Jul 2003 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.