Some things I noticed about this card... I'm in complete agreement about the tree being an old friend. Her hair mimics the colors of the autumn leaves, and her cloak the wood itself. What's more, the shape of the 'feather' at the end of her chord mimics the shape of the leaves.
I have noticed, as well, that the leaves on the tree's face are different from the rest of the tree. The leaves belonging to the tree itself are individual leaves where the leaves for the face form in a pattern and are shaped differently. I will have to check that with my card at home in order to identify which sacred trees are being represented here. I also noticed that the tree's face is not autumnal at all, but appears to still bear summer foliage. I get the sense that Autumn is only just beginning and we're still a whole season away from winter.
A note about types of trees in this deck... never underestimate the importance of the trees. In the Druid Animal Oracle, the borders of the cards contain a hidden message in ogham. Rather than using the ogham symbols, Worthington used the leaves themselves to spell his message. I believe he's doing the same thing here with tree symbology.
I believe that her cord could be part of an adornment around the waist of her dress. With that in mind, it is probably hand spun and adorned. She doesn't seem too preoccupied with pointless material posessions. She wears her signs of office, the torc, her circlet, etc., but she has no adornment on the fabric of her dress or her cloak. While the Princess of Wands had detailed embroidered trim, a decorative breastplate on her dress, etc., this princess seems different. She is almost the opposite of our Wand Princess. She's anything but impulsive. Her cloak has been blown by the wind and is sliding very low off her left side (our right). She does not break concentration, she continues to ponder, meditate, appreciate, contemplate, etc. From the looks of her hair, the wind off the lake had created a swirl of air around her. She is unshaken and appears very comfortable.
Regarding her feet, it appears as though she is standing on a slope to me. Her toes are pointed somewhat downward and almost look as though they're gripping the earth rather than just resting on it. Autumn might be chill, but she is without shoes or stockings. Is it possible that she has made a conscious decision to forgo these items of comfort in favor of being nearer to the earth? I believe it is. I believe that she is knowledgeable in the skills of meditation and reflection. I get the sense that she's been here before, done this thing over and over again, and that her connection to the land, tree, and seasons is very real.
Everything about her makes me think of softness, gentleness, and wisdom. She is young, but she is not impulsive. She contains all the beauty and wonderment of youth without the recklessness. She knows she isn't invincible, but she appreciates that she is vibrant enough to be empassioned and make a difference. The danger with such an introspective soul is that she may have a greater tendency to ponder how she can make a difference than to take real action. When she matures, I think she'll make a wise and prudent queen who cares deeply about her tribe.
Cyan, I'll put in my vote for small delicious sips.
--Laurelin