Annnndddd my New Tarot Apprentice is:

I ran my Tarot Apprentice contest a few years ago and ended up with the dream apprentice, Hilary Parry.  After a year of working closely together, I’ve watched Hilary grow by leaps ‘n bounds.  From putting up her first website, to teaching her first workshop at The Reader’s Studio, she did not disappoint.

It was time for me to seek a new Tarot Apprentice.

I have a mission to help young tarot readers transition into professionals.  I want them to see tarot as a viable career option.  And I want them to have the support that I didn’t have when I started out (my “official” career began at age 28 – and there was zero help available at the time).

This year, the applicants were  skilled ‘n ambitious – and I had a hell of a time making a decision.  I hemmed and hawed.  I went back and looked at applications again and again.  I read and reread the assignments.  I checked out websites.  I reached out to my wise counsel (Bri Saussy, Hilary Parry, Donnaleigh de la Rose, Georgianna Boehnke, Dyana Valentine, Joanna Powell Colbert, Jill Campana and my lil sis).  I circled back around a few that I thought might needed a second and third glance.  Many tarot cards were tossed.

And after that long deliberation, the winner is:  Paige Zaferiou.  Paige is a true tarot talent (I’ve even featured her before on my Talkin’ Tarot with series) and a super cool + unique tarot voice.  Paige will get a year’s mentoring with yours truly as we polish her star to the next level.  Congrats to Paige!  I cannot wait to begin working with you!

And there’s a twist this year.  I’m all about growing a legacy of young readers helping other young readers step forward as a pro. In that spirit, my former apprentice, Hilary Parry, will also be working with one lucky winner for a year.  This will help Hilary grow her mentoring skills and give one other young tarot talent a hand up.  (I’ll be in the background like a tarot version of Professor Charles Francis Xavier, assisting both on this exciting journey.)  Who’s the winner of that surprise prize?  Amelia Quint, the megawatt star behind The Midheaven.  

Both of these young readers are standouts – but  so were the other applicants.  In fact, this year’s crop was undeniably ready for prime time.  The future of tarot is very, very bright, my friends.

If you’re a seasoned reader, I’d love you to reach out and help your younger peers too.  After all, we are in this together and supporting each other is essential.  Reach out, teach, support, and encourage!  Help other stars to shine to their full potential.  It’s the best feeling in the world, I kid you not.

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”  ~ Benjamin Franklin

Blessings!

Theresa

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2014

PS: a special note to male tarot readers – I had not ONE male apply this year.  Where are the young male tarot readers?  I am looking for you guys so I can help you too. Find me.  🙂