If you like cats … or tarot readings … or grand surroundings … or perhaps all three, it may be in your cards to spend Feb. 23 at the Mary Stegmaier Mansion in Wilkes-Barre.
During a “Tarot For Tabby’s” fund-raiser, held to benefit the Rescue Warriors Cat Rescue, tarot reader Bill Reap will spend the evening giving “mini-readings” to as many attendees as possible.
“I like all animals and I believe in anyone who wants to take the time to help animals and find them homes,” said Reap, of Lehman Township, himself an owner of three dogs.
The West Pittston-based Rescue Warriors are dedicated to rescuing and fostering cats and, founder Michelle Demich said, “Last year we found good homes for 99 animals.”
“We‘re fussy about where we place them; we don’t put them just anywhere,” said Demich, whose organization wants to make sure people who adopt their cats keep them indoors, provide veterinary care and, if they rent, have permission from their landlord to own a pet.
Proceeds from the $50-per-person “Tarot For Tabby’s” event will help the Rescue Warriors purchase food, litter and veterinary care for the cats they foster until they can find homes for them.
While you’re there, you may be chosen by lottery to have Reap read tarot cards for you.
“Tarot is your life story,” Reap said. “It shows where you’ve been, where you are and where you’re going.”
Admitting that some people find the images on traditional tarot cards scary, Reap said, “I don’t use a traditional deck anymore. I’m big on wolf sanctuaries and I use a deck that has wolves on it.”
That said, he explained you don’t have to be afraid of the cards, no matter what kind of image they feature.
“Not everything’s at face value,” he explained. “People see the ‘tower card’ and get all worried because lightning is hitting it but that’s regeneration. And the ‘death card’ (traditionally identified by a skeleton) just means change.”
So, what kind of topics come up in a tarot reading?
“It could be anything,” said Reap, who started learning about tarot cards from his grandmother when he was about 11.
“People could be looking for confirmation about something going on in their lives. A lot of people do look for (a message from a departed loved one) specifically. Some are thinking about starting a business.”
“Once I gave a reading for a gentleman and I told him ‘I see you doing something with ‘valor,’ and he said ‘my wife is starting an outreach organization for veterans called Valor.”
“The tarot becomes more of a road map,” Reap said.
Reap, who does readings all over the country and is also a paranormal investigator, said he’s looking forward to reading at the mansion. “The place is absolutely beautiful. I love the solarium.”
While the Tarot Tabby organizers suggested he read cards for 10 or 15 guests, Reap said he wants to “do my best to do way more than that.”
“Then I’ll be very tired for a few days afterward,” he said, admitting readings can be taxing.
The “Tarot for Tabby’s” event also will include a basket raffle, with all proceeds going to Rescue Warriors’ “significant vet bill.”
On Feb. 23, the doors to the Mary Stegmaier Mansion will open at 3:30 p.m. Crudites and cocktails from the cash bar will begin at 4 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner that includes Caesar salad, Chicken Tuscany with artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes in a white wine sauce; shrimp scampi over rice pilaf, pork tenderloin with Madeira wine sauce, penne pasta with basil Alfredo sauce, green beans with pecan butter and dessert.
The readings will be private and will start at 4 p.m.
If you are interested in attending, call Maureen at 570-332-4250 to secure your reservation.
