Deck by Ted Andrews
© 1999 Published by Andrews' Dragon Hawk Publishing

This is the Animal-Wise Tarot deck by Ted Andrews.  To me, the name is somewhat of a "misnomer," because in addition to various animals, there are also images of birds, butterflies, snakes, reptiles, mammals, and insects.  I think I would have called it the "Nature-Wise" or "Nature Wisdom" deck instead.  However, it's still an appealing deck for anyone who likes animals AND nature.  Just know that you're not going to be getting all furry creatures with this deck ;-)   You'll find a variety of life forms in this deck that are found in nature.

In this deck, Ted Andrews has combined his knowledge of the ways of animals (and the other living things of nature) with the traditional themes and structures of the Tarot.  Each card shows a photograph of an "animal" whose nature matches the card's meaning.  The photographic images show the real life setting for the animals.

The cards are a pale lilac color inset with a reddish-purple border.  On this border an oval is inset that includes the "animal" photo framed within the border.  The back design of the cards is the dragon logo for Dragon Hawk Publishing which is done in a three-layer effect.  The title of each card is noted at the top, a keyword at the bottom, and the name of the "animal" is on both sides of the border.

The accompanying book is an attractive volume.  General text layout is in columns on the pages with wide margins where you can make notes if you wanted to.  It's also in these margins where Andrews has placed pictures, comments, and points of emphasis, etc.  But there is also plenty of additional room for adding your own notes.  This guidebook offers two pages on each card with both upright and reversed meanings . . . as well as questions to ask yourself when each card appears.  I think this "Questions to Ask" section is a helpful one in gaining the meaning of the card.  It will make a person think about the card and how it relates to them personally.  In addition, you will find 5 Tarot spreads and some tips by Ted Andrews on becoming a psychic counselor as well as what to look for in a psychic counselor.

This is an easy-to-read deck, as all cards are labeled with the traditional Tarot name, the animal name, and a key phrase.  It's interesting to compare traditional meanings with the animal meanings for the cards.  It's definitely a deck that can work well with children, and it's a nice deck for animal and nature lovers!  Ted Andrews, creator of this deck, is an internationally recognized author, storyteller, teacher, mystic, and wildlife expert.

Okay, so maybe I don't personally like snakes, insects, and yucky worms . . . LOL . . . but this is still an attractive deck that works!  I do enjoy using it, and if I can get past the snakes and such, anyone can!  Each animal or other "being of nature" was put on the card for a reason, and the book will explain what each represents.

This is a Tarot system which can be used with no prior experience, however, serious Tarot students will also want to have a standard Tarot deck as well, in order to learn the true Tarot structures and the foundations for the symbolism and its meanings.  Anyone familiar with Tarot can use this deck to gain further insights.

Velvet Angel

Number of Cards in Deck: 78 cards (22 Major/56 Minor)
There is also a blank card included for those who like having this additional card available.

Size of Cards:  3" x 4-3/4"
Standard size; thin and flexible cardstock

Included with deck: LWB (Little White Book)

Major Arcana: The Major Arcana have been assigned the following animals:
Fool - Coyote - Wisdom
Magician - Fox - Blessings and Magic Afoot
High Priestess - Spider - Intuition and Weaving of Fate
Empress - Dolphin - Creativity, Fertility and New Promise
Emperor - Eagle - Vision, Power and Healing
Hierophant - White Crane - Longevity, Honour and Spiritual Justice
Lovers - Bee - Fertility and Spiritual Choice
Chariot - Horse - Movement and Balance
Strength - Lion - Strength of Will from the Inner Sun
Hermit - Owl - Silent Wisdom, Vision and Guidance
Wheel of Fortune - Bear - Heeding the Inner Voice and Inner Rhythms
Justice - Elephant - Ancient Powers of Justice at Work
Hanged One - Bat - New Truths and Perceptions
Death - Snake - Shedding the Old and Resurrection
Temperance - Swan - New Dreams and New Realms
Devil - Raven - Light into Dark and Shapeshifters
Tower - Vulture - Life, Death and Rebirth, New Vision
Star - Firefly - Spiritual Inspiration and Hope
Moon - Wolf - Intuitive Guidance and Guardianship
Sun - Humming Bird - Joy, Dreams and Accomplishments
Judgement - Whale - New Depths of Creativity
World - Turtle/Mother Earth - New Opportunities

Suit Names:
Shapeshifters - Cups (Insects)
Ancients - Wands (Reptiles and Amphibians)
Winged Ones -Swords (Birds)
Four-Leggeds - Pentacles (Mammals)

Court Cards:  King, Queen, Knight, Page

Back Design of Cards:

THE ANIMAL-WISE TAROT

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