by
~*~Velvet
Angel ~*~
Medicine
Woman Tarot
This
deck is a good choice for self-exploration, self-healing, and personal
growth.
by
~*~Velvet
Angel ~*~
Medicine
Woman Tarot
This
deck is a good choice for self-exploration, self-healing, and personal
growth.
The Medicine Woman Tarot
The Medicine Woman Inner
Guidebook: A Woman's Guide To Her Unique Power
© 1991 Carol Bridges
This deck is not just another Native American style deck. Instead, it's all about feminine empowerment. In traditional Tarot imagery, the cards are dominated by masculine figures, but in this deck, there is a predominance of female figures. Author Carol Bridges honors the Medicine Path through this deck, which is the Native American way of healing and restoring balance. It's not a deck that is strictly for women, because the author feels that men can also find renewal in working with the feminine energy of this deck. The deck is geared toward women, although it's certainly not a biased deck to prohibit men from working with the deck and gaining something of value from their experience with the cards.
The main images of the cards are set in a round motive on each card with other decorative elements or parts of the main image that also extend outside the circle. The suits of the cards have been renamed to fit the theme of this deck. Bowls are the suit of Cups, Arrows are Wands, Pipes are Swords, and Stones are Pentacles or Coins in the Medicine Woman Tarot structure. Additionally, the colored borders of the cards reflect which suit the card is in. The suit of Bowls features a blue border, the suit of Arrows has a green border, Pipes has a pink border, and the Stone suit features a purple border. The Major Arcana cards all have a peach-colored border.
The court cards have all been renamed as well. They are Exemplar (King), Power Lodge (Queen), Totem (Knight), and Apprentice (Page). Every card in this deck is fully illustrated, including the pip cards. I think the book and cards can actually be purchase separately, but it's always nice (at least for me) to have the companion book to a set of cards if a book is available. This deck has a full companion book, and you can purchase the cards and book as a set.
The art of the cards is not extravagant, but still quite pleasing. I get a warm feeling in looking at the images. There is no "doom and gloom" kind of feeling for any of the cards. There are a few cards with very minimal nudity, but that is the case with almost all types of decks. And in this deck, the few cards that do have nudity feel as though the subject of the cards is in a setting that would make it natural to be free of clothes - which can also portray the idea of one having nothing to hide but is living in purity and innocence. It's a very comfortable and relaxed deck for both reader and seeker and alike.
I think this deck is an excellent choice for self-exploration and personal growth versus using it for divining questions. It can be used for divination, but I just find that it works so nicely for self-illumination on one's personal journey.
The images in the cards show tribal settings, but the overall theme is not specific to a certain tribe or culture. One might naturally expect this deck to focus solely on the Native American culture, but instead it feels like more of a blend from past history, modern day, and the future. The creator refers to it as "tribes of the future" where humanity can blend elements learned from past cultures and experiences into their present day world. Some of the tribal scenes appear to be modern. Some of the people in the cards also wear modern clothes. You will find characters in the deck which can be identified with Native American or tribal history . . . and you'll also find people of other races in the cards. I really like this deck, because it can fit into a multi-cultural category that pays homage to the human race no matter what culture or background a person comes from. Red, yellow, black, or white -- it's all a part of the Medicine Woman Tarot. I feel that no one gets left out of this special theme. It's a very refreshing blend that sets this deck apart from many others.
A few people might misinterpret a deck with the word "Medicine" in it as something that can take the place of a medical doctor. This is absolutely not true and is not the intention of this deck, nor any other deck that has the word "Medicine" or "Healing" contained in its title. The concepts of "self-healing" refer to an inner level of healing related to spirituality and personal growth. It touches upon feelings, emotions, attitude, and one's outlook -- NOT medical healing. So if you are reading this and are new to the concepts for this or new to the Tarot . . . don't misunderstand the intentions of what healing refers to on a spiritual basis. Neither this deck nor any other deck or book can help you heal a broken bone or some internal health problem that requires the attention of a medical doctor!
The cards are a perfect shuffling size at 2-5/8" x 4-1/4", but they are a bit stiff when they are new, so after some use they can be gently broken in. They have a smooth matte finish, so there are no cards that stick together; they're just rather stiff in their newness.
I would especially recommend this deck to women or anyone who likes a feminine deck, whether Native American or another heritage. I would also recommend the Medicine Tarot to anyone who is looking for a good deck that can be used for self-growth, personal assessment, or spiritual work . . . and of course, I would recommend it to collectors as well. The deck's energy is wise, nourishing, peaceful, graceful, and lovely . . . making it very inviting to anyone who hears its call of gentle wisdom.
Velvet
Angel
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Velvet Angel
Number of Cards in Deck: 78
Size of Cards: 2-5/8" x 4-1/4"
Included with deck: A 21-page instruction booklet and a 239-page guidebook
Major Arcana:
Seed, Resources, Seeker,
Bounty, Command, Peacemaker, Ecstasy, Warrior, Healing,
Guide, Harvest, Balance,
Vision, Sunset, Blend, Trickster, Pierced Shield,
Grandfathers, Grandmothers,
Rebirth, Discernment, Dancer
Suit Names: Pipes (Wands), Bowls (Cups), Arrows (Swords), Stones (Pentacles)
Court Cards: Exemplar (King), Lodge (Queen), Totem (Knight), Apprentice (Page)
Back Design of Cards:
 |
 MEDICINE
WOMAN TAROT
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