Introduction to the Tarot
After more than a third of a century working with the Tarot as a
reader as well as a teacher and student, I have come to know this system
deeply and to respect the cards as an excellent medium for psychic work.
I’ve also come to realize that most books written on the subject are
grossly inadequate as teaching aids.
So, what is the Tarot, anyway? The Tarot is a deck of 78 cards which
is divided into two parts, the Major and Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana is further divided into 4 suits - wands, cups, pentacles and swords -
which represent the elements fire, water, earth and air respectively.
The Major Arcana deals with archetypical energies such as Strength, Justice or Transformation. These are broad abstract philosophical
concepts depicting the macrocosm of the universe, while the Minor Arcana deals
with the more mundane and down to earth affairs of the microcosm.
I tell my clients that a good reading should feel like a confirmation
of their own inner knowing — that is, if they’re fairly conscious. A
few surprises and a-ha experiences are always a nice bonus too. With the
Tarot, one can come to a greater understanding of past, present and future events.
A Tarot reading is done basically by drawing a card or cards from the
deck and placing them in certain patterns or layouts. The reader studies the images and meanings of each card and of the cards’ positions in
the layout. From all this input, with a hearty dose of psychic energy
she synthesizes the message(s).
With few exceptions, most traditional books on the Tarot are racist,
sexist, and classist in their interpretations of the cards and can be
vague in order to further mystify an already mystical art. The veil of
secrecy and the use of “blinds” around the Tarot were not only instituted to keep all but the sincere from penetrating its mysteries but also,
as with other professions, to keep the average person in awe of the abilities of the few adepts.
With the help of this book, anyone who is interested in the Tarot and
willing to put in the effort to study, can learn to be a reader. We are, of course, not all equal in abilities and talents. Not everyone has
the gift of prophecy or is capable of giving counsel— an integral part
of the process. Some of us will quickly become skilled astrologers or
numerologists, while meditation or trance- mediumship may seem impossible for
us to grasp. Some can make magic with a hammer and nails, while others can’t draw a straight line; however, ALL of us have some degree
of psychic abilities whether we choose to utilize them or not. A substantial portion of this book is geared toward demystifying the Tarot as
a basic tool for psychic empowerment, self-knowledge and divination.
In addition, this volume offers a means of gaining a broad background
on global women’s herstory. It consists of a well-researched blend of
matriarchal mythology, mysticism and the esoteric meaning of the Tarot.
The Wise Woman’s Tarot integrates all these strands into a radically
new recreation of the Tarot growing out of the deepest respect for and
considerable knowledge of this system.
One of my goals creating this new set of symbols is to include
matriarchal myths and symbols from all cultures. Another theme in this deck
is wholeness, with each archetypal metaphor making a contribution toward this end. Finally, through the
design of these cards I present a graphic expression of our spiritual evolution.
This reworking of the Tarot deck and story was not undertaken lightly.
Over the many years I spent creating, developing and birthing the Wise
Woman’s Tarot, I delved deeply into the esoteric roots of the Tarot.
My efforts were rewarded with psychic flashes and insights reflecting a
need for adjustments to the traditional deck. The order of the 78 cards of
the Wise Woman’s Tarot Deck differs considerably from that of
other decks and some cards have been eliminated or added. For example, I
felt that the traditional Empress card embodied a broad concept which
could be clarified by separating it into two. This resulted in card III
Fertility—Oshun (p.22), who embodies the sensual and fertile side; and
V The Nurturer—Venus of Willendorf (p.27), who represents the mothering aspect. These
and other changes are explained in detail in the pages to come, along with my
rationale for the new order.
The Wise Woman’s Tarot as a whole is designed for greatest
accessibility. The book and deck are a Pandora’s Box
of women’s mysteries (see p.46). The book is the Key. The images painted
by Barbara Vogel follow the design, content and color schemes laid out
and explained in the text. They are framed in coded colors representing the suits of the Minor Arcana, and the color of the ruling planet or
sign for the frames of the Major Arcana.
It seems to me that The Tarot is ever evolving. One of the latest
developments in this living evolutionary process is The Wise Woman’s
Tarot—a new reflection of the Tarot’s ancient character, ushering it in to
the 21st Century as a timeless yet thoroughly contemporary tool for psychic awareness. Complete with its totally original deck and companion
volume, The Wise Woman’s Tarot Deck is r/evolutionary.
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