The Wise Woman's Tarot
by Flash Silvermoon, illustrated by Barbara Vogel
The Wise Woman's Tarot is described as a matriarchal set, or specifically as a "multicultural, matriarchal, magical mystery tour." It certainly is this. Flash Silvermoon writes with passion about a women's spiritual lineage, and the research she has done on a large variety of cultures is apparent in her retelling of myths and stories. Her historical theories and spiritual beliefs are explained openly, and she takes us through the Fool's journey with warmth and conviction. The set is actually more multicultural than anyone could expect. Queen Mu has been chosen to represent the Fool, and with her we visit her home, "the legendary continent of Lemuria, a pre-Atlantic continent on the Pacific coast." Egyptian goddesses Isis and Maat are here, as are the Yoruban goddess of love and beauty Oshun, the Japanese sun goddess Amaterasu, the Hebrew Ashera, and Celtic Cerridwen, among many others. This gives women the opportunity to see within themselves a global unity of woman's power and beauty, that goes back to ancient times. Although the writing style is light, the subject matter is, at times, a bit much to handle. A familiarity with feminist thought and "herstory" might be of benefit in understanding the viewpoint expressed in this set, and a very open mind concerning the origin and evolution of the human race would also help.
The Major Arcana has been altered greatly, with cards split in two, renamed, and relocated. These changes reflect the author's spiritual beliefs and are explained. Every Major Arcana card is fully described and is accompanied by a full-color image of the card. The Minor Arcana consists of the traditional four suits. Wands, representing fire, are "the energetic suit and motivate us to courageously define and meet our highest goals." Pueblo, Scottish, Polish and Ashanti women illustrate the Wands. Cups, representing water, "deal with creativity and the realm of the emotions, love and a reflective spirituality." Habondia, a goddess of abundance, signifies in the Nine of Cups the security of "ample supply." Pentacles, representing earth, "ground us in the material world with its earthly delights and struggles." The Ace of Pentacles depicts a sweet, pentacle-shaped garden of flowers. The Aztec corn goddess Chicomecoatl is central on the Seven of Pentacles - as it "takes seven moons to see the growth of corn." The card represents patience and persistence. The court cards include Seeker, Maiden, Shaman, and Priestess, and they generally follow traditional meanings, and draw upon many cultures.
Women are the sole wise ones in this set, and I wish Flash had included more positive examples of men. The choices made regarding men's position in this set struck me as strongly sexist. Men tend to play a highly negative role here. In the Seven of Swords we see a "cocky Viking" walking along minding his business, unaware of a trap laid out before him by some Valkyries, or "helmeted battle maids." They are waiting in ambush for him, and "will trap the Viking in their snare." It is a warning card, against pride and confidence. Another card that features a male is the Two of Wands, a card that shows burnout and lack of fulfillment, and is represented by the image of "Alexander (The Not So Great)," who "sadly contemplates a globe, perhaps planning for a new conquest. In the distance we see smoke and flames rising from the destruction that he and his legions have wrought." The Ten of Wands shows a young Columbian peasant woman being chastised by a Christian priest, Bochica. He is a "miserable rigid man." The Shamans in the deck, which replace Kings, are also men, and do exhibit some positive qualities, and there are a few male children in the images, standing together with girls and women.
The set places women above men and emphasizes the role of motherhood; mothers have sole care of the children, as men are not on the scene at all in family or parenting images. Men are excluded from cards showing the "perfection of human relationships" and "domestic peace and harmony," and are excluded from images of intimate love. I'd like to believe matriarchy also values the male, and does not simply cast him in a role of aggressor.
The artwork itself is usually impressive, and is quite colorful. The designs are sometimes quite unique, and show women warriors on horses, goddesses from many cultures, mothers with children, and many animals and landscape scenes. The book is well written and personal. We get to know the author through her words, and although her theory on the history of tarot might be disputed, she does give a more than adequate introduction to reading the cards, including a variety of sample readings. There are many interesting insights in the book, which will offer a reader the opportunity for reflection and self-discovery. One thing I enjoy about the set is that the book is spiral bound, which makes it very easy to use.
Women who pursue their spirituality with a focus on the feminine will likely love this deck, and will relate to the female images within it. They will find a sense of inner strength and worth through learning about the goddesses, female warriors,
and nurturing women who populate the cards. Flash Silvermoon certainly admires the feminine, and I think her love can appropriately be called an adoration. It comes through in her clear and strong writing, and in her obvious devotion to creating a woman's tarot.
The positive points in this set would have benefited from time being devoted to a more balanced outlook. As it is, the sexism against men is too strong, as is the focus on the negative results of patriarchy. If there is anything feminism has taught me, it is to not form my own sense of womanhood in response to men. Unfortunately, this set at times teaches to do just that; the matriarchal spirit here reacts to the patriarchy, and sadly diminishes its own inherent power.
Visit the author's site to purchase, or for complete information, including images:
Flash Silvermoon
All writing © N.Levine - Illumination Tarot, unless otherwise noted.
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