Mini-Motherpeace Tarot Deck (Cards)

Rating:
Summary: Eh...
Review: I bought the Motherpeace deck several months ago during a moment of anti-patriarchal fervor. I had just read the book written for this deck, "Motherpeace, A Way to the Goddess..." along with several other radical feminist books. It suited my mood at the time; the deck is inspiring, comforting, and thought-provoking to a person who is angry about the way the world is set up. Most of the time, I don't lend much thought-space to matriarchy-versus-patriarchy concerns, since I personally am happier if I concentrate on the present, warts and all, than on whether or not this massive cultural shift occurred in the dimly remembered past. The Motherpeace deck focuses on warm, loving communities of women; the only men are in the Courts and in the Emperor, Hierophant, and Devil. The Courts are mixed; some are nice guys and some are stereotypical patriarchal jerks. The Emperor, Hierophant, and Devil are all portrayed as oppressors. To my mind, this takes some of the subtlety and deeper meaning out of the cards; in a tarot reading any card can be "good" or "bad", depending on context. When I'm in a bad mood, this deck can help me mentally vent. Otherwise, I tend to use decks with more ambiguous symbolism and better art.

Rating:
Summary: Definitely recommend this deck!
Review: I have owned several tarot decks and oracles, but this is the first deck (and only, so far) I truly connected with. The artwork is lovely and simply drawn, but the images seem to really speak to me, in a sense that is difficult to explain. They are quite dreamlike, and yes, feminine in nature, but certainly not anti-masculine. Every person gets a different feeling from different decks, but I have learned a lot from this one. I get the most heartfelt and accurate readings from this deck. Plus, I love the spread that the book recommends!

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating shape
Review: I have to admit it.... I originally bought this deck because I wanted something other than the regular shape and size to add to my collection. And I am not displeased with this. There are good things to be said about using the round shape for a deck besides the symbolic content. I enjoy the chance to use a different "slant" on the reading based on which direction the cards lean. This has to be my favorite aspect to the cards. As for the other things, I have found that some of the complaints are partially true. For example, while there are positive male protrayals in this deck, the majority of the characters are female of all shape and form. And yes, there are some unsavory male characters. This does not particularly bother me, since I have always found a lack of portrayal of strong feminine influences in the world. However, I would not recommend it as the only or first deck for someone without a feminist bent.