Shining Tribe Tarot Review

Mind Body and Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: 

Shining Tribe Tarot (previously Shining Woman Tarot) by the late Rachel Pollack is a wonderful tarot deck of 78 illustrated cards, inspired by international myths and stories, shamanic journeys, esoteric traditions, tribal art and other creative enjoyments. There are standard tarot, Native American, Kabbalistic, prehistoric rock art, fairy tales and other influences. There are scenes from Greece, North America, Malta, Ireland, England, France, Denmark and the Netherlands. 

The original title of 'Shining Woman Tarot', refers to the last card of the major arcana, usually titled 'The World'. The image is a celebration of life and appears in several images throughout the card deck, such as, 'The Tower', '3 of Stones' and 'Awakening'. Images of animals occur, such as the turtle (tortoise), toad, snake and fish. Some of the traditional tarot titles have been changed, such as 'Tradition' and 'The Hanged Woman'. There is the ‘soul's journey’ through the major arcana from birth to enlightenment. The four suits are descriptive of human experience in all its varied forms. Wands (fire) are trees: Cups (water) are rivers: Swords (air) are birds: Pentacles (earth) are stones. Each card is given a poem and a write up in the accompanying book. 

Reversed meanings are provided and the book supplies detailed explanations about all the cards. The majors have a short poem, and there is a sample reading of a spread. The court cards are titled Place, Knower, Gift and Speaker.  

Example: 5 of Birds. The image is inspired by the 9,000 year old city near Catal Huyuk, Turkey where there is a huge fresco showing vultures with wings like red brooms, implying death. The card image is deliberately disorientating to shake us out of our usual expectations and assumptions. It asks us to look at death with an original eye and an open mind. Nature uses everything and that there is no waste. The card presented here does not deny that death happens, and I include it to remember it especially at this time of year, where for many grief is mixed alongside happiness of the season of good will. Yet we move beyond death, to honour and make it sacred. From this healing comes learning, appreciation, making the most of each day, and the knowledge of life and death, so precious, yet so taboo to mention in our society, especially at times of national celebration.

I very much enjoy working with this extraordinary and powerful deck. It's a mature woman's deck, but a man could be the reader or querent. You can expect something greater than you see in standard Tarot deck. Rachel Pollack is one of the world's finest tarot masters and you will find this deck empowering and inspirational. 

Shining Tribe is a deck that is very highly recommended for all Tarot readers to have in their collection. And not a deck to be left on the shelf! 
Review by Wendy Stokes  https://wendystokes.co.uk