Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Pistis Sophia - The Goddess Tarot by Kim Huggens and Nic Phillips Published by Red Feather (Schiffer Publishing) Boxed set of 22 Majors-Only cards and guidebook £31.99
Kim Huggens and Nic Phillips have added to their very successful fully illustrated 78 card Sol Invictus - The God Tarot, published a decade ago. Sol Invictus is the Invincible Roman Sun God. This is an entirely masculine myths and historical tarot deck so it is no surprise that after more than ten years of development, an all female Majors-Only of 22 cards is available. Pistis Sophia takes its title from a Gnostic work from early Christian times with esoteric teachings from Jesus. Several Christian elements are included in what is largely international in scope.
Pistis Sophia is not for beginners. It is created to be an intermediate to advanced level deck as the content explores the divine feminine, from across the world, in ways that allow for greater knowledge and understanding of the archetypes detailed, how they developed and major points of discussion. The Major Cards of the Tarot are often traditionally presented a way throughout life's experiences, building on knowledge so we grow to greater maturity, understanding and wisdom, and the archetypes for this deck are carefully chosen also to present energies that we should develop for our spiritual progress.
The divine feminine are in the following progression from The Fool - Eve, The Magician - Isis, The High Priestess -Sophia, The Empress - Xochiquetzal, The Construct - Nuwa, The Hierophant - St Mary Magdalene, The Sisters - The Wawilak Sisters, The Chariot - Nike, Strength - St Perpetua, The Hermit - Kwan Yin, The Wheel of Fortune - The Moirae, Justice - Ma'at, The Mystic - St Teresa of Avila, Death - Izanami, Alchemy - Cerridwen, The Devil - Salome, The Tower - Oya, The Star - Ushas, The Moon - Morgan le Fay, The Sun - Amaterasu, Rebirth - Inanna and The Universe - Nut. Astrological and Kabbalistic associations are given, and the ‘above’ and ‘below’ sections provide for each card; individual artwork and explanation of the artwork, the title, subtitle and origin of the archetype, and this is followed by detailed information in history, myth and symbolism. Divinatory meanings are detailed and keywords are included.
The spreads offered are:
Brigid of Mantles (8 cards), Descent to the Heaven Below (7 cards), Flowers of Blodenwedd (12 cards), The Goddess Archetype (9 cards), Handmaidens of Sophia (7 cards) and Seven Stabs of the Knife (7 cards).
In the companion book, we read how this deck was decided upon with autobiographical information about Kim Huggens, with post graduate qualifications that focus on the magical history of the classical and late antique world, and Nic Phillips, with his speciality artwork of folklore, world mythology, pilgrimage and the Black Madonna. We learn how to use and work with this deck, how we can work with the symbols and build for ourselves knowledge about how these archetypes silently influence our life and fulfil and nurture us, and those who we read for.
My experience of working with this deck: I chose one card each week, starting with 0 to read and reflect on by placing the card on my mantle shelf. I learnt a great deal about how the cards brought the divine feminine into my life. I was very impressed. On some occasions, I spoke to a friend about the archetype and what I was learning from the write-up, which is extensive and a lot to ponder. I also gave one card readings to friends from the book and from my own memory after drawing a card at random for them. I liked the artwork and the symbolism. I can recommend the deck to serious students of the divine feminine, whether they be female, male or otherwise in their gender.
Additional work by the author:
Tarot 101 - Mastering the Art of Reading the Cards
Tarot Illuminati and it’s sister deck Tarot Apokalypsis (with Erik C Dunne)
From a Drop of Water, Vs, Memento Mori are Edited anthologies exploring myths.
Additional work by the Artist
Celtic Saints of Western Britain
Breaking Chains: The Evolution of the Black Madonna
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