NMR ISSUE 54

Aspect in Astrology
Bardic Source Book
Because I am a Witch My Love
Blessing for a Child
Complete Book of Spells, Curses
Earth Magic
Fetish Stones
Finding Your Totem, Discovering Your Guardian
Gleanings 54
How to Use Magick with a Straight Face
Kingdoms of the Faerje Realm
Language and the Doctrine of Signatures
Mountains, Meadows and Moonbeams
New Twist on Tinctures
On the Invocation of Eris:
Pagan Nudity
People of the Earth:
Shapeshifter Tarot
Teen Witch:
The Great Spirit Goddess
The Lore of the Oak
The Samhain Host: Remembering the Dead
The Sun Goddess:
The Well of Remembrance:
To Light a Sacred Flame:
Worship of the Goddess: The Lost Art

Articles
Authors
Rituals
Book Reviews
NMR Issues
NMR Covers
 

Shapeshifter Tarot.

By D J Conway and Sirona Knight with illustrations by Lisa Hunt

ISBN 1-56718-384-0Llewellyn Publications, PO Box 64383, St. Paul, MN 55164-0383 USA. $29.95 US

Traditionalists might well throw up their hands indignantly at the sight of this deck (whilst peeking at the images from the corner of their eye). All the normal symbolism seems to have been put into a bag and shaken to see what would fallout. The suits are divided into elements with the traditional name in brackets; so that experienced tarot readers will have some point of reference. There are no kings, queens or aces; instead we have Seeker (page), Warrior (knight), God (queen) and Goddess (king)- no I haven't made a mistake- with each card simply being numbered. The ace is just 1 and embodies the relevant element. The major arcanum contains many of the usual cards, with new imagery. Some meanings and positions have changed and there are three extra cards and these carry shamanic meaning. The images themselves are humans and gods frozen in the act of shapeshifting from various forms including dolphins and stags. Misty images of creatures that are part animal, part human are subtly drawn among landscapes that on some cards also have hidden images worked in. The book is clearly laid out with the authors sharing the writing of the text. A little sigil has been added to the bottom of each section with indicates who has written it, a nice touch that allows the reader to have a clearer image of the spirit of the text. I gave the cards a thorough `test drive' and was not disappointed, though spiritual matters have greater emphasis than mundane ones. Oddly, though, I did not find them particularly easy to meditate with; perhaps I need to do more studying.