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Animals Divine Tarot |
WOW! That is all I can say. Are you looking for a simple crash course on world mythology? Do you want to learn more about the creatures that share the world with us without taking a zoology class? Are you seeking a deck rich in symbolism and imagery? Are you a person who feels connected to animal spirits and guides? Do you want to own one of the most beautifully rendered decks ever encountered? It is all here.
I have to admit that when I was sent this deck to review, I resisted thinking that this was another deck that would not really speak to me, since I am not very strongly aligned to animal spirits. Past animal based decks I have encountered required a full knowledge of animal habits and environments to glean any meaning from the cards. The difference in the Animal Divine Deck is that the animals on the Minor Arcana cards are engaging in activities which mirror, in most cases, the traditional meanings of a Rider-Waite type of deck.
The Major Arcana and Court cards are depictions of gods, goddesses and mythical situations from the mythologies of the world. Ms. Hunt takes a great deal of time pointing out all of the images she has included in these cards and then give a detailed synopsis of the mythological story connected to the card. I had fully intended to do a quick skim through these descriptions; however, I failed in this intent. The descriptions were so interesting that I read every word. This is like a tremendous book containing thirty-eight short stories.
Once again, the depictions are so clear that, even though the images are completely different from a Rider-Waite deck, I did several readings and had no trouble translating the images. Ms. Hunt has a talent, no a blessing, for filling an image with emotion and spirit. Each card really speaks to the reader.
A few of the individual Major Arcana are worth mentioning. The Wheel of Fortune is All Animals. It really takes the feeling of the interconnectivity of all life and all ecosystems and presents it in one concise image. The Death card is, without a doubt, the most beautiful card I have ever seen. The Goddess depicted on the card is Sedna, the Inuit supreme deity of the undersea world who represents transformation. The combination of the Goddess�s image with seals, whales, fish, otters, birds and the head of an owl flowing in a swirl of water and sea foam completely embraces the viewer. The Devil card is changed to Challenge in the deck and is a beautiful rendering of Rhiannon astride a beautiful white horse. The Thunderbirds of the Native American mythology flying amidst crumbling cliffs adorn the Tower card.
A special note must be made over the brilliant interpretations of the Court cards. Since Ms. Hunt has chosen to decide on a meaning for each card based on the elemental properties and then picked a God or Goddess to represent the card (apologies if this is an incorrect assumption), each Court member is unique and identifiable immediately. They sparkle with life and individuality. The trap of all Courts looking like the same person in different dress, wigs and beards has been deftly avoided. I love the King of Wands, jolly Gama Sennin with his frog familiar on his shoulder (Japanese mythology).
The Minor Cards focus on individual animals; however, each card has the animal involved in an activity which touches the viewer emotionally. We want the turtle on the Four of Cups to overcome his fear and dive into the water. We pull for the young guinea pigs peering out into their new surroundings on the Ace of Pentacles. We suffer with the fox on the Five of Pentacles lost in the snows of winter. I am definitely going to use this deck and buy a second so I can frame some of the images.
I have never had a deck effect me so strongly on first viewing. I have Ms. Hunt�s other deck, the Celtic Dragon Tarot. I have always considered it a beautiful deck, but with the Animal Divine Tarot, she has really mastered the difficult crossover of making a �theme� deck accessible to everyone. Not only is it accessible, Animals Divine Tarot (ISBN 0-7387-0321-4) is a must have for any reader. Thank you, Lisa. Your cards will be hanging on my wall next week.
"Animals Divine Tarot",
by Lisa Hunt
© Lisa Hunt
Cover art for Animals Divine Tarot used by permission of Lisa Hunt.