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THE ANIMAL-WISE TAROT |
While dealing with the loss of a longtime pet, much was mentioned to me in the 301 discussion group about animal energies and purity of spirit. This started me on an exploration of animal spirituality, totems and familiars. I will preface this review with a short disclaimer. I have never connected so quickly and completely with a deck before. I feel it only fair to mention this fact so that the readers can see through my personal infatuation with this deck.
I was skeptical concerning the depth of the readings possible with this deck. There are many theme decks out there really press at times to find 78 images that fit their theme and the generally accepted card meanings . I had thought that this might be the case with the Animal-Wise Tarot, but was completely off base. Ted Andrews has an extensive background in psychic development, holistic healing and animal rehabilitation. He knows animals on a personal basis. His knowledge of all animals (including birds and insects) gave him a vast resource of animal correspondences for the cards without straining at all.
The four suites in the Animal-Wise Tarot are Shapeshifters (water, cups), Four-Leggeds (earth, pentacles), Ancients (fire, wands) and Winged Ones (air, swords). The standard elemental and suite references are printed on each card so the transition from a Rider-Waite or similar deck is a breeze. He also prints key words on each card, a practice I don't particularly like, but that I am willing to overlook in light of the brilliance of this deck. The illustrations are beautiful photographic images of each animal at the point it is conveying the very personality trait of the card.
The animals chosen for the Major Arcana cards are particularly appropriate. From the Coyote as the Fool to the Turtle as the World, the meaning are extensive, profound and rooted in multi-cultural worship and admiration of animals and their spirits. Even the more disturbing cards, Death (Snake), Devil (Raven) and Tower (Vulture) are beautifully depicted, a decision which helps so much in reading in an emotionally charged situation. They don't scare the querant by their physical appearance. Since no animal is good or bad, merely motivated by various needs, it is simple to do very nonjudgemental reading with this deck, focusing on why someone makes certain decisions, without layering on personal opinions of right and wrong.
The real key to getting a phenomenally in depth reading with this deck is in getting to know the traits of the animals depicted in the cards. The accompanying 246 page book is all you really need, but I found myself doing some additional research on the animal associations I found particularly intriguing. The initial key words seem to fit the animals and the standard meaning quite well in most cases, but the in depth analysis of each animal's characteristics give detailed insight into diet, sleep habits and personalities which translate directly into our human world. I find myself retaining these new layers while reading other decks.
For meditation work these cards offer a reconnection with nature and with the animals we carry within ourselves. Mr. Andrews suggest taking these cards into a natural setting and being aware of any animals you may encounter. Their presence may be a message which may be interpreted with the cards. I personally plan several days at the zoo with my deck.
The Animal-Wise deck and book (ISBN 1-888767-35-9)
is published by Dragonhawk Publishing. A beautiful deck which will add
new perspective on readings, meditations or spell work. Each card carries
a message as ancient as the animals depicted and as modern as current
environmental and rehabilitation projects. Through his Animal-Wise Tarot,
Ted Andrews has put us in touch with 78 teachers that so often are overlooked.
"THE ANIMAL-WISE TAROT",
by Ted Andrews
© Dragonhawk Publishing
Cover art for THE ANIMAL-WISE TAROT used by permission of Dragonhawk
Publishing.