Goddess Tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 09 Jun 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Tragic Ophelia	09 Jun 2002
The Goddess Tarot by Kris Waldherr was a gift, as every deck should be for use as they say, but I'm findind it frustrating to use. The Pages and Knights have become Princes and Princesses sending mix msgs of male and female energies and poor descriptive value. The major arcanahave been switched around and one has been changed. I am wondering if anyone has used this deck successfully and has any advice. Doe sit coincide with the 78 standard deck as I think it should or am I going to have to revamp my tarot knowledge. any help is appretiated.

truthsayer	09 Jun 2002
ophelia, i find the goddess deck frustrating to use for pretty much the same reasons. what was your first deck and how long have you been into tarot? i don't consider the goddess tarot a beginner's deck. to me, it's easier if you have a strong background in a rws or one of its clones or some kind of more classical deck. GT is a very pretty deck and i have found it useful for occasional readings in female oriented areas.

Scorpion	09 Jun 2002
Hi, Ophelia! I've got this deck and agree with Truthsayer that it is useful for female-orientated readings. While I like the Majors, it's a bit too pastel for my tastes and isn't perfectly balanced. However, it is possible to get perfectly good readings from it. It is RW based and you can certainly use anything you've learned in relation to that deck. However, if you haven't got the matching book I would definitely recommend hunting this down as it gives a bit more insight into the cards.

Tragic Ophelia	09 Jun 2002
I have been in the company of Tarot Cards for as long as I can remember. I have always had the basic RWS deck by my side. Recently I have been starting to read for more than just family and friends and one of my closest friends gave me The Goddess Tarot as a compliment to our friendship (I call my closest woman friends my goddesses so naturally she gave me a Goddess Deck). So its not a matter of "I don't understand" its all about- can I transfer and still make sense of the msgs of the tarot energy for my readings or am I revamping. How has anyone delt with this? Is there another deck with similar images that would be better than this one. I am not found of it so much as I wanted to be... and one should always be connected with their cards! thanks again

Scorpion	09 Jun 2002
Sorry Ophelia if you felt I was treating you as a beginner - I simply meant that the book helps to clarify why she's chosen the particular deities and gives a bit of background on them. This helps me relate them to the standard meanings and I don't think you wll have any problems translating what you know across to this deck. The artist states that she's used the images "to update traditional tarot symbolism...it is an alternative deck for tarot readers already familiar with the popular Rider-Waite deck.. who seek a deeper experience of the Divine Feminine in their readings." As a gift, it's a truly wonderful gesture and I'm sure your friend put a lot of thought into it. I find a lot of clients really like it. I have decks I prefer to this one but I like the client to feel they've chosen one that calls to them and the energies for me are as workable as any other deck.

Keslynn	09 Jun 2002
I haven't really had a chance to work in depth with my Goddess Tarot yet though I am looking forward to it. I can see how it would well for questions of a more feminine nature. From my first few look throughs, I could see how there would be problems making the correspondences between her majors and the traditional. However, you might find that you'll get more used to it. Also, a lot of people here have initially not liked a deck and picked it up later only to have it become their main deck. Maybe you should set it aside for now and see if it might call to you later? For alternatives, I recommend the Gendron deck which is also inspired by the Divine Feminine (according to the artist). Some of it is traditional RWS symbolism but a lot of it is not. I love this deck. :) Kes

Kaz	09 Jun 2002
i think rhiannon does readings with this deck quite successful. in the TFY studygroup 2 people use it as well. kaz

AutumnMoonfire	09 Jun 2002
I have been working happily with this deck in the Tarot for Yourself book by Mary Greer. But then I did come by way of the Motherpeace deck so...I like the feminist tone. She changed the names of a number of the Major Arcana but not the intent. The Fool=Beginnings Magician=Magic High Priestess=Wisdom Empress=Fertility Emperor=Power Hierophant=Tradition Chariot=Movement Hermit=Contemplation Hanged One=Sacrifice Death=Transformation Temperance=Balance Devil=Temptation Tower=Oppression When you look at the books the divinitory readings don't seem to change much. Although I have had times when the cards seem to give me more positive readings then I expect. She has written a small book with the stories and the keywords. you might find it helpful.

Rhiannon	09 Jun 2002
I do have this deck and read quite successfully with it (thanks, kaz!) I like the artwork, and it's funny because I was originally put off by some of the scans I'd seen online. The names of the cards may have changed in the majors, but like Autumn has shown us, the intent is the same. I also have the accompanying book so that does make a difference. Only a few of the cards have slightly different meanings (IMO). The one that pops into mind right away is the 10 of Swords. Traditionally (RWS) this would be a card about loss and tragedy. In the Goddess deck Kris describes it as more of a "closure" card. This card would then mean gaining the knowledge you are seeking after a long struggle. This has been my primary deck since I purchased it about 3 months ago (give or take). The meanings I get from this deck are broader and have more possibilities than I have seen from some of my other decks. Perhaps that's just me "seeing" through the artwork better. Hope that helps. Rhiannon :)

Starfish	09 Jun 2002
I went to my local bookstore with the intent of purchasing the Goddess Tarot and workbook. I was able to find the workbook but they didn't have the cards in stock. So tomorrow I need to search for it (hoping one of the other local bookstores has it in stock). I plan on flipping through the workbook this evening. It's such a gorgeous deck and one that has definitely been calling for me to buy it! I like the way Kris has interpreted the 10 of swords; more in tune to how I feel about that particular card. And this thread has made me want to physically hold this deck in my hands! Starfish

Jewel	10 Jun 2002
I got this deck in trade several years ago, and although I think it is beautiful I have not really connected much with it. I believe it is mainly because I prefer decks that are more gender balanced. I have found this deck very useful when studying various goddesses.

SharonElizabeth	11 Jun 2002
Ophielia, I have this deck as well, and yes I find it a bit difficult to read with. But it may be a personal thing. I just don't really connect much with the imagery. I also find that it can tap into my romantic wishes, (especially in the cups suit) but not give me any good information. I do however find that it's pretty good for doing feminine based readings, such as about a pregnancy or motherhood issues. There is a workbook available for it, which just basically gives some prompts to journal about each card. It also gives some background information on the Goddesses explored in the deck. Even though I don't entirely connect with it, I decided to keep it because there are times when I want to turn to it. For a while there I was thinking about trading it for something else. But like I said, it does come in handy sometimes. And it can just be a comfort other times.

Diana	12 Jun 2002
edited

Starfish	12 Jun 2002
I just purchased this deck set along with the workbook (with a gift card I received from my girl scout troop) and did a sample reading last night. I love this deck. I just feel a "connection" to it (hard for me to put it into words). :TQC Starfish

Keslynn	12 Jun 2002
I think we've managed to create another budding tarotholic! Welcome to the ranks, Starfish! ;)

Starfish	12 Jun 2002
Keslynn - Yep, I've joined the ranks of the card-carrying Tarotholics - and loving it! So many appealing decks out there... so little time! :TQC Starfish

mondk	14 Jun 2002
Hello all. Mind if I join in the discussion? The Goddess tarot was my second or third deck (technically I bought 2 decks at once so it was probably the third actually). I felt very drawn to the cards and their feminine images. Since I usually read for more females than males, this deck seems to me to sort of bring out feminine matters, such as relationships, family matters, children, etc. I have found that while using this deck for a reading, that I slow down and almost go into a quiet trancelike state while using it. It is a very tranquil, serene deck. The readings I give off of it are never very harsh...it is more like the deck wants you to learn from what it has to reveal to the querent. I don't know if anyone else has ever noticed this either, but matters regarding the querent's health are usually brought up in the readings off of the Goddess tarot. My querent's always select their own decks for their readings, but I actually enjoy reading off the Goddess. Well, there you have my 2 cents!!! (LOL) Blessings to all, Michelle

AutumnMoonfire	19 Jun 2002
Just a quick bump...for a nice deck.

The Goddess Tarot thread was originally posted on 09 Jun 2002 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.