Shapeshifter Tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 09 Feb 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

FaerieStorm	09 Feb 2005
I just purchased this deck and I was curious what other people thought of it. I find the images to be very expressive, however I do not like the extra three cards D.J. Conway added to the deck. I also don't care for the fact that she changed Wands to Air and Swords to Fire. She also did this with the Celtic Dragon Tarot. Does anyone find her decks hard to work with because of this?

dolphinprincess	09 Feb 2005
I found both the Celtic Dragon and Shapeshifter difficult to work with due to the Wands/Air and Swords/Fire switch.... but I mainly didn't really care for the books. Lisa Hunts artwork is wonderful, but I'm not a big DJ Conway fan. I can't wait for Lisa Hunt's new deck - as I think she did the entire project (cards and book) herself.

WolfSpirit	09 Feb 2005
I have the Shapeshifter too, got it for the lovely artwork. It was one of my first decks and I did not know very much about the Wands/Air and Swords/Fire associations so it did not bother me so much then. Now I find the deck so different from other decks, I use it very intuitively, I look at the pictures and use it more as an oracle than as a tarot deck. I do find the book helpful, the pieces written under "prophecy". I always find it works best for spiritual and self-development readings. Also note the correspondence for the courts mentioned on page 76 of the book, goddess in the shapeshifter = queen in traditional decks). Somewhere else it is mentioned Goddess = King and God = Queen. Someone mailed the author and the correspondence on page 76 is the right one. That gender switch never worked for me.

Fudugazi	14 Feb 2005
FaerieStorm wrote: I also don't care for the fact that she changed Wands to Air and Swords to Fire. She also did this with the Celtic Dragon Tarot. Does anyone find her decks hard to work with because of this? It's not a change or only if you take RWS as the gospel. Many decks assign fire to Swords, especially in Europe. Some also assign Water to Swords. If you are used to working with different elements assigned to suits, it really stretches your mind and allows for interesting insights to emerge. It is the Shapeshifter Tarot after all ;)

Starlily	17 Jun 2005
I'm reviving an old thread here on the Shapeshifter. I received mine in the mail today and I am enthralled. The deck and book have both surpassed my expectations. The artwork makes me feel as if I have stepped into a surreal and mystical world where magic stirs in the breeze and shines in my reflection in the cool waters, where novelty and imagination wink invitingly in the ivy clad brush. Animal voices beckon from all sides, "Come and know us...and be known in return." I had read so many mixed and negative reviews of this deck that I hoped I would not be disappointed. This is definitely a deck that "speaks" to me. I plan on using this deck for spiritual development, meditation, pathworking, and creative work. =D

Red Emma	17 Jun 2005
As do many others, I love Shapeshifter for the art. While I found it hard in the beginning, I'm now beginning to get into it. It does take some work, as well as a willingness to revisit old concepts and beliefs. But as Helvetica said, It is, after all, the Shapeshifter. As you watch, your world shifts before your eyes, and familiar things take on new, well, shapes.

WolfSpirit	17 Jun 2005
Starlily wrote: I received mine in the mail today and I am enthralled. The deck and book have both surpassed my expectations. The artwork makes me feel as if I have stepped into a surreal and mystical world where magic stirs in the breeze and shines in my reflection in the cool waters, where novelty and imagination wink invitingly in the ivy clad brush. Animal voices beckon from all sides, "Come and know us...and be known in return." I am glad you are enjoying the deck so much, Starlily. I understand the criticism of some people but I still just love this deck. If you like the artwork of the Shapeshifter you will probably also like the Animals Divine, also by Lisa Hunt, that is expected to be ready for sale in August. It's another one I am looking forward to :)

Flidais	17 Jun 2005
I will jump on the bandwagon and say that I also love this deck and often do readings with it. It was one of the first decks I acquired and so, like WolfSpirit, I was not yet "indoctrinated" into the Swords=Air/Wands=Fire thing. Of course now when I use it I have to stop first and remind myself of this difference. I also use the Celtic Dragon and have ordered Lisa Hunt's new deck as well.

PlatinumDove	18 Jun 2005
I noticed the Witches Tarot by Ellen Cannon Reed does the same thing with the air/fire associations.

FaerieStorm	18 Jun 2005
Since I originally started this spread I have, in fact, purchased the deck--but haven't used it very much. I think it's because I don't like the Air/Fire issue, the change in the court cards, nor the extra trumps (though they're interesting, I find them somewhat annoying). In fact, I haven't done a single reading with this deck--I think it's because I have issues with D.J. Conway: her work seems superficial or something. Lisa Hunt's artwork, on the other hand, is fabulous--and the Animals Divine Deck is even more gorgous!!!

The Shapeshifter Tarot thread was originally posted on 09 Feb 2005 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.