Daughters of the Moon (DOM) Aether Arcana/Majors

[WhiteRaven]

Here are some comments from Amazon.com on the deck...

Customer Reviews
Avg. Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

This is one of my all-time favorite decks, July 31, 2001
Reviewer: Barbara L. Timmer "nightsky19562001" (Cincinnati, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

As a femminist, Dianic, Witch, I find this deck tremendously beautiful and empowering!
I reccomend this deck to all Womyn, even though it does have a definete Lesbian slant to it. The mere fact of it being an all-female deck is fabulous! Hmmm...wonder if they have something comparable for Men.

I think this deck could be used very easily for meditation and spellwork as well divination.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Stunningly beautiful, October 18, 2001
Reviewer: Michele "musically" (glen dale, wv USA) - See all my reviews
I love this deck. I've put away the patriarchcal-oriented decks and have started using this one instead. The artwork has extremly vibrant colors; and I liked the tribal- style paintings. Because the archetypes are not oriented towards dualism, I find that the readings are very positive and healthy for the psyche.
The book is a must-buy, since there is no booklet enclosed, and the ordering info. does not make that clear. I don't think the author intended to "male bash", but rather to make readers aware of the nature of dualism, patriarchy, and HOW INGRAINED these are in our culture, and how we accept those viewpoints without being aware of them. This deck communicates the sheer JOY AND POWER of woman-hood, and I would not describe it as being oriented only for lesbians. I think it depicts something that women today need to reclaim: women coming together in celebration and ritual.
I would howevere, have liked to have seen a card for a male/female couple for the lovers which equalled the intensity and beauty of the two female lovers.
If I were to give a tarot deck as a gift, this would be the one I would chose.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Daughters of the Moon Tarot, September 29, 2001
Reviewer: Olivine Foxwood (Maryland, United States) - See all my reviews
I have used this deck for over 12 years now (I actually have a pen and ink deck--not colored), and although it DEFINITELY takes some time to get to "know" and work with the energies and symobology, it is well worth it. My experiences working with this deck- for myself and others--have been unerringly accurate, and I truly appreciate the subtlties that the round deck presents in interpretation. I have found it difficult, if not simply impractical, to try and read men with the deck--its just not meant for them and that's fine with me!! I certainly can, but generally do not like to do this. The imagery is global and inclusive, and the symbology is strikingly accurate at the deeper levels. This is my primary deck for workings and readings, and highly recommended for any open to the radical feminism and sheer power of it!! Definitely get the "Wild Witches..." book to go with it.

----------------------------------------------------------

A wonderful women's deck., December 6, 2000
Reviewer: Melissa (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews
This tarot pack is a vibrant, joyous celebration of women. However, the artwork is often a little childish looking, which does become unappealing after a while. It doesn't come with any little white booklet, so you will probably need to buy the companion book.
Some complaints about the deck are for those women (like me) who are not extreme feminists or are not lesbians. Two Lovers cards are included: one female/female, and another of "beings." The two women for the Lovers is a card that shows great passion, whereas the sexless "beings" Lovers card is just . . . blah. It doesn't compare to the same-sex card, unfortunately. The deck also includes a Pan card, but it seems he has been stripped of his sexuality and masculinity. If you don't want Pan in the deck, a Coyotewoman card is also included to replace him.

The deck ends up to be a little demeaning towards men, and when you read the companion book, it's even worse. However, for those women who are comfortable with those feelings, this is an amazing deck to work with. It has always been frighteningly accurate for me, and it really does bring forth a feeling of sisterhood and rejoicing in being a woman. It's a very positive tarot deck and may be incredibly helpful.

Everything in the Majors has been renamed, and the Major Arcana is now called the Aether (or Spirit) Arcana. Then there are Blades, Cups, Pentacles, and Flames. There are no court cards; Maiden, Mother, and Crone have replaced them. Some of it is really brilliant, but it is a VERY feminist deck. It was a little overwhelming at first when I opened the deck because I didn't know that's what I had bought.

After all these years, I'm happy that I still own this deck, as it has proven itself to be a wonderful tool for personal reflection.


----------------
thought you might find this abit interesting seeing you also have the deck

[WhiteRaven]

Here is a link if you would like to understand more of the "Dianic" Wicca traditions


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dianic_Wicca

The information is rather interesting.

[FantasyWorld]

It doesn't really bother me that this deck has a lack of male influence because I have sooo many other decks that Have a male influence. I love the artwork of the this deck and almost find comfort in it being mostly!! feminine. I would be put off though if all decks were partial to one or the other sex. The book may prove to push my buttons depending on what it says though. I am Wiccan but a Traditional one and highly believe in male and female aspects,energies and being together as a group (coven,etc.) hence Male energy-The Sun and female energy-The Moon.
I do look forward to having the book as reference, hopefully soon as my order at half.com has not been confirmed yet...

[WhiteRaven]

Originally Posted by FantasyWorld

It doesn't really bother me that this deck has a lack of male influence because I have sooo many other decks that Have a male influence. I love the artwork of the this deck and almost find comfort in it being mostly!! feminine. I would be put off though if all decks were partial to one or the other sex. The book may prove to push my buttons depending on what it says though. I am Wiccan but a Traditional one and highly believe in male and female aspects,energies and being together as a group (coven,etc.) hence Male energy-The Sun and female energy-The Moon.
I do look forward to having the book as reference, hopefully soon as my order at half.com has not been confirmed yet...

Being a Traditional Wiccan...I can assure you that you will NOT like or feel comfortable with the concept of this deck....just as I do. You have the deck because of the same reasons I do as well...the artwork drew me in...totally. I bought my deck in a metaphysical store in my area and they have three huge binders of different tarot decks...showing a few cards of each. I was browsing and that was how I stumbled upon this deck...had NO IDEA that it was as unbalanced as it is. BUT, I have it here at home...and would like to learn and understand what is there...it is Goddess based...very Dianic Wicca...IS Dianic because the Author follows a Dianic path. To claim one is a Wiccan, whether it be Gardarian, Alexadrian, Eclectic or Dianic...you MUST recognize the Male part of the whole...this is one of the core beliefs no matter what "Wiccan" path you follow. But she does allow those that are pure Goddess worshippers to remove what little Male weight there is by taking Pan out and replacing him with Coyotewoman. I'm telling you, you're not going to like what the book says...not if you are a Traditional Wiccan.

[FantasyWorld]

Originally Posted by WhiteRaven

Being a Traditional Wiccan...I can assure you that you will NOT like or feel comfortable with the concept of this deck....just as I do. You have the deck because of the same reasons I do as well...the artwork drew me in...totally. I bought my deck in a metaphysical store in my area and they have three huge binders of different tarot decks...showing a few cards of each. I was browsing and that was how I stumbled upon this deck...had NO IDEA that it was as unbalanced as it is. BUT, I have it here at home...and would like to learn and understand what is there...it is Goddess based...very Dianic Wicca...IS Dianic because the Author follows a Dianic path. To claim one is a Wiccan, whether it be Gardarian, Alexadrian, Eclectic or Dianic...you MUST recognize the Male part of the whole...this is one of the core beliefs no matter what "Wiccan" path you follow. But she does allow those that are pure Goddess worshippers to remove what little Male weight there is by taking Pan out and replacing him with Coyotewoman. I'm telling you, you're not going to like what the book says...not if you are a Traditional Wiccan.

Well, hopefully I'll get the darn book to see
My mom actually gave this deck to me for X-mas a few years back. I am a Strong believer in male and female energies though!!! I have read some about Dianic Wiccans and thought it a bit odd but to each is own I guess...I think they might the other side of extreme. I wonder though if many of these woman came to age in the 50's. I just watched Mona Lisa Smile set in the 50's and oh wow! Can't imagine what that must have been like. Anyway, not to get totally off topic, I'm going to bed
Blessed Be
Alanna

Edited to add:The seller didn't confirm the order so I won't get my book...

[WhiteRaven]

Next thread ladies.....The Shape of the cards.
It's posted.



If either of you have anything more to add to this, feel free to do so...I would really like to have a good understanding of what this deck is all about before we hit the cards individually. Believe me...it will help.

[Ace]

There is a difference between insisting on women only and rejecting men. I think this one insists on women only but does not (quite) reject men.

I have a feeling I need to look at the MotherPeace too. I always found it off-putting but magic scares me and I think it is more powerful than this deck is.

I feel this deck has some contradictions (as you pointed out White Raven it was put together by committee) but let us get started and find those as we go!

One thing: I have the book, and I will consult it. But I prefer to do my interps on each card FROM THE CARD. So if I seem to be ignoring the books sometimes, I am.

[FantasyWorld]

Originally Posted by Ace

There is a difference between insisting on women only and rejecting men. I think this one insists on women only but does not (quite) reject men.

I have a feeling I need to look at the MotherPeace too. I always found it off-putting but magic scares me and I think it is more powerful than this deck is.

I feel this deck has some contradictions (as you pointed out White Raven) it was put together by committee) but let us get started and find those as we go!

One thing: I have the book, and I will consult it. But I prefer to do my interps on each card FROM THE CARD. So if I seem to be ignoring the books sometimes, I am.

I had someone do a reading for me with the Motherpeace and WOW, what a deck and reading, course the reader made a difference, she's awesome.
I have been told my some to throw away the book and just use your intuition, so I also try to ignore the book. Some decks I really need the book though because I don't know symbols and history to know what the card is saying.

[WhiteRaven]

Originally Posted by Ace

There is a difference between insisting on women only and rejecting men. I think this one insists on women only but does not (quite) reject men.

Try doing a reading with the DOM for a man and then come back and tell me the same thing...

One thing: I have the book, and I will consult it. But I prefer to do my interps on each card FROM THE CARD. So if I seem to be ignoring the books sometimes, I am.

This is GREAT..and I will also be doing this...but in all fairness to FantasyWorld, I will be typing out the meaning from the book as well. She is having a real time trying to get a copy of the book.

[FantasyWorld]

Originally Posted by WhiteRaven

This is GREAT..and I will also be doing this...but in all fairness to FantasyWorld, I will be typing out the meaning from the book as well. She is having a real time trying to get a copy of the book.

Oh shucks,, thanks!!!