The Mother Tarot

 Today is International Women's Day. 

I would like to tribute this post to the women across the world who are experiencing war. Those grandmother's, mothers, aunties, sisters, nieces, and our trans sisters. The women across the world who are fighting for their freedom from oppression.

The women fighting for change, those who fight for equal pay, for their space in their profession, against all oppression. 

 As the world watches Ukraine, here are some of the beautiful women who have lost their lives through war fighting against Russia. 

Title: The Mother Tarot

Artist: Wren McMurdo Brignac

Price Range: $78.66 / £60

Dimensions: 110 x 102 x 60mm

Publisher: Independent 

Date: Autumn/ Winter 2020

The Mother Tarot

This is an Indie deck brought to you by the Artist Wren McMurdo Brignac, who is also the creator of the Dark Days Tarot. She is American, Queer, and the creator of every aspect of her own deck. She is a feminist who's instagram is just a lovely window in to her witchy world with her partner Schquay (who is also an artist) and their Parakeets.

I asked for this deck for Christmas, and my partner delivered. I was so exited so lets talk about it.

Box and Guidebook

The box and cards are square! The first thing you really notice is just how colourful it all is, and the continuous detailed imagery decorating every side. Both the front and the back are both images taken from the cards, and you can already see a hint that this is a deck full of the female form and a celebration of all things to do with womanhood.

The finish of the box is very smooth, it is all a nice size and a good quality which is actually better than some publisher backed decks. My only complaint is that because there are no bits for your fingers to hold, as you try and slide out the box it is difficult to open. So i imagine getting it open if you have a disability could be tough.

Guidebook is a cute addition, with nothing spared in terms of being in color. The little descriptions of the cards are sweet, and there is a little introdction to the world of tarot. This explains what the Arcanas are, how to read from them, basic spreads etc.

The descriptions are brief, those of us who read tarot know that all cards have a plethora of meanings and also reversals. Neither of which are included in the guidebook. 

The Cards

Card stock is a bit thinner than i would like, but it is easy to shuffle so pos and cons right. These are square cards so awkward to shuffle at first, and you need to be careful if you're not sure what way up they are before you shuffle. It takes some getting used to but now i'm a dab hand so lets look at the images.

Firstly, if you are looking for a deck to help you work with feminine energy and self love then you've found it!

It is entirely reflective of all body types. 

Representation of many ethnicities

I really love the use of Hijabs representation, i think it's really motherly and tasteful

 

Also physical disability representation

This deck is an exploration of feminine energy and what it means and feels like to be a woman in our modern society, i'm very thankful that this is not confined to cis women.... and includes anyone who embodies the divine feminine and motherly energy.

I love the way that she has inluded all shades of womanhood, i can see a nod to her partner too in this card.

This deck is centered around our great mother Gaia, so heavy on the flora and forna. Which helps us remember that our planet, our world, is nurtured and abundant because of her.

Throughout the deck there are images of reproduction, which are focal points of some of the imagery. 

I really love how creative she's been with this

One of my favourite cards is actually this phallic one, I just feel its so tasteful. 

The darker or more ominous cards of the deck are no less lovely. 

This artwork is occasionally hectic, so if you like simple artwork then it's definitely not for you. I don't feel that meanings are lost, but I do feel that the reader will need to have an in depth knowledge of tarot if they want to read this in a traditional way. 

One of my favourite cards is this one by the way

Some of the cards are very scenic too, so it's focus isn't just about humans

Conclusion

Simply put, i think this deck is really lovely. Every time i use it i feel like i am given a massive hug. This deck is so inclusive, maybe one of the most inclusive decks that i own. Some of the cards are so detailed that i can spend ages just becoming absorbed with the images and how they make me feel. I love to use it with a plethora of my clients, but i have also found that some men are really receptive to it too... and those in between.

Especially those who are working with the divine feminine.

I love that it is unashamedly centered around our reproductive organs, nature, love and life. It makes me feel empowered and proud of who i am. If you are prudish then i suggest you dont buy it, but if you are looking for validation about yourself and even discovering yourself on a sensual and intimate self love journey. Then this deck could really help you.

I don't think this is a great beginner deck, because the guidebook itself isn't as thorough as it should be and includes no reversals. However, if you are more intuitive then this would be a great deck to use.

I have paired this deck with multiple oracle decks, because it is so inclusive it works with many of them. I feel like we are seeing snippets of the creator throughout, and in some ways it feels very intimate.

You do not need to be a mother of children to use this deck, because it was clearly considered to include all types of mothers in this world who are often overlooked. An example of this is the clear use of men and trans archetypes. They too have mothers, they too are mothers within their communities and often to those who do not have mothers. 

My only warning, be prepared to discover how much love you have for yourself. Warts 'n' all.

This is a celebration of what it means to be a womam