Motherpeace Tarot
Encyclopedia
The Motherpeace Tarot is a feminist-inspired deck of tarot
cards, in which most of the figures are female. It was created in the late 1970s by two women from Berkeley
, California, Karen Vogel and Vicki Noble
. The idea for the deck came to them in a vision in 1978. The artwork in the deck is original. Despite its departure from more traditional Tarot iconography, the deck is still in print and widely distributed. Inspiration for the deck comes from myth and literature by and about women, including Greek and Roman myth, and contemporary writers, such as Alice Walker
.
studies, and the occult
. One night in 1978, inspiration struck in an event where
"Karen felt our room literally tilt, and Vicki proceeded to have a life changing vision of Goddess energy and transmission of ancient wisdom."
They began working on their own tarot shortly after.
The women began devising their new, feminist based deck based on their personal knowledge of feminism, history, alternative healing, and psychic studies . Vogel and Noble explored feminism on each continent. They followed traditions back to their origins, finding out how important women were in indigenous cultures. The Goddess was a very important figure in ancient cultures .
At the time this deck was created, the feminist movement
was experiencing a surge in popularity. Women were empowering themselves in a variety of ways, but a great deal of attention was placed on feminist art and the relationships forged between the artist, the work, and the viewer. This time period is often viewed as one of the most progressive eras of feminist artwork. Although the mood of the 1970’s was reported to be somewhat dark and uncertain, particularly in the Berkeley area where Vogel and Noble resided, the empowerment that many women gained through exploring their spirituality and artistic selves helped to push them through the decade.
The round shape of the cards should also be noted. The departure from the normally rectangular shape is meant to represent fertility of women. This draws from classic feminist artwork which also uses many different symbols of fertility
and femininity. It must be noted however, that the round shape is not particular to this single deck. Fiona Morgan also created her own deck with round cards. The cards are hard to handle because of their shape but skilled hands can handle them deftly.
These changes bring the mind back to the family rather than the monarchy that no longer exists. By having these characters instead of the originals the Motherpeace deck suggests that we can make our own future .
1 Who or where you are at the moment.
2 Atmosphere what's behind the question.
3 Cross Current The lesson you need to learn.
4 Root unconscious influences in the body.
5 Sky Personality, spirit, how you behave.
6 Passing Away events up to last week.
7 Near future Tomorrow to next week.
8 Self Concept How you see yourself.
9 Hopes and fears if Major Arcana, a reality.
10 House Group/persons you are connected to.
11 Outcome Should be Major Arcana. If not,draw up to three cards until Major Arcana appears.If none, outcome is mixed .
Tarot
The tarot |trionfi]] and later as tarocchi, tarock, and others) is a pack of cards , used from the mid-15th century in various parts of Europe to play a group of card games such as Italian tarocchini and French tarot...
cards, in which most of the figures are female. It was created in the late 1970s by two women from Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
, California, Karen Vogel and Vicki Noble
Vicki Noble
Vicki Noble is a feminist shamanic healer, author, scholar and wisdom teacher. Originally from Iowa, she arrived in Berkeley, California in 1976. In the 1970s she created, graduated with honors from, and subsequently taught in, the first women's interdisciplinary studies program at Colorado College...
. The idea for the deck came to them in a vision in 1978. The artwork in the deck is original. Despite its departure from more traditional Tarot iconography, the deck is still in print and widely distributed. Inspiration for the deck comes from myth and literature by and about women, including Greek and Roman myth, and contemporary writers, such as Alice Walker
Alice Walker
Alice Malsenior Walker is an American author, poet, and activist. She has written both fiction and essays about race and gender...
.
Background
In the late 1970s, Vogel and Noble were roommates who shared common interests in Goddess spirituality, psychicPsychic
A psychic is a person who professes an ability to perceive information hidden from the normal senses through extrasensory perception , or is said by others to have such abilities. It is also used to describe theatrical performers who use techniques such as prestidigitation, cold reading, and hot...
studies, and the occult
Occult
The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus , referring to "knowledge of the hidden". In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g...
. One night in 1978, inspiration struck in an event where
"Karen felt our room literally tilt, and Vicki proceeded to have a life changing vision of Goddess energy and transmission of ancient wisdom."
They began working on their own tarot shortly after.
The women began devising their new, feminist based deck based on their personal knowledge of feminism, history, alternative healing, and psychic studies . Vogel and Noble explored feminism on each continent. They followed traditions back to their origins, finding out how important women were in indigenous cultures. The Goddess was a very important figure in ancient cultures .
Symbolism
The cards contain custom artwork by Vogel and Noble. All of the scenes depicted are centered on women. The images are meant to focus on the importance of ritual, artistic expression, uniqueness and the idea of a culture that supports one another.At the time this deck was created, the feminist movement
Feminist movement
The feminist movement refers to a series of campaigns for reforms on issues such as reproductive rights, domestic violence, maternity leave, equal pay, women's suffrage, sexual harassment and sexual violence...
was experiencing a surge in popularity. Women were empowering themselves in a variety of ways, but a great deal of attention was placed on feminist art and the relationships forged between the artist, the work, and the viewer. This time period is often viewed as one of the most progressive eras of feminist artwork. Although the mood of the 1970’s was reported to be somewhat dark and uncertain, particularly in the Berkeley area where Vogel and Noble resided, the empowerment that many women gained through exploring their spirituality and artistic selves helped to push them through the decade.
The round shape of the cards should also be noted. The departure from the normally rectangular shape is meant to represent fertility of women. This draws from classic feminist artwork which also uses many different symbols of fertility
Fertility symbol
A fertility symbol is an object used by early historical human societies representing fertility, reminders of which remain in folklore today.-Ancient forms:...
and femininity. It must be noted however, that the round shape is not particular to this single deck. Fiona Morgan also created her own deck with round cards. The cards are hard to handle because of their shape but skilled hands can handle them deftly.
Differences
There are some differences between the Motherpeace deck and other traditional tarot decks.Major Arcana
- VIII is Justice as opposed to StrengthStrength (Tarot card)Strength is a Major Arcana Tarot card, and is numbered either XI or VIII, depending on the deck. Historically it was called Fortitude, and in the Thoth Tarot deck it is called Lust. This card is used in game playing as well as in divination.- Description and usage as in divination :A. E...
- IX is The Crone as opposed to The Hermit
- XI is Strength as opposed to JusticeJustice (Tarot card)Justice is a Major Arcana Tarot card, numbered either VIII or XI, depending on the deck. This card is used in game playing as well as in divination.- Description :...
- XII is The Hanged One as opposed to The Hanged Man
Minor Arcana
The changes in the Motherpeace's Minor Arcana are seen in the Court CardsMinor Arcana
|thumb|[[King of Swords]] card from a Minor Arcana deckThe Minor Arcana of occult or divinatory tarot refers to the portion of a Tarot deck that consists of 56 cards. The Minor Arcana are roughly similar to the cards found in a common deck of playing cards...
- Daughter replaces the Page
- Son replaces the Knight
- Priestess replaces the Queen
- Shaman replaces the King
These changes bring the mind back to the family rather than the monarchy that no longer exists. By having these characters instead of the originals the Motherpeace deck suggests that we can make our own future .
Other
This deck has its own tarot spread. The spread consists of eleven card set in a circular pattern. The circular pattern is repeated in the cards used. The circle is the symbol of women and femininity. The cards are read in a particular pattern, each card meaning something different.1 Who or where you are at the moment.
2 Atmosphere what's behind the question.
3 Cross Current The lesson you need to learn.
4 Root unconscious influences in the body.
5 Sky Personality, spirit, how you behave.
6 Passing Away events up to last week.
7 Near future Tomorrow to next week.
8 Self Concept How you see yourself.
9 Hopes and fears if Major Arcana, a reality.
10 House Group/persons you are connected to.
11 Outcome Should be Major Arcana. If not,draw up to three cards until Major Arcana appears.If none, outcome is mixed .