Tarot of a Moon Garden

by Karen Marie Sweikhardt

Book Overview

This tarot blends together traditional symbolism, mythic expression, magic and the reflective phases of lunar energy. In this guide to her Tarot of Moon Garden deck the author shares an interpretation... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0880799668
• ISBN13: 9780880799669
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: U.S. Games Systems
• Length: 153 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.5" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

A tarot from my childhood dreams

I fell in love with the beauty of these cards in a bookstore. I raised an eyebrow at first when I saw that they were populated by dragons and unicorns and other denizens of fairy tales, but this is not a reason to look down on these cards. When we read tarot, we tap into our subconscious mind for answers. Our subconscious minds are full of mythical beasts like unicorns. If they weren't galloping around in the collective unconscious, there wouldn't be tales about them going back to Biblical times. Plus, the familiarity we have with such animals from childhood helps us interpret them. When Sweikhardt says that dragons represent danger and temptation, we intuitively understand! When we see a castle on the horizon in a card, just visible through a mire of forest, we remember Sleeping Beauty's prince and his determination. Fairy tale images may seem childish on the surface, but they stir up deep currents within us. And when your subconscious is fully involved, you're often going to get an eerily accurate reading.One touch I love in these cards, especially as a witch and a worshipper of the moon goddess in her phases, is that almost every card in the deck has a moon somewhere in the scene. "Positive" cards, those which indicate growth and joy, tend to have waxing moons on them. The Ten of Swords, Death, and other traditionally "negative" cards bear a waning crescent. Many Major Arcana and cards indicating major forces at work have a full moon illuminating the scene. And what's even more fun: When the cards are reversed, a waxing moon becomes a waning moon and vice versa, showing the reversal of the energy the card represents! I love this deck. It's not for everyone. If you sneer at anything that smacks of your childhood dreams, this deck is not for you. If you want to tap into the power of those old dreams, give it a try.

For the fantastical & young heart

This deck is definately one to please the young at heart and lover of faeries, the moon and other mythical things. It's symbolism is very helpful when doing readings, and as lovely and beautiful as it is, it does have a serious approach where needed. Without being explicit or morbose. I wouldn't recomend this deck for those who bend towards the "Serious" type of decks. But certainly for those who love beautiful and fantastical art.

Visually appealing, fun to read

As a collector of dragonflies, I was delighted to discover this deck. The illustrations are lush and rich with fantasy portraits. The minor arcana are depicted as Staffs (wands) which are growing branches; Pentacles, which are drawn on glowing orbs; the Cups are golden chalices; and the Swords are my favorite... Dragonflies! There is an abundance of butterflies, unicorns, lush gardens, castles, fairies and general fantasy. Overall a feminine deck, it is delightful and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a "soft read."This is my fourth deck, and I intend to use it in my business readings. (My others are Psy Cards, Flower Speaks, and Tarot Classic).

Journey to a Romantic, Jules Verne-ish Moon

This was my fourth Tarot deck. The artist's ideas and landscape of the Moon is reminicent of the romantic ideas about the moon of the 1800's. You know, when we thought there was life there, and that we could fly there with steam engines and hot air balloons. In general I really enjoy the sweet, romantic style of illustration. There are a few stylistic elements of the art that I, personally, don't care for. As a rule, I prefer less 'pink' art. I'd say this deck was perfect for young women going through their unicorn phase. The ideas portrayed in each card are interesting, and tend to depart more from the Ryder Wait (sic) tradition than most decks. The illustrations are intricate, and full of detail. I don't think I'd use it in a reading, but I truly enjoy owning it, and meditating on it when I'm in the right mood. My favorite of my 7 decks is the Aquarian.