She makes me answer questions, and gives me the wings to think of new questions.

So happy to have this deck in my hot hands! I love this deck for many reasons… a new perspective, inclusiveness, people who look like people, and all the gender mixes. What 1st drew me to the deck was that the People cards were not set by gender. I never thought of Kings only being men, or any of the other Court cards, so this deck fit for me just for that.

I really wanted to post this review because I know some people have had issues with the card stock, so I thought I’d share my experience.

Yes when I got my deck some of the cards were stuck together. I had no issues with getting them separated. I kind of slide them apart. Of the last three new decks I’ve received, all by different publishers, this was true.
Wanting to be as honest as I can, on initial opening I was a bit disappointed in the card stock. I was hoping it was like the Mary-El with the thinner cards with a higher gloss feel, less static (for lack of a better term). However on comparison the Gaian cards are just a bit thicker then STT and are thinner then the Modern Witch.

I believe with time they will soften up, which is already happening. I couldn’t shuffle the entire deck with either a poker shuffle, side shuffle or a corner wrist shuffle at first, however I can now do a poker corner shuffle. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do a straight up poker shuffle due to the size & thickness, I have other decks like this. This isn’t a requirement of mine.

So I will agree I think Schiffer/REDFeather should take a look at their card stock, however all of that is worth it for the deck & book itself.

I am happier than when I 1st opened it. I am also happy with the new green background as it gives a bit of a different perspective and look to the cards. It really makes blue pop. Side by side I wouldn’t say I like the green more than the white background. I like them both. The book is amazing & I love the changes. So a big 5 stars from me.

We look at a card and then we translate what we see into an understanding or meaning for the question we’re asking.

How we get from that card to the meaning is what I’m calling a language. I’ve used many different words for this, and one day it popped into my head it’s like I’m reading different languages that offer information; I then pick the one that fits the best to the situation (QQP) and it’s my tarot language.

• The book that goes with your deck.
• Other books you’ve read about tarot.
• Things you know about astrology and the associations with tarot.
• Numerology
• Kabbalah
• Suit associations
• Element associations
• A course you took.
• Someone who taught you something.
• Symbols on the card.
• or any number of ways you find or are given a meaning.
• Intuition

We have our tarot language that is built over time from anywhere & everywhere we pull from.

Passion, inspiration, creativity, drive, purpose, instinct, associated with the soul.

Air/Swords

Logic, pragmatism, information, communication, knowledge, associated with the mind.

Water/Cups

Emotions, connections, love, intimacy, community intuition, associated with the heart.

Earth/Pentacles

Resources, health, finances, senses, nature, health, legacy, associated with the body.

Lovers – Tower – Judgement

For the Majors

Two of Water – Eight of Fire – Four of Earth – Three of Air

For the Minors

I’ll also looks at the Queen of Air and 1 other person card from each suit, it changes for the Water, Fire, & Earth

5 = learning and teaching (Hierophant) learning or being taught something that caused conflict. The entire process of learning being in school, taking a class can feel like conflict.

It’s a book that you can read front to back, or allow yourself over many months or years to pick a chapter to read. It can take you on a journey of self, yet beyond self. Even if you are a stock tarot reader and stick to a set of meanings for each card. It can show you what is possible, whether you choose to take the journey or A Walk through the Forest of Souls.

Today May 10th in honor of Rachel Pollack who authored the book, and it’s re-release many people who love Rachel and/or the book are promoting it. I was asked if I would add something to the pot and I knew I wanted to, but wasn’t sure what exactly. Today, as I was seeing different things happening, and holding my two copies, one the original all bent, used, written on, sticky’s sticking out of it, and the new clean crisp copy. I wondered about the change in the title.

The Forest of Souls : A Walk Through the Tarot – Original

A Walk through the Forest of Souls : A Tarot Journey to Spiritual Awakening – Reissue

In the original we walk through the tarot, in the reissue we walk through a forest of souls. Tarot becomes a forest of souls.

It made me think that Rachel had a realization that her book did that for people. Made us connected and in touch with our own souls and those of the ancestors, and the millions of people around us. All those that had a story shared, or connection happen in the pages of the book as well as those outside them.

I may some day find out why it changed, and it may be mundane or for any number of other reasons, yet I will always have and believe in my thought too, and that truth is allowed to be played with when we look deeper then facts. Something I learned from the book.

So here is my wisdom reading for today. What does the new title of the book gift to us?

I’m using my self published deck I was lucky to purchase from Rachel at a Readers Studio I attended. It came in a cigar box that still smells of cedar when I open it.

I pulled the major Tradition. You can’t make this shit up.

Tradition circle of red hooded spirits with spiral and dead sea with jumping fish. Shining Tribe Tarot by Rachel Pollack published by Llewellyn now by RedWheel

By renaming the book, Rachel has gifted us with a new tradition. Today many are doing wisdom readings, and yes that was a new tradition when the book was 1st published, but now we are gifted with the idea that each of our cards in the tarot each of the decks that we own are part of the Forest of Souls. An insight into each of their meanings, because whether we are telling of a tall dark stranger, or working to change how we walk in the world, it’s by touching or connecting with the soul of the card and the person. Together they become a forest of souls.

It is a gift of community, seeing everyone as part of this forest connects us together.

It is a gift of teaching, as we share our individual wisdoms or learning a wisdom from someone.

It is a gift to understand that each person we connect with is a soul being.

It is a gift to allow our intuition to break the surface and come into the light.

It is a gift that allows us to understand we are connected to sacred energy; we are sacred energy.

It is a gift to understand that ancient wisdom flows through the tarot and ourselves.

You are part of this forest, and the new title allows you to see this. By reading the book, it allows you to seek the stories that open you up to both ancient wisdom, seek the traditions that call to you, create the play that allows you to create the sacred in yourself.

From the Shining Tribe Tarot book I’ll share with you the poem and meaning of the card.

They cast the great circle.
They clear the clogged highways.
They share all the gossip.
They teach all the children.

Finding your path, either through tradition or your own searching. A sense of protection, of trust and hope. Wisdom, also responsibility. Secret actions to help others. Sometimes social institutions, especially marriage.

Unorthodox behavior, liberation from rules. Lack of trust, especially in traditional beliefs or institutions. Gullibility toward anything that presents itself as alternative to established ideas. Sometimes a denial of responsibility.

Now I’ll suggest you get A Walk through the Forest of Souls – So you too can access that forest for yourself.

#walkthroughtheforestofsouls

Languages

Variable

Mercurial

Fluid

Aspects

Avenues

Paths

Attributes

Dimensions

Perspective

Method

Approach