This is another deck which begins as a variation on the traditional Rider-Waite theme, and then veers off to pursue its own style.  The Herbal Tarot combines the imagery of the tarot with nicely drawn renderings of 78 of the most commonly used herbs today.  I shall have to read the book which is published as a companion to this deck, for there are herbal correspondences which elude me and which for the most part will not be known by the common reader.

However, the artwork in this deck, which is reminiscent of the Rider deck, is soft and gentle and pretty, very useful if one is reading for "delicate" clients.  I imagine this would come in especially handy when dealing with clients in poor health or tending towards depression.  The holistic approach is definitely targeted with these cards.
 
It becomes a wonderful healing approach for readings when you use this deck for readings for people who wish to use herbal remedies to assist in their well-being and often helps to pinpoint health problems.  Although this is an area where I would advise caution to the reader (remember, you're not a doctor and the client may be looking for you to save them all the money a doctor would cost) if you are clear that you are not replacing the importance of proper medical attention in any health situation, you can actually do a lot of good this way.
 
The book which is written to accompany the set is excellent and covers the meaning of the card but very specifically addresses the meaning of the herb assigned to each card.  This book can be an essential reference to anyone doing a reading, even if they're not using the Herbal Tarot cards, because they can look up the cross-reference with any deck they are using.
 
Traditional suits of Cups, Wands, Swords and Pentacles are used.  There are a few changes in the Major Arcana; the Hanged Man becomes the Suspended Person (very politically correct) and the Devil has become Pan.  The Wheel of Fortune has been altered to the Medicine Wheel, which is appropriate considering the nature of the deck.

Overall, a pleasant, healing type of deck.  I had a hard time selecting cards to scan for this one, because they are all about equally nice.

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Review Copyright 1998 by Gina M. Pace