While this is not a tarot deck, it is a lovely system of personal transformation and earth consciousness.  The artwork on the cards is some of the best I have seen of the Native American teachings systems available, and the book is very well made.  The teachings of the Lakota Sioux nations are brought together here so that they may be shared with all the world, for the message has become universally needed.

There are 50 cards altogether.  There is no Major or Minor Arcana, since it is not tarot, nor are there suits.  Rather, the cards are broken up into stages or categories which correlate to the formation of the earth and nature mysteries and teach different levels of guidance.

The first group of cards falls under the heading of The Sixteen Great Mysteries.  The Eight Supernaturals are next, followed by The Elements of the Sweat Lodge.  At the heart of this system is the Inipi Purification Ritual, or the sweat lodge.  Lakota spirituality revolves around this necessary purification.

Also included in this system are a number of layouts, and, delightfully, actual instructions on how sweat lodges are constructed and how they work.  Meditations and a ritual are included for purification, although I am sure it is modified from the original for use by any modern man, not just the Sioux.

This card system is highly recommended for anyone looking to follow any kind of native spiritualist teachings on a personal level, especially if one is willing to put in a lot of time and energy.  Like all deck-and-book sets, I wish the cards came in a smaller separate box, as this book is nice enough to put in the bookcase and then the cards are left loose.  However, this is a minor point in a very good system.

Click here for pictures
 
or here to purchase this deck and book set

or here to return

Please use your browser's back button to return from pictures

Review Copyright 1998 by Gina M. Pace