Shining Woman Tarot by Rachel Pollack   This deck-and-book set is a delight to behold and handle.  I am sorry it took me this long to get hold of a copy, now when it is no longer readily available.  It comes packaged in the typical box and slipcover arrangement that most of the decks from Thorsson's come in.   The traditional symbolism of the tarot has been completely reworked in this deck, and there is a great deal of consistency throughout the system.  Several of the Major Arcana titles have been renamed, and the suits in the Minor Arcana are also renamed, as are the court cards.  The artwork has a light, pleasant look and feel to it.  Primitive in style, soft colors and images of a shamanistic culture abound in these cards.   The major changes in the Major Arcana are the following title changes: Tradition for the Hierophant, The Wheel of Fortune is a Spiral of Fortune here, there is a Hanged Woman instead of a Hanged Man, Judgement is replaced by Awakening, and the World is, here, the Shining Woman, from whom the title of the deck comes.  Symbolism in these cards is consistent both with the changes and the system involved.   In the Minor Arcana, the suits have been renamed as well.  They represent natural objects which emphasize the four elements, and so we can see their relationship with the traditional suit names.  Stones, the earth suit, take the place of Pentacles;  Birds, the air suit, replace Swords;  Trees, the fire suit, instead of Wands; and Rivers, a water suit, is the emotional Cups.   The book which comes with the set spends most of its time concentrating on the explanations and divinatory meanings of each card in the deck; only one small spread is described, and this is rather sparse.  The introduction to tarot in the front of the book is well-done but short.  This set is designed, written and painted by Rachel Pollack, who has written many other fine books on the subject of tarot.   I recommend this set for anyone who is looking to touch base with goddess-oriented and shamanistic cultural alignments within tarot.  It seems especially suited also for personal empowerment.  It will be an excellent choice for collectors as well.  I'm not sure it would be an easy start for beginners; those with some experience in tarot will get a lot more out of the symbolism.  Since this set is no longer readily available, I recommend if you see it somewhere that you grab it when you can.   Click here for pictures   or here to return   Please use your browser's back button to return from pictures   Review Copyright 1998 by Gina M. Pace