More than thirty years ago, Ffiona Morgan (and others) created a round Tarot deck titled Daughters of the Moon. The first edition was in black and white, later released in color. This was the second round deck, coming out two years after the Motherpeace. While both decks are feminist, their energies are dissimilar. Where Motherpeace feels muted and gentle, Daughters of the Moon screams female power.
Although my first venture into Daughters of the Moon was via the black and white deck, I had no problem picking up on the feminist vibe exhorting women to embrace their power. When the color version was released I immediately bought it as well, falling in love with the vibrant and saturated colors.
(By the way, if you’re wondering about the size, the cards are 5.25 x 5.25 inches. The back (on both versions) is purple with a white crescent moon. If you have small hands, you may have a bit of a problem shuffling Las Vegas style.)
Not a Rider-Waite-Smith Knockoff
If you’re thinking mainstream Tarot, you won’t find it in this deck. First, there are only 75 cards, not 78. There are suits, but not all cards have the suits listed. There are Major Arcana, but most have names that have nothing to do with a typical RWS deck. If you’re getting the idea that this deck is unique, you couldn’t be more correct. The Courts are Maiden, Mother, Crone – no Kings, no male figures save for Pan (the Fool). The Suits are Cups, Flames, Blades, and Pentacles.
Majors have names like Witch and Isis – names not common to RWS. And if you’re used to reading a deck based on name alone, this one is going to be a challenge. Several cards are named for Goddesses – so if you’re relying on familiar RWS nomenclature, it’s not here.
Plus the imagery often has absolutely nothing to do with a typical deck. It’s kind of hard to interpret a normal 10 of Swords (10 swords sticking out of someone’s back) when the card’s image shows 10 naked women sitting in an open tepee. Above is the crescent moon and in a semicircle protecting the group are the blades. If you read by the seat-of-your-pants, you’ll love using this deck. The energy almost jumps off the cards, making it easy to read – at least in my opinion.
What Does the Deck Have to Say?
I asked three questions:
1. What is your energy?
2. What does a person new to you need to know?
3. What do you have to say to the 21st century?
I love that the deck’s energy is Temperance. But look and you’ll see that she is merging Fire with Water. Normally that Water element would put out the Fire. But in this case, the two are beginning to blend into a Rainbow. By the way, doesn’t she look powerful standing on that mountain and making magic?
The second card, the message for someone new to the deck is the 9 of Cups, Kuan Yin. That card is so calming that it’s hard to hear any message other than: “Love me as I love you – whatever you need I will provide.”
Lastly, if there ever was a message of inclusion, this is it. We see all skin colors in this card – in fact you’ll see all body shapes throughout the deck – and everyone is dancing together. Regardless of race or culture, they move as one. Again, a message of the power of inclusion.
Want a Copy of Daughters of the Moon?
You can still buy this deck as well as the Guidebook. I do suggest picking up the book as it will help as you navigate the unfamilar names and suits.
