The Gaian Tarot (Limited Edition)
Author: Joanna Powell Colbert
Artist: Joanna Powell Colbert
Independently Published
2010
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
Mary Oliver
(Printed within a blessing wreath on an extra card with this deck.)
I have followed Joanna Powell Colbert’s work since the beginnings of her major’s only version of the “Gaian Tarot”. I dearly love that deck, and use it often for personal readings and for ritual purposes. In the spirit of transparency, I have to say that part of the appeal is that the imagery in both the major’s only and the full 78 card version of the “Gaian Tarot” is based on the geography of the Pacific Northwest, which is where I live. I can look at a card and immediately connect with it, both through my knowledge of the Tarot and through personal memories that are evoked.
This is a traditional 78 card deck, using the traditional titles for the Major Arcana, with the following exceptions: the Fool becomes the Seeker, the High Priestess becomes the Priestess, the Empress becomes the Gardner, the Emperor becomes the Builder, the Hierophant becomes the Teacher, the Chariot becomes the Canoe, the Wheel of Fortune becomes the Wheel, the Hanged Man becomes the Tree, Temperance becomes Bindweed, the Tower becomes Lightening, Judgment becomes Awakening, and the World becomes Gaia the World.
The presentation of the Majors Only Special Edition was absolutely incredible – doable only through the auspices of a “village” … a very special village of friends. Between decks Joanna moved from her beloved island to the mainland … but the presentation of the Limited Edition 78 Card Gaian Tarot was also blessed with a “village of friends”. To all of the ladies and gentlemen involved in getting both decks out into the world in a sacred manner – thank you, and bless you!
Included in the Special Edition package is the 78 card “Gaian Tarot” deck (offered in two sizes – 4” by 6”, and 3.5” by 5.25”, from a run of 500 each), a signed and numbered title card (showing a white background with a muted version of the herbal wreath from the deck back, and the signature and card number in beautiful gold script), a unique, handmade Tarot bag (made by Elaine Nichols, the same lady that made the lovely velvet bags for the majors only deck), a handmade Gaian Tarot amulet with the image of your choice tied to the bag, Joanna’s small bag of blessing herbs (Sage, Sweetgrass, Lavender and Cedar), and a 195 page signed companion book. Note: Due to customs regulations, the bag of blessing herbs will not be included in overseas orders.
The companion book – “Gaian Tarot – Healing the Earth, Healing Ourselves”, is a treasure in and of itself. The cover shows a portion of the beautiful Priestess card – the lovely lady standing, wearing a white robe with a blue and lavender patterned vest, the waning moon and an owl hovering over her right shoulder. The left hand side of her head shows a young woman (Maiden), with the right hand side showing older “wise woman” (Crone) imagery. On her headband we see the crescent moon of the Maiden, and in her hands she hold a pomegranate.
Uniqueness starts with the table of contents, where the cards are listed by title, and then by theme. For example:
- The Seeker – A New Beginning
- The Priestess – Dreams, Voices and Visions
- Sixes – Community, Reciprocity, Peak Experience
- Children – Learning, Wondering, Beginning
- Elders – Holding Wisdom, Giving Counsel
The title for each chapter appears over a light gray version of the wreath of blessing herbs. Each card is presented with a black and white scan, an explanation of the card, what it means in a reading, what the shadow side of the card is (much preferable, IMHO, than using the label “reversed meaning”). For the Major Arcana, Joanna has included an inset entitled “Deepen your understanding of (card name)”, where she lists themes of the card, briefly discusses the meaning of the symbols found in the card, lists several questions that can be used for journaling purposes, and gifts the reader with an affirmation for each card. The Minor Arcana presentation includes the same information, with the exception of the theme and “Deepen your understanding” inset. The Court Cards presentation includes theme, and explanation of the card, what it means in a reading, it’s Shadow side, and an affirmation.
Joanna introduces the Major Arcana as Soul Lessons, while the Pips (numbered cards) are seen through the lens of their number and element, and the Court cards showing a complete sequence: the Children (Pages) are shown as encountering their element for the first time, the Explorers (Knights) are in the process of discovering the qualities of their suit. The Guardians (Queens) are nurturing and preserving the qualities of their suit. The Elders (Kings) are passing on/teaching the wisdom of their suit.
Joanna discuses working with a card a day, framing questions, reading the Shadow side of the cards, and doing three card readings. She presents spreads from several people in the Tarot world: James Wells’ Helpful All-Purpose Spread, her own New Moon Spread, Beth Owl’s Daughter’s “Predict Your Future By Creating It” Spread, James Wells’ Ten Card Layout, her own New Moon Spread #2, her own New Year Spread, Carolyn Cushing’s “Aligning With the Earth” Spread, and James Wells’ Gaian Spread.
The deck that I am working with is the 3.5” by 5.25” version. The cards were printed by a local (to Joanna) green printer on sturdy card stock using recycled paper, soy ink, and a aqueous coating on the cards. The card backs (which are reversible) show a dark blue night sky with white stars, and a large version of the blessing wreath centered on the card. In the center of the wreath is a glowing white light. The wreath of blessing herbs creates a portal between this world and the Otherworld.
The card faces show a ¼” white border, with the card number and element (for the Pips), card number and title (for the Major Arcana), card title and element (for the Court Cards) printed at the bottom of the card. The imagery on the cards reflects the flora and fauna of the Pacific Northwest. The style of art is a combination of “real world” and “otherworld” that blends into its own reality. The colors are both intense and “real”. The people imagery in this deck comes from people in Joanna’s life.
The Hermit has to be my all time favorite card in this deck (and in the Special Edition Major Arcana ‘Gaian Tarot” deck). He sits with his back to a tree, in a white robe and a blue cape with purple lining. His lamp is in front of him, and he is writing in his journal. In the upper right hand corner we see his Guardian, the Barred Owl.
In the Ten of Water we see the life cycle of the salmon, born in freshwater and carried downstream to the ocean to mature. They then return upstream to spawn, and then die.
In the Guardian of Fire we see a male figure literally keeping watch over an outdoor fire, with the woods and a night sky in the background. His ally, the Bobcat, sits to one side watching.
The Star shows a female figure in a white robe, kneeling by a sacred spring, cupping in her hands the Water of Life. In the background we see the night sky.
The Builder is patterned after Joanna’s husband, Craig. He is a master craftsman, and is shown carvng a design of leaves and acorns into a post that flanks his front door. Dried herbs hang from the rafters, and firewood is stacked for the winter.
Death in this deck always makes me want to cry. A Heron lies dead in an old, decaying boat on the beach. A vulture flies overhead, while ants and spiders crawl over the carcass. Wild roses and elderberry are growing up through the rotting boat. To the west are the islands of the Otherworld.
This is a gentle, yet intense deck. It could be used by any level of reader, and is appropriate for a diverse clientele.
There will be a mass market edition of the “Gain Tarot” (deck and book) coming out in September of 2011 from Llewellyn Worldwide. Scans from the “Gaian Tarot” can be seen at www.gaiantarot.com.
© March 2010 Bonnie Cehovet
