The Daughters of the Moon Tarot represents a significant departure from traditional tarot structures, offering a unique, round deck designed to celebrate female consciousness and Goddess-centered spirituality. Originally conceived as the Matriarchal Tarot in 1976, this deck was created by artist Ffiona Morgan to serve as an archive of womanlore and knowledge. Unlike standard rectangular decks, the round cards symbolize cycles and the gradations of positive and negative energies, mirroring the natural rhythms of the moon and female experience. The deck is divided into five arcanas, including the aether (majors) and the suits of flames, cups, blades, and pentacles. It is noted for its inclusive representation of all races, ages, and body shapes, and for its modification of traditional male cards into feminine archetypes, such as the Witch replacing the Magician. This guide explores the deck's structure, symbolism, and potential application within a holistic framework of spiritual well-being, drawing exclusively from the provided source material.
The Structure and Philosophy of the Deck
The Daughters of the Moon Tarot is distinct in its architectural design, moving away from the hierarchical systems found in many traditional decks. The Major Arcana, for instance, is treated as an equal suit to the others and is renamed the Aether Arcana, or the Element of Spirit. This suit contains 21 cards that generally follow the sequence of traditional cards but with significant alterations to reflect a feminist and Goddess-oriented worldview. The philosophy behind the deck emphasizes empowerment, honesty, and responsibility, avoiding an attitude of superiority while reclaiming the feminine in its wholeness.
The deck consists of 73 or 75 cards, depending on the edition, which is fewer than the standard 78-card tarot deck. This reduction is intentional, streamlining the system to fit the specific energetic focus of the deck. The court cards, in particular, have been reduced from four to three in each suit: the Maiden, Mother, and Crone. These three figures represent distinct archetypes of the Goddess, replacing the traditional King, Queen, Knight, and Page structure. This reduction eliminates the male hierarchy, focusing instead on the cyclical stages of female life and energy.
The Five Arcanas and Suit Modifications
The division of the deck into five arcanas is a unique feature. The aether serves as the Major Arcana, while the four suits correspond to traditional elements but with adapted names and imagery.
- Aether Arcana (Majors): This suit includes cards such as the Dreamer, Witch, Isis, Mawu, Aphrodite, Amazon, Strength, Wise One, Spiderwoman, Maat, Reversal, Phoenix, Temperance, Oppression, Pan or Coyotewoman, Kali, Star, Yemeya, Amaterasu, Celebration, and Shakti. Notable changes include the Priestess taking the place of the High Priestess and the Hierophant, and the Empress and Emperor merging into Mawu, an African earth mother goddess. There are also two distinct Lovers cards: one featuring only females and the other showing a man and a woman.
- Flames (Wands): Corresponding to the element of fire, this suit retains the traditional association with action and energy but visualizes it through female-centric imagery.
- Cups: Representing water and emotion, the Cups suit features imagery such as the Ace of Cups, which depicts a young woman standing beneath a waterfall, symbolizing joyous cleansing.
- Blades (Swords): Corresponding to air and intellect, this suit includes cards like the Two of Blades, which shows two female martial artists fighting with swords, representing conflict and strategy.
- Pentacles: Representing earth and material concerns, this suit is grounded in the physical world and practical matters.
The court cards within these suits are specific. The Crone is the Queen equivalent, the Mother is the Knight, and the Maiden is the Page. There is no King. Additionally, each court card is associated with a specific goddess and astrological sign, such as the Crone of Flames representing Cerridwen and Sagittarius, or the Mother of Pentacles representing Corn Woman and Taurus.
Symbolism and Card Imagery
The imagery in the Daughters of the Moon Tarot is designed to speak uniquely to women, focusing on power, beauty, and wisdom. The artwork, primarily by Ffiona Morgan, avoids the standard Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) knockoff style. Instead, it offers striking and unique symbolism.
- The Priestess: Shows a serene Isis, replacing the traditional High Priestess and Hierophant.
- Strength: Depicts a young huntress walking with a lioness, emphasizing inner fortitude and connection with nature.
- The Sun: Shows young women dancing before a glowing yellow sun, celebrating joy and vitality.
- Oppression: This card replaces the Devil and is one of the most striking. It depicts a scene from the Inquisition, acknowledging the historical persecution of women accused of witchcraft. It serves as a powerful reminder of historical trauma and resilience.
- Pan or Coyotewoman: These are two new Major cards introduced as the Trickster archetype, adding a layer of mischief and boundary-breaking to the deck.
The round shape of the cards is significant. It reinforces the concept of cycles, gradations, and the non-linear nature of time and experience. The card back design features a purple background with a white crescent moon, further cementing the lunar and feminine connection.
Historical Context and Editions
The deck has a rich history spanning several decades and editions. It began in 1980 as the "Book of Aradia." In 1984, a black and white version was released, which was different from the current black and white edition (notably, the figure on the Moon card had a long braid in the 1984 version versus short hair in the current version). The revised color edition was released in 1991, and the most recent black and white edition was released in 2007. The 1991 color edition is noted for its vibrant and saturated colors, contrasting with the "muted and gentle" energy of the Motherpeace deck, another feminist deck. The Daughters of the Moon is described as "screaming female power."
The deck is currently out of print, though availability may be checked through various retailers. A companion book titled "Daughters of the Moon Tarot" by Ffiona Morgan was published in 1994 (with an 11th edition in 2000), containing 105 pages. An instruction sheet of 16 pages is also included with the deck, providing basic guidance and one spread.
Application in Spiritual Practice
While the source material focuses heavily on the description of the deck rather than specific spreads or divinatory meanings for every card, it does provide insight into how the deck is intended to be used. The deck is designed for those who appreciate goddess myth, enjoy ritual, and wish to use tarot creatively. The companion book and instruction sheet provide explanations for the cards and at least one spread.
The deck's focus is on empowerment and reclaiming the feminine. Therefore, readings with this deck are likely to focus on: 1. Personal Empowerment: Encouraging the querent to recognize and embrace their own strengths and responsibilities. 2. Cyclical Awareness: Using the round cards to reflect on the cycles of life, emotions, and energy. 3. Historical and Mythological Connection: Drawing on the imagery of goddesses and historical figures to provide context for current challenges. 4. Honesty and Integration: The deck demands honesty and does not shy away from difficult themes, such as the Oppression card.
The inclusion of two Lovers cards suggests a nuanced approach to relationships, offering options for female-only connections or mixed-gender dynamics. The reduction of the court cards to Maiden, Mother, and Crone simplifies the hierarchy of relationships, focusing on developmental stages rather than gendered power dynamics.
Holistic Integration with Vastu and Numerology
Although the provided source material is specific to the Daughters of the Moon Tarot and does not contain direct references to Vastu Shastra or Numerology, the principles embedded in the deck align with holistic energy balancing concepts often found in these disciplines.
Vastu Shastra Alignment: Vastu Shastra emphasizes the flow of energy (prana) within a space. The Daughters of the Moon Tarot, with its focus on cycles and the element of spirit (Aether), can be integrated into a Vastu-compliant space. For instance: * The Northeast (Ishanya) Corner: This zone is associated with spiritual growth and meditation. Keeping the Daughters of the Moon deck in this area of a home or meditation room could enhance the connection to Goddess energy and intuition. * The Southwest (Nairutya) Corner: This zone represents relationships and stability. The "Mawu" card (representing the earth mother) or the Lovers cards could be used as focal points to harmonize relationship energy in this zone.
Numerology Connections: The deck's numerical structure offers points of connection with numerological insights: * The Number 21: The Aether Arcana contains 21 cards. In numerology, 21 is often associated with creativity, optimism, and the realization of dreams. This aligns with the deck's theme of empowerment and spiritual awakening. * The Number 73/75: The total number of cards (73 or 75) reduces to 1 (7+3=10, 1+0=1) or 3 (7+5=12, 1+2=3). The number 1 signifies new beginnings and leadership, while the number 3 relates to creativity and expression. Both reflect the deck's innovative and creative departure from tradition.
Visual and Tactile Experience
The physical experience of the deck is designed to be distinct. The cards are large, measuring 5.25 inches in diameter (or 5 1/4" diameter according to one source), which can be challenging for those with small hands to shuffle in a traditional "Las Vegas" style. However, the round shape encourages a different kind of handling, perhaps more akin to handling a fan of cards or placing them in a circular spread, reinforcing the cyclical theme.
The artwork is described as "vibrant and saturated" in the color editions, which contributes to the deck's energetic intensity. The black and white editions offer a different, perhaps more introspective, aesthetic. The heavy card stock mentioned in some editions suggests a durable, quality product intended for regular use.
Conclusion
The Daughters of the Moon Tarot is a specialized tool for those seeking a spiritual path centered on female empowerment and Goddess spirituality. It challenges the traditional tarot hierarchy by reducing the court cards to Maiden, Mother, and Crone, renaming the Major Arcana to the Aether Arcana, and introducing unique cards like Pan and Coyotewoman. Its round shape visually reinforces the concept of cycles, making it a potent symbol for those attuned to lunar rhythms and the natural flow of life. While the deck is currently out of print, its legacy as a unique, feminist, and artistically striking work endures. For spiritual seekers looking to integrate tarot with holistic practices, the Daughters of the Moon offers a rich tapestry of mythology, history, and feminine symbolism that can complement the energetic balancing principles found in Vastu Shastra and Numerology.