The Motherpeace Round Tarot deck represents a significant departure from conventional tarot systems, offering a unique pathway to spiritual insight through its feminist perspective and intuitive design. Created by Karen Vogel and Vicki Noble in 1978, this deck was born from a profound spiritual experience. The creators, within a year of receiving their first tarot deck, witnessed a life-altering event where Karen felt the room tilt, and Vicki experienced a vision of Goddess energy and ancient wisdom transmission. This event catalyzed the development of the Motherpeace deck, which is grounded in the traditional tarot system but enriched with ancient imagery drawn from goddess-centered cultures globally. The deck’s philosophy centers on embracing the Goddess spirit, moving away from the often patriarchal imagery found in traditional tarot, and balancing feminist emphasis with the inclusion of several male figures. This approach encourages readers to rely on intuition rather than seeking rigid, "black and white" meanings. The deck consists of 78 round cards and a 34-page booklet, featuring a distinctive artistic style and cultural representations that invite a deeper, more personal connection to the cards. The Motherpeace Tarot is described as a "wise and loving oracle" and a "clear mirror" that reflects the truest face, offering guidance that is both compassionate and insightful.
The Philosophical Foundation of Motherpeace Tarot
The core philosophy of the Motherpeace Tarot is deeply rooted in feminist principles and the veneration of Goddess energy. The creators, Karen Vogel and Vicki Noble, sought to create a tarot system that honored the divine feminine and the wisdom of matriarchal traditions. Their vision was not merely to replace male figures with female ones, but to fundamentally shift the perspective from which tarot wisdom is accessed. The deck embraces a holistic worldview where the divine is seen through the lens of the Goddess, drawing imagery from diverse ancient cultures that held goddess worship central to their spiritual lives. This inclusive approach ensures that the wisdom offered is universal yet specifically attuned to the energies of creation, intuition, and nurturing.
The round shape of the cards is a deliberate design choice that breaks from the rectangular format of most tarot decks. This circularity is symbolic of wholeness, cycles, and the cyclical nature of life, mirroring the moon's phases and the rhythms of the earth. It encourages a non-linear reading style, where the eye can wander around the card's imagery without a prescribed start or end point. This fosters a more intuitive and fluid interpretation process, allowing the reader's subconscious to connect with the symbols and narratives presented. The artwork is described as "primitive," which in this context refers to a style that is raw, earthy, and deeply connected to primal archetypes rather than refined or academic. This aesthetic choice aims to bypass the intellectual mind and speak directly to the intuitive self. The deck explicitly moves away from "black and white" meanings, suggesting that interpretations should be fluid, contextual, and personalized. This empowers the user to trust their inner voice and the unique messages that arise during a reading, rather than relying solely on memorized definitions.
Distinctive Features of the Motherpeace Deck
The Motherpeace Tarot is characterized by several unique features that distinguish it from other decks and contribute to its specific mode of divination.
Round Cards and Intuitive Reading
The most immediately recognizable feature is the round card format. This design is not merely aesthetic; it is integral to the deck's function. The circular shape eliminates the hierarchical orientation of traditional cards (upright and reversed meanings), promoting a more holistic view. In a reading, the cards can be placed in a circle, emphasizing cycles and interconnectedness. The round cards also facilitate a more fluid gaze, allowing the reader to follow the natural path of the eye around the circle, discovering new details and connections with each pass. This method supports a reading style that is less about definitive answers and more about exploring the energetic landscape of a situation. The "primitive artwork" further aids this intuitive process by providing archetypal imagery that resonates on a subconscious level, inviting personal association and feeling over textbook definition.
Cultural Representation in the Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana suits are presented through the lens of specific world cultures, adding a layer of anthropological and spiritual depth to the deck. This is a significant departure from the standard suits of Cups, Wands, Pentacles, and Swords, which are often associated with elemental and astrological correspondences without explicit cultural framing. The Motherpeace deck assigns cultural contexts as follows: * Cups: The suit of Cups, representing emotions, relationships, and the inner world, is depicted with a general cultural focus that emphasizes the universal nature of emotional experience. * Wands: The suit of Wands, associated with creativity, energy, and action, is illustrated with African culture. This connects the fiery energy of Wands to the vibrant life force, ancestral wisdom, and dynamic creative expressions found across the African continent. * Discs: The suit of Discs (corresponding to Pentacles in traditional decks), which governs the material world, finances, and physical health, is illustrated with Navajo culture. This grounds the energy of Discs in the deep connection to the earth, sacred geometry, and the material prosperity inherent in the traditions of the Navajo people. * Swords: The suit of Swords, dealing with intellect, conflict, and clarity, is depicted with Greco-Roman imagery. This links the suit to the classical foundations of Western thought, logic, and the philosophical and political power struggles of the ancient world.
By framing the suits in this way, the Motherpeace Tarot acknowledges that the archetypal energies of the tarot are expressed uniquely across different human cultures. It encourages readers to consider the cultural context of the cards' messages, enriching the interpretation with a broader understanding of human experience.
Feminist Perspective with Balanced Representation
The deck's creators consciously departed from the patriarchal imagery that characterizes most traditional tarot decks. The Motherpeace Tarot places the Goddess and the divine feminine at its center. However, it is not an exclusively female deck. The creators have balanced this feminist emphasis by including several male figures. This approach suggests a holistic vision where masculine energy is present and acknowledged but does not dominate the spiritual landscape. It reflects a worldview that values partnership and the integration of both feminine and masculine principles in a balanced, non-hierarchical way. This balance allows for a more complete exploration of the human psyche and the energies at play in any situation.
The Creators and Their Legacy
The Motherpeace Tarot is the product of the collaborative vision and individual talents of Karen Vogel and Vicki Noble. Their journey began with a shared spiritual awakening that led them to channel the imagery and wisdom of the deck. Following the creation of Motherpeace, both creators have continued to contribute significantly to the fields of spirituality, healing, and women's wisdom.
Karen Vogel is recognized as a renowned intuitive, artist, tarot reader, teacher, and writer. Her artistic skill was the medium through which the Motherpeace deck came to life. Her work extends beyond the deck itself, focusing on helping individuals access their own intuitive gifts.
Vicki Noble, after co-creating the Motherpeace Tarot, authored several influential books. Her work, Shakti Woman: A Handbook for Healers, serves as a guide for those on a healing path. The Double Goddess: A History of Female Shamanism delves into the historical and spiritual lineage of women in shamanic roles. Vicki Noble has also developed a ritual healing process and is a dedicated teacher and lecturer on an international scale. She has led women's pilgrimages to sacred Goddess sites around the world, furthering the work of connecting with the divine feminine in a tangible, experiential manner. Their combined legacy is one of empowering individuals, particularly women, to connect with their inner wisdom and the broader spiritual heritage of the Goddess.
Utilizing the Motherpeace Tarot for Guidance
The Motherpeace Tarot is designed as a tool for profound personal insight and spiritual guidance. Its unique characteristics shape how it is best used.
Relying on Intuition Over Rigid Meanings
The primary instruction for using the Motherpeace deck is to trust one's intuition. The round cards and symbolic, culturally-rich artwork are meant to evoke personal feelings, memories, and associations. Instead of asking, "What does this card mean in the book?" the reader is encouraged to ask, "What does this image say to me right now?" This practice develops personal spiritual authority and deepens the connection to one's inner guidance system. The deck serves as a mirror, reflecting back the user's own subconscious knowledge and wisdom.
The "Wise and Loving Oracle"
The description of the Motherpeace Tarot as a "wise and loving oracle" speaks to the quality of guidance it offers. It is not a tool for fortune-telling in a deterministic sense, but rather for compassionate reflection. It is designed to show one's "truest face" with clarity and kindness, revealing underlying patterns, hidden strengths, and areas requiring attention. This approach fosters self-awareness and empowers individuals to make conscious choices from a place of clarity and self-acceptance.
The Included Booklet and Further Study
The deck is accompanied by a 34-page booklet that provides foundational information. While the emphasis is on intuitive reading, the booklet serves as an entry point, offering context for the cards' themes and the creators' vision. For those who wish to delve deeper, the extensive writings of the creators, particularly Vicki Noble's books on shamanism and healing, provide a rich framework for understanding the spiritual and cultural underpinnings of the Motherpeace system.
Conclusion
The Motherpeace Round Tarot deck stands as a testament to the power of spiritual vision and the importance of inclusive, intuitive divination. Created by Karen Vogel and Vicki Noble through a profound Goddess-inspired experience, it offers a unique tool for accessing wisdom. Its round cards, primitive artwork, and cultural framing of the Minor Arcana all serve to break down traditional barriers to spiritual insight, inviting users to engage with the tarot on a deeply personal and intuitive level. By centering the divine feminine while maintaining a balanced representation of masculine energy, it provides a holistic and compassionate mirror for self-reflection. The Motherpeace Tarot remains a "wise and loving oracle," guiding seekers toward their truest selves through the timeless language of Goddess energy and ancient archetypes.