The Medicine Woman Tarot, created by Carol Bridges, represents a unique fusion of traditional Tarot structure with Native American spiritual beliefs and a profound reverence for Mother Earth. This deck serves not merely as a tool for divination but as an inner guidebook for personal awakening. According to the source material, the deck is designed to honor the Earth and respect all beings, both embodied and in spirit. It guides users through the seasons and the powers they provide, offering 78 positive images that depict the feminine strength present in both men and women.
The Medicine Woman Tarot is accessible to anyone interested in the beliefs and ways of Native American Indians who appreciates a deck that is simple yet detailed. While the name suggests a focus on women, the creator emphasizes that the deck is not exclusively for women. Instead, it aims to help all people regain the feminine healing energy that is often neglected in the modern Western world. The artwork is described as gorgeous, simple enough to be open, yet detailed enough to convey meaning in an evocative and inventive way. Every element within the cards seems to hold significance, including the way the titles of the Major Arcana are written.
To effectively use the Medicine Woman Tarot, one must establish a relationship with the deck. It speaks not only to the intellect but also to the body, emotions, and spirit. The user is encouraged to interact with the cards by writing about them, speaking to them, and expressing emotions such as laughter or crying. The characters depicted within the deck represent various aspects of the user’s life, including roles they play, people they know, archetypal forces, and medicine helpers. Ultimately, they depict a path of life, the laws of manifestation, the biochemical interaction of cells, the evolution of humanity, and daily encounters. The beings within the Medicine Woman Tarot work with the user on many levels.
Understanding the Deck Structure
The Medicine Woman Tarot adheres to the traditional structure of 78 cards, divided into the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. This structure mirrors the nervous system, which receives, integrates, and transmits knowledge. Similarly, the consciousness goes through these stages to accomplish major life changes. The source material suggests that humans have been programmed by DNA in every cell to spiral onward. As awareness increases, one becomes more able to take over the job of programming oneself.
The Major Arcana
The Major Arcana consists of 21 cards. In standard Tarot, there are typically 22 Major Arcana cards, but the Medicine Woman Tarot lists 21 specific cards in the source material, ranging from The Fool to The World. These cards represent archetypal images and energies. They tell the story of a journey, similar to the Fool’s story in traditional Tarot, starting at the beginning and traveling through life’s significant experiences. In a reading, Major Arcana cards are considered the anchor and deal with significant details within a person's life. They can represent a person or a major life theme. Whenever a Major Arcana card appears, it requires special attention as it impacts the overall interpretation of the reading.
The Major Arcana cards listed in the source material include: * The Fool * The Magician * The High Priestess * The Empress * The Emperor * The Hierophant * The Lovers * The Chariot * Strength * The Hermit * Wheel of Fortune * Justice * The Hanged Man * Death * Temperance * The Devil (referred to as the "Trickster" in this deck) * The Tower * The Star * The Moon * The Sun * Judgement * The World
It is noted that the "Devil" card in traditional Tarot is represented as the "Trickster" in the Medicine Woman Tarot. This shift in terminology reflects the deck's unique perspective, moving away from potentially frightening imagery toward a more nuanced understanding of challenges or illusions.
The Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards. These cards complement the Major Arcana by focusing on current challenges and opportunities faced daily. They help individuals understand when opportunity knocks or how to prevent making decisions they are not 100% sure of. The Minor Arcana provides additional details and perspectives necessary to understand the Major Arcana cards in a reading.
The 56 Minor Arcana cards are divided into four suits. Unlike the traditional Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles, the Medicine Woman Tarot utilizes nature-inspired names for these suits: 1. Pipes (Wands): Associated with the element of Fire, representing action, creativity, and will. 2. Bowls (Cups): Associated with the element of Water, representing emotions, relationships, and intuition. 3. Arrows (Swords): Associated with the element of Air, representing thoughts, communication, and conflict. 4. Stones (Pentacles/Coins): Associated with the element of Earth, representing material world, finances, and physical health.
Each suit comprises ten numbered cards (Ace through Ten) and four court cards: * Apprentice: Corresponds to the Page. Represents a new beginning, messages, or a youthful energy. * Totem: Corresponds to the Knight. Represents movement, action, and pursuit of goals. * Lodge: Corresponds to the Queen. Represents nurturing, intuition, and mastery of the element. * Exemplar: Corresponds to the King. Represents authority, control, and mastery of the external world.
The Suits and Their Components
The source material provides a detailed list of the cards within each suit. The imagery is designed to be gentle and non-scary, allowing clients to relax during readings. The use of animal spirits in the background adds a layer of spiritual depth, making them feel almost real during a reading.
The Suit of Arrows (Swords)
The suit of Arrows corresponds to the traditional Swords suit. It deals with the realm of the mind, communication, and challenges. * Ace of Arrows * Two of Arrows * Three of Arrows * Four of Arrows * Five of Arrows * Six of Arrows * Seven of Arrows * Eight of Arrows * Nine of Arrows * Ten of Arrows * Apprentice of Arrows * Totem of Arrows * Queen of Arrows * Exemplar of Arrows
The Suit of Stones (Coins/Pentacles)
The suit of Stones corresponds to the traditional Pentacles or Coins. It focuses on the material world, including finances, work, and the physical body. * Ace of Stones * Two of Stones * Three of Stones * Four of Stones * Five of Stones * Six of Stones * Seven of Stones * Eight of Stones * Nine of Stones * Ten of Stones * Apprentice of Stones * Totem of Stones * Queen of Stones * Exemplar of Stones
The Suit of Pipes (Wands)
The suit of Pipes corresponds to the traditional Wands. It represents energy, inspiration, and spiritual growth. * Ace of Pipes * Two of Pipes * Three of Pipes * Four of Pipes * Five of Pipes * Six of Pipes * Seven of Pipes * Eight of Pipes * Nine of Pipes * Ten of Pipes * Apprentice of Pipes * Totem of Pipes * Queen of Pipes * Exemplar of Pipes
The Suit of Bowls (Cups)
The suit of Bowls corresponds to the traditional Cups. It governs emotions, love, and connections. * Ace of Bowls * Two of Bowls * Three of Bowls * Four of Bowls * Five of Bowls * Six of Bowls * Seven of Bowls * Eight of Bowls * Nine of Bowls * Ten of Bowls * Apprentice of Bowls * Totem of Bowls * Queen of Bowls * Exemplar of Bowls
Symbolism and Interpretation
The Medicine Woman Tarot utilizes specific symbols that carry deep meaning. A distinct feature noted in the source material is the presence of a circle on every card. This circle is interpreted as representing the "circle of life," reinforcing the deck's connection to natural cycles and the interconnectedness of all things.
The deck emphasizes the feminine healing energy. The images and figures within the cards are primarily female, and three of the four suits have women as their "main characters." This visual representation reinforces the deck's purpose of helping users reclaim nurturing ways and the wisdom of the Mother Creator.
The creator, Carol Bridges, adds the "usual" names of the Major Arcana on the side of the cards. Since she has changed the names of the majors to fit the Native American theme (e.g., "Trickster" instead of "Devil"), this addition makes it easier for readers familiar with traditional Tarot to understand the parallels between the traditional meanings and the deck's specific spiritual context.
Approaching a Reading
When using the Medicine Woman Tarot, the goal is to see the paths before us using intuition. The deck encourages a connection to the "Great Spirit" and "Mother Creator." The readings are described as flowing with energy, detailed, and spiritual. The gentleness of the lines in the artwork allows the reader's intuition to reach a higher level.
The source material suggests that Tarot readings in general provide a mirror into one's own soul. The Medicine Woman Tarot enhances this by offering a multi-layered experience that touches the physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies. The cards present symbols and imagery, and the reader makes sense of them within their living context. What is most important is what the cards represent to the individual receiving the reading.
It is also noted that Tarot card definitions are not complete or carved in stone. Every reading is influenced by the training and intuition of the reader, as well as the perspective of the individual. The descriptions provided by the Medicine Woman Tarot act as a guide, but the user is encouraged to add their own perspective, intuition, and inspiration to their readings.
Personal Awakening and Manifestation
The Medicine Woman Tarot is described as an in-depth course of study in personal awakening. It goes beyond simple fortune-telling to explore the biochemical interactions of cells and the evolution of humanity. The cards depict the laws of manifestation. This suggests that the deck can be used as a tool for understanding how thoughts and energies translate into physical reality.
By engaging with the deck—writing, speaking, and emoting with it—users can access different levels of consciousness. The deck helps users identify the roles they play and the archetypal forces at work in their lives. It serves as a helper in navigating daily encounters and understanding the larger path of life.
The concept of taking over the "job of programming yourself" is central. The source material states that humans are programmed by DNA to spiral onward, but increasing awareness allows for conscious self-programming. The Medicine Woman Tarot acts as a guide in this process, helping users align with their true potential and the healing energies of the Earth.
Conclusion
The Medicine Woman Tarot offers a distinct and spiritually rich approach to Tarot reading. By blending the traditional 78-card structure with Native American reverence for nature and feminine healing energy, it provides a unique tool for personal growth. The deck honors the Earth and encourages users to reconnect with the nurturing aspects of the universe. Through its gentle imagery, detailed symbolism, and the inclusion of the circle of life, it serves as a mirror for the soul and a guide for manifestation. Whether used for daily challenges or major life themes, the Medicine Woman Tarot invites users to engage deeply with their intuition and the archetypal forces that shape their existence.