Tarot of the Sorceress – A Witch’s Wheel of the Year
Berengere Demoncy
Boxed set of cards and guidebook
Rockpool Publishing (November 22, 2022)
Reviewed by Wendy Stokes
Sample card info: Justice. Sacred feminine. Keywords: normalisation, balance, rules, the law.
The Justice card calls for balance or the restoration of balance, cutting through and separating what needs to be sorted. Through its symmetry it is also an invitation to bring greater clarity, stability and therefore balance to things. Justice is like a set of scales, represented here by two blossoming sleeves. The first is made up of chamomile, daisies, Indian marigolds, primroses, St John’s wort, heliotrope, bellflowers and cinq foil, all soft, spring-like and blossoming. The other sleeve is covered with holly, ivy, chestnut burrs, and thorny dry yew and brambles, representing the difficulties encountered in the dark and cold of winter when resources are lacking.
Based on Rider-Waite and Marseilles Tarot, this Tarot deck features seasonal festivals, sabbaths, plants, crystals, astrology, and ritual. The suits reflect the elements.
The black and white illustrations with copper highlights are simple yet effective. We connect with something greater than ourselves with this deck. Each card tells a story. Information is supplied on how to perform a reading, “what shall I work on this month to feel better.” Try a Three-card spread, the Cross Spread (4 cards), or the Witch’s Spread (6 cards).
The two bundles are almost symmetrical forming a balance of choices, obvious divergences and differing results. Balance is not always found in light or darkness; it grows between both worlds. Justice does not invite you to choose one or the other but to embrace both to find a happy medium and open your eyes to what seems complicated as well as what really makes up the true nature of life. Justice is alone in the blackness of night, because it is during that dark time that nothing is obvious and each thought is devoured by doubt. The sword is not at the centre of the picture because it invites you to cut through, to find your personal balance instead of conforming to the norm. This card can also be about the need to do justice for yourself or others by the law, or the state. It may be interesting to look for what else it wants to tell you beyond the obvious. Traditional keywords are balance, perfection, cutting through, value, judgement, cheating, authorisation, prohibiting.
Very enigmatic artwork, and interesting write-ups. For the female sorceress! Recommended.
