Introduction to the Gaian Tarot

Although the first Tarot cards were created in 15th century northern Italy, they embody a set of spiritual lessons or principles that are timeless. In her book A Forest of Souls, Rachel Pollack writes that the Tarot is a Book of Wisdom like the Bible or the Torah or other sacred texts. Gaia, the Living Earth Herself, is another kind of sacred text, especially for those who practice an earth-centered spirituality. I have brought together these two loves of mine — the Tarot and the natural world — in the Gaian Tarot.

The Gaian Tarot is an expression of my own eclectic, earth-centered Goddess spirituality. It celebrates the living Earth and those who seek to live in harmony with Her. I asked these questions as I created each card: What about the earth? What does the voice of the earth have to say? Where is nature in the meaning of this card?

The Gaian Tarot grew out of my relationship with the natural world where I live and the people of my community. Many of the scenes in the deck are based on sketches from my nature journals and photos I've taken of local landscapes. Some scenes are quite recognizable to people who know the Pacific Northwest. Every animal, bird or plant in the cards is one that I have encountered personally or in my naturalist studies. I know their natural history as well as the mythic resonances — Raven and Coyote are not only mythic tricksters but also neighbors I may encounter every day. Most of the models for the figures in my cards are friends or friends of friends. I’ve always loved painting the “numinous” in the everyday person, and that’s what I’ve done here.

The human figures in the deck are both contemporary and mythic, in terms of clothing and appearance. Sometimes they are part of this world, sometimes they belong in the spiritworld or the borderlands between this world and the Otherworld.

I hope that the Gaian Tarot helps you to connect with the Divine, in whatever way you conceive that to be. I hope you will be inspired to connect more deeply with the natural world in the place where you live. And I hope my images help create a culture of strong and gentle women and men, working together to create a beautiful, peaceful and just planet.

What does “Gaian” mean, anyway?

Here’s a couple of answers . . . what's yours?

“Gaians perceive the Earth as a living, breathing being, perceive the creatures, (including humans) the rivers, oceans, mountains, forests, prairies as part of that being. Gaians recognize that we are inescapably connected to one another via all the Earth's systems.”
— Chris Bingham, Gaian Sustainable Culture, www.gaiaconsort.com

“A Gaian is a person who focuses his/her spiritual faith upon the Earth (Gaia.) Gaianism is a growing movement devoted to the creation of an earth-wise spirituality that honors the Earth and all life as the primary source, sustainer, and reality for life. Gaians may be Pagans, Christians ([as in the] Creation-Spirituality movement of Matthew Fox), atheists, Scientific Pantheists, or any other religion/faith that is willing to focus its energy upon the spirituality of connection with the biosphere.”
— PanGaia Magazine FAQ, www.pangaia.com