|
I like the
box – a compact, 6 ¼” square, the box feels…solid…earthy…reliable. And
that’s just the beginning of the good stuff about this tarot deck.
Inside the box, set within a purple frame, are the cards. Round cards. Cards
under 4” in diameter. Cards that are easy to shuffle. Cards with what
appears to be very simple drawings. But for all their simplicity, these
drawings are quite eloquent and they speak volumes.
The cards are friendly. Cups become frogs, pentacles become turtles, wands
become Thunderbirds, and swords become butterflies (instead of being stabbed
with a sword, how much better to be tickled with a butterfly!). Throughout
the deck, colors are soft and comforting.
There is a book with the cards – but no flimsy, little white booklet here.
This is a 200 page guide to reading, not just this deck, but tarot cards of
all kinds. Stella Bennett, creator of The Star That Never Walks Around,
does not waste our time caressing her own ego. Her manner is direct, honest,
and very informative.
Beginning readers will find material on choosing a deck, taking care of the
cards, grounding, and formulating questions. And I believe this is the first
deck I’ve ever seen that included the author’s personal Code of Ethics.
Stella also includes information on astrology, numerology, the elements,
karma, and timing as well as several spreads and she does an excellent job
of explaining the reading advantages to round cards. Even with all of this
information, however, Stella leaves room for our own ideas and encourages us
to think for ourselves.
I have never really been attracted to Native American decks before but this
one transcends cultural differences. Under Stella’s hand, we do learn a
great deal about Native American culture, but Stella’s own respect for all
living things becomes OUR respect for all living things. We see the world
through her eyes – the eyes of a spiritual, loving woman – and we share her
awe for the mysteries of the world.
The Star That Never Walks Around is from the heart and soul of Stella
Bennett. It carries her wisdom, her humor, her integrity, her love, and her
joyous spirit. We are all better because of her presence in our lives. It is
her presence in this deck that makes it so special.
Kitatamihim, Stella! (Thank you, Stella!)
********* ISBN 1-57863-242-0 Published by WeiserBooks, Boston, MA/York
Beach, ME
|
