Motherpeace: A Way to the Goddess through Myth, Art, and Tarot

by Vicki Noble, Vivki Noble

Illustrated with contemporary feminist art inspired by the Tarot showing how traditional myths and symbols can provide ideas and images for understanding the meaning and power of the Goddess today.

Genres: Tarot, Spirituality, Goddess, Nonfiction, New Age, Art, Womens

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[M. Jane Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently revisited this book--I think almost 20 years after the first time I read it!--and I still found it incredibly profound. I'm a much different person now, really--I first read it as an angsting teenager desperately searching for non-religious spiritual guidance... preferably mixed in with a dose of feminism and Goddess-affirmation, of course--and I found that in Motherpeace. I am much more cynical and critical now... and I think I could easily give this book, now, a very critical "it falls short here, it doesn't go there" review. But re-reading it, I still remember the difference it made in my life back then, and how important it was.

So I honour that still.

It was a trail blazer.

And I still love my Motherpeace deck--there is still nothing quite like it.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend Therese showed me how to use this book and cards and they have been good friends ever since.

[daemyra, the realm's delight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motherpeace is an excellent book to learn more about the iconography in the Motherpeace tarot. Do not read this to know how to interpret the Motherpeace cards. While Vicki Noble does contain a short paragraph about what a card means if you pick it in a reading, I would say that this book shines when it is talking about matriarchal cultures and the Great Mother found in different civilizations. It's interesting to note, however, that Noble is critical of the divine masculine even in their upright position, and notes the negative aspects of traditionally masculine energy cards such as the Emperor or the Son of Swords. I really enjoyed this!

[Rev. Ravyn )O( · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did a lot of note taking and underlining in this lovely companion to the Motherpeace tarot. I find myself referencing it for other decks as well, especially to disentangle patterns and review possible meanings.

Lovely, feminine, and inspiring.

[Laura Eppinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea of creating round tarot cards and moving away from upside-down cards having some negative mirror reading. Circles are round and infinite, and contain the good and bad of every tarot image.

I am sure "Motherpeace" was revolutionary in the '80s! This book and its corresponding tarot deck used a lens of Second Wave white feminism to revisit and re-imagine tarot cards and I love that, praise Mother Gaia! 40 years later it makes me uncomfortable to have this white cis woman franchise profit off of recreating spiritual/religious imagery from indigenous cultures the world over. Of course this was done with reverent intentions, and I experience so much freedom today because of the Second Wave of feminism that happened before I was born.

ALL OF THAT SAID, I personally use this as a historic reference and philosophy book. It is dated and has historic importance, but makes some gaffes and missteps by today's standards. (Perhaps it is unfair to hold this book to 2022 standards. I can admit that, but it still came up for me while I read this.)

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Feminist tarot deck and book created in the 1970s by Vikki Noble and Karen Vogel. It has the distinction of being the first round tarot deck, so instead of reading the cards just upright and reversed, you also have to consider if they are tilted to the right or left! I reviewed the Court Cards on Hubpages.com, and it was one of my most popular and well read articles. So I decided to continue onward with the four suits, coins, swords, wands and cups, and then the Major Arcana cards. It is difficult to learn, so part of the reason for my writing is to reinforce the images better in my own mind. Please wish me luck!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

On first reading, I read only the Tarot sections and references. That reading took me a long way toward healing and awareness. I'm not sure when the first reading was. I guess around 1988. Until 2008, I used the round Motherpeace deck for guidance.* Now (2015) I am rereading this book to learn more about the sacred feminine and to connect more deeply to the earth oracle.

This book is deeply researched and there are constant references to valid, solid results. The author draws cogent conclusions and makes enlightening inferences. Looking forward to rereading in depth.

*As another reviewer noted, this ISBN is attached only to the book. I purchased the cards separately.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good friend of mine, introduced me to this book. I also have the tarot cards that go along with this book. Profound, empowering, enlightening and well worth being in my collection.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book with a Matrilineal focus on Tarot. Much more a reference book. Enjoyed the historical information mostly found in the Major Arcana section.

[Katy German]

Note this isbn does not include the deck.

[Sarah Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a guide to the Motherpeace tarot deck, which I read to the extent of splitting it apart back in my twenties. I suppose Noble's interpretations are at the back of my mind (she did after all design the deck) but nowadays I don't rely on her interpretations and seldom cast a full reading. If you do want to shuffle the cards bear in mind that they come from the manufacturer in order of suit, and within suit ace to major arcana card. In other words, really shuffle them up. And become familiar with what the individual cards signify to Noble before you cast your first reading. It is conceivable that a three card reading (past, present, future) is easiest to start off with, but there are no rules to this kind of thing other than intuition and self honesty. I have only twice in my life cast a reading for someone other than myself, and the second time I picked out just one card without relying on shuffling.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the second tarot deck I ever purchased (Medicine Woman Tarot the first) and has been my ally for over 20 years. I took a course by Vicki Noble and since it had been awhile since I’d worked with it I decided to dance with this deck for a year and a day, and in the process re-read this beloved book. In my 40s I appreciate it in a different way than I did in my 20s. This was groundbreaking and cutting edge for its time, and represents an era when women were crafting spiritual traditions anew including a Goddess that looked like us. The deck is still brilliant, as is this book. Some of the history is outdated, but it was written with the understanding at the time (Robert Graves as reference, for instance.) A truly divinely inspired deck and book.

[Nancy OHare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book with large round deck was my first experience with tarot in the mid to late 1980's and remains one of my most cherished sets of the many. I still reflect upon it from time to time as the feminine wisdom always lifts and inspires and comforts me. I have a beautiful handmade lined lace and silk pouch that I made to always keep them special.

[Sarah Renee Keller · Rating 2 out of 5]

A wonderful tarot guide, but at times feeling repetitive or reductive.

[Rachael Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came across the Motherpeace tarot deck and this book pretty randomly and I felt like the cards, at least, were meant for me. I used them for about a month after I got them and really liked how they felt. That being said, it does appear that the deck does not come with this book. The deck does include a smaller book and if you want to work specifically with the cards I don't feel as if you need the deeper dive of the book.

I'm not sure how to rate this one. It was interesting. It was useful. I am not one for reading large books on the tarot but I was nice to take a deep, feminist dive into the deck. The book focuses on mythology, archaeology, and history as well as the symbolism in the cards.

If I had found this book 20 years ago, I would have been spewing little tidbits to anyone who was willing to listen. Now that I am older, I take a lot of these different takes on ancient history with a grain of salt. I had to read with a cynical eye. Sometimes the writing felt very dull, too, which did make it a longer read for me.

This was fine. If it's something you want to dive deep into, go for it. If you are more interested in using the cards, the deck and the small booklet should be fine.

[Olivia Thames · Rating 4 out of 5]

A parting gift from a beloved co-worker, Vicki Noble's "Motherpeace: A Way to the Goddess Through Myth, Art, and Tarot" opens the reader's mind to more than just the deck of tarot cards: it welcomes the reader to a portion of history and culture that is highly ignored.

While it took me over a month to complete, I did not find the book tedious to follow or understand. Like most reference material, you need to savor the content in order to appreciate it. Because I took the time to appreciate each chapter for all the details it contained, I feel as though I was able to apply my own experiences to each card in order to connect the printed word with my physical, mental, and emotional world. In turn, I parted with feeling as though I was understood and with a new sense of hope.

I hope the book felt the same way, in return.

While the text aims to expose the world to a time where women fully nurtured the world and various planes, a grand portion of history and culture ignored by most schools, governments, and organized religions, it also aims to expose the world to advice that could very well save it:

"Anywhere and anytime that people begin speaking and acting from their hearts to protest world destruction and work toward peace, Judgement is being felt...When one can see oneself with clarity and acceptance, then one is likely to see others in the same way; without criticism and with full acceptance of what its truly the human condition." (140).

Although this book was published well over 30 years ago this observation very much applies to our modern day trials and chaos. I hope those in the back row can hear this quote crystal clear.

I am glad that I can hold onto this book for a while, and will be happy to share it with anyone else who is interested in learning more about the tarot, its art, and the mythology and history that are intertwined with its purpose in our culture.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been using some of the Nobel/Vogel Tarot card meanings and really starting to appreciate the beautiful, clear passages specifically dealing with the Tarot Major Arcana. This is a book that I'd like to add to my bookshelf eventually.

[Teleri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this deck. So goddess oriented. Another of the many things I wish I hadn't lost in storage.