Wisdom of the Four Winds
A Review by Kelvin Black
Author : Barry Brailsford, MBE, M.A (Hons).Illustrator : Cecilie Okada.
For those of us who use a "normal" Tarot deck such as the Rider Waite or also, as in my case, the Dragon Tarot, one thing is obvious. The deck will have 78 cards, major arcana, minor arcana, trumps, four suits, etc. From time to time someone, somewhere, will devise their own set of cards but this will usually stick to the same "normal" format with the only difference being in the illustrations on the cards and perhaps the suits bearing an alternative name (ie coins instead of pentacles). I think you know what I mean.
Well, now for something completely different…..
The Wisdom of the Four Winds is a 50 card set. No major or minor arcana, no suits either.
( I did say it was completely different).
The reader is confronted with beautifully illustrated cards (really superb and worth the money if only to look at). No "Hanging Man" or "Fool" here folks, instead we read names such as "Child of the North" or "Light Holder of the East".
The reader will notice other exotic features with this deck…..namely the names and illustrations for this deck are based in New Zealand (and its mythology). While there is Lightning, Dragonfly and Earthquake there are also cards such as Kiwi, Tuatara, and Tui.
This very uniqueness is not a hindrance to, say, a reader in Canada or even Swaziland. After all, we all seem to manage worldwide with Ten of Swords or Six of Wands don’t we ?
I feel that the deck can be viewed more as 50 trump cards perhaps.
I am still coming to grips with the subtle nuances of reading this deck. My preferred method at present is a 5 card spread (1 card in the centre point with 4 other cards placed at the major compass points around this centre…E, N, S, W.) I read starting with the East card (for the beginning or renewal) and progress through North, South, and finish with the West card (as for the setting of the sun, finish, finality). The centre card I treat as the pivot of the reading (the historic overview). You will devise your own method no doubt.
The author gives a few ideas for spreads in the book but wisely counsels "to use the cards as you will". I think most Tarot readers will agree with this sentiment
Not only do you have a visual experience awaiting you but how about that book ?
Yes gentlefolk, no mere scrappy little booklet here. The set comes with a proper hard bound, slip covered, 280 page real book. The book details each card in colour, plus readings and guidance.
This is a beautiful wee book (135mm x 185mm ) that would sit nicely on a coffee table.
I particularly like the Dedication in this book…
To the Ancestors who kept the dream of peace alive and carried it forward to this day. To all who walk the path of the gentle way.
You also get a black bag (silk ? ) to store your cards in and the whole lot comes in a nicely presented hard cardboard box.
Will you like it ?….
I believe anyone (not only Tarot reader or psychic) would enjoy this set. There is a natural spiritual feeling to the whole experience. Comforting, wholesome, fulfilling.
"Wisdom of the Four Winds……is charged with primal power and spiritual delicacy" - Jean Houston PhD …Author of "A Passion for the Possible" and "A Mythic Life; Learning to live our Greater Story"
"Ancient traditions and wisdoms come together to challenge artificial boundaries….in Wisdom of the Four Winds" - Anne Schael PhD, H.L.D…Author of "Meditations for Women who do too Much" and "Native Wisdom for White Minds".
I have contacted the publishers and they have agreed to a 10% discount if you order a set and say that you saw this review on the Tarot Canada International web page.
The normal price is NZ$84.90 plus NZ$12 for postage. (NZ$ is only about 40 cents US thanks to a decade of bungling politicians).
Contact details are….
StonePrint Press Ltd State Highway 73 Castle Hill Village Private Bag 55037 Canterbury 8020 New Zealand phone: 64 3 3187377 fax: 64 3 3187311 e-mail: info@stoneprint.co.nz website: StonePrint Press Ltd.
My contact was Cushla Denton.
Please : no part of this review may be reprinted without permission.
(c) 2001 Kelvin Black.
Thanks to StonePrint for permission to review "Wisdom of the Four Winds" and to Cecilie Okada for permission to reproduce some of her beautiful illustrations.
