There are two aspects to this product - the book and the deck, which is not a tarot deck. This deck is supposed to allow you to get in touch with your lunar side of self "where wisdom, insight, and your divine spark reside" according to the box. In looking at the 43 cards, the artwork is layered and stylistic, the pictures a bit fussy and too dark. For instance on the ship there is a hot air balloon to represent a ship but the background has a map and enlarged map symbols. Looking at the card it easy to see how there could be many interpretations on the meaning of the card. The deck is larger than typical playing cards and difficult to shuffle. While it makes the pictures easier to see, it makes it hard to hold the cards and shuffle the deck. It's almost easier to lay the deck on the table and move the cards around. The book provides layouts and how to interpret those layouts and tips on how to better interpret your experience.
There are many women shown in the cards. These women are from diverse backgrounds which is nice. The Man and Woman card has two versions of the card, one with a white man / woman and one with an ethnic man / woman. In Miro's description of the card he doesn't offer any suggestions on how to use the cards. Should the user take one out, leave both one? He does not explain. He also states these cards have little to no significance other than to represent a man or a woman. This seems superficial. If they have no significance, why have them in the deck? But the only nudity in the desk is also female nudity. There are men in the deck but none of them are nude. Miro may enjoy the female figure more but the cards including nudity don't really need it.
For each card, Miro provides a group of words which the card represents. Most of his words are typical for instance on the card Coffin his words are "respite, ending, burial, death, life change, illness, depletion." One thing which is disturbing is the Whip Card. This is one of the cards with a nude woman and his words are "attraction, sex, the physical, conflict, arguments, punishment, repetitive." Between the name of the card, the nudity, and the words attraction and sex it gives a negative. His description begins discussing how the whip is all about sexual attraction. Is this his view of how women should be treated?
Miro uses cliché openings for some of cards. Coffin starts with "The sands of time trickle through the hourglass…" This imagery is over used. There was a soap opera which used something similar. His writing is fussy like the cards. He uses overly flowery language which overshadows his message.
The meanings of his cards could easily be found with any internet search. There's nothing new or insightful about his interpretations of these symbols. Lunar energy has typically been considered the feminine energy. Miro's interpretation of female energy is off key. Not recommended.
~review by Eileen Troemel
Author: Shaheen Miro
Weiser Books 2018
