Thought you all would want a look at one of the newest self-published decks, The Whispering Tarot by Elizabeth [Liz] Hazel, author of the excellent Tarot Decoded: Undertanding and Using Dignities and Correspondences. I love the deck name as I was strongly impressed by a fantasy novel (The Destiny Dice by David Bischoff) in which rune stones decided among themselves who would answer the reader’s question. When the reader reached into the runebag, the chosen rune would leap into the reader’s hand. The rune then would whisper it’s message to the reader, even arguing with him. The particular rune’s personality and style of communication was a significant part of the message. This deck reminds me very much of that story.
This is a bright, sunny, playful and very usable deck with a pagan/nature spirit slant. Printed by Playing Cards R Us, it is poker-size with black borders, shuffling nicely and perfect for small hands. Though some of the pictures are quite detailed, the use of a fine point pen for drawing makes the images distinct. The pen and ink drawings were then colored with prismacolor markers. It comes in a two-part custom box (nice touch!).
While the Golden Dawn and Rider-Waite-Smith deck were among Liz’s major influences (especially the astrological attributions), this is no clone, but a fresh, original deck. Magical creatures abound: Zephers (wind-spirits), dragons, mermaids, water faeries, harpies and more. Additionally, there are regular animals like snakes, dolphins, birds, horses, cats and even an elephant. Birch trees characterize the Wands suit. Pentacles utilize geometry and people in their environment to get the message across. The card backs have an unusual art nouveau/celtic knot design (based on a color palette from 1895).
I emailed Liz with a few questions and comments that I’d like to share with you.
ME: I’ve had the most amazing experience—in reading after reading I received all four suits and a Major Arcana card among the seven cards in the spread! This is incredibly rare but seems to say that the deck is looking at things from every angle. There’s also a sense of blessing and unity about it.
LIZ: As far as I know, this is the only tarot deck that’s ever come with a blessing charm on it (it’s on the sign & number card). The charm refers to the North Node (Dragon’s Head). The whole project was a Goddess offering, so I’m glad to hear that it conveys a blessing/unity. Am glad I changed the name to Whispering Tarot – it was an inspired choice, and I was amazed/thrilled no one else had ever used that name for a deck.
ME: What was the initial inspiration for this deck?
LIZ: My stubborn, determined & picky Taurus rising! I wanted a deck with everything I find pleasing in tarot, and with nothing I find displeasing. I wanted Kings and Queens to look in love with each other, not angry or constipated looking, or on the verge of divorce. I wanted pip designs that clearly conveyed the divinatory meanings. I also wanted specific production features like the custom two-part box. Looks nicer, lasts longer. I wanted no numbers or specific attributions on the Major Arcana, so the reader could choose. Basically, the deck was a big Venus-driven “gimme.”
ME: I can see Rider-Waite-Smith/Golden Dawn elements but so much more—what are your other major influences? Can you give me an example of one or two cards that diverge greatly from the RWS/GD and why?
LIZ: Here’s some brief summaries for changes: Magician: No table, no clothes. He has the raw elements in play around him. The dragon rises along his arm in 3.5 curls – the unfolding of kundalini. Yummy no-frills symbolism. The Magician reappears in the Judgment card. Hierophant: The guru levitates half-way between heaven and earth, and is surrounded by animal totems, a more Buddhist and shamanic image. Less paternalistic, intolerant & dogma-bound; more spiritual intermediary, gentle advisor or spiritual counselor. More astrology related, too. Eclipse: Switched the title/image to distinguish between The Moon card and the moon-attributed High Priestess. An early DM [divinatory meaning] for The Moon is eclipses. Frankly, eclipses are WAY weirder & scarier than a plain old moon. An eclipse is much more distinctive symbolism, and a lot more in tune with the DM’s. 4 Swords: The guy is in the meditation asana, and levitating over a maze. His calm demeanor suggests he’s in a good frame of mind to see the big picture and figure out puzzles. Of course, it could also indicate a dead person’s soul rising from a house. I like the gentle ambivalence, and the card is peaceful in spite of the clashing green-orange colors. I’m tweaking Waite’s nose here.
ME: Anything else you’d like my readers to know?
LIZ: I considered depth and distance perspective a lot when designing these cards. Distant vistas, like in the 2 of Wands, suggest that more is out there, or that the meaning involves the greater world. Cards with close or compact perspective take the reader into what might be a more intense, narrow, or claustrophobic situation. In a few cases, I deliberately changed the historic (RWS) perspective. For example, in the 7 of Pentacles, the guy sitting at the chair looks pretty miserable or tired of waiting; but the door is open, and the pentacles lead out into the world. The old man & bush image is a dead bore.
I didn’t hesitate to chuck RWS symbolism, Masonic, and Christian symbolism and other authority figures out of my third floor window, and that was rather the point as well as my greatest delight. My greatest influence as an artist comes from the Golden Age of Illustration artists: Arthur Rackham, Edmund Dulac, Kay Nielsen, the Robinson brothers, Beardsley, Harry Crane, William Morris, and Charles Rennie Macintosh, to name a few.
The deck is pan-spiritual, and is divested of cryptic symbolism tied to Waite’s blinds. In the act of pleasing myself (and believe me, it’s a monster ego stroke to do readings with my own deck) I hope I’ve created a deck that will please other readers.
This is a deck created by a long-time student and experienced practitioner of both tarot and astrology. It shows in the book where traditional meanings are modified by an awareness of the modern concerns that come up in psychic fairs and other public venues. Liz’s original spreads will help you address the practical needs of most querents.
Copies of The Whispering Tarot and Liz’s book about the deck will be available from Jeanette Roth (TarotGarden) at LATS and BATs and Archon. Liz Hazel says she hopes to have enough sales to merit a second printing but, “not signed & numbered, never again!!!” Collectors will want to jump on this first edition, which can be ordered directly from Liz here.
18 comments
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August 13, 2008 at 5:36 am
TarotByArwen
When I got my most recent ATA Quarterly and saw this deck, I immediately went to Liz’s site to order a copy. I have had my deck for a while (did a mini review as well) and really love it. At first the size was overwhelming because I have huge hands for a woman (size 9 is my smallest ring size seriously). But this deck is really amazing. Thanks for doing the Q&A with Liz as well. I highly recommend this deck!
August 13, 2008 at 8:34 am
marygreer
Check out Arwen’s review at:
http://tarotbyarwen.blogspot.com/2008/07/deck-review-whispering-tarot-by.html
August 13, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Beth Roth (Igraine)
Hi Mary!
I saw this deck about a month or so ago and wasn’t sure if I HAD TO have it. LOL! But after reading your interview with Liz I was sure that I did 🙂
Thank you for the heads up. I will post your blog this morning at Tarot for Life as there are quite a few deck collectors amongst us. I think I am going to love this deck!
August 13, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Working From Home Today
I had some concerns with some of your descriptions of this deck. It has launched a big philosophical debate for me. I don’t want to use your site as a platform, so I’ve addressed it on my blog.
As a student of Tarot, the debate is very valuable to me, so I welcome comments.
http://workingfromhometoday.blogspot.com/2008/08/on-tarot-sigh.html
August 13, 2008 at 8:37 pm
aliceinwonderland
“I was strongly impressed by a fantasy novel in which rune stones decided which among them would answer the reader’s question”.
That sounds like such a wonderful story. Can you tell me the complete name of the novel. I would love to read it.
P.S. I have used the whispering deck and I love it!! I got the 8 of wands and it is the happiest looking 8 of wands I have ever seen. I was more than pleased. I was thrilled!!
August 14, 2008 at 4:07 am
marygreer
Dear “Working”:
It seems your central pet peeve as expressed on your blog is:
“In this person’s description of her deck, she seems to want to force the world (as Tarot represents) into the exact mold she wants. Well, why would you even want to restrict it to only those things that please you? How can you learn more about yourself if you’re never challenged, never made to feel a little uncomfortable?”
I think this is a really good criticism of the deck—although it was unabashedly designed to be so. It is, for the most part, a “feel-good” deck. Even the most negative cards seem to suggest that something else could be going on (“everything’s for the best in the best of all possible worlds”).
I appreciate that Liz wanted the Kings and Queens to relate to each other—as one of my pet peeves is that all-too-often artists create a King and Queen or Emperor and Empress who seem to be from entirely different universes.
August 14, 2008 at 4:10 am
marygreer
Alice –
I knew someone would ask me that and I really had to dig to find it:
The Destiny Dice by David Bischoff (Signet: 1985) – info now added.
August 14, 2008 at 7:16 pm
aliceinwonderland
Thank you!!
August 15, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Annette
Thanks for this post, Mary. I bought this deck when Arwen recommended it and I really do like it. And yesterday I did a 6-card spread for myself and THREE of the cards were kings! I swear, I shuffled! I shuffled really well. It is pretty unusual for me to have a spread come out with such a pointed message.
August 19, 2008 at 8:25 am
Jime~
Hi there Mary! I just wanted to stop by (now I’ve found your website) and let you know how much I like your books 🙂 Though they’re impossible to get in Argentina, where I live I’ve managed to buy “the complete book of Tarot reversals” and it’s just wonderful.
I’ve been studying Tarot for 4 years now and I’ve come to the point in which I need to start deepening my knowledge of the cards, and your books are the right tool to do that!
I’d wish I could get them in the local bookstores 🙂 Do you have any plans on translating any of your books to spanish?
Thank you very much.
Have a lovely day~
Hugs & blessings from Buenos Aires.
August 20, 2008 at 1:22 am
marygreer
Jime –
I’ve had many inquiries about having my books translated into Spanish – but this has to be done via my publishers and a Spanish-language publisher and so far nothing has gone through at this level. If you know a publisher who is interested have them contact the publisher of the specific book or contact me to get a name and the address. I would love to see my books in Spanish! Thanks for asking.
Mary
September 2, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Erzebet
I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you Mary for this article and your interview with Liz! I loved it. I love hearing any tidbits, insight and secrets to this deck. Ever since I saw a few pics of it awhile ago I knew I HAD to have it! It spoke straight to my heart. zupon recieving it I was in awe and in love. It’s rare for a deck to touch me this instantly and intensely.
It’s going to be a lifetime favorite = )
Oh and to find out that the gorgeous backs which I adore are from a 1895 print….wow!! The colors are what I love about it most. I’ll be getting a 2nd copy soon!
September 2, 2008 at 9:38 pm
MoonGypsy
Brightest Blessings of Autumn just around the corner! *wink* i have had this fabulous little deck for 8 days now, and it has already become one of my all time favorites. i had it on my “wish list” for a very long time as “The Vala Tarot”, so i was ecstatic when i discovered that Liz had self published it and changed the name to the Inspired “Whispering Tarot”. Thank-you, Liz! And a big Thank-you to Mary for all of her wonderful contributions to Tarot and the world in general all of these years! You are greatly admired and appreciated, dear!:<)
September 2, 2008 at 11:41 pm
marygreer
Erzebet & MoonGypsy –
I don’t know if it’s the size or the ‘sweet’ quality or the sense of beings waiting to tell you their secrets – but this deck does kinda slip into your heart and want to be carried around everywhere.
October 20, 2008 at 8:24 am
Nina
Hi Mary
I just wanted to thank you for this post, which was the reason for me ordering this deck. It is indeed a lovely deck.
I wanted to ask you a question though; I just finished your Tarot for Your Self (having had the original for 10 years, but recently got the newer edition) and now wanted to start 21 Ways (I LOVE both books; they are simply brilliant!). Do you agree that the Whispering would be a good deck for these exercises?
xNina
October 20, 2008 at 10:42 am
mkg
Nina –
The Whispering Tarot would be a great deck for the 21 Ways exercises. In fact, it would be interesting to eventually try the exercises with both your regular reading deck and The Whispering Tarot so that you could see which works best for you.
November 13, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Derek McCrea
The drawings are amazing.
April 20, 2013 at 4:48 am
Dale Howard
Thanks Mary – your insight into Whispering Tarot pushed me over the edge to buy it! The interview with Liz pushed me completley to her site. Order is in! Thank you both.