How to Read the Shapeshifter Tarot

The shapeshifter tarot is closely allied to nature

Shapeshifters have been seen and read about in science fiction, but there is also the shapeshifter deck of tarot cards. The shapeshifter can change into any animate creature or inanimate object it wishes to. This includes not only taking on the appearance of whatever the shapeshifter chooses, but also gaining the attributes of the chosen living thing or object. The shapeshifter tarot deck displays a love for Earth and its inhabitants. In this tarot deck there are echoes of distant European folklore, specifically Celtic mythology. The shapeshifter tarot was created by Sirona Knight and D.J. Conway in 2002.

Instructions

1. Read a book on Celtic mythology. This will help give you a greater understanding of how Celtic mythology complements the shapeshifter tarot. Also read tarot books if you have little tarot knowledge.

2. Understand the themes of the book. As well as the Celtic mythology theme, the Shapeshifter tarot has a Shamanistic element. In addition to the connection to nature, and indeed mankind being inextricably linked to nature, there is a theme of life and death, including both past life and rebirth.

3. Note the importance of the four elements of air, fire, water and earth in the shapeshifter tarot in tying all the threads of the pack together. The shapeshifter tarot has a magical quality in allowing the mind to break free. It allows us to imagine being an eagle or even an ocean. The provoking of the imagination is the most important quality of the shapeshifter tarot, along with teaching us, in a subtle way, to love nature.

4. Enjoy the cards individually, and study them, and write down your interpretations of them. Compare what cards fit in with your own personality. This will help to give you a greater willingness to grasp the meanings of the shapeshifter tarot. Humans and animals and natural things all have the same struggle to survive and exist. This is where the shapeshifter tarot resonates. Different things on Earth may look and act very differently, but they can all become the same.

Tips & Warnings

• The shapeshifter tarot acts as a link to human beings and nature. This should be remembered when you study the shapeshifter tarot. It will make things easier to understand and interpret.

• Don't interpret the shapeshifter tarot in a negative way. The shapeshifter tarot is more of an educative tool in encouraging us to embrace our natural surroundings and to understand the importance of our relationships to them.

References

• Aracanalogue: INTERVIEW - Sirona Knight's "Shapeshifter Tarot" Journey
• Shapeshifter Tarot: How to Shapeshift