The Goddess of Love Tarot by Gabriela Herstik is an early birthday present to myself. I first laid eyes on it a month or two ago and was immediately drawn to it. Last week, I noticed another reader working with this deck for the January Tarot challenge I’m taking part on in Instagram. That’s when I realised that this was a must-have deck for me. It is the deck that will provide the new perspective I need as I set out on my path of service as a Rose Priestess. And I do need a new perspective as I’m entering into a Hanged Man year.
I’m not normally drawn to collage-style decks but the artist, Julia Popescu, has done such a wonderful job here of catching a whole vibe here. This deck sings of a lust for life. It’s in the full title too: The Goddess of Love Tarot: A Book and Deck for Embodying the Erotic Divine Feminine.
Where in the body does this deck resonate? In my lower three chakras where I never felt safe to hang out due to childhood trauma. I may be in my 50s but as long as I have breath, it’s not too late to become fully embodied. This is the best present I ever bought myself because I’m bringing a strong intention of using this deck to heal fully and recapture the joie de vivre that has been so fleeting in this lifetime.
But it also resonates in my heart. I love, love, love this deck. I’m hoping it will help me on the path to loving myself fully.
A Goddess Arcana
Each of the 12 Major Arcana cards corresponds with a Goddess or a Dakini of Love and/or Lust as follows:
- The Fool – Shakti
- The Enchantress (trad. The Magician) – Kurukulla, a Dakini
- The High Priestess – Isis (perfect!)
- The Empress – Venus (of course!)
- The Sovereign (trad. The Emperor) – Vesta
- The Hierodule (trad. The Hierophant) – Tara
- The Lovers – Babalon (and the Beast)
- The Chariot – Freyja (in a chariot drawn by big cats)
- Strength – Rati
- The Hermit – Demeter
- The Wheel of Fortune – Sheela Na Gig
- Balance (trad. Justice) – Persephone
- The Hanged One (trad. The Hanged Man) – Oshun
- Death – Kali (In her emanation as Chinnamasta, Goddess of Ego Death)
- Temperance – Mary Magdalene (absolute perfection!!)
- The Devil – Lilith
- The Tower – Ereshkigal
- The Star – Inanna
- The Moon – Hathor
- The Sun – Sekhmet
- Judgement – The Holy Whore
- The World – The Heart (You as the Goddess of Love and Lust)
The only correspondence I might change here is for The Hanged Man. I would have Yemaya rather than Oshun for Arcanum XII. Oddly, it is Yemaya’s candle colours that are chosen for the suggested ritual for this card: white, blue and silver. Oshun’s colours are gold and yellow. I only know this because I did a deep dive into the Orishas last year and now I’m so glad I did. I don’t wish to offend any of them!
The Court Cards in the Goddess of Love Tarot
Three of the Court Cards have been renamed to represent aspects of the Divine Feminine.
- Page – Maiden
- Knight – Witch
- Queen – Queen
- King – Crone
The Quality of the Cards
The Goddess of Love Tarot is a 5-star deck in terms of concept and artistry. However, the card stock lets the deck down. It’s cheap. There’s no other way to put it. If there is a new edition with better quality cardstock in the future, I will 100% buy it.
The edges are rough, the cards feel flimsy and the deck has a curvature already.
I also feel that the cardbacks could have more vibrancy to reflect the vibe of the deck. A rose or snake motif would have been wonderful, and I would love some bright red in there. But the backs are the least important aspect to most people so I don’t suppose it matters very much.
The Guidebook
The guidebook by Gabriela Herstik has some great information in it. I’ve read through the introduction and sampled a few of the card-meaning pages and I find it a good resource for any level reader. It’s especially great if you are on any kind of Goddess path or are seeking to work with the Tarot for self-love and self-acceptance.
There are 123 pages in the guidebook and it contains a few tarot spread suggestions. I say suggestions because there are no diagrams of how to lay the cards out. That’s not an issue for a seasoned reader but if you are a beginner you may have to Google the shape of the Celtic Cross layout, for instance.
Video Flip-through to Music
Goddess of Love Tarot Deck Interview
Describe yourself in three words or less. Queen of Pentacles
GoLT: Fully embodied love
2. How would your best friend describe you in three words or less? 2 of Wands Tarot
GoLT: Dynamic, sensual, inspired
3. What gift do you bring? Maiden of Wands
GoLT: More enjoyment of all the pleasures life has to offer. Oodles of fun and inspiration. A more playful approach to love, life and the Tarot.
4. What do you expect in return? Crone of Pentacles
GoLT: That you be a good steward and share what you learn through me with the world.
5. How can you help me serve? 4 of Pentacles
GoLT: I can help you put healthy boundaries in place. After working with me for a while, you will see that they look different to how you imagined them.
Me: It’s not by chance that this is my birthday Minor Arcana (Third decan/Sun in Capricorn), is it?
GoLT: Of course not. You’ll soon discover how different your boundaries are once you realise you have a right to experience life as enjoyable. It’s been a tough climb for you so far, my darling seagoat. And this upcoming solar return of yours is the turning point.
Me: Phew, I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear this!
6. Is there anything else you would like to tell me about yourself? The Hermit
GoLT: There can, of course, be no pleasure and enjoyment without pain. But the key to letting go of the pain and making more room for pleasure is allowing yourself to first feel the pain. Only then can you release it. Enter into stillness and silence and allow your heart to speak. I can be your silent companion in that space and amplify the voice of your heart.
Me: Oh my! That’s so beautiful. Thank you so much, my new Tarot BFF!
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