Unless you believe that the only important totem animals are the ones that you can find on belt buckles (Eagle, Bear, Random Big Cat, etc.), there's no real Major Arcana/Minor Arcana distinction here. Every single card in this deck is big ju-ju. My first two readings kinda freaked me out, really. If archetypes, animal mythos and anthropomorphism are pretty much second-nature to you, just give up and get this deck. You will probably understand the cards without needing to check the book all that often.

Unless there was a slip-up at the publisher's, the standard deck does not come with a little reference pamphlet like most tarot decks do. It comes with a medium-sized hard back book (A nice treat, but not convenient for lugging around spontaneously -- this could be why they made the "Just for Today" deck) that explains each card, including an occasional story, and some spreads and an exercise to figure out which totem animals represent you in this spread. Two of three totems that I'd already figured out for myself showed up in the exercise, and the third was kinda iffy for me at that point anyway.

The cards are 5.5" by 3" and have an alarmingly boring back -- government blue with a single yellow lightening bolt. They're coated with something incredibly shiny, but aren't particularly slippery. There are 52 cards in the deck, plus 9 blanks so that you can fill it in with any animals that you think are missing. They're almost a little too large for me to shuffle them easily (and I've been told that I have large hands for my gender). The book's table of contents tells you what animals are included.

The artwork works inwards from a white boarder to a thinner red boarder that also bisects the interior design. The top half of the inside is sky-blue, and the bottom is an earth-tone green. In the middle is a Medicine Shield inside which is a picture of the featured animal spirit. Above, in the blue, along with the number of the card, is the aniamls name in a black script font.

The artwork is good. It's not cute, and it's not dazzlingly beautiful in a way that draws me, but I'm still impressed with this deck for all my nitpicky comments. If you think you're up for the challenge, I recommend "Medicine Cards."


A pivotal deck for those who love animals.   August 7, 2000
 49 out of 52 found this review helpful

I have so enjoyed this deck over the years. When I first recieved it, following the easy directions for use, I was able to determine my entire totom (all the animals that influence me). I found it to be amazingly accurate. The system allows the user to understand the symbolic meaning of the animals which appear to us, in dreams, in person, or I even count the ones on TV. Thier messages are always timely and useful. The cards are lovely, the book is complete, easy to use, with just wonderful stories that make it very easy to remember and use the system quickly. I love it. Thanks to the creators.


An Alternative Tarot   July 9, 2003
 29 out of 31 found this review helpful

The thing that initally drew me to this deck was the fact that is based on teaching for Native American tribes. Among them ar the Cherokee and Chickasaw, which I have ancestry in. I'd tried working with several different types of decks, but never found one that spoke to me until I held this one in my hand.

This deck does not function in the way that most tarot decks do. Instead of dividing the deck into minor and major arcana and using suites (pentacles, cups, ect), this deck is meant to be read a whole.

You will find nothing but animals in this deck, everything from the ant to the dolphin. Each animal has a lesson. It may be leadership, stamina, self-reflection or innocence to name a few. This lesson is referred to as that particular animal's medicine. The medicine referred to throughout this deck is anything that will strengthen the reader's connection to the Great Spirit and to all life. By incorporating these lessons into your own life you will learn about yourself as well as those around you.

There are also blank shields for you to add any animals that you feel a connection to that are left out of the deck, or if you wish to design your own personal medicine shield they can be used for that.

The book contains spread for finding your nine totem animals, and various spreads that are influenced by the teachings of the Native American tribes (the Sun Lodge spread for example is for how others see you, while the Moon Lodge spread is a mirror of you.

I have used this deck for well over a year now and find its medicine has helped me along my path. If you're interested in Shamanism I would definately suggest this deck. It would work well for those interested in animal guides, totem animals or the teaching of Native American tribes.


Simply extraordinary   September 21, 2000
 25 out of 29 found this review helpful

I've been using these cards for years with remarkable results. After trying Tarot, I Ching, and other divinatory practices, I always come back to the Medicine Cards. I'm always astounded by how profound and accurate the readings are. The animals always reveal to me what I'm ignoring or neglecting or give me added insight into situations. The thoughts expressed in the explanations (meanings) of the animals are beautiful and spiritually uplifting. The cards themselves are also beautiful. My whole experience with the cards and the text has been wonderful. I highly recommend them as an adjunct to any spiritual path, especially those that seek greater harmony with nature.


Excellent Book and cards   November 27, 1999
 21 out of 26 found this review helpful

I use these cards almost daily, and have done so for many, many years. These cards have helped to focus on certain aspects of my life as well as others. I HIGHLY recommend this set.