Started using the Medicine Woman Tarot and honestly can’t go back to RWS anymore.
The whole East Wind instead of Swords thing clicked for me immediately. Why are we still using medieval warfare imagery when we could be discussing actual elements and directions? The mental clarity aspect makes so much more sense through wind than through… swords.
My readings got way more practical after switching. Instead of pulling Death and having clients freak out, you get Transformation and the imagery is actually about cycles and renewal. The medicine wheel structure throughout the deck seems to resonate so much more now. Sometimes I miss the traditional symbolism for certain spreads, but the trade-off is worth it.
I had a client dealing with burnout who kept getting these intense RWS cards that freaked her out. The readings were going in circles because she was so anxious about them. So I switched her to Medicine Woman deck. Seven of Arrows showed up in East, Transformation in center, Three of Bowls in West, and Four of Stones in North.
We used it as a practical guide: morning breathing exercises for East (five slow breaths while moving a feather over the cards), one small pleasure each day for West, and standing barefoot on grass for 3 minutes at lunch for North.
Two weeks later, she said she was sleeping better and decided to change something at work. The East position’s message about clearing the air seemed to connect with what happened.
It definitely feels gentler than other decks. It gives you what you need to know but pulls punches on any bad news.
The whole deck seems to show more of the medicine or solution instead of dwelling on problems. My grandmother used to say something similar about good healers - they focus on the remedy, not the illness. The 10 of Pipes shows a woman creating art, and it’s a nice reminder that we can do something with our experiences beyond just naming what’s hard.
I’ve been using this deck for predicting times with the Tarot. East is like dawn/new moon energy, South is summer/noon, West is autumn/dusk, North is winter/midnight. When I’m reading about a project, I translate that to timeframes: East means happening now, South means 1-3 months out.
Works pretty well for me so far. The printed keywords on the cards can push me in one direction too much, so I started covering the bottom with a sticky note. I only look if I get stuck.
I’ve also been doing this breathwork thing, where I exhale over the spread before pulling clarifiers. The East Wind connection helps clear my head.
I loved this deck when I started with tarot about 10 years ago. Medicine Woman was one of my main decks back then. The elemental associations made way more sense than regular tarot, like East Wind for the mind instead of Swords.
After a while though, I got… uncomfortable with it. Found out more about how it was made, and it changed how I felt about using it.
Carol Bridges studied a bit with Native teachers, but that’s not really enough to repackage and sell Indigenous spiritual practices. Started feeling like I was part of something disrespectful, their sacred traditions being turned into a product by non-Native authors. I get why the deck appeals to people. The medicine wheel and nature imagery can feel easier to connect with than old European symbolism.
If you like elemental correspondences and nature themes, there are decks by Indigenous artists, or nature decks that don’t use specific cultural practices. The Wild Unknown or Herbcrafter’s Tarot might work if you want similar vibes.
Not trying to bring you down, just sharing what happened with me and this deck. Your connection to it sounds meaningful and that matters.
I started asking clients if they’re okay with using this deck since it comes from a specific cultural background. Had someone get uncomfortable halfway through a reading once, so now I always explain what it’s based on first.
I donate part of what I make from these readings to Indigenous organizations. Also been going through the guidebook’s references to understand it better. Before shuffling, I do a quick four-directions thing. Helps focus the reading.
For the missing RWS symbols, I keep notes on how each card would translate, just a line or two under each pull, so I can see the connections. Been laying out my monthly readings on a medicine wheel cloth. Interesting to see where stuff clusters, lots of East pulls when I need clarity, North when I’m checking in on stability.
The Medicine Woman deck is really good for everyday questions. The earth energy in this deck just cuts through to what you need to know, even for silly questions. More useful than abstract sword symbolism when you’re just trying to get through daily life.
I swear the Medicine Woman deck reads minds sometimes. I pulled a few cards yesterday and they pretty much outlined my week before it even happened. The readings feel more on point with day-to, day life. The elemental style is easy to follow, especially for folks who aren’t into traditional tarot symbols. It comes across like plain language, no guide needed.
Had a pretty intense experience with the Medicine Woman deck last month. Someone asked about reconnecting with an old friend and I pulled the 6 of Bowls.
The cards around it, especially the East Wind, all pointed to endings rather than new beginnings. A week later, they told me their friend had passed away unexpectedly. I was shocked, but looking back at the reading, the deck had been pointing to this all along. The water imagery in the Bowls suit - about returning to the source - suddenly made sense.
Sometimes the deck shows us what we need to hear, not what we want to hear.
