Tarot Guidance - Cher Green

Review: Lieselle's Eternal Tarot

2025-11-20T13:49:00.002-05:00

Lieseille's Eternal Tarot

Author: Lieselle Elliot

Illustrator: Sean Frosali

Description: 78 cards, 224-page guidebook, box with magnetic closure lid.

Card Size: 3 x 5

"Trust your voice and then learn to trust the journey."

I'm going to start with the box. I love this new style. There's a ribbon to open the hatch. A box inside the box creates a safe place for your guidebook and cards. The card insert section is also thick, with a ribbon under the deck.

The deck is made of good quality matte card stock. They feel slightly thinner than the normal thickness, but not so thin to worry me over the lasting quality. The images and backing are set in black and white. The backing features an infinity symbol, a feather, the sun and the moon, surrounded by a root system and lilies in each corner. The borders of each card also have this root system in place.

The Major Arcana Cards are beautiful images, rich in detail. The Emperor features Rams' heads, the Constellation of Aries, a Crown, an Ankh, Armor, a Wintry landscape, and a Throne. The guidebook goes into detail on all of these symbols and what they represent within the whole. The Chariot, one of my favorite Tarot cards, features a Comet in this deck. The comet symbolizes direction, fire, and focus. The Major Arcana Cards in this deck are both unique and intriguing.

The Minor Arcana Cards are simple. And yet they have been made unique by the addition of phrases on each card. The Seven of Cups - "Not everything that glitters is gold," is a great trigger for this card. The image of the Rider-Waite version quickly comes to mind and kicks in the simple meaning of choices and illusion. Ten of Wands - "The uphill struggle," triggers the image of the burden carried by the man in the Rider-Waite version. Most seasoned readers will bring to mind their favorite deck with the trigger phrase.

The Guidebook with this deck is a true treasure. It's extremely detailed and goes deep into the meanings of the Tarot cards, symbolism, and numerology.

"Our deck is more than just a collection of cards; it's an invitation to embark on a personal journey of self-discovery. Each card is designed to help you unlock your intuition and delve into the depths of your own wisdom." ~ from the Foreword.

After the Foreword, the guide gives a brief history of the origins of the Tarot, an overview of numerology and its application in Tarot, and some information on the elements associated with the suits.

As you delve into the Major Arcana, each card begins with its name and image and is followed first by a detailed look of its Imagery, Meaning in a Reading, and the Reversed meaning.

"The Lovers card in this deck is a reach tapestry of symbols that delve into love, choice, duality, and destiny themes."

"The serpent coiled around the apple tree reinforces the theme of temptation."

"At the top of the card, the wings of archangel Raphael spread wide, symbolizing divine love and healing."

"When the Lovers card appears in a reading, it speaks of themes of love, connection, and choices." You are taken deepen into the meaning with topics such as, Love and connection, choice and duality, inner passion, and more.

"When reversed, the Lovers can indicate disharmony, imbalance, or difficult choices in relationships."

Each card is presented in extreme detail. This guide book is definitely worth going through and including into your Tarot study.

The Minor Arcana section is broken up into suits, each card begins with card and image and is followed by the meaning in a reading, numerological significance, and reversed meaning.

"When the Ace of Pentacles appears in a reading, it signifies new beginnings, opportunities, and potential in material and financial matters."

You are then taken deeper into topics such as The new start, Opportunities, material financial stability and more.

"In numerology, the Ace is associated with the number one, representing new beginnings, potential, and the start of a new cycle." After giving you a brief look at the numerology, it is then related back to that particular card. "The Ace of Pentacles encourages you to approach new ventures with a practical mindset and to focus on creating stability and growth."

The reversed meanings are presented in categories such as Missed opportunity, financial loss, and instability.

"Lack of security or groundedness in endeavors, leading to anxiety. Focus on building a stable foundation for your goals."

Obviously, this is only a brief look into what the guidebook explores. In my opinion, the guidebook is worth the purchase of this deck, but I also love the cards.

The guidebook closes with three suggested spreads, a short Acknowledgment and Bibliography.

I'd recommend the Lieselle's Eternal Tarot to anyone wishing to explore the Tarot deeper on an advanced level, but also to new readers. Everything you need to get started is in this deck.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: Gaian Tarot 2nd Edition

2025-08-21T08:43:00.005-04:00

Gaian Tarot 2nd Edition

Author: Joanna Powell Colbert

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2025

Description: 78 cards, 191-page guidebook, box with magnetic closure lid.

Card Size: 3 1/4 x 5

A little history: Gaian Tarot first appeared in 2010 as a self-published deck. Its popularity drew Llewellyn into the scene, but then the deck disappeared. Schiffer Publishing brought it back to the scene in 2016.

"Gaia is the primal Greek goddess who embodies the earth. The ancients saw her as the Mother Goddess who gave birth to the sky, sea, mountains, and the rest of creation. The sense that "the earth is our mother" is not unique to the Greeks but is found in Indigenous cultures worldwide. In modern society, we know her colloquially as "Mother Nature.""

The Gaian Tarot is a tradition 78-card tarot deck, with a few changes in card names and image perspectives.

Within the Major Arcana there are quite a few changes. The Fool becomes The Seeker, The High Priestess - The Priestess, The Empress - The Gardener, The Emperor - The Builder, The Hierophant - The Teacher, The Chariot - The Canoe, Wheel of Fortune - The Wheel, The Hanged Man - The Tree, The Devil - Bindweed, The Tower - Lightening, Judgment - Awakening, and 21-Gaia, the World.

The Court Cards become People cards: the Child, Explorer, Guardian, and Elder, reflecting the four stages of life: childhood, early adult, mid-life and old age. "Children symbolize the qualities of discovery and birth." "Explorers seek challenges and embody the principle of growth." "Guardians represent the time of ripening or fruition." "Elders stand for dissemination and release." This is explored further in the People section of the guidebook.

In the Minors, the suits correspond with their elements: Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. The representations for these elements vary from card to card. Below, you see three pens for Three of Air, while the Guardian of Air uses a mallet to produce a song from a singing bowl. The Ace of Fire shows sparks from a hidden flame, while the Child of Fire is delighted by the flames of a campfire.

The cards in The Gaian Tarot are gorgeous. I especially love the fact that the card size has reduced with this 2nd edition, and it did not take away from the details of the images. It is still a thick deck because of the cardstock, but much more manageable. The cards have gold edging.

The Guidebook changed slightly, but all improvements. The font is bigger, and the layout is cleaner. The words and descriptions are mostly the same. The affirmations for each card have changed to Remember, with a short sentence of reminder of what the card advises you to take into consideration.

After a short Thank You from the creator, you are Introduced to the Gaian Tarot: the meaning of 'Gaian', the Tarot Structure, and the use of the Deck and Book.

"The new design on the back of the cards shows our planet, a swallowtail butterfly, and blessing herbs from the "Gaia the World" card, set against a birds-eye view of treetops. The wreath of herbs encircles the globe, creating a vortex where healing and transformation can happen."

Entering the Soul Lessons of the Major Arcana, each card is presented by its image, Name, essence, an overview of the card, meanings for a reading, the Shadow side of the card, Themes, Symbols, Journal Questions, and a short sentence to Remember.

The essence of 15-Bindweed (The Devil) is Life Out of Balance. "The Bindweed card depicts a life lived desperately out of balance."

When you get this card in a reading..."Ask yourself: What holds you in bondage?"

When you read the Shadow side of the card..."This is either a situation in which addiction and denial are becoming even more deeply entrenched, or you are breaking free."

Themes include Addiction, Limitations, and Oppression.

Symbols focus on the figure's posture, bindweed, starlings, and the dead shrub.

Journal Questions include: "What holds me bondage?", "What gets too much of my time and attention?", and "What trauma is at the root of my malaise?"

Remember: Break free of that which keeps you bound.

Diving into the Minor Arcana, "The teachings of the Minor Arcana aren't really minor at all.", we look at Elements, Numbers, and People.

The Minor Arcana section is divided into sections by number and person. Each Number or Person has an essence, themes, and an overview. Each card is presented by the image, a description, meaning, shadow side and remember.

The Essence of Tens is Transition. Themes are Transition, Transformation, Endings and Beginnings. Part of the Overview - "The ten in each suit is a card of endings, with an implicit new beginning encoded within."

The Ten of Earth begins, "In the deep forest, we come across a nurse stump or nurse log, a tree that has fallen during a storm or been cut down."

When you get this card in a reading ... "Something you thought had ended in your life is beginning to burst forth with new shoots."

When you read the Shadow side of this card... "Have you allowed overwork and feeling overwhelmed to trap you?"

Remember: Compost cradles new life.

Working with the Cards section goes through the basics of reading the Tarot and shares many spreads. There is a "Gaia and You: A One-Card Awareness Process" by James Wells. Journal Prompts for the Wheel of Year are included. "These prompts are intended to be done in season." The guidebook closes with Endnotes and an Author Bio.

If you don't have this deck, I recommend it to any Tarot reader or collector. The images are gorgeous and intriguing, and the guidebook is exceptional.

If you have the first edition through Schiffer Publishing, you may want this version. The cards are smaller, easier to handle. The size does not affect the image, nothing is lost. The box is bigger, as is the guidebook. The guidebook is written in a different layout and fonts. It's much more appealing to the eye.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: The Unifying Consciousness Tarot

2025-07-06T11:53:00.001-04:00

The Unifying Consciousness Tarot

Author: Lori Lytle

Artist: Leo Scopacasa

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, June 2025

Description: 79 Cards, 173-page guidebook, box with magnetic closure lid.

Card Size: 2 3/4 by 4 3/4

"I see the Tarot as a source of inspiration, a means of connection with the divine, as well as a tool that we can use every day to make our lives happier in the here and now."

You begin your journey into The Unifying Consciousness Tarot with a Meeting with the creators. A brief section called The Anatomy Of goes over some details of the cards and shares a meditation into the portal on the back of the cards.

"You're about to meet a cosmic crew of otherworldly and divine beings, animals, humans, and free-form entities, all living in a universe based on the Waite-Smith Tarot structure."

The Unifying Consciousness includes a new trump, Arcana 22, Activation, bringing the Major Arcana to a full circle. The Court Cards have been renamed Soul, Spirit, Heart, and Mind.

"All the cards have sacred geometry woven through their images and backgrounds to remind us that we're all part of the same Source energy."

The Major Arcana's "ultimate purpose is to guide us toward a rich and meaningful existence and to help us reach the highest vibration of love."

Each Major Arcana Card is covered in two pages and includes the name, card image, description, interpretation, and a blessing.

The Descriptions are more of a deep dive into each Major Arcana Card. The Hermit begins, "The Hermit is at home in lonely places. His purpose in life is the pursuit of the wisdom that comes from deep introspection, and he needs solitude and seclusion."

The Interpretations are enlightening. The Hermit begins, "The one person that you can't escape is yourself, so it's important to enjoy your own company."

A Blessing From The Hermit - "May you grow wise in your own company."

The Minor Arcana "represent the beauty and challenges of daily life, and the small joys that make every day worth living."

After a brief overview of the Minor Arcana, you explore The Suits and Their Elements. In this section you are also introduced to the shapes and their energies. "The progression of the numbers is a story.", which is shared in The Numbers, along with keywords for each number.

"After the difficulties of the Fives, the Sixes bring a return to harmony and balance. You're wiser, you know your capabilities. You celebrate victory."

You are then introduced to the new Court Cards, names, and reasoning behind the change.

"Each character in the Court Cards has its unique, necessity, and beautiful function."

Each Minor Arcana card is covered in one page and includes name, image, interpretation, and activation. The activation "is an invitation to connect with the card's unique energy, and to act on the information and inspiration that it offers you."

Activation for the Six of Swords, "I'm ready to move on."

"You can use that phrase as a mantra or affirmation throughout your day, in your meditation practice, or as a prompt for journaling."

I am loving the interpretations in this guidebook. There are no keywords to remember, but practical, straight-forward meaning. A scenario easy to relate to and bring to mind later. The Seven of Swords begins, "You're good at getting in and out of tricky situations and can boast your share of shenanigans."

The Court Cards are presented by name, image, interpretation (you), interpretation (someone else), and activation.

Another Fox shows up as the Soul of Wands representing you or someone else in your life as a fun-loving youth, whether in body or mind. There may be some mischief stirring, but it will be fun and adventurous.

Activation - "A little mischief is good for my soul."

How to Read Tarot encourages you to create your own ritual, but also shares a ritual from Setting the Scene to Closing the Reading.

There are four Tarot spreads especially designed for The Unifying Consciousness Tarot: The Blue Rose Spread, All-Seeing Eye Spread, Activation Spread, and Heart-Centered Action Spread.

A short section About The Creators closes the guidebook.

The cards are made of excellent card stock. They are edged in blue. The deck is a little thick, but not too thick at 1 3/8 thick.

The images in this deck are beyond amazing. The 3-D aspect gives each card a sense of movement, of reality. The Unifying Consciousness Tarot would be a great deck for meditations.

"In the Unifying Consciousness Tarot, The Major Arcana are connected with the element of Aether, which is represented by the dodecahedron, the 12-sided Platonic solid. It's the fifth element, the quintessence, spirit, and the shape of the universe as a whole."

No deck is fully explored until you visit with Death. Description -"Death sees the world beyond the illusion of the physical with his all-seeing third eye. He appreciates the sunrise and the sunset and asks that you take the time to stop and smell the white rose." Interpretation "With this card, you can expect a significant change in your life."

"You'll notice that each suit of The Unifying Consciousness Tarot's Minors also includes a 3-D shape that's floating somewhere in the card's scene. These shapes are Plato's solids. Each solid relates to one of the four elements, and they're thought to be the harmonious and symmetrical building blocks of our reality."

The Three of Pentacles brought the words 'busy as a bee' to mind as soon as I saw the card. As we know, this card is all about team work, participating, and giving your best effort to be part of that team and give your all as an individual. The Activation - "I enjoy being a part of the team."

I honestly can't express how much I'm impressed by this deck. Between the captivating images and the depth of the guidebook, I'm definitely making a home on my shelf for the Unifying Consciousness Tarot.

I would recommend The Unifying Consciousness Tarot for many applications, beyond Tarot reading. This deck could be used for meditations, daily affirmations, and journaling.

When I used them for some tarot reading, the results were amazing, very detailed and in depth. I look forward to sharing more time with The Unifying Consciousness Tarot.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: The Butterfly Wisdom Tarot

2025-06-05T07:54:00.001-04:00

The Butterfly Wisdom Tarot

Author: Starla Yilmaz

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, June 2025

Description: 78 Cards, 144-page guidebook, box with magnetic closure lid.

Card Size: 2 7/8 by 4 1/2

"Soon after an intense healing phase of my life, I had a vision. Butterflies cross-stitched onto white canvas, each one the focus of a Tarot card, forming one giant tapestry. Once my eyes cleared and the real world returned, I laughed."

Starla Yilmaz's deck, The Butterfly Wisdom Tarot, includes my three favorite things, cross-stitching, the Tarot, and writing. In the Introduction, she shares her own healing as she moved from vision to the reality of creation. I found her words moving and inspiring. I've struggled for years attempting to find time for my creative writing and Tarot reading, and of course cross-stitching. I heard a whisper, "Your road is similar, a combination of your skills would lead you in the right direction." No, there's no plan for cross-stitching such a huge project, but it gave me something to think about.

~~~~~~~

The Butterfly Wisdom Tarot, in just one quick reading, gave me a direction to head in. I can't wait to dig deeper into this deck and find more inspiration.

Spread: Situation, Action, Outcome

Question: How can I find a peaceful medium/balance in my life?

The 9 of Swords revealed that my current situation is one of pushing forward through the pain, the stress, and the unbalance I am experiencing at this time. The 9 of Cups suggested to keep working toward my goals no matter how hard it may feel in the moment. The 2 of Cups showed by continuing to move forward I will find the healthy balance in my relationships that is needed for my success.

~~~~~~~

The Cards are made of good quality, thick card stock making the deck a little too thick for riffle shuffling. But, hand over hand shuffling works just fine. To be honest, I usually use the hand over hand with all my decks now, for consistency, but also to avoid deck damage.

The Butterfly Wisdom Tarot tickles my soul. I can't think of any other way to say this.

The card backs are a beautiful blue and white background, with two butterflies facing each other. The individual cards are ringed in the colors of their suits: Majors - a dark blue, Wands - red, Cups - a light blue, Disks - yellow, and Swords - grey. The colorful, detailed butterflies stand out on a black and white background.

The only issue I had with this deck is the card holder in the box holds onto a few cards. I've managed to pry them out a couple of times without damage, but I fear eventually I will bend the end of one. I plan to insert a ribbon to avoid destroying the stuck cards.

In the Introduction, Starla Yilmaz, goes over details of how she came about producing this deck. She mentions the guidebook, "I tried multiple different ways of structuring the guidebook before I settled on micro fictions."

After the Introduction, Using this Deck shares some thoughts on getting to know the deck, including a method of shuffling sure to give you a "sufficient randomized" deck to do your first reading. This section also has many suggested spreads, including an intriguing technique for Yes/No questions.

The Major Arcana section covers each card in two pages: the name, card image, key ideas, micro fiction, and thoughts for deeper interpretation.

I absolutely love the micro fiction, but I would have liked to have seen some card description.

The Wheel of Fortune features the Peacock Pansy. Starla did a great job with the stitching of these butterflies, and each one is identified in her micro fiction.

Deeper Interpretations present you with writing prompts and/or a question to ask the Tarot. "What cycle could be coming to an end in your situation?"

The Minor Arcana, separated into suits, includes the name, key ideas, micro fiction and thoughts for deeper interpretation.

The 9 of Wands micro fiction begins, "An American copper butterfly wanted to build a fence to protect its favorite flower. Things went fine until a human caught sight of the butterfly. Possibly entranced by the butterfly's orange shine, the human grabbed hold of her wings."

The short piece is one of resilience, persistence, and working against all odds to complete your project/job.

And then when you think the guidebook is done, Starla introduces a wonderful additional section: Healing Patterns and Prompts. "Included here are several healing patterns for you to stitch if you feel called to do so." Cross-stitching instructions are not included, but she refers to her YouTube channel for newbies. Also, she has added a stitch called the overstitch, which you can find demonstrated on her YouTube channel (@starlayilmaz)

Each Healing is presented with images of the completed patterns (Beginner and Advanced), information about the design, a writing prompt, and thoughts while stitching. Detailed patterns follow, with color keys. Three healing patterns are included: Finding Balance, Showing Yourself Love, and You are Strong and Powerful.

The guide closes with Recommended Resources and a short Author Bio.

I'd recommend The Butterfly Wisdom Tarot to cross-stitchers for the beauty of the stitches, writers for the prompts, and any tarot reader from beginner to experienced. This deck is sure to touch a special place in many hearts.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: The Westwood Tarot

2025-05-23T07:11:00.001-04:00

The Westwood Tarot
Artist: Yasmeen Westwood

Author: Kalliope

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, September 2024

Description: 78 cards, 254-page guidebook, book-style box with magnetic closure lid.

Card Size: 3.5 x 5

"Through her artistic vision, Yasmeen invites us to explore this whimsical tapestry of magic, woven into the cards, where the boundaries of imagination are limitless and the extraordinary awaits."

The Westwood Tarot is a beautiful, mystical deck. As you open this book-style box, you can feel the energy in the cards. Everything about this deck is breath-taking.

Based on the images of the Rider-Waite Deck, the cards are easily identifiable. Yasmeen has brought a whole new light to the Tarot with this deck. It's simply amazing.

The cards are a little larger than a regular tarot deck, but are easily shuffled hand over hand. The deck has gold edging, that doesn't flake off everywhere.

The guidebook, written by Kalliope, is also top-notch. I always love it when these two artists get together, the results never disappoint.

After a brief Welcome, and a short piece on the Creation of the deck, the author shares the Pathways of Empowerment with an overview of the Five Cs - Center, Clear, Connect, Call, and Close.

Divining the Cards goes over what to expect in each card's description: Mnemonic, Image, Keywords, Scene, Categories, Magick, Wisdom, Spirit Guides, and Quotes. The Major Arcana also includes Further Indulgence. The Magick of the Courts are replaced with Astrological Sign and The Movement of the Knight.

After a brief look at The Suits and The Courts, we enter The Major Arcana - 69 pages of magical, intuitive words. Each card's description is covered in 2 to 3 pages.

My only criticism with The Westwood Tarot is the binding of the guidebook. It doesn't want to open fully, as you can see in the image of 12 The Hanged Man.

Mnemonic

Hanging on a limb,

to see another way

Perspective is king,

at the end of the day

Just stuck in a moment,

in a pocket of time

Surrender by trusting,

that all will be fine

Further Indulgence - "The Hanged Man embodies the essence of the Norse god Odin, inviting you to embrace divination through runes. ..."

The Minor Arcana spans 168 pages. Each card description is explored through three pages.

As you can see in this image, the spine strings are being pulled tight.

Light - "grieving, not seeing eye to eye, not all is lost, learning from your mistakes, ..."

Shadow - "hurt, despondent, feeling rejected, disappointed, loss, despair, ..."

Scene - "... Turning to look, she sees two more cups but these ones a filled to the brim, bow bringing the total to the Five of Cups. Apologetically, her rueful eyes rest back on the moon and she wisely says, "I'm sorry.""

Each card is presented with category meanings, which includes Love, Career, Wellness, and Finances.

Category - Career - "Feeling let down at work and unappreciated, finding it difficult to concentrate on the task at hand. ..."

Magick - "... It's in the moment when all seems lost that the magick of the Five of Cups comes in, offering you a glimmer of hope."

Words of Wisdom - "I will no longer build my home in the hearts of people that didn't mean to say "forever" after the words "love you.""

Spirit Guide - "The Penguin, a steadfast spirit guide, waddles into your life, helping you navigate life's ebbs and flows. ..."

Quote - "Nothing grieves more deeply or pathetically than one-half of a great love that isn't meant to be." ~ Gregory David Roberts.

The author closes the guide with Spreads: a few three-card spreads, a love five-card spread, and a nine-card spread.

The Westwood Tarot has definitely found a home on my shelf.

I would recommend this deck to any reader: novice, expert, or anyone in between. My go-to starter deck for a new reader is the Rider-Waite deck. The Westwood Tarot would easily fit into the category of an alternative first deck.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review - Decode Tarot

2025-04-30T05:40:00.006-04:00

Decode Tarot: Master Meanings, Reversals and Combinations

Author: Debra Zachau

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, September 2024

Description: 176-page paperback book

Book Size: 6 x 9

"One single card is not a complete reading because each card you lay down tells more of the story."

"Decode Tarot takes you from reading upright only along with traditional meanings into specific combinations, crosses, and reversals that have proved accurate by testing them over thousands of readings and client feedback."

Master the Minors, Master the Courts, and Master the Majors.

After a short introduction, Part One: Mastering the Minors begins with a brief look at the Tarot cards as a whole, separating them into sections, and a glance at the different suits.

The Suits And Their Personalities is very revealing, although I would have liked to have a little more on this topic. The Celtic cross is covered briefly, along with reversals, combinations, and timing.

Timing: "I never waiver from a one-month format and assign 30 days to each card."

As you begin the journey through the Minors, you'll see the number/element, main keyword(s), an image from the Rider-Waite Deck, information about the card, combinations and reversals. This is not the typical list of combinations. The author explains the reasoning for the combinations and gives examples.

There are reading examples throughout, but also full readings. Within the Master the Minors, there are two full readings. One is "I Just Lost My Job!". The author explains what she sees within the cards and then explains how she presents the reading to the client. She also gives a gem of information about the last card of the Celtic Cross.

"If the last card is not a Major Arcana, I keep laying down cards, each representing 30 days, to see how long this phase will last."

Part Two: Master the Courts starts with a Traditional Overview Of The Court Cards, followed by Here Are My Exceptions to These Rules That Have Served Me Well.

"Pages are dependent people, whether they are under 18 of age or an adult, with limited capacity to support themselves."

Each Court is presented with images, a brief overview, a list of people and characters who fit within the family, and a deeper dive into the family, with combinations and reversals. There is another full reading in this section, along with other gems of knowledge.

"Generally, I read Kings and Queens as people first and energy second."

Mastering the Majors begins with an introduction to the Divine Councils: Guardians, Teachers and Mentors, Guides, and Angels.

The Journey of the Fool opens the door to the Major Arcana. After each card's name and an image, the text walks you through a summary of the card, including meanings, reversals and combinations.

"The World completes the road from the young novice with the heroic Fool's heart to a well-rounded and wise conclusion described by the World."

"If this life's journey was expressed in a straight line, it would look like this:" Debra Zachau shares her thoughts on the Fool's Journey through each of the Major cards.

A short conclusion page wraps up the guide.

I did a few personal readings, using the Decode Tarot. The overall readings did not change, but I felt they went a little deeper because of the added knowledge of the cards.

There was only one thing in this whole book I found a little off-putting. The author does not believe one should read for themselves; therefore, the text refers to the client as a reference point.

I, personally, have never had trouble reading for myself. I've reached out to others on occasion to confirm to myself I wasn't mis-reading because of my closeness to the situation. They've always come back with very similar readings. I believe you can determine whether reading for yourself results in good readings.

I highly recommend Decode Tarot by Debra Zachau to anyone, and everyone, interesting in learning or diving deeper into the Tarot.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: Lisboa Tarot

2025-03-19T08:48:00.001-04:00

Lisboa Tarot - Tarot through the Streets of Lisbon

Author: Beth Seilonen

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2023

Description: 78 cards, 128-page guidebook, box with magnetic closure lid.

Card Size: 3 x 5

"The Lisboa Tarot was inspired predominantly by a summer visit to the city of Lisbon, Portugal."

The Lisboa Tarot is printed on thick card stock. The deck measures 1 1/2 inches thick. They shuffle fairly well hand over hand. The images have a slightly blurred effect. The colors blue and yellow are predominate in this deck, a little too much for my taste. The images are simple, yet in a way complex.

"The people that are showcased in the cards are statues found throughout the city."

The King of Cups - "This King card was inspired by the statue that stands in the small plaza outside the Santa Casa da Misericordia."

The Four of Wands - "This card was inspired by the gazebo that sits in the Jardim da Estrela. One can find impromptu dancing there in the evenings, with lots of positive vibes."

XI Justice - "This card was inspired by the central figure found in the pediment of the Assembly of the Republic, the Parliament."

The Guidebook, after a short preface and introduction to the deck, dives straight into the cards. Each Major Arcana is presented with its number, name, and a small image. The upright and reversed meanings are given, followed by the details about the image.

The Minor Arcana cards are first presented with an explanation of the overall suit. Each individual card has its name, a small image, the upright and reversed meanings, and details about the image.

The author ends the journey by sharing two spreads, a 5-card (for making choices) and a 7-card (for planning). A short conclusion and about the author section completes the small guide.

Overall, I enjoyed exploring this deck. I wasn't exactly captivated by the images, but the guidebook presentation is worth exploring. Based on the Rider-Waite system, this deck would make a nice addition to the shelf. The readings I did were accurate. I just didn't feel much of a vibe with them.

Grab a copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: the Fool's New Journey Tarot

2024-09-06T06:03:00.001-04:00

The Fool's New Journey Tarot

Sixty Triumphs for a New Dawn

Author: John Matthews

Artist: Charles Newington

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2024

Description: 60 Cards, 248-page guidebook, box with magnetic closure lid, and cardboard slipcase.

Card Size: 2 3/4 by 4

"John Matthews's idea to reinvent Tarot is, to put the matter in simple terms, sublime." ~ Andrea Aste

After a praising foreword by Andrea Aste, the author gives an introduction of the history of the past and present tarot and explains why he felt the need to create this deck.

"The Fool's New Journey Tarot avoids misreadings of its symbolic language by representing recognizable aspects of the human condition without losing the resonance of traditional Tarot."

Part One of the Guidebook covers the Sixty Triumphs. "The less you compare these with the older traditions, the better, though there will be some overlaps and references that you will recognize." Each card is covered in two pages - a small card image, number/name, card description and meaning, reversed meaning, upright keywords, and reversal keywords.

Part Two of the Guidebook the author tells two fables which follows the Fool's journey through the traditional Major Arcana Cards and then the New Journey Tarot Cards. "These are designed to illustrate the differences between the traditional Tarot sequence and this wholly new sequence of The Fool's New Journey Tarot."

Part Three of the Guidebook covers working with the deck - questions, sample readings, interpreting, dealing with reversals and other techniques. Three spreads are offered to use specifically for this deck.

Overall, I was very impressed by the guidebook. I enjoyed both stories of the Fool's journey. The card descriptions were interesting. The only issue was the guidebook doesn't open fully. I tried bending the bind, but I couldn't get it to flatten out for easier reading.

The cards are easy to shuffle. The card backs allow for reversals. The images are simple, and somewhat cartoonish. The card box is very tight and makes it hard to get the cards in and out.

The cardboard slipcase fits tightly over the box, which makes it difficult to pull off and back on. Not sure if it would be worth the trouble, unless its plan is to sit on the shelf.

Although I saw glimpses of the traditional Tarot throughout this deck, I would have to call this a Tarot Oracle. In my opinion, this deck could not take the place of the Tarot deck. But, I'm not sure if it's meant to. The author states, "literally a new journey for The Fool, resetting the style and purpose of the deck more or less back to zero, then taking it to places it has never been before."

While working with the deck, The Wasteland became my stalker card.

"The Wasteland is the place we make when we forget the meaning of life and take up the dark path of warfare and destruction."

Keywords include: Desolation. Destruction. Stagnation. Loss of direction. Loss of purpose. Abandonment. Environmental failure. Old wounds. Madness.

As I read through the description of the card, the image of the 5 of Swords popped into my mind, but also the 9 of Swords, and a few other cards. "In the individual this speaks of a deeply hidden sorrow for which there seems no cure; yet, we have hope, and if our will allows us, we can search for healing for ourselves."

For a deeper look into this deck, here's a sample three card reading. Past, Present, Future position. Question: an overview of where I am, and where I'm going.

44 The Star - "Here we have chosen to show a dancer in the spotlight, symbolically representing you in your desire for success and clearer insight." As a representation of the past, The Star suggests you had an expectation of where you might be at this moment in your life. "-literally the star of your own life."

41 The Clown - "When this card comes up in a reading, you should be wary of your own actions, as well as those of others, being careful not to use mockery as a weapon, which may all too easily turn against you." The Clown, representing the present, may suggest feelings of imposter syndrome. "The face may be painted on in the form of a smile, but beneath this The Clown may be angry, sad, or vindictive." You may feel like you haven't fulfilled your expectations.

47 Judgement - "For most readers today, it is more likely to be seen as a call to rise, not to heaven but to a new direction or purpose in life." As representation of the future, Judgement suggests a time of change, of redirection. "In most readings, depending on the adjacent cards, Judgement reflects a need for change-" If you currently feel you're not where you want to be in life, a change will be necessary to redirect your path. "The card often appears at a time when you may be at a crossroads and need to make the appropriate decision as to which path to take, on the basis of your own judgement."

Overview - Your hopes and expectations may have failed to come to fruition. Instead of sitting with the disappointment, a much-needed change needs to occur in order to redirect your energies toward your dreams. It's never too late to accomplish what you may have strayed from. Take some time to sort out your thoughts and expectations. Make a plan and follow your chosen path.

I was impressed by the resulting readings of this deck. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a new type of reading. The Tarot messages are here, just in a different form. The Fool's New Journey Tarot would make a good deck to any collector, or reader.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Tarot

2024-07-05T07:14:00.001-04:00

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Tarot

Author: Nick Lawyer

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2023

Description: 78 Cards, 111-page guidebook, top-lift lid box.

Card Size: 3 x 5

"In The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Tarot, artist Nick Lawyer takes the gothic subject matter of Irving’s novel and intertwines it with the profound themes of the Tarot to create a powerful tool for self-discovery."

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Tarot is a collection of vivid, sharp images based on Washington Irving's gothic novel. The deck also "includes additional characters and scenes pertaining to the local culture, history, and folklore of Sleepy Hollow and eighteenth-century New England, as well as Irving's short story "The Devil and Tom Walker.""

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Tarot is printed on average card stock, making them easy to handle and shuffle. The card backing is an interesting feature, with its gold on blue background. Overall, this is an impressive quality deck.

The deck follows the Rider-Waite theme, with some variations in images.

The Major Arcana begins with The Fool - Ichabod Crane and ends with The World - items found in his schoolhouse in The World. Each card contains number and name.

The Minor Arcana are labeled only by number. The author chose various items to represent the suits.

The Wands range from broomsticks, trees, logs, and in the case of the Three of Wands, - "An Algonquin warrior watching ships sail by. He carries a musket, tomahawk, and war club."

The Cups contain many types of cups or containers, ranging from tea cups, beer mugs, and in the case of Ten of Cups, - "Brom Bones and Katrina walking together" down a path lined with flower vases.

The Swords are the easiest to recognize with their many swords. Ace of Swords shows "The horseman holding an impaled jack-o'-lantern." The Seven of Swords, "A smuggler rowing a boatful of swords out to ship."

The Pentacles cards contain some form of pentacle, ranging from coins, tin lanterns displaying pentacles, and to carved pumpkins. The Ace of Pentacles holds a single coin. In the Six of Pentacles, "A man distributing carved pumpkins", each carved with a pentacle.

The Court Cards are titled with their name and suit. The Page of Cups features "Ichabod sipping gin as he reads Cotton Mather's History of New England Witchcraft." The Queen of Wands, "A mischievous old witch flying on her broomstick."

The Guidebook, after a short piece about deck and author, goes straight into information about the cards.

The Major Arcana cards are presented with a full-page image along with a short description. A second page gives number and name, a fun fact, and the upright and reversed keywords. The Hermit features, "The Woman in White haunting Raven Rock." The fun fact shares, "Raven Rock is a historical landmark found on Buttermilk Hill in Rockefeller State Park Preserve, New York."

The Minor Arcana is divided by suits. A two-page display of the fourteen cards of each suit begins each section. The individual cards are covered briefly - name, short image description, and upright and reversed keywords. The Two of Wands image description states, "A witch looking over the little village, holding a broom and a crystal ball."

The author closes the guidebook with four Sleepy Hollow Themed Spreads, a short conclusion and bibliography.

In my opinion, this is a deck for fans of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Washington Irving. With its close representation of the Rider-Waite theme, the cards are fairly easy to follow. The guidebook seems more of a tidbit fun fact book, rather than a Tarot guide. The keywords do follow the traditional meanings.

This deck would make a good collection piece for any Tarot enthusiast who also has an interest in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: The Magick of Lenormand Card Reading

2024-05-28T05:32:00.015-04:00

The Magick of Lenormand Card Reading

Author: Kalliope

Artist: Yasmeen Westwood

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2024

Description: 280-page paperback book

Book Size: 7 x 10

The creators of the Lenormand of Enchantment have created a book that goes beyond the original guide available with the deck. The Magick of Lenormand Card Reading takes you into the depths of Lenormand, covering a multitude of topics and situations.

"The system outlined in this book is my personal tried-and-true method that works and can be easily applied to any life situation. This current volume is written with the professional reader in mind, with expanded meanings and new combinations, allowing you to foster an even-deeper, more magickal relationship with the cards."

The Author covers the basics, from how to use the book to journaling and practice exercises. The Tips and Tricks section shares a multitude of information, from The Red-String Method to card order and word play combinations.

The 36 Magickal Moments chapter supplies you with spells for each Lenormand card. How to Read the Cards offers a few pointers and delves into casting the cards from the simple yes/no method to in-depth tips on the Grand Tableau.

The bulk of the book covers the cards, both individually and in combinations. Each card presentation has number and name, a poem, and an image of the card. The illustrations are from the Lenormand of the Enchantment. The cards are described in length, along with keywords, timing, meaning, the card in aspect to love, career, wellness, finances, and modern day, and affirmation, cartomancy, Combinations, and ends with a quote.

This is a very extensive guidebook that will take you further into the Lenormand world. There's so much here, it's a little hard to share the depth. Each card has seven or more pages of information. You may get a little overwhelmed.

It's important to remember when diving into Lenormand to take what feels right for you in the guides, and discard the rest. As said, there's a lot of information in this book, but the Lenormand is a never-ending journey. Just remember to take it slow to get the most growth from your connection with the cards.

The Scythe pages begin with number and name. The poem begins the text.

"Sharp and dangerously slicing, cut down to my very core

Sudden and unexpected accident, left me disconnected and sore

Irrevocable divisions, splitting halves the rendering them apart

Separating quickly, leaves a wake of broken shards in my heart"

After the image, you see the first part of the description.

"As the sun sets on the year's final harvest, the Scythe emerges from the field of golden wheat, catching the last wisps of fading light glinting off its sharp edges. Shimmering flaxen shafts of wheat are swaying in the breeze …."

Further into the Scythe pages, you find the card in different aspects.

Scythe in Modern Day - "The Grim Reaper, a motorcycle club (Sons of Anarchy), symbol of death, injectables/vaccine."

Affirmation - "When things suddenly and unexpectedly leave my life, I will trust in that wisdom and let them go with compassion and love."

The Cartomancy of the card takes you to an even deeper level of the Lenormand. The Jack of Diamonds - "This Jack is preoccupied with having the need for security, both emotionally and financially, but keeps this vulnerability to himself."

The sections on Combinations dive deep and are expansive. The Scythe and Clover - "green wound (infected), very risky, temporarily detached, brief separation, wild accident, brief division, temporarily disconnected, easily broken, temporarily cut off, brief threat, very risky, brief emergency"

The most important thing to remember when reading with the Lenormand is to maintain context to the question, which should be very focused in order to receive an understandable answer.

I'm not sure if I would recommend this book to a beginner. It's so easy to get overwhelmed by information when dealing with this simple 36-card deck. You really need to begin at the beginning and slowly delve into deeper parts of this system. In my opinion, too much information will kill your intuition and confidence.

With that said, I highly recommend this book to the seasoned reader. You're bound to discover something useful within the text.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: Steele Wizard Tarot

2024-04-25T06:11:00.004-04:00

Steele Wizard Tarot
Author: Pamela Steele

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, October 2023

Description: 88 cards, 192-page guidebook, box with magnetic closure lid.

Card Size: 3 x 5

*3rd Edition, previously self-published in 2006 and 2010

"As “a picture is worth a thousand words,” the Steele Wizard Tarot speaks the “language of the soul.”"

The Steele Wizard Tarot is based on the traditional Rider Waite deck, but includes 10 additional cards: six Major Arcana cards: 22 Weaver, 23 Universe, 24 Truth, 25 Soul Twins, 26 Evolution, 27 I AM and four Court Cards - the Maidens. Two cards have been altered: 13 Death to Transition and 15 Devil to Materialism.

The Steele Wizard Tarot is printed on thick, high quality card stock, producing a 1 5/8-inch-thick deck. I found the deck a little hard to shuffle, hand over hand, but not impossible.

The Steel Wizard Tarot contains a soft, feminine energy. The images are relatively simple and yet very detailed. The pastel coloring creates a calming effect. The bottom borders contain the card title and are color-coded: Major Arcana - Purple, Wands - Yellow, Cups - Teal, Swords - Blue, Pentacles - Dark Orange.

The 22 Weaver is one of the extra Major Arcana cards. The coloring of this card is amazing: the calming blues, the vibrant greens, the striking purple of the rug, and the simple brown of her tools. The Weaver card is definitely one of my favorites. These colors combine to create a simplicity within a detailed image.

The Steele Wizard Tarot is a lovely set of cards. Each card presents its own unique vibration through coloring and detailed images.

The Guidebook covers the basics of Tarot reading - Tarot Ethics, Caring for your Cards, Using the Court Cards, Reading the Cards, and more.

The Card Spread section is especially interesting, providing simple to advanced layouts. The eight card spreads range from the simple one card layout to the twelve card Celtic Cross Extended Spread.

The Major Arcana cards are covered as a whole and then individually. Each card is presented by number and name, a phrase, the card image, a detailed description of the card, guidelines, reversed meaning, a quote from the "DragonSteele Meditations" by Reverend Den Elder, and a space for notes.

The Minor Arcana cards are separated by suits. Each suit is introduced as a whole, including elemental aspects and the associated Zodiac signs. Each card is presented by card name, image, a phrase, a detailed description of the card, guidelines, reversed meaning, and a quote from the "DragonSteele Meditations" by Reverend Den Elder.

The guidebook closes with words from the Wizard - Pamela Steele, The Elder Futhark system, acknowledgments, and testimonials.

The Steele Wizard Tarot is an impressive deck and would make a nice addition to any Tarot shelf. I would recommend it to beginners and advanced readers.

If you prefer a traditional 78 card Tarot deck, you have the option to remove the extra cards, and still have the experience of this vibrant deck, although the extra cards do add a nice element of accuracy to the readings.

If you already own a previous edition of this deck, go to Brandy Rachelle's website for a detailed comparison of the three different editions.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: Swagatam Tarot

2024-03-06T05:49:00.002-05:00

Swagatam Tarot

Author: Pankhuri Agarwal

Artist: Aishwarya Ravichandran

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, June 2023

Description: 92 cards, 200-page guidebook, box with magnetic closure lid.

Card Size: 3 1/4 x 4 1/4

*Reprinted and Revised, June 2023

"Welcome to the Swagatam Tarot. The word Swagatam means “welcome” in Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages in the world. Based on Indian culture combined with the philosophies of Hinduism, the rich and unique images of this 92-card deck invite you to explore concepts of healing and self-exploration that have been around for centuries."

The guidebook begins with a short introduction. "This deck is based on Indian culture. It contains healing and lifestyle concepts that have proved to be of importance to well-being over many centuries. In this deck you will find details on how to use these for your personal benefit..."

The Swagatam Tarot introduces an extra suit - Smoke, which represents the element of Ether. The Minor Arcana has been grouped by numbers. For example: the Aces are represented by mudras or hand gestures, and the Eights are represented by Trees. The Major Arcana deals with traditional Indian concepts of well-being.

Two spreads, Elemental Spread and Lifestyle Spread, are given to guide you in using the deck.

The Major Arcana are presented with a full-page card image, card number, keywords, reversed, and meanings of the illustrations.

As you can see, the keywords and reversed keywords are based on traditional Tarot meanings. The paragraph covers the traditional Indian concept of the illustration. The author suggests, "The Major Arcana deals with traditional concepts of well-being but are applicable to every person worldwide!"

After a brief overview of the suits and how to use the gestures, the Minor Arcana cards are grouped by number, with a full-page image of the first card, the group, its representation, and a short summary of the group as a whole.

Each card is presented with a full-page image of the card, the name, representation, the Keywords, Reversed, and the traditional Indian concept of the illustration.

After reading the reviews, I really wanted to love this deck, but I couldn't connect to the images. The concepts of the illustrations seem like a snap-shot education on India. I couldn't find a way to apply the grouped representations and the concepts of the illustrations to a reading. And, the many unknown words on the cards were distracting.

I took a step back from all of this and did a short 3-card reading, focused on using the deck without all of the above. I focused on the traditional Tarot meanings, but also referred to the guidebook. I was impressed by the results and found myself incorporating impressions from the book.

The short 3-card reading, with images of the guidebook page for each, will give you a glimpse into the cards and the concepts of the images.

Layout: Past, Present, Future

Question: What do I need to know right now in this moment?

The past position revealed, Ten of Smoke, a card from the extra suit. Referring to the guidebook was a must to get an idea of what the card was signifying.

Ten represents Seasons and in this case Early and Late Winter. The concept of the illustration covers what constitutes an India winter and an association with foods. The fact that the Winter card shows up as we approach the end of winter was impressive as the cold weather collapses into the past.

The keywords: much need break from trials, respite, rest, finality, peace, suggests: I may be coming out of a long winter's rest. I have definitely used this winter to find peace with things in my life.

The present position revealed, Four of Swords. Four represent Colors (Natural Dyes), in this case Sindoor/ Kum Kum. I assume after reading the concept of the illustration section this is Red. It is produced by crushing the red seeds of the Sindoor tree fruit. Uses of the Kum Kum are included in the summary paragraph.

The keywords: prayer, faith, trust, peace, quiet, suggests: I may have found, or am still searching for, the before mentioned peace and quiet. I do feel I'm close to figuring out how to relax and just be in the present.

The future position revealed, Ace of Pentacles, represented by the Hand Gesture, Prithvi Mudra, which balances the Earth element. The summary paragraph mentions healing the root chakra, which was also mentioned to be strengthened by the Kum Kum.

The keywords: new beginnings, completeness, prosperity, grounding, suggests: A possible future of success in finding my way, discovering new beginnings.

Overview: What I need to know right now in this moment is... My periods of rest and search for peace are bringing me toward the moment of success in finding my way to a new beginning. I may feel like I'm struggling through this, because trust me rest is not something I do often, to the point that my body is insisting rest and not taking no for an answer, but I am almost there. The light at the end of the tunnel is very close. Have faith, send out prayers, and I will begin to see success. Doing some work with my Root Chakra may help ease the feeling of struggle.

I recommend this deck to anyone who wants a glimpse into Indian culture, a seasoned reader looking for a change of pace, and/or deck collectors. If the images above speak to you, this deck may well be worth your consideration.

*As mentioned above, this is a reprint of the original, which had some publication issues. When purchasing, be sure to get the new print.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: The Magic of Numbers

2024-01-23T06:35:00.001-05:00

The Magic of Numbers: Numerology's Power Revealed

Author: Lori Reid

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2023

Description: 80-page paperback book

Book Size: 5 x 7

The Magic of Numbers is an easy-to-use, simple read. The guide will give you a glimpse into the doorway of Numerology.

After a short introduction to Numerology, "Depending on the different levels of interpretation, numerology can be as easy or as complex as the practitioner might want to make it..."

Chapter One: Birthdays offers you the calculations to obtain your Destiny Number, an overview of each number, and an exercise that will open your eyes to the cycles within your life.

"...the critical importance about your actual date of birth is that this number will reveal insights into your life cycle and into the sequences of events that are likely to occur to you throughout your life."

Chapter Two: What's in a Name? gives you the calculations and methods to obtain your Expression Number. "When decoded, the Expression Number of a name yields valuable insights into the power of its sound." Each Expression Number is explained in the personality profile. There is also a table of Harmonies showing the numbers that will be harmonious or at variance with your Expression Number.

Chapter Three: Love and Attraction gives an overview of each Expression Number in Love and In Partnership with other Expression Numbers.

Chapter Four: Work and Money offers suggested occupations for your Destiny or Expression Number with an overview of each Number at Work.

Chapter Five: Keys to the Door gives the calculations needed to find your home's personality. A House-Personal Compatibility Table identifies if your house number is compatible or discordant with your birthday or destiny number. Each House Number is explained in a Character Guide to your House.

A short Conclusion and an About the Author closes this short dive into Numerology.

"Understanding numbers opens our awareness, shows us the interconnections that govern our lives and gives us the knowledge we need to control our destinies."

I recommend this book to anyone who has the desire to take that first step into studying Numerology or if you are just a little curious about the whole aspect.

The Magic of Numbers makes it easy and uncomplicated for you to get a taste of what the Power of Numerology is all about.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: Nightfall Tarot

2024-01-05T07:37:00.001-05:00

Nightfall Tarot
Author: Amory Abbott

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2023

Description: 78 cards, 128-page guidebook, box with magnetic closure lid.

Card Size: 3 1/2 x 4 7/8

"The Nightfall Tarot is a darkened interpretation of the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot, shrouding the scenes of the classic deck in eternal twilight. While maintaining each card’s original meaning, the Judeo-Christian symbols in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck have been interchanged with Norse runes, Icelandic staves, Wiccan, and other chthonic occult symbology."

The Cards are made of high quality, thick card stock and have silver edging. The full deck measures almost 1 1/2 inches thick. Traditional riffle shuffling seems impossible with this deck. But, as I tend to do overhand shuffling or smooshing to avoid damaging cards, this is not an issue for me. I've experienced very little flaking of the edging.

The card back design: "The symbol on the back of each card is Skuld's Net, a Norse design more commonly referred to as the Web of Wyrd, the term Wyrd meaning fate. It represents the connectedness between past, present, and future: a net made of nine crossing staves which contain the shapes of all of the Norse runes."

The artwork of this deck is amazing. The darkened images are full of details and symbolism. Although the images vary from the Rider-Waite, they hold enough of the familiar to follow the traditional meanings.

The 5 of Swords contains two men, who the author suggests are twins, while the Rider-Waite features three men. The battle is still the same: no one wins, although one is defeated. Footprints in the sand give clue to the recent battle.

Three Swords lay against a large sand dune, while the other two lay abandoned in the sand. The clouds are dark, with no signs of blue, while the Rider-Waite features a blue, cloudy sky. The image is breathtaking. You feel the despair and devastation vibrating in this card.

"This Wheel of Fortune features a Vegvisir, an Icelandic stave symbol used to guide travelers through rough weather. It is encircled by the Ouroboros-a serpent eating its own tail-to symbolize the cycle of death and rebirth. Surrounding the wheel in a storm are the four natural elements wind, water, fire, and earth, guiding each safely toward their destiny, in the endless cycle of self-renewal."

You can view the entire deck at https://www.amoryabbott.com/illustration#/the-nightfall-tarot/

The guidebook begins with a brief introduction to the deck and then dives into the cards. The Major Arcana cards are presented by number, name, keyword/phrase, image description, reversed keyword/phrase and a full-page image of the card.

The Minor Arcana cards, divided by elements, are presented by a small image, card name, keyword/phrase, image description, and reversed keyword/phrase.

The Readings section offers a summary of three suggested spreads: the one-card, three-card, and Celtic Cross. The three-card spread summary offers two possible layout positions. The Celtic Cross spread is briefly explained, with short descriptions of each position. The guidebook closes with a four-page Author's Note.

While impressed by the quality of this deck, my main delight is with the amazing artwork. I can see this deck easily serving multiple purposes: readings, reflections, creative prompts, meditations, shadow work, and more. I'm very excited to add Nightfall Tarot to my ever-growing collection.

I would recommend this deck to any reader: novice, expert, or anyone in between. When new readers ask which deck to start with, my go-to answer is the Rider-Waite deck. I would easily offer this as an alternative first deck.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Guest Post: Five Tarot Combinations That Signal Horror

2023-12-20T12:12:00.002-05:00

Today, I'd like to welcome Tanya Brum to the blog.

Tanya Brum is a seasoned tarot expert, with over 25 years of experience. You can discover more about her at Tarot Sparks, where she offers free readings, tarot card meanings, and other interesting articles on the Tarot. Tanya's guidance offers practical insights, illuminating your path with wisdom and clarity for your life's journey.

Please give a warm welcome to Tanya Brum.

Tarot cards have captivated minds for centuries, offering glimpses into the enigmatic realm of the unknown. While often associated with guidance and introspection, the Tarot deck, with its rich symbolism and diverse interpretations, can also take a chilling turn.

As a Tarot reader, I had numerous experiences when flipping the cards sent shivers down my spine and certain combinations of cards within a reading did foretell a narrative steeped in horror, offering a cryptic glimpse into unsettling futures or hidden fears.

Here are five Tarot combinations, with each Tarot card meaning explained, that when laid out may signal an ominous tale.

1. The Tower, The Devil, and The Ten of Swords

Oh man. With these three cards, it really can’t get any worse than this. The positive in this combination is that from here it can only get better. The combination of the Tower, Devil, and Ten of Swords truly signals a cataclysmic descent into darkness.

The Tower embodies sudden and sometimes catastrophic change, depicting a crumbling structure struck by lightning. Its symbolism extends beyond mere physical destruction; it signifies the shattering of illusions, revelation, and the dismantling of established beliefs or structures.

The Devil reveals the representation of temptation, bondage, and the darker aspects of human nature. It signifies being chained to one's vices, indulging in material desires without restraint, and the profound consequences of unchecked primal urges.

If you look at the Ten of Swords, depicting a figure lying face down with ten swords plunged into their back (and even the ear!), this card symbolizes betrayal, rock-bottom despair, and the culmination of a harrowing journey. It speaks of a relentless and absolute downfall, where trust is shattered, and hope seems irretrievably lost. There’s no way down, from here, you can only rebound.

The Horror Within the Combination

When these three cards align in a reading, they weave a tale of unparalleled horror. The Tower heralds an abrupt and catastrophic event, shattering the stability and foundations of life. This event, compounded by The Devil's presence, signifies that the calamity is intertwined with one's own inner demons and destructive tendencies. The Ten of Swords, the final blow in this sinister triad, marks the brutal conclusion of a series of betrayals and relentless hardships.

This combination hints at a descent into an abyss of despair, where personal choices, driven by base instincts and external influences, converge in a calamitous finale. It's a narrative of utter devastation, where the very fabric of existence is torn asunder, leaving behind a landscape of ruin and despair.

The horror emanating from this combination doesn't merely stem from external threats or supernatural forces; it emerges from the darkest recesses of the human psyche. It foretells a scenario where the consequences of one's actions, fueled by unrestrained desires and moral compromises, culminate in a catastrophic downfall—both personal and existential.

The horror lies not in an external threat, but in the chilling realization that the true monsters might dwell within oneself. It serves as a cautionary tale, urging introspection and restraint in the face of temptation, reminding individuals of the potential consequences of succumbing to their darkest impulses.

In essence, this combination paints a picture of terror born not from external supernatural entities, but from the labyrinthine depths of human nature itself, where unchecked desires and moral compromises lead to a nightmarish conclusion—a horror story etched in the very fabric of one's existence.

2. Death, The Hanged Man, and The Five of Cups

The Death card is often misunderstood as it rarely signifies literal death. Instead, it embodies transformation, endings, and the inevitability of change – transformation from a cocoon to butterfly, from a seed to tree - the closing of one chapter to pave the way for new beginnings, signifying profound shifts and transitions.

The Hanged Man is in a sense opposite to the Death card – it depicts a figure suspended upside down and symbolizes sacrifice, suspension, and a voluntary surrender to gain enlightenment. It encourages looking at situations from a different perspective, undergoing introspection, and embracing a necessary pause or sacrifice for growth.

The Five of Cups, where a figure is mourning over spilled cups while overlooking two remaining upright cups – this card signifies grief, loss, and dwelling on past sorrows, often suggesting an inability to move forward due to fixation on what's been lost.

The Horror Within the Combination

When Death, The Hanged Man, and The Five of Cups intertwine within a Tarot spread, they weave a chilling narrative of horror laced with profound despair.

The presence of Death doesn't foretell literal demise but hints at the death of hope or the end of an era. Paired with The Hanged Man, it suggests a prolonged period of suspended agony, where one willingly or unwillingly lingers in a state of emotional limbo, unable to move forward due to a refusal to let go of past sorrows. The Five of Cups deepens this sense of horror by accentuating a profound sense of loss and regret. The figure depicted in this card is consumed by grief, unable to see the possibility of renewal symbolized by the remaining upright cups. It implies a fixation on past pain, leading to a state of emotional stagnation and despair.

This combination paints a harrowing portrait of a relentless cycle of grief and emotional entrapment. It's a horror story of being ensnared in the web of one's own emotions, unable to break free from the haunting specters of the past. The terror emanates not from external threats or supernatural forces but from the suffocating grip of one's unresolved emotions.

The horror lies in the insidious nature of emotional imprisonment, where the inability to let go of past grievances or losses imprisons the soul, leading to a state of perpetual suffering and stagnation. It's a cautionary tale, warning against the paralyzing effects of clinging to pain and regret, urging individuals to embrace the transformative power of acceptance and moving forward.

3. The Moon, The High Priestess, and The Nine of Swords

The Moon is enigmatic and shrouded in mystery. This card embodies the realm of the subconscious, illusions, and fears. It represents the hidden aspects of the mind, where truth is obscured, and uncertainties loom large. It signifies the eerie and inexplicable, often hinting at a journey through the unknown and unsettling realms of the psyche.

The High Priestess, on the other hand, is a symbol of intuition, hidden knowledge, and spiritual wisdom, this card represents the uncharted depths of one's inner world. It signifies a connection to the subconscious, urging introspection and trust in intuition. It embodies the keeper of arcane secrets and esoteric truths.

On the Nine of Swords, we see a figure in despair, surrounded by nine swords above his head. This card symbolizes anguish, anxiety, and nightmares. It signifies a period of intense mental distress, haunted by fears and worries, often leading to sleepless nights and mental torment.

The Horror Within the Combination

When The Moon, The High Priestess, and The Nine of Swords converge in a Tarot reading, they weave a haunting tapestry of horror, rooted in the labyrinthine depths of the human mind.

The Moon casts its enigmatic shadows, obscuring truth and amplifying irrational fears and anxieties. Paired with The High Priestess, this combination suggests a descent into the darkest recesses of the subconscious—an eerie journey into the unknown realms of the mind. It implies a time when intuition becomes clouded by uncertainties, leading to a sense of impending doom and an inability to discern reality from illusion. The Nine of Swords intensifies this sense of horror by amplifying mental anguish and torment. It paints a picture of relentless nightmares and overwhelming anxiety that gnaw at the very core of one's being. The figure in the card is consumed by dread, unable to find respite from the haunting fears that plague the mind.

This combination foretells a tale of psychological terror, where the true horror emerges from within—the insidious grip of irrational fears, overwhelming anxieties, and a sense of impending doom. It's a narrative that transcends external threats or supernatural forces, delving into the unsettling landscape of the human psyche.

The horror lies in the suffocating grip of the unknown, where shadows morph into malevolent specters, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. It serves as a cautionary tale, urging individuals to confront their inner fears and uncertainties, to navigate the murky waters of the subconscious with courage and clarity.

4. The Devil and The Eight of Swords

We already presented his darkness, the Devil, the symbol of bondage, temptation, and the entrapment caused by material desires, The Devil screams about a surrender to primal urges and vices. It embodies the consequences of unchecked indulgence.

The Eight of Swords is in a way very similar to the Devil. Depicting a figure bound and blindfolded, surrounded by eight swords, this card symbolizes a state of mental confinement, self-imposed limitations, and feelings of helplessness or entrapment.

The Horror Within the Combination

When The Devil and The Eight of Swords converge within a Tarot reading, they weave a chilling narrative of entrapment and psychological confinement, rooted in the consequences of unchecked desires.

The Devil's presence signifies succumbing to temptations and the bondage caused by unchecked desires. Paired with the Eight of Swords, it suggests a scenario where the consequences of these indulgences lead to a state of mental imprisonment. The combination hints at a situation where one's own choices and vices become the chains that bind, plunging the individual into a suffocating state of helplessness and confinement.

This combination foretells a tale of horror wherein the repercussions of yielding to temptations and vices lead to a profound sense of mental entrapment. It embodies the chilling terror of feeling trapped in a situation, maybe even due to addictions, blinded by self-imposed limitations and surrounded by a sense of powerlessness—a narrative warning against the perils of yielding to desires without foresight and self-awareness.

In essence, this combination serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the horror that arises when one becomes ensnared in their own desires, leading to a harrowing state of mental confinement and helplessness, where the mind becomes its own prison.

5. The Moon and The Five of Pentacles

We’ve already talked about the Moon - shrouded in mystery and illusion, it represents the enigmatic realms of the subconscious, fears, and uncertainties. It symbolizes the journey through the unknown, where shadows obscure truth and uncertainties loom large.

The Five of Pentacles, on the other hand, portray a very sad reality–depicting two figures in a desolate landscape, this card signifies financial hardship, isolation, and a sense of being left out in the cold. It embodies a feeling of deprivation, both materially and emotionally, and the struggle to overcome adversity.

The Horror Within the Combination

When The Moon and The Five of Pentacles converge in a Tarot reading, they weave a haunting narrative of horror that transcends mere financial struggles, tapping into profound emotional and psychological isolation.

The Moon's presence signifies a journey into the darkest recesses of the subconscious, where fears and uncertainties reign supreme. Paired with the Five of Pentacles, it suggests a scenario where financial hardship becomes entwined with haunting isolation—an eerie sense of being abandoned not only materially but also emotionally and spiritually. This combination embodies the horror of isolation amplified by the unknown and unseen fears lurking within the shadows. It paints a picture of profound desolation, where the chilling sense of being left out in the cold extends beyond tangible scarcity to an intangible, soul-deep loneliness—a haunting void that seems insurmountable. The horror lies not just in the financial adversity but in the psychological toll of enduring isolation and the chilling effect of unseen fears and uncertainties.

Conclusion: The Haunting Narratives Within Tarot Combinations

The Tarot, with its rich symbolism and evocative imagery, weaves haunting narratives that often transcend mere divination, tapping into the depths of human experience. Within the mysterious configurations of cards, even in the realm of free tarot reading, certain combinations evoke chilling tales of horror, warning of potential pitfalls and psychological terrors.

These combinations—such as The Tower and The Ten of Swords, Death and The Hanged Man with The Five of Cups, The Moon alongside The High Priestess and The Nine of Swords, and other eerie pairings—embody harrowing stories of catastrophe, despair, and entrapment. They delve into the darkest recesses of the human psyche, depicting scenarios where inner demons, financial hardship, and unyielding anxieties collide, creating a tapestry of existential dread.

It's crucial to acknowledge that Tarot interpretations are not definitive prophecies set in stone. Instead, they serve as symbolic reflections of potential paths and psychological landscapes. These combinations, while foreboding, offer cautionary insights rather than predestined outcomes. They remind individuals of the complexities of life, urging introspection and mindfulness in navigating challenges.

The true power of the Tarot lies not in predicting an inescapable fate, but in offering guidance, prompting self-reflection, and empowering individuals to make informed choices. These combinations, although laden with eerie implications, invite contemplation rather than instilling fear.

Again, you can find Tanya Brum at Tarot Sparks, where she offers a free tarot reading and explores absolutely every tarot card meaning.

Guest post by Tanya Brum @ Tarot Sparks

Review: Inner Eye Oracle

2023-11-01T07:05:00.000-04:00

Inner Eye Oracle

Author: Steven Bright

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2023

Description: 52 cards, 152-page guidebook, box with magnetic closure lid.

Card size: 3 x 4 1/2

The Inner Eye Oracle is a 52-Card Playing Deck designed as an Oracle Deck for easy reading. The cards could easily be pulled from the box and read without guidance, but with the system provided by Steven Bright, you will find amazing results with this deck.

The cards are made of quality card stock and have red edging. The images are simple with an antique aspect. The black, white, and red coloring gives them an energetic, vibrant appeal.

The guidebook is divided into two sections. After a brief introduction and how to use the guidebook, the guidebook is divided into two sections: Familiarizing Yourself with Your Fortune-Telling Cards and Reading with the Deck.

The author begins with detailed information on the Court Cards and then covers each individually, with its image, name, overall summary, as a daily card and keywords.

The Pip Cards are introduced and then explained individually, listed in alphabetical order, with Title, image, image description, overall summary, and as a daily card.

In the second section, the author provides some methods of reading to help you get the most from this deck. "The cards in this deck have been designed to work with the following techniques, in order to help you receive as detailed and accurate information as possible."

"This fortune-telling deck has its own system built into the pack. It is designed for two- and three-card readings."

The first part of the system is demonstrated in the beginning of the Two-Card Reading section. "... I would like you to think of yourself in the blank space on the left. If you are reading for someone else, then this space is reserved for them."

"In the two-card reading, there are four different ways in which these cards can be laid..." With the three-card reading, "there are eight different combinations of cards..." The author goes over all the possible positions and includes example readings with each layout. Larger Readings are explained using the combination of two-card and three-card layouts with examples of four larger spreads, including the Celtic Cross Spread.

The guidebook is a must to get the full benefit of this deck, but here is a boiled down version of the system to give you a little idea of how it works. The imaginary "YOU" sits to the left of the layout, which represents you or your client. When no courts appear, the cards belong to you. When there is only one court card present, it will represent another person. But, if two or more court cards appear, the first court card becomes you. As you move into larger spreads, you will still be focused on two and three card layouts.

For an example reading, I asked the deck, "What is your best feature?"

My first thought upon seeing the two cards was News through reliable Communication.

From the guide: Communication - "At first glance it might seem similar to the News card, but this card suggests a back-and-forth sharing rather than just a one-way stream of information.", News - "News can arrive in a variety of ways and through many different mediums."

This first reading piqued my interest. After using the deck all month, I fell in love with the simplistic accuracy of this deck. The Inner Eye Oracle has been added to my collection and is destined to be one of my top ten decks.

I highly recommend this deck to anyone interested in reading cards, from the beginner to the experienced reader. I have no doubts you will be impressed with the cards and the system.

Grab your deck at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: the Everglow, A Divination System

2023-07-31T07:03:00.001-04:00

the Everglow: A Divination System

Author/Artist: Trisha Leigh Shufelt

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2023

Description: 78 cards, 160-page guidebook, box with magnetic closure lid.

Card Size: 2 3/4 by 4

"The Everglow is a culmination of all the roads less traveled. I hope it opens gateways leading to the introspection of profound answers, and those answers lead to more questions that will provide magic along the way."

Trisha Leigh Shufelt is also the author of The Poe Tarot, another interesting deck.

The Everglow is a 78-card divination system. The deck is printed on good card stock and easy to shuffle. The guidebook is informative and gives you everything you need to know about the system and the individual cards.

Although the Everglow is not a Tarot Deck it is influenced by the Rider-Waite-Smith system. The system is also strong on animal symbolism and associations. All of this is explained in the introductory pages of the guidebook before diving into the different card divisions.

The deck has 48 image cards beginning with the Major Arcana and ending with the Minors.

In the guidebook, the Major Arcana cards are presented with a card image, number and keywords, an overview of the upright and reversed interpretations and a section on the animal symbolism.

3 - "The beekeeper woman is the embodiment of the Empress energy found in the Tarot."

Abundance - "In the upright position, she reminds you that you are surrounded by abundance and beauty."

Self-Care - Reversed - "Time to self-nurture."

Symbolism - "Crow - Transformation, change, and protection"

The system contains four court cards, each containing a symbol of each of the four elements.

"Kings and Queens likely represent people you know or aspects of personality versus actual situations. Knights and Pages (the Messenger in The Everglow) are doers, movers, and shakers. They more likely represent situations."

The guidebook presents each card with an image, name, overview of the card, a hint, the reversed interpretation, and information on the animal symbolism.

"Elemental cards (Earth, Air, Fire, and Water) can be pulled with the Everglow Arcana or shuffled separately." The guidebook goes into detail on how to use these cards within the divination system.

There are 18 Minor Arcana cards. These cards do not contain numbering, but the keywords are on each card, upright and reverse. The guidebook contains an image of the card, the keywords, the upright interpretation, the reversed interpretation and symbolism information. The cards are listed in alphabetical order.

The deck contains 30 text cards beginning with the Houses and ending with the Time Frame Cards.

The 12 House Cards are to be used separately in this divination system, which is explained briefly in the Houses section and explained further in the reading the cards section. Each card has a two-page summary, including card image, house, explanation, hints and a question to ask yourself.

"...while the Tarot may be the "why" something is happening, the twelve houses indicate "where" you are with that particular something and how it is influencing your life."

The system includes 11 Number cards, and four Suit cards. The guidebook explains the process of combining these cards within a reading. Each Number card contains keywords. The guidebook shows the card image and questions to ask yourself.

The Suit cards contain keywords, Element, Season, Time Frame, Astrology Sign, Personality and Negative Traits. The guidebook presents the card image and a short explanation on how these cards work in the system. This is further explained in the sample readings.

The four Time Frame Cards: The Past, The Present, The Future, and What do I need to know about, contain a phrase and questions or keywords. Trisha shares her thoughts on time and briefly tells how to use them.

"Time frame cards are used in conjunction with the spreads that follow. To pick a time frame card when used with a spread, simply shuffle and draw a card."

The Sample Spreads section shows how to use the cards in the system with six different layouts and examples: the Suit Spread, Time Frame Spread, Daily Draw, Numerology Spread, Astrology Spread, and the Everglow Spread.

On my first reading with this deck and system, I chose to do the Everglow Spread. For this spread, you are pulling from five piles. The first pile is made up of the image cards. You can leave in all the image cards, or pull the court and elemental image cards into their own separate piles. I chose to leave them all together. The other piles are numerology, suit, house, and timeframe.

My Question: Where does my focus need to be?

My first card Trust/Fear revealed I need to focus on trusting my path. I need to take my time and know that I will arrive where I want to be when I'm supposed to be there. "Trust comes in many forms, but ultimately it is having faith without doubt in someone or something."

The next two cards, Numerology Card 6 and Action, revealed a need to focus on taking Action toward Restoring Balance.

Six - "Ask yourself ~ Reflect back to a time when things were out of balance and how you were able to restore equilibrium. Could anything you learned be applied to a current situation that is out of balance?"

Action - Wands - Motivational movement forward toward your goals. Enthusiasm in the process. In this case, that movement is toward a balance in your life, reflected by the six.

If you take a moment to compare this combination of two cards with the Rider-Waite card, you will see a connection. The man upon the horse has succeeded, but in all success, comes the responsibility of a balancing act between normalcy and a sort of fame.

The First House shows that my focus should be on myself at this time, my needs, my self-interests, my own truths.

"Hint - This is the house of manifestation through self-interest.

Ask Yourself - What do you want in life?"

The Past card signifies that influences from my past may be influencing my present. This could include past relationships, previous outcomes, past choices, and more.

Overview: I need to focus on trusting my path, take necessary action to restore a balance within myself, and heal any mistrust which may have developed from past experiences. I need to move forward and leave behind thoughts of what could happen, and trust that I know the steps I need to take to find my happy balance in life and succeed.

I found myself impressed by this divination system. The Everglow Spread revealed exactly what I needed to hear at the moment of the reading. Over the days, I found myself pulling from the image cards for daily reading. Each day revealed great insight and advice to help me move through my day.

Whether, you choose to use the whole deck and the system, or go with daily draws from the image cards, this is a great deck with many avenues to explore.

I'd recommend this deck to newbies and seasoned readers. I can't wait to dig deeper into the system and see what appears in each reading.

Grab your deck at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: Dream Your Joy Oracle Cards

2023-06-16T08:20:00.001-04:00

Dream Your Joy

Artist/Author: Judy Mastrangelo

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2023

Description: 59 cards, 128-page guidebook, book-shaped box with magnetic closure lid.

Card Size: 3.5 x 5

"My intent is always to spread feelings of hope and inspiration to all, by sharing my belief in the spirituality of humankind and nature."

Judy Mastrangelo has produced a beautiful deck featuring her own illustrations. The pastel colors and gentle images give a joyful feel. The many shades of pink backings are delightful.

Unfortunately, I was unable to connect to this deck. The cards are beautiful and the exercises were interesting, but I didn't feel much beyond pretty pictures.

The Guidebook begins with concerns over your health and encourages you to seek professional care if needed. I felt this was an unnecessary statement, like a trigger warning of sorts. Of course, this is only my feeling and opinion.

The Purpose of This Deck is to bring you to a joyful state in order for you to get through difficult times.

Mind Painting is a form of meditation practiced and encouraged by the author of "paint a picture in your mind" of the way you would like to be in the ideal world. Again, in this section, she brings up stress and seeking professional help.

Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't seek help for your health concerns. You should if you need help, but it felt out of place to me in an Oracle Deck guidebook. I'm trying to give an honest review, but feel I may be triggering someone. That is not my intent at all.

The About the Cards and Using the Cards covers the creation of the deck and a process to use the deck.

The bulk of the guidebook goes through each card: one page features the card artwork, while the other page contains the card name, a phrase, a short meaning, and exercises to go with each card. The activities vary from meditation and affirmations to physical activity and chakra exercises to drawing and coloring.

Tranquility: Find your sanctuary appeared as my first pull. A beautiful image of a solitary woman relaxing, enjoying her own company. She is confident and powerful in her own rights. (This is what I saw in the image.)

The Meaning in the guidebook says that the woman finds some time to be alone and think of her purpose. "Taking some "alone" time doesn't mean that you are lonely." A balance between social and alone time is needed for a healthy life.

The first exercise is a Meditation of self-reflection over where you are, how you feel about your life, and what you can do to change it for the better.

The second exercise is Look in the mirror for imperfections and decide the best methods to fix your issues.

Both exercises, for me, suggested something is wrong with you, and you need to fix yourself.

Although I didn't get a feel for this deck, you may find it's perfect for you. I encourage you to visit these other reviewers for more insight into the deck.

Bonnie Cehovet - "This deck is a wonderful tool of empowerment that can be used by all ages."

Kaye Lynne Booth - "You will enjoy perusing this deck, even if you don’t hold stock in the power of oracles and divination. "

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: Higher Self Oracle

2023-05-21T07:40:00.001-04:00

Higher Self Oracle

Author: Deanna Marie Riddick

Artist: Deborah Rodriguez-Capacetti

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2023

Description: 45 cards, 112-page guidebook, metal box

Card Size: 3 1/4 x 4 1/2

"Receive guidance on your life's journey and help fulfill your calling by connecting with the higher self through this powerful channel of love and light."

The Higher Self Oracle is a vibrant deck, printed on thick card stock. Upon first opening, the cards have a slight curve to them, but with gentle bending they can be straightened out. The deck fits very loosely in the metal box, which I'm guessing is the cause of this one minor issue.

I am impressed by the cards and the messages received during a short time of using them. I always do readings with the decks before writing up a review. For some reason, I wasn't expecting much from this deck at all, but I was completely wrong.

But, let's talk about the guidebook first. The author opens with a brief acknowledgement of those who supported her in the creation of the deck. The introduction goes into depth of the meaning of the Higher Self. You are then introduced to the difference between you Higher Self and Ego.

The author gives instructions on how to work with the Higher Self Oracle and offers four suggested spreads to get you started on your journey. Before delving into the cards, she gives you many techniques to help you to connect with your Higher Self.

The bulk of the guide covers each individual card, including the name, image, a quote, and the meaning of the card. The cards are listed in alphabetical order, but are not separated by pages. You may find the beginning of a card in the middle of the page. Okay, I guess I would consider this a second minor issue, but not a deal breaker.

As you see in the two images, the Acceptance card entry runs for three pages, but ends midway of the third. I would have liked to have larger images and page divisions, but again, only a minor issue. I can definitely get past it in order to receive the messages from my Higher Self.

The guidebook closes with a conclusion and a bibliography, which is followed by About the Author and About the Illustrator.

I began my journey into the cards with a three-card layout of Past - Present - Outcome. And the question: What can I expect in my day?

Without even reading the guidebook message, you can see an easy message from the cards. You may experience some obstacles today, but don't worry, just go with the flow. But, after reading the guidebook, this is the reading I ended up with:

You may have been experiencing obstacles, but it's time to move past them and stop worrying over what might happen. Stop the negative mantra and stay present and positive. Learn to move forward in spite of the obstacles in your path. Unpredictable situations come along, but you can't control the uncontrollably. Relax and adjust as necessary. If you just worry and resist, there's no moving forward.

A very motivating message, and directly resonates with where I am at the moment of the reading.

I highly recommend this deck to anyone interested in connecting with your Higher Self, or collecting another Oracle deck.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: Angels of Healing and Hope Oracle

2023-04-19T07:57:00.001-04:00

Angels of Healing and Hope Oracle

Author: Ellen Valladares

Artist: Yasmeen Westwood

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2022

Description: 44 cards, 112-page guidebook, box with magnetic closure lid.

Card Size: 3.5 x 5

“Whether you’re in need of support, healing, or inspiration, you’ll find it in this deck of 44 exquisitely designed oracle cards. The angels are divine beings of love and light that guide and protect us and assist us with our spiritual and personal growth.”

The Angels of Healing and Hope Oracle is a beautiful deck, printed on good card stock, with gold edging. The cards are easy to handle and shuffle. The messages proved to be inspiring and helpful.

The first card I pulled from this deck brought me light and joy. As a guide for my day, the 'Lighten Up' card inspired me to unburden my day and enjoy leisure as one should in the stage of retirement, although sometimes that is a task all on its own.

The Angels' Playlist Pick for this card is "Soak Up the Sun" by Sheryl Crow. I began my morning by listening to the song and imagining a day of joy.

The message I gained from this card: "You cannot change external conditions or other people, but you can change your mood." Let the Angels of Light carry your burdens away. Choose joy and happy. Want what you have, be carefree, and be happy.

The guidebook opens with a welcome from the author on her experience with angels and the creating of the Angels of Healing and Hope Oracle. She then introduces a brief Angels 101, giving you her perspective of who and what are angels. She goes over how to use the deck from preparation to suggested spreads. The Angels' Playlist Picks offer a nice addition. Each card has a chosen song, revealed during the creation of the deck.

The author offers many opportunities outside of the deck and guide to further pursue this deck and its gifts. You can hear the entire playlist on Spotify, practice meditations in the Meditation Room at www.ellenvalladares.com, join the Angel Community of Facebook - Public Page and Group, and even purchase prints of individual cards at www.enchantedsoulart.co.uk. She also offers a Connecting with Angels kit, which includes a 10-page pdf guide, a guided meditation, and printable reference cards.

The Card Messages are presented in alphabetical order to make them easy to find. Each card is given two pages: the card name, an image, and the playlist pick on one page and a detailed message on the other.

The guidebook closes with a brief look at The Archangels and Angel Numbers, and a quick bio of the author and illustrator.

One of the suggested spreads in the guidebook is a three-card layout, which follows from left to right - where you've been, where you're headed, and probable outcome.

The first card pulled is the 'Water Element', which urges you to take advantage of the healing powers of water. As where you've been, you may have already begun to seek this healing by drinking more water or being near or in water.

The second card pulled is the 'Warrior of Light', which urges you to be a source of light and to not get dragged into any negative drama that may be stirring near you. Stay in joy and light. As where you're headed, you will survive the emotional drain you may be feeling. Recuperate with the healing powers of water and let your inner light cast around you, protecting you from outer drama.

The third card pulled is 'Embrace the New' - "Everything about this moment is new." Each moment brings a new breath, a new movement, a new step in your life. This is a very positive moment where anything is possible, embrace the newness that each moment can bring into your life. "Embrace the new you, the true you."

This sequence of these cards shows an encouraging path. After healing yourself with the properties of the Water Element, you find yourself able to protect yourself with your own light, which allows you to step into a new way of being, a way of being true to yourself.

The angels ask you to be kind to yourself with the 'The Self-Compassion' card. Treat yourself with the same compassion and generosity as you would an adored friend. By loving yourself with your whole heart, you invite the same to enter your life. This one lesson may be the most important message in life, in my opinion. For if you cannot love and respect yourself, how or why would you find this same compassion in another.

The Angel's Playlist Pick for 'Pause and Reflect' is "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac.

With little time to reflect on the chaos going on around you, this card represents a slowing down of events. The angels urge you to take this moment to reflect on all that has happened. Meditate, relax, and reflect on things learned, let go of, and created during these past moments.

"Like this card's image, which is turned on its side, you're being asked to look at things from a new perspective."

The Angels of Healing and Hope Oracle, an extraordinary deck, presents the most beautiful cards with encouraging messages to guide you through your day, through your life.

I would recommend this deck to anyone interested in a new oracle deck or even their first deck. The images are beautiful, the messages clear, and the energy of this deck is very pleasurable.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: Lenormand of Enchantment

2023-02-21T06:06:00.001-05:00

Lenormand of Enchantment

Author: Kalliope

Artist: Yasmeen Westwood

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2022

Description: 36 cards, 204-page guidebook, box with magnetic closure lid.

Card Size: 2.5 x 3.5

“Our vision is that this deck will appeal to the masses and be in every professional’s arsenal, with updated artwork, modern meanings, and combinations that are applicable to today’s day and age, yet managing to hold on to a semblance of antiquity.”

The Lenormand of Enchantment is a beautiful deck. Printed on good card stock, the cards are easy to handle, although you will have a few gold specks on your hands in the beginning. A minor issue to have with such an amazing deck.

After a brief introduction into the Lenormand, the bulk of the guidebook covers Card Description and Combinations. Although this guidebook will not teach you how to read the cards, it will get you started in the process. The descriptions focus on the individual card and then combines it with each of the other 35 cards. So, you are basically learning pairs.

Although more techniques are mentioned, such as reading strings, using "the pips", and timing, they are not explored in detail in this guidebook. To learn beyond the basics, you will need to seek out more resources.

Be careful when you start building your research materials, as there are many different systems out there. Try to stick with one, or you will become confused. French and German seem to be similar. They share enough qualities that I'm not able to tell you if this is one or the other system. Once you get set keywords for your cards in place, just try not to stray too far in a different direction.

Above, you see two cards - Mountain and Clouds. Let's say your question is, "What should I focus on now?" If you look to the guidebook, you will find that Mountain is an obstacle or delay, and when adding the combination to the equation the obstacle is unknown. So, your focus should be on figuring out what this unknown obstacle is and overcoming it.

In the image above, you get an example of how the guidebook is laid out. After the card number and title, there is a short passage for the card. Beside the image, there is a long list of keywords and the card's basic meaning. The rest of the card's section is devoted to combinations with the other card.

I've included a few more combinations to give you some sample images and an idea of what can be discerned from the guidebook.

Following along with the same question, "What should I focus on now?" The Coffin represents an ending of some sort. When adding the Ring combination, it becomes the end of a marriage or contract. So, you should focus on your marriage, or possible divorce agreement.

"What should I focus on now?" The Key represents answers and the possibility of new opportunities becoming available. When adding the Anchor combination, you receive a definite answer or opportunity. So, you should focus on what is obvious to you. It seems you already have the focus. This combination clarifies that you are on the right track.

You can get all of these answers directly from the guidebook and a little intuition. But with additional resources, you will find so much more in the Lenormand cards. If you are looking for direct answers to your questions, this is the way to go.

I recommend this deck to new and experienced readers, along with deck collectors. The images are simply amazing. The guidebook is adequate to get you started, but if you want more, you will have to look for other resources to complete your study.

To begin your journey further down this rabbit hole of discovery, I suggest trying Rana George: The Essential Lenormand, or Caitlin Matthews: The Complete Lenormand Oracle Handbook.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: The Art of Affirmations

2022-12-06T06:50:00.000-05:00

The Art of Affirmations
Author: Monte Farber

Artist: Amy Zerner

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2022

Description: 108 card deck, 28-page guidebook

Size: 2 1/4 by 3 1/4

"With The Art of Affirmations as your guide, you will be able to develop spiritual skills, energize your life, and restore a sense of well-being."

The Art of Affirmation is three individual decks with a focus on Divine, Healing, and Breathing. Each deck contains 36 cards of images and messages to help guide you in your journey.

The decks are packaged in separate boxes, which fit inside the larger box with the guidebook.

The cardstock is of a medium thickness and allows for easy shuffling.

The guidebook opens with a short introduction, which is followed by a detailed explanation of the different decks and how they can be used. The rest of the short guidebook covers the individual decks in a little more details.

I would have liked to have seen more information about each card. As presented, I didn't find this deck very helpful. But you may connect with the images and messages in a way I did not. In my experience, any deck is a personal choice and very individual to each person.

The deck of Divine offers 36 Gifts of the Goddess. There are 12 Goddesses - the Goddess of Protection, Compassion, The New, Perseverance, Truth, Illumination, Healing, Transformation, Prosperity, Balance, Charisma, and Courage. Each Goddess offers a message for the body, mind, and spirit.

The Goddess of Balance offers the affirmation, "I create partnerships that are fair and pleasurable," to assist in guiding your spirit.

The explanation is to "Use this gift when you are lonely or when existing relationships are unsatisfying. Partners you bring into your life...". Basically, what you put into the relationship is what you will receive in return.

The author suggests picking a Divine card and using that card to replace the negative thoughts you may be hypnotizing yourself with.

"If done regularly and with sincerity, you may soon be surprised at the changes you see starting to occur in your life."

The Heal deck offers 36 individual themes, affirmations, and exercises for mental, physical and spiritual wellness.

“It is important to be as aware of our habits as we can be, so that we can cultivate the habits that help us and replace that habits that hurt us with habits that heal.”

The affirmation for the Inspiration card: "I feel my inseparable connection to All There Is."

The suggested exercise: "Prayer and meditation are powerful and necessary, but when you bring the awe-inspiring feeling of your connection to higher forces into your daily life, you will find yourself both inspired and inspiring."

The Breathe deck includes 36 individual themes, affirmations, and meditations or exercises for your mind, body, and spirit.

"...coupled with visualizations and breathing exercises, these affirmations can enhance your energy flow and self-esteem and put you in a state of relaxed concentration. This is “the zone” where optimum learning, analysis, and planning can take place.”

The theme Beauty offers the affirmation, "I am beautiful."

The meditation: "Beauty is found in the exchange of love between all beings. I breath in the beautiful colors, fragrances, and forms around me. I am filled with the beauty that is my birthright. I breath out the critic's voice that says things are not perfect."

At the end of the guidebook, you are given a basic breath-easy exercise.

The top of the box has a slot for displaying your card for the day. This makes it easy to come back and review your affirmation or exercise for the day.

I personally did not find myself drawn to this deck. I was attracted to the idea of pulling a card a day to energize and direct my daily living, but this deck and its process left me pretty much empty.

But, that's not to say this deck won't find a home on your shelf. If your find the images pleasing and the messages helpful, this may very well be your deck. I hope the samples here will help you in your decision.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: The Transparent Oracle 2nd Edition

2022-10-29T06:11:00.001-04:00

The Transparent Oracle 2nd Edition

Author/Artist: Emily Carding

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2022

Description: 77 card deck, 207-page guidebook, box with magnetic closure lid.

Card Size - 5 1/4 circular

"The devil is in the detail."

The second edition of The Transparent Oracle is now a 77-card deck. Seven archetypes have been added to each direction.

"...the addition of archetype cards will add extra clarity to readings about your relationship with people around you, as well as aspects of your personality."

The Transparent Oracle follows the Transparent Tarot in creating a new way of reading cards. The transparent quality of these decks allows the reader to stack the cards and create a fuller, deeper reading. The decks were so popular that the author came back with 2nd editions of each with added information and cards. The application of the decks separately, combined or even added as an overlay to another deck is amazing, thought-provoking, and a nice escape from the normal reading.

The cards come in one of Schiffer's signature boxes with the magnetic closure lid. Inside you find the circular deck, a white reading cloth, the guidebook, and a large square insert of the Below Guide: Sidhe, creating a layered image of the guidebook's cover when in the box.

Do not enter this deck lightly. You will need to put in some work to get the full benefit of these cards.

Let's take a look at some of the cards and the system.

The deck is structured into seven directions - North, South, East, West, Above, Below and Within. The four directions: north, south, east, and west include: one gateway, four animal guides, weather, a landscape, a time of day, an element, and an elemental. While the Above has ten gateways, one guide, seven planets, and a polarity. Below has a gateway, four guides, four grail hollows, and a polarity. Within includes a gateway and nine ways in which the self relates to the rest of the world.

Above you see, 23 West - Element: Water - revealing the energy of emotions, healing, and intuition, 76 Below - Archetype: Nurturer - the healing of others, and 11 South - Gateway: Summer - revealing the abundance of joy.

My overview of these three cards would definitely be of a caregiver who loves his/her job. But that is very simplified. The guidebook goes into more detail and dives deeper into these cards. For instance, when 11 South - Gateway appears with cards from Below, it can possibly reveal the discovery of a family secret.

When you overlay the cards, you see Summer frames Water, creating a sense that the center of attention is the emotions which radiate from the caregiver. Again, the system is a little complicated and what you have here is a very simplified interpretation. It will take some time and study to get the most out of the deck and its message.

Before we discuss the guidebook, I'd like to show you the amazing results of using a light box. The author makes the suggestion in the Care of the Cards section. Because I needed this tool for other projects, I decided to make the purchase.

Below, you can see the details explode!

If you plan to go the distance and dig into the depth of the Transparent Oracle, or even the Transparent Tarot, I suggest you spend a little money and purchase a light box. You can find a wide range of prices on Amazon.

I went with a wireless version, because I wanted the mobility - Golspark Wireless Light Box @ less than $30. There are more expensive versions, but also cheaper, depending on your budget.

The guidebook begins with a Foreword to the Second Edition, which discusses the additional cards, the archetypes. A Foreword, by Sorita D'Este and David Rankine, follows with an outside look of Carding's creations. "This deck crackles with arcane emblems and themes and reminds us how art, like music, can be a form of magic as effective as any ritual."

After a short introduction from the Author, there's a short section which briefly explains the oracle's system and energies.

Section Two dives into the card meanings. Each Direction has a short overview, followed by the meanings of each card in that direction. The cards of directions, North, South, East, and West, include their direction, an image, the card name, keywords, meaning, and 'if combined with cards from other direction' meanings. The cards of Above, Below, and Within include their direction, an image, the card name, keywords, and meaning.

The archetypes are separate from their suites. Each card includes an image, the card name, direction, keywords, and meaning.

Section Three includes using the cards, shuffling and focus intent, suggests combinations of three and then gives sample readings for divination, storytelling/brainstorming, visualization and combining with Transparent Tarot. Section Four shares three spread suggestions by David Rankine. The guidebook closes with a bibliography and an about the author section.

I highly recommend this deck to anyone who took a special interest in the Transparent Tarot. The Transparent Oracle gives the reader a new way to read and goes deep into the ways of life with its many possibilities. The deck can be used with simple keyword interpretations. But I suggest taking the time to dig into the deck to receive the full messages available.

For me, shuffling presented its own challenge. The size and flexibility of the plastic make this deck difficult to shuffle, but I suspect a technique will develop in time. The results of the readings are definitely worth the extra effort.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

59 Grail Hollows: The Stone, 13 Element: Fire, 55 Guide: Mermaid

Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: Clarity Tarot

2022-10-17T08:52:00.001-04:00

Clarity Tarot

Author: Debra Zachau

Artist: Kait Matthews

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2022

Description: 78 card deck, 176-page guidebook, lift-lid box

Card Size: 3 by 5

"Now the secrets of the Tarot are brought to light so that anyone can clearly hear the powerful messages that will resonate with one's soul through the Clarity Tarot."

A Tarot deck is a personal tool to help guide you in your journey. Your choice of deck is also very personal. While I did not feel a connection with this deck or its design, you may fall in love with it. I hope this review will help you in your decision.

My main concern with this deck is the quality of the card stock. Although the thin stock allows for easy shuffling, it also allows for easy wear. The cards without use are already peeling and curling on the edges. I'm not sure how much damage will occur over time, or even if more damage will occur at all. I've never used a deck of this quality.

The guidebook begins with a short introduction and then shares the five unique components of the Clarity Tarot.

You not only know what spirit is trying to tell you but 'how to say it' in a way that is completely unbiased, centered, and supportive of someone who may be needing direction.

1. Keywords on Love and Money - the author suggests that the keywords will make it easier to know you are going by intuition over imagination. The most-asked questions are about love, while the second most popular are money and career. Although this statement may be true overall in the Tarot world, these are not my main focus, so I find the keywords distracting.

2. Easy Yes/No Answers - No one is satisfied with just a yes or no answer, so this deck answers not only yes or no but why the answer is yes and why the answer is no! Someone may find this component helpful, but I, personally, avoid such yes or no question altogether.

3. Timing Is Everything - This may have been a nice feature, but there must have been some confusion between author and artist. The focus is on the Major Arcana cards for this timing technique. That major card will have a number on it: a Roman number on the left and a modern number on the right. That number will be from 0-21. You will then use your intuition to decide if the time increments are days, weeks, or months.

As you can see on the Magician, there are no numbers on the card at all. With the mention of 0-21, I assume you are using the original number of the Major Arcana cards. But the fact that the author and artist didn't follow each other on this idea is a problem for me. Also, the technique of laying cards down until you find a Major Arcana Card for a timing question seems unreliable in my opinion.

4. Rich Cultural Images - Tarot is a very old form of divination, and traditional decks hold traditional Old-World biases, especially within the court cards. The idea that this deck is unique because it offers other cultures would have been true at some point in time, but most decks I see now are very diverse in their representation of people throughout the cards.

5. The Design - Kait Matthews has brought together an exquisite combination of colors, symbols and images in a collage that inspires and delights not only you the advisor but your clients as well. The images of the deck are unique and interesting, some more than others. Overall, I do like the images the artist created for the deck. Without the distractions, I believe this would be a nice working Tarot deck.

The author then shares a short section on how to use this deck, which briefly covers the Major and Minor Arcana, ways to cast a throw or spread, and reversals.

Part Two of the guidebook, What's in a Number, is definitely worth the read. This section covers the Minor Arcana, beginning with meanings of the numbers 1-10 and then covers the suits before diving into the individual cards.

The Minor Arcana card section is brief with no images. The short sections cover card title, Y or N, a short paragraph on meaning and gives the keywords that appear on the card.

The Court Cards are then covered with a short introduction into the royal court, and then presents each suit as a separate family in an imaginary neighborhood. Each family is presented as a whole and then as individuals. The individual text includes title, Y or N, a description of the individual and the keywords that appear on the card.

Part Three covers the Major Arcana with a brief overview and then the individual cards, including title, Y or N, meaning, and gives the keywords that appear on the card.

In my opinion, the card meanings are worth looking over in the guidebook, but it would have been nice to hear more about the actual images. The author mentioned the uniqueness of the decks' design, but never mentions in the card section anything about the exquisite combination of colors, symbols and images. If this is one of the components making the deck unique, shouldn't there be some mention of the description of the cards - the colors and symbols chosen to make them unique?

The last part of the guidebook is titled How to Give Awesome Readings. This section covers framing questions, using your intuition and three spreads (The Celtic Cross, Five-Card Yes/No, and a Timing Spread).

A cheat sheet is provided containing card title and keywords. Since these keywords are on the cards themselves, I'm not sure why you would need a cheat sheet.

The guidebook closes with Serving the World, where the author shares her experience of different jobs as a Tarot specialist. In the final words of the author, she mentions videos online to help you learn the tarot, but doesn't give any information about where you might find these.

Overall, I found the card images decent, and they closely follow the Rider-Waite theme. The guidebook was lacking in my opinion, although some sections are worth the read. I was extremely disappointed by the card stock quality, which isn't something you normally need to worry about with a Schiffer produced deck.

However, if you can look past the card stock and the distracting keywords, you may wish to give this deck a try. A new reader may find the keywords useful. Since the deck follows the traditional themes in the card images, it may be a good starter deck. As a seasoned reader, I find the decks' components distracting and unnecessary.

I am considering trimming off the keywords and adding the deck to my shelf. I'm just not sure if it's worth the time and effort to do so.

Kait Matthews is offering complimentary decks on her website for reviews, if you'd like to go that route and give the deck a chance.

You can also purchase a deck from Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: The Poe Tarot

2022-10-08T06:59:00.006-04:00

The Poe Tarot

Author/Artist: Trisha Leigh Shufelt

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2021

Description: 78 card deck, 192-page guidebook, box with magnetic closure lid.

Card Size: 3 x 5

"Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.” ~The Raven

The Poe Tarot is a very intriguing deck based on the Rider-Waite Tarot, but immersed in the world of Edgar Allan Poe. The images are presented in simple black and white and yet reveal so much. The quotes, deriving from Poe's immense library of poems, stories, letters and interviews, are thought-provoking and engaging.

The Fool - Poe joined by Pluto from The Black Cat - "There is no passion in nature so demonically impatient, as that of him who, shuddering upon the edge of a precipice, thus meditates a plunge." ~ "The Imp of the Perverse"

Shufelt stays with the traditional names of the Major Arcana, with one exception. The Hanged Man becomes The Hanged One.

The Minor Arcana cards suits have been changed to Wells (Cups), Quills (Swords), Candles (Wands), and Paws (Pentacles).

Three of Candles - "I can conceive nothing more sublimating than the strange peril and novelty of an adventure such as this. May God grant that we succeed!" ~ "The Balloon Hoax"

As I began looking at the images and reading through the guidebook, I felt the need to start exploring the works behind the inspiration for the deck. But I had to pull myself back, and set such research for a later goal, in order to give you this review.

This deck will send you into the depths of the work and creations of the famous Edgar Allan Poe. Don't be surprised if the Tarot aspect gets pushed aside. But whether you dive into this deck with divination in mind, or get sucked into the references of the quotes and referred text, this is a deck anyone intrigued by the man will definitely appreciate.

The deck and guidebook, in my opinion, are a work of genius. Do not pick up this deck lightly. It is definitely heavy with history.

The Guidebook opens with a Foreword by Chris Semtner, curator of the Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia. He begins your journey into this man's life with his shared information on Poe's tragic life and legendary career.

The Welcome section by Trisha Leigh Shufelt sets you up to fall in love with the deck as she shares her love of her own creation.

"The Poe Tarot reminds us that we are all fools on this journey through life."

After a short introduction to the deck, Shufelt dives into the The Major Arcana. Each card is presented by the title, image, quote, insights, and keywords - upright/reversed.

An introduction to the Minor Arcana covers the court, numbers and the suits. The Suits are divided into sections and given a short introduction which includes season, signs, timeframe, and denotes. Each card is presented by title, image, quote, insight and keywords - upright/reversed.

The guidebook closes with a Bibliography which gives reference to the authors quotes and insight sources.

There is a slight issue with the card stock. The red edging seems to be wearing away due to the tightness of the box. I altered the cardboard insert to avoid further damage.

And, there seems to be some wear and slight curling on the corners of these cards. The cards are thick, so I'm hoping the damage will not increase with use. Only time will give the results to the quality of the cards. But even with that, I love this deck and it will remain in my collection.

Overall, I'd recommend this deck to anyone interested in learning more about Edgar Allan Poe. I would not suggest this deck to a new reader without additional sources. The guidebook focuses on Poe more than it does divination.

The Poe Tarot could easily be used as an Oracle deck with its thought-provoking quotes.

I intend to dig deeper into the world of Poe. Feel free to join me.

Grab your copy at Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)