Deck and Book Reviews
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Oracle of the Radiant Sun
Having seen Oracle of the Radiant Sun on several occasions I became more and more curious about it. However, I can’t say it appealed to me. Eventually, for reasons I can’t entirely explain, I decided to purchase it anyway. The fact that The Moon Oracle, also by Caroline Smith and John Astrop, was one of my earliest decks gave me the final nudge. Unfortunately though, when it arrived and I had the chance to flick through it, I did so without any great enthusiasm. In fact I found myself thinking about options I could have added to my collection instead. In an attempt to change that I decided the Oracle…
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The Wandering Star Tarot
As the inside of The Wandering Star Tarot box reads, “There is a Universe inside you” and this deck wants to help you tap into it. I was fortunate enough to be gifted this deck by one of my clients. Otherwise it may never have become part of my collection. That would have been a pity because this is a deck that doesn’t overload people. The images aren’t threatening and yet they don’t shy away from the messages they need to portray. In trying to come up with a word to define this deck I would say it’s identifiable. It reminds me of a colouring book. When you think of…
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Journaling the Tarot: Evolutions by Andy Matzner
If you’ve spent much time on this site you will know, without a doubt, that I love tarot. If you’ve explored around a bit you’ll also know I’m a pretty big fan of journaling. So, when it came into my awareness that there was a book that combines the two I was pretty keen. Throw in a solid selection of quotes, my other weakness, and I’m a happy girl. Journaling the Tarot: Evolutions was always going to find its way on to my shelves. Inspired by the Waite-Smith tarot deck, Journaling the Tarot: Evolutions is a comprehensive book. Andy Matzner states that he “used every detail of Pamela’s artwork to…
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The Shadowland Tarot
I don’t have many quirky decks. The Tarot of Curious Creatures, Nicoletta Ceccoli and Deviant Moon Tarot come to mind. But The Shadowland Tarot feels quite different. Even though Monica Bodirsky labels it a shadow deck, she doesn’t drown you in dark imagery. This deck is filled with creatures and monsters that are many things, but terrifying isn’t one of them. There’s a powerful message in that alone. We shouldn’t be frightened to explore our shadow. Therefore the intention behind The Shadowland Tarot is to encourage us to explore our shadow without fear. Monica Bodirsky wants us to befriend our “monsters” and become familiar with our own personal Shadowland. The…
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Superlunaris Tarot
Okay, so let the gushing begin. This is an amazing deck that I connected with instantly. The artwork is incredible and you can feel the love and intention that went in to creating the Superlunaris Tarot. When I asked the cards to introduce themselves to me, their answer in part was, “I want to ground you in a sense of joy and personal freedom … I want to help you express yourself as who you are, just as I am an expression of my creators.” And oh how it succeeds. I reached out to the creators, Jess and Jacob and Jess’s response was so warm and full of joy and…
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The Sufi Tarot
Deck creator Ayeda Husain writes, ‘The Sufi Tarot is my way of bringing together two traditions that I love,’ and I believe she’s done an incredible job. This transformative deck views, interprets, and envisions each card through a Sufi lens and I find the two go together really well. The approach promotes the contemplative aspect of the tarot that many of us connect with. The Sufi Tarot Deck The cards remind me of the Ancestral Path Tarot but that may be more a personal connection. Although the oversized, (9 x 12.5cm), thick, matt cardstock and the borderless images might have something to do with it. Even though I didn’t know…
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Tarot of Dreams
Tarot of Dreams is my first Ciro Marchetti deck and I have to admit that the artwork doesn’t align with my general aesthetic. However, I also have to admit that it lives in a wooden box on my desk because it speaks to me so clearly. Basically, this deck served as a further reminder of the need to move away from my favoured art styles and themes more often. The Deviant Moon and Dark Fairy Tale Tarot were others that shared the same message. The Tarot of Dreams Cards There is much to discover in this detail-laden deck. The inclusion of the nautilus shell on the VII of Cups reminds…
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Chrysalis Tarot
Chrysalis Tarot is a storyteller’s deck that took three and a half years to create. The time and effort taken to create it shows. Others agree. In 2014 it was awarded the Tarosophist Award for Best New Deck. I’m not sure how they decide the winner, but I didn’t read that this deck had won and think, “really??” because Chrysalis Tarot has a lot to offer. Covering a range of mythologies and focused on ‘alignment, mindfulness and attunement to the vibrations of life itself’ Chrysalis Tarot is a powerful self-reflective tool. And, I’m sure the stunning artwork and the well-researched and well-thought out book will appeal to many. The Chrysalis…
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Into the Lonely Woods
This oracle is magical, kind, gentle, comforting and full of “oh wow that’s so beautiful” moments. Picking a favourite card is like trying to choose your favourite child/grandchild/pet. The artwork is stunning. Gentle Creature, created by artist Dan May, is the perfect companion when “you feel isolated, distanced from loved ones or wish to embrace quiet, peaceful spaces within a noisy, hurried world.” Into the Lonely Woods encourages you to take time out to embrace solitude in order to meet and spend time with your true self. Looking through these cards makes the idea all the more appealing. Into the Lonely Woods Cards Into the Lonely Woods is a 45…
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Tarot in Wonderland
I began writing this review as I sat outside Westmead Children’s Hospital waiting for my grandson to come out of surgery. So, this deck and I have a strong bond. For the five hours I sat at a café situated just outside the hospital, (damn you Covid), Tarot in Wonderland was a comforting and insightful companion. Just like Alice when she went down the rabbit hole, I was transported to a new way of thinking about myself and how I engage with the world and time flew by. Therefore, to say I found this tarot set powerful is a gross understatement. But, it’s not just the cards. The book is…
