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 card oracle deck. Every card is print worthy. The artwork is mesmerising, welcoming and calming. I’m going to run out of adjectives at this rate, but I am not over-selling the beauty of this deck. I have pretty decks but that’s not how I’d describe this one. Into the Lonely Woods feels earthy, organic. It says, “Come and sit a while. It’s okay, you’re safe,” and I believe every word. If you crave solitude sometimes, or even if you don’t, this deck encourages you to find the time to sit in stillness and just let yourself be.

Spending time with Into the Lonely Woods is cathartic for me. I like a lot of alone time but, over the years, I have been made to feel there’s something innately wrong with that. This deck reassures me that it’s okay. In fact it goes further and encourages the practice. It also acknowledges how overwhelming spending time with your own thoughts can be. Into the Lonely Woods doesn’t gloss over these difficulties but it does sell you on the positives. The dark is a way to see the light after all. So, if you’re looking for a deck to nurture you while you heal, or to help you find a way to heal, then this deck could be your answer.

The borderless artwork has a muted, earthy colour palette that complements the theme perfectly. Even though the colouring is on the darker side the details are clear and the energy is warm and embracing. In other words, there is no sense that you’re entering a dark and creepy forest with these cards.

Into the Lonely Woods is printed on thick, matt card stock that, at approximately 14 x 9.5 cm, is quite large. So they can be a bit of a challenge to shuffle. All I can say is that it’s worth the hassle.

Into the Lonely Woods Book

The accompanying guidebook is listed as being 104 pages but I’d call it 99, since the final pages are given over to promoting other decks. I connected with the Introduction because it expands on the concepts of isolation and solitude. Nevertheless, I can see how some people found the following “How to work with your cards” section a little heavy with the ‘do this’ and then ‘do that’ tone.

Some authors manage to do write for beginners really well. Others seem a little dogmatic in their approach. This probably errs a little towards the latter. For example there is a ‘Six steps to sealing your reading’ section and, while I do like to journal readings, I find the claim that at first “it’s nearly essential” a bit much.

However, I found the provided card meanings relatable, clear and accessible. I feel that even though the cards themselves are amenable to purely intuitive readings this section of the book is still worth a read.

Spreads

Four Spreads are included:

• One Card a Day
• The Triple Insight Spread (3 cards)
  • 8 variations
• The Celtic Cross (Lucy’s adaptation)
• The Path – The Seeker’s Journey Through Solitude (11 cards)

Into the Lonely Woods aligns with my nature so I connect with it on a deep level. I find it to be tender, comforting, supportive and healing and it does what it sets out to do – provide “blessings and messages for times of solitude and isolation.” The gentle creatures don’t have expressive faces yet they’re easy to connect with. The imagery draws you in and every card makes you feel something. The artwork looks like it’s been lifted straight from a children’s book and maybe that’s its power. You’re not just looking at a set of cards. You’re part of the story. All I can say is enjoy!

Publishing Details

Deck Creator:

Lucy Cavendish (Author) and Dan May (Illustrator)

Pictured Version:

Published by Blue Angel Publishing in 2022