Sacred Earth Oracle
The Sacred Earth Oracle encourages you to consciously connect to the wisdom of Mother Earth. It serves as a reminder that we are a part of the Earth and not separate from it despite what our modern day way of life may suggest. If we take the time to observe our surroundings, spending time in Nature can teach us so much about ourselves, our lives and the world around us. The natural world can show us how to live a more harmonious and connected life. This deck aims to facilitate the process.
The Sacred Earth Oracle Deck
The Sacred Earth Oracle is a collaborative effort between three creators, Toni Carmine Salerno, a talented artist in his own right, Leela J Williams, and Helena Nelson-Reed. Together they have created an oracle that utilises 45 nature-inspired water colour artworks to encourage users to gain insights into the core of the matter they are inquiring about as well as suggestion on ways to respond and or react in order to derive a favourable outcome.
This well put together deck addresses aspects other oracles don’t. That isn’t because others are lacking necessarily. It is just that each oracle has its own focus. The strength of this deck is that it aims to connect users to the Divine that resides within them and the presence of the Divine that is in evidence all around them. It reminds us of our potential and shows us how, by reconnecting with who we truly are, we can create the life we desire.
Oracle decks can be criticised for being too light and fluffy. This is a discussion for another day. But I will say this – in the midst of dark times we don’t need more darkness. Therefore a deck that champions light and beauty can be just what we need. As someone who believes in the need to embrace the shadow and acknowledge all emotions I don’t say this lightly. Maybe a more apt criticism may be that some decks lack substance. That isn’t the case with this deck though. The messages that were the inspiration for the artwork have a depth and resonance that can offer a lot for those seeking understanding and guidance.
The cards are 9½ x 14cm yet they are still okay to handle. They are a joy to riffle and bridge, however, overhand shuffling was a bit of a stretch when done using the long edge. I just shuffled to the short edge and had no problems. The gloss card stock brings the colours to life and unlike many high gloss decks reflections aren’t a big issue. They’re there but they don’t compromise the details in the artwork. This was a pleasant surprise. I don’t like having to shut my blinds just so I can see the overall spread clearly. Yes I’ve had to do that with another high gloss deck – The Dreams of Gaia It’s a beautiful deck but it turned me off high gloss card stock. This deck has got the gloss level right. I think the fact that it doesn’t have a lot of black and the busyness of the pictures themselves helps too. Regardless of why, it works.
The Sacred Earth Oracle Book
The book is a real strength of this deck and well worth reading through. It opens with a wonderful introduction that promotes the idea that each of us are “divinely wise and loving beings” in such a way that it’s difficult to ignore. The book also shares the deck’s creation story. I like to know and understand the motivation and intention behind a deck so I always appreciate this information being included.
I was surprised to come across a few paragraphs about domestic violence though. I’m not for a second denying the existence of domestic violence or the extent of the damage it causes in any way, but it did feel out of place when presented here. Although I do recognise it may just be what someone needed to see when they read the guide book. Maybe that makes this the perfect platform. Who am I to say? It’s only a brief couple of paragraphs so it isn’t the focus of the introductory section. Rather, the early focus is on opening up the idea of possibilities and new perspectives for contemplation.
Maybe, since this is the overall message of most decks, more creators could follow this lead as a way to spread greater understanding and an increased sense of connection for those struggling with things in silence. I feel there’s a line that would have to be carefully navigated here, but anything that can offer assistance, even in some small way, to someone who is struggling, is at least worth considering. Anyhow, just a thought. I’ll get back to the book now.
The card meanings open with a small black and white, well cream since the book is printed on cream-coloured paper, image with the card title printed beneath. The cards are not numbered so they are presented in alphabetical order. Each card is then explained though an “Earthly Meaning”, a “Spiritual Meaning”, and an “Insight”. Together they provide a lot of material to work with.
Spreads
Four spreads are included in the book:
- Single card for contemplation/guidance
- Two cards for guidance
- Simple past, present, future layout for divination
- The Earth Turns layout (6 cards)
As is my practice as part of writing these overviews, I did them all. I like the encouragement to write out the question and the answer as part of the single card spread. As someone who writes up many of my personal readings that idea resonates with me. I agree with the creators that it provides clarity. Since the act of writing slows everything down, I find it stops me from skimming over the message and allows the words to flow wherever they want to go.
Doing the spreads allows me to uncover things that just looking at the cards doesn’t. What I discovered, is that I didn’t gain intuitive hits off the artwork. This is a highly unusual for me even with brand new decks. However, with this deck the images felt like attractive accompaniments to the keywords rather than the other way around. Maybe I’ll connect with the artwork more intuitively at a later date. I can’t say. But I get the feeling that might be the case because when I conducted my deck interview, in answer to the call to “introduce yourself” I drew “Ready but Waiting.” In the meantime I’ll follow the keywords and embrace the messages to be found in the book.
I have just begun working with this deck again and like I suspected would happen, I had a different experience. Something inside of me has shifted and as a result I felt drawn to change over the decks that sit on my desk. This led to me reaching for this deck also and the messages were so clear I wondered how they didn’t flow before. I guess at the time I wasn’t ready for the messages and their particular viewpoint. Anyhow, I felt the need to come back and update this post. I trust my intuition and this exercise confirmed that I am right to do so. It told me I would connect with these cards at a later date and that is exactly what has happened.
Publishing Details
Deck Creators:
Toni Carmine Salerno, Leela J Williams and Helen Nelson-Reed (Artist)
Pictured Version:
Published by Blue Angel Publishing in 2018
