The Wild Unknown Archetypes
To be honest I really don’t know where to begin with these cards because they are so different to anything else I have worked with. What I can say is that I have experienced some profound personal revelations whilst working with these cards. They strike deep into the essence of what is known and yet often hidden which is incredibly powerful. The information I uncovered when using The Wild Unknown Archetypes felt like I had always known it yet never given it the attention it needed and deserved. If pushed I would say this is an all encompassing deck that is beyond simple definition.
The Wild Unknown Archetypes Deck
As you have no doubt noticed, the cards are round. I know people have mixed feelings about working with round decks and I can understand some of the reservations. This is my first round deck and I do find it pretty challenging to shuffle. But, I think the shape aligns perfectly with the deck itself. Nothing is either this way or that. It isn’t upright or reversed. Everything is alterable by degrees and slight shifts can really change perceptions. So, shuffling difficulties aside, or maybe that’s part of it, for me it just makes sense that these cards are round.
Before I talk any more about the cards though, I have to talk about the packaging. I felt almost reverential as I made my way through the layers. An outer slip case covers a sturdy box with a magnetic closure. Inside is a beautifully presented and comprehensive square book which rests on top of another sturdy two part box, this time round, which holds the cards. A ribbon helps you to flip out the book and then the card box which itself has another ribbon to ensure easy access to the cards. The attention to detail with the packaging is reminiscent of her Wild Unknown Tarot.
Anyhow, onto the cards themselves. The artwork is predominantly a combination of ink and water colour with many having, generally small, photographic elements collaged onto them. Some are vibrant, others are darker in tone; some are full and busy, others incorporate more white space. Each is a unique matt image that measures approximately 11½ cm in diameter. Now, as much as I love these cards the one thing I find difficult is that I fan out my cards and then draw individually from the pack rather than dealing them out from the top. This is far from easy with this deck. The cards stick to each other and it is difficult to select an individual card from within the pack. If you don’t like round decks, and you love a deck that shuffles beautifully then this deck might prove frustrating.
Like a traditional tarot deck there are 78 cards but this is not a tarot deck. Here I’ll defer to Kim Krans to describe what it is. “… Imagine that as you open this deck, you are in fact discovering a pair of mystical spectacles and through their lenses you begin to view the world in a new and more vibrant way. These glasses have a knack for seeing the unseen, unveiling the hidden, spotting the elusive, and bringing to life what has long been inanimate.” Both Tarot and oracle cards can do this; it just does it different. The difference is in her approach.
The deck is broken up into four divisions: The Selves, The Places, The Tools and The Initiations. I like the handwritten titles and that Roman Numerals are used to number the cards. The cards themselves can be used on their own, to study archetypes, or as a supplement to other readings. I’ve used them on their own as a personal deep dive tool but I intend to incorporate them into tarot readings as well.
The Wild Unknown Archetypes Book
The 224 page guide book is a delight in itself. It begins with Kim Krans story, which provides a great insight into the cards themselves. She moves on to explain about archetypes before discussing each of the various divisions mentioned earlier. The information provided for each card is comprehensive and makes for an interesting read. She’s also provided keywords for both the Light (Upright) and Dark (Rotated) positions. An addition I really like though is the “Go Deeper” section.
Here she suggests a book, a poem, a painting, a figure from mythology, or a person to look up to increase your understanding of the the card. For LXXIII Thanatos (Keyword Death) she suggested The Mower, a poem by Philip Larkin. Reading this poem really deepened the meaning for me. I felt sadness, fragility, motivation and gratitude all in the same moment. The line, “Next morning I got up and it did not” has really stuck with me. It’s amazing how much motivation death can bring us if we let it.
I look forward to exploring her other recommendations. For many decks, the book is a nice novelty, which adds something, but is soon left to take up its position on the book shelf, barely considered. I don’t believe that will be the case with this book. It truly adds another dimension to the cards.
Spreads
Five spreads are included in the book:
- Follow the Image (1)
- Summon the Divine (3)
- Inner Quest (4)
- The Axis Mundi (5)
- Heroine’s Journey (5)
As always I have done all of them and I found each valuable. If you’re looking for answers about what’s going on within then this deck could be the tool you’re looking for. It can be used however you feel called to use it. I did a Celtic Cross reading with it and found it remarkably easy to read and I have used it like an oracle deck. If you’re drawn to the imagery and/or the idea behind it, then I’m confident you will love it.
Publishing Details
Deck Creator:
Kim Krans
Pictured Version:
Published by Harper Collins through their imprint Harper One in 2019, First Edition
