Initiates Oracle: Occult Hermetic- and Egyptian-Inspired Rituals for Profound Transformation, by Marcella Kroll with illustrations by Adam Smith
Weiser Books, 1578639255, 128 pages, 40 cards, May 2026
Looking for a deck filled with esoteric symbols, Hermetic motifs, and Egyptian mysticism? Introducing Initiates Oracle: Occult Hermetic- and Egyptian-Inspired Rituals for Profound Transformation, by Marcella Kroll with illustrations by Adam Smith. Inspired by the creators’ travels through Egypt, this deck emerged as “a tool for healing, guidance, and spiritual growth.”1
The first thing I felt when I shuffled this deck and looked at the images was a sense of awe AND relief. While the imagery definitely has an air of mystery, there’s nothing pretentious or overly complex in the symbolism. The bold colors drew me in, making me want to look closer and study the cards rather than skim over them for the sake of jumping right to the guidebook meaning. Instead of dark, moody mysticism (the kind intent on showing JUST how exclusive and elusive this sacred knowledge is – ugh!), this deck leans into something much more graphic and symbolic.
I appreciated the aesthetics of the deck even more when I discovered illustrator Adam Smith has decades of tattoo artistry experience. The colors are intense and unapologetically bright—turquoise skies, golden yellows, fire reds, electric blues. Everything is outlined in thick black lines, giving it a very crisp, legible look. There’s very little shading or gradient. The look of the cards feels closer to screen-printed art or tattoo flash than painterly illustration. Shapes are simplified; figures are stylized rather than realistic.
This style aligns with the Smith’s background in tattooing, where crispness and boldness matter. The distilled symbolic imagery to create impact rather than subtlety. The imagery comes across as clear, symbolic, and declarative. And the balanced layouts, either featuring a central focal point or mirrored elements, make for a well constructed deck. The overall style is a blend of traditional occult symbolism, modern vector illustration, and retro animation simplicity–definitely something that looks great on an altar!
As for the accompanying guidebook, the content is kept pretty short and sweet. Surprisingly, there’s not too much shared about the deck’s creation process and the only advice for using the cards details is setting an intention, pulling a card, contemplating the meaning, and journaling. There aren’t any spreads offered, nor much contextual information that sets the stage for the card’s imagery and messages.
In the guidebook, for each card Kroll provides keywords, symbolism, and a divinatory meaning. Unlike many other oracle decks, there’s no key words written on the cards themselves, so the keywords are definitely helpful when getting acquainted with the deck. The symbolism is also useful because it puts the card into perspective by highlighting the illustration, further providing meaning readers can draw upon.
As for the divinatory meaning, Kroll discusses the symbolism and weaves it into the card’s meaning. Each message is pretty short overall, but so far, I’ve gotten exactly what I needed from every draw. For instance, when I questioned whether the path I was following was the right one, I pulled the card Initiation, which reads “Ultimately the Initiation card is a powerful reminder of the sacred journey you are on, calling for commitment, discipline, and the willingness to face trials with courage and wisdom.”2
Then this morning when I was quarreling with my husband about parenting styles, I decided to take a moment to pause, collect myself, and pull a card. Asking what could bring an end to our disagreement, I pulled the card Union! This card represents the alchemical marriage and “the merging of microcosm and macrocosm, reflecting cosmic unity.”3 I particularly resonated with the additional description that read “this card signifies deep connections and partnership based on mutual respect and understanding.”4 This helped me to re-approach my husband in a better mindset, ready to listen and be more receptive to his point of view.
Given my experience so far, I’d say this deck is very much attuned to the greater spiritual picture. And I think that’s due to the universal symbolism contained within it. It’s less about the little details and more about those overarching concepts that have quietly shifted and shaped our reality, and have been for as long as humanity has been around. While not intentional, it’s as though the deck quiets the ego concerns and hones in on what’s really happening in the soulful ether, offering both guidance for the conscious mind and symbols for the unconscious, bridging the two for clarity.
While the concepts in the deck might seem like advanced esoteric knowledge, Kroll’s writing and Smith’s illustrations make it accessible for readers of all levels. It’s actually kind of refreshing how the deck doesn’t try to go too deep into complex topics, leaving plenty of room for the intuition of the reader to be heard and space for further synchronicities and exploration.
Overall, Initiates Oracle offers a compelling balance between depth and accessibility, offering a visually bold and symbolically rich experience without overwhelming the reader. It’s a deck that trusts you—your intuition, your lived experience, and your ability to sit with meaning as it unfolds—rather than over-explaining or prescribing rigid interpretations.
While those seeking extensive background or structured spreads may find the guidebook a bit sparse, others will appreciate the openness it creates, allowing each draw to feel personal and alive. For readers drawn to esoteric themes, specifically Hermetic and Egyptian, but wary of gatekeeping or unnecessary complexity, this deck is a perfect bridge. Initiates Oracle honors ancient wisdom while remaining grounded, usable, and refreshingly clear for the modern reader.
Alanna Kali is an astrologer, numerologist, and pioneer spirit that loves to explore life through the lens of depth psychology. She has a passion for studying the humanities and social trends. Her academic work is centered upon reuniting body, mind, and spirit through eco-psychology. She loves reading, spending time in nature, and travel.