Musing Mystical

✨ A Gathering Place for Magical Readers and Writers ✨

Guardian Angel Oracle, by Debbie Malone

Guardian Angel Oracle: 36 Gilded Cards and 88-Page Book, by Debbie Malone and illustrated by Amalia Chitulescu
Rockpool Publishing, 97819225796990, 88 pages, 36 cards, December 2022

I’ve had the opportunity to use many angel oracle decks; you may even call me an angel oracle deck connoisseur. It’s no wonder then that I was eager to see the messages Guardian Angel Oracle: 36 Gilded Cards and 88-Page Book by Debbie Malone and illustrated by Amalia Chitulescu held for me.

Malone has seen and sensed spirit since she was a child1. Plus she’s had seven near-death experiences during her lifetime. She’s shared her natural abilities as a clairvoyant and medium with others through readings and best-selling books, including Awaken Your Psychic Ability and Never Alone. Additionally, she was voted Australian Psychic of the Year in 2013. Malone’s ability to bring to us communication from the angels is a true gift. 

Guardian Angel Oracle was refreshingly unique in its messages, simplicity of use (this is a compliment!), and relatable illustrations. It focuses on the special connection each person has with their guardian angel. The cards offer ways in which one’s guardian angel can connect on specific topics such as past lives, new beginnings, comfort, and dreams. The cards facilitate communication with your guardian angel, while still availing one of free will; you retain the right to choose to follow messages. 

The cards offer positive messages meant to inspire, even if the topic at hand might feel challenging, which is why I appreciated the turnarounds. For example, with the Angel of Tranquility card, the message is that while one might be caught up in a fast-paced, stressful life, “there is a way to get tranquility and peace”2 back into one’s life. The focus is on the way out, not on the “problem.” The recommendations that follow such as taking just five minutes a day to slow down or to listen to calming music are doable. 

The accompanying deck guide recommends a ritual to dedicate the cards to make them your own and to infuse your energy into the deck. Debbie recommends paying attention to “jumping cards;” ones that jump or fall out as the deck is shuffled, as they are ways the angels attempt to get our attention. Anyone who has used decks regularly has most likely experienced these “jumping” cards; they seem to just fly out!

In the guidebook, Malone suggests four card layouts: one card, three-card, five-card, and six-card. The first layout I always do with a deck is a one card pull. I did the one-card pull on two consecutive days and pulled the same card, the Angel of Communication.  The Angel of Communication card shows an angel as an Asian male, dressed in contemporary white clothing with his hands in a guyan mudra pose. Seated on either side of him are an Asian male and female, also dressed in white contemporary clothing (although the woman is also clothed in purple shorts), with their backs toward each other, obviously not communicating well.

The message of the Angel of Communication card is “You have the communication skills within you to share your ideas and feelings with others.”3 The accompanying affirmation is “I have the voice I need to help me communicate with my angels and those around me.”4

The message and affirmation were true for me. But what struck me was how spot on the message was for what was troubling me, that is, difficulty communicating with a loved one. Nothing I tried was working and truthfully, I gave up, which didn’t sit well with me. The writing on the angel asked if I was “finding it difficult to communicate with a loved one about an issue?”5 It recommended a throat chakra clearing and meditation, reminding me that I could call on the Angel of Communication whenever I needed assistance with communication.

The three-card spread helps one with changes, inspiration, and guidance. The five-card spread focuses on what one needs to “work with to help you feel more connected and guided in your life.”6 The cards focus on the question, cause, action (cards three and four), and the outcome/answer. When I did a few five-card spreads the messages I received were right on, surprisingly, so much that I could not ignore them. Again, with this deck I continued to receive very clear messages that directly related to my life. 

The six-card spread, in the form of angel wings, is used for encouragement when one is “feeling disconnected from yourself and your angels.”7 It was a visually beautiful spread that offered guidance and inspiration. A few of the cards that came up in earlier spreads made an appearance in this spread. Malone recommends that one pay particular attention to the sixth card as the angel associated with the card will be the most powerful angel to work with on the question at hand.

Thirty-six angels are profiled in the deck, described by what they assist with. For example, one will find the Angels of Gratitude, Health, Procrastination, and Unity. Each angel is profiled with a positive statement about where one is at the present moment. For example, with the Angel of Balance one reads: “You are in a calm and balanced state of mind. You will make the right decisions for your future.”8 The profile continues with ways to work with the angel and how to hear the communications. It concludes with an affirmation. 

The deck is illustrated by Amalia Chitulescu, a Romanian-born self-taught digital artist. The front of the cards are done in a bluish gray with floating white feathers among pinkish orange clouds. The card faces vary tremendously with images of people of all races, bringing beautiful diversity to this deck.

The Angel of Comfort card has an African-American couple, with the male comforting the female. Angel wings appear behind the couple. Then the Angel of Solitude card has the image of a radiant female angel dressed in white, her wings open, her gaze focused on the heavens. White doves and feathers surround her. Below her, a woman sits on a canoe, an orange tree growing from one tip of the canoe, an orange and black butterfly sitting on the other tip, with three other butterflies surrounding the canoe. 

Overall, I highly recommend Guardian Angel Oracle for those seeking to connect with their guardian angel for divine guidance. As I mentioned, the messages from the deck have been very consistent for me, providing me with the insight I need to gain a better perspective. The angelic messages are loving, direct, and encouraging. One truly feels wrapped in angel wings when using the deck.

Unusual Animal Messages, by Manda Comisari

Unusual Animal Messages Oracle Deck, by Manda Comisari
CICO Books, 1800651619, 52 cards, 64 pages, November 2022

Nature and all the wondrous animals that live within it are absolutely amazing! But why does it seem like we often overlook the more obscure creatures? Most likely because they’re not on our radar; I mean, aside from a select few people in science or conservation jobs, who regularly thinks about the Sea Cucumber or Gobi Jerboa? In Unusual Animal Messages Oracle Deck, Manda Comisari gives voice to these unique animals, attuning us to the lessons they have to share so that we can reap their one-of-a-kind wisdom.

Comisari is a talented wildlife illustrator, who holds a Master of Fine Art in Illustration and has been recognized by The Society of Animals Artists, The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, and Buzzfeed for her work. Additionally, she’s an experienced energy worker certified in Theta Healing.1 This deck is the perfect combination of her illustrative career and familiarity with energy healing.

In the guidebook introduction, Comisari reminds deck users that all of nature is interconnected and that every living thing must be protected to maintain ecological balance. She chose these far-out, unusual animals for the deck to inspire readers to feel an empathetic connection with them, creating a new appreciation for their role in the natural world.

“Developing empathy toward our environment and all the wildlife within it ensures that we will want to protect the planet. We don’t learn about nature, we learn from nature, because we’re part of it. Not better than, not masters of, but an equal participant.”2

This deck is intended to provide spiritual advice from the animals, though it’s not a deck to tell the future, but rather to provide insight in the present moment. It has a very grounded and natural feeling, as Comisari’s illustrations bring to life animals in their own habitat, plain and simple without extravagance. There isn’t an esoteric, ethereal, or otherworldly vibe to this deck at all; it’s centered within the beauty of the natural world.

There are no special spreads suggested. Comisari simply recommends “pulling a card, either daily or when you feel like you could use some spiritual support and guidance.”3 Though the cares are divided into developmental categories for the reader: Establishing Goals, Managing Perspectives and Emotions, Managing Hardship and Personal Growth, Self-Care, Managing Community, Friends, and Relationships, and Learning to Cooperate and Remember Delight.

When reading with the deck, you could either pick the specific development category you want to focus on and draw from only those cards, or you can pick at random and let the developmental category inform your reading as a broader perspective to the card you pulled. For instance, when I specifically wanted insight on how to improve my self-care, I went to the guidebook and pulled out the cards featured in the self-care developmental section. However most of the time, I’ve done general pulls from the deck. Both ways have provided me with insight!

There are 52 cards in all, and I will be honest, they are not the most awe-inspiring or aesthetically pleasing cards. These unusual animals are NOT the cute and furry ones that people tend to love. My mom was quite upset when she pulled Cockroach; the Tardigrade looks straight-up freaky; and Goblin Sharks might give you nightmares. That isn’t to say there’s not some adorable-in-a-funny-looking-way animals in there too, such as the Axolotl, Blue-Ringed Octopus, and Sloth. But I’m warning you, be prepared! You might jump when you see the Red-Lipped Batfish.

And these are only a handful of the unique animals in there. If you read the last paragraph thinking, “What animal is that?” then you’ll have the same joy of discovering new species that I have using this deck. I frankly did not know many of these animals existed prior to using this deck, and it has been fun to learn more about them, which the guidebook makes very easy to do. Though, I still often find myself Googling to learn more!

For every animal, the illustrated guidebook showcases an image of the card along with information on the animal’s habitat, wisdom the animal shares with us based on facts about them, and a “try this” recommendation about how you can put the wisdom of the animal into practical use. And below the image, both on the cards themselves and in the illustration in the guidebook, is a few-word message from the card, if you just want quick and easy meaning to focus on.

So far I’ve found the cards to be quite insightful! I was just telling my husband today about how I feel the need to wave off other’s opinions and focus more on what is best for me, following my intuition rather than external sources. When I got home and began this review, I decided to pull a card. I pulled the quite ugly, borderline scary (I’m trying to not judge these animals for their looks, but truly, this one image is not for the faint of heart!) Red-Lipped Batfish. The card reads, “Be true to yourself without seeking outside approval.”4

Going to the guidebook to learn more, I found out how even though this batfish can swim, “it prefers to walk on the sea floor and often uses its fins as pseudo-legs to get around.”5 The overall message Comisari has extracted from the habits of the batfish focus on how we can be unapologetically ourselves, living authentically without the need for other’s approval. And the “try this” she offers is to take the time to get to know yourself (likes, dislikes, quirks, etc) and reflect on if you’re living true to yourself while also acknowledging if you’re respecting others for living true to themselves too.

I really liked this message! Having used the deck for a few months now, I find it interesting both learn more about these unique animals and also read Comisari’s perspective on how we can gain wisdom from reflecting on their behavior. I enjoy the connection I feel building within to the natural world as I remember that there is no greater teacher than the many marvelous beings we share this beautiful planet with.

My only complaint about this deck is that the cards are not numbered, so you have to skim through the guidebook to find the message. This isn’t too much of a hassle, but it can take a minute or two to locate the cards if you’re skimming to fast.

Overall, Unusual Animal Messages Oracle Deck is a one-of-a-kind deck. It’s not your typical oracle deck, but it’s quirkiness make it stand out. If you are an animal or nature lover, this is a wonderful deck to add to your collection. Not only will it offer guidance and insight to reflect upon, it will introduce you to new animals and provide you with lots of new facts about these unusuals creatures!

Mushroom Spirit Oracle, by Nicola McIntosh

Mushroom Spirit Oracle, by Nicola McIntosh
Rockpool Publishing, 1922785040, 112 pages, 36 cards, May 2023

Initially, I was attracted to this beautiful oracle deck, Mushroom Spirit Oracle by Nicola McIntosh, due to its incredible visual appeal. It contains wonderful, life-like, but mysterious, hand drawn illustrations.

When I opened the box to have a real good look inside, I was not disappointed. As a psychic medium and card reader, I was excited at the potential this mushroom deck could bring for myself and my clients. My first impressions after opening were joyful. I loved the box, covered with illustrations inside and out.

The inside illustrations are mono and very earthy in look. The card’s back illustrations are gorgeous too – Beautiful Fly Agaric mushrooms in a mirror effect. There is a feeling of balance within the box; it really is a box for the keeping, so special. It is very apparent that much thought has been put into every aspect of the packaging, which allows the cards and little book to be fully appreciated.

The set is made up of 36 color illustrated cards and has a small color printed illustrated book to accompany them. The card quality is great. They are quite thick, not at all flimsy-with a tactile finish. When shuffling, they flow nicely; they aren’t too big and feel like they will wear well. And although the cards work as a stand-alone deck, due to them having a keyword meaning on them, the book is a helpful addition. It’s like a little gem, filled with so much of the wisdom from the secret world of fungi.

McIntosh opens the book with an introduction to the life and times of mushrooms. In this introduction, she moves toward detailing their place in nature, how they fit into nature’s perfect plan, and the secret life of mushrooms and fungi. She touches on their healing qualities and introduces the notion of how much we can learn from them.

“Once you delve into the world of mushrooms, you will gain the utmost respect for their teachings. Powerful, Ancient and wise they carry the secrets of the earth we are still yet to discover.”1

After the introduction she writes a small chapter on how to use the oracle deck. I found this very helpful, particularly for beginners. She explains how the mushrooms give visual clues in their shape, color, and positions, toward their messages. She stresses the importance of always trusting your gut with how you interpret each card and how there is no set way to read them. McIntosh makes it very clear that the mushrooms are our teachers, and we should listen.

In the guidebook, she provides examples of card spreads to use. Again, these are really handy for beginners, but also contain quite unique position representations. The spreads are simple and great for someone starting out with oracle cards. I enjoyed playing with a few and my own reading was very insightful.

After this, the book moves onto the majority of the book’s content: the card interpretations. These really are the meat of the guidebook and are very thorough, containing practical as well as spiritual information about the mushrooms, such as the mushroom’s common name, Latin name, and whether it is edible/medicinal or non-edible/poisonous.

I found this information really helpful in itself, as you not only gain insight into the spiritual aspect through the card’s meaning, but you also learn about the mushrooms’ more ordinary life. This helps gain a deeper understanding of the subject in hand and in turn then strengthens their meaning. For instance, the Morel mushroom reads:

“It is completely hollow from the base to the tip inside. Which distinguishes it from poisonous look-alikes. In Chinese medicine it is highly prized for its tonic qualities and is often made into nourishing soups”2

Even though this quote states the earthly aspect of the mushroom, it becomes quite clear from this that the mushroom is one of Restoration. “Restore” being its key meaning spiritually.

The guidebook is a really handy pocket reference for mushroom wisdom, even as a stand-alone, I feel.

As a reader, I was very excited to try the cards out. I had an added interest in how clients would react to them with them being a bit “unusual”. Not everyone will consider there even is spiritual guidance that mushrooms can convey! Luckily, they have been so well received. People love their quirkiness and also value the messages that come through from them.

I found the cards easy to read. The illustrations really assist the psychic senses, bringing me a real sense of connection with nature, in which there lies a magical realm full of nature spirits.

I have also drawn on the book’s wisdom for people, as I feel her information is also valuable for the client. So I do a blend of my psychic senses and the guidebook. I would not wish for the client to miss out on the pearls of wisdom there-in and the author’s interpretations either.

Although McIntosh is based in Australia and many of the mushrooms are unfamiliar to me in the UK, I have not found this a problem. It also gives the deck a more exotic feel as well. To see the powerful mushrooms within.

I feel the Mushroom Spirit Oracle is a “must have” for all readers and healers–for those starting out and those experienced. It’s a great alternative to many of the more common themes within oracle decks. Many oracle decks are covering the same theme in a different way. These cards are very unique and so beautiful to the eye. They bring a light, helpful energy into any reading, and I am so happy to have this oracle now in my collection.

The Naughty Oracle, by Naomi Beth

The Naughty Oracle: 44 Full-Color Cards and 128-Page Guidebook Cards, by Naomi Beth (Author) and Dorothy Davidson (Illustrator)
Rockpool Publishing, 1922579734, 128 pages, 44 cards, November 2022

Ever just want someone to say it to you straight? No bullshit; no sugarcoating; no elaborate metaphors. If so, The Naughty Oracle by Naomi Beth is the deck for you! This 44-card deck tells it like it is without the fanfare. Its direct message instantly awakens readers to the issue at hand and ideas of what they can f*cking do about it!

Throw away ideas that you need to be pure and holy to receive divine guidance. This deck calls you out in the best way possible and with quite a few expletives in the process. Sometimes the energy you need is the one that says, “Screw it!”, and embraces the cheeky side of life. In the guidebook introduction, Beth writes:

“The spiritual world has become too serious and stuck in a mindset of letting love and light do all the work for healing. Guess what? It stopped working for me, so I needed something more. I wanted a card deck that would make me giggle and not take life so seriously, but I couldn’t find one that suited me in this current spiritual world of love and light so I created one myself.”1

I am in complete agreement with Beth about how love and light can only go so far. Sometimes you need to slice through the facade to get right to the issue at hand. And what better way to do this than with humor and a dose of real talk to get your mind clear? After playing around with this deck, I’ve learned to shift my energy, gain awareness, and cultivate what I seek by inviting in my naughty side, casting aside social mores to embrace the taboo and do what needs to be done!

The cards themselves are hilarious.Every time I go for a pull, I’m absolutely delighted to read the titles. Some card titles that had me in stitches: “Your Soul Has Fucked Off”, “My Eyes Are Up Here, Mister!”, “Fucked above; fucked below; fucked within”, “Asshole Ancestors”, and “You Really Are a Special Type of Fucktard”. Lol!

Yet below all of these cheeky titles, the card offers a message of empowerment and direction. And I have to say, It’s nice to have a laugh and notice what a human ass I am before receiving my spiritual message. Instantly, my problems seem lighter and I’m moved into a more receptive space, allowing me to actually acknowledge the energy at hand in order to shift it.

The cards themselves, illustrated by Dorothy Davidson, are very colorful with a bright yellow back and cartoon-like images, all in bold colors. The style reminds me of a comic book where the imagery is action-packed. It might only be one segment, but within the picture is a whole story. There’s vitality in each card; the imagery feels very active. And this further amplifies the “in your face” energy these cards hold.

The messages in the guidebook are short, sweet, and to the point. Beth doesn’t wax poetic, but rather states the obvious with an uncouth mouth. Here’s an example of her advice for the card I pulled this morning, “Pissed as a Parrot”:

“Use your own fucking voice. Tell them; say what you want. Voice your own views and beliefs for others to contemplate and argue about. Voice what you love; voice what you hate. Other people’s answers are not your responsibility and are not yours to take to heart. Don’t fucking take them on, because they are just voicing their own bullshit. Voice yours too and enjoy the bullshit ride-along.”2

This is spot-on for me, as I am visiting with my husband’s family and feel like I’ve been hesitant to speak up and share my views and opinions. In fact, yesterday, in a moment of alone time with my husband, I recounted everything I said that I thought made a family member feel uncomfortable. He laughed and encouraged me to continue speaking my mind since I am a part of the family now. But I have remained hesitant, only focusing on the rebuff I experienced or discomfort I could tell they felt.

Clearly, from my pull, the guidance is that I should continue to share my thoughts, even if it goes against the grain of what others believe. Everyone can make their own choices about what to believe; I have the right to express my views just as much as the next person. And the questions included by Beth in the guidebook, such as “Is my fear of rejection preventing me from speaking up, and how can I release this fear?, helped me to pause and reflect. Yes! It is rejection I am worried about, and I haven’t figured out how to release it quite yet, but I’ll focus on it today.

For good measure, I read aloud the affirmation Beth included for the card. One line from it – “I am gifted at speaking my truth.”3 – has been running through my head ever since. This will be my mantra today as I continue to navigate the push-pull dynamic of revealing my thoughts vs. maintaining family harmony.

All in all, this deck is awesome. I think it would be especially fitting for those who are not down with the esoteric spirituality concepts (angels, spirit animals, gods/goddesses), but are in search of spiritual insights. Yes, there’s concepts such as energy-clearing, grounding, and liberating your spiritual energy, but it’s rooted in the wisdom of human life, which we can all admit can be quite a shitshow.

In The Naughty Oracle, Beth truly offers readers a combination of the wisdom of her decades-long spiritual journey and a dose of reality. The cards are hilarious, but they are also very insightful. Between Beth’s tell-it-how-it-is guidance approach, questions to ask yourself, and affirmations, readers have the opportunity to get their head straight.

Shadow & Light Oracle, by Selena Moon

Shadow & Light Oracle: Reflection Cards to Unlock Your Unconscious Mind, by Selena Moon
Rockpool Publishing, 9781922579638, 96 pages, 36 cards, April 2023

Shadow & Light Oracle: Reflection Cards to Unlock Your Unconscious Mind by Selena Moon is a beautiful deck that presents opposing or complementary views on practical issues in daily life. Within the 36 cards and full color guidebook, Moon has created magical imagery with digital collage, drawings and line art. She writes the guidance from her personal experiences. 

Selena Moon is an award-winning designer, digital artist, and author.  Born and raised in Sweden, she currently resides in Sydney, Australia. With a bachelor degree and years of experience in graphic design, she has created a number of card decks and a journal for card readings. Moon firmly believes that art can positively impact people’s lives. From her website:

“Inspired by diverse sources, Selena enjoys exploring new avenues to avoid being confined to a particular style or technique. Her multidisciplinary approach allows her to combine various skills and techniques to create unique pieces of art. In addition to her artistic endeavors, Selena has a keen interest in psychology and draws on her knowledge and experience to create products that inspire and motivate people in their lives.”1

What drew me to the cards was the tagline: “Reflection cards to unlock your unconscious mind”2. On the day of my first experience with the cards, I was preparing to go to a family event. I was anxious and stressed and asked the question:

“What do I need to know to calm myself before this visit?”

I drew the card: #35 Physical Pain-Emotional Pain.  It talked about how the body and mind are closely connected and that troubles and worries can manifest as physical pain. The guidebook went further to ask me to “make note of any physical pain you might be experiencing.”3

At first, I questioned how this card was going to benefit me in my current situation, but as I read the affirmation and exercise, it became clear.  The affirmation encouraged me with these words: 

“I am calm; I am grounded; I am safe.”4

I took a photo of the affirmation with my phone and read it several times during the party. This really calmed me and helped me through a tense time with people who try my patience at every turn!

Next, I did one-card readings for a few friends.  For the first friend, who is a district manager for a corporation by day and an intuitive reader by night, I drew #21 Asking – Telling.

This card is related to communication with others and the delicate balance between asking a question and telling your point of view. Moon encourages us to stop making assumptions or rehearsing in your head what you want to say, and really try to understand and listen. 

My friend said that the reading really encouraged him with a current work situation and that he really liked the affirmation:

“I show up in conversations to understand, not to prove I’m right.”5

He thanked me for the reading and said that he felt like these cards would be ideal for further self-discovery!

For another friend, who was struggling with some major changes at her workplace, I drew #4 Reflection-Overthinking. She said this was the perfect card for her! 

This card shared information about the troublesome habit of asking “What if?” repeatedly and overanalyzing everything about a situation. This was exactly the current mindset of my friend, regarding her work changes.  She 

loved the way that Moon suggested that your thoughts can “bring you peace and harmony”6 instead of frustration. She felt that she would benefit from both the affirmation and exercise that Moon included for redirecting and reframing your thoughts.

Finally, I drew another card for myself and drew #32 Relaxation – Activation. This was on Monday, which is a day that I typically try to do all the things! Instead of stressing over my to-do list, Moon encouraged me to step back and relax a little by moving my body in a way that I enjoy, like walking.

“Activating your body will help calm your mind . . .see if you can shift your focus and let the stress out by moving your body.”7

It really worked!  After a quick walk around my neighborhood, I came back refreshed and ready to do some work on my website and create my weekly blog post. 

This deck is so beautiful and easy to use. The colors are rich jewel tones and the various photos and graphics that she uses to create the visuals are stunning. I connected with the cards and the visual art easily and the guidebook was written in a very conversational style.

Moon includes written guidance, an affirmation, and an exercise for each card. The guidebook is printed in four color, so that you can also see the card you chose inside the book. Although each card is numbered, Moon also added a Table of Contents.  In the introduction, she shares that these cards are good for those times when you feel stuck, directionless or unfocused. She also includes how to cleanse your deck, how to phrase a question and three different spreads to use.

The cards are standard size and printed on glossy card stock in a very nice weight.  They are easy to shuffle, but do not bend easily. Each card is lined with silver metallic edging.  The cards and guidebook came in a sturdy two-part box that holds each piece of the set.

My favorite card in the deck from a visual standpoint is the Energy – Motivation card, which is #20.  It features a woman looking down on a winding pathway that is covered in handwritten words and a scattering of letters.  It almost looks like a walkway to the beach, with beautiful clouds in the sky.  I could get lost in that card for days! 

My favorite card in the deck from the guidance presented is #27 Offended – Enlightened. This guidance reflected the wisdom in stopping when I am offended and seeing the trigger.  By loving that part of myself, I can move from “offended” to “enlightened.”8

Shadow and Light Oracle would be good for anyone from a new oracle reader to a more experienced reader of tarot or oracle cards.  The language is easy to understand, yet it presents great messages for self-reflection and personal growth. I plan to add this deck to the stack of decks I use to close out a tarot reading for clients. Many times, I choose an oracle card to share a last bit of guidance for clients and the wisdom from Selena Moon will be a nice addition!

Wild Woman Oracle, by Cheyenne Zárate

Wild Woman Oracle: Awaken Your True, Free and Soulful Self, by Cheyenne Zárate
Rockpool Publishing, 1925946835, 144 pages, 44 cards, October 2022

Cheyenne Zárate, the enigmatic artist who created Wild Woman Oracle: Awaken Your True, Free and Soulful Self, knows exactly how you’re feeling when you say you want to reconnect with the wildness inside you. She asks us to “reflect regularly on who we truly are,”1 something which is achievable with this easy to use, beautifully crafted pack.

Zárate is a supremely talented artist, now living in Canada with her two cats, Carlos, and Lily. In this deck, she draws on her Scottish, Chilean, and Ukrainian ancestry to bring us feminine figures from around the world. Her adoration and respect for these wild women is apparent here in her artwork and perfectly written descriptors. Zárate wishes to celebrate women, help them find their strength and power, “to reconnect with their wild feminine nature in order to live in alignment with their authentic truth”2

It was the title of Wild Woman Oracle that first drew me to these cards. I have an underlying “wild woman”, who is desperate to get out and be seen. I thought these cards might help me to embrace her and set her free. Just the thought of getting closer to nature and finding that connection deep within was all I needed to make the decision for this set.

To begin with, before I even opened the pack, I was mesmerised by the imagery. The colors used and beautiful sketch work on the box, I was instantly in love. This is carried throughout, with each card having an almost metallic feel to them, the drawings looked etched, opposed to drawn. The set consists of thirty-six cards and a guidebook, complete with an introduction to Zárate and how to use the cards. A message for each individual feminine icon is included, along with their symbolism.

There is something deep within us that’s wild, leftover remnants from a time when we may have been forest dwellers. It is that urge that makes us want to climb a mountain, swim naked in a lake, or just take yourself forest bathing in your local woods. You find inner peace and a connection to the earth.

I have used many oracle and tarot decks before now, some of which I have found to be extremely useful. They have given me insights into my mind, heart, and soul–insights that I never would have found without them. I have felt that they were created in such a way that I could rely on them for guidance and awakenings, which is how I also feel about Wild Woman Oracle. I knew that as soon as I opened the box, they were going to be there for me and offer that same kind of help.

I have found that classic tarot can often be quite harsh, unforgiving, hard to navigate and honestly, difficult to work with. And although I know we need to take the good with the bad, tarot to me has always been a bit of a tyrant. Oracle cards, especially this deck, give you a softer approach.

I have consulted angel cards  in the past and although their messages and guidance were brilliantly accurate, I am not a religious person and some of the phrases used, such as angels, God, and heaven, just don’t sit right with me and I would find myself changing the words to suit. Usually, I would exchange those words for “the Universe,” a phrase used throughout the Wild Woman Oracle. I had been searching for a deck that would speak my language, and I may have just found it.

Though no deck should be used without prior knowledge of how to read them–you must do your research before diving straight in–these cards are a perfect place to start if you are just getting going on your reading journey. It’s a nice relaxing way to spend time alone, get yourself a cup of honey tea, light a candle, and give yourself time to take in a reading from the wild women of the Universe.

I like to take my cards when I’m away with friends, so we can do a reading every six months or so. I haven’t yet had the chance to show them this fabulous pack, but they will definitely be in my case for our next trip.

I did, however, get the chance to do a reading for my Mum. She chose the classic three card reading: past, present, and future. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the cards touched upon subjects and important life aspects that needed attention at that time, some of which have been an issue for several years. The cards were adamant that this needed addressing immediately and that too much time had already been wasted. They guided her with the steps to take, how she can resolve these issues, and, more importantly, which of the wild women to call upon when needed.

The personal changes I am experiencing at the moment, physically and mentally, have been at the forefront of my mind, and when I did a reading for myself it was obvious that the cards were aware of this. They have alleviated some of my worries, given me an alternate way of viewing things, and I now feel I have them to call on when I need more guidance.

In my first reading, I drew death, destruction, and divine service. My first instinct was of course to worry about what this might mean, but the death card can have an array of different meanings and not the actual death of you or anyone else. It represents new beginnings, a chance to start fresh, tear yourself down, and rebuild. It can be a job, a relationship, a focused time in your life. Here is your chance to reinvent yourself. And this reading gave credence to feelings I’ve had: I need to let go, and I have been given permission, safe in the knowledge that these supreme beings had my back.

One card, the Inner High Priestess, stood out to me. She sits, solitary, the moon visible from her window, her black cat at her feet. She is in control, busy, but rested. Powerful. Pillars stand at either side of her, with the letters B & J, representing Boaz and Jachin from the Temple of Solomon. She holds the balance: good and evil, dark, and light, feminine and masculine. 

“The High Priestess is the portal between the earthly plane and the heavenly spiritual plane: She has one foot planted firmly in each dimension.” 3

The guidebook for this deck is pocket sized, easy to follow and features some lovely designs. The instructions are set out for whichever reading you choose: one card and three card divination, past present and future or situation, action, and outcome. A description for each depicted feminine figure is given, plus what they each represent and the message they wish you to have.

For example, my Inner High Priestess card represents divine service, wisdom, intuition, psychic abilities, and sacred occult. It’s an incredible card to draw, one of which has come to me twice in a row, at a time when I was in desperate need of her guidance, so I feel incredibly honored for it to have done so.

In Wild Woman Oracle, Zárate has drawn upon her own personal experiences in order to bring together the strongest feminine figures from myth, legend, and folklore. These inspiring women who we look up to, seek out, and aspire to be, are all within our reach, right beside us and deep within us.

Untamed Spirit Animal Oracle, by Francesca Matteoni

Untamed Spirit: Animal Oracle, by Francesca Matteoni and illustrated by Rocco Lombardi
Red Wheel, 978-1590035313, 112 pages, 50 Cards, August 2022

“This oracle of sacred animals is intended principally as an invitation to carefully explore and observe the fellow inhabitants of this planet: the beings that run, slither, jump, fly and swim around us and with us. It is an invitation to explore your own untamed spirit, the wisdom from the wild within.”1

Untamed Spirit: Animal Oracle, by Francesca Matteoni (author) and Rocco Lombardi (illustrator), is a visually stunning deck that may be used for its intended oracular purposes as well as a contemplative tool of alignment with the creatures of the natural world. The size of both deck and book of interpretation makes it an easy travel companion on those explorations into the forests, oceans, mountains, and caves that the animals and we call home.

This oracle deck features a 50-card deck and 122-page guidebook, neatly packaged in a drawer-like printed box.  The deck, box, and booklet are hand drawn images that are hues of black, gray and whites. I like this approach as it provides the reader with clean imagery that is neither distracting nor over laden with bursts of color or symbology that is unnecessary.

The dynamic guidebook describes the origin of each animal’s sacred nature along with a chart that lists its element, where it lives, zoological information,  an affirmation of mystical/spiritual energy of calling, symbols associated with it, and a brief charm to ask the animal for advice or guidance. Then each of the 50 cards features a message specific to the animal represented, and the back of each oracle card is adorned with a black and white peacock feather. 

The information relating to each of the oracle cards is thoughtfully organized by the element naturally associated with the animal (Earth, Air, Water and Fire) rather than alphabetically. Some readers may find this a bit clumsy, however, I had a sense that it was purposeful in adding another layer of thought and identification for the reader. This table of contents neatly spans two pages and the entire number of animals represented within the deck fits easily, providing the reader an “at a glance” view to find their card(s). 

I immediately went to the card and interpretation regarding the Swan, my favorite guide from early days of being a professional ballerina and my admiration of Anna Pavlova:

“The swan hour strikes when worlds touch.  I lift myself up from the water into the frigid air.  I carry with me the divine spark that is in every living being and return it to the sky.  The swan hour is the hour in which the soul emerges. Everything is pure.”2

I have come across many different interpretations of the swan, but this interpretation added another layer of depth to the majesty and intention of swan’s energy; that of the fires of the divine shining from within. Matteoni presents a description of grace as well as the recognition of the awkwardness of the cygnet, whose visage and movements do not give rise to this fledgling’s transformation into an ethereal creature. The image of the Swan crafted by Lombardi is both beautiful and evocative of the duality of form of this creature, being neither in the light and not of the dark but moving through a space that is the compilation of both.

My second card was drawn randomly, after asking “What is my focus in the present time?”. Not surprisingly, my subconscious immediately sought out the Bee:

“I am the alchemist of the word.  I transform the nectar of flowers into fruit. In my home, I produce golden honey. My buzzing is the sound of all that is regenerated. I dedicate my work to the great universal mother. I am responsible for what I create.”3

As I read the interpretation, I am reminded that the Bee is part of a collaborative matriarchal society that carries great responsibility within the animal world. Though small, it is mighty in what it can produce and create that is both nourishment and healing. The key words Matteoni uses for the Bee on the card are “responsibility” and “dedication”. This card spoke to me at a personal level of my work within the community as an Elder and High Priestess of the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition, as mother of five, wife of 46+ years and my responsibilities as an Admin. Assistant within a diverse school district. Busy bee indeed!

Overall, Untamed Spirit: Animal Oracle is a refreshing offering that stands apart from the colorful and graphic laden decks that are in abundance. The simplicity of interpretations provided and the depth of the black and white imagery make this oracle deck a perfect choice for those less familiar with using an oracle system, creating a user-friendly format to explore the mystical aspects of organic life. This is a deck that will be returned to frequently by novice and expert alike. With each new exploration, it will catalyze within its user a call to the stream of animal spirit that resides within all sentient life on our planet.

The Medicine Woman Oracle, by Catherine Maillard

The Medicine Woman Oracle: Discover the Archetypes of the Divine Feminine, by Catherine Maillard and illustrated by Caroline Maniere
Rockpool Publishing, 9782702917824, 49 cards, 196 pages, October 2022

The Medicine Woman Oracle: Discover the Archetypes of the Divine Feminine by Catherine Maillard is an incredibly unique deck.  The illustrator, Caroline Maniere, used vivid, jewel-toned colors to illustrate each of the women or animals included, as well as similar colors for the back of the cards. Unlike other decks I’ve worked with, Catherine Maillard divides this deck into four distinct sections:  Medicine Women Cards, Gifts of the Feminine Cards, Totem/Allied Spirits Cards, and Medicine Action Cards.

Maillard has a background in facilitating women’s circles and 20 years experience in shamanic practices, dance therapy, and working with the Keepers of the 13 Moons.  She also has training in aromatherapy, applied reflexology, and plants and herbs. Her goal in creating this deck is to create a guide for the feminine journey, to help women heal their wounds and free themselves from old patriarchal patterns. 

I was extremely interested in this deck because of my love of the spiritual teachings of shamans around the globe and the mystery and healing power of the medicine wheel.  This deck did not disappoint! Maillard weaves rich archetypes throughout the deck and includes healing rituals or practices for every card. 

Many decks include spreads or ways to interact with the cards, and Maillard is no exception. The spread that first caught my eye was the Medicine Wheel Spread, a spread with four cards that made use of the deck’s unique composition:

Card 1: The Circle of Medicine Women

Card 2: The Circle of Gifts of the Feminine

Card 3: The Circle of the Totems/Allied Spirits

Card 4: The Circle of Medicine Action

Maniere has brilliantly color-coded the cards in each of the four sections by coloring the design on the back of the card a specific color and then matching the color on the bottom of the front of the card. This makes it amazingly easy to divide the cards into the four sections that you need to use for this spread. 

After separating the cards, you fan them out and select one card from each of the four groups of cards. Maillard invites you to take your time and turn over each card, one at a time, as you ask a question that relates to the specific flavor of that section of the deck. 

Next, it’s time to go to the guidebook and read the messages you find for each card. At the end of each card’s written guidance is a ritual or practice that you can do for healing, more introspection or, as Maillard puts it, “to awaken the medicine wheel.”1

When I used this spread for my own daily card practice, I pulled my four cards and made notes in my journal.  I focused on the first two cards for that day, finishing the practice with the suggested rituals.  The next day, I worked with the other two cards.

Even after more than 20 years of working with oracle decks, I am still amazed at the clarity of the guidance that comes through and this deck was no exception.  I received a message about going within for inner guidance from three of the cards.  The fourth card referenced the chance to “Free yourself from secrets; discover the hidden treasure of your heritage,”2 which is available to me from the feminine line of my ancestors.  As someone who has been working with my ancestors throughout my spiritual journey, this was a great confirmation. One line particularly spoke to me:

“Remember, along with any trauma you carry the antidote.”3 

This is brilliant! I’ve never seen it expressed quite like that before. How affirming and encouraging! 

My favorite card in this deck is “Medicine Woman #3: Authenticity:  I open the way of truth”. The colors feature my favorites of turquoise and cobalt blue.  She holds crystals in her hands and wears a multi-colored headdress of colored feathers. 

To further test the wisdom of the deck, I did a series of Medicine Wheel four-card readings for clients and friends. I did these on Zoom and showed the cards and read a few lines from the guidebook.  With the rich imagery on the cards, the title and descriptive tagline, there was more than enough information for a quick reading.

Each reading was very unique and each person wrote later to express gratitude for the timeliness of the messages received. One woman was actively researching her genealogy and received the “Healing Family Lines” card. Two women received the “Path of Beauty” card.  One woman expressed that she had been “too busy” to spend time in nature and would use the guidance to add this to her daily rituals.  The other woman wanted to begin creating art and would use the guidance as confirmation that she was on the right track. Two different actions from the same card!  This is why I love oracle decks, especially this one by Maillard.

This deck includes 49 cards, including a 13th Medicine Woman, which Maillard asks you to remove from the deck when doing the Medicine Wheel Spread.  I used it as a blessing for each person and shared the guidance as a bonus card. The cards are edged in gold, standard oracle card size and a nice weight.  The colors are vivid and printed in a matte finish.  

The guidebook is 196 pages and includes a table of contents, which is broken into the four sections.  However, due to the color coding of the cards and the matching colors in the guidebook, it’s not really necessary to refer to the table of contents. Maillard also includes a lengthy introduction and a section on how to use the cards.  At the end, there is a bibliography for more information.  Because of the information she provides, I feel that anyone from a beginner to expert reader can benefit from these cards.  She walks you step by step to create space for a reading and then to use the cards for guidance. 

Later in the week, I shuffled The Medicine Woman Oracle extensively to mix up the colors and sections and took them to my weekly “Coffee & Cards” group.  Each woman pulled just one card from the deck.  Again, I was amazed at the guidance and how each person was encouraged by the message she received.  One woman pulled one of the same cards she had received earlier in the week from her personal reading with me.  She said, “I guess I’ll have to really focus on that one!”

In the future, I’ll use these cards as a sign-off for my intuitive readings or for more detailed readings for women in transition.  I feel that these cards can truly benefit any woman who is on a quest to learn more about herself and her own healing capabilities.

Deep, Dark & Dangerous, by Stacey Demarco

Deep, Dark & Dangerous: The Oracle of the Beautiful Darkness, by Stacey Demarco and illustrated by Kinga Britschgi
Rockpool Publishing, 1922579076, 128 pages, 44 cards, October 2022

Where do you turn to when you want illumination on the darkness present in your life? Oracle cards are my go-to for all sorts of questions, but often for the deeper questions, the “love and light” aspects of many decks feels incomplete, leaving me longing for something more. Deep, Dark & Dangerous: The Oracle of the Beautiful Darkness by Stacey Demarco has become the missing link in my oracle readings, providing meaningful insights from the archetypal energies that lurk in our shadows and depths.

There’s a real potency to this deck. For the first time in a while, I took Demarco’s suggestion of a dedication ritual in the guide book and performed it before getting started. Admittedly, this is something I rarely do with oracle cards, but this deck inspired a certain reverence that made it feel necessary to brace myself and prepare properly. Just like how I dip my toes into a deep pool to test the warmth before diving in, I have been called to move more slowly with this deck as I do my readings – not wanting to pull too many cards at once and be overwhelmed by what energy is coming through the deck.

Luckily, Demarco is someone I trust to guide readers to meeting these mysterious energies with care. She has created dozens of oracle decks and books, including The Enchanted Moon, Plants of Power, Moon Magick, and The Halloween Oracle. For over 25 years she has shared her gifts as a pagan practitioner and modern witch, teaching how spirituality can be used to solve modern day problems. In the guidebook, she writes:

Confession: I’ve even carefully put the small strip of paper holding the new cards together back on after each reading. This might be my subconscious way of trying to “tame” these forces, which is no easy feat, as many spiritual practitioners know.

“If we decide to seek or even engage with these unconscious aspects of ourselves, these darker shadows, these ill-formed, half-created, seemingly ugly monsters of our unconscious, perhaps we can refine them, perhaps even reshape them into something exquisitely useful and beautiful.”1

The cards are divided into three types: dark, deep, and dangerous. The dark cards are filled with entities that reside in the darker places (Kali, Persephone, Anubis, Charon) while the deep cards are entities that reside deep within our psyche, the ocean, or other environments (Hydra, Selkie, Mermaid). My favorite ones are the dangerous cards that feature predatory entities that are often out to harm us, unless we attune our senses to the dangers at hand and heed their warning (Werewolf, Vampire, Medusa, Erinyes).

The guidebook provides a few ideas for spreads to use for the card, such as the Dark Moon Three-Card Draw and The Four Element Spread, along with guidance on how to tune in and pick the cards. Then for each card Demarco shares a paragraph-long oracle message, the dualistic qualities the card represents (ex. clarity/opaqueness or discipline/chaos), the mythos or story of the entity on the card, and finally, the plant and crystal companion. The oracle message might seem a little short, but I have found them so far to be very on-point for the questions I’ve asked. And I especially enjoy reading the background stories about all the dark, deep, and dangerous entities and the way Demarco relates them to modern life.

The cards are all numbered at the top and also state whether they fall into the deep, dark, or dangerous category. And on the card, there is a keyword provided at the bottom. Right below the keyword is the name of the entity featured on the card. The guidebook has all the cards listed numerically, which makes it quite easy to look up the oracle message.

As for the imagery on the cards, the illustrations by Kinga Britschgi perfectly capture the essence of each entity. Britschgi has a knack for detail that really brings each entity to life. The interplay of colors and shading make for eye-catching imagery. Some cards provoke a bit of fear, while others invoke a sense of wonder and awe, such as Kraken, featured to the right. 

I enjoy how the visuals sometimes give me a little shiver and remind me of the power in connecting with these unconscious forces. I am reminded of the thrill of taking a walk on the wild side. Britschgi’s images invoke the heightened sense of arousal that comes from letting the imagination linger in the darkness and depths, bringing to life what we might find in the shadows.

The card I pulled for today was Selkie. It is a depth card and the keyword is freedom. The duality is containment/freedom and pretense/authenticity. The oracle message encourages me to seek out my inner truth and embrace my authenticity, as that is ultimately the route to freedom.

This feels resonant with me, as I just made my first social media post in a while that detailed my inner journey of personal and emotional growth. It was scary to put myself out there instead of hiding behind the filters and hashtags, but sharing my feelings did indeed feel liberating. I take heart in Demarco’s message of how the selkie can find their way back home after being lost in a realm not of their own. She writes:

“Eventually, the selkie finds her skin and is reunited with her authentic form. Without a backward glance, she steps into it, and allows herself to be enveloped by her true shape once again and re-enters the aquatic world.”2

I just love how the mythos of the selkie is drawn upon to find meaning in my present circumstance. The entities in this deck really make one reflect on their own circumstance, delving into the parts of ourselves we keep tucked away, both consciously and unconsciously. Taking the time to go deep, embrace the darkness, and acknowledge the danger puts us in the position to discover new aspects of ourselves while also embracing shifts happening that are meant to steer us clear of potential downfalls.

All in all, Deep, Dark & Dangerous Oracle has quickly become one of my favorite decks. The card and messages ask you to be bold in acknowledging these entities. A whole world of exploration is opened if you have the courage to go beyond the realm of comfort. Facing what scares us the most is a great way to empower ourselves and discover just what we’re capable of, and this deck is the perfect way to gently ease your way into the unknown. I highly encourage those seeking to add a bit of mystery and intensity to their readings to see what dark and dangerous things might be hiding in their depths. I bet you’ll be surprised just how cathartic, transformative, and filled with beauty it can be to find out!

Soul Helper Oracle, by Christine Arana Fader

Soul Helper Oracle: Messages from Your Higher Self, by Christine Arana Fader and illustrated by Elena Dudina
Earthdancer, 978-1-64411-468-1, 43 cards, 128 pages, April 2022

When I first opened the Soul Helper Oracle: Messages from Your Higher Self by Christine Arana Fader, I was eager to start working with the deck. I shuffled for a bit, said my usual blessing for a new deck, asked a question, and selected a card. I pulled the “Success and Happiness Are Coming” card, which, ironically, is the card whose illustration by Elena Dudina adorns the box cover and the front of all of the cards.

I placed the card in front of me, spending time looking at the glorious illustration of a woman, her under-eye area ringed with small purple jewels, a crystal located over her third eye, and her flaming red hair crowned with peacock feathers. She tells me to enjoy and celebrate life – a message I definitely needed to hear.

Before looking up the card’s meaning in the accompanying small book, I read the introduction that explained how to use the cards, interpretation methods, and consulting an oracle. In hindsight, I would have been better served to have read the introduction that Christine offers first. She describes how the deck guides a person to notice when our souls are speaking to us (which is really all of the time) and to heed its advice, meaning to go deeper into the storm of life facing us to find peace, to search for the truth within, and recognize our potential.

The deck is meant to be used to discover the core issue facing us when a card is pulled, to find the essence of the matter at hand, and to work with the recommended soul helpers. To do so, she recommends pulling only one card and working with the issue at hand for 21 days.

This is not the deck to use for a fast answer, but rather to work with the four soul helpers associated with each card: power animals, herbal essential oils, healing crystals, and numbers. Through a deep 21-day dive on what is being communicated, your soul’s messages will reveal themselves. It is through this extended focus and soul support that the vibrations offered by the soul helpers can help bring “clarity, divine light, and wisdom and will immediately bring about a change for the better, opening doors and guiding you toward happiness.”1

The accompanying booklet describes the characteristics and associated vibrations of the four soul helpers and how to work with them over the 21 days. For example, with the herbal essential oils you can put the recommended oil in a diffusers, or onto your crown chakra, or spritz it in a spray bottle filled with spring water and the oil to mix with your aura.

I’ve lived with this deck for a few months, and just before sitting down to write this review, I pulled another card: “Nature is Calling You”. The card states Nature wants to touch, fulfill, and protect me with its healing powers. With a wink and a nod from my soul, this was the same card that I pulled three weeks ago. And, its message is one that I not only need to hear, but to believe and then live willing to accept the help that is given so freely to me by my soul.

The predominant color of this card is green. A girl clothed in what looks to be a bikini of green leaves, holds some moss to her ear, much like we sometimes hold seashells to our ear when at the ocean. Her head is cocked to one side as she listens, surrounded by ferns, a small waterfall in the background. The power animal of the card is a puma; the herbal essential oil is tea tree; the healing crystal is emerald; and the number is 2.

The wisdom of the card’s offering is spot on for me and it reminds me that the issue raised by the card is not necessarily an easy one but an urgent one. It resonates with me tremendously. I will willingly work with the four soul helpers, heed the message, and work on the prodding that tells me to let go of lower, negative energies and forgo the dark paths of victimhood and begin to shine in my true light instead.

Christine Arana Fader and Elena Dudin have birthed an amazing beautifully illustrated and written deck. I loved Christine’s statement that “your soul is telling you to enjoy life, even its storms and silences, to treat everything as if it were a game in which you are the winner. It tells you to have faith in yourself and your strengths, and to trust your own magic.”2 The challenge for me has been to actually live my belief in this. Working with this deck has given me guidance on how to trust my soul to guide me on this path and to not resist or overthink, or to allow myself to override the divine light of the soul.

I highly recommend Soul Helper Oracle but remind the reader that to fully access the help offered within that you really do need to sit with your chosen card and work with the associated four soul helpers for the 21 days. Invest the time in yourself, your soul is waiting for you to listen and work in concert. As Christine reminds us, “those things that you heal and liberate within yourself will heal and liberate the whole world.”3