What if the tarot you hold in your hands was also a pathway to discovering Renaissance wisdom?Tarot Emblemata: Decoding Magical Symbolism beautifully bridges the culture of the Renaissance and modern tarot reading. Inspired by Claude Paradin’s emblem book, Devises Heroïques (originally published in 1551), Nitasia Roland revives the intricate art of symbolic storytelling that once conveyed moral, philosophical, and mystical truths through image and maxim.
Unfamiliar with emblems, I immediately went to Roland’s introduction in the guidebook to better understand the deck’s concept. I learned how during Renaissance emblems were visual metaphors designed to convey moral lessons, awaken contemplation and insight, and share didactic information. Roland explains how Renaissance emblems were illustrations “accompanied by mottos of text and verse that allegorically and symbolically express sentiments, concepts, societal concerns, and parables that were current in the social and cultural life of 16th- and 17th century continental and Baroque Europe.”1
In Tarot Emblemata, Roland repurposes Paradin’s emblems, which can be viewed here, to provide a fresh twist on the traditional tarot cards. This unique deck is comprised of 83 full-color cards: the traditional 78 cards of the Major and Minor Arcana along with five additional oracle cards. Weaving the emblems of Paradin (as well as a few by Bernard Salomon from an updated 1557 edition) and Latin mottos into the tarot’s archetypal structure, Roland has created a deck that illuminates the timeless insights of the Renaissance. This truly unique approach makes for some interesting reads!
The deck comes in a sturdy, hardcover box, giving it gravitas and weight. The tactile linen finish on the cards makes them very easy to handle (I much prefer this finish to a smooth varnish or glossy laminate!). And the gilded silver edges add a little burst of elegance.
As for the design, Roland kept Paradin’s symbolic imagery and moral mottos, written in both Latin inscription and English, but brought them to life with color. At the bottom of each card is the name of the tarot card. The aesthetic is minimal yet steeped in mystique, the clean parchment background reminds me of illuminated manuscripts or alchemical engravings.
For those who are used to ornate or narrative tarot cards, this deck feels more refined, even cerebral. What’s interesting about the emblems is how the symbolic language they convey is universal enough to be widely accepted and spread yet personal enough to instill the meaningful message. The emblems give a new perspective on traditional tarot, compelling the reader to sit with the imagery and to ponder its message, despite the directness of the associated motto. In this way, readers can both get a straight-forward message that appeases the part of oneself that is searching for guidance as well as an esoteric illustration that ignites the subconscious.
Granted, those who heavily rely on context clues from more elaborately designed tarot decks might find the deck a bit harder to connect with, but for those already familiar with the general tarot card meanings, it’s fairly easy to see how the symbol aligns with the card. For me it is honestly refreshing to not be bogged down with elaborate illustration, allowing the interesting symbols to activate my psyche, prompting revelation. Roland writes:
“Drawing a card or interpreting a spread encourages personal transformation, allowing the reader to tap into the magical archetypes and the universal mysteries that Renaissance iconography and symbolism inspire, connecting you to the guidance of spirit via the wisdom of the seen and unseen worlds.”2
Accompanying the deck is the 192-page, full-color guidebook. It is about 5.5 by 7.5 inches big, about the size of a small book, and very easy to hold and read. There’s a foreword, introduction, messages for each card (including the five additional oracle cards) and spread suggestions.
What I absolutely love about the guidebook is how much detail Roland provides for each card. Written in 2nd person (you), Roland addresses the readers directly. While the cards themselves are very symbolic, the messages from Roland are filled with clarity and purpose, providing meaningful direction. Roland artfully translates the essence of the tarot card through the perspective of the Renaissance emblem and motto. She doesn’t skirt around the message, rather she hones in with skill and precision, delving right into the heart and soul of the card’s energy.
It’s quite evident the time and thought Roland put into matching each emblem with the corresponding tarot card archetype and then contemplating how to translate the card for readers in the guidebook. She hits the mark, having the traditional tarot meaning still present in each interpretation yet illuminating a novel perspective for readers to understand the tarot by filtering it through Paradin’s emblems and mottos.
For instance, The Hanged Man in this deck has the illustration of a rope hanging down from a cloud, piling on the ground, while another cloud has a hand holding a sword emerging from it about to slice the rope. The motto at the top reads, “I resolve all doubts by self-refelction”3. And the guidebook entry opens with this line:
“A severing blade and sword of divine wisdom and truth bring clarity after a time of being held up, where the clock seems to stop, and where inner reflection is the only choice to get you out of the snag you are in.”4
Ah, I just love how Roland conveys The Hanged Man without resorting to any of the trite and overused interpretations that can just make some guidebooks so boring. Dedicating two pages to each card, she provides a fantastic entryway into each card for readers, leaving them with plenty of information to further contemplate. Truly, I am deeply impressed by this guidebook and have really enjoyed reading Roland’s guidance for each card.
Plus, the additional five oracle cards are a real bonus. These cards – Ancestors, Libations, Sovereignty, Regeneration and Caduceus – give readings a real extra boost. The entry for these cards in the guidebook is a bit shorter, but it’s more than enough for readers to learn their meanings and skillfully weave these cards into their spreads. I get extra excited when I see one emerge in a reading!
Overall, Tarot Emblemata is a very interesting deck to work with. Roland offers a one of a kind approach to tarot that transports readers to the flourishing Renaissance. Somehow the deck is artfully able to be both universally enlightening and individually transformationing. For those looking for a creative re-envisioning of the tarot, especially if you enjoy ancient history, this deck is perfect for adding to your collection.
I’d recommend this deck to those who enjoy a dose of practical advice coupled with deeper spiritual insights. This is not simply a “deck for readings” but a tool for exploration, reflection, and developing one’s intuitive and symbolic literacy, priming the psyche with meaningful imagery to activate archetypes that continue to be relevant to spiritual growth and human development.
It’s one thing to memorize the meanings of tarot cards, but it’s another level entirely to weave them together into a story. Tarot as Storyteller: Psychic Development, Cartomancy, and Reading the Web of Fate by Salicrow is an engaging guide that invites readers to view their cartomancy practice not just as rote card-reading but also intuitive storytelling. Sharing her decades of wisdom, Salicrow teaches cartomancy as a psychic and intuitive art through which readers can become skillful narrators of the cards that are dealt.
Divided into three sections, the book begins with “Psychic Storytelling”, the foundational topics of the psychic arts and divination. Salicrow provides an overview of what it means to be a seer, delving into topics like the different ways to receive intuitive information, empathic abilities, cartomancy, and lunar and solar cycles. Filled with techniques ranging from opening the third eye to entering a light trance state, this section lays a great foundation for anyone performing readings. She also emphasizes the importance of self-care and personal healing work too, as this can fuel one’s psychic activities and shape one’s interpretation of the cards:
“Having walked through our wounding and out the other side we are often far more compassionate and understanding of other people’s situations, and sometimes our personal experience is what holds the best path for others as well.”5
From here, Salicrow moves into the art of storytelling through the cards. Salicrow offers methods for readers to tap into the living thread that connects the cards and querent, specifically tapping into the web of fate, seeing karma within the cards, and asking the right questions. All of this is done with integrity and ethical consideration, another topic Salicrow covers.
One of my favorite pieces of advice from this section was to create space in a spread or reading to hone in helpers. Salicrow writes, “we should docs on things like how the querent knows them, what they look like, what position do they hold, and the best way to contact them.”6 Reading this was like a huge dong on the head for me. I get so caught up in my own inner world during readings, leaning towards a spiritual interpretation, that I often forget the cards can also provide practical, direct guidance too.
I also extremely enjoyed Salicrow’s take on telling time in tarot. She offers some suggestions for telling time, but overall explains how timelines are always changing. I love her metaphysical explanation for why readers don’t always get the timing correct:
“People often change their own timing by rushing ahead or putting the brakes on after a reading.”7
Mind blown! I had never thought about how the reading in turn impacts the timeline of unfolding events.
Similarly, I enjoyed Salicrow’s approach to readings as open-ended rather than pre-determined. She encourages readers to keep going until a pathway that feels good is seen rather than accepting things as-is if it doesn’t feel right. Her techniques shared in the next section “Spreads and Layouts”, such as activated prayer, healing boards, and spellwork, give agency to the readers, allowing them to weave the web of fate through their focused intentions.
Within this second section, Salicrow also offers a variety of card spreads. There’s one for each turn of the Wheel of the Year, along with “soul-level card spreads”8 that assist with identifying soul purpose, querent’s magic, communication gifts, and more. She suggests exploring spiritual journeying, specifically through the story in the cards of one’s reading.
The final section, “The Tarot”, assists readers with creating their own personal connection to each card to draw upon when doing their readings. Salicrow writes:
“The images on the cards are interpreted through the psychic’s personal experiences and the knowledge they have obtained through study, which in turn translates into the information relative to the situation. The more personal experiences we have with a card, the broader our viewpoint.”9
To facilitate this relationship development with each card, Salicrow takes the readers through the Major Arcana, Suits/Minor Arcana, and Court Cards, offering a general description, what it means if you notice certain aspects of the card, and a guided meditation to journey with the card. I enjoyed reading this section, especially the way she groups the Minor Arcana cards. For each number, Salicrow covers all four suits at once, offering insights into commonality and contrasts within the cards. There’s also Rider-Waite-Smith pictures for each card, so readers can really get a good look at what’s being described even if they don’t have a deck on hand. At the end of this section, Salicrow covers numerology, offering yet another way to find the story within the reading.
There’s countless books on reading tarot, but Tarot as Storyteller really stood out as exceptional to me. I love all of the personal insight Salicrow incorporates into the book, as well as her overall approach to spirituality and tarot reading; I feel readers of all levels would benefit from her techniques, especially those of a beginner to intermediate level.
Approaching tarot through storytelling adds so many nuance layers, opening pathways for interpreting one’s readings and going deeper into the meaning of what the cards are revealing. This is where intuition, symbolism, and psychic awareness come alive, turning the assortment of cards within a reading into a cohesive narrative that speaks directly to the soul.
This book is perfect for those who want to hone their reading skills, especially if they have a goal of professionally doing readings. Reading tarot as a story moves the reading beyond card interpretation and into the realm of artistry, where intuition guides them to see the deeper message unfolding between the lines. True mastery of tarot comes not from reciting keywords, but from sensing the living thread that connects each card in a spread, and this is exactly what Salicrow teaches readers to do.
The Original Zodiac by Graham Phillips is a fascinating exploration into the origins of astrology, delving deep into the ancient roots of the zodiac signs and their historical significance. Known for his investigative approach to historical mysteries, Phillips brings readers on a journey to uncover the beginnings of the zodiac as we know it today. In this book, he takes us back to Mesopotamia to unearth eighteen signs of the zodiac.
Phillips is one-part historical detective and one-part adventurer, as he weaves together thought-provoking works on some of the greatest myths and legends of all time. He has penned books on King Arthur, Mother Mary, and the origins of Judaism, among others. Once a reporter for BBC radio, he also appeared in numerous TV documentaries and mini-series on similar topics. He lives in the Midlands of England. Learn more about him on his website.
Phillips sets out to challenge conventional wisdom about the zodiac, proposing that its origins lie not in Babylonian or Greek tradition as commonly believed, but much further back in time and in different cultures. The book is meticulously researched, drawing on archaeological findings, ancient texts, and astronomical observations to build a compelling case for a much older and, perhaps, more mysterious origin of astrological symbolism.
Instead of the well-known zodiac signs, Phillips “uncovers the original 18-sign zodiac, an ancient system that predates the familiar 12-sign zodiac by millennia.”10 In doing his research, Phillips finds and presents evidence that our birth date and time reveal much about each of us. While the Greeks created the 12-sign system we use today, the ancient ones in Mesopotamia used 20 degrees for each sign, thus eighteen symbols. They also assigned an animal to each sign.
“So, this 18-sign zodiac is thousands of years older than the one we are familiar with today. We don’t know what specific stars were incorporated into constellations to represent each of those ancient signs. Still, we know that the list began at the spring equinox and that the subsequent year was divided into 18 divisions of some 20 days each. These, therefore, appear to be the sacred creatures of the original Mesopotamian zodiac, with the dates covered by each birth sign.”11
Phillips writes how the oldest description of this 18-sign zodiac is on a clay tablet dating back to 686 BCE. Found in Mosul, an area in Northern Iraq once the ancient city of Nineveh, this artifact now resides in the British Museum. Basing his date calculator on this artifact and axis progression, Phillips was able to calculate the birth dates each sign falls within. While no artifacts or records exist detailing this original zodiac, Phillips recreated it based on his extensive research.
Over the course of several years, Phillips used his list of eighteen signs and collected tons of data. He writes how he “compiled an in-depth survey, recording people’s attitudes, opinions, likes, dislikes, hobbies, pastimes, employment, health, and many other factors, and found that those born in each sign did appear to share common traits well beyond what should be expected by chance.”12 He used this information to create his own interpretations of the 18-sign original zodiac. This approach is quite fascinating and reading the entries for each sign was insightful.
Instead of a Sagittarius Sun, as I am in the traditional zodiac, I am a Goat in this system. I read the section and agree with most of the qualities and characteristics Phillips presents. However, he makes several comments about physical qualities that didn’t fit.
Since my birthday is close to a cusp, or dividing line, chosen by Phillips, I decided to look at the sign prior to Goat, which is Horse. As I read the qualities of Horse, I began to see that I was a mix of both signs. The adventurous spirit of the Horse and the dedication of the Goat combine with other traits to create me!
Next, I read the section on Serpent to check the characteristics and qualities for my husband. For the most part, Phillips was accurate in his assessment. The only thing I found incorrect was the reference to “few suffer from digestive complaints.”13 My husband has a series of digestive problems and has struggled with these most of his life. The author’s reference to “intuition, imagination and versatility”14 for those born under the sign of the Serpent though is accurate for my husband.
Phillips brings his book together with notes that cover sources for much of his research as well as a two-page bibliography with even more information for those who would be interested in further study. The book is well researched; his dedication to the multi-year data collection project of numerous people and their lives is impressive. Phillips has created something to give modern day astrology students and practitioners a new way to view the zodiac signs and their meaning.
Overall, The Original Zodiac is a thought-provoking and ambitious work that will appeal to anyone interested in ancient history, mythology, and astrology. Phillips offers a compelling argument for re-examining the roots of the zodiac, combining meticulous research with an engaging narrative style. While some of his conclusions may be open to debate, the book succeeds in sparking curiosity and offering new perspectives on an ancient topic that continues to fascinate people today.
By questioning established beliefs, Phillips encourages readers to think critically about the history of astrology and its cultural impact. If you are intrigued by the mysteries of the past and enjoy books that challenge conventional wisdom, this book is certainly worth reading.
For many modern divination practitioners, myself included, the runes carry an energy that can feel sharply masculine, rooted in conquest, battle, and the legends of Odin. However, this perspective overshadows the quieter, more cyclical wisdom that also flows through these ancient symbols too. Born from the living earth, carved from wood and stone, whispering the language of nature long before patriarchal retellings reshaped their origins, the symbols on the runes have an even deeper history that still can be connected with today.
In The Goddess Casts the Runes, Anu Dudley offers a reimagined perspective on the Elder Futhark runes, shifting away from the more dominant Odin-/Viking myths to place them in the context of veneration for the Mother Goddess. Dudley offers a pathway to re-envisioning the runes with a more balanced lens that honors the feminine, intuitive, and nurturing forces of creation. Reading the runes from this perspective highlights the relatedness, responsiveness, and receptiveness of feminine energy, which Dudley asserts is most aligned with their original essence reflective of the Mother Goddess, described as “the Divine Entity who created life and endowed it with strength, compassion, and wisdom.”14.
“The purpose of this book is to provide an ecofeminist, Earth-based perspective on the runes that takes into account salient principles of feminism, environmentalism, and the sacredness of the Earth as well as the archeological, mythological, spiritual, and etymological origins and significance of the runes. It reclaims the runes for the Mother Goddess, whose grace and power these ancient symbols were originally created to honor.”15
“Part 1: Reclaiming the Runes for the Goddess” has three sections. First, Dudley explains the origins of the runes in relation to the Mother Goddess. Next, she provides an overview of Odin and how the runes were “won” through his sacrifice, which mythologically was representative of the shift from a worship of the Mother Goddess to a male dominated patriarchal culture. And just as a note for readers, these sections are only a few pages, summarizing huge portions of history into a quick framework for understanding the context of this book.
In the final section of part one, Dudley offers guidance on casting the runes. She covers topics like crafting your questions, selecting your tools, and how to interpret the way the runes land. Though this section is introductory, I found it quite insightful. Dudley goes into how to notice the overall shape along with advice for interpreting the way runes land, such as “dark” or facedown, on their side, or even overlaying one another. She even provides a sample of a reading to provide clarity.
“Part 2: Reading the Runes” moves into the “historical, spiritual, and mythological exploration of each rune”16 from this feminine-centered perspective. Dudley has re-visioned the three Aetts of the runes into Maiden, Mother, and Crone. For those who read the runes in the traditional manner, the overall interpretation of each one does not change too much, however the way Dudley highlights where the Goddess is present in each interpretation, definitely brings in a new perspective. She reframes the runes as part of a broader, more inclusive spiritual tradition tied to Earth, nature, and the divine feminine.
Here are some examples of the way Dudley weaves in feminine wisdom, spiritual insight, and ecological awareness:
• For the rune Gebo in the Maiden aett, Dudley describes how as “children of the Earth, we are natural givers”17. From our gratitude of the world around us to our physical exhalation of carbon dioxide to plants, we are inherently giving creatures. She ties this into the traditional meaning of the rune as the “Marriage Rune”, where we are giving of ourselves to another.
• For the rune Jera in the Mother aett, Dudley introduces Near Eastern goddess Jerah, who was descended from Vedic goddess Jara, ruler of “cycles of time and transformation”18. The natural cycle of things are used as examples of time management and inherent responsibilities that come along with the tending of our harvest.
• For the rune Inguz in the Crone aett, Dudley notes how the sacred yoni, the portal of birth, was known as the Earth Diamond, symbolized in this rune. She writes, “The diamond shape is made by taking a square, a classic earth symbol and tipping it up on one of its corners so that it radiates vibrancy and creativity, the essential elements of fertility.”19
It’s truly fascinating to learn about the goddess associations for each rune, along with how Dudley ties in the aspects of nature that reflect the rune’s meaning as well as other symbolism that brings forth a deeper feminine meaning. This feminine-rooted, earth-centered approach brings the runes to life for me in a whole new way. Suddenly, there’s goddesses I can learn more about or connect with spiritually to enhance my understanding of the meaning. I can see runic insight happening in nature as the wind blows or seasons turn. I can apply this knowledge for reflection, divination, and meditation that reflects my personal values of compassion, connection, and balance with Mother Earth.
Overall, The Goddess Casts the Runes is a refreshing and empowering reclamation of an ancient divinatory system that has skewed too far into patriarchal territory. Dudley beautifully restores the runes to their earthy, life-giving roots, illuminating the presence of the Goddess within each symbol. This approach brings new insight into rune meanings as well as a deeper spiritual framework that centers on feminine, Earth-based spirituality.
I highly recommend this book for those who are seeking to work with the runes not just as symbols, but as living tools for spiritual insight, ecological awareness, and feminine wisdom. In reclaiming the runes through the lens of the Earth Mother, Dudley invites readers to reconnect with the sacred cycles of nature and rediscover the divine balance within creation, reawakening the intuitive and nurturing aspects of the runes. The Goddess Casts the Runes ultimately reminds us that divination is not only about seeking answers but about entering into relationship with the land, the symbols, and the living wisdom of the Goddess herself.
Crystals and chakras share a natural harmony, both working through the subtle language of energy. The many crystals and chakras each vibrate at their own frequencies aligned with certain energetic states, which when attuned to can shift one’s state of being, such as deepen spiritual awareness, enhance emotional healing, or promote mental clarity. When used together, crystals can act as tuning tools for chakras, helping to clear blockages, amplify the flow of life force energy throughout the body, and activate the energy of each chakra.
In Crystal Alchemy Oracle, creator Kate Mantello, renown for her work in crystal therapy, brings the vibrational medicine of crystals into a beautifully-structured deck that guides readers in working with crystal energies for personal growth and transformation. Filled with a luminous fusion of crystal wisdom, energy healing, and spiritual insight, each card captures the essence of a specific crystal and chakra while also inviting readers into a meditative dialogue with their own intuition. And thus, the alchemical process begins!
“Life itself is built on the backbone of alchemy, the underlying principle that teaches us that the highest and purest expression of ourselves comes when our energetic offerings are of higher value than the energy we consume to create them. It is the process of turning our fears into strengths, knowledge into wisdom and shadows into light.”15
Within the guidebook Mantello offers plenty of insight about how to best work with this deck. She teaches readers how to understand and use the cards, provides insight on finding one’s own meaning for the cards, shares how to cleanse and protect them, guides how to use the cards intuitively, and offers spreads to use for this deck.
The deck is structured by chakra, which all have their own color. Going beyond the traditional seven chakras (Root, Sacral, Solar Plexus, Heart, Throat, Third Eye, Crown), Mantello also includes the Soul Star Chakra and Earth Star Chakra. For each chakra, there’s four different cards, each represented by a crystal, bringing the deck to a total of 36 cards. The gilded red edges of the card make for a fun shuffle and visually appealing aesthetic.
My initial impression of the deck was that it is whimsical, light, and ethereal. When I first opened the deck and saw the rainbow of colors, I felt a tingle go up my spine, as though just holding the deck made my chakras come alive. The illustrations by Amy Salomone seem to shimmer with the living energy of the crystals themselves. Yet when I dove deeper into the deck, I saw that amid the beauty there was also plenty of deeper spiritual knowledge; it’s not all light and love – the shadow too has a place in this deck as a base to start our transformation with.
Salomone’s artwork, which is delicately layered in a collage-like format, evokes the natural attraction of each crystal while also capturing the chakra energy that the crystal represents. Filled with symbolism, each card has its own special energy that covers the full range of human emotion within the deck. It’s gorgeous how Salomone bridges anatomy, crystals, spheres of light, celestial objects, plants, animals, and sacred geometry to show the progression from the cards representing deep Earth through the human body up to the stars.
The soft yet radiant images create a surreal quality that evokes both the geological beauty of crystals and their metaphysical resonance. These are cards that I absolutely want to keep on an altar where I can see them over and over again to meditate on them daily. Each card feels like a sacred portal, providing the visual stimulus to activate the chakra energy.
One thing I love about Crystal Alchemy Oracle is how you can access the frequency and move through the alchemical process without needing to purchase or work with the actual crystal. This saves a lot of time, money, and energy that would otherwise be spent hunting for the right crystal; the deck is more than enough to activate the energy on its own, making it a potent yet practical tool to have on hand! This also provides new ways to learn about the crystal through Salomone’s symbolic depictions and Mantello’s oracle insights.
For each guidebook entry, Mantello has provided a spirit and shadow keyword, key energies, affirmation, healing opportunity, and crystal alchemy. The crystal alchemy section “includes practical suggestions and prompts” for working the crystal that highlight its properties based on “colour, mineral composition, energy and shape.”20
Together, Mantello’s insights provide plenty for readers to reflect on to assess the current energy in play. Being able to acknowledge the healing opportunity presenting itself and then also read the crystal alchemy section for guidance on what practical things can be done to realign this energy is very useful. I appreciate when a deck is direct yet leaves plenty of room for the reader’s intuition to be heard too, which is just what Mantello has made happen in Crystal Alchemy Oracle.
So far, I keep pulling Star Soul Chakra cards. Mantello explains how this chakra is a very high vibration, connecting acting as a “doorway through which you can connect with your higher self and the spiritual realm.”21 Crystals in this suit, such as Clear Quartz and Apophyllite, have shifted my attention to my greater life purpose and how reaching this potential requires releasing old trauma to allow for deep healing to occur. As I realign my direction right now, it actually feels good to rip the band aid off some wounds I’d been neglecting to truly look at and tend to with care. Based on this guidance, I am spending more time outside having quiet moments to listen for higher wisdom, opening up to the advice of my spirit guides and divine protectors.
Overall, Crystal Alchemy Oracle is a beautifully crafted deck that merges crystal guidance with energy work through the chakras. There’s so many ways one can work with this deck, including for divination purposes, deepening one’s spiritual connection, facilitating personal growth through inner wisdom, or to do energy work. It can serve as a daily source of affirmation, a companion in meditation, or a way to align one’s energy with specific intentions. The versatility of this deck makes it a wonderful, multi-purpose tool.
This oracle deck is ideal for readers who want to deepen their relationship with crystals, energetic anatomy, or intuitive healing. The combination of Mantello’s crystal therapy expertise and Salomone’s ethereal artistry creates a sublime experience that feels nurturing, radiant, and deeply empowering when reading with this deck. It’s perfect for healers, intuitives, and anyone drawn to the subtle conversation between crystals, body, and soul.
Throughout history, mythical creatures have served as reflections of humanity’s hidden emotions, instincts, and mysteries. From dragons breathing the fires of transformation to mermaids singing of love’s depths, these beings live in the realm between imagination and truth animated by the unseen forces that shape our lives. In tarot, they become messengers from the mythic realms, guiding readers toward greater self-awareness and spiritual insight.
The Mythical Creatures Tarot by Jayne Wallace invites readers to step into this enchanted landscape, where every card holds the spirit of a legendary mythic being, pairing their ancient wisdom with the guidance of tarot. This approach adds a deeper layer of meaning to the tarot cards, reminding readers that myth and magic are always alive in our everyday experiences and that these sacred guardians are here for counsel. Serving as a bridge between reader and these magical creatures, this deck is a reminder that myth and intuition often go hand in hand.
There’s a special feeling when opening a new tarot deck and the packaging and presentation of The Mythical Creatures Tarot add to the tactile and collectible appeal. This deck is housed in a sturdy keepsake box illustrated with a luminous full moon circled by two air dragons hovering above a serene body of water. Opening this box reveals a large, full-color, hardback illustrated guidebook. And underneath this is the deck itself in yet another hardbound case, safely housing the mystery and magic of this deck, with a beautiful blue ribbon to assist with pulling it out. There’s also a blue ribbon within this case holding the deck to once again aid in collecting the cards easily into one’s hands.
The matte cards are nice and large. They’re bigger than your average card deck, yet still a good size to hold in one’s hands. My first impression was how smooth the cards were; there was no friction when shuffling and none of the cards stuck together. The cards have nice weight to them too, adding a palpable pleasure to the physicality of working with this deck.
The artwork on the cards is soft, dreamlike, and filled with gentle movement, creating a sense of stepping into a living scene. Each card is rendered in delicate watercolor tones that blend earthiness with ethereal light, giving the deck a serene yet mystical tone. The imagery feels both ancient and timeless with the mythical beings depicted with grace and reverence, harmonizing with natural landscapes of misty woods, glowing skies, and flowing waters. There’s a gentle blur to the artwork too that allows for the mind to release its grip, opening up to the blending of the fantastic and familiar for new insights when gazing at the cards.
Most imagery on the cards align with the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) illustrations, giving experienced readers a familiar foundation for their readings. Yet it is not to the point where it is a mirror of the RWS deck; there’s plenty of creative interpretation in the depiction of the legendary beings and nature-filled landscapes. Wallace includes the card name and one keyword on the card for readers to be able to quickly discern the card, yet there’s still plenty of visual space for the eyes to wander and contemplate the messages coming through visually. The symbolism of the chimeric creatures opens up a whole new array of interpretations in a reading, providing a fresh perspective on the traditional card meanings by infusing them with mythic insights.
As for reading the cards, the Major Arcana is a mix of different mythological beings, including Griffin, Kraken, Pegasus, Centaur, and more. The Minor Arcana suits follow elemental creature associations:
For those who are new to mythological beings, Wallace has included a list in the guidebook providing a short description of each one. She also includes guidance on reading the cards in this deck and ideas for spreads to use.
For each card entry in the guidebook, Wallace has shared the name and main keyword at the top, followed by a few more key words, description of the scene the card depicts, card meaning, mythical message, and an affirmation. She writes with a tender tone, offering heartfelt wisdom. The card meanings are distilled from her tarot expertise spanning decades, while the mythical messages perfectly translate the traditional tarot meaning into a greater archetypal message that resonates on a soul level.
I particularly love how the guidebook is a well-bound hardback that’s extremely easy to hold in one’s hands with a ribbon to mark the current page. As someone who enjoys journaling, this makes it very easy to refer to the guidebook while I’m recording my thoughts because it’s easy to flip from one page to the next. Plus, the full-scale, colored image right next to the card’s message is perfect for contemplation.
So far, I have really enjoyed this deck because the elemental symbolism of the Minor Arcana makes me feel intuitively connected to the natural rhythms of the world around me. I love working with elemental beings (especially merfolk!), and I feel this deck really serves as a bridge, connecting readers to this realm. While there’s decks devoted solely to many of these creatures, such as dragons and phoenixes, it’s nice to have them all come together in unity within this deck.
There’s something about stepping away from the humanness within the RWS deck or other traditional tarot cards that prompts revelation. The archetypal energies of the tarot are given a new avenue of expression, and Wallace has done a magnificent job translating the grandiose essence of these mythical creatures into applicable and meaningful guidance. It’s easy and very human to get caught up in the fear of the unknown, turning to the tarot for answers about what lies ahead or the best course of action. But the mythical creatures of this deck remind us of our inner strength, imaginative freedom, and flowing connection to the special energies these legendary beings share with us.
Overall, The Mythical Creatures Tarot is a beautiful and powerful addition to the tarot world. It’s ideal for readers who are drawn to mythology, folklore, and imaginative reimaginings of the cards that stretch beyond traditional interpretations. Those who appreciate a touch of fantasy in their readings will find the vibrant depictions of legendary beings both enchanting and immersive, especially if they enjoy working with elemental forces or mythic symbolism. Readers of all levels will find Wallace’s interpretations accessible, inspiring, and heartfelt, guiding them toward deeper understanding and self-discovery through the wisdom of these extraordinary creatures. It’s definitely a deck that I will be turning to again and again!
Shadows of Tarot by Emma Howard is a beautifully presented tarot spread journal. I loved the aesthetic the moment I laid eyes on it. The red and black hardcover journal with all the moths on the cover– three of my favorite things wrapped in one journal. Plus, the ribbon bookmark is nice to have so I don’t lose my place!
If you love tarot spreads like I do and you’re currently working on the shadow aspects of yourself, this journal will help give you better insight. At the start we are greeted by a guide on how to use this journal. There’s a side with the tarot spread and a side with questions and prompts, laying the blueprint for all the future queries.
Then journal gets right into the spreads. There’s a lot of good spreads in this book– 66 in total! Each spread has a different amount of cards, most of which are around 5-7 cards. The longest one in the journal is at the beginning and is called the “Long Bag”. I decided to pick out the spread that called to me most and tried it out. The spread I tried out was “Hidden Depths”.
“Hidden Depths” helps you to understand both conscious and hidden traits. It’s all about self-discovery and understanding. For this spread I used my deck Magic of Tarot by Liz Dean. Each respective question for the pull was as follows:
“What unknown trait lies within my shadow self?” “How does this hidden trait manifest in my daily life?” “What messages does my shadow self have for me?” “How can I bring this shadow aspect to consciousness?” “What gift does this shadow aspect hold for me?”
The cards I pulled respectfully one through five were Page of Cups, Five of Cups, Nine of Wands, Two of Cups, Knight of Swords.
This reading made a lot of sense to me. Since the Page of Swords was upright, my mind instantly went to imagination. Lately, every now and then, my mind has been flickering to self doubt in the path I’m forging as an artist and writer; I’ve been down on myself for lacking in imagination. Five of Cups was reversed and that told me my worry and doubt blocks my manifesting of my imagination. I’ve been working hard on overcoming these traits. This reading has been an eye opener for me to understand that all I need is already what I have within me. I don’t need to doubt myself.
Nine of Wands reversed told me to stop letting my stress and pressure consume me, which with what I just explained, yes, yes I do. Two of Cups being upright on the other hand reminded me that meeting other creatives is the boost I need. I just have to overcome my social anxiety (huge shadow right there). So far I’m slowly coming out of my shell; I just think patience is needed on my end. Lastly Knight of Swords reversed, the gift of unavoidable challenges, made a lot of sense. This one reading alone was enough to impress me.
The top of the question/prompt side has a line to rewrite an affirmation and a line to record the deck used that day. There’s plenty of space for you to write your interpretation. There’s also lines for reflecting on what the higher self feelings the reading is about and the actions the reading inspires. For instance, for the question the journal asks, “How does this reading inspire me to take action?”, I wrote: “It inspires me to combat all of the challenges in my way.” This reading gave me a lot of realization that I needed.
There’s also lines to fill out the most prominent shadow in this reading, reflective thoughts and feelings, and the elemental influence. Water was my biggest elemental influence for this reading. I took that as a sign that I’m more in-tune with my emotions than I realize or give myself credit for.
All the more that I can say is I’m really impressed with Shadows of Tarot and I enjoyed the tarot spread and filling out the questions. It’s great because for me this really gave me a mental check in. It made me realize I’m straying from what I’m trying to not be anymore. If you’re looking for more insight into yourself, want to check in where your shadow is at, or start your shadow journey with tarot, this is the journal for you. It is great for beginners and experienced readers!
At the same time, it was interesting to learn about Appalachia from a Southerner’s experience. I loved reading Middleton’s experiences and travels down South in addition to the history. Chapter one, “The Southern Hills of Appalachia: Welcome Home”, did an excellent job at summarizing the history of the region. Middleton provides a nice overview of the Civil War. We can never forget the history that shaped these mountains. Out of the two other books I’ve read on Appalachian magic, this is the first book I’ve read that included the Civil War. It was a great refresher for me!
Chapter two, “On Front Porches and in Garden Beds: Folkways of the Southern Mountaineer”, covers a typical homestead and gardening. One thing I’ll have to try out once I have the yard space is planting by the moon cycle! Also covered in this chapter is the kitchen, where we also get our first spell to try out. The next topic that is covered is folk art, and then faith is also discussed as well.
That brings us to chapter three, “By the Devil’s Hand: Witchery in Southern Appalachia”, which goes more in depth on faith in the Appalachians. I enjoyed all the local witch tales, especially Uncle Johnnie’s story. Chapter four, “To Help or to Harm: Southern Mountain Folk Practioners”, goes over the different types of practitioners found in the region, superstitions, and what items are used. Chapter five, “The Mountain’s Helping Hands: Folk Healing in Southern Appalachia”, goes deeper into practices such as healing, dreams, cartomancy, and even commonly used herbs!
Then that brings us to the last two chapters. Chapter six, “A Tale Worth Telling: Exploring Southern Appalachian Superstitions, Stories, and Omens” shares more stories and superstitions from the Appalachia’s, while chapter seven, “The Finished Binding” gives more insight on the practice and concludes the book.
Overall, Magic from the Hilltops and Hollers is very meaningful and well written. I didn’t get a chance to try the “From Mamaw’s Book of Spells” sections yet, but I do plan on doing some of these soon like the Apple jam and biscuits for connection. I will make this when I have company over!
I really enjoyed every last second I spent with this book. A lot of these superstitions and stories are things I was hearing for the first time, but it is true when Leah writes:
“The region is vast, with many hands involved. I have met practitioners from the same county whose work varies from my own.”1
This is all seemingly very accurate based on what I’ve personally experienced within the practice myself and what I’ve read, heard, and researched on this practice thus far. I think this is a great book for those who live in Appalachia or may want to connect with ancestors from the region, those who enjoy witchy history, or those who just want to seek out spiritual practices in America. Also, for the intermediate witch looking to expand their magical knowledge, this is a good book for you!
Feral Magick: Unleash Your Inner Animal Self by Denny Sargent is an insightful read on the world of animism. The book’s title initially is what caught my attention. I have no experience with animism or with feral magic, but this book is a perfect stepping stone for those who want to have a deeper connection with the animal spirit inside of them.
“When you “wake up” to the wild world of Neo-Animism, you find yourself in a world that is filled with many amazing spirits and awesome powers.”21
The book is divided into two parts: “Discovering Wild Nature” and “Feral Magick Practices”. “Discovering Wild Nature”, which goes through chapter six, is described as a sort of spiritual training manual, while “Feral Magick Practices” is preparing us for more complex work.
In the beginning of part one, we learn how to connect with that animalistic side by reconnecting with nature and the spirits of nature. Sargent teaches how to become more open to the wild and work alongside your spirit animal. With all of this being a very new topic for me, Sargent explained the process of getting connected and in tune with these animal spirits quite well in chapter two, “Return to Deep Nature”, and in chapter three, “Sensing Nature”. She guides you into reconnecting with nature spirits by listening and paying attention to the sounds around you, taking in the scent of the forest around you, and just simply relying on your senses to connect you on a deeper level with the animal spirit.
Then after connection comes working on intuition, instinct, and insight. Some other things covered are working with the primal spirits, how to differentiate from helpful and harmful spirits, and how to approach each one. Chapter six, “Communing with Nature Spirits” goes over learning about the spirit-kin and how to work with it. I was very excited to see Eikthyrnir being mentioned when learning about divine associations! Great example!
Then we move into part two, which gets into the nitty gritty of it all, the more complicated work. Chapter Seven covers what tools are used and what is needed for a proper altar. Then the rest of the chapters into this go into the more intermediate topics. Chapters Eight through Chapter Sixteen cover topics ranging from unleashing your animal self and discovering the Genius Loci to classifying the sacred animals, bonding and trance states, and shapeshifting.
I found it cool to learn about the Ulchi people. I’ve never heard of them before so I ended up doing my own learning adventure on the tribe. This gave me more insight on how other tribes practice animism, such as the Hopi that were also mentioned. Sargent was very helpful in providing a history lesson on animism. It’s extraordinary to think that this practice goes all the way back to 100,000 years ago!
Another thing this book taught me was how to slip into a liminal state. The method taught by Sargent really seemed to help me more than the other methods I’ve been trying. Right now, I don’t feel ready to try more advanced exercises or practices, but some of the practices I do daily are meditation and journaling. Down the line, I think trying the dream magick practice in this book down the line would be fun. I also might try out the “Recapturing Spirits of Childhood” practice too.
I would say once you are on the part of your journey where you’ve acquired the knowledge and the confidence to try a new path, this would be the time to get Feral Magick; it’s best for an intermediate witch. Additionally, if you are looking into nature-based paths, I would recommend adding this to your reading list. As Sargent writes, “Everything about feral magick and Neo-Animism is about nature. Everything.”22 The topics in this book are very interesting and worth the knowledge!
Across cultures and centuries, stories of extrasensory perception have surfaced like whispers from the unseen world. From the visions of ancient Greek oracles to the ancestral wisdom carried in Indigenous traditions across the world, humanity has always grappled with the possibility that our senses extend far beyond what can be measured or explained. In Telepathic Tales: Precognition and Clairvoyance in Legend, Lyric and Lore, Daniel Bourke takes readers on a cross-cultural voyage through these extraordinary experiences, documenting accounts both mythical and lived. With care and curiosity, he invites us to view them as meaningful parts of the human story.
Daniel Bourke is an Irish poet, songwriter and author. He has published articles in a number of journals and magazines, as well as Apparitions at the Moment of Death in 2024. He is expected to publish Déjà Rêvé and Love at Second Sight: The Experience of Meeting in Dreams before Meeting in Life in 2026.
Beginning each chapter with a provocative quote, Bourke dives into the material with the first few pages. There is no preamble or explanation, just a thorough presentation of clairvoyance and examples of intuition and foresight. From this discussion, he moves into visions; visions where people said, “I knew you were in trouble.”23
“The unconscious helps us by communicating things, or making figurative illusions. It has other ways, too, of informing us of things which by all logic we could not possibly know. -Carl Gustav Jung”24
Burke shares several stories about people in the medical industry who received messages or visions regarding patients and were able to get to them in time to render lifesaving aid. In fact, he notes a book that shares many examples of “nonverbal and potentially telepathic Interactions between therapists and their patients.”25 This is something I had never considered, although I have experienced telepathic messages from my husband and other family members and friends.
Next, Bourke takes us on a journey to learn more about deathbed visions, telepathic messages, and unusual phenomena. This subject is covered in two different chapters and relates to “nearing death awareness”26 and “dreams of the dying”27.
“That the mortally afflicted person might attain a prophetical or divinatory ability is an idea as old, as we have seen, as are the deathbed visions of Gilgamesh.”28
My favorite story in this chapter relates to a man in his seventies, who passed away on a Tuesday in Connecticut, only a day after his sister passed away in Ohio. Before his passing, he mentioned seeing his sister Mary in the hospital. At this time, no one knew that Mary had died. He and Mary had been very close. There were other stories of people looking up to the ceiling and carrying on conversations with people who had gone on before them. In my own life, when my aunt was passing, she said that she could see her mother standing by her bed. My grandmother had died about 30 years prior.
In subsequent chapters, Bourke discusses zombies and vampires as well as “cross cultural ESP”29, the origins of plant cures, and the idea of shared visions or dreams. He includes stories and research from many countries, different cultures, and varied spiritual traditions. For example, He discusses the South American Tukano and their medicine men. The Tukano believe that the creator of the Universe gave them a special plant known as curare. They also believe that “their botanical knowledge was derived from plant-induced hallucinations.”30
Bourke also includes many other tales of cures and medical aid. One story involves the Cherokee Indians who believe that “the spirit of the appropriate plant will suggest the proper remedy in a dream.”31 I love this! My family can trace its lineage to a Cherokee woman in the 1800’s.
Bourke has structured this book as a patchwork of short stories, vignettes, and interludes. Some stories are starkly realistic, set in familiar neighborhoods and workplaces; others are more surreal, evoking a dreamlike feel. This narrative mosaic allows Bourke to explore the concept of telepathy and dreams through a variety of lenses (social, psychological, philosophical) without ever letting the book feel repetitive or preachy.
Stylistically, Bourke is a master of restraint and suggestion. He can describe the most fantastic phenomena in prose that is understated and elegant. His character sketches are insightful and compassionate. And, as a careful researcher, each story and each example is documented in the exhaustive notes and bibliography sections. He even includes a lengthy index to allow the reader to find and review information or stories in the book.
Beyond its carefully researched myths, tales, and stories, Telepathic Tales is a book of ideas. Bourke is clearly fascinated by the philosophical and spiritual implications of telepathy, not only as a type of futuristic communication, but as a metaphor for empathy, compassion and understanding. Throughout the collection, he engages playfully but seriously with questions of consciousness: Are we truly ourselves if our thoughts are never private? How might empathy lead to harmony, or can perfect understanding breed new forms of conflict?
The stories do not provide easy answers, instead inviting the reader to grapple with ambiguity and uncertainty. In this way, his book belongs to the best tradition of spiritual non-fiction, which use the tools of imagination to work within his framework of research and storytelling. Bourke is truly an anthropologist of dreams, telepathy, and near-death experiences. I enjoyed his writing style and the stories he shares so that we can better understand the spirit world and our part within it.
Telepathic Tales would be enjoyed by a person who is newly awakening or newly learning about spirit communication, as well as someone who has been studying telepathy and dreams for a long time. I will be recommending this book to my clients and mentoring students. The real-world examples of spirit communication and telepathy will be supportive and empowering to those who are traveling on a spiritual path.
“What we do know is that a large minority of people all over the world commonly experience contact with their dead – sometimes regularly, sometimes as one-offs – and that there is both an academic and a personal need to know why. -Alan Kellehear”32
