Spirits in Flowers Oracle Deck, by Gillian Kemp and illustrated by Carolina Zambrano
CICO Books, 9781800653788, 128 pages, 52 cards, February 2025
In Spirits in Flowers Oracle Deck, Gillian Kemp has assembled ancient wisdom and myth surrounding 52 flowers from Mother Nature. From the beautiful floral illustrations to the information on color meanings, Kemp creates a deck of guidance and hope.
Gillian Kemp is an author of more than ten books, six other oracle decks, and a Love Spell Box for enhancing your love life. She is a clairvoyant who utilizes astrology, tarot, and playing cards, as well as palmistry and tea leaves to predict the future for her clients. She is also a medium, who receives messages from those on the other side. You can learn more about Kemp on her website.
Carolina Zambrano is a graphic designer and artist. She also works as a Jungian art therapist. She loves to create art that is part of a symbolic, magical, and alchemical world. She has won awards in many Latin American countries, as well as Europe. She is originally from Colombia and now lives in Argentina. For more information about Zambrano, you can view her website.
Once again, Kemp has created a magical set of cards, complete within the two-part box set that protects the cards and showcases the beautiful artwork. Kemp dedicates the first twenty-three pages of the guidebook to her introduction, a note about flowers and time, and how to use flowers for divination. She also discusses various spreads and a way to use the cards for “Yes” or “No” questions. Sprinkled throughout the book are photos of the cards in brilliant four-color.
There’s also a list of scented and unscented flowers, as well as a spread for learning more about what the year following your birthday holds in store. Additionally, there is a future spread that makes use of seven cards.
Kemp dedicates two pages to each flower and shares additional information on the meaning of the various colors one might find for each flower. If a specific flower is recognized for an anniversary or other celebration, Kemp mentions this. Flowers for each month are also noted, as well as any superstition or custom. For example, growing Lily-of-the-valley can be used “to ward off evil from the home.”1
In addition to the numbered list of flowers in the opening pages, Kemp has provided an index. This alphabetical listing of each flower not only includes the two pages for each bloom, but also any mentions on other pages that might be relevant for the reader.
To test drive the deck, I took it to my Friday Coffee & Cards group. One friend drew the Amaryllis card. She shared the following:
“The deck is so sweet, and I particularly like the way she accents the flowers with insects. This adds another layer to the guidance.”
Another friend drew the Hyacinth card, which spoke of “fresh starts and positive changes.”2 My friend related that she was ready for a new beginning after recently retiring from her corporate position.
Next, I posted an invitation on Facebook for my friends to select one of three cards. Later that day, I shared the flower that had been drawn and a brief message from the guidebook.
One card was Rose, which speaks of romance and secrets, as well as the idea that someone from your past might reenter your life. A friend sent me this message regarding the guidance:
“Wow! Someone I’ve known since childhood resurfaced. Let’s just say it’s complicated. I’ve asked myself, ‘What did I intend this for?’. And the answer is being tender, understanding, compassionate and present with myself regardless, so that I am able to be that in the world.”
The second card I drew for this reading was Peony and one friend wrote to me to say that her Spirit Guide is named Peony. She took this message to confirm something for which she asked for support earlier that day.
Another friend also selected Peony, and she shared that the message rang true for her. “I love and care with every fiber of my body. I also feel that this is my year of great change,” she said.
The last card I shared was Forget-Me-Not and another friend sent me a message that this card and its uplifting message confirmed a trip to the beach that she was about to plan. She hadn’t told a soul and felt that this message was her confirmation to go for it!
Overall, Kemp and Zambrano have created a set of gorgeous cards, complete with a treasure trove of the history, myth, and language of flowers. Spirit in Flowers Oracle Deck would be great for anyone looking for a beautiful, easy to use divination tool. The guidebook is written in a conversational style that is easy to read and understand. I plan to add this one to the decks that I use at the end of client readings; I feel that the wisdom in this deck is the perfect way to close a reading.
PJ Spur is an author, intuitive, spiritual mentor, astrologer, and hypnotist. She does tarot & oracle card readings, natal chart readings, grief coaching, and relationship healing. She also has hosted a weekly “Coffee & Cards” event with her Soul Compass Community for the past four years. Her book Navigating Grief with Grace is available on Amazon. Learn more at www.dearpj.com