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The Wisdom of Birds, by Raxenne Maniquiz

The Wisdom of Birds, by Raxenne Maniquiz
Rizzoli Universe, 0789346311, 96 pages, 40 cards, March 2026

There’s no shortage of animal-based oracle decks, and birds are a popular choice. They carry centuries of symbolism — omens, messengers, watchers between worlds. Most modern decks lean hard into that without much restraint, layering atmosphere on top of atmosphere until the cards become more mood than tool.

The Wisdom of Birds, illustrated by Raxenne Maniquiz and published by Rizzoli Universe, takes a different approach. It keeps things simple, visual, and accessible.

About the Creator and Publisher

Raxenne Maniquiz is a Filipino illustrator with a background in editorial and book illustration, and that background is visible on every card. Rizzoli is not a small esoteric press; it’s a major art-book publisher, which shows in the production values. The result is a deck that feels like a designed object first and a divination tool second. That framing matters when you sit down to use it — the deck is asking to be looked at, not decoded.

First Impressions and Physical Feel

You get 40 cards and a guidebook in a sturdy lift-top box. Card stock is solid — heavier than the bendy mass-market tarot you sometimes encounter, lighter than premium indie stock. The matte finish handles regular shuffling without warping or curling. Card size sits comfortably in the hand for someone with average reach, which matters more than people admit when you’re using a deck daily.

The artwork is the strength here. Clean, stylized, and consistent. It avoids the usual fog of “mystical atmosphere” and instead lands closer to modern editorial illustration: flat color, deliberate composition, and birds rendered with enough botanical and ornithological accuracy to feel recognizable rather than generic.

It looks like something you’ll actually pick up, not something that sits on a shelf waiting for the right mood.

Structure and Use

40 cards is a manageable system. Each card carries a single, focused idea: awareness, adaptability, communication, patience. The guidebook supports that without over-explaining. No long-winded metaphysics. No forced depth.

This is not a system you study. It’s a tool you use. Pull a card, get the meaningful message, reflect on the answer, and move on.

For daily-draw practice, that focus is a feature, offering a message for both upright and reversed pulls. For someone wanting layered nuance — multiple symbolic axes per card, planetary or elemental correspondences, anything resembling a defined system — there’s not much to dig into.

Symbolism — Clean but Limited

The deck draws on familiar bird associations:

  • owl → perception
  • hawk → focus
  • crow → transformation

It keeps interpretations readable and direct, which is useful, but also means it stays on the surface. There’s no underlying scaffolding, and it does not draw from a defined classical tradition. It’s a curated set of associations rendered in beautiful art.

If you come from a traditional background — astrology, horary, classical omen literature — you’ll notice the ceiling pretty quickly. The bird-as-messenger lineage is ancient and layered; this deck doesn’t engage with most of it. The owl, for instance, is rendered straightforwardly as perception, with none of the funerary or threshold associations you’d find in the older sources.

That’s not a flaw. It’s a design choice. The deck is aimed at modern readers who want clarity, not initiates who want depth. Just know what you’re working with.

The Energy in Practice

The deck’s energy is steady and quiet. It doesn’t push or interrupt. It nudges. That tracks with the visual style — no aggressive colors, no jagged compositions, nothing designed to startle. It’s a deck that asks you to slow down rather than one that grabs the wheel.

The most interesting part of working with it didn’t happen in the cards. It happened outside.

After a few days of using it, I started noticing birds in my backyard I hadn’t been paying attention to before. Native species, nothing exotic, but their timing stood out. There were moments where I’d sit with a question, pull a card, and later that same day a particular bird would show up, often matching the tone of what I was dealing with. A quiet, solitary bird when the situation called for patience. More active, vocal ones when something needed to move or be said.

I’m not quick to label things as signs. But what the deck did was sharpen attention. It pulled the symbolism off the card and into the environment.

That’s where it becomes useful. Not as a system of answers, but as a way of noticing.

Who This Is For

This deck makes sense for:

  • beginners drawn to bird symbolism
  • daily pulls and morning practice
  • journaling and reflection
  • visual learners and people who respond to design-forward decks
  • anyone wanting a reset from heavy esoteric systems

Less useful for:

  • traditional practitioners
  • structured divination work
  • anyone needing precision, depth, or a defined symbolic framework

Final Take

The Wisdom of Birds is a well-made, visually strong oracle deck that does what it claims: provide oracle insight. It’s not a complex system. It won’t replace anything with structure behind it. But it will get you to pay attention. And in practice, that’s where its value shows up.

For its target audience, that’s plenty.

Initiates Oracle, by Marcella Kroll and Adam Smith

Initiates Oracle: Occult Hermetic- and Egyptian-Inspired Rituals for Profound Transformation, by Marcella Kroll with illustrations by Adam Smith
Weiser Books, 1578639255, 128 pages, 40 cards, May 2026

Looking for a deck filled with esoteric symbols, Hermetic motifs, and Egyptian mysticism? Introducing Initiates Oracle: Occult Hermetic- and Egyptian-Inspired Rituals for Profound Transformation, by Marcella Kroll with illustrations by Adam Smith. Inspired by the creators’ travels through Egypt, this deck emerged as “a tool for healing, guidance, and spiritual growth.”1

The first thing I felt when I shuffled this deck and looked at the images was a sense of awe AND relief. While the imagery definitely has an air of mystery, there’s nothing pretentious or overly complex in the symbolism. The bold colors drew me in, making me want to look closer and study the cards rather than skim over them for the sake of jumping right to the guidebook meaning. Instead of dark, moody mysticism (the kind intent on showing JUST how exclusive and elusive this sacred knowledge is – ugh!), this deck leans into something much more graphic and symbolic.

I appreciated the aesthetics of the deck even more when I discovered illustrator Adam Smith has decades of tattoo artistry experience. The colors are intense and unapologetically bright—turquoise skies, golden yellows, fire reds, electric blues. Everything is outlined in thick black lines, giving it a very crisp, legible look. There’s very little shading or gradient. The look of the cards feels closer to screen-printed art or tattoo flash than painterly illustration. Shapes are simplified; figures are stylized rather than realistic.

This style aligns with the Smith’s background in tattooing, where crispness and boldness matter. The distilled symbolic imagery to create impact rather than subtlety. The imagery comes across as clear, symbolic, and declarative. And the balanced layouts, either featuring a central focal point or mirrored elements, make for a well constructed deck. The overall style is a blend of traditional occult symbolism, modern vector illustration, and retro animation simplicity–definitely something that looks great on an altar!

As for the accompanying guidebook, the content is kept pretty short and sweet. Surprisingly, there’s not too much shared about the deck’s creation process and the only advice for using the cards details is setting an intention, pulling a card, contemplating the meaning, and journaling. There aren’t any spreads offered, nor much contextual information that sets the stage for the card’s imagery and messages.

In the guidebook, for each card Kroll provides keywords, symbolism, and a divinatory meaning. Unlike many other oracle decks, there’s no key words written on the cards themselves, so the keywords are definitely helpful when getting acquainted with the deck. The symbolism is also useful because it puts the card into perspective by highlighting the illustration, further providing meaning readers can draw upon.

As for the divinatory meaning, Kroll discusses the symbolism and weaves it into the card’s meaning. Each message is pretty short overall, but so far, I’ve gotten exactly what I needed from every draw. For instance, when I questioned whether the path I was following was the right one, I pulled the card Initiation, which reads “Ultimately the Initiation card is a powerful reminder of the sacred journey you are on, calling for commitment, discipline, and the willingness to face trials with courage and wisdom.”2

Then this morning when I was quarreling with my husband about parenting styles, I decided to take a moment to pause, collect myself, and pull a card. Asking what could bring an end to our disagreement, I pulled the card Union! This card represents the alchemical marriage and “the merging of microcosm and macrocosm, reflecting cosmic unity.”3 I particularly resonated with the additional description that read “this card signifies deep connections and partnership based on mutual respect and understanding.”4 This helped me to re-approach my husband in a better mindset, ready to listen and be more receptive to his point of view.

Given my experience so far, I’d say this deck is very much attuned to the greater spiritual picture. And I think that’s due to the universal symbolism contained within it. It’s less about the little details and more about those overarching concepts that have quietly shifted and shaped our reality, and have been for as long as humanity has been around. While not intentional, it’s as though the deck quiets the ego concerns and hones in on what’s really happening in the soulful ether, offering both guidance for the conscious mind and symbols for the unconscious, bridging the two for clarity.

While the concepts in the deck might seem like advanced esoteric knowledge, Kroll’s writing and Smith’s illustrations make it accessible for readers of all levels. It’s actually kind of refreshing how the deck doesn’t try to go too deep into complex topics, leaving plenty of room for the intuition of the reader to be heard and space for further synchronicities and exploration.

Overall, Initiates Oracle offers a compelling balance between depth and accessibility, offering a visually bold and symbolically rich experience without overwhelming the reader. It’s a deck that trusts you—your intuition, your lived experience, and your ability to sit with meaning as it unfolds—rather than over-explaining or prescribing rigid interpretations.

While those seeking extensive background or structured spreads may find the guidebook a bit sparse, others will appreciate the openness it creates, allowing each draw to feel personal and alive. For readers drawn to esoteric themes, specifically Hermetic and Egyptian, but wary of gatekeeping or unnecessary complexity, this deck is a perfect bridge. Initiates Oracle honors ancient wisdom while remaining grounded, usable, and refreshingly clear for the modern reader.

Crystal Keys Tarot, by Dina Rosenberg and Amalia Drewes

Crystal Keys Tarot, by Dina Rosenberg with artwork by Amalia Drewes
Weiser Books, 1578639050, 176 pages, 78 cards, April 2026

If you’ve spent any time working with both tarot and crystals, you already know how naturally those two energy systems speak to each other. Crystal Keys Tarot by Dina Rosenberg with artwork by Amalia Drewes leans fully into that intersection, offering a tarot deck that doesn’t just reference crystal energy, but builds its entire interpretive structure around it. The result is an oracle system that feels familiar on the surface, yet slightly refracted, like looking at classic tarot through a mineral lens. I love it!!

Creator Dina Rosenberg brings decades of tarot experience to this deck, along with a strong grounding in metaphysical practices as the co-owner of Amityville Apothecary and The Anenaeum of Amityville Apothecary in Long Island, New York. Amalia Drewes, an illustrator inspired by nature, spirituality, and myth, contributes artwork that aligns closely with themes of energetic resonance and transformation . Her artistic voice plays a major role in shaping the deck’s identity, especially in how the cards visually embody crystal forms and textures.

The deck follows the traditional Rider–Waite-Smith (RWS) tarot framework, making it immediately readable for most tarot users. Each of the 78 cards is paired with a specific crystal energy that aligns with the card’s energy, adding an extra symbolic layer to interpretations. However, the crystal for each card isn’t reflective of traditional correspondences for the cards; rather, Rosenberg spent an entire year feeling into the energy and channeling each card’s crystal. The deck integrates the crystal into the identity of each card, making for an intuitive symbiosis that brings new facets of the tarot archetypes to light. Rosenberg explains:

“You will see that our focus is about the energy and feeling of the cards, infusing the tarot archetype with the crystal, and vice versa, more so than fitting all the traditional symbols, colors, and images into each card. The goal is to distill each of the seventy-eight cards into a feeling that is truly relatable and pair that feeling with a crystal that supports the specific energy.”4

The cards are standard playing card size, allowing them to fit nicely in your hands while shuffling, with gilded purple edges. Each card leans heavily into a single dominant color family, mirroring the crystal it represents: cool aqua blues (Amazonite), golden yellows (Golden Labradorite), warm orange ambers (Tangerine Quartz). The tone variation within each color gives a dynamic feel to the imagery, making the imagery look slightly hypnotic.

While some cards have a non-descript figure, most feature animals, crystals, or simply the card symbol (Swords, Pentacles, Wands, and Cups). There’s a dreamlike, slightly surreal quality, but it’s not chaotic or symbolic-heavy like some decks. Rather, edges are softened, forms blend into each other, and perspective feels fluid rather than fixed. It gives me the fantastic feeling of entering the crystal realm, as the imagery seems like it has emerged from the crystal itself, emphasizing texture, aura, and energetic presence rather than narrative scenes.

Figures, symbols, and landscapes are etched in crystal, shifting the reading style from story-based interpretation to something more vibrational and intuitive. I would liken the cards more to  energetic imprints than “scenes” being depicted in more traditional tarot such as RWS deck. I personally love how it de-centers human representation and taps into the energy of the natural world instead. I can see how Drewes is portraying the essence of each crystal in the card while also capturing the card’s meaning as well; it’s truly spectacular artwork.

As for the guidebook, it’s nice and big (about 4 x 5 inches), easy to keep open to read, and has full-color illustrations. For each card, Rosenberg provides an overall description of the card, covering both the tarot meaning and the energy of the crystal plus how they come together, an affirmation, and a few-word summary of what pulling the card meanings in a reading.

I really like her voice in the guidebook, as she sometimes shares her own experiences in life, ranging from the heartbreak of divorce to opening and running her shop, while also explaining what the card is asking of the reader and how the crystal energy can be used for support. I appreciate the infusion of her energy into the wisdom in the guidebook. While Drewes’ imagery is quite dreamy, Rosenberg’s perspective is much more “tell it like it is”, which I always appreciate when it comes to spiritual matters and divination (it’s the East Coaster in me – made sense when I saw that Rosenberg lives in New York!). I’m not left with more questions and an invitation for more reflection when I come seeking guidance; I get a clear answer, practical advice, and affirmation, and a crystal energy to work with further.

Here’s an example of how Rosenberg blends both tarot wisdom and crystal energy in the guidebook:


“The Eight of Cups is confirmation that you’re right–the vibes are off. Maybe on the outside everything looks fine. And sure, you could ignore that whisper inside, push it down, keep going. But you know. Deep down, you know. This phase of your life has run its course. . . .

Pink Opal assists in following the whispers of the heart towards your true, authentic path. As a crystal of renewal, it reconnects you with yourself and what you truly want on a soul level. While it reminds you of who you are, it brings peace, soothing calm, and relaxation so as to not overwhelm the nervous system when difficult choices must be made.”5

I just love how Rosenberg speaks to the reader in the guidebook, dialoguing directly with their spirit instead of just reciting a generic message for the tarot. This guidebook is truly one of a kind in how she blends different energies into something meaningful, potent, and insightful for the reader. More than a route interpretation, a living exchange unfolds on the page—one that invites reflection and personal resonance rather than passive consumption. It feels less like being told what a card means and more like being guided toward discovering how that meaning already exists within you.

Overall, Crystal Keys Tarot is less about reinventing tarot and more about reframing it. This deck takes a familiar system and filters it through the language of crystals, creating a deck that feels grounded, intentional, and energetically focused. Drewes’ artwork brings the crystal world to life, perfect for readers who are seeking an intuitive deck that taps into an energy that goes beyond the personification of court cards and the major aracana cards with people on them. There’s plenty of room for intuition to piece together the story with these cards.

Similarly, those drawn to working with crystals will also really appreciate the aesthetic and guidance from this deck too. Rosenberg has done such a wonderful job weaving together the energies of tarot and crystals in this deck, aptly capturing the unique wisdom this combination brings for the message of each card. So far, this has been my favorite deck of 2026 and I look forward to continuing to work with it!

Ogham, by Jane Matthews

Ogham: Divining in the Celtic Way, by Jane Matthews
Weiser Books, 1578638909, 192 pages, 25 cards, March 2026

Ogham: Divining in the Celtic Way by Jane Matthews is a beautiful way to connect with powerful Celtic knowledge. Based on the earliest Irish written script, Ogham is rooted in the Celtic belief system. While most associate Ogham with corresponding trees–Matthews notes these correspondences were added later for Druids and Bards to remember the meanings of each letter–there’s plenty of wisdom within the letters themselves. She writes of the Ogham:

“The meanings all bring a duality with them. There is light and dark in each, and this makes them truly unique in how they present themselves.”6

This 25-card oracle deck is divided into four “families” called aicme, which are similar to the Futharks in the runes system for reference. Within each aicme is five fedha, or characters of the Ogham alphabet. At the start of each section, Matthews describes what each aicme deals with, illuminating the overall theme of the fedha in that section. The other five cards in the deck are the forfeda, which are the “additional letters”7.

Each one is color-coded, so once a reader is familiar with the deck, they will be quickly able to discern which aicme the card is from. The fedha cards are dark blue, violet, indigo, and dark, while the forfeda cards are a contrasting bright white. All the cards have the same layered botanical pattern in the background, making the focus the golden Ogham glyph in the center and name at the bottom of the card.

Aside from the shift in color and Ogham glyph, there’s not much variation in the visuals of the cards, giving a clean and simple aesthetic. It’s a restrained design overall, but it works well for a system like Ogham where the power of the symbol is meant to stand on its own. It makes me imagine how these symbols would have appeared carved into wood or stone.

There are no corresponding numbers, so when first working with the deck, readers will most likely have to reference the table of contents in the guidebook to find the page of entry.

As for the guidebook entries, for each fedha card listed is the associated tree, keyword, letter, stroke bearing, and pronunciation. Matthews then gives insight about the Ogham’s particular message, providing further specific information within the context of a relationship, work, and health. I really enjoy all of Matthew’s insights, particularly into health, an area of life that I had never considered to engage with the Ogham’s energy. All of the advice she provides is very grounded, acknowledging the energies in play with clarity and directness.

What surprised me the most was how the messages did not at all focus on the aspects of the trees associated with each Ogham. I actually really enjoyed this because all I’ve read about Ogham previously is specifically focused on the spiritual properties of the corresponding tree, rather than the symbols themselves. Getting to know the symbols on their own has been quite illuminating, particularly Matthew’s insight into the brush strokes that highlight the pathways to the Underworld, World, and Otherworld.

“When you’re looking at the fews in this way, it is easy to see how all paths come through our world, and that means that we have the answers to all that has been and all that will be–it is all at our fingertips, in this world for us to seek and understand. This world is a portal to all worlds and all the information that all worlds possess.”8

I also really enjoyed learning about the forfedha, which Matthews describes as “important on an esoteric point as they provide cosmological and directional signs.”9 They provide a map of the cosmos that can be then arranged as a casting mat or placement holder for reading with the deck. Matthews shares quite a bit about working with the forfedha, including using them in spreads (What Am I Spread, Spiral Spread, The Four Directions, and Celtic Cross) and in casting one’s own Ogham set.

Additional sections in the guidebook focus on using Ogham for magical purposes and a meditative framework for understanding Ogham, which provides a journey through The Underworld, This World, and The Otherworld. I definitely would recommend doing these meditations before working with the deck, as it really helps to center oneself within the belief system from which the Ogham emerged.

My only gripe with this deck is the guidebook is very tiny and hard to hold open and read. I kept trying to reference the spreads, but the book would close and then I’d have to flip it open again and try to keep the pages open. And whenever I use some force to do this, the binding then gets a bit messed up, creating a gap in those pages.

Overall though, Matthews has provided a wonderful resource for those who are seeking to connect with the Ogham, especially in a way that goes beyond the nature-based perspective that all too often focuses exclusively on the tree associations. The content in the guidebook offers both spiritual reflection and practical direction, providing a great balance for wisdom seekers. And, quite notably, the additional information about the forfedha is a real bonus for deepening one’s work with the Ogham.

The Sacred Biodiversity Oracle, by Angela Manno

The Sacred Biodiversity Oracle: A 36-Card Deck and Guidebook, by Angela Manno
Bear & Company, 159143503X, 160 pages, 36 cards, January 2026

Our planet is experiencing an unprecedented loss of biodiversity, with countless species disappearing at a rate that threatens the delicate balance of ecosystems worldwide. In The Sacred Biodiversity Oracle by Angela Manno, sacred art and contemplative practice converge to draw attention to the animals and habitats most at risk. Through reflection, education, and direct links to conservation efforts, this deck gently transforms awareness into meaningful action.

“The current biodiversity crisis is nothing less than a holocaust of Nature. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, more than 8,000 species are going extinct every year–that’s twenty-two species per day, about one species every hour–one thousand times the natural rate.”9

Manno’s artistic rendering of 36 full-color cards serve to honor threatened and endangered species with the aim of using her artwork to produce an emotional response that inspires readers to evaluate and hopefully transform their relationship to “the planet and all its life forms from one of exploitation to one of mutual enhancement and respectful coexistence.”10 The cards are huge ( 5.25 inches by 7.5 inches),  which allows for them to be prominently displayed.

Within the guidebook, Manno details how she came to create this deck after studying the traditional Byzantine iconography style, in which divinity comes through contemplation of the image. She chose to use this style to frame each species in this deck as a sacred being worthy of reverence, not merely statistical information, in order to illuminate their value and special spirit. A key practice in this guidebook is visio divina (sacred seeing), which allows for the spiritual nature of reality to emerge from contemplation of the image. Manno writes:

“Anyone who fervently opens themselves up to the power of these images–both in Nature and in art–can rest in and be nourished by their wisdom and beauty.”11

The artwork is gorgeous. Manno has painted each threatened or endangered species in a style inspired by sacred iconography, evoking reverence and stillness through tones are relatively simple yet illuminating. The clean backgrounds showcase the brilliant detailing of each species, clearly rendering and centering each one in a way that invites focus. Manno has given each species a quiet presence on the card that transforms them from overlooked or imperiled beings into holy ones worthy of contemplation, protection, and awe.

The exercises in the guidebook further assist readers with this process. For each card, Manno shares information about the species depicted (traits, habitat, role in the larger ecosystem, current plight), offers the opportunity to connect with the animal through visio divina, encourages stream of consciousness writing, and then shares a way for readers to take action on behalf of the species. There’s even a QR code in each entry, as well as on the card itself, in order to be immediately linked to a website of an organization working on conservation for the species.

The species are divided into six types: mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, invertebrates, and plants. I appreciated how Manno spans the natural world when it comes to representing the threatened or endangered species. This highlights how each species, big and small, from the Gray Wolf to the Firefly, has a vital and important role to play within both the local and larger ecosystem.

As previously mentioned, there is no applicable spiritual guidance shared in the guidebook, which I think is important to note given the word “oracle” in the title. The Sacred Biodiversity Oracle is designed not for divination, but for contemplation, connection, and ecological awareness. The cards intend to foster insight, empathy, and ecological responsibility within the readers and are best used as a more educational and spiritual tool than predictive oracle. This made me reflect on how often we turn to other beings as spiritual allies, hoping their wisdom comes through to answer our questions in oracle decks, but it’s rare we are given the chance to assist them. This deck is unique in that regard, as the card pulls are not to provide insights related to your own personal journey, but rather an opportunity to use your agency to assist these species in need.

Almost all entries are exactly the same, with the main focus being performing the visio divina with the card and journaling to the question “Allow yourself to be enveloped by empathy for this living being. How does its plight impact your life?”12 Therefore, I think it’s important to brace yourself when working with this deck. It’s a delicate balance choosing to open to the animal’s sacred energy only to then be presented with wisdom that makes you feel a bit helpless. While the immediate vetted nonprofit groups accessible through the QR codes is very useful, it’s important to also take time to engage in self-care when doing this meaningful environmental work.

While many of us wish we could give limitlessly to help these species, there’s only so much time, energy, and financial resources we have available, making it a bit sad to think of all the animals that need assistance. This blue feeling for me only was amplified by the description of just how terribly the species are doing in the natural world. It was hard to cherish the beauty of the cards only to be hit with the stark reality of the situation, as described in the guidebook. Nevertheless, honoring these species and doing our part is the only way forward, even when the process brings up eco-grief.

I would most recommend this deck to those interested in a meditative or devotional practice, especially one focused on planetary healing and connection with nature. Individually, the cards are great for focusing on a species in need of care and attention, which one can then direct their healing and loving energies towards. Within a group, the cards are a wonderful focus for shared contemplation and discussion about threatened or endangered species and the key roles they play in ecology. There’s plenty of creative ways to work with the deck that certainly can inspire, raise awareness, and make a meaningful change on behalf of these species’ well-being.

All in all, The Sacred Biodiversity Oracle is a thoughtful and contemplative deck that stands out for its ecological purpose and artistic depth. Manno’s background in icon painting infused with ecological philosophy gives the deck a ritualistic and reverent quality, making it more like a devotional tool than a standard oracle deck.

For those called to foster empathy for the natural world, this deck invites sacred contemplation and serves as a bridge between spiritual practice and environmental awareness. The deck beautifully emphasizes the interconnectedness between species and ecosystems, reminding us that no life exists in isolation. Through action-oriented reflection, including QR codes that connect directly to real-world conservation efforts, it transforms insight into tangible support for the planet.

Couture Tarot, by Megan Skinner

Couture Tarot, by Megan Skinner
REDFeather, 0764369857, 192 pages, 78 cards, October 2025

In Couture Tarot by Megan Skinner, high-fashion collage art stands in for the traditional deck imagery, bringing a fresh, stylish vibe to the timeless wisdom of tarot. Fashion and tarot are both mirrors in many ways. Tarot reflects the psyche; fashion reflects identity, desire, rebellion, belonging. Neither tells you who you are, rather they show you possibilities. They invite projection, interpretation, and play with visual symbolism that cues our unconscious in certain ways, making them a potent tool for revelation.

Within this deck, Skinner has reimagined the classic 78-card tarot through the lens of couture fashion and collage art. Each card draws from meticulously cut and arranged images sourced from iconic fashion magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle, giving the deck a look that’s at once glamorous, contemporary, and delightfully eclectic. The visual experience feels like stepping into a runway show that is unique, lush, and deeply expressive of archetypal themes in a modern visual language.

The first thing I appreciated about this deck was the very sturdy box it comes in. The box lid opens from the front, held closed by a magnet, making for easy access. The cards and guidebook are neatly secured and there’s a brown ribbon to diligently pull the cards out. The interior of the box’s lid has a quote from Yves Saint Laurent that perfectly captures the energy of the deck.

As for the cards themselves, they’re quite eclectic. I definitely think readers who are used to the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) imagery will be in for a shock because there’s little resemblance whatsoever. There’s not even an image for the different suits depicted in the cards. Rather, for each one, there’s a brilliant collage bursting with energy and the name at the bottom. Skinner explains this in the guidebook, writing, “Yet, each image carries the essence of the suit and card through color and a visual story.”13

The collage art turns a tarot deck into a living conversation between symbols. By layering images, it breaks the expectation that meaning should be neat or singular. Instead, insight arrives the way intuition does: sideways, through association, memory, and mood. Additionally, the collage element holds tension. These juxtapositions mirror the way tarot itself works, holding contradiction and multiplicity. The cards feel less like illustrations of fixed meanings and more like portals, asking the reader to participate in interpretation rather than consume it.

There’s A LOT of room for subjective interpretation. For those familiar with the traditional tarot meanings, this deck becomes a fun way to engage with the archetypal energies in a new way, letting your eyes roam over the busy card imagery to see what your intuition picks out and relates to your understanding of the card.

However, for those new to tarot or not entirely familiar with each card’s essence, you might struggle a bit if you are someone who likes to use the card’s imagery as a visual prompt to cue the oracle’s message. Though, if you’re willing to go off script and let the cards lead, not worrying about “getting it right” in the by-the-book sense, there’s lots of exploration that can be done with this deck.

I think working with this deck is an exercise in intuition over instruction. You can teach someone how to piece together an outfit, but it takes a certain something to make it fashionable. This deck calls forth that certain something within that makes for an insightful tarot reading too that goes beyond just relying on the rote meanings.

A tarot card doesn’t mean the same thing in every reading, just as a garment doesn’t mean the same thing on every body or in every context. Meaning emerges through feeling, timing, and relationship. You sense when a look is right, the same way you sense when a card is speaking clearly. This is the ever-changing beauty of Couture Tarot.

This said, Skinner provides illuminating guidance in the accompanying book, which is nearly 200 pages long, so fear not if you are someone who enjoys looking up the meanings. This deck is still very approachable and engaging in this sense too. For each card, Skinner shares keywords, the planetary rule, and an explanation of her artistic choice. For instance, she writes of the Ten of Wands:

“Yet, the Ten of Wands indicates that you are carrying the past forward, feeling like you need to keep working toward some outlived goal. In a word: Baggage! Hence the designer suitcase stacked upon each other.”14

Skinner’s insights into her interpretation of each card goes a long way in anchoring the traditional meanings of the tarot. She visually describes the intention of many of the symbols, taking some of the guesswork out for those who, like me, enjoy knowing what I’m looking at. In this way, the deck skillfully balances symbolism with artistic innovation. Readers have the ability to intuitively engage with the imagery that resonates with their own psyche–the heart and soul of good artwork–while also having a solid foundation of general understanding of the artist’s intention.

Personally, I would use this deck when I want some creative energy in my life. Beyond doing oracle readings, I think this deck has a certain zest for awakening the inner genius. Working with it gets me out of my head and submerged in the feelings that arrive when I’m fully present, open, and gently alive. It’s the same transformative experience I have walking through an art museum, allowing the beautiful imagery to overwhelm my senses.

The collage art restores mystery to the tarot. As someone who gets quite bored seeing the same archetypal images repeated, this deck is a breath of fresh air. I love how little pieces of various fashion publications come together to create something entirely new. The format of discerningly collecting these little bits of visual imagery and then piercing them together reminds me that there’s always the ability to see things from a different perspective, shifting around the arrangement until the alignment feels right, which is the essence of getting a meaningful tarot reading.

Overall, Couture Tarot is a stylish, thoughtful tarot deck that is perfect for those who enjoy bold, lively imagery in their readings, especially if you appreciate fashion and aesthetic symbolism as tools for inner exploration. It’s a tool for reconnecting with creativity too. Whether used for daily draws, deep spreads, or contemplative journaling, it offers a rich, modern bridge between tarot tradition and creative expression.

The Ukrainian Tarot, by Tania Andrushko

The Ukrainian Tarot: Flower of the Magic Fern, by Tania Andrushko
REDFeather, 0764370170, 192 pages, 78 cards, September 2025

The Ukrainian Tarot: Flower of the Magic Fern by Tania Andrushko is a 78-card tarot deck and companion guidebook rooted in Ukrainian legend, myth, and cultural heritage. Created with the intention of inspiring peace and love for humanity, Andrusko has imbued this deck with the soul of Ukraine. The title highlights the Magic Fern is a metaphor for illumination emerging from darkness, a theme which is carried through the imagery and wisdom of the deck.

“This magical flower is said to bloom only once a year, on the shortest night of the year, bringing good fortune to whoever finds it. As the legend goes, this flower can be found only in the darkest of forests in Ukraine, and only if your heart and intentions are pure.”15

This deck follows the traditional tarot structure (22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana) but its imagery, themes, and storytelling are firmly grounded in Ukrainian culture, history, folk lore, ritual, mythological figures, and symbolic motifs. At the beginning of the guidebook, Andrushko shares her story about what inspired her to create this deck. While it is specifically focused on Ukraine, her intention is expansive: helping others remember who they are and the valuable role they have in the wider collective.

Andrushko then introduces readers to Svarog’s Circle, a circular calendar based on Slavic mythology. With solstices and equinoxes marking key points in the year, this cosmological system is much like the Wheel of the Year in modern Pagan traditions, yet it has a deeply rooted mythology and history that is incorporated into the deck. Andrushko explains how she has reflected the directions of Svarog’s Circle within the traditional elemental suits and provides a table of the themes for each numbered or Court Card in the Minor Arcana. There’s also guidance on how to do readings and three spread options shown.

After reading the introduction information in the guidebook, I felt I had an overall sense of the deck’s structure and energy, so I was ready to dive into doing a reading! I decided to keep my first one simple and do a one-card pull in regard to the energy I should focus on for the day: Hierophant. While the traditional version of this card features The Pope or a High Priest, Andrushko’s version is a homely crone, a Ukrainian healer. Instantly, I felt a deep connection to the woman on the card; her magically infused cottage in the background of the card feels warm and inviting, while her eyes shine with acceptance and wisdom. The guidebook reads:

“The Hierophant is one who reveals the sacred mysteries. She is a healer and a shaman. Drawing from the ancient skills of her ancestors, she can come to know the past, present, and future. She can interpret dreams about life and death, warn against evil people, and ward off misfortune. These are powerful women who know God’s will and know how to speak in God’s way.”16

First of all, I just LOVE how Andrushko hasn’t followed the typical script when it comes to portraying the tarot cards. Second, I appreciate how she blends in Ukraine culture to the tarot archetype while still making the overall message applicable to all readers.

It’s interesting how Andrushko doesn’t stick to the traditional cards, changing cards to better showcase the wonder and beauty of Ukraine. For instance, Wheel of Fortune is Fortune’s Wheel, The Devil becomes a Witch, and Judgement is Call. The traditional meanings of the cards take on a new dimension with Andrushko providing an infusion of spiritual and cultural insights from Ukrainian values too. It’s always refreshing to work with the tarot from a new perspective!

For each guidebook entry, there’s an image of the card, key words for the feeling of the card, a question to ask yourself, an action to take, and the essence of the card. At the bottom, there’s even a space for notes! How cool is that? You can write in this guidebook! Plus, it’s nice and big (5.63 x 7.63 inches), so there’s plenty of space for your own thoughts.

While Hierophant happened to be more spiritual, there are a variety of aspects of Ukrainian culture that come through in the guidebook descriptions. For instance, King of Fire tells the story of Ivan Mazepa, a hetman whose passion for science, art, and education lead to many cultural initiatives. There’s also insight on sacred embroidered clothes for 2 of Air, decorative Easter eggs (Pysanka) for 9 of Water, and the significance of horses in Ukrainian folklore for 8 of Fire. From textiles to holy days, the deck shares the full spectrum of what makes Ukraine special.

As for the artwork, there’s a peaceful and tranquil quality to the essence of this deck. There’s no specific symbol that represents the suits, rather each card has its own image. The effect of this is that readings become visual stories, allowing the readers to absorb the imagery, let it flow through them, and then see how all the artwork comes together to provide meaningful insight.

Furthermore, instead of drawing from the familiar tarot archetypes, the imagery reimagines the cards through the lenses of Ukrainian mythology, cosmology, customs, history, and more. Many of the cards do have people on them, whether this be a deity or symbolic figure, as well as featuring animals or trees, or simply items important to the culture. This image makes readings feel like a journey deeper into the heart of Ukraine’s spirituality rather than abstract divination.

Admittedly, I decided to work with The Ukranian Tarot purely out of curiosity. I have no Ukrainian ancestral connections, nor do I know anyone from this region. Nevertheless, this deck has immersed me in the tapestry of the rich soul of Ukraine, teaching me all about the cosmology, history, folklore, and more. I find the readings from this deck to be very illuminating; there’s a combination of spiritual protection as well as practical realism that comes through. It’s very interesting to get tidbits of cultural knowledge alongside a divinatory reading.

Andrushko has created something truly incredible. Whether you have Ukrainian heritage that you wish to strengthen through working with this deck, or you’re simply culturally curious, this deck has a lot to offer. The reframing of the traditional tarot energies make for powerful readings, as well as spiritually infused energy of Christianity, Svarog’s Circle, and Slavic deities. I recommend it for those looking to expand their tarot readings, bringing in new spiritual insights for guidance, reflection, and growth.

Lieselle’s Eternal Tarot, by Lieselle Elliot and Sean Frosali

Lieselle’s’ Eternal Tarot: Trust Your Voice and Then Learn to Trust the Journey, by Lieselle Elliot and Sean Frosali
REDFeather, 076436975X, 224 pages, 78 cards, September 2025

With countless tarot decks now in circulation, each offering new themes, artwork, and layers of symbolism, it can be easy to forget the quiet power of returning to the basics. There is something enduring about a deck that honors tarot’s foundational structure, where meanings are clear, imagery is intentional, and the essence of each card is distilled rather than overcomplicated. In this simplicity, readings often become sharper and more resonant, allowing intuition to speak without distraction. Lieselle’s Eternal Tarot: Trust Your Voice and Then Learn to Trust the Journey is just this type of deck, reminding readers that when the core of tarot is respected, its wisdom remains timeless and deeply effective.

Created by Lieselle Elliot, a tarot reader with over 20 years of experience reading for clients, this deck taps into the heart of tarot’s eternal nature. Likewise, Sean Frosali’s illustrations capture the essence of each card’s rich symbolism and history. Together, their intention for this classic deck is “empowering you and nurturing your intuitive abilities.”17

The first thing I enjoyed about this deck is the hardy box with a lid that gently folds back to reveal the cards inside. This is one of the best exterior deck designs I’ve ever seen. The cards are slim but sturdy, making it easy to shuffle. And the gilded edges certainly add a nice touch to the overall aesthetic.

The inspiration from the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck in the Major Arcana is present, but each card is definitely imbued with the creators’ unique perspective on the cards. For instance, The Fool features a faceless jack-in-the-box floating in water, featuring a leashed dog and flowers as the design of the box. Above the sun illuminates the scene. Meanwhile, The Star shows a woman looking down into her cupped hands, which are submerged in water and holding a star. Above her seven other stars shine and there’s a vessel on each side at the top. With the imagery alone, readers familiar with the RWS would definitely be able to figure out the card. Though, each card is also labeled at the bottom and numbered at the time.

The Minor Arcana is designed in Pips style, only showing the suit symbols and no scenic artwork, with the name of the card at the bottom. To some degree, this design means the reader must know the interpretations of each card when doing a reading or be prepared to look it up in the guidebook, as there are no visual clues. However, there is a mantra at the top of each Minor Arcana card that does give some insight into the overall meaning of the card.

Reading in a Pip-style system definitely requires a different kind of engagement with the cards, and I appreciated the opportunity to try it out since it’s not my usual deck style. Without visual narratives to guide interpretation, I noticed I had to rely more on number, suit, elemental energy, and inner knowing to shape the message.

This absence of imagery strips the reading down to its basics, asking the reader to meet the cards halfway and participate actively in meaning-making rather than passively receiving it. While this approach can feel challenging at first, in the end, I felt it resulted in clearer, more precise readings, as the symbolism is distilled to its core and my own inner voice becomes an essential part of the divinatory process.

And this said, the guidebook is also a wonderful reference. It begins with a message from the creators, a brief history of tarot, and overview of numerology, sharing the numerology meaning and tarot application for numbers 1-14. There’s also a few pages on the elements of the four suits, covering the associated qualities and symbolism in tarot for each one. Initially, I was surprised there was no guidance about spreads, but later on I did find a few suggested ones at the very end of the guidebook. So take note, if you’re someone who likes to use the spread suggested by the author, that it’s in the back.

The guidebook information differs for the Major and Minor Arcana. For the Major Arcana, Elliot provides information on the card’s imagery, noting the key symbolism, and then shares the card’s meaning with a list of interpretations for its significance. There’s also an overview at the end as well as a reversed meaning provided. For the Minor Arcana, there’s the same style of providing the meaning with a list of interpretations, the numerological significance, and the overall meaning for both upright and reversed.

I really like how the guidebook is styled for the most part.  Elliot makes use of bold text to emphasize key interpretations and then further explains them. All of the explanations are pretty by-the-book common interpretations, but it’s formatted in a way that makes it easy to absorb the meaning of the card. It’s for this reason, I think the guidebook is PERFECT for tarot beginners. It lays out the message of each card with precision, making the esoteric very accessible.

The only downside of the guidebook’s format is each card entry begins on the page right where the other one left off. This makes it a bit tricky to look up the card as you kind of need to flip through to see where it’s at. I definitely prefer when an entry for a card begins on a new page, so this took some getting used to when reading.

Overall, Lieselle’s Eternal Tarot is a powerful tool for connecting with the foundations of tarot. The charcoal imagery lays the symbolism bare, allowing one’s attention to focus on the essentials. There’s no extra fluff in both the artistry and the guidebook definitions, making this a wonderful resource for those who are seeking sleek and refined readings.

I recommend working with this deck when seeking clarity. Just like the King of Swords, this deck “signifies authority, intellectual power, and the ability to lead with truth and integrity.”18 Those who enjoy the traditional RWS but are looking for a modern twist will most appreciate this deck.

Road Show Wisdom, by Dreamopedia

Road Show Wisdom Oracle Deck, by Dreamopedia
Sacred Scribe Publishing, 979-8990956049, 180 pages, 41 cards, October 2025

Road Show Wisdom Oracle Deck by Dreamopedia is truly beautiful inside and out. These oracle cards were definitely built to entertain. This deck includes forty-one cards, all with beautiful watercolor portraits. Cards such as The Silt Walker, The Ticket Collector, The Fire Eater, The Magic Lantern, and many more bring to life the vivacious nature of a circus, providing a unique oracle energy.

I love the theme of this deck: old circus/roadshow aesthetics. This is all thanks to the book The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. (If you know what I’m talking about, excellent taste in books. If you don’t, I HIGHLY recommend this book. It was one of my favorite reads when I was in middle school, and I still love the book to this very day.)

These cards are so detailed and lovely. The box is small but the details inside are stunning, revealing a carnival scene once you take all the cards out of the box. The lid has a spider-like looking clown juggling; this artwork is of the card called Juggler.

This deck is full of life and whimsy, which I absolutely love. The cards are large but they shuffled with great ease. At first, they felt awkward in my hands, but I got used to the feel of them after a few uses. The illustrations are colorful and extremely detailed. I’m a sucker for a deck with lovely artwork, as I’m an artist myself. Each card was a new treasure for me to discover.

The guidebook it comes with was also awesome and very detailed. I loved the fancy font that was used. Each card has a story behind it with words written so wonderfully that it was easy to picture what was being read in my mind. Dreamopedia is not only a great artist but has a great knack for writing as well. The content is easy to read and it really fits the whole vibe of the deck itself.

At the beginning of the guidebook, Dreamopedia explains how the cards are divided into eight stages and explains how this “reflects different facets of personal development, encompassing observation, planning, growth, and reflection.”19 It is then explained how this structure provides additional guidance in regard to the progression of sequence, more generalized theme, guidance about where you’re at within the journey, and a creative metaphor for exploration.

For each card, there’s a rhyming poem, a bit of circus history that gives context to the card, and the card explanation. What’s unique about the explanation is that Dreamopedia uses numbered lists, so there’s more than one meaning, providing a multi-faceted insight to the question at hand, though they all blend together within the common theme. There’s also an invitation at the end of the entry, detailing what the presence of the card signifies and the opportunity available as a result.

I spent over three weeks with this deck and I’ve really fallen in love with it. This deck has brought a lot of excitement into my life with all of its charm and whimsy. My first reading with it I pulled out The Mermaid. The mermaid on the card is beautiful. The message of just simply following curiosity really did reveal things that were hidden beneath the surface. Curiosity killed me just a bit. Without going into detail with my personal experience, oh boy this card really was an eye opener, in the most over the top manner.

The three words that best describe the deck’s attitude: mysterious, moving, and free. I have to say out of all the decks I’ve reviewed, Road Show Wisdom Oracle Deck really got me. The first week I used this deck it wasn’t my typical lighting fast connection. This one had a bite to it. The more I used it and attuned with it, it became more friendly.

My second card I pulled was The Hot Air Balloon. This card stuck out to me because I have a huge fascination with hot air balloons, but the message hit me deeply. The need to release but also balance and control. I pulled this card at a significant time because I cut ties with my toxic mother. It was hard but I know this will be the best for me in the end. One of the card explanations reads:

“To rise, the balloon must shed weight. This suggests letting go of attractions or limitations to reach goals.”20

Overall, I really enjoyed bonding with Road Show Wisdom Oracle Deck, and I can’t wait to see how it helps me in the future. Dreamopedia has really brought to life the energy of the circus, bringing creativity and inspiration to divination.I recommend it for those who are looking for a bit of novelty and fun in their oracle readings. 

The Runes and Roots Oracle, by Nicolette Miele and Adrienne Rozzi

The Runes and Roots Oracle, by Nicolette Miele  and Adrienne Rozzi
Destiny Books, 979-8888502471, 144 pages, 36 cards, November 2025

Runes and plant magic speak the same old language of the earth: one carved into symbols, the other rooted in leaf and stem. Both arise from close listening to cycles, seasons, and the subtle ways meaning reveals itself through form and growth. Beyond simply a divination tool, The Runes and Roots Oracle by Nicolette Miele  and Adrienne Rozzi is an invitation to delve deeper in this ever-flowing realm. Rooted in Norse mythology, witchcraft, and plant wisdom, this oracle deck asks the reader to step into a mythic–imaginal world where symbols are alive, the land speaks, and knowledge is earned through relationship rather than immediacy.

At its core, the deck’s purpose is clear: to reunite runic magic with the living intelligence of the natural world. Each rune is paired with a specific plant ally, emphasizing particular energetic, psychological, or spiritual dimensions of the symbol. These pairings are not merely illustrative but deeply intertwined.

Horny Goat Weed, for example, accentuates the erotic and creative fire of Kenaz, foregrounding the rune’s generative, catalytic force; meanwhile, Lavender is paired with Wunjo, which together “gently remind us that within each of us, there is a sanctuary where we can always find solace, peace, and the magick of simply being.”21 In this way, the deck operates as a fusion of esoteric knowledge and embodied, earth-centered wisdom.

Roots in Feminine Power and Norse Cosmology

A strong current of feminine spirituality runs throughout the deck. The creators draw deeply from the mythic presence of the Norns, the weavers of fate, and from Mother Nature herself as an animating intelligence. Rather than offering a detached system of meanings, The Runes and Roots Oracle asks the user to engage with the spiritual and cultural background of Norse cosmology, combined with western esotericism and plant magick, as a living worldview.

This mythic engagement is reinforced through the spreads provided in the guidebook. Larger layouts such as the nine-card Yggdrasil spread or Loki’s Unveiling the Shadow four-card spread encourages deep psychological and spiritual inquiry, while even simpler three-card spreads (past, present, future) are framed through the lens of the Norns and the unfolding of Wyrd. The result is a deck that consistently gestures beyond fortune-telling toward participation in a living mythos.

There are 24 cards that feature the traditional Elder Futhark as well as an additional 12 Bind Rune Aett, which are created by combining two or more runes together. The intricacy of the plant correspondences with runes make for very layered, thoughtful card meanings.

The Booklet as Initiatory Text

The accompanying booklet reinforces this initiatory tone. Rather than functioning as a purely reference-based manual, it is structured as a frame narrative: the reader encounters Yggdrasil, engraved with runes, and meets the Norns themselves. This narrative device subtly shifts the reader from consumer to seeker.

The booklet includes a unique ritual for cleansing and binding the deck to the user, underscoring the idea that this oracle is meant to be informed by one’s relationship with the deck. Notably, the rune and plant entries are not numerically ordered, requiring frequent consultation of the index. While this may be mildly inconvenient for beginners, it also feels intentional—less a flaw than a design choice that favors intuition and familiarity over efficiency, particularly for those already conversant with the runes.

Later sections of the booklet, especially those dealing with bind runes and ritual work, further emphasize that this is not a deck designed for instant clarity. It is something “found,” like a relic pulled from a crone’s library, that must be studied, lived with, and slowly understood.

Card Imagery: Ancient Pages, Living Symbols

Visually, the cards resemble pages torn from an ancient spell book: parchment, papyrus, and aged engravings layered with symbols. Each card features a combination of imagery surrounding the central rune and its plant ally. There is a palpable nostalgia here, reminiscent of 16th-century pen-and-ink manuscripts, which harmonizes beautifully with the booklet’s suggestion that this deck originates from a witch’s cottage hidden deep in the woods.

User Experience and Learning Curve

My immediate impression of the deck was one of admiration, especially for the thoughtful integration of plant wisdom into the runic system. The imagery is vivid and layered, inviting contemplation rather than quick interpretation. That said, the cards themselves contain few descriptive keywords. Unless one is already familiar with rune meanings and/or herbal correspondences, readings often require repeated reference to the guidebook.

This becomes particularly noticeable in larger spreads, such as the nine-card Yggdrasil or the twelve-card Web of Wyrd, where grasping the gestalt of the reading can be challenging without significant prior familiarity. With time and repeated use, however, the deck clearly becomes more intuitive, suggesting that this slow unfolding is part of the designers’ intention.

In this sense, The Runes and Roots Oracle does not present itself as a tool made for the user so much as a tool the user must grow into. Its wisdom is not delivered; it is cultivated. In a similar spirit of cultivation, the plant wisdom of the deck may be taken as purely symbolic or ritualistic. However, the oracle also invites the user to put the deck’s plant lore into actual practice–though first advising the user to approach herbalism with due care and caution.

Final Thoughts

The Runes and Roots Oracle is a richly textured, deeply intentional deck that rewards patience, study, and mythic imagination. By uniting runic magic, plant allies, and feminine cosmology within a narrative framework, Miele and Rozzi have created something that feels less like a product and more like an inheritance, an artifact from a living tradition.

This deck will likely resonate most strongly with practitioners of witchcraft, those already familiar with the runes, those with an interest in plant correspondences, and readers drawn to slow, initiatory forms of divination. For such seekers, The Runes and Roots Oracle offers not just answers, but a relationship with symbols, with nature, and with the whispering roots of fate itself.