Musing Mystical

✨ A Gathering Place for Magical Readers and Writers ✨

Tag Archives: deck review

Manifestation Tarot, by Jayne Wallace

Manifestation Tarot, by Jayne Wallace and illustrated by Julia Cellini
CICO Books, 9781800653733, 78 cards, 64 pages, October 2024

Manifestation Tarot by Jayne Wallace with illustrations by Julia Cellini is a beautiful deck that promises to guide users on a transformative journey of self-discovery and manifestation. I was drawn to this deck by the artwork and idea of adding manifestation to my tarot journey.

As a well-known clairvoyant medium, Wallace brings her wealth of experience and deep understanding of the esoteric arts to create a deck that is both visually stunning and spiritually enriching. Wallace has written for many publications and authored four books, along with appearing on television in both the UK and America. She lives in Essex, UK.

Julia Cellini is an illustrator who works in a variety of mediums, specializing in watercolor and digital art. She finds inspiration in nature and has recently completed a series of works based on deities. She lives in Hawaii and loves exploring the flora and fauna in her tropical home. 

The first thing that strikes me about Manifestation Tarot is its breathtaking artwork. Each card is a masterpiece, adorned with vibrant colors and intricate designs that capture the essence of the tarot archetypes. The imagery is a blend of traditional Rider-Waite-Smith symbolism and modern themes. For example, the Magician is pictured as female, the Hanged Man is shown in more modern dress, and the Moon features a domesticated dog and cat. 

Wallace has infused each major arcana card with rich symbolism that resonates with the themes of personal empowerment and manifestation. The major arcana “embodies a powerful archetype or lesson that can help clarify your intentions, make informed decisions, and foster a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.”1

The minor arcana delves into the “different facets of human experience, influencing our intentions, energy, and the universe’s response to our desires. Together these elements offer an approach to manifesting and the law of attraction.”2 The minor arcana features beautiful, symbolic artwork on the court cards and simple drawings of the suit symbol for all the other cards, much like the Tarot de Marseille. 

All the cards in this deck also feature the name of the card and an affirmation that recaps the main theme of the card. For example, the Seven of Pentacles shares this affirmation: “Persistence in my efforts will yield security.” The back of the cards features what Wallace calls “The Flower of Manifestation,” a rainbow-colored lotus flower which “represents faith in ourselves.”3

A four-color guidebook provides detailed explanations of each card, along with practical tips on how to use the deck for manifestation and spiritual growth. Wallace begins with a brief introduction, including how to prepare your cards for reading. She also shares tips for reading the cards, including numerous spreads for both basic readings and manifestation. She features keywords, the mantra, and relevant meanings for each card in the deck.

To test drive the cards I chose to do the manifestation Seven Day Challenge. Wallace explains this is a “great way to kick start your connection to the rule of attraction.”4 For this challenge, I separated the major arcana cards from the rest of the deck and chose one card each day for seven days. I made a note of the affirmation on the card and any key information from the guidebook.  

Each day I shuffled the major arcana cards and drew one card to be my guiding light for the day.  Wallace recommends that you say the mantra or affirmation out loud seven times that day. She explains: “At the end of the week look at the story your cards have told you. The universe has given you a blueprint of where you should be heading in life at the moment.”5

I took an index card and recorded the card and the mantra for each day.  It was interesting to see the variety and the compatibility of the messages I received. I am looking forward to trying some of the other spreads, including one she calls “The Staircase of Success,” which asks you to shuffle the cards and then lay down the cards in a stair step fashion  as “a way of seeing how your future is going to unfold in a time frame, usually a year, but it can be a shorter or longer.”6

The cards are a standard size, yet the cardstock seems a little light for durability and ease of handling during shuffling and readings. I’m guessing the cards may bend quite easily over time. The deck comes in a beautifully designed, two-part box that protects the cards and the guidebook.

I loved the beauty of the cards and the rich language of the guidebook. Wallace and Cellini have put a new spin on the tarot with this deck. This deck would be great for both seasoned tarot readers and beginners. I’ll use this deck for the next few weeks for my daily one card draw, to benefit from the rich guidance and manifestation tips. I also plan to take it to my next Friday Coffee & Cards group meeting to share with my friends.

From the Fool, symbolizing new beginnings and infinite potential, to the World, denoting the fulfillment of goals and the completion of cycles, Manifestation Tarot serve as powerful reminders of the innate power within everyone. The interpretations provided in the guidebook are insightful and encourage deep reflection, helping users connect with the core messages of each card.

“The brilliant thing about manifesting is, even if you’re a warrior or a negative Nelly, using this deck you can switch your mindset from scarcity to abundance and supercharge your manifestation potential.”7

The Ofrenda Oracle, by Nancy Hendrickson and Carrie Paris

The Ofrenda Oracle: Celebrating the Day of the Dead, by Nancy Hendrickson and Carrie Paris
Weiser Books, 1578638496, 136 pages, 60 cards, September 2024

The Ofrenda Oracle: Celebrating the Day of the Dead by Nancy Hendrickson and Carrie Paris is a beautiful deep dive into the world of divination, spirituality, and ancestor reverence. In this oracle deck, the creators draw upon the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos, inviting readers to connect with their heritage and the wisdom of those who came before them.

“This oracle was created to honor those who have passed beyond the Great Veil, to facilitate messages from the Otherworld, or to divine your own future.”4

The format of this deck is very interesting. Creators Hendrickson and Paris designed it as two systems in one deck. Readers can either use Cards 1 through 36 as a standard Lenormand deck, or they can use all 60 cards together in the form of a regular oracle deck. The first 36 cards have the Lenormand symbolism on them, while Cards 37 through 56 feature symbolic images that represent aspects of Día de los Muertos.

There’s also a special card, “The Ofrenda”, that “represents the offerings left on the Altar de los Muertos”5, which the creators recommend placing face up when working with the cards to the remind the reader of their ancestors while doing their reading.

Each card is beautifully illustrated, featuring vibrant colors and symbolic imagery that pay homage to  Día de los Muertos, offering multiple layers of interpretation for users. The dark blue cards are filled with vibrant colors (red, yellow, white, purple, light blue) that pop in the style of traditional Mexican art. When looking at the artistry of this deck, one feels an instant connection to the modern cultures that celebrate Día de los Muertos along with Aztex and Toltec cultures in which the tradition originated.

The cards are smaller than standard oracle deck size, fitting in the palm of the hand like playing cards instead. At first I was surprised by their smaller size, but when shuffling and working with the deck, I’ve come to enjoy the way they feel and look when laid out in a spread. For once, I can easily fit them all on my table! The spreads the creators share in the guidebook focus on communion with the beloved dead; they are truly beautiful to work with, facilitating a tangible connection with loved ones who have passed on.

The guidebook is written in English on the right and Spanish on the left. For each card, the creators provide keywords, meaning, Storyteller message, and when applicable, Lenormand meaning too. The Storyteller message is unique in that it represents the message from “those beyond the Veil.”8 This blend of different interpretations provides illuminating insight into the card’s meaning while leaving plenty of room for reflection on the significance of the card’s message. Themes of remembrance, gratitude, and spiritual connection permeate throughout the card’s meaning, creating a sense of continuity between the past and present.

One of favorite cards in the deck is The Stork. This card features a burnt orange skeleton stork standing on one leg. The overall message of the card indicates a time of change, relocation, journey/movement, and pregnancy and birth. This joy-filled card made me feel inspired when I pulled it, and I really liked the Storyteller’s message in the guidebook:

“German folklore tells us that storks were given the task of flying babies home to their new parents. Even today we reference the Stork when talking about a newborn. We hope the glide path is free of obstruction.”9

This message makes me feel optimistic about my upcoming ventures!

Overall, The Ofrenda Oracle is a gorgeous work of art that honors tradition of Día de los Muertos and offers a path for spiritual exploration and ancestral connection. Hendrickson and Paris have succeeded in creating a deck that is not only a tool for divination but also a celebration of life, memory, and cultural heritage. Whether you are seeking to deepen your spiritual practice to connect with your ancestors or simply looking appreciate the beautiful symbolism of  Día de los Muertos, this oracle is a delightful addition to any collection.

Tarot Training Sleeves, by James Jacob Pierri and Dan Williams

Tarot Training Sleeves, by James Jacob Pierri and Dan Williams
REDFeather, 9780764368196, 80 sleeves, 83 cards, December 2024

With the Tarot Training Sleeves system, James Jacob Pierri and Dan Williams have created a handy training tool that gives a new reader “Cliff Notes” for learning tarot. 

James Jacob Pierri also created The Auset Gypsy Tarot and is a professional tarot reader and teacher with more than 30 years of experience. As an astrologer who has published articles worldwide, Pierri is also a musician, artist, performer, and host for various media. Learn more about him at AusetGypsy.com.

After working in higher education for more than 20 years, Dan Williams now specializes in computer programming and bringing new technologies to education. He was also a featured character in Who Wants to be a Superhero on the SyFy channel. Williams loves everything from comic books to photography and fashion design.

Together, Pierri and Williams have created a novel way to learn the meanings behind tarot cards by creating a system of clear plastic sleeves, small stickers for keywords, and tarot-sized cards with meanings for both upright and reversed cards. The symbolism is based on traditional Rider-Waite-Smith deck; six cards from a Rider-Waite-Smith deck are shown on the cover of the training set.

From the moment you open this kit, Pierri and Williams take you by the hand and literally tell you what to do in three easy steps. I started with the major arcana cards, as the creators suggested. It took me 10 minutes to place my major arcana cards in the sleeves, add the keyword stickers and then slip in the definition cards. So, when you prepare all 78 cards, it will probably take you about 35 minutes total.

Note: There are also 2 blank definition cards you can use, in case you have a deck with extra cards, such as Rachel Pollack did in The Shining Tribe Tarot. You can add your own information to the set of training tools.

Once you have assembled the cards, I suggest you sit and review them, starting with the major arcana and going through the cards in order. Next, go through the minor arcana, one suit at a time. Look at your card, note the keyword sticker, and then read through the definition cards. This allows you to have the material in the back of your mind and prepares you to work with the cards.

Next, you can shuffle the cards by placing them on a table and moving them around.  Be careful not to be too rough, or the cards will come out of the sleeves. You can then use the cards for a reading.

Pierri and Williams have provided a QR code that gives you even more information about the cards and utilizing the cards for training. They share spreads and tarot tutorials, including videos for each card in the Tarot deck. The very first video shows you how to set up the sleeves for your personal training use.

In the video, they share that the cards that work best with this system should be no larger than 3” X 5”.  This information would have been great to add to the box or inside information about the system. Luckily, I noticed that they referred to the Rider-Waite-Smith deck on the box cover, so I reached for a standard-sized deck that I knew would work with this set. 

On each of the definition cards, there is also a QR code in the top right hand corner.  This takes you to an online portal where you can learn even more about that card.  Here, the creators show pictures of a card from two different decks and provide expanded information about the upright and reversed meanings. Pierri and Williams also share how this card might be read in Past, Present, or Future placements in a spread, as well as the astrological significance. There is a wealth of information in this online resource. Their online portal provides even more information and they welcome questions, as well.

I have a friend who is just learning about tarot, and I plan to share this system with her.  The nice thing about the design is that it can be used by one person and then passed on to another person. The tarot cards can be removed easily and new cards inserted into the plastic sleeves.

The creators have really created an incredible resource for new tarot students with Tarot Training Sleeves. This system will be best for a new or novice tarot student. When my husband and I were learning tarot almost 20 years ago, this would have been a great way to learn basic meanings!  This would make a great gift for anyone you know who is starting their own tarot journey.

Wyrd Sisters, by Casey Zabala

Wyrd Sisters: A Deck of Spells and Rituals, by Casey Zabala
Weiser Books, 1578638291, 60 cards, 80 pages, April 2024

Ah, destiny! For those who enjoy contemplating fate, or the inevitable outcome of events, perhaps even tempting it here and there, Wyrd Sisters: A Deck of Spells and Rituals by Casey Zabala is a true delight. The concept of “wyrd”, originating from Old English and Norse mythology related to the predetermined outcome of events, has been explored as a way to understand the interconnectedness of all things and the idea that individuals are part of a larger cosmic pattern. While wyrd implies a sense of inevitability, it also carries the idea that individuals have some agency in shaping their own destinies through their choices and actions. Calling upon the duality of fate and free will, this deck helps readers to explore the mysteries of existence and the human experience.

Zabala is a devotee of the Wyrd Sisters, describing how they “are the ancient Deities who dwelt at the roots of the world tree and set the order of the cosmos through their spinning, weaving, and cutting the cords of fate. Their threefold process affirms the cyclical nature of our being.”1 Just as they weave fate, we too are weaving our own lives:

“We weave specific patterns and shapes for protection and success, with the awareness that our spells and wishes are delivered through the web of wyrd.”2

Believing that spellwork is deeply personal, Zabala has created a very creative and open-ended deck for readers to ascribe their own meanings to the imagery and messages and then use their own magical repertoire to integrate the energy. While there is some guidance provided through the guidebook, this deck really shines as a work of art that assists readers with strengthening their own intuition, crafting their own rituals, and creating magic that feel uniquely meaningful and relevant to them.

“Magic is the fifth element–also known as spirit, ether, or quintessence. It is the ethereal nature that keeps all beings connected and psychically tethered to each other.”10

There are five types of cards in this deck: spell cards, candle magic cards, sigil cards, magical tool cards, and Wyrd Sister cards. The guidebook entry differs depending on the type of card, as the type of magic coming through is aligned to the energy of your draw.

For the spell cards, there is an intuitive message along with a list of spell ingredients that one can use for inspiration. There’s something about being given three to five things and then being told, “Now go figure out what you can do with this” that makes my creativity soar. For instance, the spell ingredients for the card Spell for Surrender are “physical inversions, amethyst, strong winds, sharing secrets with strangers, salt”13. You can absolutely use none, one, some, or all of the spell ingredients, and I feel like the process of coming up with one that feels do-able and relevant for you is magic in itself.

For the candle magic cards, Zabala offers suggestions for the color candle and what to do during your candle magic ceremony. The Candle for Vitality card reads “Call all of your energy back to yourself.. Light a yellow candle and imagine a sunlight shield protecting your auric field from outside disturbance.”14

The guidance for the sigil card includes what to use the sigil, where to place it, and the ruling planet. As an example, the Sigil for Unbinding can be used to “untangle webs of entrapment or psychic manipulation”[/efn_note]page 55[/efn_note]. Zabala notes it should be placed in a ring of salt and the ruling planet is Pluto.

With the magical tool cards, Zabala reminds us, “Each tool represents the essence of our intentions, our spiritual connections, and the art of our will.”15 The guidebook describes the tool and then offers a suggestion of how one can best use their magical energy at this time. There is suggested magic for each one, ranging from speaking one’s truth to establish a boundary (athame) to gathering with friends to celebrate transformation through “ritual, feasting, and revelry”16 (bonfire).

Last but most important are the Wyrd Sister cards. I have yet to pull one myself! I honestly didn’t even want to read the guidebook description because I feel like it’s an initiation to pull one. However, from a quick glance at Zabala’s introduction, I can see they’re related to past, present, and future.

While you can pull a card for quick insight from this deck, as you can tell from reading the various descriptions, some of the cards require some more magical effort. Whether it’s planning out your spellwork, gathering the right color candle, or making preparations to perform the suggested magic related to a tool, it can take days, perhaps even weeks, to put the energy out into the world. It seems as though only the sigil cards can be used for immediate action. But I personally enjoy how the deck calls for you to savor its message and take the time to align with one’s intention and then put forth their magical working. You can always simply see what card comes through and then reflect on it before making any energetic investments.

As for the artwork, this deck is bright, abstract, and filled with symbolism. It definitely speaks to the non-verbal part of the psyche, activating inner knowledge through images, colors, and dimension. One thing I have been doing with this deck is noticing where my eyes go first, as there’s often many places to look, for insight into what is most relevant for me. For those who enjoy divination through creative decks, you could absolutely toss the guidebook aside and find plenty of messages and meaning within the cards themselves.

My favorite card that I’ve pulled so far is Spell for Grounding. Suitably, I pulled this on a night when my lower back was completely out of whack, indicating to me that I was ungrounded and needed to focus on my root chakra, as I rested with a heating pad. The image on the card was so fascinating to look at, and I spent a good five minutes letting my eyes explore. It shows a person with their arms in the air and an infinity symbol witch hat on their head, but the torso of their body is a tree trunk. It is growing from a patch of grass, and one can see the roots below the ground, pushing downward into spirals of energy below.

The guidebook calls for connecting with the earth, listening to plants, being barefoot, and speaking the name of the native land I live on, giving thanks. All of which my body and soul gave a resounding “yes, yes, yes, yes” as I read the entry and continued to meditate on the card. In this case, I didn’t feel a whole spell was needed; simply going outside and laying on the ground seemed to be enough, which I guess could be considered a simple spell in itself, but as Zabala intended, to each their own with this deck!

All in all, Zabala has created a really cool deck for those who love to explore their own magic and discover new possibilities. Wyrd Sisters is the perfect blend of intuitive guidance and freedom to roam with one’s own interpretation. Within the liminal magical space, we have the opportunity to discover our destiny, while also actively changing our fate. It all comes down to the willingness to ride the waves of mystery and magic, learning when to surrender and when to pursue. The Wyrd Sisters may be the universal weavers, but we are the active co-creators shaping the web too. As Zabala encourages:

“May your connection with the Wyrd ones inspire you to embrace the mystery and weave your own magical webs of belonging.”17

Angelic Vibrations Oracle, by Josephine Wall

Angelic Vibrations Oracle, by Josephine Wall
Findhorn Press, 979-8888501399, 128 pages, 50 cards, December 2024

Josephine Wall’s Angelic Vibration Oracle is a captivating oracle deck that invites readers to connect with angles through its splendid artwork and insightful messages. This 50-card deck serves a form of communication between the reader and their angels, sharing wisdom that uplifts, renews hope, and encourages readers that they are divinely protected.

“The angels are wonderful helpers in your everyday life because they establish a direct connection between yourself and the INFINITE SOURCE OF LIFE. They know exactly, sometimes even better than you, what challenges you face and how best to tackle them.”12

The visual artistry of Josephine Wall is nothing short of breathtaking. Each card in the Angelic Vibrations Oracle is adorned with intricate, dreamlike illustrations that capture the essence of celestial beings and mystical landscapes. Wall’s use of vibrant colors and delicate details creates a feeling of otherworldly beauty, drawing the observer into a realm where the imagination can roam free. There’s a beautiful tenderness within the images, a sweetness that opens one’s heart and soul to divine love.

The imagery in this oracle deck also serves as a bridge between the earthly and the divine. Scenes on the cards features both heavenly and earthly surroundings, igniting feelings of unity between the reader and the angels present in our lives. I love how nature and the celestial realm are blended, showing angels riding through the sky as well as swimming in the sea. Wall really depicts the connection of angels with the natural realm, almost show them with a fairy-like essence.

The themes of the cards, reflected in the image and name of the card, are designed to provide guidance on various aspects of life, from personal growth and relationships to spiritual enlightenment. The energy of this inspires hope, love, and spiritual awakening. For readers who need a moment of grace in their day, pulling a card from this deck would be the perfect pause to reflect and connect with their angels.

The accompanying guidebook offers well-articulated explanations and suggestions on how to interpret the cards, making it accessible for both beginners and seasoned oracle readers. For each beautifully crafted card in the deck, Wall provides a short and sweet interpretation. The messages conveyed through the cards encourage self-reflection and a deeper connection with one’s inner self and the universe. The messages are non-denominational, making them inclusive and appealing to a wide audience, regardless of their spiritual or religious affiliations.

As an example, the card I pulled today is Healing in the Now (42). The guidebook entry for this card reads: 

“Illness often comes with much suffering. Know that the angels of healing surround you always!”17

And would you believe that after a week of tending to my son with RSV, I woke up today feeling pretty bad myself, assured that the virus had spread to me. I was absolutely astounded that this deck brought forth a card that  accurately reflected my troubles—feeling quite stuffy, foggy-headed, and unhappy about the developing symptoms—and instantly provided a soothing balm of relief in the message that the angels are with me through this.

The image for this card show an angel with brilliant, translucent wings looking down at a dove she’s holding. She is wearing a purple cloak, but her arms and chest look like a church’s stain-glassed window, featuring the image of another angel, and her lower body shows what looks like a portal down a path lined with trees. She hovers in the heavens, as shown by the starry night’s sky behind her, but at her feet is a cresting white mountain range.

Looking at the image reminds me to have faith that I’ll be able to move through this illness with ease. Meanwhile, I’m going take a higher spiritual perspective about feeling this way as a message to slow down and reconnect rather than feel victimized by the suffering.

As far as the logistics of the deck the cards are all arranged numerically. Readers either need to look to the table of contents to find the page number for the card’s entry or flip through the deck. However, flipping through takes a bit of time because the numbers do not correspond to the alphabetical order and the entry could be anywhere! Additionally, within the guidebook, Wall offers a variety of spreads that can be used for the cards in the beginning of the guidebook too for further insight.

So far, I’ve been using this deck for daily inspiration, meditation, and more in-depth readings, depending on what feels best each day. The deck is ideal for those looking for a small reminder of the angel’s presence in their daily life. Those exploring their spirituality through connection with the angels or seeking a tool for personal insight and reflection would benefit from their deck.

Overall, Angelic Vibrations Oracle is a stunningly gorgeous deck filled with a variety of angelic beings. It combines exquisite artwork with gentle messages, offering users a means to connect with higher realms and their own inner wisdom. Whether used for personal reflection or spiritual guidance, this oracle deck is sure to enchant and inspire readers, providing them with messages of love and divine support.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Tarot, by Nick Lawyer

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Tarot, by Nick Lawyer
REDFeather, 076436863X, 112 pages, 78 cards, August 2024

Sleepy Hollow, New York is one of the most magical places I’ve ever visited (WAY better than Salem, Massachusetts for a visit during Halloween season in my opinion!). The rich cultural history of railroad tycoons vacationing there within the gorgeous landscape, amplified by the American folklore forged by Washington Irvington, give Sleepy Hollow a liminal feeling where one can step out of time to merge with echoes from the past.

I was totally thrilled to discover The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Tarot by Nick Lawyer, which blends the classic tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman with the mystical art of tarot reading to provide readers with the same timeless experience that comes through in divination.

The cards in this deck are absolutely stunning. The navy blue back of the card has an intricate gilded design that features a sun, moon, pumpkins, skulls, bats, eyes, and vines. Shuffling the deck feels luminous, like you’re about to step through a portal into the 18th century, where gothic mystery awaits. This tarot deck follows the traditional structure, with 78 cards divided into the major and minor arcana. However, what makes it unique is the thematic twist each card takes from Sleepy Hollow’s folklore. 

The images on the deck are all related to Irvington’s writing, with most of the cards depicting characters from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Those who are familiar with the tale will absolutely love seeing the scenes of it depicted on the cards; IIchabod Crane, Katrina Van Tassel, and, of course, the Headless Horseman, are cleverly integrated into the cards, providing a fresh interpretation of familiar tarot archetypes. Lawyer also draws inspiration from other folklore in the Sleepy Hollow area, such as The Woman in White, who haunts Raven Rock in Rockefeller State Park Preserve, along with figures like werewolves, witches, enchantresses, and more.

As a whole, the illustrations within this deck are intricately designed, perfectly capturing the eerie and enchanting essence of the tale. Lawyer has done a remarkable job of blending traditional tarot symbolism with the gothic undertones of the story. The use of color and shadow creates an atmospheric experience that draws the reader into the realm of Sleepy Hollow.

The cards are sturdy, easy to shuffle, and come with a guidebook that offers detailed explanations of each card’s meaning, both upright and reversed. Those who are already familiar with the traditional tarot interpretations will easily be able to apply the meanings of cards into their readings. The descriptions for each card are not too long, so those who are unfamiliar with tarot might need to supplement Lawyer’s description of the card for more insight. The real charm of this deck is how Lawyer weaves in Irvington’s writing, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and other local folklore to the guidebook, adding an interesting layer to the readings.

For the major arcana cards, there’s either a quote from Irvington’s writing or Lawyer’s description of what’s being depicted in the scene on the card. For instance, the guidebook entry for the Strength reads:

“Abraham “Brom” Van Brunt, with his Herculean frame, earned the nickname “Brom Bones” for his feats of strength and hardiness. Always ready for a fight or frolic, his character was quickened more by a spirit of mischief than ill will.”18

The image on the card shows Brunt wrestling with a wolf, much like the traditional Strength card showing a woman bending towards a lion. This example goes to show how the deck is a great balance of literary creativity and traditional tarot.

The most recent card I pulled from this deck was the Ten of Pentacles, which features a table set for a delicious dinner of turkey, ham, pie, and more. Each plate is the pentacle symbol, all nicely set around the table. The guidebook describes this card as “The great harvest fest of Van Tassel manor”19. Since it’s a minor arcana card, Lawyer simply shares a few keywords for both the upright and reverse position. Given that I just listed a car for sale online, I was quite please to read the keywords “wealth, financial security”20 as insight for my pull!

Overall, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Tarot by Nick Lawyer is a beautifully crafted deck that will appeal to both tarot readers and literary enthusiasts alike. Lawyer brings a fresh perspective to Washington Irving’s timeless story in this unique deck. Its captivating artwork and thematic richness make it a worthy addition to any collection, especially for those who enjoy one of a kind decks. The fusion of an American classic tale with tarot makes for a very engaging deck that invites literary mysticism into readers’ lives.

The Vedic Tarot, by Dwina Murphy-Gibb

The Vedic Tarot: East Meets West, by Dwina Murphy-Gibb
RedFeather, 978-0764368202, 288 pages, 81 cards, September 2024

Dwina Murphy-Gibb has created a masterful tarot deck with influences from the Vedic, Irish, Qabbalistic, and Rider-Waite-Smith traditions in The Vedic Tarot: East Meets West. From the brightly colored illustrations to the wealth of information presented in the guidebook, this deck is a feast for the eyes and wisdom for the soul.

Born and raised in Northern Ireland, Dwina Murphy-Gibb was educated at Hornsey Art College in England. Her published works include three books of poetry, three novels, and numerous short stories. In addition to two plays, she has also produced a few independent films. You can learn more about Murphy-Gibb on her website.

What interested me most about this deck was the reference to “East Meets West.”  Murphy-Gibb shares that her first deck of cards was a deck of playing cards. This was due to her grandmother’s disdain for tarot cards. Her first tarot deck was a Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck, followed by the Etteilla and Aquarian decks, among others. The symbolism of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck shines through in this deck, although some of the names and symbols of the cards have been changed.

Murphy-Gibb changes The Fool to The First Traveler, and Death to Changes, among others. She also adds three cards to the major arcana: Oogenesis, Arbor Vitae, and Supreme Soul. So that she doesn’t interrupt the traditional numbers of the major arcana, Murphy-Gibb gives these three cards special numbers.

For the minor arcana, she utilizes the suits of Cups, Wands and Swords, but transforms Pentacles into Shields. In an example of how the RWS symbology is seen, the Five of Shields in this deck features a couple huddled outside of a building with stained-glass windows. The shields on most of the cards are round, much like pentacles in other suits.

Each card features the name of the card, a symbolic drawing, the Hebrew letter, the Sanskrit name, the Ogham tree/symbol, and the musical instrument applicable to the card. In the guidebook, Murphy-Gibb gives detailed information regarding each of these correspondences. There are also two charts in the guidebook that present tables of the information from all of the correspondences for the major arcana. Here are just a few of the correspondences that she assigns to The Lovers card in one of the charts:

Musical note:  D-natural
Hertz:  587.33
Chakra: Sacral20

Murphy-Gibb begins the guidebook with the story of how The Vedic Tarot was created:

“This Tarot is really an illustrative book that explores secrets of four ancient languages: Vedic Sanskrit, Irish Ogham Tree Alphabet, and Hebrew, as well as English and the influence of sound or music in the spheres and in the chakras of the body.”21

Next, she explains how each of these play a role in the story of man and tarot. She divides the major arcana into three sections of archetypes, powers, and the Eight-Fold Path.

After the extensive guidance and wisdom provided for both major and minor arcana cards, Murphy-Gibb presents Part 2. This section includes how to work with the cards, correspondence tables, and several spreads, including one she learned from a Gypsy Queen in her youth. This spread includes “the making of a mandala by interlocking the cards,”22 and makes use of only six cards.

Next, Murphy-Gibb presents glossaries for Sanskrit, Hebrew/Qabbalah, and Ogham terms.  She also includes resources for further reading, including online sources.   

I decided to test drive the deck by drawing three cards, keeping in mind Murphy-Gibb’s advice:

“The querent does not need to ask a question, because the answer will be apparent to them during the reading, or the subconscious question they have not dared to ask will be answered.”23

I drew these cards: Three of Swords, Knight of Swords and Knight of Cups. The information in the guidebook is so rich and multi-layered and it is easy to become overwhelmed. I decided to scan the pages for each card and came up with these three bits of guidance:

  1. “I am not lost, but rather replace it with the wonder of being somewhere else.”24
  2. “I may choose to challenge laws without breaking them.”25
  3. “There is joy in “the finding of a direction, not the seeking of it.””26 

This guidance helps me greatly with a situation in my life. I am also going to look up music with violins, C-sharp notes, and/or music that soothes the heart chakra, in keeping with Murphy-Gibb’s guidance. 

This deck is presented in a large, sturdy box, printed in rich colors of scarlet, gold, and black.  It features a magnetic flap that secures the box and opens to reveal space for the guidebook and two deep wells for the cards. These cards are printed on nice cardstock, which is so heavy that the box requires you to cut the deck in half to store it.  The cards have a black matte edging, and the back of the card is a unique design, which Murphy-Gibb describes as: “a combination of the Trishula, Shiva’s weapon, the Damru, his drum and the lyre.”27 She also accents the image with a sun, a snake and three worms across a moon, because she finished the artwork for the back of the cards on a Worm Moon. 

My favorite card in this deck is the Arbor Vitae.  This card is numbered 0-8 and comes before the Justice card in the major arcana for this deck. The visual is a tree with a feminine face, a small tree in her heart and curling roots. The musical instrument for this card is the bell. It is so calming and beautiful. I plan to keep it on my altar for a few days and drink in its powerful love vibes. The last line of the guidance says it all:

“Everyone wants to feel useful, and taking care of the little things is a service to the Great Mother and our own fulfillment. Undoing the wrongs by taking right action is the greatest medicine of all.”28

The Vedic Tarot would probably be best for a seasoned tarot reader or tarot scholar.  The rich layers of guidance, the multiple correspondences and the combination of Vedic, Sanskrit, Hebrew, and Irish myth and lore might be too difficult for a novice to take in. 

However, if beginners wanted to initially focus on the Divination section and then build up to adding the information in the other portions, this would be a great addition to their tarot collection. I plan to keep it on hand for personal readings and utilize the guidebook for additional information for client readings.

With this deck, we can continue our quest for knowledge and, as Murphy-Gibb says:

“We can begin remembrance of who we really are and start learning to fly.”29

The Westwood Tarot, by Yasmeen Westwood and Kalliope

The Westwood Tarot, by Yasmeen Westwood and Kalliope
RedFeather, 9780764368127, 256 pages, 78 cards, September 2024

In the rich set of 78 cards of The Westwood Tarot, Yasmeen Westwood has created a zoological treasure map for the Soul. She and the writer of the guidebook, Kalliope, have presented guidance and wisdom for the soul traveler.

Yasmeen Westwood is an artist who was born in Scotland and holds both a degree in biochemistry and a graduate degree in immunopharmacology. After working in the oil and gas field, she decided to study NLP, hypnotherapy, Reiki, and life coaching. She considers herself a “self-taught photomanipulation artist.”  After the birth of her child, she suffered from postnatal depression and began to teach herself Photoshop and other graphic techniques. She leaned into art to express herself and heal from PND. Soon, she had created her first tarot deck and went on to create four more decks, including The Westwood Tarot. You can learn more about her journey here.

Kalliope began working with the secrets of tarot in 1986 and also works with Lenormand cards. She has also written a guidebook for The Lenormand of Enchantment. She is a well-known speaker and teacher, who lives in Ontario with her husband and two sons. Learn more about Kalliope on her website.

The cards and guidebook are housed inside a box that looks like a book. The left side of the box is curved, like the spine of a book. Then the top and bottom edges of the box are painted to look like book pages and are adorned with dragonflies. It is so whimsical and fun!

My first observations of this deck were that it is larger than a usual tarot deck, more like the standard oracle deck size. The deck is printed on nice card stock and is a good weight for shuffling. The back of the cards features a lush green leaf and floral design, and each card is edged in gold. The fanciful beings on the cards offer a new dimension to tarot symbolism, which follows the Rider-Waite-Smith line up of major and minor cards.

Westwood’s inspiration for this deck comes from her childhood memories of Enid’s Blyton’s book series The Magic Faraway Tree. Each tarot card is paired with a beautiful creature that takes center stage on the card. The whimsical animals, birds, insects, flowers, and marine life are brought to life with rich and vibrant colors, symbolism, and magical touches. The guidebook offers a Spirit message from the respective characters.

Here are just a few examples:

Fool – Grasshopper
Hanged Man – Orangutan
Ace of Wands – Sunflower
6 of Cups – Dolphin

As the creator Westwood and Kalliope say in their “Welcome”:

“The Westwood Tarot beckons you to delve into the depths of your subconscious, where profound insights and revelation await. Inspired by pure intuition and decades of experience, this deck is a testament to the innate connections among artistry, intuition, and profound human experiences.”1

Next, the creators share five steps to beginning a reading: center, clear, connect, call, and close. They also give the reader a quick look at the categories that the guidebook includes for each card. A quick review of each of the four suits of the minor arcana follows, as well as an explanation of the court characters for each suit. At the end of the guidebook, Kalliope includes ideas for three different spreads.

Unlike a lot of tarot decks which have a small guidebook, the information for The Wildwood Tarot is quite extensive. The guidance spans about three pages for each card. 

To get acquainted with this deck, I drew one card daily for about a week. The first day I drew the 8 of Swords, which Westwood has creatively paired with a Canary! In its gilded cage, the canary hangs upside down, feeling trapped, although he can see a method of escape. Kalliope shares a four-line poem, provides key words for both light and shadow applications, and then paints a beautiful scene for the card. This “Scene” verbiage is more of a short narrative, explaining the background, setting, and a fable that brings to life the story of the chosen character.

After reading all the background material for the 8 of Swords, I chose to also read the passage on Career, which advised me to “Welcome workplace challenges as stepping stones to growth.”21 This was particularly resonant to me, as I have recently been feeling stuck with several challenges around growing my practice. However, when I am honest, I see that I am making steady progress. I took the rest of the guidance to heart and created this question to ponder: How am I torn between the safety of the cage and fear of freedom and success?

Later in the week, I drew the King of Cups, which shows a frog sitting against the night sky. The deck’s guidance shared that the frog “hops into your journey to facilitate a deeper connection with your emotions.”23 Kalliope says that because a frog can’t handle “toxic environments,” it just hops away.  This told me that it might be best to get out of toxic situations! I knew exactly what was being referenced in that advice! For this card, I chose to read the additional information about Wellness, where I found a suggestion to release negative emotions.

The way that the creators offer extra guidance for Love, Career, Wellness, and Finances is so helpful. And for me, the addition of the Spirit or Spirit Guide message from one of the creatures on the card is the icing on the cake. Kalliope also adds a quote from a famous person to the end of the guidance for every card.  My favorite quote was the one that accompanied the 8 of Swords and the Canary:

“I started to build a home with all the walls I was putting up for myself, but when I was finished, I realized I had built a cage and didn’t make a key. Lydia Longoria.”30 

My favorite card in the deck is the Empress. This card features a whimsical Highland Cow, which is currently my favorite creature! (Who doesn’t love those cuddly beings?) Here’s just a part of what Kalliope shares in the Spirit Guide message from the Highland Cow:

“Embrace their presence, dance in the sun, and let daisies be strewn under your feet, for you, too, deserve the beauty of nature’s embrace.”31

The Westwood Tarot would be good for any level of reader, from a novice to a more experienced reader. The cards and the guidance shared will form a good foundation for the beginner and add new insights for the more skilled diviner. I plan to keep the deck on hand for a few more weeks to see both major and minor arcana from a new perspective. I can see myself referring to the guidebook often in the future to add another layer of guidance for client readings.

Tarot of the Cosmic Seed, by Lalania Simone

Tarot of the Cosmic Seed, by Lalania Simone
Weiser Books, 9781578638611, 80 pages, 79 cards, November 2024

Drawing from a rich palette of jewel tones and a diverse collection of symbology, Lalania Simone has transformed the Rider-Waite Smith tradition into her own language in Tarot of the Cosmic Seed.

Lalania Simone is an indigenous artist, metalsmith, author and creator of tarot and oracle decks.  She has written a book called Urban Soul Warrior: Self-mastery in the Midst of the Metropolis and created two other tarot decks, including The Oracle of Awakening. She currently runs a spiritual boutique called Alchemy Ritual Goods, where services such as acupuncture/herbs, traditional spiritual healing practices, Usui Reiki, and several types of divination are offered.

In the guidebook, we learn that Simone has added a 23rd major arcana card to the deck.  This addition, The Cosmic Seed, is a brilliant card which speaks to “the seed of infinite potential. It exists in the quantum realm and can move between dimensions/realities in all directions, and through matter.”32.

Another change Simone made is renaming some of the major arcana cards, such as changing The Hierophant to The Teacher and The Fool to The Wanderer. Furthermore, she also renamed the court cards. Simone explains that she made this change “in an effort to decolonize the tarot and challenge outdated gender norms.”33

In her new royal court, the Kings are named “Mastery”; Queens are “Nurturer”; Knights are “Action”; and Pages are “Messenger.”  Simone kindly puts the traditional court name in parentheses next to the new name she has created and lists these for each of the four minor arcana suits in the guidebook.

Simone includes one spread in the guidebook, which she calls the Spiritual Growth Spread. With this layout, the querent can get an idea of “what is blooming”, any “support and/or challenges” and “outcome or further progression”.34 She also includes notes on how to use the deck and how to work with reversals. In her own words, Simone shares:

“Tarot of the Cosmic Seed is a journey into the experience of life. A vibrant and diverse spiritual tool, a bridge to the mysterious and the esoteric, as well as a guide to the everyday.”35 

Within the deck, Simone features a very diverse group of characters. For example, you will see the Hindu goddess Lakshmi on the 6 of Coins, Native American arrows on 8 of Wands, maidens in Asian dress on the 3 of Coins, a Mexican family with sombreros on the 10 of Cups, and an African princess on The Star card. For Mastery of Wands, Simone captures a gentleman in a pinstriped aqua suit that reminds me of Gregory Hines in The Cotton Club.

However, not all cards feature people. The 4 of Swords captures a beautiful velvet loveseat in rich turquoise hues with giant flowers that act as pillows. The 8 of Coins card showcases buttons, instead of coins, as well as a needle, thread and scissors.  

My favorite cards are The Wanderer, with a ballerina balancing on one foot atop a giant garnet gemstone; The Devil, which features a woman in a locked birdcage with a stag skull above her; and The Hermit, which is perhaps the most intriguing card in the deck.  The imagery on The Hermit combines a full moon, which is visible from a cave near an ocean or large sea, with a woman dressed in purple formalwear. Although she faces the sea, her head turns to look toward a lantern shining inside the cave. The visual is multi-layered with a sacred geometric pattern in the sky and crystals in each corner.  I could gaze at it for days!

To test drive the deck, I posted the backs of three cards on Facebook and asked friends to select a card and come back later for the reveal. Several women posted positive comments regarding the cards, such as one friend who selected the card 6 of Cups and shared that the message of enjoying memories and reconnecting with someone from the past really resonated with her. She had recently heard from a friend she had worked with 30 years ago. Another friend had this to say:

“This fell right in line with my own Tarot for today, 3 of Cups and 10 of Cups. I love it when the Tarot voice isn’t ambiguous but sings with clarity.”

Another friend selected the Justice card, which features a scale of gemstones with a human heart on one side and a feather on the other. I shared Simone’s guidance that states that the Egyptians believed in weighing the heart with a feather to reveal the true character of the person. My friend shared that she has “always been drawn to Egypt and actually lived there for several months years ago.” She went on to share about some physical challenges she and her daughter are navigating and how “it’s requiring me to practice balance in both thoughts and actions.”

My own journey with the deck provided me with thought-provoking words of wisdom and some incredible journal prompts. The rich colors and interesting characters will keep me coming back for more adventures with The Tarot of the Cosmic Seed.

These cards are standard size for a tarot deck, coming in at a little over 5” X 3”.  The cards are printed in a matte finish and on good quality card stock.  The back of the cards features a watercolor design of cobalt blue, turquoise, and midnight blue. Simone designed a beautiful symbol with an eye in the center and swirls and palm fronds flanking the eye. This esoteric symbol is printed in a turquoise foil imprint in the center of each card, and the cards are edged in turquoise foil, as well.  It is truly a stunning deck.

Tarot of the Cosmic Seed would be great for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of tarot and enjoys working with a diverse set of characters from around the world. It would probably be best for someone with a basic knowledge of tarot or with a foundation in Rider-Waite Smith symbols. I really enjoyed working with this deck and plan to add it to my collection of decks for client readings. My adventures with this deck are encouraged by Simone, as she offers this prayer on the first page of the guidebook:

“May this deck help you tap into your inner knowing. May it be a conduit for the wisdom of the divine within. May it serve as a mirror for healing and growth. May it ever align to the highest good of all.”36

Oracle of Heaven and Hell, by Travis McHenry

Oracle of Heaven and Hell: Harness the power of the angels and demons, by Travis McHenry
Rockpool Publishing, 1922785334, 168 pages, 72 cards, April 2024

Few oracle decks have dared readers to plumb the depths of the abyss, to dance on the razor’s edge between good and evil, as boldly as Travis McHenry’s Oracle of Heaven and Hell. In the tradition of grimoire magic, this unique deck conjures up Kabbalistic angels and their rival Goetic demons. Each card presents a dual-sided portrait: a divine messenger on one side, a primordial agent of chaos on the other. These celestial and infernal beings, bound by their opposing sigils, clash and coalesce in a cosmic dance of light and shadow, their wings and claws creating a maelstrom of energy that mirrors the profound duality inherent in the human soul. The cards’ edges, gilted in metallic blood-red, scintillate while shuffling, and the backs bear the sigil of Asmoday, the King of Demons, a potent symbol of forbidden knowledge.

Travis McHenry, a former intelligence analyst for the United States Navy and ordained Baptist deacon, traded his military uniform for the robes of a ritual magician. With a university background in anthropology and a Nile baptism initiating him into the priesthood of Anubis in 2021, he continues to explore the depths of the mysteries.

McHenry is the creator of a variety of tarot and oracle decks, including the Vlad Dracula Tarot, Hieronymus Bosch Tarot, and Egyptian Star Oracle. I’ve been using his Angel Tarot and Occult Tarot to learn the Kabbalistic angels and Goetic demons, so I was thrilled to discover that he has released Oracle of Heaven and Hell, a deck that combines the monochrome artwork from the previous ones, presenting each angel and corresponding demon on the same card, with their sigils popping in a rich sanguine red. This comprehensive deck is a wonderful resource for occultists who want to deepen their understanding of the interplay between these opposing spiritual forces.

As McHenry notes in the introduction, “There can be no light without darkness and no darkness without light.” [1] The accompanying guidebook delves into the origins of the 144 spirits featured in this deck. The 72 Kabbalistic angels, also known as the angels of the Shem HaMephorash, or secret name of God, are divine emanations whose names are derived from the 72-letter sequence found in verses 19-21 of the Book of Exodus, chapter 14, which describes Moses pronouncing the divine name and God parting the Red Sea for the Israelites.

These angels have dominion over the 72 Goetic demons, who come from the medieval grimoire The Ars Goetia, or The Lesser Key of Solomon. These spirits are believed to be derived from pagan gods, fallen angels, and other infernal spirits. According to legend, they were first summoned and enslaved by King Solomon, who forced them to build his temple. After the work was completed, Solomon imprisoned them in a brass vessel sealed with a magical sigil and cast them into a Babylonian lake. When some treasure hunters discovered it and broke the seal, the demons were released into the world. 

According to the occult writings of Cornelius Agrippa, every human is protected by a trio of guardian angels. In McHenry’s guidebook to Oracle of Heaven and Hell, each entry includes the dates and times over which each spirit holds regency so readers can discover their three guardian angels based on their birth date and time. Each demon is also said to be a servant to those born during certain date ranges.

A potential drawback for those who don’t own McHenry’s previous decks, the Angel Tarot and Occult Tarot, is that the guidebook for Oracle of Heaven and Hell does not provide pronunciations of the spirits’ names, which were included in the other guidebooks. This could present a minor challenge for those unfamiliar with Kabbalistic angels and Goetic demons. However, each card offers simplified oracular meanings in the form of one or two keywords, making it accessible to a wider audience.

I regrettably found a spelling error on one of the cards: the name of the first angel, Vehuiah, is misspelled Vehuaih. While this is a minor oversight, it’s worth noting for those who appreciate accuracy and attention to detail. Hopefully, future printings will remedy this mistake. 

When I first opened Oracle of Heaven and Hell and held the cards, I felt intense power emanating from them. It was like the angelic and demonic energies were wrestling with each other in the cards. The more I work with this deck, the more I see the angels and demons as complementary opposites, the angel representing a higher state of consciousness and the demon being a primal, instinctual response. 

To quote William Blake’s Marriage of Heaven and Hell: “Without contraries is no progression. Attraction and repulsion, reason and energy, love and hate, are necessary to human existence. From these contraries spring what the religious call Good and Evil. Good is the passive that obeys reason; Evil is the active springing from Energy. Good is heaven. Evil is hell.”34 Blake eloquently illustrates how the primal tug of war between heaven and hell sparks the Promethean fire of inspiration, the creative tension that fuels all artistic endeavors. The angels and demons represent a delicate balance between rational consciousness and primal instincts. 

The Oracle of Heaven and Hell has challenged me to develop a more nuanced approach to interpretation. When I draw a card, regardless of whether the angelic or demonic side is upright, I consider both perspectives, viewing them as complementary aspects of the message. This allows me to explore the light and shadow sides of the information I’m seeking. 

For example, card 4, which features the angel Elemiah, with the key phrase “Divine Power,”37 and the demon Samigina, with the keyword “Delay,”38 could be interpreted in the following way. Since Elemiah is associated with protection, guidance, and divine intervention, this angel’s presence indicates that the querent is being supported by a higher power and that there is a spiritual purpose for whatever challenges they are facing in their current situation.

The delays and obstacles in their path, signified by the opposing demon, might be frustrating, but may be necessary for personal growth or to help realign the querent’s path with their divine purpose. The overall message would be that a larger, divine plan is at work that involves temporary setbacks or delays, and one must have patience and trust in divine timing, as the delays may be necessary to prepare one for something greater. Even in the face of these challenges, the querent is being protected and guided by a higher power. 

One of my daily draws was particularly interesting. After drawing the “Spiritual Communication”39 card, featuring the angel Nanael and the opposing demon of “Ignorance,”40 Camio, I was startled to receive a telepathic message from Asmoday, the demon king, later that day, even though I wasn’t handling the deck or anywhere near it.

Given his sigil’s prominence on the back of every card, it’s not surprising that he reached out to me after I’d been working with this oracle. I was completely relaxed, watching TV at the time, and his communication came in like a jarring intrusive thought. He let me know that he was displeased that I was ignoring him and was demanding my attention by startling me into recognition of his presence. Remembering that the reversed keyword on the “Spiritual Communication”41 card is “Ignorance,”42 this incident brought to my attention how I can be willfully ignorant of spirit contact, either out of fear or distrust.

Be aware that engaging with this deck can open channels of communication with these entities, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who feels uncomfortable with the idea of interacting with demons. When I initially started establishing contact with these spirits (before using this deck), they informed me that calling upon one of them summons them all. The Underworld resides within us.

Oracle of Heaven and Hell is more than just a deck of cards; it’s a portal to the depths of the human soul. By confronting the duality within, you’ll embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery. This powerful tool offers an alchemical transformation, but it demands courage and a willingness to face your inner demons. Approach it with respect and reverence, and be prepared to emerge transformed.