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The Butterfly Wisdom Tarot, by Starla Yilmaz

The Butterfly Wisdom Tarot: Guiding Wings for Your Journey, by Starla Yilmaz
RedFeather, 9780764369230, 144 pages, 78 cards, June 2025

With her beautiful deck, The Butterfly Wisdom Tarot: Guiding Wings for Your Journey, Starla Yilmaz draws inspiration from the butterfly. An ancient symbol of metamorphosis and the soul, and offers readers of all experience levels a vibrant tool for reflection, guidance, and growth.

Starla Yilmaz is a fiction writer, tarot reader, and cross-stitch creator. Tarot and cross-stitch have been an important part of her healing journey and her life for more than 20 years. While her work in romantic fiction has won two awards, this is her first deck. You can learn more about Yilmaz on her website.

After what Yilmaz calls an “intense healing period of my life”1, she had a vision of “butterflies cross-stitched onto white canvas, each one the focus of a tarot card, forming one giant tapestry.”2 She laughed and put away the idea until a later time when she decided to begin one simple pattern. As the designing and sewing healed her, she created another and another. When she started writing the guidebook, she began to draft little stories to accompany each card, including key ideas and thoughts or questions for deeper contemplation.

Each card is edged in black with a distinct color for the inner border, showing tiny threads on white fabric. She uses matching thread colors for the Major Arcana and again for each suit of the Minor Arcana. All the cards feature an uncomplicated design with a butterfly and crisp black stitching representing a very basic part of the symbolism from Rider-Waite-Smith.

For example, The Moon card features a moth with a crescent moon and a full moon, adorned at the top with the symbol for Pisces. When readers go to the guidebook, her story brings out the tale of the dog barking at the moon because he fears the mirror image of the moon on the water; her thoughtful questions encourage the reader to inspect fears, dreams and reflections.

Within the guidebook, Yilmaz features full-color illustrations for the Major Arcana cards. She includes an introduction to her story, notes on how to use this deck, and several one, three, and four-card spreads. At the end of the guidebook, she includes “Healing Patterns and Prompts”3 for the reader to copy and stitch (pg. 129-141) She shares three designs, offering a beginner pattern and an advanced pattern for each. Yilmaz also includes a list of tarot resources.

The heart of this deck lies in its artwork. Each card is adorned with illustrations that intertwine the world of butterflies with the archetypes and stories of tarot. The Butterfly Wisdom Tarot arrives in a box of royal hues and elegant details, calling to mind the fragile beauty and bold colors of butterfly wings. The box is sturdy and well-constructed, with a magnetic closure that protects the cards while adding a sense of ceremony to every reading. She has designed a deep well for the cards with thumb holes for easy removal.

The symbolism in these cards is simple, subtle, and brilliant. Each black stitch has been carefully designed and sewn to represent the timeless archetypes of the 78 cards of Rider-Waite-Smith deck. From the two cups pouring water in the Temperance card to the tiny tools of the Magician, Yilmaz has artfully selected the best symbols for each card and carefully stitched them onto her fabric canvas.

And the butterflies! Each butterfly is a mini masterpiece! Whether it is a classic monarch on the Emperor card or a chrysalis on the Hanged Man, Yilmaz uses all the colors of the rainbow to present her butterfly parade. 

The cards themselves are printed on high-quality, matte-finish stock that feels silky to the touch yet substantial enough for everyday use. The deck is standard size, shuffling smoothly whether you prefer riffle or overhand methods. The matte finish reduces glare and makes the cards easy to photograph—a boon for those who share their readings online.

Card backs feature an elegant, symmetrical design that looks like stained glass and butterfly wings in flight, making the deck reversible for those who read with reversed cards.

From the outset, the deck exudes an energy of gentleness and support. It is approachable for those new to tarot and a delight for seasoned practitioners. I love the thoughtful questions that Yilmaz poses for each card, so that the reader can go deeper into self-reflection. 

I presented the cards to a Zoom group that I attend monthly. Here are a few comments from attendees:

LC – The Lovers: “I’ve been flirting with this guy online. I now know I need to decide whether to meet him or move on. I love the question: ‘What quality do I need to work on to be a better partner?’  That really makes me stop and think.”

TW – 4 of Cups: “OMG! I see how I have been a Debbie Downer lately! I may need to contact my old therapist and have a few sessions to put myself right. Am I depressed or just bored? These questions really help!”

As for me, I really resonated with the artwork and guidance for the 6 of Wands. I loved the simple garland of victory and the 6 wands cheering me on to success. Another favorite card is the Strength card. Yilmaz features a gorgeous orange butterfly resting on the gaping mouth of a lion. Simply stunning!

I plan to share The Butterfly Wisdom Tarot with my Friday Coffee & Cards group and other Zoom groups I attend. I will keep the guidebook close by for my personal card readings, as I consider the questions for deeper reflection. Yilmaz provides this note:

“I hope that readers find themselves supported and uplifted during life’s toughest moments with my deck and guidebook.”4

Boadicea’s Tarot of Earthly Delights, by Caroline Kenner and Paula Millet

Boadicea’s Tarot of Earthly Delights, by Caroline Kenner with illustrations by Paula Millet
REDFeather, 9780764369087, 216 pages, 80 cards, June 2025

Boadicea’s Tarot of Earthly Delights is a beautiful, vivid celebration of both the mystical and the material, seamlessly weaving together the pleasures of the physical world and the wisdom of spirit. In a crowded field of modern tarot decks—each vying to reinterpret the archetypes and traditions of the cards—Caroline Kenner and illustrator Paula Millet have created a deck of stunning images and poetic wisdom.

Caroline Kenner is a priestess, a tarot expert, a shamanic healer, and a witch. She has read tarot cards for five decades and has studied and honored Boadicea “as a Sacred Ancestress for more than 50 years.”2 Kenner is co-founder of the Fool’s Dog tarot app company, and this is her first book.

Paula Millet has enjoyed a lifelong study of art and science and loves this opportunity to create a deck inspired by her experiences. She is an artist, graphic designer and deck creator and has also worked in several museums in the US, including the Smithsonian.  Millet has contributed to the creation of three other tarot decks.

The first thing I noticed about this deck is the use of vibrant colors and beautiful artwork. In her unique style, Millet has combined hundreds of classical art pieces in very unique ways. For example, the Knight of Fungi (Pentacles) features a knight wearing a snail helmet, brandishing a mushroom, riding atop a donkey. The collage designs that Millet creates are brilliantly stitched together to appear as one piece of art. The visuals are impressive and dazzling. 

“Technically, I work in Adobe Photoshop, sampling, manipulating, and blending select bits from at least 5 or 6 or up to more than a dozen images to create each digital illustration.”3

The Major Arcana cards follow traditional names and Rider-Waite-Smith symbolism, although the duo created two extra cards: Boadicea the Queen and Perspicacious Platypus. 

At this point, I’d like to share a little information about Boadicea from the guidebook:

“Boadicea was a queen of the Iceni, a tribe that occupied the territory of present-day Norfolk and Suffolk, during the Roman occupation of England in the 1st century of the common era. After her husband died, Boadicea and her daughters expected to inherit his throne under Roman law. Instead, her sovereignty was ignored.”5

She led an army of her people against the Romans, not once but three times. Although the Romans finally defeated her, Boadicea and her army killed almost 80,000 Romans. This deck is a testament to her “wisdom, assertiveness and courage.”6  

In addition to the two extra cards, Millet and Kenner also renamed each of the Minor Arcana suits as follows:

• Cups – Tentacles
• Wands – Combustion
• Swords – Aether
• Pentacles – Fungi

The cards with tentacles amused me and the mini art collages with fungi tickled me even more.  The way Millet combines tentacles with people and artifacts is delightful! Figures of varying ages, body types, and backgrounds populate the cards, reflecting a vision of humanity that is as diverse as the flora and fauna that surround them. (For any art lover who is interested in the source of Millet’s artwork, she includes a comprehensive appendix with all the information listed.)

In the guidebook, Kenner really shines, sharing a description of each card, a brief interpretation, and upright and reversed meanings and symbols. She includes a bit about the history of tarot, divination, and reading cards. Kenner also presents twelve spreads, as well as several pages on reading tarot. I found her meanings like what I’ve come to know as traditional RWS and appreciated how Kenner and Millet collaborated to create the poetic verse and artistic renderings for each card. I also resonated with this note about reading with only Major Arcana cards:

“Majors only readings can sharpen our focus on life’s most essential issues.”7 

The cards are printed with a velvety, matte finish, edged in gold and further adorned with a colored border that matches each Minor Arcana suit or crimson for the Major Arcana. The cards are a bit oversized and were a little hard to shuffle with my small hands. However, the size allows the artwork to really shine. The cards are housed in a beautiful box that is decorated on the interior as if it held the finest map in the world. A deep well with a scarlet ribbon holds the cards, with ample room for the large guidebook. The box closes with a magnetic flap.

I took the cards to my Friday “Coffee & Cards” group, and my friends loved the deck!  Here is a sample of comments:

JS drew the 2 of Aether “I can’t believe this card is telling me it’s time to make up my mind.”
She went on to say that she was battling with herself over a complex question and now knew that it was long past time to choose and move on. 

LL drew the Perspicacious Platypus card and, after we all laughed at the absurdity of this card, she drew a breath, read the guidance and shared this:

“This very strange card has shown me a new way to look at my life. It’s time for me to look at what I want to embrace and what I want to leave behind. I can’t ask others to help me with this, because it’s my own decision to make.”

This deck would be appreciated by any level of tarot reader, although someone with a little knowledge of RWS would probably enjoy working with the deck more than a novice. Those looking for a deck to support healing, self-acceptance, and the exploration of personal pleasure will find much to love. Through its rich artwork, innovative symbolism and beautiful prose, Boadicea’s Tarot invites us to savor the delights—and the lessons—of our world.  

I plan to keep the deck on hand for client readings and refer to the guidebook for additional wisdom for my own personal readings. As Kenner shares at the end of the guidebook: 

“Tarot is a wisdom tool designed as a game. Working with Tarot can help you understand yourself, refine your goals, and achieve success and happiness. Tarot deepens compassion for self and others. Tarot enhances life.”8

The Unifying Consciousness Tarot, by Lori Lytle and Leo Scopacasa

The Unifying Consciousness Tarot, by Lori Lytle and illustrated by Leo Scopacasa
REDFeather, 0764369121, 176 pages, 79 cards, June 2025

Lori Lytle’s The Unifying Consciousness Tarot, illustrated by Leo Scopacasa, provides a strikingly immersive journey into the liminal space between vision and form. More than just a tarot deck, it is an energetic portal into dreamlike inner landscapes, where archetypes shimmer with color and consciousness and symbolism becomes sensation. This 79-card deck reimagines the tarot as both a meditative tool and an artistic transmission—what the creators call “Activation Art.”

What immediately distinguishes this deck is its otherworldliness. There are no borders to contain the images; each card bleeds fully to the edge, immersing the reader in vibrant, expansive artwork that feels less like static illustration and more like a living vision.

The oversized cards themselves are another notable feature: larger than standard tarot dimensions, they serve as powerful statement pieces in a reading, especially in ceremonial or altar-based work. Printed on a heavier cardstock, the deck is built for durability and holds up well to regular use. The tactile quality adds to the sensory immersion—each card feels substantial in the hand, grounding the ethereal imagery in a practical, physical form.

The artwork by Scopacasa is lush, hypnotic, and saturated with radiant color. Filled with sacred geometry and high-frequency symbolism, the deck is a full sensory experience that evokes a state of heightened awareness or dreamlike reverie. It’s a deck that awakens intuition as much as interpretation, inviting the reader to feel their way through the story behind each image.

Grounded in the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith system, the deck maintains enough structure for experienced tarot readers to navigate intuitively, while offering new metaphysical architecture to explore. The four suits correspond to Mind, Heart, Soul, and Spirit—an elegant reframe that invites multidimensional readings.

Perhaps the most intriguing addition is the 23rd Major Arcana card: Activation. More than a bonus card, it acts as a metaphysical keystone, extending the Major Arcana journey into a full-circle moment of ascension. By positioning Activation as the final threshold, the creators suggest that the Fool’s journey doesn’t merely end with integration—but evolves into a full conscious embodiment from the subconscious.

The guidebook, written by Lytle, complements the visual language with clarity and insight. It offers both traditional and intuitive interpretations, while encouraging readers to trust their own experience with the deck. Lytle’s tone is grounded, inclusive, and resonant, rooted in spiritual practice without losing accessibility. Whether you are new to tarot or have been working with the archetypes for decades, there is something in this text that will meet you where you are.

What makes The Unifying Consciousness Tarot stand apart from other decks is its synthesis of beauty, depth, and function. It is both visionary and usable, aesthetically bold and structurally sound. The deck feels especially aligned for personal reflection, ritual work, and dream incubation—spaces where linear logic gives way to symbolic language and higher awareness. It does not seek to explain away mystery but to gently guide the reader toward their own inner knowing.

This deck will resonate with mystics, artists, and seekers who approach tarot as a living, breathing spiritual companion. It is also ideal for those drawn to the intersection of art and consciousness, or for readers who value bold visuals and metaphysical framing. The creators’ background in energy work and spiritual art is palpable throughout the deck. It feels less like a product and more like a transmission.

Overall, The Unifying Consciousness Tarot is a joy to explore. Each card a doorway, each image a frequency. It’s a rare and refreshing addition to the ever-expanding world of tarot, reminding us that divination is not just about answers, but also about resonance, remembrance, and return.

Mastering the Tarot Tableau, by Toni Savory

Mastering the Tarot Tableau: Revisiting Predictive Accuracy with Tarot, by Toni Savory
REDFeather,  978-0764368912, 144 pages, April 2025

Mastering the Tarot Tableau: Revisiting Predictive Accuracy with Tarot by Toni Savory introduces the reader to a style of tarot reading that is more commonly used in European countries. In setting up the tableau, Savory provides the reader with a complete narrative, connecting and moving through the cards chosen as a whole, rather than independent outcomes. The spread for a reading is laid out in a sequenced grid, also known as a “tableau”, which offers deeper insights and greater clarity and accuracy of the reading.

“Each Tarot deck contains the story of life, and every possible situation is available for insight. By using a tableau spread, we can determine interpersonal relationships and auspicious versus inauspicious fortunes and tell the tale of daily life for our querents.”9.

This book is organized into four major sections, each containing subsections aligned with the cards of the tarot, basics, and technique. The sections and their components build upon one another, forming a solid foundation of information and study for the novice as well as enhancements and new perspectives for the more advanced tarot devotee.

The introduction provides the reader with the history and diverse ways in which this style of reading has been used, particularly at the moments when divination and the predictive arts were banned or came under fire. This method of adaptability makes a bold statement about the tenacity of the tarot readers and the fact that there are many ways to accomplish the desired outcome– all very much aligned with the art of tarot itself.

“The tableau provides the backdrop for a pure predictive reading, quite like the fortune-tellers of the nineteenth century would employ, leaving spiritual matters to the side and focusing on what would happen within the daily life of the client. All flowery language attached to the Tarot meanings are removed for a short, sharp and direct narrative….. The reader finds that their readings become a novel-like affair, and the story of the querent’s life is explained from start to finish with flair.”10

Throughout the section entitled “The Game of Tarot” the reader is taken through the fundamentals of tarot as a predictive and intuitive tool. With the section “The Meanings”,  a third of the book is assigned to the task of providing brief, yet concise meanings of each of the seventy-eight keys complete with keywords, auspicious and inauspicious application, and highlights or movement that is indicative of the specific card.

Having completed a “crash course” or “refresher” of the tools employed, focus is directed towards using that information in the creation of tarot tableaus.

“Thinking of your Tarot tableau as a game to be played is the perfect mindset for imaginative and intuitive readings.  Consider a board game; we throw the dice and move along the rows of the board until we finally either win or lose. Each position on the board has a rule (e.g. receive five gold pieces), and we have to overcome a few obstacles along the way. The game of Tarot is no different-we follow the flow of the board to interpret a narrative using each card as a further step in the story of life.”11

The following section introduces the reader to six types of tableaus, the basics of understanding how the cards interact with one another in this style of reading, selection of the significator (representing the querent) card, and how the flow of the narrative begins in its story telling. The author makes use of a step-by-step example of a sample reading to give clarity and a visual component for comprehension.

I especially enjoyed the subsequent section entitled “Advanced Tableau Techniques” and the offerings of ten highly usable approaches for tarot readings. Of these, The Fool’s Journey Tableau, stirred the most interest. Perhaps because this “journey” has been given so much attention and means of interpretation throughout the ages and in particular in the more modern style of tarot reading and the spreads used.

“The Fool’s Journey provides the backdrop to the Major Arcana TABLEAU and is read in conjunction with the cards presented. Each Major Arcana card becomes a house (or placement) within the spread, enabling the reader to follow the client’s future storyline.”12

Mastering the Tarot Tableau aptly concludes with additional supportive meanings for the cards relevant to the selected tableau and the inquiry being made. The final pages are devoted to client readings and, more importantly, making the reader feel assured and confident in this style of reading.

“When first looking at a tableau, it is easy to feel intimidated and almost fearful of the sheer number of cards and their meanings to digest and communicate. Before reading for others, begin by having fun with a Tableau. Use them to tell stories about work, love, and random tales of kindness, sorrow and life. Allow yourself to be immersed in the story, to build not only a narrative but also a relationship with the tableaus themselves.”13

Savory then goes on to share her experience of reading tableaus and further supports the idea that this is a viable, highly usable, and accurate way of serving your client, despite the complexity and practice required. 

Would I Recommend?

Mastering the Tarot Tableau is a unique book that offers an intriguing approach to tarot reading. It is a comfortably sized companion to bring along for reading practice or study while having coffee. Additionally, there are more than fifty  illustrations of both cards and grids for tableau placement providing a visual kinesthetic experience of learning and doing.

I am especially appreciative, as I am sure other readers will be, of the thorough and concise manner in which Savory has organized the information regarding this style of reading. Although the complexity and possible overwhelm of necessary preparation and knowledge may seem daunting, the way in which it is presented speaks to the passionate interest of the author in sharing and broadening the styles of the traditional tarot community. 

All in all, whether an experienced reader or novice to tarot, this book  is definitely worth a read, encouraging tarot readers to remain open to the new narrative that may unfold for yourself as both reader and querent.

About the Author: Toni Savory 

Toni Savory, founder of the World Divination Association and author of The Card Geek’s Guide to Kipper and the Rainbow Kipper, has studied cartomancy and divination in England, France, and Germany.

Frame This Oracle, Juno Lucina and Dan Goodfellow

Frame this Oracle: A Tool to Deepen Your Card Readings and Reframe Your Perspective, by Juno Lucina and illustrated by Dan Goodfellow
REDFeather, 9780764368271, 144 pages, 25 cards, December 2024

With Frame this Oracle, Juno Lucina and Dan Goodfellow have created a unique divinatory tool that takes the reader deep into the realms of imagination, artistry, and magic. From the moment you open the box, you are drawn into a world of layered meanings, evocative visuals, and profound themes.

Juno Lucina is the pen name of a talented tarot master, who has created two tarot decks and written a definitive book on tarot. Her articles appear in numerous online journals, and she is a popular speaker at tarot and divination seminars around the US.   She also writes fiction under the pen name Rose Guildenstern. Lucina lives in Connecticut, and you can learn more about her on this website.

Dan Goodfellow is an artist with a wide range of skills, from pen and ink to digital art.  As a professional artist, he also considers himself a “Druid Shaman, Storyteller and Healer.”14 He has illustrated several tarot decks and lives in Bath, England.  Connect with him on his website.

The primary strength of Frame this Oracle lies in its concept. It invites the reader to interpret and re-interpret its layers, much like an oracle delivering cryptic wisdom. This title alone is a clever play on words, suggesting a duality: the act of framing as a literal boundary and the broader act of understanding. This oracle evokes mystery, prophecy, and insight, setting the stage for an exploration of more than a tarot or oracle card alone can divine.

The cards themselves are deceptively simple: a frame that features artwork along a certain concept. These concepts are grouped together in collections of five cards that fall under a specific theme, such as Living, Inspiration, or Mysteries. Within twenty-five cards, Lucina and Goodfellow have created twenty-five jewels of art and wisdom. When you place one of the frames on top of a tarot or oracle card, you add another layer of insight and a new type of divination tool:

“This Oracle is full of pointed edges – boundaries that point the way. Each card is a threshold to focus you, direct you to see what you’re missing, to understand what’s vital. These edges will poke you… bother you… wake you up in the wee small hours of the morning and wriggle around in your mind, heart, and soul to infiltrate all those heart crevices, cracking wide open those walls to let in… not what you think you want … but what you know you need.”15

The guidebook is a masterpiece! After her extensive introduction, Lucina explains how to best use the card frames, including how to combine them with other objects, such as crystals or meditation. Next, she explains why she makes use of questions as part of the guidance:

“Questioning makes you open. It forms new patterns in the brain instead of reverting to old patterns of bias.”16

In addition to suggesting that you select a card at random, she also says that you might look through the frames and choose a frame that calls to you. Or you may use the lists of frames to select a topic that may pertain to your query. Lucina also shares ideas for spreads and how to use the frames for maximum results. 

To test this deck, I took it to my Friday Coffee & Cards group and my friends utilized various decks in tandem with Frame This Oracle. One friend paired #6 Start with her 2 of Pentacles from Thoth Tarot.  From the guidance and her own intuition, my friend came up with this affirmation: I am starting something new, and I am adaptable and flexible. The question from Lucina’s guidance that spoke to her was “What is starting around me that I may be missing?”17

Another friend pulled the 10 of Cups from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck and then selected #20 Divinity from Frame this Oracle. She almost began to cry as she read the guidance from Lucina and spoke briefly about letting go of shame and embracing the happiness of her beautiful family. She also shared that she will be journaling daily to listen more to the Divine and allow a more compassionate Goddess to guide her life. 

Frame this Oracle trusts the reader’s intellect and emotional depth, allowing each person to derive their own understanding. This approach not only makes it highly engaging but also ensures its lasting impact, as different viewers uncover new meanings with each encounter.

I really enjoyed the ease of using these frames. Not only does it add a layer to your usual tarot or oracle reading, but it also invites you to be creative and daring in using your intuition. My favorite frame in the deck is #8 Stop. This card features lots of visuals that are jarring and somewhat frightening. Yet, as I sat with the frame and the guidance from Lucina, I began to see what needs to STOP in my life.  And this knowledge provides direction and healing.

Lucina also includes a blank frame, which she calls Void and poses amazing questions and exercises to expand your vision and open your mind.  Finally, she invites you to turn over the frame and use the back of the frame, which looks like a wooden window, with side panes of glass. She calls this the Open Window and asks you to:

“Contemplate the contents of the open window to see the focal points of your own personal frame reflected. What frames that you’re creating for yourself are revealed within your open window?”18

I plan to keep Frame This Oracle on hand to enhance client readings and share Lucina’s insightful questions for journal exercises. The novel approach of this divinatory tool makes it fun to use and brilliant to bring into readings for others and myself.  As Lucina says in the conclusion:

“Frame This Oracle will refocus the almighty power of your attention away from what generally engrosses you, whether mindlessly or obsessively – away from virtual media, what other people think, what you’ve been taught to believe, what you’ve decided must be so (or mustn’t be), what seems to matter – and allow you to perceive what you’ve been missing.”19

Gaian Tarot, by Joanna Powell Colbert

Gaian Tarot: Healing the Earth, Healing Ourselves, 2nd Edition, Joanna Powell Colbert
REDfeather, 0764368753, 192 pages, 78 cards, April 2025

Gaian Tarot: Healing the Earth, Healing Ourselves, 2nd Edition by Joanna Powell Colbert is a beautiful and luminous deck that invites its users to create a deeper connection with the natural world, their own inner landscapes, and humanity. Rooted in the artist’s profound reverence for the earth and her community, this deck is a reimagining of the tarot tradition that speaks to modern sensibilities while honoring the timeless archetypes of the past.

Joanna Powell Colbert is an artist, teacher and retreat host who has been practicing with tarot for more than 40 years. She also created the Pentimento Tarot and co-created the Herbcrafter’s Tarot. Following a path that honors “the four directions as well as the eight-fold sacred wheel of life, death and rebirth”19, Colbert teaches about the natural world. She hosts retreats and teaches workshops on earth-centered spirituality and the tarot as a tool for inspiration and personal growth. She lives near the Salish Sea in Bellingham, Washington. Learn more about Colbert on her website.

In this second edition of the deck, which was originally published in 2010, Colbert changes the main color scheme from the blue of the ocean to the green of the land. The artwork for each card remains the same. The new edition features new borders for the cards, new art for the card backs, and a new box design. The card size has been reduced slightly, and the guidebook has been revised, as well. Colbert also added gold edges to the cards, as well as gold accents to the borders and card titles.

The artwork of Gaian Tarot is its most striking feature. Colbert’s paintings are warm and vibrant with rich colors and intricate details. Colbert shares that each piece of art was created from her own sketches of the natural habitat around her and you can feel the authenticity and vitality. Each card feels like a standalone piece of art, inviting deep contemplation and connection. The images of people celebrate diversity in gender, age, ethnicity, and body types, reflecting inclusivity and balance. You feel a sense of community, both with people and the animal kingdom. The back of the cards features a beautiful painting of the world, accented by a butterfly and a wreath of what Colbert calls “blessing herbs.”20 

This deck remains faithful to the traditional structure of a 78-card deck, with a Major Arcana of 22 cards and a Minor Arcana of four suits. However, Colbert has reinterpreted many of the archetypes and titles to align with her Earth-honoring philosophy. For example, traditional titles like Emperor and Devil are replaced with Builder and Bindweed, offering fresh perspectives that align more with themes of balance, growth, and self-awareness.

The suits of the Minor Arcana—Earth, Water, Air, and Fire—are tied to the natural elements. Each card carries symbols of the natural world, from animals and plants to landscapes and weather patterns. This connection to nature enriches its symbolism, allowing users to draw inspiration from the rhythms and wisdom of the Earth. Colbert also changes the court cards and renames them to “correspond to the stages of life.”21 She presents Children, Explorers, Guardians and Elders, mixing up the genders, as well. She goes on to add:

“Today I honor that sex and gender are not binary, and I invite the reader to interpret the people in the cards as they wish, including as transgender or non-binary.”22

The guidebook is structured into two sections, presenting guidance for the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.  For the Major Arcana, Colbert presents two to three pages of guidance, including general meaning, shadow aspects, themes, symbols and journal questions. She ends with a reminder, which serves as a one sentence recap of the card’s wisdom.  

In the guidance for the Minor Arcana, Colbert sets the cards up in groups of four, based on the number or name of the card. The aces lead the section, followed by all the twos and so on.  This structure makes it easy to find the pip card you seek. Colbert includes one full page of guidance for each card, including the remembrance line that sums up the wisdom.

I really enjoyed the section on symbols for each Major Arcana card, where Colbert lists most of the elements in the artwork and gives a brief explanation of the meaning. For example, on Temperance, she details the meanings behind angel, rainbow, sunset/sunrise, shell, burning herbs, streaming pool and iris. This additional information adds another layer of understanding and nuance to the guidance. 

The journal questions are also helpful and thought-provoking. I used the journal questions with my daily card pull for three days and was amazed at the new information and wisdom I received from this form of self-reflection.

To further test drive this deck, I utilized one of the spreads Colbert shares in the guidebook.  “Theme, Task, Prayer”, which is attributed to Morgan Glover, is a brilliant spread that supports a glimpse into the next week or month. (Colbert features almost 30 pages of spreads with the deck.)

I drew three cards to learn more about my opportunities or challenges, the best action to take and the assistance I can expect from my angels or ancestors. 

  1. Theme: Eight of Earth – I have an opportunity to pass on my knowledge and skills.
  2. Task: Elder of Fire – Act now to share my wisdom and magic.
  3. Prayer: Ace of Earth – Connect to the path between the seen and unseen worlds and ask for help from angels and ancestors. Support is always available. 

From this reading, I came to know that I am right on track! Put one foot in front of the other and keep going with my sacred work with women. 

The cards are printed on heavy card stock that will hold up well to continued use. The guidebook and cards are housed in a sturdy box with a magnetic closure.  The box showcases more of Colbert’s stunning artwork and raised type in brilliant gold. The back of the box features information about the deck and sample cards in a design that is overlaid with varnish and more raised type.

Whether you’re a seasoned tarot reader or a curious beginner, this deck offers an inviting entry point. The guidebook is a valuable companion. It shares the symbolism of each card with clarity and depth, providing both traditional and intuitive interpretations. Colbert’s intention is clear: to create a deck that nurtures, heals, and empowers its users to engage with the world in a compassionate and mindful way. The deck creator says:

“When used for divination the tarot can be viewed as a spiritual weathervane. It can tell you which way the wind is blowing in your life at a given moment. But only you can set your sail and choose your course. I hope that the Gaian Tarot helps you connect with the divine, in whatever way you can see that to be.”23 

I really enjoy working with Gaian Tarot, utilizing the guidance in the book as well as my own intuitive wisdom from the artwork. I will be using this deck, along with the spreads and journal prompts, for my work with clients and my own personal journey.

Voyages with the Celtic Saints, by John Matthews

Voyages with the Celtic Saints: Stories and Wisdom for Travelers in Search of Truth, by John Matthews with illustrations by Joe Machine
REDFeather, 0764368796, 224 pages, March 2025

Voyages with the Celtic Saints: Stories of Wisdom for Travelers in Search of Truth by John Matthews is an exploration of the extraordinary lives of 14 “ordinary” Celtic saints through a telling of their lives, their struggles and revelations, and ultimately their invitation for all of us to join them on a continuing voyage.

As Matthews writes, “the central theme of this book is voyaging. Voyaging of the soul, of the heart, voyages of the mind”.20  Voyages by their very nature are based on a desire to explore, to find the new, to uncover what is longing to be revealed. And in doing so, the personal voyage extends to a sharing of what was uncovered.

“The most wonderful and profound mystery that the Celts have to teach us is about our uniquely intimate relationship with the natural world.”22

Matthews focuses on 14 Celtic saints: Brendan of Clonfert, Kevin of Glendalough, Brighid of Kildare, Columba of Iona, Senan of Scattery, Mochua of Rahen, Samthann of Clonbroney, David of Wales, Gobnait of Ballyvourney, Ciaran of Clonmachnoise, Maedoc of Ferns, Berach of Connaught, Patrick of Armagh, and Kentigern of Scotland.

For each saint Matthews provides an overview of their place in Celtic history, their life and challenges, as well as what they offer to those who are willing to accept their gifts. Matthews offers meditation points on which to reflect how to incorporate these offerings into one’s life. Finally, he concludes each section with a poem on the saint or a prayer, some of which are translations from centuries past or attributed to the saint his/herself.

Some of these saints “makes it clear that Druids and Christians had far more in common than is generally understood, and that there were evident parallels in their approach to spirituality.”23 Brighid, for example, was one of the most important characters in the Celtic world who then was referred to as Saint Bridget by the Christians. Brighid, the goddess of the hearthfire, has a Christian feast day on February 1, the Celtic festival of Imbolc.

Some saints I was familiar with, others became new friends. On my most recent visit to Ireland, I met Saint Kevin when I serendipitously visited Glendolough. Naturally, I began my reading with him. Glendolough is in the Wicklow Mountains not far from Dublin. The remains of his monastery remain and can be visited. Although there was a communal setting for the monks, Kevin preferred a hermatic life surrounded by animals and birds.

As Matthews writes, “The importance of animals in everyday Celtic culture was considerable, and there are a number of stories that show that Kevin’s relationship with animals and birds was a not-uncommon tradition among older, pre-Christian figures.”24 The meditation points for Kevin’s chapter include thinking about your encounters with living things in nature and how you felt – awed, afraid, loving, angry.

I’ve been drawn to Iona for a long time. My rational side doesn’t understand how this Italian-American woman longs to visit this small, hard-to-reach island of the Inner Hebrides off the coast of Scotland. While my soul longs to visit Iona in person, my spirit travels there a lot, especially through readings such as the chapter on Columba.

Columba was known to be a seer and prophet. The chapter reveals extraordinary events in his life. Matthews reminds the reader that like Columba “our own sense of relationship with the cosmos may come only in flashes”25 but it is available to us nonetheless. The encouragement is to become aware of and embrace this inner knowing. For one of the meditation points on Columba, one is asked to “draw a ‘map’ of your spiritual journey, showing how certain key points are connected.”26

Brighid of Kildare exemplifies how to incorporate the feminine into one’s creative and spiritual life. Brighid is most associated with divine fire, in fact, she is most often depicted as a flaming redhead. The founder of a monastery in Kildare, Ireland, she is a crossover between the “pagan” and Christian worlds. She is the protector, the midwife, her mantle providing protection for one’s home and its occupants. One meditation point for this fiery spirit ask “what kind of fire illuminates your life, what inspires you and how can you find more of it in your day-to-day living?”27 This one also particularly resonated with me.

Illustrator Joe Machine truly brings his artistic gifts forward in this book. The illustrations are done in a stark, monochromatic woodcut style. There is such detail in each one; readers will certainly spend plenty of time completing the beauty of the companion illustrations for each text. My favorite image is Gobnait of Ballyvourney, Lady of the Bees, depicted holding her hand up as she connects with nature, a serene expression on her face and a swirl of bees surrounding her.

Overall, Voyages with Celtic Saints is a quiet meandering sail through time, perfectly suited for readers who appreciate subtlety, mystery, and the sacred rhythms of early Christian life. I highly recommend it for spiritual seekers, Celtic Christianity enthusiasts, and lovers of reflective travel writing. It’s a book that I feel one should spend time with, incorporating the lessons and meditations of these saints into your life.

The Awakening Tarot, by Monica Boridsky

The Awakening Tarot: An Elemental Approach, by Monica Boridsky
REDFeather, 0764367668, 288 pages, 78 pages, March 2024

The Awakening Tarot: An Elemental Approach by Monica Bodirsky is truly a deck that you will learn so much from. I was very drawn to this deck, and I can see very much why this was: Boridsky uses her brilliantly unusual and stunning watercolor artwork that is reminiscent of the 70’s. With her knowledgeable guidance through Earth-based spirituality, she creates this powerful deck that will be your framework to build you up and help guide you on your spiritual awakening.

Boridsky created this deck out of love for her divination and witchy practices, as well as her own experiences with awakening as well as being inspired by C.J Jung’s idea of external dreaming and the internal process of awakening. She is also moved to share her experiences with awakening to help others expand and grow creatively as well as spiritually. This deck will teach you how to become awakened and empowered spiritually, and you will learn to expand your consciousness with groundbreaking lessons from each of the elemental guides: water, fire, air, earth, and spirit.

The deck is very nicely packaged. There is a larger box with artwork of the Balance card. You open the box to reveal your deck in its own little box with artwork of the Nine of Air card on it. 

The deck is truly perfect to help hone and understand the powers that you were given; through each card there is a lesson to be learned. The deck’s accompanying book will also guide you into “shadow work”, which is key to any spiritual awakening journey. Along with the shadow work, each card is shown on the page with both upright and reversed meanings as well as a mantra and a short message.

The guidebook is decently thick and has a lot of great information and insight. It is very easy to understand and it gives clarity and extraordinary insight. Like any normal Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) tarot deck, the major and minor arcana are included. They have similar aspects to the RWS cards, but instead of the normal suits we’re familiar with, these are replaced with each suit’s respective elemental correspondence. For example, fire is wands, water is cups, earth is pentacles, and air is swords.

I do have to say for a fact this information tracks with what I know of the traditional card meanings. Plus, there is also a helpful guide at the beginning that tells you each correlating card, along with pictures for each card with a description accompanying the image.

Each element has its own section and it gives a lot of helpful information. It includes helpful keywords, manifestations, exercises, and healing rituals, reflection questions. Also, each section is color-coded, you can see it on the side of the book, this makes it super simple to find the card you’re looking for! 

The guidebook is also very beautifully written. It blew me away with how much information it provides. Compared to some of my other decks, this is the first deck I have come across with such a well-written guidebook.

The deck shuffles with great ease and the cards fit perfectly in your hands. The cards are nice and sturdy. To say the least, these cards have been crafted perfectly. Each card uniquely showcases each element in a humanoid manner combined with that element.

Four of Fire had to be my favorite card that I had pulled, it depicts a humanoid figure with a fiery-colored fox head with a human body holding a sparkler with fireworks in the background. This shows the connection between us and the elements in a completely different way. Every card has art that is as eye-catching as the next, you could just gaze upon it and get lost in its beauty and detail for a good while.

If you’re a novice to tarot and working with the RWS deck, this deck is perfect to work with. You will find the messages to be clear and easy to understand, I was able to tell instantly which card corresponds to the RWS deck without using the guide at the beginning of the book!

I’ve been using this deck for about two weeks now and I really felt an instant connection to it. I just went to pull a card for myself and this is what I got for the Visionary of Water upright, which is a court card that corresponds to the Knight of Cups in the RWS deck.

The advice given said that I have reached the highest peak of emotional growth despite feeling alone. I’m a part of a good community, my visions are appreciated, and right now is my moment to move above and beyond and share my visions with a larger audience. What stuck out the most was this part, explaining how I need to move on in my career to a more creatively challenging job. Boridsky writes: 

“To assist with the complexity of integrating self-development and divination, I have created this deck and guide as a method for us to transition from potentially feeling like passive observers in our lives to becoming active, awake, and empowered participants.“28

This card was insanely on par with what I’m doing currently as I write this review.

Overall, The Awakening Tarot is for those who seek a genuine connection with the elements and themselves. If you’re interested in working with a one-of-a-kind deck with an innovative take on the normal RWS deck then this deck will most definitely suit your fancy, as the artwork is so unique. This deck is a good elemental approach to a traditional tarot deck. It is easy to understand, and it’s a deck that you’ll appreciate with all of its creativity.

The Astrology of Nations, by John Michael Greer

The Astrology of Nations: Casting and Interpreting Charts for Nations, Politics, and Economies, by John Michael Greer
REDFeather, 0764368745, 192 pages, January 2025

Who wants to talk about politics? Just mentioning the topic these days tends to ignite passionate responses. For those interested in the discussion of events from a celestial point of view,  John Michael Greer’s The Astrology of Nations: Casting and Interpreting Charts for Nations, Politics, and Economies presents an intriguing exploration of geopolitical landscapes through the lens of mundane astrology. Known for his expertise in both the esoteric and practical realms, Greer offers a unique perspective that bridges ancient traditions with contemporary global happenings, presenting readers with the foundation required to interpret mundane astrology charts.

Mundane astrology, often referred to as political astrology, is a branch of astrology that focuses on the prediction and analysis of world events, national affairs, and large-scale occurrences. Unlike natal astrology, which examines the influence of celestial bodies on an individual’s life, mundane astrology deals with the broader scope of societal and global happenings. Using mundane astrology, astrologers can create charts based on significant events such as the founding of a nation, inaugurations, the signing of treaties, or the commencement of wars. These charts are interpreted to understand the potential influences on a country’s future.

As someone coming from a background in natal chart reading, mundane astrology was all new to me. From the get-go, Greer’s insight into the difference between the two branches of astrology, along with the common mistakes those approaching mundane astrology for the first time make, really made grasping the complexities of this branch very accessible. He goes above and beyond explaining, defining, and clarifying concepts to ensure readers have the full picture. Plus, Greer’s personable writing style, often telling jokes along the way and making the reader feel like they’re in dialogue with him, is one of the things I enjoyed most about this book.

The Astrology of Nations is divided into three parts. “Part 1: The Art of Mundane Astrology” is where Greer really delves into the astrological science of this branch. He begins with definitions, astrological basics (signs, modalities, elements, houses, and planets), and more advanced astrological concepts (planetary rulership, dignities and debilitations, triplicities, and decans). For those new to the topic, it’s definitely well-written enough to understand, but it is a chapter you’ll most likely come back to a few times while reading, even if you’re a seasoned astrologer. Greer includes multiple tables to provide visual representation of all the information, which is immensely helpful for quick reference.

The next chapter “The Charts That Matter” is also jam-packed with introductory material, along with a discussion of the importance of discerning the difference between natal reading and mundane reading. Greer really emphasizes the importance of making accurate predictions, noting one of the significance factors that affects this is “choosing the right charts to cast.”29 Whereas natal astrology is simply one’s birth day, time, and location, there’s more nuance to deciding the right chart in mundane astrology. While inauguration and foundation charts are useful, Greer discusses the value of solar-ingress charts, lunation charts, eclipse charts, and charts for major conjunctions. This section felt filled with possibility, and while I certainly have a long way to go, I am looking forward to taking the time to analyze this variety of charts.

In the remaining chapters of this section, Greer goes in-depth for the Sun, Moon, planets, and dwarf planets. For each one, he discusses their significance overall in the chart, the meaning of the planet in each house in both a dignified and debilitated placement, and then gives an interpretation for the planet in a helpful and conjunction/hostile aspect with every other planet. These chapters REALLY are wonderful for learning the energy of the planets in a mundane chart. I decided to cast a chart for the Aries solar-ingress coming up in March, and I went back to these chapters to take notes on what I observed in the chart to then piece together to form my own understanding.

“Part 2: Case Studies” is where Greer showcases how he reads mundane astrology charts, writing case studies for pivotal political events, including the shooting of President William McKinley, the abdication of King Edward VIII, and the foundation of the United States. For each, a chart is obviously included, and Greer delves into discussing what stands out in the chart, such as the ruler of houses, the angular cusps, the planetary relationships, and all the other fascinating aspects of mundane astrology that synthesize at the particular moment in time. Reading the case studies gave insight into where to focus my own attention when doing a mundane reading; Greer does a fantastic job of laying it all out clearly to see the various components of the chart working together.

In the final section, “Part 3: Predictions”, Greer once again demonstrates the reading of mundane charts, but this time with an eye for the future rather than the past. He focuses on three events: the current experience resulting from the grand mutation of 2020, the future of Afghanistan, and the great conjunction of 2040. As with the case studies, Greer once again comprehensively states what he sees as the defining features of the chart and the conclusions they led him. This predictive approach is a great way to perceive the benefits of reading mundane charts (you especially might want to read Greer’s predictions if you’re an art collector!) and the value it can provide to people as they navigate life.

Overall, The Astrology of Nations is an ambitious and relevant work that seeks to apply astrological principles to the histories and future of our world. Readers will see how examining historical events alongside astrological data reflects these astrological patterns that emerge, which when studied offer predictions and insights into future geopolitical developments. Greer is a truly exemplary teacher when it comes to examining how planetary movements influence national trends, economies, and events. His foundation information and thorough analyses are accessible to both astrology enthusiasts and those interested in global affairs. The book offers a fresh perspective on geopolitics, challenging readers to consider alternative viewpoints.

Decode Tarot, by Debra Zachau

Decode Tarot: Master Meanings, Reversals, and Combinations, by Debra Zachau
REDFeather, 0764368060, 176 pages, September 2024

Mastering the art of reading tarot cards is not an easy task. While there are tons of books published on the subject, many present contrasting definitions with respect to the symbolism behind each card as well as differing methods of learning the meaning of each individual card. With so much out there, it can be very difficult to navigate the process of learning.

A spiritual teacher, author, and speaker who has read cards for over 10,000 people, Debra Zachau is well positioned to impart her knowledge on how to master the cards and their meanings including reversals. Her book Decode Tarot: Master Meanings, Reversals, and Combinations is incredibly insightful and takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery using tarot.

As a tarot reader, I am constantly reading books about the topic to gain more insight into the cards and their meanings. It’s fascinating to see how many different interpretations and re-imaginings of the cards there are. And while most of the information pertaining to this divination system is similar, none of it is boring! With separate chapters for each individual card, Zachau has imparted a deep understanding of the cards and how they interact with one another.

The table of contents is robust, with chapters on suits and their personalities, the minor arcana, and separate sections for the court cards and the major arcana. The sectioning in this fashion makes sense to me, as most people when starting out get caught up in the sheer number of cards they think they need to memorize. Using basic language, Zachau imparts her knowledge in a friendly, easy-to-read way that makes the reader feel as though they are sitting at a table chatting, mug of tea in hand. Very comforting when you think about how many cards there are in a tarot deck!

For each card, Zachau presents a basic description of the card as well as possible meanings when paired with other cards. She uses a variety of suits and cards to illustrate the snippets of stories that the cards tell when doing a reading for yourself or another person. For example, Zachau pairs the 9 of Wands with the 10 of Wands to show that, “…it looks like you are fighting to keep doing more for others. This is a very unbalanced situation…the responsibilities to keep the family going fall to their partner.”30

I am really impressed with the way Zachau handled the court cards in “Part Two: Master the Courts” section of the book. Normally the bane of tarot readers, Zachau has managed to sidestep the traditional definition of these cards and instead insert her own, resulting in a much clearer idea of the energies these cards are meant to represent. The traditional method shows Kings and Queens as men and women over the age of 40, respectively. Knights are usually men or women between 18-39, and Pages are dependent children under the age of 18. Also, don’t come after me for these descriptions as they are older than me and I didn’t make them up.

Zachau instead assesses Kings and Queens as older than whoever she is reading for. She explains, “I throw away the 40-year-old rules and read these patriarchs and matriarchs as men and women who have some sort of authority or title over my client”31. Hearing the cards explained in that way makes so much more sense than the traditional description which is often a barrier to working out the meaning in a reading. She continues:

“I read Knights in the spread as peers, coworkers, friends, and siblings, regardless of gender and age. The suit traits will identify their personality…will give an idea as to how they relate to your client’s life. Pages are dependent people, whether they are under 18 of age (sic) or an adult, with limited capacity to support themselves…I have discovered that often, overly insecure or immature partners will come through a reading as a Page as well.”32

Personally, this chapter was a lightning bolt for me. While not a novice reader, I have at times struggled with court cards in readings I have done, and this clear explanation resonates with me. I have done work around linking specific court cards to various energies they represent, and this was a good addition to what I have already puzzled out for myself. Zachau provides a list of people and characters she equates to the various suits, which is also very helpful, and goes deep into the suits in the context of the court cards and what they represent.

The section concerning the Major Arcana cards is robust and well laid out, with hefty descriptions and explanations of each card along with specific pairing with other cards in the deck. Not surprising, there is over a full page devoted entirely to the Tower card, one of the most unwelcome cards in any deck. I love Zachau description of this card:

“…I have discovered that most readings containing the Tower show that my client has an intense desire to control a situation that isn’t supposed to be manifested, and a change in perspective now, at the time of the reading, can offset harsher life lessons down the way.”33

A great way to express the energy of this card and one I will remember for my own readings.

If you read tarot or are interested in the subject or know someone who is, pick up Decode Tarot. It’s a great way to see how the cards speak to each other and gain a full understanding of why this modality is so popular and timeless.