Hedgewitch Botanical Oracle Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Hedgewitch Botanical Oracle by Siolo Thompson. Published by Llewellyn Publications. 40 card set in sturdy presentation box with full colour instruction book. £22.50

Enjoyment from the Boundary Lands! 

Siolo Thompson is a self taught artist living in Seattle, Washington. She uses multi media for her artwork which draws inspiration from the grimoires of the foraging witch and healer. She also created the Linestrider Tarot deck.

The artwork is intended to allow identification of the plant and the book provides information on herb lore, the history of the 40 plants with seasonal recipes, an associated Tarot card, descriptions of plants, where to find them, the way they were used and how to use them, what part is used and whether they are culinary or medicinal. The deck offers guidance for the seeker or a focus for meditation and it can also be used as a flash card study guide as the seeker learns how to identify plants, blossom, leaf shoots and fruits.  It is a way for the seeker to approach the natural world, gaining delight, knowledge and magic.

 

A slow purposeful shuffle, followed by focus on a question. Think of a topic about your situation, visualise the word in black text on an empty page. Take three breaths and draw 1, 3, 5 or 9 cards. 

In addition to recognition by way of the image, the plants’ ordinary and Latin names are provided, and their associations and meanings. Some plants included are: Borage, Burdock, Calendula,  Chamomile, Chicory, Clover, Dandelion, Elder, Fern, Foxglove, Garlic, Hawthorn, Hollyhock, Lady’s Mantle, Marshmallow, Nettle, Pine, Plantain, Wild Rose, Roman, Sage, St John’s Wort, Strawberry, Violet, Wormwood, and many more! No reversals!  

Sometimes, I think that oracle card decks that specialise in specific interests, such as this, have to make a decision whether to explain the topic or whether to create a text that will produce a good oracle reading for an enquirer with a complex question. I would suggest that this deck is suitable for someone who wants to learn about plants commonly found in nature and their ancient traditional properties and who finds the artwork attractive. For a beginner card reader, who is sitting with an enquirer with an important question, it would be difficult with this deck (with only one word for oracular use) to answer their question. 

Review Wendy Stokes.  https://wendystokes.co.uk