Beowulf Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Beowulf Oracle  - Wisdom from the Northern Kingdoms by John Matthews and Virginia Chandler, illustrated by Joe Machine. Published by Schiffer Publishing. Drawer pull quality boxed set of 22 cards with instruction book. U.K. £29.99  US  $29.99

“Fate will often save a uncursed man, if his strength is constant.” 

Hwaet! Listen!  This is the first word of the Beowulf poem which tells a long tale of huge difficulties, dangers, interpersonal relationships, battles and treasures, and great acts of courage. 

The card images are by popular U.K. Stuckist painter, Joe Machine. They are extraordinary, stylised, mostly figurative, masculine and scary, and each card is given a title. In the accompanying book, we are given a full explanation of how the cards relate to the heroism and adventure of this story that was recorded in the 10-11th century (and is probably many centuries older). 

The deck facilitates our hearing of the Viking poet’s ancient word magic which transports us into the depths of the poem; Within this, we receive life insight and guidance, and help to find answers to our daily problems. Oracles never reveal the entirety of one’s fate, but can reveal and prepare us for what can occur. “May the hero’s path lead to victory.” Strength is needed for this particular path as we develop our inner resources, to struggle to overcome life’s adversaries and obstacles, and search for a fulfilling and fulfilled life. 

We are invited to read the book and study each of the characters and symbols, noting expressions and settings. We can pick out those we are drawn to, our favourite hero, our best friend, and our most likely challenger. There are three black and white woodcuts, titled Norns, which represent The Past (What Once Was), The Present (What is Coming into Being), and The Future (What Shall Be). The other cards are the Main Cards which represent archetypes. All paths begin at Midgard, a place we set forth from - and return to. When we are familiar with the energies and the story, we are ready to use the Beowulf Oracle for a reading. Are you on your spiritual path? Who or what influences your journey? What are your life lessons?  

There is a brief ceremony provided to Greet and Thank the Norns, The Heorot Spread has 12 Cards, The Norn Spread is a 2 Card choice for a quick answer, and The Hrunting Spread has 10 Cards, with sample readings. The is also a method of Rune readings from the Companion Cards each with a Rune meaning. 

A Norn Card is chosen at first to set the stage for a search for a Companion or Hero, or Challenger Card. These Main Cards lead to one of the Nine Realms. A Hero can lead you to your destination; a Challenger can encourage you to greater questing or to seek out your life purpose. 

We are provided with an in depth retelling of the poem in prose with imaginative symbols and metaphors. I am thrilled by the exciting antiquity and personal power of the Boewulf poetry, the kenning riddles, word plays and word skills. This oracle deck is a wonderful tribute to the poem with its monstrous dragons, hags, royalty, fates and heroic adventures. For warriors - and not for the faint hearted! The enigmatic advice is optional! Maybe this deck highlights character weaknesses like no other! 

One of the few female characters is Grendel’s Mother. Here is a sample reading of this card: 

An unnamed swamp hag, Grendel‘s mother seems to possess even fewer human qualities than Grendel although her terrorization of Heorot is explained by her desire for vengeance for the death of her son - a human motivation. Here she watches over the great cauldron of life, upon which are depicted many facets of human activity. 

She’d brooded on her loss! Misery had brewed in her heart, that female horror, Grendle’s mother, living in the murky cold lake Assigned her since her son had killed his only brother, slain his father’s son with an angry sword.

As Hero: I am a mother who loves her clan and kindred with the passionate devotion. Exiled because of my child’s treacherous kin slaying, I brewed in the dark waters of doubt, fear and anger. I trust precious few and precious little, but once I swear my oath of kinship, I am relentless in my duties as mother and protector. Seek me if you can muster the courage to stare into the deep abyss. My home is the Giants Castle, and in my house are many treasures that I keep close and well.

Hideous of aspect, the womb of outpouring, the birther of brave ones, who leap to the fray: Guardian of Giant holm, treasures bestowing, Bringer of mystery, savager of prey. Cling to the cauldron of life and redemption, when judgement and vengeance are stirred among men.

As Challenger: To you I say: what life challenge brought you here? How are you to find a solution? Will you look to the times that have gone, to the ancestors perhaps? Or will you cast your eyes upon the future, looking for dangers to come rather than those that are current? Whichever of these parts you choose, or are chosen for you, remember that all life is lived in layers, and that when one layer is peeled away, another is revealed – until you reach the last layer of all, where time no longer moves and you are face to face with your truth. 

If loss be your keeper, revenge be your reaper, You hasten your wyrd to the stretch of your thread; The one who destroys to make good his insulting, Unweaves his own making in wreckage of dread. Temper the conflict, let truce be your master, Peace weaver be known as among your own kin. 

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