Goddesses, Gods and Guardians Oracle Cards

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review:  Goddesses, Gods and Guardians Oracle Cards by Sophie Bashford, Art by Hillary Wilson, Boxed set of 44 cards plus guidebook, published by Hay House. £15.99

From the box lid: ‘I receive your wisdom with an open heart. Thank you for revealing sacred truths that illuminate my soul’s path.’

This deck has a cross cultural emphasis, with women and men of differing ethnicity, skin colour, and age ranges, including non-binary and all genders. Featured archetypes are presented with messages from divine teachings with a name and subtitle, a few words of advice, information and a message, additional meanings and a short invocation. All are positive and uplifting messages that bridge the gap between daily life and a walking a spiritual path. You can ask questions of the cards and receive practical and spiritual advice. These cards don’t completely predict the future and will not take away your free will. They show possibilities, yet you have the power to change outcomes in your life. 

 

The deck was designed with the intention to develop a deepening awareness with the divine feminine and masculine. Earliest humankind worshipped the goddess, and her wisdom draws on receptiveness, intuition, emotional intelligence, healing, relationships, inner stillness and caring. The night, nature, and lunar cycles provide connection to her power. 

Some of the card titles are as follows: Butterfly Maiden, Dryad, Hod, King Neptune, Mermaid of Lemuria, Qadash, Tiazolteoti, Creative! And we are given fresh perspectives on many soul energies, with guidance on working with the archetypes, explanations of symbols, definitions and terminology, divine figures from ancient myths, the inner feminine and masculine, healing, growth, and evolution. The cards encourage light and clarity at times of need. 

In the accompanying guidebook, there is a special invocation to be repeated when in need of that goddess, god of guardian energy. There is a brief outline of each card’s cultural, mythological and geographical origins. The cards focus on a key theme for personal and spiritual development, so you can better understand emotions, awaken intuition, heal self limiting patterns, discover your true purpose and life mission, unlock your gifts and be open to the possibility of past lives. 

There is a Welcome Ritual and a creative visualisation to begin a reading. The cards are suitable for beginners or experienced readers, to read for oneself or for others. There is information on how to prepare the cards with a clearing and blessing, dos and don’ts when reading, storage, performing a reading with an open question, how to shuffle, draw, and interpret. Several spreads are suggested, One-card, Solar Return, Three-card, Past, Present & Future, Your Soul Path, Five-card, The Gateway Star. 

The box has gold lettering and would make a suitable gift for a young person learning about archetypes and seeking advice. The images have a somber colouring. The artist is Hillary D Wilson, 

Sophie Bashford is a writer, healer and intuitive practitioner, an expert on goddesses, and she provides moon temple retreats, online workshops and classes.  

Also by Sophie Bashford, in paperback and ebook ‘You are a Goddess - Working with the Sacred Feminine to Awaken, Heal and Transform. 

Review by Wendy Stokes for Psychic News Magazine https://wendystokes.co.uk