Oracle of Novice Witches

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Oracle of Novice Witches - Messages from the Magical World, written by Francesca Matteoni, art by Elisa Macellari. Boxed set of cards and guidebook. Published 1st September 2022 by US Games Systems Inc., £21.99 

Here we have 50 cards divided into three sections of suits. We start with ‘witches and wizards’, these  feature 24 people from history, mythology and literature who had a reputation for differing types of spiritual knowledge. Then we have 13 objects, known to be used in witchcraft, then lastly 13 animals that could be called witches’ familiars! 

Nature's Whispers Cards

Nature's Whispers Oracle Cards are 50 attractive individual artworks by Josephine Wall, with guidebook text composed by Angela Hartfield. The cards are hard boxed with the guidebook which provides all necessary information: how to use the deck, clear the cards, and ask a question, shuffle and choose. The booklet also suggests a one card daily message, a 3 card reading of past, present and future, and a 4 card Relating Spread. Each of the cards is explained in approximately 50 words and carries a number and a title. As we live in a high tech world, we are estranged from the wisdom and beauty of nature and this deck suggests we can create opportunities to reconnect with it. Whispers of Love is a companion deck by the same artist and writer, also with 50 cards. 

Zodiac Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Zodiac Tarot by  Cecilia Lattari & Ana Chavez. Drawer pull quality box of cards and full colour guidebook. Published by U S Games Systems Inc.  £27.50 Jan 2023 

We are made of star dust! Sample card. Queen of Cups. The Queen of Cups is the manifestation of the soul of water. She loves  unconditionally, Deeply sensitive and receptive, she knows how to listen, and has exceptional empathy. She is pure of heart and doesn’t let herself be influenced by the judgements of those she encounters, because she can see the soul. At the same time, however, she can feel overwhelmed by emotions if she does not learn to set clear boundaries to protect her heart. She is the true embodiment of maternal strength. Keywords: ability to listen, healing, unconditional love. The guidebook provides information on how to prepare for a reading, and how to use these cards. It includes an introduction to the Tarot which is based on Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot. The Major Arcana cards, with Roman numerals, are connected to 12 Zodiac signs and 7 major planets which are shown on the card images. In addition to the 4 elements, the Minor Arcana cards are divided into fixed, mutable, cardinal signs and decans. Each card is linked to a specific time in the astrological calendar, all revealed in the text. 

Seasons of the Witch Mabon Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Seasons of the Witch Mabon Oracle by Lorriane Anderson & Juliet Diaz. Boxed set of 44 cards and guidebook. Published by Rockpool Publishing. RRP US $24.95 UK £18.99 (6th July 2023)

“ To find enlightenment, seek nowhere, it lies within you.”

Mabon, The autumn equinox a time of balance, slowing down, evaluation, surrender, transition, creating boundaries, letting go, clearing blocks, developing new perspectives, and preparing for winter. A time to enjoy the season as colours and energies change. The deck can be used throughout the year, not just for autumn equinox. Yule, Beltain, Samhain and other seasonal festivals are also available. 

Queen Mab Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Queen Mab Oracle – Divine Wisdom from the Queen of the Fae, by Tess Whitehurst. Boxed set of 45 cards and guidebook. Published by Blue Angel Publishing. July 2023  £19.99 ISBN: 9781922573773

 Channelled by the Rocky Mountains author, Tess Whitehurst, we peer deeply into the images, created by two illustrators, Melanie Delon and Cecilia G.F. The box has an attractive glint. The figurative images are female, young, slim and pretty, as one would expect from fairyland. Crowns, butterflies, flowers and the moon are suitable motifs. There are some multi-cultural images too. The principle colours are sombre russets, dark blues, browns and greys, so for me, this is an Autumnal card oracle. 

Tarot Medieval

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Tarot Medieval - The Mysteries of the Initiates Path by Caitlin Matthews with illustrations by Wil Kingham. Boxed set of cards and full colour book. Published by REDFeather (subsidiary of Schiffer Publishing) May 2023 UK £27.99 : US $29.99

A magnetic flip top box opens to display a comprehensive book and 78 cards. Size: 13.5 x 10.5 cm. Caitlin Matthews has translated, edited and provided additional material to revive an original, lost Tarot deck by Francis Rolt-Wheeler. The artwork is produced by Wil Kingham from originals by Christian Loring. 

A fascinating story begins with the highly praised Christian Loring who is a specialist in medieval art, and knowledgeable about Qabala. She meets with the esoteric teacher and L’Astrosophie magazine publisher, Francis Rolt-Wheeler to produce a Tarot deck but during WW2 it is becomes lost. 

Mythos Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Mythos Tarot - Guidance from the Greek Gods by Helena Elias. Published by Rockpool Publishing. Boxed set of 78 cards and guidebook. 

These Tarot cards feature both Gods and Goddesses in the Greek pantheon. It is a very modern deck. The images are glamorous photographic models, very fashionable and very Hollywood! The cards are edged with gold leaf and are glossy card stock. The images are young trendy types, with facial make up, and wearing crowns, with rays emerging from their head. The author was a senior fashion designer and her commercial work has been featured on billboards in Times Square. 

Sacred Earth Oracle

 
Mind Body & Soul Card Deck Review: Sacred Earth Oracle by Toni Carmine Salerno and Leela J Williams with artwork by Helena Nelson-Reed, published by Blue Angel Publishing. Boxed set of 45 cards and guidebook. £18.25 Visit: http://www.blueangelonline.com/oracle_cards.html

The cards put us in touch with the sanctity, wisdom and beauty of our sacred planet, Earth. They are designed to provide guidance, awareness, insight and support for the seeker. There is a creation story and information on how to use the cards. There is also advice that if someone is in imminent danger, other specific assistance should be directly sought. Each card carries an image and title. The guidebook provides additional Earthly Meanings, Spiritual Meanings and an Insights for each card.

 

Animal Totem Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Animal Totem Tarot by Leeza Robertson with illustrations by Eugene Smith. Published by Llewelyn Worldwide.

"Each animal is a teacher, imparting wisdom beyond words. May their lessons guide you on your way."

This is a workbook that connects animals to the tarot and has with space for writing experiences on the animals wisdom detailed in the cards. The book provides information about power animals and animal guides, totems, archetypes, elemental energies and how to perform a reading with these cards. Each major arcana card represents an animal and has a channeled message from each animal, plus information about the meaning of the card and its message when it appears in a spread. Each card carries information about Business & Career, Family & Relationships, Health & Well- Being, Card- of-the-Day and Journal Prompts.

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.

Tree Calendar

Mind Body & Soul Ezine book review: 'The Healing Power of Trees - Spiritual Journeys through the Celtic Tree Calendar' by Sharlyn Hidalgo Published by Llewellyn Publications, in paperback and kindle 336 pages. http://www.alchemicalhealingarts.com/

Seattle born Sharlyn Hidalgo has worked as a psychotherapist and has a masters degree in psychology. She has multiple interests as a circle leader, healer, Native American specialist, Egyptian mysteries teacher and Celtic tree book author. 15 trees are described in detail with a drawing for recognition, each have respective deities, totems, ruling planets, month of power, their uses in history and in healing, rituals and higher appreciation and understanding of their spiritual energies. 

 

The Essential Lenormand Review

Mind Body Soul Ezine Book Review: The Essential Lenormand - Your Guide to Precise and Practical Fortunetelling by Rana George $21.99 Published by Llewellyn Worldwide.

Rose Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine card deck review: Rose Tarot by Nigel Jackson. Magnetic presentation box containing a set of 78 tarot cards and full colour instruction book. Card size 2.75 x 4.5 inches. Published by Llewellyn Publications. US: $32 : U.K. £26

Every prayer brings an Angel into being and using this deck for consultations is described as bringing the ‘Angel of the Rose Tarot’ into being! 

Truth-v-illusion; being-v-appearances; knowledge-v-illusion; reality-v-trickery! These are cards that “trace the journey towards spiritual reintegration!” 

Moon Magic

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Moon Magic - Myth & Magic, Crafts & Recipes, Rituals & Spells by D J Conway, published by Llewellyn Worldwide, 308 pages with text and black and white sketches.
'How to Make the Moon Work for You!'

This book, written by one of the most knowledgeable persons within the pagan/Wiccan arena, explains how to use the Moon's influences in order to deepen our connection to its cycles. Our ancestors worked with planetary influences, to plant and harvest, to take action, to honour and respect the rhythms of nature, in dark, crescent and full aspects. The female author, DJ Conway, has an extensive catalogue of authored occult non fiction and occasional fictional tales.

Celtic Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Celtic Tarot by Kristoffer Hughes with illustrations by Chris Down, Quality presentation boxed set of 78 cards with accompanying full colour book published by Llewellyn Publications. Cost: £22.34

This deck is designed to connect the tarot with Celtic folklore and therefore embrace the power and magic of Celtic mysteries through the medium of the tarot cards.The book includes a brief history of tarot cards and explains who the Celtic peoples were and what their mysteries entailed. Also how to work with tarot. The Kabbalah is included. Trees were important and are included as a device within readings. The major arcana is divided into three parts from the roots to trunk and then branches.

The Major cards have an image, number and title, a text of explanation for each card, a divinatory meaning and a reversed meaning. There are also keywords and a legend written from the perspective of the card itself as though a channelled message.

The Robin Wood Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Robin Wood Tarot, created and written by Robin Wood and Michael Short. Published by Llewellyn Publications. 

Robin Wood passed into higher life earlier in 2021 with carcinoma. She is hugely missed and was well known for her visionary artwork of dragons for board and internet role playing games, Second Life, etc.  This deck took nearly a decade to design. It combines traditional tarot with natural symbolism. It is much loved by pagans with its expressive artwork that is full of tarot and pagan symbolism. 

Meditate on each card and make a note of your associations and emotions as this information will become your own personal guide to interpreting this deck. 

There are standard card titles,  with 5 sentences of meaning for uprights and 5 for reversed. Pentacles, Wands, Swords and Cups; Kings, Queens, Knights and Pages. 3 layouts are suggested: The 15-Card, The 10-Card and The 5-Card. 

The Lantern Oracle

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Lantern Oracle by Angelina Mirabito, illustrated by Yuly Alejo,  Boxed set of 44 cards plus guidebook, published by Blue Angel Publishing, £17.99

Maybe this is more a deck for young people who will see their age group largely reflected in the illustrations though the deck is divided into four sections, Maiden, Mother, Guardian and Crone so all ages of women are reflected. Information on how to cleanse and use the cards includes a 40 day card working process where journaling is suggested. The book’s write ups assist with times of change, challenge and confusion. 

Two other spreads are provided: A 4 card ‘Lantern’, and a 5 card ‘Luminosity’.

Legacy of the Divine Tarot

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Legacy of the Divine Tarot by Ciro Marchetti, Magnetic box set of 78 cards plus guidebook. Published by Llewellyn Worldwide. U.K. £25.00 : US $29.99

The accompanying book is titled ‘Gateway to the Divine Tarot’ and it begins with an extensive storyline; a setting of the creation and potential destruction of our planet and the change to civilisation that is coming. Those who are prepared and survive the Great Change - the ‘remnant’ will rebuild. The kingdoms of air, fire, water and earth must be in health. The Legacy Project is decreed by the Emperor’s Council and all knowledge and achievement is preserved within a capsule. 

The Real Witches' Kitchen Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Real Witches Kitchen - Spells, Recipes, Oils, Lotions and Potions from the Witches' Hearth by Kate West, published by Thorsons/Element.

Useful and interesting, this book describes how to be a witch and enjoy the razzmatazz of creativity and discovery, either alone or to share with others. What is a witch? You will find out! The Wheel of the Year is important for rites and ceremonies, sacred space, spellwork, a Book of Shadows, and personal development and responsibilities which are promoted.

Gnostic Healing

 

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Gnostic Healing - Revealing the Hidden Power of God by Tau Malachi and Siobhan Houston, published by Llewellyn Publications, 190 pages, Paperback £12.99

"We are all an emanation of the divine" For those who enjoy deep metaphysical study, these two academics have put together a practical sysnthesis of 'Sophian Gnosticism', based on understanding which combines healing with Christianity, Kabbalah and Rosicrucian belief. The instruction is easy to follow and designed to facilitate a spiritual awakening and there is an importance stressed on the development of inner life. There are suggestions on how to work with negative people, for the laying on of hands, a healing for the self image, and a text for invoking the Holy Guardian angel. There is a section with a Gnostic prayer for the dying and baptism for the dead.

A Theurigist’s Book of Hours

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: A Theurgist’s Book of Hours by Jeffrey S Kupperman, published by Avalonia Books. £18.99

From the introduction: In brief, prayer nurtures the mind, makes us more receptive to divine beings, habituates us to the otherwise potentially lethal divine light, perfects our ability to contact the gods, uplifts our minds to those of the gods, links us to them, purifies our pneumatic vehicle, brings out the divine element in the human soul, and makes us “the familiar consorts of the gods”. Prayer is so important that “no sacred act can take place without it”. 

Soul Cats Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Soul Cats Tarot by Leeza Robertson, illustrated by Adam Oehlers, Presentation boxed set of cards and full colour, large reproduction companion book, £25 Published by Llewellyn Publishing. 

Here we have 78 beautiful artworks with interesting write-ups on each Tarot Card, guidance for uprights and protection for reversed cards. The deck begins with a beautiful creation story. Life, death, faith, love, health, family, prosperity, and numerous other life lessons are given in this deck. The Majors are mixed breeds having adventures, the Court Cats are Kings, Queens, Knights and Pages. Cups are Bengal, Wands are Bombay, Swords are Siamese and Pentacles are Maine Coon. Every one a gem! 

Tarot Interactions

 
Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Tarot Interactions - Become More Intuitive, Psychic & Skilled at Reading Cards by Deborah Lipp, published by Llewellyn Worldwide, 252 pages paperback £16.99 www.deborahlipp.com

The author is an initiated Gardnarian witch and high priestess of a coven and teaches Wicca and pagan practices. She has 30 years experience of Tarot. She is keen to express the importance of 'seeing the big picture'. The combinations of possible tarot readings is astronomical, 25,000 combinations easily. With the use of ten or more cards, we approach a quarter of a million possible combinations!

Shamanism

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Shamanism -Your Personal Journey to Healing and Self Discovery by Mark Nelson, Quality paperback, all text 264 pages. Published by Llewellyn Books US $18.99 : Can $26.99 U.K. £14.99

Wholeness, balance and harmony are suggested by the author as keywords for shamanic practice. 

Mark Nelson presents workshops, teaches and provides other services and programs on shamanism. 

The book provides information on the history of shamanism, the customs and practices with additional information on divination, rituals, journeying, dream work, distance healing, the natural world, ancestral healing, types of spirits, seasonal ceremony, sacred space, the elements and directions, crystals, death, spirits of place,  shapeshifting, soul retrieval, altered states, and working with power and shamanic tools. 

The Shaman's Oracle Cards

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Oracle card deck review: The Shaman's Oracle Cards for Ancient Wisdom and Guidance by John Matthews, illustrated by Wil Kinghan, Published by Watkins Publishing

Publishing in a good quality box with pull out drawer with excellent card stock. Pack contains hardback book, 52 cards and a template pictorial of a hand to aid reading. Pack price: £14.99, yes, brilliant value for money!

Information is provided about palaeolithic art which is found worldwide, in Australia, the Americas, Europe and China and has inspired the artwork for this deck. Each card carries a different image. Other information provided is about shamanism as an ancient spiritual practice. There is information on how to use the cards and how to frame questions. A sample layout helps with this process. Beautiful poems accompany each card. The images were excellent in transporting me into an inspirational space where the reading flowed quite naturally, sometimes without needing the book's

Pistis Sophia - The Goddess Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Pistis Sophia - The Goddess Tarot by Kim Huggens and Nic Phillips Published by Red Feather (Schiffer Publishing) Boxed set of 22 Majors-Only cards and guidebook £31.99

Kim Huggens and Nic Phillips have added to their very successful fully illustrated 78 card Sol Invictus - The God Tarot, published a decade ago. Sol Invictus is the Invincible Roman Sun God. This is an entirely masculine myths and historical tarot deck so it is no surprise that after more than ten years of development, an all female Majors-Only of 22 cards is available. Pistis Sophia takes its title from a Gnostic work from early Christian times with esoteric teachings from Jesus. Several Christian elements are included in what is largely international in scope.