Amazing Women Cards Review

AMAZING WOMEN CARDS 45 inspirational cards by Mara Pala and Vicky Benaim. Illustrated by Josefina Schargorodosky. Boxed set of 45 Cards and full colour Guidebook. Published by Watkins Publishing. ISBN 9781-1-78678-822-1   RRP UK £19:99

Welcome Spring and the Divine Feminine with this delightful inspirational set of cards . Each card features a remarkable woman  who has helped to shape the history of humanity. The introduction highlights how we are familiar with men who have made history, and here we have a selection of accomplished women who are prominent historical fugures. This oracle card set is about honouring women from history and empowering modern women. 

Dragon Path Oracle Cards

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Dragon Path Oracle Cards by Caroline Mitchell, boxed set of 33 cards and explanation book, published by Watkins Publishing. U.K.: £16.99 : US $22.95 : CAN $25.95 card size: 5 inches x 3.5 inches. 

This card deck is illustrated by Tiras Verey. Caroline Mitchell is the author, a dragon specialist and channeller, a tarot reader and healer. Biographical information is provided. 

Each card has an image, a number (in Roman numerals) and a title. In the booklet there is more information about each card, such as an affirmation. Each card carries a channelled message of 250 words. There is information about how to read the cards, and how the cards are divided into dragon clans: There are Earth Walk Dragons who are Empowerers, Galactic Dragons which are Connectors, The Grand Master Dragons who are Teachers, and Guardian Dragons who are Keepers of Wisdom. 

The Serpent Grail

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Serpent Grail -The Truth Behind the Holy Grail, The Philosopher’s Stone and The Elixir of Life by Philip Gardiner and Gary Osborn. Published by Watkins Publishing. 

This book describes the existence of a serpent cult with the snake being a symbol that spread worldwide  from Mesopotamia, Egypt, the holy land, Greece, India, South America, China, etc. There are hundreds of words associated with the snake (the worm and the dragon), and this book looks closely at etymology and associations that link the snake with the grail, the stone, and the elixir. Alchemy, the Caduceus, Asclepius, labyrinth, folk tales, blood, the Bible, Knights Templar, astrology, venom, shamanism, the Shining Ones, oh! What a metaphysical line-up! 

The book describes snake venom medicine to boost immune response and for some cures, even described as the basis for immortality. The Grail, not a cup or chalice, but like the Kabbalah, a new consciousness. I found this book fascinating. It’s racy, and takes the reader on a huge journey throughout a vast number of esoteric ideas, linking them in unusual, unexpected and new ways. There is an appendix, an extensive bibliography and a few pages of notes.  

The Tarot of Light and Shadow

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Tarot of Light and Shadow by John Matthews and Andrea Aste. Boxed set of explanatory book and two sets of tarot cards. Card size: 4.inches by 2.5 inches. Published by Watkins Publishing. 

This pack contains a double deck and all the information you need to use them in readings. Using both decks allows the reader to see both sides of a question. This is a unique pack of the two decks, one for positive situations and the other for a more challenging situation. Certainly, you will be enabled to give extraordinary readings from this double deck. No-one else will be able to give readings like this! If you want to be a one-off reader, like no other, this pack will provide it. 

The Goblin Market Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Tarot Card Deck Review: The Goblin Market Tarot - In Search of Faery Gold by John Matthews with artwork by Charles Newington. Boxed set of 80 cards and Guidebook, published by Watkins Publishing. £22.99 

This tarot deck is loosely inspired by the dreamlike poem The Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti (sister of Dante Gabriel) and was written in 1862 when she was 32 years old. It is a poem of innocence, temptation, indulgence, redemption and sacrifice. You will find it rich in wild abandon, naked naughtiness, witchy wonder, charms, spells, mystery, mischief, strangeness and forbidden secrets, with fruits, vines and flowers, in mossy glades and forest streams, and with enjoyable, witty and sometimes tricky and fancy characters that are easy to bring to life in your readings! 

The Cathar Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Cathar Tarot - The Secret Wisdom of the Perfecti by John Matthews and Wil Kinghan. Boxed set of 78 cards plus explanatory book. Card size: 4.5 inches x 3 inches. U.K.: £17.99 US: $19.95 CAN: $22.95

“In heaven, there are angels, and good men and good women.” Peire Mary June 1324

“The heart of man is the church of god”. Arnaut Sicre, October 1321

This is a concept tarot deck specifically designed for those who are interested in Catharism. The Tarot according to the Cathars you could say! There is a chart comparing the traditional Tarot cards and the Cathar cards. The book contains information about the history of the Cathars and an explanation on how to work with the cards, how to get to know the deck and how to activate it. Each Major is retitled with the traditional Tarot title and a Cathar title, subtitle, explanation, divinatory meaning and keywords for the light and dark aspects of each card. The Minors have less information but it is sufficient to provide a reading. The Minors are divided into the Book of Shields, the Book of Swords, the Book of Love and the Book of Wisdom. 

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