Tarot of A Moon Garden

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Tarot of A Moon Garden by Karen Marie Sweikhardt. Boxed set of 78 cards and full colour Guidebook and layout for Wheel of the Year Spread. Published by U S Games Systems Inc. $31.95

Marvellous! Purple gilt edging on these cards is a delight, and they have highly ornamental artwork! These are 78 borderless paintings - all the better to see the beauty of the flora and fauna, mythic creatures, angels and fairies, and natural settings. And, if the images alone don’t thoroughly excite you, the write ups on the cards definitely will. These are an unusual size, long and thin and easy to shuffle and deal. The written explanations are divided into Renderings, Readings and Ritual, providing 250 words for each card. The Appendix provides Garden Runes, Garden Recipes, and a recipe for Honey Mead. 

The Witching Hour Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Witching Hour Oracle by Cherie Gerhardt, boxed set of  cards and guidebook, published by US Games Systems Inc. Release date 1/6/2022 £22.99 

Please note that Rockpool Publishing have released a card deck with the title Witching Hour Oracle, written by Lorraine Anderson, June 2023. 

Sample Card: 30 The Blood Moon - Justice, Waning Moon, Crone.The Waning Blood Moon is the time for justice. The Crone is pictured on this card with a firm sturdy grip on the scales of justice, referring to fairness by weighing the evidence. The scales represent her consideration of her current existence and her mortality. The crone is blindfold to represent impartiality to the situation. Drawing this card is time to consider just behaviour or treatment in a specific set of circumstances. Have you been fair in a particular situation with a loved one? Have you rushed to a conclusion without considering the thoughts and feelings of another person? Or has someone not treated you fairly in a recent situation? The time is right to find where the iniquity lies and bring justice to that situation.

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! 

Mother Earth Mandala Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck: Mother Earth Mandala Oracle by Fanny Menardi. Published by US Games Systems Inc., box of 44 cards plus guidebook. U.K. £20 

The word mandala means, in Sanskrit, circle - one that is symbolically designed to represent the order of the cosmos and one where you can co-ordinate your own personal internal image of balance and harmony. In the Buddhist Mandala, the deity is within the centre and acts as a power source. One connects through the outer layers to the inner and out again as the deity's radiation affects all life around it. The cards have a wide range of motifs, such as sun, moon, butterfly, Inca, Egypt India and other symbolisms all with artwork using the pointellism style of multiple dots, giving the cards an Australian tribal art feel. You can use the cards to ask about your mission, integrity and authenticity or however you would like to, ask a question, such as What do I need to heal in this situation? Pick a card at random, lay out the entire deck face down and choose a card, or use a three-card past, present and future reading. The deck is intended to empower the individual in their spiritual journey and can be read for oneself or for another and is idea for a beginner with advice, guidance and inspiration. 

Journey to the Goddess Realm

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Journey to the Goddess Realm Oracle Deck by Lisa Porter, published by U S Games Inc. Pack contains booklet and 39 cards.
 "The goal of spirituality is to call forth our eternal spirit back into our earthly bodies."

36 cards carry a Goddess name as a title, a number, a related concept and an image pertaining to that Goddess energy. In the booklet, each Goddess has a short write-up (100-200 words per card) with associated keywords. Though the upright energy is positive, a shadow or a dark aspect of the Goddess is mentioned for reversed meanings.

Motherpeace Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Motherpeace Tarot by Karen Vogel and Vicki Nobel published by U S Games Inc. Three products in this range: The original Motherpiece Round deck, the Mini Deck, and the Guidebook and card set. 

This is a revolutionary modern deck (circa 1980) which features matriarchal cultures with an earth based spirituality. The creators searched the world for early goddess philosophy, myths, history and folklore whilst they were room-mates at Berkeley in California together. Both are life long feminists and interested in intuition, healing and the Divine Feminine. They produced these cards in the round - to be read not just as upright and reversed but with the four positions, so with innumerable potential for creative readings. The four suits of the Minor Arcana are Cups; Wands, depicted with African culture; Discs, illustrated with Navajo culture; and Swords, depicted with Greco-Roman imagery. The Court Cards are; Daughter, Son, Priestess and Shaman and many of the titles have changed, such as the Crone as the Hermit and the Hanged One as the Hanged Man.

Fenestra Tarot Review

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Fenestra Tarot by Chatriya, Published by US Games Systems Inc. £18.75 Pack contains 78 cards and instruction leaflet. Card size: 3” x 5” (7 x 12 cm). 

Thai artist Chatriya Hemharnvibul has produced this very beautiful card deck, having previously produced artwork for Wicca Cards. Definitely a fine colourist and expert figurative painter, the artwork will delight. The title of the deck ‘Fenestra’ means ‘windows’ in Latin and the intention behind the title is to open windows within the imagination. I think this is a deck, created by a female for females, due to its gentleness and soft energy. Only a little white information insert with very basic information in several European languages is included in the pack but the artwork of the cards says it all! 

Crow Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Card Deck Review: Crow Tarot by M J Cullinane, published by U S Games Systems Inc.  £23.33 Release date: Sept 2023

Sample card: The Tower 16. Keywords: Drastic change, Upheaval, Catastrophe. Element: Fire. Each night, the crows gather to roast in the top of an old belltower that sits on a hill, away from the city lights. The tower has always provided a comfortable shelter that has offered security. However, the tower comes with a warning, do not become too comfortable or complacent. It could be whisked away in a flash. Mentally prepare yourself. Change is always afoot. Sometimes change happens and goes by virtually unnoticed, but not this time. You will feel it. It will shake your ground. How you manage this change will have a direct impact on how you will fare in the future. The energy caused by this change will spark something within that will move you towards a better place. How the pieces fall are up to you. Changes are inevitable, and when the tower is reversed, it is a sign that you are doing everything in your power to prevent necessary action. In doing so, you delay the experience you need to learn from in order to move forward.

The Medicine Woman Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Medicine Woman - Inner Guidebook - A Woman's Guide to her Unique Powers Using The Medicine Woman Tarot Deck by Carol Bridges, published by U S Games Systems Inc.

I like this book very much. It begins with a gypsy story about wholeness and the origin of the tarot. Information is provided on how to use the cards, preparing for a reading, etc. This Inner Guidebook is a teaching manual which takes the user on a journey of personal and spiritual improvement. With a Native American influence, it includes ancient wisdom, Earth honouring, personal power, and spiritual responsibility and progress, which are developed through visualisations, affirmations, exercises, diet advice, colours, invocations, a consciousness map, and grounded learning. 

Designed as a bridge to a loving world and a method of healing. 

Tarot of the Golden Wheel

Mind Body Soul Magazine Card Deck Review: Tarot of the Golden Wheel by Mila Losenko, published by US Games Systems Inc. Boxed set of 78 cards and guidebook. £15.99

With inspiration from Russian folk tales and with bright hand painted artworks of costume and the traditional rural culture of the Slav ccountryside, this is a deck of great beauty and meaning. The artist and concept writer, Mila Losenko originates in the Altai Mountains. She has a degree in Teaching Fine Arts and works as a book illustrator. She has produced a very interesting card deck in the Tarot of the Golden Wheel with exquisite water colour paintings!

Dark Light Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Dark Light Oracle - The Path to Light Lies Through the Darkest Shadows by Alexandra V Bach & Carole-Anne Eschenazi, boxed set of cards and guidebook, published by US Games Systems Inc.  Card sizes: 13cm x 9cm. $22.95 : £17.99 

Sample card above - Holy Gate, No 40 “The doors of pure happiness will soon be opened. The path was long and sometimes very hard. You’ve travelled through dark forests, you’ve climbed huge mountains. But there you are. You finally reached your destination and you ought to be proud of yourself. The gates of heaven are about to be open for you. Once you’ve cross the threshold, you will experience a considerable change to your life. This will be your new kingdom. For your soul has reached a point where wisdom, happiness and joy can become your everyday achievement. So welcome to heaven. Keywords: achievement, completion, being close to heaven, blessing, reaching your destination. Affirmation: I feel proud of everything I have achieved so far. I feel complete and blessed. I feel grateful in advance for all the happiness life is about to bring me.”

Holy Gate, Number 40 was chosen at random as I read it to a client who rang to say she couldn’t make her appointment as she was admitted to hospital for cancer treatment! I thought the messages assumed a lot of personal and serious information that the Client and Reader might know more about.

Ethereal Visions Tarot Luna Edition

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Ethereal Visions Tarot Luna Edition by Matt Hughes. Boxed set of 80 cards and Guidebook. Published by U S Games Systems Inc. £25.83 Release date: April 2023

Sample card: XI Justice. Astrological correlation Libra. Justice will make itself known when you see situations from all angles. Justice takes things slowly and deliberately and makes a just decision. All actions have consequences. Therefore, Justice knows that fairness is a priority, and understands that there will always be somebody who feels hurt if you don’t do things their way. When this card appears in a reading, you must take a stand and do what’s right for you. Upright meaning: equality, balance, decisions, fairness. Reversed meaning: dispute, dishonesty, lack of accountability, corruption.

Joie de Vivre Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Joie de Vivre Tarot by Paulina Cassidy Published by US Games 78 card deck with white booklet (78 pages) £19.99 

It's a most entertaining tarot deck to delight all ages! The front of packet is pic of Three of Cups where Gleam, Glitter and Glow dance together in celebration of their blessings and achievements. Waters of vitality spring forth from three cup flowers on Glitter’s head. Glow supplies a plethora of fruit and the scarab beetle dancing at their feet carries a message of regeneration and creation.

Oracle of Visions card deck review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine card deck Review: ORACLE OF VISIONS by Ciro Marchetti, published by U S Games Systems Inc, pack includes 52 cards (size 3.75 x 5.5 inches) and explanatory booklet. £17.99 

It’s a feast! Carnival in Venice meets Cirque du Soleil meets Las Vegas Harlequin! You won’t find more Hollywood glamour than this!  
Ciro Marchetti has excited us yet again with his distinguished artwork! Following on from his immensely popular and amazingly beautiful tarot and Lenormand cards, we now have an oracle deck - but with a difference! Most oracle cards carry simple messages and lack depth but Marchetti has created this deck to inspire the reader. With minimal input, our inspiration, insight and intuition is encouraged to be individual and versatile. The cards carry a number only. If you wish for a title, the booklet provides titles, quotations and 100 – 200 words of information. All cards are read upright.
The cards are divided into 4 suits: Situations; Emotions; Actions and Behaviour. Two interpretations are provided for drawing for one card reading. A six card combination reading is also offered as a sample.  

Paulina Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Paulina Tarot by Paulina Fae. Pack of 78 cards and instructions. Published by US Games Systems Inc. 

Sample card: The orange wings of the lion suggests fiery energy and the ability to soar to greater heights. The orange wings of the lion suggests fiery energy and the ability to soar to greater heights. The woman’s fish shaped hat, crowns her bravery and fortitude. An infinity symbol indicates unity and the balance of forces. A white dress, signifies peace and purity. Meanings: courage, discrimination, being constructive, self discipline, trusting your own abilities, compassion, seizing control of your destiny. Reverse meanings, lack of faith, being driven by impulses, having a discouraged mindset, weak, willpower. Who could not be more delighted with this amazing Tarot card deck? The artwork is a feast of delights! I have my magnifying glass and a good light so I can go through every card, learning, laughing and loving each of the wild characters in this wonderful storyline from the Fool to the World, to the incredible Court Cards and also the Minor Arcana characters, who are a joy too! Days and sometimes weeks were spent meditating on the energy of the Tarot cards to produce the finest, whimsical and quirkiest characters to represent them. The spread is a 10 card “Art of Tarot Divination”. Explanations and meanings provided and Keywords for reversed meanings.

Land of Giants Oracle Deck

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Land of Giants Oracle Deck by Steven Hutton boxed set of 42 cards and guidebook, published by US Games Systems Inc. £21.67

Sample Card Nurturing: caring, family ties. A holly-sprite enlists water carriers to aid a struggling sapling, seeing it as one of his own. A family member (distant or close) deserves some recognition and support at present or might have subtly asked for help in the past but failed to make an impression. This card could equally apply to the reader: if help is needed are you being explicit enough? Are you being too stoic and thus suffering alone? Reversed Meaning: Nurturing has both positive and negative connotations: it is possible to nurture resentments for what fate has done (or not done). This card’s reversed orientation speaks of someone angrily dismissing life’s gifts in favour of focusing instead on what is missing or felt to be owed. 

Calandra Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Calandra Tarot by Michael Calandra, author. Trish Sullivan. Boxed set of 80 cards and guidebook. Published by US Games Systems Inc. £23.33

Sample Card: The Moon. Keywords - illusion, dreams, fears, intuition. Two pillars stand in the darkness as clouds fill the sky, covering the starlight and only allowing the moon to shine through. She stands serenely between these pillars, belladonna threatening her way. The lunar glow reflects off the rays of her headrest forms a crown upon her head. The owl tattoo on her chest represents the western in her heart. As she waits, she has joined by two wolves. One is tame and calm, hanging back slightly, at peace with what may come. The other, growling and baring its teeth, looks ready to pounce. The pair symbolises the animalistic duality dwelling within us. In darkness, the mon casts shadows making the trees look like monsters, the simplest of deceptions striking listen to your heart which will protect you. Pay attention to your intuition. Don’t rush in until you have all the facts and have had time to gauge the motives of those around you.

Star Maiden Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Star Maiden Tarot by Hannah Kirchen, boxed set of 78 cards and full colour guidebook, published by US Games Systems Inc. £29.17

Card Sample: XIV Temperance. Upright - The angel of temperance pours water between 2 cups, a flow that represents the flow of life. Temperance asks you to seek balance and harmony in whatever difficult situation you find yourself. Temperance urges you not to resist. Following flowing guidance, step into your higher self. Reversed. Reversed - Temperance symbolises an imbalance to the flow of life. Assess all the different aspects of your life and see if there is an imbalance taking place. Speak up for what you need, but also do not take advantage of others. Notice how much energy you are putting into various aspects of your life. Are they putting back into you or draining your energy? 

The star maiden is named after Astraea, the Greek Goddess of Justice who was sent to the heavens by Zeus to become the constellation of Virgo, the Virgin. She holds the scales of Libra and has responsibility for spiritual and physical life. To honour her, we work to improve ourselves.

Raven’s Wand Oracle

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Raven’s Wand Oracle by Steven Hutton, published by US Games Systems Inc. £20.45 Boxed set of 44 cards and guidebook. Card size: 4” x 6”. 

A deck based on The Dark Raven Chronicles Trilogy storyline of witchcraft that imparts the Wisdom of the Ages. Valonia, an old sage, is head of the Wildwood Coven that hides from the Illuminati Knights in the hills of Northern England in the eighteenth century. Valonia is Keeper of the Wand - as black as a raven’s feather! Many in the Coven have specific duties and powers: Sunday Flowers for forgiveness and atonement, Evelyn Ashe for acceptance. The characters are wise yet humble, profound yet practical. There are twin dragons, Hethra Oak of Summer and Rilla Baldragon of Winter. They sleep and dream, and their dream creates the patterns of life. The witches kneel each day and touch the earth to listen to the heartbeat of the dragons. They send their hopes for love and peace within the dreams of The Twins. 

Botanical Inspirations

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Botanical Inspirations Deck and Book Set by Lynn Araujo, published by US Games Systems, Inc. Boxed set of 44 cards plus guidebook and pull out chart and card bag.

Full colour prints of illustrative paintings of 44 different flowers with the common name, Latin or other name, with keywords and a quotation. The booklet provides symbolism, flower lore, legend, hidden messages and affirmations. A Three-card reading and the Past, Present and Future reading is provided with examples. One card can be used for daily inspiration. Pick a card at random, look at the image and message. Close your eyes and meditate and make this image come alive. As it grows in your mind's eye, reach out your hand to feel its petals, put your face to the flower, feel its coolness on your brow, put it to your lips and feel its texture! Every day you choose a card, you will be given the gift of this flower until you choose another!