Mythical Creatures Oracle

The symbolism and messages
remind us to embrace the positive,
rather than dwell on the negative.

~Quote from the back of the box

Title: The Mythical Creatures Oracle

Author: Sky Cybele

Illustrator: Sky Cybele

Publisher: Schiffer Publishing

• Jump inside the realm of these mystical creatures who are waiting to advise you.

• The Mythical Creatures Oracle includes 44 adorably illustrated cards of legendary creatures from different cultures that will captivate your heart and leave you wanting to know and learn more about them.

• One of my favorite cards from this oracle deck is the Chupacabra (Goat-sucker in Spanish). This has to be one of the most popular and infamous creature that brought fear too many people in the 1990’s. In this image the Chupacabra is sitting on a dead cow, that he, has killed and pointing his right finger at what looks like a passage. When this creature is drawn in a reading, it tells of people being afraid of things that they don’t know.

• Second card that caught my attention was Sasquatch (A.K.A. Bigfoot). Who does not know Sasquatch? Theories indicate that Sasquatch is an alien because it has the ability to appear and disappear to a different dimension. Others say that it is the missing link from the human race. When Bigfoot appears in a reading, it indicates the need to be observant and keep an eye out on what is valuable to you.

• Third card that totally caught me off guard was the Siren card. I always been told that a Siren was a mermaid. But to my surprise, it’s actually a creature with the body (from head to hips) of a human, the waist and feet of a bird with wings of a bird too. These creatures are seductive and lure men with their sensuality, only to finish them off! When this Siren appears in your readings, it denotes that you are lead into temptation. Someone close to you is working their way to take advantage of you.

• The illustration used for the back of the cards is reversible because you can read the cards if they are drawn upright or in reverse. The illustration include yellow snake that is eating its own tail.

• The cards are a tad smaller than Schiffer’s normal card size. Even if these cards are smaller, you can still see the detail in the illustrations and fit well in any type of hand sizes. The texture of the cards are durable and sturdy.

• The box in which the cards come in is sturdy and holds the cards and booklet well. The box includes two ribbons that hold the top and bottom lids together. The cards rest in the center of the box in a small compartment, and the book rests on top of the cards.

• The companion book is written by Sky Cybele and includes 160 pages. This companion book provides too much wonderful and useful information! (I don’t think I’ve never encountered a companion book from an oracle deck that has this much information.) The book begins with a lovely Acknowledgments page and then a preface called From Past to Present. After that, a page called Card List & Keywords where keyword meanings of the cards are provided. And then we are presented with the Introduction page.* Chapter 1 page called Mythical Creatures As Totems. In this page there is a section called Mythical Creatures Totems Based on Occupation, Social Role, or Activity that are associated with the characters. For example, the Phoenix represent a person recovering from a trauma. Then after this small section, there’s Mythical Creatures Totems Based on Dominant Personality Traits. For example, the Goblin represents a person who is a trouble maker or untrustworthy. The next section is called Once You Identify Your Totem or Totems. This basically tells you what to do and how to use your totem.* Chapter 2. Here you will find tutorial that you can do by yourself. The first paragraph called Meditation for Self-Empowerment where it will introduce and elaborate the causes of meditation. The next paragraph called How To Perform a Power Animal Working will give you beneficial step by step instruction on how to mediate and connecting with your animal totem. After those two paragraphs, you will find another paragraph called Suggested Mythical Creatures As Power Animals. Here you will learn how you can invoke a mythical creature as guardian or as an aid or mediator to help you with a problem. For example, if you are the kind of person that has difficulties making decisions, you can call upon Ammut to help you. For each creature there will be provided a Recommended Use (what this creature can help you fix), Caution (how and what not to use it for), Desired Qualities (what qualities you can ask it for), Mantras, and Extra Suggestions.* Chapter 3 you will find a section called Dealing With Monsters. This section will help you how to deal with negativity, especially from people. In this chapter there is a section that informs you which creatures are negative. For example, the negativity for the Harpy is anger and rage. The next section is called Creatures That Bring Negative Qualities in Addition To Positive Ones. The next section titled, What To Do With Monsters will teach you how to deal with this negative creatures and their energies.

  * Chapter 4 you will discover a section called How To Use The Cards For Divination and you will be provided with tips on Asking The Right Question, in the section called “What Creature Am I?”, you will learn and understand what creature you are and the qualities you poses. Also, you will be given the following helps such as, What Creature Is The Other Person?,” “What Is At The Root of a Particular Situation?,” “What Creature can Help Right Now?,” and the Complex Card Reading is a spread designed to help you figure a problem out between and up to two more people.

  * Chapter 5 you will find The Card Meanings! In each page for each creature you will find Keywords, Mythological Background for each creature, a lengthy and informative Card Meaning paragraph, and even an Inverted short paragraph. After you are done reading the Card Meaning chapter, you will find the Appendix page called, More Mythical Creatures where you will find a small biograph of 20 creatures who did not make the cut in this oracle deck. If those 20 creatures listed did make the final cut, this oracle deck would have consisted of 64 freaking cards! (lol).

• The illustrations for the cards are done by Sky Cybele. The art medium for the cards consist of pen sketches, scanned into a computer and colored with the use of Photoshop.

• I am truly delighted with this cute and fantastic oracle deck, right down from its characters that are illustrated in the cards to its lengthy and informative companion book. When I saw just how much information is provided for us, my jaw dropped. Never have I ever owned an oracle deck with that size and length of a companion book (listen up oracle creators, this is how you create an oracle deck with a power punch!) For some reason the illustrations in the oracle cards remind me of a book that I use to read when I was a child. The book was called “Where the Wild Things Are.” Is was one of my all-time favorite book. May be this explains why I’m so drawn to this oracle deck. I’ve seen tarot deck that feature mythical creatures, but not an oracle deck. For so long I’ve always wanted an oracle deck that features beautiful mythical creatures and now I have it. If you would like to own and work with this oracle deck, click here!

 © 2010 – 2015 J. R. Rivera
Reproduction prohibited without written permission from the author.

Tarot Gothica

Understand your shadows and lights,
your own Devil and God,
your fears and strengths.

~Quote from the back of the box

Title: Tarot Gothica

Author: Janne Koivuniemi

Illustrator: Janne Koivuniemi

Publisher: Schiffer Publishing

• Come into the dark, there are wonderful things for you to see…

• The Tarot Gothica features 78 illustrations of entities who are wanting to cross over and have you heed their messages.

• The illustration for the Chariot brings me memories of 80’s and 90’s rock bands. In this image there are four women who are dressed in black leather pants and satin shirts. On the ground there are three women, a blond, red head, and brunet. The brunet and read head have chains wrapped around their neck that are being held by another woman who is standing up. This woman has her leg on top of the brunet woman’s back. The Chariot talks about movement and control. In the image the woman is controlling the direction of the two women who are on the ground.

• The second illustration for the 4 of Wands reminds me of a messed up wake gone wrong! In this image there is a dead or living female who appears to be comatose that rests on top of a table. She is wearing a black leather and lace dress and has her hands resting on top of her breasts. In between her hands is a red rose. Around the table are family and friends who look at each other cheerfully while drinking their alcoholics drinks. The 4 of Wands talks about celebration and maybe even family gatherings.

• The last illustration 9 of Swords reminds me of a bad horror movie about the dead that reanimate themselves. In this image there is a beautiful woman who wears a scarlet and black dress. Someone or something has decapitated her and all she does is hold her head with her left hand while she looks at us! The 9 of Swords talks about dread and anxiety.

• The design for the back of the cards do not feature a new illustration, which I was slightly disappointed about. The illustration for the back of the cards is the same illustration used for the front cover of the box. Therefore, it is not reversible.

• Regarding the texture of the cards, I’m confused, yet someone what pleased. First, they do not have the same card stock like Schiffer’s previous tarot/oracle decks. The cards are not laminated. When bending and feeling the cards, they feel a tad fragile. But, when they shuffle, they hold up pretty well.

• The card deck and booklet comes in an original small Schiffer packaging box. The lid and bottom have two purple ribbons that hold it together. The cards are stored in a small compartment in the bottom of the box. The book lies on top of the cards. The size of the cards are large and are approximately 3” x 5”.

• The small companion book is written by Janne Koivuniemi and features 80 pages. The companion guide booklet is not difficult to understand and has enough phrases for each interpretation of the cards. Though, there is a bit more information for the Major Arcana cards than there is for the minors. Unfortunately, there is no tarot spread(s) included in the book. The small booklet starts off with a Preface, the meanings for the cards, and a Conclusion.

• The illustrations for the cards are done by Janne Koivuniemi and the medium for the art is computer generated photo manipulation/collage. Which in my opinion it is very good. I’ve seen some other illustrations using the medium for this tarot deck, but this one is done nicely.

• I always have a special place in my heart for dark/Gothic/horror tarot/oracle decks. When I head and saw that this one was going to be released, I got it as soon as it came out. I’m fascinated how it features illustrations that are creepy and dark. Some look very odd and strange, while others are gruesome. Illustrations of lesbians and nudity are also included in the cards, so don’t let it scare you away. As for the quality of the card stock, don’t let it worry you. By shuffling this cards several times, I feel that they will last me a long time. If you want a dark/Gothic/ tarot deck that is easy to read with or for your collection, get a copy of this tarot deck by clicking here!

 © 2010 – 2015 J. R. Rivera
Reproduction prohibited without written permission from the author.

Pagan Way Tarot

Become initiated into the realities of
your own psyche and become you
guide to spiritual enlightenment.

~Quote from the back of the box

Title: Pagan Way Tarot

Author: Anna Franklin

Illustrator: Anna Franklin

Publisher: Schiffer Publishing

• Follow the path of the pagan way.

• The Pagan Ways Tarot features 78 beautifully illustrated tarot cards. In this cards, there are characters that are wanting to speak with and show you the way to a better path.

• The Fool card has to be one of the cutest cards in the deck. In this card there is a small child with blond hair and fair skin. It stands on top of a cliff, laughing with joy while holding a flower and dressed as a clown. The Fool indicates a new beginning, a fresh start, or maybe even an adventure that one is venturing soon.

• The Temperance card is by far a beautiful card that has caught my attention, and here is why. In this card there is a feminine angel dressed in a white gown and wearing a gold crown on her head. Her beautiful white wings are spread out as she is riding on her white horse. There is a rainbow in the background and birds fly around her. This card talks about keeping spiritual balance of things. Staying in harmony and learning to keep do and give in moderation.

• The last card that I found very nice is the Queen of Wands and I’m going to share a small trivia about this card. Here is a red headed woman who sits on a bench holding what appears to be a small wand (the kind that witches use). She is in a filled that is covered by red flowers. Her brown cat sits on her lap while looking at her. In reality, the model used for this card is Anna Franklin, the creator of this tarot deck. This card indicates feeling good about yourself. It tells about creations that are done with optimism.

• The back of the cards are very beautiful and they are reversible. The image consists of three moons that stand in the center of the image. On top and below the moon are clouds. Honestly, one can go in a trance just looking at the back of the cards!

• The texture of the cards are wonderful. They are not ridged nor flimsy. They have a matted feel and hold shuffling well. The size of the cards are approximately 3” x 5”.

• The storage is just fantastic! 39 cards rest on the left side of the box and the other 39 of the right side. The book lays on top of the cards. The box protects and keeps the products in place.

• The companion book for this tarot deck is written by Anna Franklin who has written other publications such as the Sacred Circle Tarot and the Fairy Ring Oracle (published by Llewellyn). This companion book is “chunky”, filled with good information for learning the meaning of the tarot cards. It contains a total of 190 pages!

  The book starts off with a Dedication and Acknowledgment. Then an Introduction featuring small and informative paragraphs called The Pagan Way Tarot, The Journey to the Fool, a brief summary of the meanings of the Swords, Wands, Cups, Pentacles, and Major Arcana.

  Then we are introduced to the Fool card who will play the role of the protagonist in this deck. After the Fool, then the chapters for the Minor and Major Arcana begin. For each card you will see a story/narrative, the upright and reversed meanings of the cards. Anna did not write a conclusion for her companion book, but she included something much better which is the appendix chapter that is delightful and very informative. Here you will find the meanings to the Symbols that appear in the cards, four tarot spreads that consist of The Zodiac Spread, Planetary Spread, The Romany Spread and The Celtic Cross Spread. This spreads are not new to seasoned tarot readers and are quite popular. Nonetheless, they are effective and easy to use.

  After the spreads, we come across to a section called “Using the Cards for Meditation and Spiritual Development.” Here you will receive helpful tips on how to meditate with an individual card to connect with it. The Elements will help you connect with your circle when you cast a spell. The Elemental Wheel Exercise will help you connect and stay in touch with the element of your choice. And last, the Wheel of the Year will help you stay attune to the eight festivals of the Pagan Year.

• The illustrations are done by Anna Franklin. The medium consist of photo manipulation/collage. Nowadays, illustrations that consist of photo manipulation/collage are not very popular because the characters physique appears out of proportion. Also, because the illustrator includes the faces of people in their lives, like family and friends, and in my opinion, I see nothing wrong with that, but I digress. Anna did a fantastic job creating the illustrations for her tarot deck. Not only that, but the background illustrations add such an impact. For the characters illustrated in this tarot deck, Anna did use the faces of people in her life.

• Ever since this tarot deck was announced and the making, I kept contact with Anna Franklin and would enjoy seeing the progress and development. In this tarot deck, the Fool is the protagonist and each card is an adventure he encounters. Each character in the cards, be it an animal or human is a deity from a different pantheon! Every card is beautiful and crisp and the companion book compliments it. I love that it stays true to the Rider Waite system, and for beginners, the keywords are printed in the minor Arcana only. Some of the cards original titles were changed, like the the Empress becomes the Lady, the Emperor is the Lord, the Hierophant is the Elder, the Wheel is the Wyrd, the Devil is the Underworld, the Judgment is Rebirth, and the Pages are called Princesses. The spreads are very familiar to me and they are spreads that I’ve used for such a long time. They are four spreads only, but do require a decent amount of cards that should be laid out. If you are a Pagan/Wiccan or if you are simply looking for a fantastic tarot deck, by all means, acquire this tarot deck by clicking here!

© 2010 – 2015 J. R. Rivera
Reproduction prohibited without written permission from the author.