Pagan Ways Tarot by Anna Franklin - Divine You Oracle and Tarot Reviews

Pagan Ways Tarot

by Anna Franklin

$39.99

Description of deck by Schiffer Publishing

Pagans recognize that the material world perceived with our five senses is only part of the whole. There are unseen Otherworlds overlapping our own, populated by gods and goddesses, nature spirits, and elementals—the conscious embodiments of the natural forces and energies responsible for the functioning of the universe. For the Pagan, everything has a soul or spiritual essence. This deck is based on the Pagan worldview, its symbols, and teachings, and offers 78 beautiful cards featuring gods and goddesses. An accompanying, easy-to-understand guide tells the story of the Fool as he journeys through the Minor and Major Arcanas, encountering the forces that shape him and each one of us. The myths of the gods create links between cards, between the Majors and Minors, and between the inner and outer paths we walk. This Pagan system of divination can initiate you into the realities of your own psyche and become your guide to spiritual enlightenment.

https://www.schifferbooks.com/pagan-ways-tarot-5714.html

Size: 6″ x 9″ x 2″ | 78 art cards | 160 pp

ISBN13: 9780764349003 | Binding: box set

This deck is based on the way the Pagan religion sees things, symbols, natural energies, elements, elementals, etc. So, it may not be the perfect deck for everyone but I really resonate with it. Anna Franklin is a Pagan priestess and has many best selling books under her belt including the Sacred Circle Tarot and the Fairy Ring Tarot.

This is a hefty deck in length and breadth. Not as massive as the Druid Craft Tarot but it is trying to keep up with its big brother. I have to shuffle it sideways in order to mix up my cards properly. I also have a pretty small hand too. Guys might not have the same problem I do with shuffling the deck. The cards are also on the bendy side, not exactly a matte finish but a slight sheen make the cards much easier to take care of and shuffle. 

The back of the cards are in a nice light blue moon scene. I don’t think it is a directional print but I could be wrong. It doesn’t seem to stand out for me like other prints do. This is probably one of those decks that might get trimmed down due to the black edges around all sides. I am too chicken to touch a deck in that way. Knowing me, I’d make it all crooked and then never use it again. But the option is there for people who like that sort of thing.

The deck comes with a nice hard box. These big boxes aren’t my favorite. Too bulky for my taste but inside is a decent sized 190 page explanation manual telling you all the symbolism, meanings and whatnot of each card. Pretty handy stuff for those who aren’t as up on the Pagan Ways as Franklin is.

The images are digital and photographic using the normal-ish Rider Waite symbolism. I like the variety of images you get to work with. If you are an intuitive reader, this deck will be a good one for you. I tend to mix traditional meanings with intuitive flashes. So, I really like this deck. It is one of my favorites.

This might not be the easiest to shuffle but I do reach for it quite a lot. Check it out and judge for yourself.

I received these cards from Schiffer Publishing in return for an honest review.

Weekly Reading 8/15 -8/24

Weekly Oracle and Tarot Reading 

for Thurs., Aug. 15 till Wed., Aug. 24th

Tarot cards are from the Pagan Ways Tarot deck

The 6 of Wands reversed It can mean that despite delays and challenges, that things you have been hoping for or working on may finally come through. Upright this card is about victory after battle. It still has a good connotation reversed. Still positive. The sunflowers symbolize pointing your face toward God. Sunflowers seek out the sun pointing their faces to its heat over and over. To have success you will need a single-minded focus on what draws your attention. Victory isn't apparent yet, but it's coming. So never fear it won't work out for you in the end.

The Knight of Wands in the present position indicates that a new idea or creative inspiration is about to get  your attention. The card says Adventure. A new adventure awaits. But don't be too stubborn about it. The Ram on the shield represents the sign of Aries. Aries is the first sign in the Zodiac and thus the pioneer. You may be leading the charge in whatever area has your focus right now. So don't give up just because you may be the only one who sees the way forward.

The Five of Swords can be representative of interoffice drama. Currently, there is a negative energy around you that is feeding on itself by promoting gossip and lack of productivity. Fives are also about no one really winning an argument. Time to focus on the win-win solution instead of one that just works to your best interest. You are the trailblazer right now and others might not like how you are changing and they aren't. Some people don't like to be reminded how stuck they are in life. So take the ideas and inspiration you get and move forward with it anyway. Don't let the inaction of others stop you.

Bottom of the deck: Overall meaning:
The Three of Pentacles reversed can point out that you are working in a relatively mundane job in which your contributions and experience go unappreciated and under-valued. There is not much opportunity for growth and advancement, and you feel as if your skills and capabilities are not being utilized. It might be time for a new job or to rethink how you see your current employment. What can you change that will make it more fulfilling for you? You have the ideas and inspiration inside you just waiting to burst forth. Let it out and shine!


I pulled a couple of oracle cards for this reading as well. 

From the Mythic Creatures Oracle  I pulled the Cyclops card. This speaks of a narrow focus and a more caveman like attitude. Don't get all up in everyone else's face when they don't see things like you do this week. Relax and take a step back. You are working five paces ahead of them. They don't have your vision. Give them a break.

Rumi's Gift Oracle Cards bring two cards: Devotion and Letting Go. You need to let go of your worries right now. You are on the right track. Your devotion to your cause and ideas are all moving along as they should and you might need to just remind yourself that you and your ideas matter. Speak to like-minded friends to keep you on the straight and narrow. But not too narrow, mind you. You see the big picture as well as know all the little details. You need a sounding board or a brainstorm session to get it all out and organized.

Don't worry. You've got this. This week should be a breeze if you remember to breathe and listen to your heart.

Tarot and Oracle Cards are all by Schiffer Publishing.

Tarot Gothica - Divine You Tarot and Oracle Reviews

Tarot Gothica

by Janne Koivuniemi

$24.99

Description of deck by Schiffer Publishing

Tarot Gothica leads the way from light to lighter and dark to darker, illuminating the circle of life through 78 beautiful art cards depicting Gothic themes. Learn to identify cycles that can be found hidden in the rhythms of each day, year, and throughout life by listening to your inner feelings and noticing that things occur in a certain order. Understand your shadows and lights, your own Devil and God, your fears and strengths. The cards may be read either in spreads or as symbolic images, each choice offering direction through your life situations while discovering the path between Light and Darkness. Journey unafraid as these cards lend their guidance for the voyage of your life.

https://www.schifferbooks.com/tarot-gothica-5758.html

Size: 3 3/4″ x 5 1/4″ x 2″ | 78 art cards | 80 pp

ISBN13: 9780764348181 | Binding: box set

This deck was created by a photographer and thus has a lot of photoshopped type images. I know a lot of people dislike images like these but I have to admit this is probably the most favorite deck I have by Schiffer Publishing. It has resonated with me like none other.

The hard box is just a bit larger than the size of the deck and has a very small 80 page booklet with basically quips about each card. You get a bit more of a description with the major arcana since those are the cards with the most significant energy behind them. I don’t tend to use the booklet in this one. The cards usually speak for themselves. But the box is a nice size and easy to store. The bigger boxes that Schiffer uses are not my favorite since it is hard to organize my collection with so much bulk behind the packaging.

The cards themselves are a bit on the glossy side but not so glossy that you nearly lose your deck while shuffling. The shuffle is easy. These cards aren’t too big for my smaller hands but they are pushing the edge of my reach. I will use them regardless because, I mentioned they were a favorite, didn’t I? The deck is pretty bendy too so don’t overdo the professional shuffling lest you wear out your deck. But with its slightly glossy coating you don’t have to worry about card image wear. Mostly just bendable wear.

The theme of the deck is gothic, so there are a lot of vampire-esque, sepia-toned images amongst the cards. Yes, there is a bit of blood smattered throughout the cards too.  I am sure it is not everyone’s cup of tea but I like the vibe it gives off. Not too scary but more like a peaked interest as to what might be behind the images. If you are an intuitive reader drawing from imagery, this would be a good deck for you.

The cards have traditional Rider-Waite naming except for the Wheel of Fortune which instead is called Destiny. That makes it a deck a lot easier to read from. Wands are Batons, Cups are Chalices then Swords and Pentacles are Coins. Easy enough to figure out for the beginner wanting a cool deck to read from.

Like I said in the beginning, this is my favorite deck, so check it out… if you dare. :)

I received these cards from Schiffer Publishing in return for an honest review.

Hip Chick Tarot - Divine You Tarot and Oracle Reviews

Hip Chick Tarot

by Maria Strom

$34.99

Description of deck by Schiffer Publishing

The women shown in these 78 hand-painted and boldly colored Tarot cards will empower you to grow spiritually, be creative, feel freely, and think clearly—all from a female perspective. Call on these experienced women when you need guidance and support with everyday life, and allow them to help you tune into your own inner wisdom. This deck and companion guide encourages you to be daring and to make decisions that resonate with your soul, not the expectations of society and other people. Consisting of the Majors, Create (Wands), Feel (Cups), Think (Swords), and Earth (Pentacles), this deck uses quick-and-easy meanings and modern symbols that can be applied to your life in a fun and accessible way. It takes courage to be yourself. Be hip—and own your power.

https://www.schifferbooks.com/hip-chick-tarot-6398.html

Size: 6″ x 9″ x 2″ | 78 art cards | 112 pp

ISBN13: 9780764354922 | Binding: box set

This deck is created by a woman for women in order for us to tune into our inner wisdom, our Athena, our personal goddess, our Gaia, our god and bring forth guidance that is unique to us.

The deck has a matte finish and a nice feel that is easy to shuffle even for the small-handed woman. I have a few decks that are so huge that I have never been able to normally shuffle them and thus feel like I am not getting a good mix of cards when I start the reading. You don’t have that problem with these. The individual cards are quite bendy, so try to not over do the professional type shuffles. You may bend your cards out of shape too quickly. 

I don’t find I get a lot of jumping cards with matte decks and I like to use jumping cards to reflect the current stirring energy around the situation. That is my own pet peeve with matte decks. No jumping cards. Kinda makes me sad sometimes, as if the spirit really isn’t moving in the reading.

The back of the card has a nice sky blue background featuring a single daisy. Cute and it doesn’t give away reversals underneath like some cards do with directional prints on the back. I like being surprised by reversals. I find myself trying to right the card if I realize it is upside down before I turn it over.

The names of the suits are different in this deck and although a lot of people like the unique names, I am a traditionalist, I guess. I like the card name to be the card name. I feel like I need a cheat sheet with decks like this in order to remember what each suit is called. I don’t mind seasons or elements. Those are easy to figure. But the names on this deck aren’t bad. I can figure it out. The majors may be the most difficult for me. Here is how they break down:

Create (Wands)

Feel (Cups)

Think (Swords)

Earth (Pentacles)

The court cards may throw you a bit since a Queen isn’t a queen here. A Queen is instead a King, a Queen is a Boss, the Knight a Teen and the Page a Child. I have to admit that the court cards in any deck are a challenge for me. I don’t tend to read them as specific people but instead situations relevant to the person being read for. I guess I am weird that way.

The deck comes in a sturdy box that is lavender and very 70’s. The deck is very groovy in that Brady Bunch way and leaves you with a good feeling. Some decks feel funny to me energetically but not this one. I like it. It is a feel good deck made by a lady who just wants us to have fun while we are imparting our intuitive wisdom.

Overall great deck. I wish they had traditional naming conventions but that won’t stop me from using them. 

Hope your tarot readings are groovy, man!

I received these cards from Schiffer Publishing in return for an honest review.

Daily Oracle Card Draw - Weekend 7/12-14

You are going to be asked to use your wisdom this weekend. You need to trust your analytical mind. So don’t let your creative one get away with you. Try to stay focused in the here and now. This is a time to sniff out the best opportunities available to you. It’s letting you know that true abundance is on the way. A way you can assist yourself is to clear the clutter around you. Because as we open up the energy of a space the energy of abundance is allow to more easily find you. So, maybe a bout of spring cleaning may need to be in your future. Let go of things and feelings and memories you no longer need to let the new and refreshed come in. If you do these things your wisdom will grow by leaps and bounds and it reminds you to pay attention to what’s between the lines and invisible to the naked eye. You have great knowledge available to you. Allow it to come in and bring you a much needed abundance that you have been waiting for. #dailydraw #oraclecards

Review of Tarot Tracker: A Year-Long Journey by Angelo Nasios

Tarot Tracker: A Year-Long Journey

by Angelo Nasios

Description from Amazon: Keeping a record of Tarot readings to plot your growth over a year can be daunting. Now you can use this simple, effective, and beautiful annual tarot calendar and journal to keep track of your daily readings and seasonal occasions. Foster a personal bond to your cards and create a permanent record to keep forever to understand and plan your special path. Find out what the year may bring, record and reflect on daily and nightly readings, recognize patterns in your life, and connect personal experiences to the cards. Begin your calendar journey at any time during the year, and use the knowledge you accumulate to chart your spiritual progress through the Tarot. Includes quick and easy traditional Tarot card meanings to help interpret your journey.

I received this book from Schiffer Publishing and had already heard about the book from a few of my tarot friends on Facebook. It is exciting to see books just take off in popularity right off the bat. 

Angelo did something unique and started a Facebook group in order to help people with their year-long tarot journey.  Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/124441448340310/ He is all in with this book and I think that is why it is becoming such a best-seller already. Amazon is already out of stock but there has been a reprint and new books are on the way to the bookseller.

If you start at the beginning of the year you are asked to discover which tarot card represents your year. And there is a formula to get the right card. My card was the Hermit #9.

If you are new to the tarot, Angelo has a nice grid of tarot meanings at the back of the book for all the cards, and the Card of the Year descriptions are at the front of the book for the major arcana. It is really convenient if you need a quick help on meanings.

There is also an area at the front for your own interpretations of each of the cards. For example, the 4 of Cups, I heard someone once describe it as an epiphany and that description so resonated with me. That is the type of thing you would write there. Your own take on the card meanings. Things you just don’t want to forget.

The book is solid, hardback and about an inch thick. There is a page inside for each day of the year. You can draw a card of the day in the morning and try to guess what it means for your day. Then at the end of the day you draw reflections cards and see how your card of the day meshed with your actual day.

I think this book is unique and cool and it will get all of us to focus more on our own spiritual journeys instead of always focusing on others or clients or whomever wants a reading from us.

Definitely check this one out. 

Angelo also has a book that came out not long ago called Tarot: Unlocking the Arcana. In it he speaks about his journey in tarot and how he came to make YouTube videos before there were any readers on YT. His videos are unique and they are designed to help the tarot reader grow and expand their tarot journey.

I hope you try this book and focus on yourself and your journey for a change.

I received this book from Schiffer Publishing and asked to give an honest review of their product.

Wisdom of the Oracle Reading with Channelled information

Wisdom of the Oracle Reading with channelled info included. 

As the year comes to a close, you feel like you are walking a tight rope, exhausted and precariously balancing all you need to do... Hoping you can juggle it all and nothing falls to the way side. You want to fly, dream of doing it often, escaping the situation, but circumstances have you tied up in knots. 

You have not been in a happy place lately. But that is about to change. Remember you are fully supported by the universe, your guides, your spiritual team and God. Don't hesitate to ask them for help when you need it. Need energy? Ask for it. Need calm? Ask for it. Whatever you need, don't hesitate to ask for it. You deserve to have all the happiness and joy this life can bring. 

The first card "New Life" reminds me of that time when you first awake in the morning. You are stretching and working the kinks out of your body. If trials come up this week, remember that it is only a kink you are working out and it will be quickly released from your life. Aren't many trials in our life like that? So important one minute and moot the next.

Chains are falling away now. What had once seemed like a restriction will soon change to an open door. It is a time of blossoming leading to swift action. You will have a level head during this time and a long road of successes before you. I see a train track in front if you leading to infinite abundance. No restrictions on this track. Abundance is available if you only believe it is possible for you. 

You will shed old ways of thinking this week and become more of your authentic self. You will gravitate toward hobbies and people who are good influences for your future year of 2018. The sun is at your back lighting your way forward and dispelling the darkness. 

What we move into is a time of more freedom, fluid movement and ease. You are loosening up and releasing those things that have held you back. 

And as 2018 opens (approaches) you will leave behind the old and unwanted. It will be easy. You will barely notice it is gone until months later and wonder (marvel) how you ever lived that way.  You may feel in some instances like you are going backward but you are at a much higher level now. More sensitive to information coming in. Your third eye will be providing you with lots of knowledge (information) even if you don't realize it is.  Your 'knowing' level will ramp up and you will know just what you need to do to further your life without being told. 

2018 will be a year if action and growth in all ways. Enjoy the ride. You deserve the riches that are coming to you. 

Toni Walker

Divine-You Oracle & Tarot