Tarot or another system?
there's a profound difference
As I’m making videos for my course at
Ethony’s Tarot Readers Academy, I realize that my feeling about oracle decks has shifted. Perhaps that’s because I created (with Carrie Paris) the Ofrenda Oracle, and with Stacey Williams-Ng the Ancestral Magick deck, and now my own Sidewalk Oracle is close to going into v3. Thinking back, I’m not sure why or how the shift happened.
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
As I’m making videos of each of Tarot’s Court cards. I’m using sample cards from many decks, including the Black Tarot, Inner Child, Radiant Waite, Ancestral Path, and Robin Wood. In recent years, tarot art, itself, has also taken a turn, but in some ways has remained the same. For example, artistic styles can wildly differ - especially from the original RWS - but the Queen of Wands still has her black cat and the Knight of Pentacles still sits on a horse that never moves.
The Black Tarot, Inner Child Tarot, Contemporary Goddesses
As for Oracles, I think what tipped my personal
scale was Stacey’s Southern Gothic. As a Southerner, she couldn’t help but hear or experience the myths and legends that are more indigenous to the South than any other part of the U.S.
My change-of-heart is because her cards are based on ‘something’, rather than just cute ‘puppies and unicorns’. I want an oracle deck to have background and depth. That’s why the Ofrenda Oracle (now available for pre-order) is so close to my heart - it’s based on Day of the Dead, which is a time for celebration here in San Diego and across the border in Mexico. For me, personally, it’s a time to remember family members who have crossed the veil.
I also love Erika’s Lenormand of Hope, which is neither oracle nor tarot. Lenormand is its own category, as are systems like Belline and Kipper.
Erika’s Lenormand of Hope
So I’m wondering - based on your personal preference - are you a tarot person or an oracle person or do you love Lenormand, Belline or Kipper? There’s a poll below and I’m wondering which divination tool will be the most popular.
Thanks for casting your vote, and please leave a comment telling us your favorite deck - regardless of the system.
xo
The southern gothic oracle as a southern folk witch is sooo powerful. Everyone I know comments on the depth. I’m tired of the “cutesy” oracles and tarot it’s fine for ppl that like that but it’s not me. I want her ancestral deck at some point. Every time I open that oracle I feel like I’m at home I can see sense, taste and breathe in the south. Being on the east coast right now it heals some of my homesickness. I love tarot and oracle equally and I honestly dislike using one without the other personally.
The Neopolitains are 13th century Italian playing cards and they don’t come with any “instructions”. My mentor Claudia Montecelli - who is Italian and resides in Italy - taught (and certified) me in both the Sibillas and the Neopolitains back in 2015. The Sibillas are much easier to read because they are quite “chatty” cards and can clarify a situation on multiple levels, whereas The Neopolitains are more straightforward and direct when they speak - they call a spade a spade and there is no mistaking the meaning of them.