Friday, March 15, 2024

Book Review: Deathwatch: Shadowbreaker

Steve Parker, Deathwatch: Shadowbreaker. Nottingham, UK: Black Library, 2019. ISBN: 9781781939635.

Genre: science fiction
Series: Warhammer 40,000, Deathwatch
Format: trade paperback
Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington Public Library 

"The blade that kills you is the one you least expect" (56).

Codicier Lyander Karras leads Talon Squad of the Deathwatch. Deathwatch are elite small teams of Space Marines drafted by the Imperial Inquisition for extremely dangerous missions. As the novel opens, Karras is recuperating from wounds sustained in a previous mission. He is barely recuperated when Talon Squad's handler, the mysterious Inquisitor Sigma, has a new mission for them. An inquisitor, Epsilon, has gone missing, perhaps gone rogue. Her location? A T'au held world. Talon Squad's orders are to find her and bring her back alive by any means necessary. The challenges are not only getting in and out of an enemy held planet but also surviving the intrigues, internal politics, and machinations of the Inquisition. 

The basic premise of the novel sounds great. However, the novel's pacing is fairly slow. The pace does not really pick up until about halfway into the story. Once the pace picks up, there is plenty of action for the fans. Along the way we learn of Epsilon's scheme, a complex scheme she claims can be good but is highly questionable and full of risks to put it mildly. 

For folks who like intrigue and schemes, you get a good dose of that. The Inquisition has various schemes going, rivalries and politics within, and at times one wonders who the imperial servants really serve. There are layers of conspiracies that Talon Squad has no idea exist. They just do their jobs and keep fighting on, hoping for the day when, if they survive, they can return home to their Space Marine chapters. 

Overall, I liked the novel, but I feel it was a bit too long at times. Some earlier elements could've been trimmed a bit. Once the pace picks up, it's a good Space Marines action story. Like many conspiracy tales, the ending is somewhat open. Hardcore fans will likely enjoy it. More casual readers may find the first half or so a bit slow and dragged out at times. Still, it was worth it once it gets moving. 

I'd say 3 out of 5 stars. 


Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Book Review: Our History Has Always Been Contraband

Colin Kaepernick, Robin D.G. Kelley, and Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, eds. Our History Has Always Been Contraband: in Defense of Black Studies.  Kaepernick Publishing, in partnership with Haymarket Books, 2023. ISBN: 9798888900574.

Genre: African American, Black Studies
Subgenre: history, politics, interdisciplinary, anthology
Format: trade paperback
Source: Hutchins Library, Berea College 

 

This book was my selection for Black History Month in February 2024. The book came together as a response to efforts to remove AP African American Studies courses in schools, especially in Florida. The book looks at the history of Black Studies with focus on the United States, a field of study that has been under attack from its inception and to this day. The book explores the history of the field and provides a sampling of key texts. 

The book is arranged as follows: 

  • Preface by Colin Kaepernick. This describes the book project and how it became a reality. 
  • Part One: How We Got Here. Two essays from the editors outlining the history of Black Studies and where we are now. This is a good overview of the topic. 
  • Part Two: The History They Don't Want You To Know. This is the core of the book. It contains 38 pieces from various works starting with "Walker's Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World" (1829) to "'Introduction: Black Health Matters' from Black Disability Politics" (2022). This is a sampling of the materials that certain people don't want you to read and are working to ban. 
  • Part Three: How We Fight Back: Three essays here on how to answer critics and censors as well as demonstrating how Black Studies are essential. 

When I started reading the book, I thought I would read Parts One and Three, then pick and choose some selections from Part Two to get a sense of the arguments. I ended up reading the book cover to cover. The writings are interconnected, and the ideas build up on each other, so take your time and read the book in full. In addition, the readings overall are interesting and engaging. It is not often that an academic book keeps me reading. I could not put this book down, kept wanting to read one more essay. Before I knew it, I read the whole book. It helps that the texts are accessible. People hear terms like "critical race theory" and think it is a complex esoteric term. It is not. Read this book so you can learn about it and more. 

This is an interdisciplinary book. The writings come from diverse fields including literature, politics, law, psychology, sociology, gender and sexuality, feminist studies, queer studies, and more. If the book has a shortcoming, it's that the pieces in Part Two are mostly excerpts. However, this is not a book meant to be definitive. It is meant to expose readers to the basics and then teach them how to stand up and defend their learning and history. The idea here is to keep on learning, keep on reading and searching, and to keep growing. To do so, you can seek out the full works. Additionally, the book includes a "Recommended Readings in Black Studies" list that can make a good reading list for those interested in learning more. It can also make a pretty good curriculum. 

This is book is essential reading not just for Black History Month but at any time. Black history is everyone's history, and this book makes it accessible for anyone to read it and start learning. This is the kind of book I wish had when I took courses in Black Studies in graduate school. Yes, it took me a while to find such classes, but let's not digress. The book is an excellent and essential book that I highly recommend. 

This book is essential for public and academic libraries. I would say it should also be available in school libraries. I ordered a copy for our library, and I will promote it on our library's blog and social media as well. 

5 out of 5 stars.

Additional reading notes: 

The editors' hope for the book: 

"...I hope this collection of historical and contemporary essays-- some of which are original-- can be used as a resource to deepen our collective understanding of Black history through the discipline of Black Studies-- a dynamic field of study whose twentieth-century origins were birthed in resistence to the  very foundations of Western thought and the U.S. university system" (x). 


Carter G. Woodson quote, so relevant now, so urgent: 

"It is strange. . . that the friends of truth and the promoters of freedom have not risen up against the present propaganda in the schools and crushed it. This crusade is much more important than the anti-lynching movement, because there would be no lynching if it did not start in the schoolroom" from his book The Mis-Education of the Negro (qtd. in 2). 

I admit that is a question I often ask myself: where are those "friends of truth and promoters of freedom" in the U.S.? They seem to shine by their absence. 

 

Intention of the book: 

"Our History Has Always Been Contraband is intended for students, educators, and policy makers, as well as general readers interested in the subject and seeking to understand then politics behind the current attack on critical education. The readings are by no means meant to be comprehensive or representative of what is truly a vast interdisciplinary field. We deliberately selected texts and authors who had been excluded from the AP African American Studies curriculum, as well as a few canonical texts in African American Studies appropriate for high school students" (4).


Carter G. Woodson, on how White supremacists and other racist enemies of freedom sought to keep Blacks enslaved through their minds. This remains so relevant today for Blacks (and other ethnic groups in the U.S.): 

"If you can control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his action. When you determine what a man shall think you do not have to concern yourself about what he will do. If you make a man feel that he is inferior, you do not have to compel him to accept an inferior status, for he will seek it himself. If you make a man think that he is justly an outcast, you do not have to order him to the back door. He will go without being told; and if there is no back door, his very nature will demand one" (42). 


James Baldwin on education: 

"The purpose of education, finally, is to create in a person the ability to look at the world for himself, to make his own decisions, to say to himself this is black or this is white, to decide for himself whether there is a God in heaven or not. To ask questions of the universe, and then to learn to live with those questions, is the way he achieves his own identity. But no society is really anxious to have that kind of person around. What societies really, ideally, want is a citizenry which will simply obey the rules of society, If a society succeeds in this, that society is about to perish. The obligation of anyone who thinks of himself as responsible is to examine society and try to change it and to fight it-- at no matter the risk. This is the only hope society has. This is the only way societies change" (53).


Karl Marx, in 1844, on how criticism needs to be ruthless, a principle that guided Robin D.G. Kelley and other activists: 

". . . --I am speaking of a ruthless criticism of everything existing, ruthless in two senses: The criticism must not be afraid of its own conclusions, nor of any conflict with the powers that be" (qtd. in 138). 


Kelley then tells us reading should not have limits in studying and learning. For me, also reminds me that you need to read your enemies to understand them so you can take their ideas apart: 

"As self-styled activist-intellectuals, it never occurred to us to refuse to read a text simply because it validated the racism, sexism, free-market ideology, and bourgeois liberalism against which we railed. Nothing was off limits. On the contrary, delving into these works only sharpened our critical faculties" (138). 

 

This book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenge: 


 


Friday, March 08, 2024

Book Review: Will You Give Me a Reading?

Jenna Matlin, Will You Give Me a Reading? What You Need to Read Tarot With Confidence. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn, 2022. ISBN: 9780738770109.

Genre: Tarot and cartomancy
Subgenre: Intermediate level, workbooks
Format: e-book galley
Source: Netgalley

This may be one of the better books on Tarot I've read so far. When I started reading it, there were some things I did not totally agree on. However, I kept reading, and I found much to learn and apply. I may still have a disagreement here or there, but reading the book was worth the effort. 

The book is arranged as follows: 

  • Foreword by Benebell Wen.
  • Introduction.
  • 16 Chapters on various topics. 
  • Final Thoughts and Acknowledgements. 
  • Recommended reading list.
  • Bibliography, which covers the works cited in the book. 

Benebell Wen presents the book as an intermediate level book; she writes that "you'll want to reread this book every few years just to keep your reading skills sharpened" (xii). The foreword is glowing and very positive, as a foreword should be, so it sets high expectations for the book. More so since it is Benebell Wen writing it. 

The author then expands the scope of the book. Whether you are a beginner or been doing Tarot for a while, this book is for you according to the author. She writes: "Even professional readers will find plenty of food for thought within these pages" (1). Having read the book, I am not sure it really can work for beginners unless they put in a lot of work. In the first chapter, she does state an assumption "that, on some level, you have a baseline familiarity of how to read tarot" (3). If you lack that baseline familiarity, it is not impossible to read this book, but you will need to put in more work. You may or not also need a basic Tarot book, the type with card meanings ad other basics. This book does not include that basic information, and that is fine if you already know the basics. 

Assuming you have the baseline, this book can bring  your readings to the next level. Her emphasis is on you developing fluency with the cards and then reading for others as soon as possible. At times, this may feel a bit like an accelerated course, but it is much like learning a foreign language. Immersion is the best path to fluency, so that is what the author emphasizes. Practice and do so with others who are willing to give you a chance. 

I am not totally sure of the full speed ahead approach, but there it is. In addition, she advocates not reading for yourself and not doing daily card draws. While she explains her reasons, this does go against the advice other also reputable Tarot teachers and gurus provide. In this regard, all I will say is what I have said before: take what works for you and resonates, leave what does not work. In other words, your mileage may vary. 

Certain points of contention aside, and most of the remaining advice is helpful and can be useful to develop your craft. The author does take you step by step to help develop your card reading skills in a holistic way. 

The author explores topics such as steps to a good reading, developing intuition and empathy, and setting boundaries. Much of the writing is also to help you build confidence as a reader. She also addresses various situations such as if a reading does not go well or deal with some difficult querents.  She does cover a lot of ground, and a lot of it are things you won't find in basic books. 

A strength in the book are the activities and exercises. Each chapter features detailed exercises to try out to help you grow. Many of the exercises can be done multiple times with different cards and/or decks. This ability to redo exercises over time adds a lot of value to this book. Definitely keep your Tarot journal handy to do the exercises. Another good feature is the "reader's tips" you find throughout the book. Note also that throughout the book the author is constantly asking questions, prompts to consider, to reflect. These are helpful, and it may be helpful to pause reading the book to reflect, maybe write in your journal for further insights.

For the most part, the book is easy to read. It does offer some good advice. It may feel a bit contrarian on some points, but it is worth reading overall. I read the book cover to cover to write this review, but this is a book to read a chapter at a time, then take the time to do the end of chapter exercises. Do that and try to practice actual card reading as soon as you can. If you can't find querents right away, the author does provide practice scenarios to keep sharpening your skills in the meantime. 

This is definitely a very good intermediate level book. If you know your basics, this book is a good step up. Even if you never intend to read for others and/or publicly (and many Tarot readers never do), you can get value from reading the book. This is a book I would buy for my personal library. I do recommend it for libraries that already collect Tarot and other esoterica. This should not be the first Tarot book for a library as it is not really for beginners, not without other basic guides. In the end, I am glad to have reader it, and it is one I will revisit to keep up my skills. 

5 out of 5 stars. 

Additional reading notes: 

On empathy: 

"In contrast, empathy is a person's ability to put themselves in the shoes of another. It is a cognitive skill that is partly inherited but can also be trained. Empathy allows us to imagine what someone else is going through and allows us to feel for someone not take on their feelings, per se. With empathy, you feel for someone. As an empath, you feel as someone. They seem similar, the difference is huge" (17). 


Empathy is a good skill for Tarot readers: 

"In fact, it is empathy that can fundamentally make or break a session. Even if you are not so good with your card just yet, the practice of empathy with querents will make up for that. Everyone wants to be seen and understood. One of your roles as a reader is to show querents that they are seen and understood with your presence and your actions" (18). 


A Tarot definition: 

"Tarot is the bridge between both the ordinary world, and the non-ordinary world of spirit. Tarot can be the scaffolding upon which you can build your own capacity to perceive information from non-traditional sources" (41). 


Work with any and all tools available to you as a reader. Just because you are an intuitive does not mean you toss out standards and/or traditions: 

"My feeling is this: why take a tool out of the toolbox? Why not work to build both the intuitive flexibility and intellectual rigor by doing both? That way, if your intuition is quiet, you can always fall back on the standard card meanings, which is what I do. I go back and forth between standard meanings and my own intuitive hits" (46).

I agree with that and over time this is how I learn and strive to read the cards. Make use of any tool at your disposal. Don't cut yourself short. 


A good reading: 

"A good reading consists of three pillars: a good question, a good spread (or reading style), and mastery of the card meanings. Some may argue a fourth pillar is intuitive talent" (83). 


On learning the court cards and just learning Tarot in general: 

"When it comes to learning the court cards, more is more. Read all the booklets that came with your decks, tarot books, and online resources to get a full sense of all the possibilities that can play into each card. You don't have to do this in one sitting, your understanding of each court card personality will grow alongside your tarot journey. With some research time, and practice, each court card will begin to feel like they are sitting right next to you. Make them come alive" (118). 

I find the above statement affirming as I always strive to read texts that come with card decks plus I read books like this one. I don't quite get those people who take pride in not reading texts because all they need is intuition. Again, why remove tools from the toolbox? However, I am not one to tell others what to do, so do what works for you. As for me, what I need to do next is reread some books I've found useful, do it more to do exercises and reflection. Go more in depth. 


Tip on deck choices for reading for others: 

"Consider your audience when reading with strongly thematic or political decks. You can always have 'your' deck, but use a public deck or even a variety of decks depending on whom you are reading for. While I may love my super pagan witchy decks, they aren't for everyone. I choose for the querents or, better yet, give the querent a choice of decks to choose from" (135).

That is what I do. I give deck choices when I read in public when I can. I've written a bit on this topic over at Alchemical Thoughts, my cartomancy and commonplace book blog. I certainly would not bring anything overly political. In fact, I mostly avoid such decks; I don't need possible aggravation not to break my politics/social issues/activist stuff moratorium. As much as I can keep deck choices relatively safe for all. 


Another tip on reading books: 

"Read more books. Read books on philosophy and psychology. Read books on theology and human nature. Read books on pain and resilience and growth. Reading books about the human condition gives you a greater vocabulary when relaying tarot's message. The wisdom in other's pages will inspire your own and add depth to your readings. Less social media, more books" (149). 

I admit that though I've read a book here or there on the topics above, it has not been in a regular way. This is an area I can work on. Looking at the top of my TBR (to be read) list, I do have a couple of books that fit this category, so I will work to read them sooner. Needless to say, "less social media, more books" is great advice and one I am taking. Lately I do find myself stepping away from social media to read, and it feels good. 


Tips on keeping a resource binder, notebook, etc. I do have a cartomancy reference notebook (can't quite call it a grimoire), and I need to put some serious work on it. This tip can be helpful towards that work: 

"Build your own tarot resources binder full of spreads and activities that you find particularly helpful and meaningful. You can even arrange them by problem such as 'anxiety' or 'boredom.' Then, when you're struggling, choose an activity that would best help with the area you are feeling challenged in" (210). 

I will add the reference notebook I keep is in addition to my Tarot journals where I record things like daily and monthly readings, spreads done, and other cartomancy miscellany. The journal I use regularly, and in fact I have filled various notebooks and continue to keep journaling my cartomancy journey. 


In the books recommended list, she lists 14 Tarot books "geared toward the reader-to-querent experience" (233). I have read the following three books from that list (links to my reviews): 


This book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges: 





Tarot and esoterica books I read in 2023

Welcome to the last of my post in my series of top books I read in 2023. This list is a bit different as I am listing all the books I read in Tarot and esoterica for the year. I am not including any companion books for cartomancy decks I also read. I am including the full list because last year a couple of readers mentioned finding this list useful, so I hope this one is useful as well to my four readers. The list is in no particular order, and if a review has been posted to the blog by now I will include a link. 


You Tarot Toolkit: Simple Activities For Your Daily Practice.

 

 

From my review: "Overall, this is a basic and concise Tarot book to work with the cards individually. I can recommend it mainly for beginners and for mid-range Tarot practitioners. It's easy to read and very accessible."

 

The Big Book Of Tarot Meanings: the Beginner's Guide to Reading the Cards. 

 

 

 From my review: "This is a very good Tarot reference book to keep handy. It is easy to use and easy to read. Doing a love reading, and you are puzzled by cards that may represent finances? This book can help with that."

 

Easy Tarot Combinations: How to Connect the Cards for Insightful Readings. 

 

 

 

From my review: "The core of the book is in each card's featured combinations, which provide jumping points to help us expand our reading abilities. If you need a bit of help with a card combination, this is a good book to have on hand." 

 

 

Doctoring the Devil: Notebooks of an Appalachian Conjure Man

 

 

 

From my review: "As with the author's previous book, you do not have to be a worker to read this. If you are seeking to learn how to do it, it is a good guide. This book does emphasize more how to do things. It may be more practical than the previous book. However, it also works as a good look at the region and a very significant part of its folklore."

 

 

 Roots, Branches, and Spirits: the Folkways and Witchery of Appalachia

 



From my review: "The author writes and teachers readers about the old ways. The publisher describes the book as 'part cultural journey and part magical guide' (from the back cover)." 



The Evil Eye: the History, Mystery, and Magic of the Quiet Curse

 
 
 
 
 



From my review: "Overall, I liked the book, especially the card entries. Entries are concise and informative. A good starting book for beginners, but it may be too basic for intermediate and advanced users. This is one I would give to a beginner along with a card deck. I would consider ordering it for our library. "
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
From my review: "The book's authors are here to show us that you can have a robust, healthy, and thriving witchcraft and magick practice without taking out a second mortgage nor selling a kidney."
 
 


Wednesday, March 06, 2024

Deck Review: Moonology Oracle Cards

Yasmin Boland (author) and Nyx Rowan (illustrator), Moonology Oracle Cards. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, 2018. ISBN: 978178-180-996-9.  (Link to publisher)

Genre: Oracle card deck
Subgenre: Moon/Lunar
Format: Kit with 44 cards and small guidebook in hard box
Source: I own this one. 

This kit includes 44 cards and a guidebook. This is a Moon-themed deck you can use to tap into the Moon's wisdom and energies throughout lunar cycles. 

The guidebook, which is about 120 pages, is arranged as follows: 

  • Introduction. The author provides a brief overview of the cards. It states the cards' purpose and how to bless them before you start using them.
  • The Wisdom of the Moon. This has a very brief overview of oracle cards in general. It also includes some advice for using the deck. 
  • The Phases of the Moon. This explains briefly how the deck works with the Moon's energies through its phases. A table of the 8 main Moon phases with keywords is included. 
  • Working with the cards. This goes over the deck's structure and how to interpret the cards. It also includes a few card spreads you can try out. 
  • Moon Phase Cards. The 8 main phases. 
  • New Moon Cards.
  • Full Moon Cards.
  • Special Moon Cards. This includes things like a New Moon Eclipse and Blue Moon. 

Each card entry includes a small black and white image of the card, the card's message, the phase, interpretation text, attune to the Moon (an affirmation for guidance), additional meanings, and the teaching (additional information about the Moon plus a bit more on the astrology). 

Full Moon card.
The book is compact, and it provides a good amount of information in the card entries The entries give you enough to work with the cards and the Moon. It brings in astrology, but it is on the light side; you get enough to learn the basics. If you are interested in exploring the astrology deeper and/or the lore and mysteries of the Moon, you may need to find some supplementary materials. The guidebook does not offer any lists of additional works. I found the guidebook easy to read, and its messages were on point. The text provides some good food for thought in the card entries. These are good cards for meditation, and the book helps with that. 

The card art is in color and naturally focused on the Moon. We see the Moon in various phases and even a variety of colors based on phase and sky. You get the image, message, and phase title on the cards. The cards are not numbered. You may be able to to read the cards intuitively, more so if you already work with the Moon or bring some knowledge. If you are very new, you may need to rely more on the book to learn the way. Once you learn the basics, reading with the cards gets easier. 

The cards have that sticky matte finish that can make cards hard to shuffle and slide. Beautiful as they are, this is not an easy deck to use and shuffle. The cards measure about 5 inches by 3 1/2 inches, The card stock is a bit on the thick side, but the deck overall is not heavy on the hands. The art is borderless. The card back depicts the Moon phases; it is not reversible. 

I liked the deck overall. It works well for single draws for meditation or to get a message. If you work with the Moon consistently, say  you do work during specific phases, this deck may be helpful. I do not work with the Moon much (I may need to explore that further). Still folks like me can still get benefit from using the deck. At this point in time, the author has a follow up deck, the Moonology Manifestation Cards, and I don't feel the need to go find it at this time. She also has a Moonology book; I may look for that to see if it offers new insights. As is, this is a pretty good deck kit. I feel it is a bit average, but good if the Moon is part of your work or want to learn more. It is good, not great. 

3 out of 5 stars. 


This kit qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges: 





Friday, March 01, 2024

Deck Review: Magical Dogs Tarot

ISBN: 978-0-7387-5005-7.

 

This kit includes the 78-card deck and a full size book, the Magical Dogs Companion. I first used this deck in January 2024. 

Earth Puppy (Page of Pentacles)

I bought this deck for a couple of reasons. One, I bought it during Llewellyn's Holiday Sale, and its price was 50% off, which meant I got this for less than $20. Two, Mickie Mueller is the artist. She is also the artist for the Mystical Cats Tarot, a favorite of mine (link to my review). So based on the artist, I bought it. While I am not much of a dog person, I still appreciate them. In the end, I came to like this deck for its art and ease of use. If you liked the cat's deck, you might like this one. If you are a dog person looking for an accessible dog themed deck that brings canines to life, this is a good choice. Even if you are not a dog person you might warm up to this deck. 

The book is arranged as follows: 

  • Introduction. This discusses the strong bonds between humans and canines. Dogs may seem common and ordinary, but they also have an arcane and mysterious side which this deck brings forth. The introduction also goes over how the deck itself is organized. There are some card name changes in the Major Arcana but nothing too radical. For example, the Hierophant becomes the Shaman. In the Minor Arcana, dogs are grouped in elemental packs: fire, sea, sky, and earth. The introduction also gives some instruction on how to use ad care for the deck. That part is kept brief, an overview to help you get started if you are a beginner. 
  • The Major Arcana: Dogs' Deep Wisdom. These are the Major Arcana card entries. Each entry includes a black and white image of the card, text describing the card, symbols, and elements, "Paws for Thought" (interpretation), keywords, and reversed meaning. 
  • The Minor Arcana: Dog Packs. A chapter for each pack. Each chapter also has a one page introduction. You then get the card entries. Card entries are like those of the Major Arcana, which I appreciate. Books tend to go all out on the Major Arcana then skimp on the Minor Arcana. Here you get relatively balanced coverage. 
  • Spreads. You get two spreads made for this deck that you can try out. 
  • Appendix. This features some sketches from Mickie Mueller for the deck. This is basically a small look behind the scenes at how the deck was made.
     

The book is an easy read, but not terribly deep overall. As the authors acknowledge, they provide an overview of how to read Tarot; you can find other more detailed books on that. The core of the book is in the card entries, and the writing does a great job here. The text presents the arcane elements and wisdom of dogs. It connects it all very well to Tarot, and we can learn many lessons when we see Tarot through dogs' eyes and lives. It is well written. The entries offer some depth without the heavy esoterica. Could you read the cards without the book? Possibly. I am sure intuitives may be tempted to toss the book aside. You'd be missing a lot of background and context if you don't read the book, so I would encourage folks to read it. 

The Mage-I
The art on the cards is great with a broad variety of dogs and breeds. For the most part, the card entries identify the breeds you see on the cards. The art is colorful, playful at times, but it can also be serious. Card imagery leans strongly within Rider Waite Smith (RWS), so if you read within RWS tradition, you should be just fine with this deck. The dogs are painted with attention to detail; they are expressive and look realistic, like you could pet them. The dogs for the most part are outdoors, out in nature. Thus folks who enjoy nature themed decks may enjoy this one. 

I found that I could easily read with this deck right away. Images are clear, and they draw you in. Images have plenty to consider. At times it felt as if the dogs talked to me.. I really enjoyed using this deck. It feels easy to use and read. It delivers messages well. You don't have to be a dog lover to use it. I am more of a cat person, and I can still use this deck just fine. I am sure many dog lovers will appreciate it. 

The cards have the typical thin Llewellyn card stock. They shuffle and slide easily. The art is borderless, and the card back art is reversible. The cards measure about 4 1/2 inches by 2 3/4 inches. They have a very light glossy finish. The art is Mueller's watercolors, which look great, and are a reason to acquire this deck. 

Overall, I am happy that I took a chance on this deck, and I am glad to own it. I highly recommend it, especially if you are a Tarot reader who loves animals. 

5 out of 5 stars.

This deck qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges: 

 



 


Media Notes: Roundup for February 2024

 

 

  

 

This is a somewhat random selection of the movies and series on DVD and/or online I watched during  February 2024.


Movies and films (links to IMDB.com for basic information unless noted otherwise). Some of these I watched via TubiTv.com or other online source. The DVDs come from the public library (unless noted otherwise). In addition, I will try to add other trivia notes, such as when a film is based on a book adding the information about the book (at least the WorldCat record if available):

  • The Predator (2018. Action. Adventure. Horror). "When a young boy accidentally triggers the universe's most lethal hunters' return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled scientist can prevent the end of the human race." Another entry in the series. While I like the series, given low ratings I've seen I am going in with low expectations. At this point, the U.S. Government is fully aware of the predators, well, the shady parts of the government, and they want to keep it hidden no matter what. Early on you can tell this is one of those movies where whatever the government wants to hide will not stay hidden long, mayhem will happen, and the soldier they imprisoned to keep him quiet, because he saw a predator ship, will have to save the day. The veterans can be a bit entertaining, likely the good humor part of the film. The scientist is your typical for this kind of movie smart woman that the other science guys may or not appreciate. That she sort of becomes badass along the way is a bit of a stretch to be honest. I am not saying you needed dame in distress, but yea, was she also in the rangers and not tell anyone? The "autistic" boy is your typical for movies way to put in a genius without it being an adult. It's the often annoying stereotype of the autistic kid as a serious savant, and to be honest, I could've done without the kid, but the kid is son of the one soldier, so there is also the estranged father angle. So a lot of the movie is very much by the numbers, and thus not that good. It kind of drags to be honest. The pace does pick up a bit in the final 45 minutes or so (of an hour and 45 minutes). The ending to be honest, which ties up the premise of the film seems a bit of a stretch, even for this kind of movie. The predator concept is already quite a classic, and here it just feels like they are trying to really stretch it to keep the franchise going. The story here is just not that good. Some parts of the film look good, but that is about it. In the end, you are better off going back to the 1987 classic original. 1 out of 5 stars, and barely. Via TubiTv. Watched 2/2.
  • R.O.T.O.R. (1987. Action. Science Fiction. Thriller). Plot description: "Robotic Officer Tactical Operation Research. A prototype robot intended for crime combat escapes from the development lab and goes on a killing rampage." This came out the same year as Robocop (Robocop came out in July, and this one later in October of the same year), only this time as often happens in these movies, the prototype escapes and goes on a killing spree. Dr. Coldyron creates the robot to be a perfect cop, but when the robotic officer escapes the lab in Texas after activating prematurely, he now has to try to stop his creation.The acting is pretty bad, and the script tries to be serious but it is just not good. It's ridiculous in parts and semi-funny on other parts. The plot with the greedy government officials is just ridiculous; it does not really make sense other than to push the overall plot along. Willard, the police robot and assistant, provides a small bit of humor. The movie overall does have a good amount of filler; we do not get to see the robot until about 45 minutes into the film, about halfway. Even after that, the film is just stiff, the plot is seriously flimsy, and the acting is fairly bad. The overall script is just poor. This could have been a semi-decent B-movie at least, but the execution overall is just bad, and the film drags. The very end sort of tries to set up a possible sequel, but that never happened, which is probably for the better. About the only cool thing about this movie is the movie poster. 1 out of 5 stars. Via TubiTv. Watched 2/2.
    •  To make sure you know this is in Texas, they give you as many hints, besides giving you Dallas as the location. The doctor has a mug that says "Texas" on, he wears cowboy boots, and some of the soundtrack has country music. Also, the cops wear cowboy hats, so yeehaw.

 

Television and other series (basic show information links via Wikipedia unless noted otherwise). Some of these come in DVD from the public library. Others may be via YouTube, which, as noted before, I keep finding all sorts of other old shows in it, often full episodes:



  • Columbo (1968-2003. Crime. Drama. Mystery). The popular and often beloved series with Peter Falk in the title role. I commented initially on the series back in November 2023 when I started watching it. A fascinating detail to me is that, unlike other detective shows where we the viewer do not know who did the crime until the detective finds out, in this show we already know who did it and how. We just get to watch how Columbo puts it together, and there is the suspense, will he figure it out? Well, we know he does, but it is amusing to watch. The criminals often taunt him, intentionally or not, which never helps them. Watched up to Season 1, Episode 8.
    • In Season 1, Episode 7, Leslie Nielsen guest stars. 
    • Season 1, Episode 8, Roddy McDowall  and James Gregory (some of you may know him also as Inspector Luger in Barney Miller) guest star.
  • NYPD Blue (1995-2003. Police procedural. Drama). The critically acclaimed police drama from ABC in the late 1990s into early 2000s. I remember watching this back in the day, and I did watch it all the way through, or at least most of it to the very end. For me what always stood up is that poor Sipowicz could never catch a break. Every time things seems to start looking up for him the writers would just mess it up for him somehow, often in very painful ways. Anyhow, Tubi got the full series in so I decided to revisit it. Finished Season 1 and 2.
    • Season 1, Episode 1: Pilot. I had forgotten how much they could pack into one episode. It is only about 48 minutes, without ads, but at times it feels like a much longer episode. Very intense, the drama does not let up much throughout. The revelation at the end of the one officer who is corrupt was a good twist, which is an example of the surprises the series could offer. 
    • As always, for me at least, finding guest stars famous from other places is always a bit of fun. In Season 1, Episode 6, Tobin Bell appears (you may know him from the Saw film series). 
    • Also Puerto Rican actor Luis Guzman appears in Season 1, Episode 5; he plays Martinez's father (John Turturro's character). Guzman is one of those actors you often see in small roles here or there. 
    • In actors you may know from elsewhere. In early Season 2, Peter Boyle guest stars as Sipowicz's (Dennis Franz) AA sponsor. 
    • Detective Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits) appears in Season 2 and joins the cast. Meanwhile, Detective Kelly (Caruso) leaves the series. Given how long the series lasted, I had forgotten Kelly left so early in the series. Simone then replaces Kelly. 
    • Again, in actors you may know from elsewhere, Frank Sivero plays a local small mobster in Season 2, Episode 16. You may remember him as Frankie Carbone in Goodfellas. In fact, in the episode he looks practically like he did in his Goodfellas role.