Colette Baron-Reid, The Wisdom of Avalon Oracle Cards. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, 2007. ISBN: 9781401910426. (Link to publisher info).
This set features a 52-cards deck and a guidebook. I first used this deck during December 2022. The deck is based on Arthurian legend and Britain's Isle of Avalon.
The guidebook is arranged as follows:
- Introduction. Here the author discusses the deck's theme and concept.
- How to use the cards. This section includes a prayer to bless the cards. It also includes how to do a reading with basic instruction for one card, three cards, and five cards readings with a sample reading for each.
- Card meanings.
The card entries include card name and number, a small black and white image of the card, and text that discusses the image and provides interpretation. The card entries are informative in describing the legends and providing divinatory meanings. The text per card is about a page and a half per card. You get just enough to learn a bit about the legends. The divinatory meanings are pretty good. I do wish the author had included a bibliography or list for further reading given how rich and deep the materials from the legends are. Sure, users can do their own searching, but a list would have been helpful and added a bit more value. Overall the book gives you enough to work with the deck and learn a bit about Avalon and its lore.
The deck features 52 cards. The cards are divided into categories:
- Messengers of Avalon. 8 cards featuring major characters such as Merlin and the Lady of the Lake.
- Animal Guides of Avalon: 18 cards.
- Guides of Faery: 5 cards.
- Sacred Journey Markers: 21 cards. These cards represent markers and concepts like Partnership, Wealth, and Truth.
The art in the cards is soft and colorful in a watercolor style. The art is mostly realistic in style. The images are expressive. The animals include real animals like the Cow and mythological ones like the Dragon. The art evokes the realm of Avalon well.
The cards measure about 5 inches by 3 1/2 inches. I bought my copy second hand, and this deck has gilded edges, which tells me this is an older deck since the publisher stopped putting gilding on their decks. The art on the back of the cards is nice, but it is not reversible. The card stock feels durable and flexible.
You can use this deck year round. I used it in December, and for me this can be a good deck to use during the winter season. It has a it of a cold quality I find suitable for winter. I did enjoy using this deck, and it is one I would keep using. In the end, I really like it, and I am glad I have it.
4 out of 5 stars.
This deck kit qualifies for the following 2023 reading challenge:
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