Deck Review: Crystal Mandala Oracle

Alana Fairchild (author) and Jane Marin (artist), Crystal Mandala Oracle: Channel the Power of Heaven and Earth. Victoria, Australia: Blue Angel, 2016.  ISBN: 9781922161895.

Genre: oracle cards, cartomancy, divination

Subgenre: crystals

Format: 54-card deck with companion book

Source: I own this one 

Card 29: Ascended Master Kuan Yin and Pearl

This deck kit includes a companion book and a 54-card deck. Alana Fairchild writes and Jane Marin does the art. The deck "is encoded with crystal frequencies, and the high vibrational energy of angels, ascended masters, and goddesses to help you integrate the frequencies of the crystals and higher beings that are featured in each of the cards" (from publisher description in back of the box). That sounds great in theory, but it does not quite deliver on that promise in practice. 

The book is arranged as follows: 

• Introduction. Goes over the basic concepts of the deck, the numbers, and the deck's three suits based on an angel, an ascended master, and a goddess. You also get some brief instructions on using the deck, a couple of three-card spreads, and a deck blessing. 
• Crystal Angels 444 suit. 
• Crystal Masters 333 suit. 
• Crystal Goddesses 888 suit. 

Each card entry includes: card name and number, card keyword, a paragraph of meaning/interpretation, a small black and white image of the card, and a short essay expanding on card meaning and message. Each card entry concludes with a "healing process," a small ritual to help you integrate the lessons of the card. 

The main issue with the book and deck is that it feels incomplete. Though the publisher claims this is a standalone deck, it clearly assumes you have read Fairchild's previous books on angels, ascended masters, and goddesses. The deck's suits are based on the symbolic number themes of her books. To make matters worse, entries do not even include a minimal paragraph on any of the angels, ascended masters, nor goddesses. So you either need to have the books, and you need to consult the books, or you have to do your own research on whatever angel or figure that goes with a card. If you do not know the material beforehand or have the books, you will be missing a part of the overall experience with this kit. I will note there are a few figures I know from other reading or previous research, but a lot I do not know, and in the book Fairchild does not even give you a hint. Thus the kit feels incomplete. To be honest, saying this deck is a standalone deck is a bit misleading. 

Card 46: Goddess Kali and Black Obsidian

The cards themselves are very nice in terms of art. The artist does good work with the crystals' art. The art is colorful and bright. I was able to somewhat read the cards intuitively, but it is not easy. You do need the companion book to get the basics, and the other books if you want the full picture. Still these are beautiful cards overall, so it is a pity the companion book seems to lack essential material to aid the card reader. 

The cards measure about 5 1/2 inches b 3 3/4 inches. The cards have a glossy finish, so they can stick a little when shuffling. The cards are larger, so the deck can feel a bit heavy on the hands. The card back design is not reversible, though this deck is not really designed for reversals.

 

 

 

I really wanted to like this deck, but the text material is lacking. Using the deck assumes you have the author's other works, which I do not at this time, and I found that frustrating. In fact, had I known that, I would have avoided buying the deck. This is a deck I do not recommend. I've liked other works by Fairchild, but this one does not feel like her best work. The deck overall is optional at best.

2 out of 5 stars. 

 

This kit qualifies for the following 2025 Reading Challenge: