REVIEW: Woodland Wisdom Oracle Cards

REVIEW

Woodland Wisdom Oracle Cards
Author: Rev. Frances Munro
Illustrator: Peter Pracownik
U.S. Games Systems, Inc. / 2011
ISBN #978-1572-816916

FROM THE PUBLISHER'S PRODUCT SUMMARY

"Elves and fairies share their Woodland Wisdom to help you move your life forward in positive ways. . .

BASIC INFORMATION

The Woodland Wisdom Oracle deck consists of 29 illustrated cards, including 24 Working Wisdom Cards for inspirational guidance and 5 Gold Power Cards to reinforce the power delivered by these messengers. The 48-page LWS (Little White Booklet) provides a description for each card, along with a special inspirational message, and sample readings.

Rev. Frances Munro tells us in the LWB that her spirit guide has been her inspiration since 1999. Rev. Munro's Spirit Guide was involved in every aspect of the creation of the Woodland Wisdom Oracle Cards, from the number of cards included to the characters depicted on each card to the colors that were used.

Rev. Munro uses her writing and workshops to help people connect with their own spirit guides and live more enlightened lives. She encourages us to work with our feelings when we read the cards, "because your logic can be in conflict with what your soul tells you is right, and that will impede your growth if you allow it." She also states: "Always remember that you have free will and that the outcome of your reading depends entirely on the actions you take."

The Working Cards are:

• Butterfly Fairy
• Corn Fairy
• Cornflower Fairy
• Dragonfly Fairy
• Elm Tree Elf
• Fairy of Dawn Awakening
• Fairy of Evening Dusk
• Fairy of Golden Light
• Fairy of the Woodland Realms
• Foxglove Fairy
• Grass Fairy
• Holly Fairy
• Leprechaun
• Lily Fairy
• Oak Elf
• Orchid Fairy
• Primrose Fairy
• Snowdrop Fairy
• Snow Goose Fairy
• Spirit of the Mighty Oak
• Sycamore Fairy
• Tortoiseshell Butterfly Fairy
• Willow Fairy

The Gold Power Cards are:

• Elfin Duke
• Elfin Princess
• Fairy Princess of Summer Flowers
• Fairy Princess of Winter Flowers
• Tree Fairy

Detailed instructions about what to do when reading these cards are provided in the LWB. We begin by placing ourselves in the most relaxed state possible. Rev. Munro recommends that only three cards be chosen from the 24 Working Cards for a reading because "picking more than three cards will only confuse you rather than bring clarity."

Reversed cards are read as emphasizing the message and showing its importance to the situation being explored. If you pick two cards at once by mistake, use them both, even though you will end up with more than three cards total in that reading. A Power Card is drawn at the end to bring the reader greater awareness of the power within and how it can be developed further.

The message for each card offered as a direct quote from the character on the card. Rev. Munro also gives us a paragraph explaining who each character is what his or her gifts are. Sample Readings "from two very different and real people" are provided at the end of the LWB.

APPEARANCE, SIZE, QUALITY

The Woodland Wisdom Oracle cards measure 3.5" x 4.75", an easy size to handle and shuffle, and are printed on sturdy, glossy stock.

The cards are not numbered. Each card has a white border, and the images are framed in lime green. Titles are printed in black on lime green at the bottom of each card. The backs of the cards feature a mandala of mushrooms and dragonflies set against a lime green background. The images on the fronts of the cards are alive with many vibrant colors and shimmery areas of light that convey the magic of these woodland residents.

ART

I have long been an admirer of fantasy artist Peter Pracownik's work, particularly in The Dragon Tarot (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.) He also created the artwork for the Imperial Dragon Oracle and The Lord of the Rings Tarot, both published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

The female characters in the Woodland Wisdom deck have long, flowing hair, with the exception of the Willow Fairy, who wears her hair twined with flowers and piled on top of her head. The females wear purple, white, pink, orange, blue, and many other colors. The males (somewhat underrepresented at 6) are all dressed in green. Everyone has shimmery white gossamer wings. Pracownik has given the characters distinct personalities that we can see in their faces and their poses.

One card is very different from the others. Spirit of the Mighty Oak features a "green man" face surrounded by branches and leaves. No wings in sight. This card encourages us to attune ourselves with the trees.

Birds, butterflies and other insects, fish and/or mammals are found on almost every card. Other details include beautiful flowers of many kinds, mushrooms, trees, rocks, bubbles, and bodies of water.

BOTTOM LINE

I see the Woodland Wisdom deck as a soothing, supportive deck that offers a great deal of encouragement and gentle advice intended to make our lives happier and more satisfying. With the deck being titled "Woodland Wisdom," I thought perhaps there might be a greater variety of magical woodland creatures depicted. This deck has fairies, elves, and a leprechaun -- but lacks a sprite, pixie, or gnome. On the other hand, the amount of detail encourages meditation and careful exploration of each card, which I like in a deck. Among my favorite cards are the Snowdrop Fairy with her bunny friends, the Fairy of Evening Dusk stretching luxuriously in the moonlight, and the Fairy of Golden Light with her unicorn.


In accordance with the FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, I hereby disclose that this product was provided by the publisher for free. Other than the occasional review copy, I receive no monetary or in-kind compensation for my reviews.  The substance of my reviews is not influenced by whether I do or do not receive a review copy.