Review: Mystical Wisdom Card Deck

R E V I E W

Mystical Wisdom Card Deck 

by Gaye Guthrie (Author)

Josephine Wall (Author, Illustrator)

46 cards; 64-page guidebook

U.S. Games Systems Inc. 

_About My Reviews_

TOP LINE (formerly Bottom Line)

Using the word “Mystical” or “Mystic” in the name of a product pretty much ensures that I will want to take a close look at it. (Observe my Tarot/Oracle card collection featuring such titles as Mystic Dreamer, Mystic Faerie, Mystical Cats, Mystic Spiral). I’m not big on “Angel” oracles, so I was delighted to see that in addition to angelic influences, the creators of the Mystical Wisdom card deck incorporated gods, goddesses, fairies, and animal spirit guides. (My favorites are the animal spirit cards, but you probably already knew that!)

I’m also not a big fan of saccharine messages and affirmations, especially when paired with airy-fairy art that is somehow supposed to make everything okay (it doesn’t), so I am pleased to note that the Mystical Wisdom cards (while certainly inspirational and uplifting) allow for awareness and exploration of life’s complexities. As I mentioned below under “Art,” the depth of color, detail, and imagination in each of these cards is truly satisfying.

This deck is a wonderful choice for a daily card draw – either for inspiration or to answer a specific question. The deck creators also suggest a 3-card spread that would cover the beginning of the week, the middle of the week, and the end of the week. The deck also works well with Past-Present-Future-Outcome readings and the Celtic Cross. Watch this blog for a reading with this deck to appear soon!

I also appreciate the following comments, found in the guidebook: “The cards offer you choices and options. It is up to you or the seeker to determine what is right for you at the time of the reading. The universe works in mysterious ways so the timing of indicated events may occur either sooner than predicted, or you may have to wait a little longer…” I tell my clients this with every reading I provide.

THE PUBLISHER'S PRODUCT SUMMARY

“Featuring the enchanting artwork of Josephine Wall, the Mystical Wisdom Deck provides guidance for the present and inspiration for the future. Archangels, goddesses, spirit animals, fairies and wonderful, mystical creatures deliver uplifting messages and gentle advice to help you get past all of life’s challenges and get back to joy! The Mystical Wisdom Deck includes 46 cards with a 64-page illustrated guidebook full of hope and wisdom.

Other decks with artwork by Josephine Wall: Nature’s Whispers Oracle Cards and Whispers of Love Oracle Cards.”

BASIC INFORMATION

The Mystical Wisdom card deck in intended to “provide a form of divination inspired by the gods, goddesses, angels, and animal spirit guides.”

The 64-page guidebook includes a section on How to Use the Mystical Wisdom Cards (three angel cards for guidance and protection, eight animal guides, and 35 other cards for insight and inspiration); a section on Reading the Cards with 1-card, 3-card, 4-card, and Celtic Cross spreads; a page About Gaye Guthrie; and a page About Josephine Wall. The middle of the booklet consists of a page on each card that provides the title of the card, a keyphrase (both of which appear on the cards themselves), a description of the card meaning, and a Mantra.

For example:

Card Title: GOOD FORTUNE
Keyphrase: Invite Magic In
Card Meaning: “Welcome to the magic of life! All good things are coming your way. You deserve your heart’s desires, so allow yourself to feel good now. When you send out positive energy and are ready to receive, providence gets into action. You don’t need to understand how this happens, just trust that the universe is at work and will rearrange itself to make the right things happen for you. After you have asked for what you desire, give thanks and trust that it will occur.”
Mantra: “I trust in the magic of life to fulfill my desires.”

The guidebook tells us that reversed cards or cards that fall out when shuffling “mean that you need to pay more attention to the issue connected to the message in the card” and adds, “It does not automatically come with a negative interpretation.” (emphasis mine)


APPEARANCE, SIZE, QUALITY

Printed on sturdy stock, the cards measure 3-3/4 x 5-1/2 inches – too large to “poker shuffle” (which I don’t recommend anyway) but easy enough to shuffle using other methods. The artwork benefits from this size, as well as from the lack of borders.

Card backs are pink and yellow design, reversible except for the publisher's stamp, which is barely noticeable along the side near the bottom of each card.

The booklet is sturdy, with a lovely full-color glossy cover. Illustrations inside the booklet are grayscale. Text is black on white stock, serif font, easy to read.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a Lifestyle Coach and Psychic Medium, Gaye Guthrie is no stranger to the world of magic and miracles, and she is well qualified to inspire hope, comfort, and the courage to believe in yourself and follow your dreams. She is the founder of _Angel Power Exclusive_, whose mission it is “to inspire, uplift, nurture and empower the human spirit through the medium of Angels.”




ART 

Quoting from Josephine Wall’s web site: “From childhood Josephine has had a passion for light and colour, fantasy and visual story telling. . . Much of the inspiration for her mystical images comes from her close observation of nature and her interest in its preservation. Though she often strives to impart a message in her scenes, she also hopes to inspire in her audience a personal journey into the magical world of their own imagination.”

The art is almost always a make-or-break feature for me when I look at decks, and Josephine Wall’s artwork is gorgeous and so much more than “a pretty face.” Each card provides a wealth of detail, color, and imagination. From the rich, moody purple, blue, and indigo of the “Moving Forward” card to the cheery gold, yellow, and green of the “Vacation” card, Wall uses her palette with great skill, weaving into each image a story worth meditating upon.

To see more of Josephine Wall's art, visit her web site: http://www.josephinewall.co.uk/

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.