- The Oracle Deck of Bridges
- Author and Artist: Janine Worthington and David Worthington
- Publisher: Janine Worthington
- Recommended Retail Price: £20 plus postage
- Release Date: Available direct from Janine via The In between Tarot
- Reviewed by: Jason C Dean
The Oracle Deck of Bridges was created by Janine Worthington, a reader, creator, presenter, and writer and currently Chair of the Tarot Association of the British Isles. The artwork is by Janine’s father, professional graphic artist and illustrator, David Worthington.
I first met Janine in 2022 when I was studying for a Tarot Diploma with the Tarot Professionals, and Janine was training me via a recorded video class from 2012. Thinking back across the decade, listening to her lessons, she spoke about the transition between cards, the link, the connection, the next step, the invisible knots, sliding doors, and the ‘bridges’ between the cards. These conceptual links, the inspiration behind the creation of The Oracle Deck of Bridges, always were and are part of Janine’s integrity and spiritual path.
It was these words, the original concepts, that provided me with powerful learning tools as I re-entered the Tarot realm after a long absence. I bought Janine’s earlier Tarot deck, The In-Between Tarot, and then a short time later, I purchased The Oracle Deck of Bridges.
My first impression of the deck is the stunning purple and gold contrast of the presentation box, with a classically robed female figure in an ecstatic pose connecting with the divine – the image on the Spirit Guide card. The cards are glossy, which I find makes them easier to shuffle. The card stock I feel is standard, they feel very similar to my Universal RWS deck, and measure the same size at 7 cm x 12 cm. The deck contains 44 cards from four ‘realms’, with links to the attributes of Tarot suits, and the associated elements. Each colour-coded realm includes a journey through the chakras linking the realms, plus a card for each realm’s element. These aspects of The Oracle Deck of Bridges make it an easily accessible deck for all Tarot readers.
The four realms in adjusted chakra order are:
- Body, Base and Solar Plexus chakras: Earth, brown.
- Emotions, Sacral and Heart chakras: Water, blue.
- Mind, Throat chakra: Air, Water, yellow.
- Spirit, Third Eye and Crown Chakras: Fire, purple.
The deck is beautifully illustrated by Janine’s dad, David Worthington. I find the images stunning and the colours striking without being overwhelming. The deck is wholly inclusive, depicting men and women of various races in settings from many cultures. Some of the figures in the art reminded me of the CG-style art used in gaming programs. The connection between the title word and the imagery of each card is simple and satisfying. I found myself smiling as I associated aspects of my own life and observed experiences with the meanings of the cards. A few times, I nodded my head, ‘Oh yeah, I get this’. A couple of Reiki symbols are featured in some cards, giving a nod to energetic healing practices.
The book that comes with the deck is great in its simplicity, is easy to understand, and contains no hidden esoteric complexities. That simple, accessible approach is the beauty of this deck, in which I feel the message might be that the ‘bridge’ to the divine is available to all of us at every step of life.
I have started using the ‘Bridges’ deck in my readings for clients as objective oracle augmentation at the end of the reading. Later, I intend to integrate it more into the reading to amplify the Tarot cards in their various positions. The broad association of the Deck of Bridges with the themes of Tarot makes it an easy deck to integrate. I have also found it a great deck to use for a personal reading if I have an issue that needs some simple wisdom, and I always tend to look way too deep into matters. Janine’s deck is really refreshing in this respect – easy to grasp and apply.
If you have been looking for an oracle deck that you could easily understand and apply to your own life, or to assist with your Tarot readings, then I feel this is the deck for you. Janine has put out a great product, and it is a testament to her love for her fellow humans. My feeling from reading with this deck is that Janine wishes that all our journeys of spirit be a little easier on this earth.
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