- Author: Claire Stone
- Publisher: Rockpool Publishing
- Publication Date: Jul/26 (AU/NZ) , Aug/26 (US) , Aug/26 (UK)
- RRP: (AUD) $34.99
- ISBN: 9781923009028
- Country of publication: Australia
- Reviewed by: Kim Goldsmith Cosmic Snail Tarot
Psychic Awakening Oracle: Unlock Your Gifts is unique compared to other oracle decks. It is a tool to help you learn about your potential for psychic abilities. The word ‘psychic’ is loaded with both positive and negative connotations. Although I regularly read at Psychic Fairs, and have no issue with people using this definition for their practice, I am personally reluctant to fix a label to myself. If I have to describe what psychic abilities are, then I’d like to paraphrase Bennebel Wen’s definition from her book The Holistic Tarot – “Psychic abilities are practiced intuition.” What is your understanding of the word psychic? While working with the Psychic Awakening Oracle I certainly questioned both how I define, access and enhance these latent abilities – and had a lot of fun in the process!
I had a very biased reaction to the deck’s colour scheme when I received it because my Cosmic Snail Tarot logo and branding is all pink! I find pink is a very soothing colour and since the deck is light and dark pink, with gold white, and holographic accents, I find it comforting to look at. The packaging and design is very approachable and I enjoy the round edged and smooth card stock. Being 90.0 × 34 × 128.0 mm in size, the cards are easy to handle and overhand shuffle, and look great on an altar if you need to work with a particular card for a while.
The card functions are clearly colour coded: white cards represent Psychic Guides and the pink cards represent Psychic Activation exercises. There is a single symbolic image with a title, and each card is bordered with embossed gold or holographic line work which gives the deck an ethereal feeling. The cards aren’t meant to be used in reverse like tarot or some oracle decks.
In the guidebook there are three messages for each card: Psychic Message, Psychic Activation, and Awakening Tip. The Psychic Message defines the guide or activation represented. For example, 17. Clouds – “an ancient form of divination called nephomancy.” The Psychic Activation informs you how this type of divination operates and explains how to use the process. Clouds “help you see through the lens of your inner child” and by watching clouds change shape you can learn to interpret their answers to any questions you may have. The Awakening Tip for clouds is to record what question you asked, what shapes you saw in the clouds, and what message you think the cloud is telling you. The introductory pages in the guidebook provide all the fundamentals you may need as a novice who wants to tap into their abilities, but also best practice step by step. The chapter on ‘Psychic Hygiene’ explains how to cleanse your energy, shield yourself, open up to psychic messages and then close down at the end of a reading for yourself or someone else.
Although small, the guidebook is a vital tool in maximising the potential uses of the Psychic Awakening Oracle beyond just a simple card of the day draw. There are six customised spreads and at the back of the book there are some games, and ceremonial methods for consecrating your deck and dedicating yourself to your new found guides.
Okay, so how to use this in your Tarot or Oracle practice? I had to ditch my usual draw a card a day message for this deck because the cards I pulled were incomprehensible to me without using the framework within the guidebook. It is however perfect for drawing a card to learn a new technique or approach to Psychic reading. I tried doing this for a week and here are two examples. Card 18: Crystals is a pink psychic activation card. Using a crystal I had which I did not know the name of, I followed the guided activity, which was to hold it, close my eyes, and ask “What are your properties?”. After awhile of meditation I felt the stone absorb into the water of my body, and gently ebb and flow like the ocean – calm, rhythmic and cleansing. I looked up pictures of my crystal and the result was “seafoam calcite/green calcite” which is known for its cleansing, healing and calming properties! Exercises such as this help you tune into and trust your instincts and messages that pop into your head.
The guide cards were a little hard for me to get used to as I don’t believe I hear angels speak to me or have ancestors guiding me. But I was very open to exploring this. I kept getting Animal Guide. The visualisation activity led me to a waterfall where I met my spirit animal which appeared as a lone grey wolf. The guide cards can help you understand what external agents may be helping you.
My only criticism of this oracle is that the artwork and titles limit the possible uses in a standard oracle reading. The oracle deck works best as an educational tool, and using the spreads in the guidebook will be useful in training your psychic abilities. When I did the Reveal the Block Spread, I got the Cut Cords card and couldn’t make sense of that card on its own. However, the guidebook was really helpful – “Its time to free yourself from psychic cords that tether you to people who have hurt you or constantly drain your energy”. A very relevant statement which I wouldn’t have read by just looking at the card.
I learnt a lot about myself as a intuitive…maybe psychic…reader when using this deck. I recommend it for anyone Psychic-Curious, from beginners to professionals. It works well as a tool for studying psychic processes and can add a different perspective to your general tarot or oracle deck readings.
Author Bio
Claire Stone, aka the White Witch of Cheshire, has spent over 20 years as a practising white witch, holistic therapist, professional tutor and psychic tarot reader, and believes everyone can connect to their divine guardians and manifest a magickal life. With her books, courses and award-winning academy, the Angel Mystery School – which has won a Best Spiritual Course award – she is dedicated to teaching ancient spirituality in a modern and applicable way. (From Rockpool’s website)
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