The Faeries' Oracle

This is an excellent deck for Froud fans who like the playful nature of his artwork. (I can see why his other deck, which is out of print, is commanding such high prices right now.) I really enjoyed reading the book and learning the process behind making the deck -- there is a charming anecdote about a waitress's reaction to the artwork for the Faery Godmother card, for example. Although Froud professes to believe quite firmly in the Celtic sort of faery, these cards are not those. You will not find most of the traditional Celtic fairy types (with exceptions -- the Piskies are traditionally Cornish critters, for example) or dispossessed members of the Tuatha Dé Danaan in here. You get instead names like the Gloomish Doom, or the Fee-Lion, which I thought was just going too far in the twee pun direction until I thought about it and looked at the card. Some of the beings illustrated are abstract and beautiful rays of light. Some are gnomes that cause chaos. Some are types of fairy that are more obscure in mythology and that were interesting to meet. The backs of the cards, interestingly, use an illustration that is also the front of one card -- it can be looked at either upside down or right-side up, and the faces will look slightly different from either direction. Bear in mind that Froud designed all of the goblins from the film "Labyrinth" that weren't David Bowie. The card backs look a bit more like the goblins from that movie than like the currently popular "fairy" idea of pretty naked women lounging in flowers -- although, having said that, not all of these creatures do wear clothes, so if that bothers you, this might not be the deck for you. We don't really see any Naughty Bits (tm), but you can readily see how some of these creatures -- including, to be fair, the beams of radiant light -- would find it impossible to put clothes on (e.g. over wings, or frog-like feet). Even the long tails some of the more animal-like faeries sport would make frilly gowns a bit impractical. I have enjoyed doing readings with these. A note of caution, however. Play with the cards, lay them out, look at them, but these are disturbingly powerful. I would not recommend actually divining with these if you are young or inexperienced with reading cards. Get to know them a while first, in any case. That said, I hope with all my heart that his other deck, the Heart of Faerie cards, will come back into print and be available to the average consumer at a more usual price point, because the writing is really endearing, as are the majority of the creatures (I would use a different word than "endearing" for the first several cards, because you don't cuddle a light beam so much as you stand there in awe), and I was entirely pleased with my purchase. Remember that this is an oracle deck, not a standard 78-card Tarot deck, so there are no suits or Major Arcana. You just get whomever you get, which is a lovely assortment -- and I found this a valuable addition to my toolbox for reading for others, as well as cards to contemplate for myself.

Beautiful deck and very well made. This is the second set of this deck i have purchased. I bought these over 20 years ago and finally bought a new set for a friend. Brian Froud is one of the best fantasy artist, in my opinion. Just stunning artwork.

Amazing oracle, and an amazing journey. I can't say enough about how much I love this deck. If you are of Celtic descent and want to know of the lore and energy of the Anglo/Celtic lands, this is for you. If you feel drawn to the Faery realms, and the elementals and green magick, then this is for you. If you feel drawn to this oracle at all, get it, because this deck will transform you, and is no doubt calling out to you. A few things I think are important to mention: The beings in the Faery realm and elementals and the green world are absolutely real. The beings on the cards do exist. Many of the images on the cards depict the appearance and the energy of beings that do exist in another dimension of reality. The other thing I will say is: Just because you finish using the cards and put them away for the night, that doesn't mean the faerys are locked away. They may visit you, and interact with you in many ways, so be prepared. This is not something to fear. In fact, knowing the faery realm is like getting to know another culture or foreign country. The people there aren't bad, they're just unknown to you until you get familiar with them. Same with the faery realm. You will get to know the different characters in the faery realm, and just stand back and be prepared for an amazing journey of a lifetime. As for the readings, the cards are beautiful, and convey lots of wisdom. They will speak to you in surprising and wonderful ways, always enlightening. Work with this deck, and let it work with you, and the journey will be an enchanted one.

My favorite deck! Have bought multiple sets because the cardstock isn't strong but still so worth it.

The art on the cards is great and the book is well written. The card stock is a little thin, but that is about the only negative I can say. I love to use these. (And hope I can take good care of them.)

My original disappeared! So I purchased a used selection of these, and thankfully they were in excellent condition. This is a very special deck, for those who want to truly connect to the woodland and other highly evolved faerie creatures. The guidebook is incredibly thick, and has a hardcover, and over 200 pages. My only complaint, would be the card stock being so paper thin.

i've wanted this deck for a very long time. i finally took the plunge and ordered it recently and it arrived today. the book and the artwork on the cards are fantastic. the book is very detailed and has a wealth of information. the whole set is beautiful. i have one complaint that i want to share. the card stock is so thin as to feel flimsy compared to other oracle or tarot deck card stock. i know that some people don't like thin card stock. i have never felt anything this thin, but i guess i'll just have to deal with it. i've added pictures so you can see how easily i bend the cards with just a few fingers on one hand. besides the card stock, i am very happy to have this deck finally and i would buy it again. i got it on sale for about 20 dollars and the book alone is worth that. if you love the fae realm or want to learn more about it, i suggest that you will love this oracle deck. it is very magical.

Wonderful cards and accompanying book.

Wer hier ein Naturgeister-Feen-Elfen-Orakel à la Doreen Virtue erwartet, der wird bitter enttäuscht. Dieses Orakel, das schon ziemlich düster und englisch-herb rüberkommt, ist weit entfernt davon, ein nettes Wellness-Spielzeug zu sein. Es ist vielmehr eine lebendige, lebende und respektvoll zu behandelnde Brücke zu Faery, der Anderswelt, und eh man's sich versieht, verschwimmen die Grenezen und Faery schwappt in den diesseitigen Alltag herein. Die dargestellten Wesenheiten - die Fae - sind dabei völlig unterschiedlicher Natur und gliedern sich - von Brian Froud so beabsicthigt - in Gruppen: da gibt es einmal die "Singer" amorphe Lichtwesen, die ich vielleicht dem Reich der Engel zuordnen würde. Dann gibt es eine Gruppe von Archetypen (wie die Mutter, die Alte, der Gehörnte, usw.). Des Weiteren eine Gruppe, die ich als "Astrale" bezeichnen würde, da sie anscheinend/sscheinbar aus unseren geheimsten, unbewussten Gedanken und Gefühlen geschaffen sind (oder diese spiegeln), dazu zählen die Angst, der alleszerfressende Neid, das Selbstmitleid. Zuletzt findet sich noch das, was die meisten von uns als die "eigentlichen" Naturgeister empfinden: Elfen, Feen, Gnome. Viele der Wesenheiten haben von Brian Froud doppeldeutige Namen bekommen, kleine englische Wortspiele. So gibt es die "Topsy Turvets" die, topsy turvy, alles auf den Kopf stellen, oder "Gawtcha", die Angst vor dem eigenen Schatten, der einen schon mal - "Got you!!" - hinterrücks erwischen kann. Begleitet werden die Karten von einem schönen, stabilen Hardcover-Buch, in dem uns die geniale Jesa McBeth in die Benutzung des Orakels einweist und die einzelnen Wesenheiten bzw. deren Aussagen erläutert. Ich schreiben absichtlich "erläutert", denn es wird größten Wert darauf gelegt, dass die Bedeutung der Karten nicht einfach nachgeschlagen wird, sondern dass jeder sie sich selbst erarbeitet - die jeweilige Wesenheit mit ihrer ganz individuellen Botschaft selbst kennenlernt. Ich habe davon profitiert, mich an ihre Anleitung zu halten: erst erden, dann zentrieren, dann mit Faery verbinden.... vielleicht mit ihnen tanzen.... und dann mit den jeweiligen Wesenheiten zu kommunizieren. Nicht einfach, nicht schnell-schnell - aber wirkungsvoll. Wenn ich zuvor geschrieben habe, "lebendig", dann meine ich das übrigens wörtlich. Dem ernsthaften Benutzer kann es durchaus passieren, dass er im Schlaf von Honesty besucht wird, während einer Meditation vom Singer of Initiation auf eine schamanische Reise mitgenommen wird, oder dass beim Waldspaziergang plötzlich Sairie, die Faery Godmother, vor ihm steht (- und ja, all das ist mir passiert!) Fazit: Für mich eines der schönsten Kartendecks, rundum gelungen. Anregung für den Verlag: Schön wäre es, wenn man einzelne Karten nachkaufen könnte (denn manchmal geht der eine oder andere FO Teilnehmer auf Wanderschaft....)...

箱が凄く大きいのに、カードの入れ方が微妙な感じでしたが、絵に満足してます。 ちょっとダーク系の妖精さんに見えるかもしれませんが、私的には可愛いです。 大きさ紙質はtarotみたいな感じなので、そこを考慮して買われるとよろしいかもしれません。

Den här orakelleken är härlig och det följer med en inbunden bok vilket känns lyxigt med mycket text för varje kort ifall man är nybörjare. Passar också den mer erfarna 🙂

Probably the most EXCITING Deck, and the Deck you will have most fun with this - being the earlier one from Brian Froud - this time being coupled with Jessica Macbeth. I've only recently purchased their last: `The Heart Of Faerie' and I was SO thrilled with that one (see my Review for that title) one could not in all reality expect to top it, but it was that Set that caused me to seek out this one, and I have to say, that these two Sets could be all you will ever need if you happen to purchase them BEFORE any other Set/Deck from the hundreds available out there! I have many, both Tarot and Oracle, but they have really become my best/favourites in such a short time! This Set is better than `The Heart Of Faerie' and `The Heart Of' is much better than this - in different ways of course. Let me begin with this one and the term `excitement'; This is the Deck you will find most exciting of the two - especially if you follow Jessica's very clear instructions in the very beginning of the book and DO NOT cheat and jump ahead to the Card Meanings - you'll be spoiling it for no-one else but yourself if you do this, and there'll be no going back - and so you've been warned!! At the beginning, she gives you a few exercises/lessons to do with the Cards, and if you follow these (picking your favourite and least favourite Cards) you will be simply ASTOUNDED at what you will learn! After answering all the questions - and without looking for any help from the book, this part really blew me away... Never have I been so taken with anything this way before! There are also one or two other lessons/exercises, whereby you can sing or even dance with the Faeries!! Now, this is not as silly as it may sound; I'm not ashamed to say that I tried the former (have not attempted the dancing yet) and again; I was astounded at the melody that seem to come from no-where...! (I recorded it!) Again; it simply blew me away and opened my eyes to whole new possibilities... In this area of course, this Set will far surpass `The Heart Of Faerie' for many (I think!?) but a not-so-good thing with this one for me, was the inclusion of a `plain' Card whereby you are instructed to design it yourself. Now; whilst this may be fun and interesting - and even a `challenge' - with this I had problems... I enjoyed the three `Surprise' Cards included in `The Heart Of Faerie' Deck - they were just nameless, but one could at least gain meanings from the nameless images of course. Also; neither the numbers of these Cards, or names on them are very clear to read... Beautiful script I might add, but ironically because of it, not very decipherable, and so you find yourself having to pick them up to scrutinise the names and numbers until you get used to them - for me this was somewhat of a `downside'... The numbers and names on the Cards for `The Heart Of Faerie' Set were crystal clear and one could read them without even picking them up. Very elaborate and beautiful script is attractive, and is often used on the covers of modern books these days (novels in particular) and this also at times is very undecipherable for the same reason... Also; I did not find some of these Cards/images quite as `potent' shall we say, (but that's just me of course - and we're all different) and did not speak to me quite with the same boldness and `friendliness' shall we say than those from `The Heart Of Faerie' and so you've probably guessed by now which is my favourite Deck! ; - ) However; I LOVE this Set too - but just in a slightly different way. The Readings are still as every bit as accurate and just as good in every other way. The book is twice as thick by the way as `Heart Of Faerie' (having the inclusion of all those lessons!) - the same usual quality, and the Cards are simply beautiful.... To finish as I started; you won't find any Decks better than either of these two by Brain Froud - believe me! WONDERFUL!!

I was looking for a non Doreen Virtue faery deck that is not very sugary and overly positive. I was drawn to this deck on and off and realized I have to have it. Seeing is believing. Immediately felt the pure Fae energy and the unconditional joy along with some seriousness. This deck is not a people pleaser. A great alternative if you need a break from tarot. It is similar but lighter. The backs are reversible. The best part is the fully coloured, hard bound book. There's all the details you'd need. The imagery isn't obviously fae-rish. It will draw you in and talk to you. Some cards are too cute and some are breathtakingly beautiful. The card stock could have been better. It's not very flimsy. It's flexible and has a non glossy, matte surface with a good size. No matter what size your palms are, you can easily shuffle the card. The gnome in me is happy what more can I say !! 😬😂 But yes, the main box isn't sturdy. I tore it while opening it. The slid in box is good though. So cards are book will be safe. But the main box could have been a bit sturdier. Amazon service. Excellent. But the box was a little damaged with one or two specks of dirt lines in the cards inside. It can be a problem while manufacturing. So all's good. Great buy. Wouldn't mind buying it again to gift someone. Update This is a brutally honest and a spot on deck. I immediately connected and had some wonderful experiences. Great buy.