Y is for EthonY #atozchallenge

I don’t like oracle decks. I’ve tried reading with them before and they just come across as NOT tarot decks. Kind of floaty and ethereal and meh.

I kept seeing this deck, though. Jeezy creezy, this fuckin’ deck. I saw the picture above and got the Gimme’s really really badly. I looked it up, and it was from the Awakened Soul Oracle. Goddamnit.

I met Ethony at the Northwest Tarot Symposium this year, and she was just brilliant. Funny and engaging, with a great grasp of the cards. All cards. She was nice enough to send me a copy of the Awakened Soul to review, AND she filled out the LFT Questionnaire for us. Enjoy!

Deck review!!! The Awakened Soul Oracle (ugh i love it) Deck

Artwork – This is a gorgeous, thoughtful deck. The characters are lovely and the colors are bright and engaging. I love the bumblebees on the backs of the cards, too.

Representation – Queer folks AND people of color! Wahoo! Also, the Boy Shaman (age 11) said, “Mom, there are a lot of ladies in this deck, which is great because most tarot decks have mostly dudes.” Well spoken, Boy Shaman!

Cardstock – Very good! God, it’s great. And the Boy Shaman said, “OH look at how shiny the edges are! That’s a good sign!” I don’t expect any stupid foxing from these cards. And the box is also sturdy. Love it.

The Book! – The book is great. It’s got cleaning and charging instructions, how to work with the oracle deck, spreads, and descriptors of the cards. It’s also got the Awakened meaning, Shadow meaning, an Affirmation and a Personal Reflection for each card. This helped me navigate the deck a little better, because I’m not comfortable outside of my Arcanas. The book helped me to stop looking at a card, thinking, “What even does this even mean?”, and giving the deck away.

Shufflability – Kind of stiff at first – hard to shuffle. I imagine after they’re broken in it will be fine. They’ll bigger, too, so not good for hobbit hands to shuffle off of the table.

Should you buy this deck? Yes. Even though it’s not a tarot deck. It’s nice, and compliments the tarot beautifully.

LFT Questionnaire!

1. What you appreciate the most in your friends.

Loyalty and unconditional love. I have a wonderfully diverse group of friends with different religions, background, ages and experiences. It may sound cheesy as, but we still love each other. Having people who are really there for you is priceless.

2. Your idea of happiness.

As a mum, listening to my son laugh and be happy. Watching him explore and discover the world. For myself, a hot cup of tea, a tarot deck and book and spending time in nature.

3. Your idea of misery.

Loneliness.

4. Your favorite colors and flowers.

Purple is my favorite color and have been for as long as I can remember. All shades of it really. Flowers, anything wild and blooming, I would rather flowers be in the ground than in a vase. I do love Tulips though.

5. Your favorite poets.

Don’t really have any. I love to read, poetry is just not really something I got into. I would rather listen to song lyrics and they can be poetry.

6. Your heroes/heroines in fiction.

Wonder Woman, Hermione, Princess Leia, She-Ra these are all warrior types with wisdom that take no shit.

7. What role does divination play in your life?

It plays a huge role in my life. I work as a professional Tarot reader, I teach Tarot and I am constantly learning to listen to my own intuition every day.

8. Your heroes/heroines in real life.

My Dad

9. What is your present state of mind?

Contemplative

10. What is your favorite tarot deck or divination tool?

I have so many favorites, typical Gemini! I love the Aura-Soma tarot, the Morgan Greer Tarot and Druidcraft Tarot. But the favorites list would be about 50 long.

11. Your favorite songs?

Everything I do I do it for you – Bryan Adams

Video – India.Arie

13. What is your favorite word?

Love

14. What is your least favorite word?

Should

15. What sound or noise do you love?

The ocean, the forest, rain

16. What sound or noise do you hate?

Crying babies, oh man, I can’t handle it. I am always looking around when there is a baby crying. I just want to hold them.

17. What turns you on?