By Adrienne Trafford and published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
Oracle Deck: ISBN 978-0-7643-3783-3 (46 cards and 96 page booklet)
Coloring Book: 978-0-7643-3784-0 (24 pages)
Two of my favorite things! Oracle cards and coloring books. If ever there was a way to relax and enjoy an entire afternoon, here it is. First let's talk about the deck, shall we?
Measuring in at 4 and half inches long by 2 and three quarter inches wide, the cards are printed on the heavy, high quality card stock that Schiffer is well known for, and they come in a sturdy flip-top box with a magnetic closure. These cards have the most lively and colorful borders that I have ever seen in a oracle deck. The artwork is sublime, yet simple, and most of them depict women who's faces, posture and dress gently reflect their key words (which are clearly printed at the bottom of each card). In the booklet that comes with the deck, the author states that her two daughters show up in most of the ladies faces. How wonderful! I love reading little tidbits about a deck like that. :) The card backs have an illustration of a tree, and cradled within it's branches is a nest with two blue eggs in it. These eggs represent the artists' two daughters. <3
The 96 page booklet that comes with this deck is very helpful, easy to read, and includes a brief four page introduction. All the cards are listed in alphabetical order and feature a black and white picture of each individual card for quick reference. Included with each card description are small sections titled, "What this card says", "What this card means", and a few of them also have a passage that encourages the reader to "Consider this". Some cards of interest are the four Queens (Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, and Spades), and there are four cards that have the illustrations situated in a horizontal position.
I find this deck to be very feminine in nature, and encouraging in the aspect of acknowledging the inner feelings that one may experience along the way of their own personal journey. I use it almost every day for a simple one card pull, or for a special focus card during a tarot reading. "Embrace your Inner Goddess" is my key phrase for this beautiful deck. :) Now, let's have a look at the inside of the coloring book which is sold separately.
The pages are 10 and three quarter inches long by 8 and a half inches wide, and the images are printed on thick, heavy paper (almost a light card stock). The dark, bold lines are very easy to color in, which is something I appreciate now that my eyes aren't as sharp as they used to be in my younger years. The images are printed on both sides of the paper, so care needs to be taken when using markers or they might bleed through. For this reason, I chose to use colored pencils. However, know that if you press too hard with your pencils, the indentations may show through the other side of the paper. All 46 card images from the deck are included in this coloring book, and they are in alphabetical order, which makes it easy to pull the corresponding card out of the deck to compare your work with. By looking at the original artwork, I was given helpful visual clues as how to go about adding some light shading to my picture. Adding a bit of shading gives the pictures a realistic depth, makes them seem more alive, and gives them a three dimensional feel. :)
Flowers - Parma Violet, Clay Rose, and Greyed Lavender. For the centers I used Golden Yellow and Peach. The one little stem is colored in Apple Green.
For her dress I used Blue, Ultramarine and Violet Blue.
Her hair is Dark Brown, French Grey, and streaked with Steel and Warm Grey.
Her eyebrows are colored in with Dark Umber.
The iris' of her eyes are Imperial Violet, and she's sporting Lilac "eyeshadow".
Her skin is Light Peach and shaded with Burnt Umber. Her cheeks have a hint of Blush Pink.
The outside background is colored Cloud Blue.
This is a great pair to have if you enjoy coloring books and oracle decks with a feminine theme. I spent several quiet, relaxing, and enjoyable afternoons coloring my picture and perusing the cards with a warm cup of tea. What more could a Goddess ask for? ;)
