First Impressions: Victoria Frances Gothic Oracle

I was so excited when I got the email that the Victoria Frances Gothic Oracle was on it's way to me. I'd had this deck on pre-order since August. Yay!! The deck is published by Lo Scarebeo, comes with a 125 page guidebook, and 36 cards. The box is sturdy, much like boxes by Hay House and the card quality is comparable to Hay House as well.

 
I was curious to see what direction they would take with the guidebook, which is written by Kim Arnold. Unfortunately, even though it's 125 pages long, only 47 of those pages are in English. The book begins with a two page intro, two pages with a brief explanation of reading the cards and a 5 card spread created for this deck. There are also some tips on how to meditate with the cards. There are no card reproductions in the book. The 36 cards are numbered at the top and do not have any keywords, which I really like in this case. One page is dedicated to each card, including a title, a few keywords and a couple of paragraphs. The cards are slightly smaller than most oracle cards but bigger than tarot size. The backing design can be used with reversals although reversals are not covered in the book.

I believe my use of this deck will be mostly intuitive. The guidebook does give some good ideas for each card but I mainly see it as a jumping off point to get your intuition going. I drew several cards and intuitively came up with what my focus would be if I were writing the meaning for it, and my thoughts were very close to the book every time. If you truly resonate with this style of art then I think you will have no problem understanding the messages coming through for you, book or no book.

 
 


I will do a full review after I've had time to work with this deck and find out how it fits into my reading routines and practices. I've been a fan of Victoria Frances' art for a long time so I'm very happy to see the art as an oracle deck.

 

Card of the Day: 7 of Scepters

Seven of Scepters from Tarot of the Vampyres. The astrological associations are Mars in Leo.

Today I asked for a message about a new project I've started. To me, this card represents standing proudly in your passion (Leo), and fiery assertiveness (Mars). I think it's important to consider the difference between assertiveness vs. aggressiveness.

This vampire looks like she's claimed her own ground. She's put a stake here to mark her area and she's even wearing what looks like a crown. I feel like this says she's proclaimed herself "queen of her own little kingdom". She's finding courage to prevail through friction. She's not trying to make enemies or bring on a battle, she's only proving her willingness to defend what is hers.

As a message about my new project, I believe this card is suggesting I protect it and put my all into making it be the best that it can be. No matter the outcome, at least I know I honored my passion with pride.

Weekend Oracle Card

The weekend oracle card is from Oracle of Shadows and Light.
The Three Fates: What Comes Around...

The guidebook suggests taking a look at present circumstances and asking if it feels as if a certain "fate" is being lived over and over again. The Fates say this is a lesson that needs to be learned and it will keep coming back until it's point is made clear. "Learn to be released from this part of the pattern that feels like Unjust Fate" by deciding to react differently this time around. Each new day we wake up with the chance for a do-over. The Fates say that by changing our vibration we can change the types of experiences we continue to attract into our lives.

So who are The Fates?

The Fates are a common theme running though many cultures in mythology. They are known for weaving the threads of mankind's lives and destinies in a tapestry. They're called the Moirai in Greek mythology. To the Romans the are the Parcae, and in Norse mythology they're called the Norns.
The theme even shows up in literature as the Three Witches in Shakespeare's Macbeth.
(Source: Wikipedia)

Card of the Day: 9 of Skulls

Nine of Skulls from Tarot of the Vampyres - Venus in Virgo

Today has proved to be a very 9 of Skulls type of day for me. Certain things came my way that I had been hoping to receive, so I'm enjoying it!

 This Vampyre is basking in the dreamy and joyful state of enrichment and personal gain. Pure bliss and enjoyment of beauty (Venus) is all around her.

 All of the Nines in the minor arcana share lunar energy in addition to the other astrological associations assigned to them. The sphere of Yesod is on the middle pillar on the Tree of Life, ruled by the Moon. Yesod is a type of foundation or astral plane placeholder for the materialization of energy that follows in Malkuth. The Nines finish what is started in the Threes.

 

Above are the other Nine's from the Tarot of the Vampyres deck. I love the way the presence of lunar energy are portrayed in these cards!

Card of the Day: 10 of Skulls

Ten of Skulls from Tarot of the Vampyres. Mercury is in it's own sign of Virgo.

 The woman sits among beauty and luxury. I can imagine that her mind is filled with thoughts (Mercury) and the analyzing ways of Virgo are at work. What does she do now that she's attained and achieved all the wealth and prosperity on the Earthly plane? If she just sits in her Kingdom of Wealth she would most likely become quite bored. Maybe she's dreaming of her next adventure and a spark of passion ignites. Maybe she becomes involved in charity work or the lineage of her family making sure the wealth and knowledge is passed on.

 To me the red roses are a hint of the spark of passion, the return to wands. As Crowley said, the Ten of Pentacles (Skulls here) is the end of the minor arcana cycle, it all regenerates and starts all over again with the Ace of Wands. The same way that the cycle of the Major Arcana begins again with the Fool after reaching the World. The Ten of Skulls represents Malkuth, the bottom of the Tree of Life. She has reached the most dense form of manifestation in the physical realm.

 There are roots growing all around the throne where she sits. She is grounded but she doesn't want to become taken over by the roots, trapped in stagnation. That's why it's important for her to answer the call of the red roses - inspiration!
The idea of growing through cycles makes me think of the song "Lateralus" by Tool. "Spiral out - keep going".

This is a message for me to never become too satisfied with where I'm at in all areas of my life. I should be grateful for all that I have but always be reaching for more. The true gratitude that I feel is the first ingredient in the Law of Attraction and necessary for manifesting more!

Card of the Day: The Magician

The Magician is the planetary Trump of Mercury.
The Magician is all about the ability to create something we desire through focusing our energy and activating our Will to manifest. Visualize and Act!
The zodiac symbol details along the edge of the bowl on the table and the apparent Blood Moon in the background makes me think about how we should time our intentions, or spells, whatever you wish to call them. We can work with the phases of the moon, planetary influences, and even the day of the week (each associated with a planet) to help give our intentions an extra boost!
Being the card of Mercury, I think of communication. The way in which we communicate our desires and intentions can make a big difference in the return we receive from the Universe.

(Image from the Tarot of Vampyres app developed by Fools Dog)