Book & Tarot Reviews

The Voyager Deck Symbolist: James Wanless Ph. D Artist: Ken Knutson ISBN: 0-9615079-0-X

I have been reading cards for over 15 years on a personal and professional basis.

The Voyager deck is not only my all-time favorite deck but it's also the most communicative deck I've ever used.

Each card is a beautiful collage of eclectic images. Reading the reality within these collages assists my intuition in speaking with great clarity. I've even found images showing up in the cards, which I never noticed before, but speaks to my particular querent. It's almost as if this deck creates itself for each individual. You would think after 15 years of using this deck, there would be no more surprises left, but this deck never ceases to amaze me.

This is a glorious deck for someone who has experience with Tarot and their own intuitive abilities. Personally, I don't recommend this deck for beginners; as each card, read intuitively, has so many possible meanings that a good solid grounding in tarot really is helpful to use this deck successfully. Although, if you prefer to use a book while learning, the one supplied by James Wanless is a great companion to his deck. James explains his cards with tremendous knowledge and depth.

I use a "Tree of Life" spread and find it's a very rewarding layout for these cards. Allowing them to speak to all aspects of your life, from the spiritual all the way down to the physical, gives you a well-rounded vision.

The Voyager Cards

These cards are great for "a-card-a-day" readings and can assist you to add depth to your understanding of their many images. I recommend you spend time gazing at each collage and meditating with them before you begin using them for divination. Getting to know these cards will bring an abundance of greater awareness to your readings.

The cards are large and oversized which can make it difficult to shuffle at first but don't let that intimidate you, because this deck really is a must have for anyone who is serious about the tarot. As you can see from this review, I am a huge fan of the James Wanless, Voyager Deck.

In light, Aleesha Stephenson

The Fairy Ring Written by: Anna Franklin Illustrated by: Paul Mason ISBN: 0-7387-0274-9

When I first opened this deck and glanced at the cards I was very disappointed. Seeing the images before me, photographs of people (or should I say Fairies and Leprechauns) and animals set on photographed backgrounds is not my usual taste in cards for the purpose of divination. But, rather than make a rash judgment and shut down the flow of this deck, I put aside my prejudices and began working with this deck.

I was extremely pleased with what I began to read. Not only is the companion book (Anna Franklin) exceedingly informative but the readings themselves are eminently perceptive. The depth of the readings was so accurate that I was, at times, afraid to pull out this deck because of the uncanny precision of the cards.

I became very fond of the "Fairy Gift" layout which is one of the nine layouts suggested by the creator Anna Franklin. At night, before bed, I would pull the five cards needed and with complete accuracy the cards would tell me about my "tomorrow." Because I enjoy living life in the moment and not knowing what is happening next, I stopped using this deck...it was just too dead on the mark.

Fairy Ring Cards

So although this isn't the usual look that I prefer in a deck, the information given by Anna Franklin on all forms of fairy life is a veritable encyclopedia of knowledge and the meanings ascribed to the individual cards is superb! I highly recommend this deck to anyone interested in our fairy folk.

In light, Aleesha Stephenson

The Celtic Dragon Tarot (book and deck included) by D.J. Conway and Lisa Hunt ISBN 1-56718-182-1

What a playful and "light" deck this is. From the first peek I took at these cards right through the process of getting to know and work with them, I was immediately in love with this deck.

The images of dragons playing, flying around, assisting the people in the cards has such a wonderful energy about it. The introduction that D.J. and Lisa each write about their process of creating this deck sounds equally fun and downright enthusiastic. If I were ever to create a deck myself, I would definitely want to have the type of experience they both had creating this one. I believe that's part of the energy of this deck, you can actually feel the playful exhilaration they experienced!

Celtic Dragon Cards

As a dragon lover, I have definitely found a deck that I will enjoy using in the future. The images speak volumes as they take you into a different reality from your own. I don't think you have to be a dragon aficionado to resonate with this deck, but it helps!

In light, Aleesha Stephenson

Jude's Herbal Home Remedies by Jude C. Williams, M.H. ISBN: 0-87542-869-X

I am absolutely thrilled with this book. All of it. I haven't found anything that I don't like, which is a huge achievement for Jude since I can usually find at least one thing that I dislike about a book. *grin*

The way she writes is absolute perfection! She explains everything in the most simple terms possible so that you really get what she's saying and you learn so much from her book.

After reading the first 30 pages I knew more about herbs than I have learned in my life! And because of the way that she explains the signature of herbs (page 3-7), I know that I will always understand herbs, even if I don't which herb I'm looking at. No one has every explained it so simply and with so much common sense before. I would have to say, without question, that those 4 pages are the most important part of this entire book and the info on those pages alone make this book totally worth the money.

Also, as an environmentalist myself, I love the way she reminds the reader that some herbs may be on the endangered list and to be aware of that when picking wild herbs. So many people have the mentality of "taking it all so I don't run out" instead of just what they need for now. Let the herb continue to grow and reproduce and get more when you need it.

I appreciated that she didn't just offer one suggestion for each remedy. She offers a choice of two or more so that you can find one that:

1. suits your need
2. requires products that you may already have around the home or have easy access to
3. simple or advanced depending on what you wish to prepare and
4. in case of allergy or sensitivity, alternatives for everyone.

My daughter gets cold sores and is at a loss to heal/soothe them. She is anxious to try every one of Jude's remedies in order to decide which one will work the best. This will take her awhile since she wants to give each remedy time to work....but it is an undertaking that she is thrilled to partake in.

Thank you Jude for writing such an informative, easy-to-understand guide for those of us who truly want to learn about herbs and their properties and uses. I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone I know!

In light, Aleesha Stephenson