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Created By: Saorsa Sionnach
Publisher: Rockpool Publishing
Number of cards: 44
Card size: 5 in x 3.5 in
Box size: 5.5 x 4 x 1.25 in
Guidebook pages: 103
Purchased or gifted?: Review copy gifted from Rockpool Publishing

Absolute favorite card: Seed
Other favorites: Mabon, Midnight Sun, Unity, Home, Star, Ostara, Pilgrim
Notable detail: Gorgeous bronze gilding
Season: Spring
Sabbat: Beltane
Sign: Cancer
Tarot Deck compliment: The Shining Tribe Tarot

Soft and muted colors are so nice on the nervous system.

First Impressions: In truth, I’m not all that attracted to the artwork. I was attracted to the box when I saw it and I was attracted to the cards I saw before getting the deck but I can’t say I loved the artwork overall but more on that later. For now, I will say that this seems to be a theme for me lately. I keep receiving decks that visually do not resonate and yet, end up being something I completely align with which is the case here. While I don’t enjoy the artwork, I’m pretty much in love with everything else.

The Packaging

The packaging is great. It’s a Rockpool box so no surprises there. If you’ve been here for a while, you’ll know that Rockpool really stands above everyone else when it comes to packaging. They’re the first to try new things, use new techniques and colors, and invest in the overall experience, especially the feel of the box. Gold stars all around. And this box is beautiful. The most notable detail is the bronze foil on the cover. It looks gorgeous and is quite dramatic when it catches the light.

The box itself has a nice canvas like texture which I wish had been carried along to the cards themselves. And the inside of the box is purple with a design that matches the backs of the cards. Overall, the box is nice and sturdy and well done. It’s the exact same size as the Seasons of the Witch Oracle box for reference.

When it comes to the cards themselves, they don’t have that canvas feel but they are matte which I love to see. Thank the heavens publishers are embracing matte cards which are so much easier to photograph. I am a photographer and content creator so I can’t not talk about how cards look in photos. And these photo really well, in no small part due to the matte finish. You’ll find the same bronze gilding from the box on the sides of the cards which is equally stunning.

The cards are thick, perhaps just a bit thicker than most Rockpool decks that I have. I feel Rockpool is elevating everything they can and I am taking notice. The backs of the cards have a cool border and detail on a greenish yellow background that matches the box.

The Guidebook

The guidebook is full color as you always see with Rockpool. There are four spreads and one additional “spread".” It only has one card so I’m not sure that qualifies as a spread but still a nice addition. The introduction is lengthy with a lot of information and insights; definitely worth the read. And there’s a page on how to use the cards. Each entry has keywords, an invocation (quite similar to Seasons of the Witch), the interpretation and an action to take.

The Artwork

And now to the artwork. As I mentioned previously, I don’t really resonate with it. There are cards I enjoy though and my favorite among them is called Seed. I did not like yellow for a very long time. But last year, I found myself really attracted to it and this year, I have learned why. Yellow is happy which I have invested a lot of energy work into being happy. I have come to associate yellow with my ascent out of years of shadow work. This image really feels like hope distilled in a card and makes me happy to look at it every time I see it.

“In the Celtic culture, an anamchara is a soul friend, an invisible confidant or spirit adviser.”

What I love most about this image and the artwork in general is the use of soft and muted tones. I’ve said this before but muted tones are much more gentle on the nervous system. There are numerous studies on the effects colors have on feelings and behavior. That’s why marketing companies put so much effort into choosing colors which evoke desired actions or emotions. And bright colors are stimulating, often creating a feel of stress or overwhelm. While soft colors are relaxing which is why you tend to see spas or wellness centers decorated in soft cool colors. So I really appreciate the softer tones here. That’s not to say I don’t like bright cards. In fact, Seasons of the Witch Litha Oracle is very bright indeed. But I think moving forward, soft colors are what I will be focused on as we ground into the Age of Aquarius. Continued below…

Purchase Anamchara Oracle

As always, I did an interview your deck spread (find the spread in my oracle decks or within the Spirit Realm member portal) and I found it to be such a surprise. It clearly said this deck is not for shifting blocks, changing perspectives or overcoming obstacles. For me at least, this deck is for manifesting and creating. It honestly made me want to cry after I finished the reading. I felt so supported in my desire to evolve as a content creator. I’ve never had decks like this before. I don’t know if I’m shifting or the collective is shifting; probably a mix of both. But lately, I’ve been attracting decks that are overwhelmingly positive. Not in a way that is super fluff at all but very encouraging.

And that is what I like most about the deck. The writing is excellent. I like to think I’m a pretty good oracle deck author but then I read the perspective of another creator and I’m just in ah. Saorsa has a really great writing style that feels equally positive and firm. I felt called out but fully supported in making changes for my benefit. The box says “be guided by your loving soul companion” and I feel that when I work with this deck.

Season, Sign and Sabbat

I chose Cancer as the zodiac sign because this deck is very gentle and Cancer is the most gentle sign in my opinion. To me, the energy is well matched with this deck. But the artwork kind of reminds me of more youthful artwork. Something that older children might draw and that feels very comforting and associated with the home. I also see correspondence with Taurus in terms of color and for the same reasons I chose the season and sabbat below.

I chose spring and Beltane for the season and the sabbat. It’s so bright but still soft which screams spring to me. It’s moody but still colorful and what came to mind are the early days of May which of course means Beltane. But also because the deck has such a youthful quality which is a very Beltane energy.

Who is this deck for?

I think this is a great deck for older children for one. I think they will resonate with the artwork more so than adults, at least the adults I spend time with. I could see a teenager really loving this one. But I also think it's a great deck for clients. I can see many practitioners using it to get a sense of the client before going into your services.

Tarot Deck Companion

I was gifted a tarot deck recently from Red Wheel/Weiser that I also wasn’t thrilled about and wasn't sure what to do with it. But I think the artwork is very similar to Anamchara Oracle. If you enjoy the artwork of this deck then you will most likely love The Shining Tribe Tarot. The style and color palette are very similar and the Shining Tribe Tarot has an excellent guidebook as well.

Thanks for reading all the way through. If you found this review to be helpful, informative or entertaining in any way, please be sure to leave a comment down below. It really helps me know what you’re enjoying so that I can provide more content based on what you love.

And of course, if there is something you’d like me to consider reviewing, please comment below or email me at hello@spiritelement.co