I hope this helps a little...
I'm feeling pretty drawn to these oracle decks lately, both by Collette Baron-Reid. But I'm wondering if anyone has both of them and can tell me a bit about the pros and cons? They're kind of similar so I don't feel like getting both, at least not for now.
I get the feeling the Enchanted Map might be a little bit more "cheesy" or soft/childish? While the Wisdom of the Oracle has that super creepy face lurking in the background of most cards? Lol sorry, I would've bought the deck in an instant had the face not been in the cards...
Any thoughts?
Hello Citron!
I have both of these decks. I am very partial/attached to them and, in fact, they are my "go to" oracle decks. I find them reliable and satisfying to turn to.
Both decks, physically, are high quality and the art work is done by Jenna DellaGrottaglia.
Neither deck is cloying or foolish. Despite their surreal and amusing images I find both decks to result in uncommonly accurate, relevant, objective, practical, coherent and balanced readings. I've never had a "fluffy-bunny-happy-happy-little-miss-sunshine-all-the-time-sugar-coated-popsicle-blandly-optimistic reading from either of them.
I've had the Enchanted Map Oracle the longest, and I don't find it cheesy at all.
That being said, initially there were a couple cards that I was turned off by because the image or title seemed too whimsical, cutesy, or lighthearted for the card's subject. Isn't there always a card or two in any deck that takes getting used to, or bit more effort to understand? ��
One card being titled "Heal the Ouch" which depicts a raccoon nurse giving aid to a ill or injured fox. Mainly, I just didn't like the title because it seemed childish, but the message is definitely not cheesy or childish. I just wish it had been titled something like "remedying" or "mending", etc. The other card was "Cleaning House" which depicts what I think of as a house-elf with brooms for legs. Initially, the image just kind of threw me off, but now I really like it. I like that this creature can't really avoid "cleaning house". Both cards have a straight forward message. The more I've studied these images the more they've grown on me. I find the rest of the deck gorgeous and compelling. The images are dreamike; soft but vivid and enchanting.
Besides the companion book included with the deck which provides the upright and reversed meanings, there is an additional book (The Map, sold separately) that really compliments the deck. I didn't find that every aspect of it pertained to me, but it was an extremely useful tool in exploring the depth and scope of each card meaning. The deck utilizes reversals to great effect.
The Wisdom of the Oracle I've only had for a couple months. I've never found the faces on (most, not all) the cards creepy or unnerving in anyway. They feel kind and calming. Sometimes, they are hardly noticeable. Initially, the colors in the deck seemed a bit too pastel or muted. However, the more I use it the more vivid it becomes. As with the first deck, the images are also amusing and surreal. There are no duplicated images from the other deck.
What I like is that each card has 5 areas/categories of meanings: Essential Meanings; The Oracle's Message; Relationship Message; Prosperity Message; and a Protection Message for when a reversed card comes up. I find this very helpful.
I hope you find this info helpful in making a decision. I like using both decks very much.
