New, interesting oracle with Mayan roots...2013 Oracle
2013 Oracle uses animals and terms that draw from stories of the Meso-American culture--such as using the jaguar, condor, etc., but there's also archetypical figures such as the deer man and moon goddess that is referenced from 'ancient peoples' . I've not seen some of the allegorical ideas before--a grasshopper as 'Great mother grasshopper' or 'smoking mirror' or 'hand wheel'--interestingly enough, the artist who designed the silk-screened 'cloth', small color cards and beautiful color book (194 pages with blow ups of the cards in detail) was Italian.
While I rarely stick to most oracle decks with animals or ancient cultures in the background, I do really like the nature-based Wisdom of the Four Winds (New Zealand) and the Book of Doors (Egyptian)--I'd say they were interesting enough for most people. I know of one young man who likes the Wisdom of the Four Winds, but it's a bit expensive and out of print. I've heard one man recommend the (Egyptian) Book of Doors as deep enough for his readings and I agree the pictures are beautiful.
The 2013 Oracle is readily available and very handsome, although the 'cards' are rather small. Still the book and system are interesting enough if you have a bent for fantasy writing and creative wisdom that pulls from older folklore.
Links:
1. Wisdom of the Four Winds:
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/wisdom-four-winds/index.shtml
2. Book of Doors:
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/book-of-doors/review.shtml
http://www.spiritone.com/~filipas/Masquerade/Reviews/doors.html
3. 2013 Oracle:
http://www.2013oracle.com/
Sometimes the 'story' that goes with an oracle deck reads like a fantasy novel that captures my imaginative bent and puts me in a more creative mode. The use of a whirlwind or skull in 2013 oracle might be likened to the use of the tower or death metaphor in tarot--or the fall of pride or release of material attachment in other cultural teachings. You could take the ideas with curiousity or caution or skepticism--I actually liked the different take.
The only drawbacks I see right at the moment is the 2013 Oracle's 'cloth' is a silk-screen polyester sheet that I would want to color copy in case the design fades with time; and also, the 3.5 inch x 1.5 inch deck of 44 cards seem more like a mini-deck. The book's color illustrations of the cards are bigger--the book itself is 8.5 inches by 7 inches.
If people think the writing of the "Medicine Cards" book with David Carson is worthwhile, they might also value the 2013 Oracle. I sometimes find the tone of some cards to be a little fanciful, but sometimes the playful tone is suitable to the metaphor...the 'monkey' card for instance..."He gazes at Cloud Serpent and goes his Monkey monk way guided by a different light..."
In context, the unique character of Monkey is mischevious...
Hope that helps.
Cerulean
