Review by Terri Clement
Deck and Book by Natalie Zaman and Katharine Clark
1st Edition, 4th Printing – 2011
Published by Galde Press
2007 printing
retails from $125.90 - $919.00 on Amazon in Perfect Paperback format
Graven Images Oracle takes us on a tour through monuments and historical art that can be found in churchyards, graveyards, and cemeteries throughout the United States and Europe.
This deck has 71 cards which are divided into 5 suits which are: Spirit Divine Physical, Mental, Social, and Emotion. Each suit has 14 cards and those are divided into 7 cards that contain "light" or positive meanings and 7 cards which have "shadow" meanings, looking are the not so positive things that happen in our lives.
The cards measure 2 2/4" wide x 4 3/4" tall. The card fronts have a 1/4" black border on the top of the cards, a little under 1/8" borders on the sides, and a 1/2" border on the bottom that has a letter in the lower left corner telling the reader which suit the card belongs to, the name of the card in the center, and the number of the card on the lower right side. The card backs feature an image of a willow tree and are not reversible friendly.
The images are printed on a very thin cardstock and not intended to be riffle-bridge shuffled and the reason for that is stated in the companion guide. I personally would have liked a little thicker cardstock.
My copy of this deck has a bit of a natural arc and that has not rectified itself over time. The deck could also use some fanning powder as it does feel a bit "sticky."
The images in the Graven Images Oracle are unedited photos taken by Natalie Zaman. The images provide a calming effect, a feeling of eternity, even though some of the monuments have been touched by Mother Nature.
Looking at a few of the images:
Doorway
Is a Shadow card from the Spirit Divine suit. This image is a marble
slab with two columns which support a crossbeam, creating a doorway.
The doorway often is seen as a center focal for family plots.
This card is considered the "lucky break" card. It indicates forward movement in love, money, partnerships, and discovery. It's important to keep your eyes open as sometimes these doorways are hard to spot. Look beyond the obvious.
Ivy
Is
a Shadow card for the Mental suit. The image features ivy over taking
a simple stone cross marker. Ivy is the sign of immortality and it's
3 pointed leaves symbolize the Trinity. This card talks about
desperately clinging on for survival. It indicates needing to let go
of the crutch. It's time to be brave and innovative or risk
failure.
Loss
Is
a Shadow card for the Emotion suit. The image is of the Madonna
holding her dead son. This card does not reflect physical death but
rather setbacks, disruptions, and disappointments. The refusal to
take personal responsibility.
Serenity
This
is a Light card from the Mental suit. The symbol on this card is a
woman with eyes closed, hands pressed together indicated that she is
praying or meditating.
If you draw this card it is time to
rest. Take a break and remove yourself from stressful situations.
It's time for play and recreation.
The companion book is a
110-page paperback book that provides details about the symbols
featured in the deck. It takes the reader step by step through how to
use this deck and includes some interesting spread ideas.
While
it is a high-priced deck on Amazon, I did find other links where it
was being sold for $26.95 but the links were broken. The Graven
Images Oracle is intended to be a predictive deck and though use, I have found it
to be clear, and on point. Though this is physically, a delicate
deck, it does not sugar coat the readings. This deck can easily be
used by beginners all the way through professionals.