[.ca] Moon Oracle: Let the Phases of the Moon Guide Your Life (ISBN 0312241720)

Tarot reader & collecter..:
I tend to be skeptical with "new" and non-traditional card decks, but I picked this one up because it was gorgeously illustrated. I have since read the book and done readings with the deck, and been pleasantly surprised. The symbolism and representations of the different deities are 90% accurate (important if you want to use this deck!) A beautiful and well-"written" set, works best doing readings for women.

Tarot collector & reader...:
Although I'm usually skeptical about "new" and non-traditional Tarot/divination decks, I bought this one because the artwork is absolutely gorgeous. When I read the book & tried the deck, I was pleasantly surprised. 90% of the symbolism and representations are accurate, which is important is you plan to actually use the deck. A good set overall, but cards are best used doing readings for women.

Re-reviewing after a year of use:
I've had the Moon Oracle for a year now, and made much use of it since my gushing first review. Using it has shown me both its positive points and its flaws. I still love the art, which manages to be evocative and intuitive while remaining very simple and spare. Another fine point is the historical info about the moon mansions, which can add nuance to a reading. I find that the Moon Oracle is especially accurate when doing a short-term reading. Because the moon changes phases and signs every few days, the oracle is well-suited to questions concerning the immediate future--"Should I go to this party?" "How should I deal with work tomorrow?" I have, however, noticed a flaw in the accompanying book. The back of the book claims to present an accurate chart of the moon's phases and signs--but the authors say that if the current date falls between two entries, to use the earlier one, which leads to inaccuracy. For example, if the Gibbous Moon is in Scorpio, and the Full is in Capricorn, you might consult the oracle between those two dates and think the current moon is in Scorpio, when it might well be in Sagittarius or even Capricorn. It all depends on how picky you want to be. It bugged me. I recommend a Witches' Almanac, or if you want to get REALLY specific, Pharr's _Moon Wise_, which lets you calculate the actual degrees you are into each sign, so you can even look up what moon mansion you're in.

Better than Tarot!:
I just bought this deck yesterday, and I'm already catching on to the meanings of the cards. I find it so much easier than trying to bang into my head the meanings of the Minor Arcana! The authors put a lot of thought into their deck, and every card is beautiful, meaningful, and easy to understand.

Beautifully illustrated, could have been more intuitive:
I just bought this book and set of cards today, thinking it would act as a replacement for a traditional Tarot set (which I have trouble using). They are extremely potent...the cards speak to the inner self with beauty and power. The book has excellent information about the Moon Herself, and the cards in the deck; however, when it comes to using the deck, it's a little more complicated than an ordinary Tarot reading, and I would have liked to see more detail go into the procedure. The cards themselves and the rest of the content in the book more than make up for this small omission though. Wonderful addition to any Pagan's tools!