The Missing Witches Deck of Oracles: Feminist Ancestor Magic for Meditations, Divination, and Spellwork was released earlier this year in July 2024. It is a 52-card deck that invites the reader to connect with the histories of women who defied convention, and often those who were marginalized. There is a bit of an implied conflation of “feminist” and “witch,” which will resonate with some, and might not resonate for others.

The cards feature line drawings of the historical figures that often take on a highly abstract approach, not necessarily with the purpose of capturing their likeness or essence, but rather, going for a more experimental and interpretive artistic perspective. Fortunately the name of each figure depicted is printed right there on the card, so there won’t be any ambiguity. Below the name, an oracular keyword is attributed to each card, such as “Ritual” for Starhawk, “Hermitize” for Sor Juana, or “Symbiosis” for Lynn Margulis.

In terms of packaging, it comes in a simple glossy tuck box with lovely metallic lavender accents. The cardstock seems to have a linen finish on one side, with that woven fabric texture, while the other side is smooth. I really like the graphic design consistency throughout the deck’s aesthetic.

The reverse side offers a short biography of the figure depicted. Doreen Valiente, with the keyword “Fertility,” is described as the mother of modern witchcraft. The bottom of the cards further develop the oracular message of the card. For Valiente: “Be alive and vital and creative. Give birth to your own truth.”

Vandana Shiva, with the keyword “Seedling,” is the co-author of Ecofeminism and fought against the patenting of plants, calling it biopiracy. When this is the card you draw in a reading, the message is “to study, cherish, and plant one seed. What grows in your life when you nurture your inalienable right to care?”

The structure makes this deck incredibly accessible and easy to use. What truly stands out about Missing Witches: Deck of Oracles is its dedication to presenting real, often forgotten, feminist histories. Each witch represents a pillar of counterculture—figures who challenged the norms of their time and used their wisdom to reshape the world around them. The deck fosters an interdisciplinary approach to witchcraft, blending history, art, and activism.

For meditations, this deck is well-suited for feminist-oriented introspection. Each card can be drawn to reflect on an individual’s current state or to seek guidance on personal struggles, invoking the spirits of those who fought for the liberation of themselves and others.

The figures showcased in Missing Witches span different continents, different millennia, and different areas of activism– 4,000 years of history, voices echoing from Scotland, Benin, Turkey, the Americas, and beyond. There’s a strong focus on the Craft, as you would anticipate. Mama Lola, a Vodoun priestess, Cheng Jinggu, a Fujianese shamaness, Paula de Eguiluz who was tried for witchcraft on multiple occasions, and Genesis P-Orridge, pioneering occultist, chaos magician, and counterculture activist just to name a few.

Where this deck shines is the diversity and range of inspiring figures you’ll learn about in these cards. Included are archaeologists, scientists, researchers, and writers who themselves have never identified as witches, so that’s an interesting topic for discussion, and I don’t think there are any easy answers.

I love having these cards just as a study deck, because these are pioneers and road openers we want to know, and remember, and learn from. Yet it is an oracle deck and is effective as one. In divination, this deck offers clear, actionable advice that resonates with the values of collective empowerment and social justice.

The creators Risa and Amy associate the New Moon with anti-capitalist, re-enchantment magic, and so one way readers are invited to work with Missing Witches Deck of Oracles is to do a New Moon Pull. Cast a circle around you in your mind, invite someone from the deck to come forward with guidance for the next moon cycle, and pull a card. Place that card on your altar for the month, to have conversations with them, to meditate with them, to listen to what they have to say.

Another offered practice is Calling Council, to open a ritual container and invite in those who have your highest good at heart, then ask the cards: Who is showing up for me right now? Pull as many cards as you would like and place them on your altar. Feel held by them.

As a tool for spellwork, the Missing Witches deck is an excellent companion for feminist magic. The deck’s blend of empowering figures can be woven into spell rituals that focus on personal and collective liberation, transformation, and justice. One might incorporate the card of Lozen, Chihenne Chiricahua Nde (Aparche) warrior, healer, and hero in ritual to summon courage. Poets and writers might want to invoke  Enheduanna, Octavia Butler, Toni Morrison, Diane di Prima, or Donna Haraway. I love seeing Pixie Colman Smith and Lady Frieda Harris in the mix.

One of the initial concepts for this deck was as prayer cards, which is found in many different religions– Catholicism, African Traditional Religions, and Buddhism.

Finally, there are two blank cards for you to add your own feminist ancestors for magic, meditation, divination, and spellwork. Who would you add to this list? The creators recommend that you add your own blood relatives– your grandma, your auntie, your great uncle.

Amy Torok and Risa Dickens, who co-authored the Missing Witches book in 2021 and have been running the Missing Witches podcast since 2018, bring their unique background in creative community-building and interdisciplinary arts into this project. Their work is a testament to the power of collaboration, both in the creative process and in the wider scope of societal change. The deck is a natural extension of their mission to create a coven of witches that honors the lost, marginalized, and radical voices of history.

FTC Disclosure:In accordance with Title 16 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 255, “Guides Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising,” I received this deck from the publisher for prospective review, who also happens to be the publisher of my books! =) Everything I’ve said here is sincere and accurately reflects my opinion of the deck.