The Little Sister Tarot by Ginny Thonson

The Little Sister Tarot is a tribute to the cycle of life, what we gain from that cycle, and the heartbreak of loss. It is a deck about rebirth, illustrated by an artist who descends from a legacy of artists and art professors, and paints from the rugged north coast of California.

Ginny Thonson is a little sister. She lost her big brother to leukemia and later, her big sister to a tragic accident. Their spirits accompany her always, though, and so she perpetually embodies that role of the little sister.

The RWS-based deck follows the narrative of Eden Gray’s The Fool’s Journey, though here The Fool is represented by the little sister. We follow her journey, documented through encounters with wise spirit guides and vignettes of her life experiences.

The Fool here is naive yet fearless in the face of the challenges that lie ahead in her journey. She is not motivated by materialism, but rather, is lifted by her innocence and playful nature.

Continue reading “The Little Sister Tarot by Ginny Thonson”

Lark and Legend’s Black Salt Lenormand and Pink Sugar Lenormand

These are snapshots of two sibling Lenormand decks by Logan Townsend of Lark and Legend, who also has a fantastic TarotTube channel.

If you’d like to see a video walk-through of both decks side by side, check out this video by the creator.

The Black Salt Lenormand has the emblems printed in metallic silver while the Pink Sugar Lenormand has the emblems printed in metallic gold, though both have that rainbow holographic effect. Both come with a fold-out pamphlet of keywords for card meanings and a beautiful magnetic clasp keepsake box.

There is a nostalgia to this deck for 90s kids. I love that the first card is Skater instead of Rider, reminiscent of the skating rinks we’d hang out at in junior high and high school.

Now let’s take a look at each deck.

Continue reading “Lark and Legend’s Black Salt Lenormand and Pink Sugar Lenormand”

I Ching Divination with Moon Blocks

I’ve covered moon block (Jiao Bei, 筊杯) divination before here in a past Tinkering Bell video. And this downloadable PDF linked here is a quick reference sheet for using moon blocks.

When you walk into a Buddhist or Taoist temple anywhere in the southern regions of the Mainland, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, heck– just in general the East Asian cultural sphere– you are going to see moon blocks. Baskets full of moon blocks. It’s so you can ask your question of the patron divinity or spirit, then toss the moon blocks and receive an answer from beyond.

Moon blocks can also be used for divination with the Zhouyi (I Ching).

Continue reading “I Ching Divination with Moon Blocks”

#54321Tarot

The selfie function is hard. I never know where to look…

This is a TarotTube tag started by @Kelly Bear but I’ll be participating via blog post. =) I was tagged by the lovely and precocious @JessReadsCards. The prompt is to share 5 tarot decks, 4 tarot books, 3 tarot spreads, 2 tarot reader habits or tarot reading paraphernalia, and 1 piece of advice (or alternatively, 1 tarot card you’d like to embody).

Ack. You can see my Invisalign attachments in the above photo. And of course now that I called it out, it went from 50% chance you’d see it to 100% chance you’ll see it. Also, shameless off-topic plug for my new book, I Ching, The Oracle. The first few months after an author has released a book, you’re just gonna have to brace yourself for a lot of promo. =D

Continue reading “#54321Tarot”

Great Lakes Oracle: Freshwater Energy Cards

This is a quick look-see and walk-through of a beautiful ink and watercolor oracle deck I received. The Great Lakes Oracle: Freshwater Energy (Everyday Treasures Edition) is illustrated by Sarah Palmer and comes with a guidebook written by Colleen Footit.

The Great Lakes reminds me of childhood summer vacations. Having grown up in upstate New York, I’m most familiar with Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. This deck is personal to me. It is nostalgia. Palmer’s art style is very much emblematic of Americana and the Naturalism Movement.

Continue reading “Great Lakes Oracle: Freshwater Energy Cards”

Ink Witch Tarot, Second Edition

I reviewed Eric Maille’s Ink Witch Tarot back in 2021. Maille has now released a Second Edition, which is significantly improved many features from the First Edition. You can click here for a walk-through and review of the Ink Witch First Edition.

This post will focus on the differences between the First and Second, and showcasing the additional options and alternates from the expansion packs.

Left: Second Edition magnetic flap box. Right: First Edition 2020 tuck box.

The Second Edition comes in a sturdy magnetic flap box, compared to the first edition cardboard tuck box. Also, the above photo shows the difference in deck sizes. You’re getting a lot with this Second Edition pack!

Instead of 78, we now have an expansion pack of 84 cards in total, including unique cards such as The Witch. For a deck titled the Ink Witch Tarot, I’m loving this bonus. I like using this card as the significator, and that use aligns with the creator’s intentions– per the guidebook, “This card represents you— and anyone else who might use this deck.”

Continue reading “Ink Witch Tarot, Second Edition”

Six of Swords WIP: Please halp with composition ideas…

I’m struggling with swords placement in my Six of Swords wip. In fact, there’s a lot to this illustration composition that I’m struggling with. Maybe you’ll have some suggestions on what I can do.

I’ll start from the beginning. I knew I wanted to play with the religion and science dynamic in the Six of Swords, and my ambition was to do that in a way that isn’t too cliche.

Continue reading “Six of Swords WIP: Please halp with composition ideas…”

Genius Garden Tarot by Jessi Huntenburg

After a series of hard hits and feeling the dooming sense that her world was collapsing around her, Jessi Huntenberg went outside to sit alone in nature and cleared her mind. Once her mind was clear, she heard the universe whisper to her, “Paint.”

And so she did. The Genius Garden Tarot was created from 78 acrylics on canvas paintings, and the first work to be produced was St. Brigid, then a smoldering brush fire, and then a woman in nude. These three visions in succession conveyed the divine message that came to instruct Huntenberg’s creative direction.

Continue reading “Genius Garden Tarot by Jessi Huntenburg”

Pre-Order the 2024 Metaphysician’s Day Planner

It’s that time of the year again, for the Metaphysician’s Day Planner.
You get the day planner customized with your birth chart, solar returns chart (note specific casting method), and what you’d like printed on the interior first page.

There’s also a 2024 guidebook with astrological forecasts for the year plus other useful charts and references. The front chapters are in the form of a workbook, guiding you step by step through how to use the birth chart and solar returns chart to write in your own individualized forecasts for the year.

A blank journal is also included. If you like to get matching sets, the above shows what I chose for the standardized cover design for all three books, but of course, as always, you will get many cover art options to choose from and you can totally customize your own.

New to the MDP? CLICK HERE for a walk-through of its contents.
In short summary, it’s customized with your birth chart, 2024 solar returns chart (though I calibrate to the day adjusted to the time zone of your 2024 place of residence rather than to the sun’s degree), and the text you’d like on the interior first page. (Most people will customize their name here, a power word for the year, or a brief phrase.) This name or text is in Prompt #3 from the Order Form below.

Each year I offer an optional +$5 add-on (though last year it was a +$8 add-on). The 2024 add-on is explained here (click on hyperlink).

Continue reading “Pre-Order the 2024 Metaphysician’s Day Planner”