Earth Song Oracle (Rockpool Oracle)

-- Overall: Highly recommend this deck for connecting to the nature within ourselves. Beautiful autumnal colours and the messages resonate deeply. They feel authentic and grounded. I had just purchased Rebecca Campbell's Ancient Stones Oracle and ended up returning it for this because this felt so much more genuine and earthy. I felt an instant zing in my body holding the cards like you do when finding a soul deck.-- Things to note: There's not much diversity in body shape apart from two figures, on "Island" and "Summer," that aren't lean, the former with metaphorical stretch marks, and a third card, the "Fruit," showing either stretch marks or wrinkles in a person's rear. They're also all anatomical female/ female presenting. This wasn't off-putting to me because I was focusing more on the messages than the figures, but I understand if others find this to be a little tone deaf. I personally don't find it difficult to look past appearances to connect to the deeper meanings because the art was clearly done as a heartfelt expression from the artist, not because they hate other bodies nor that they think lean, young, female bodies are superior. We don't need to look like a figure to connect to the messages being conveyed. Another note, there's a lot of nudity because *~surprise~* bodies are naturally nude without implying anything beyond that. And though the figures lack facial features, from the clues we get with the hair textures, I don't believe women of colour were used as models. Again, I don't think this was maliciously done but could definitely read as tone deaf. The removal of facial features might help people put themselves into these figures' positions, but perhaps not for people with naturally curly hair. Hopefully this doesn't stop anyone from giving this deck a fair chance because I believe there's a lot to learn from nature and the human experience within these cards.-- Card quality: Standard recent Rockpool cardstock. Thick and sturdy. I personally would only overhand shuffle these, but that's what I recommend with all cards no matter their quality. The giding seems medium-high quality. Might chip after years of use and it is a little sharp. Not enough for me to avoid handling them, and I have heightened sensory input. While it's a lovely rust brown colour, I always prefer cards without gilding. Gilding on mass market decks always seems like a cheap parlor trick to try to distract from its true quality, but I understand in some cases it increases the longevity of the cards. (Maybe just don't ever riffle shuffle cards and that would help, too.) Overall, I love Rockpool quality cards, and look forward to using these until they grind back into the dust of the Earth.

This deck is perfect to work through the fall season, very accurate readings, and great to pair with many tarot decks like the Earth Woman Tarot. The guidebook complement the readings very well and gives lot of insight. It arrived in perfect condition and the quality of the cards is amazing.

Good card stock and an easy shuffle. Really lovely artwork with some deep messages. It arrived super quick compared to the estimated time which was awesome!