Decks: The Herbal Oracle by Adriana Ayales

 

The Herbal Astrology Oracle by Adriana Ayales

Published by Hay House in 2022.

55 card deck plus guidebook.

Illustrated by Joséphine Klerks

ISBN:

9781401969035

The Herbal Astrology Oracle by Adriana Ayales is a beautifully crafted 55-card deck (with an accompanying guidebook) that bridges the ancient worlds of herbalism and astrology in a deeply intuitive and healing way. Published by Hay House who have a wide and loved collection of decks . 

This oracle stands out for its focus on sacred plants—herbs, trees, flowers, and mushrooms—and their planetary correspondences, drawing from centuries of botanical wisdom, traditional medicine, folklore, and ceremonial uses. All the cards are beautifully designed by Klerkes which make them easy to read though the included guide book certainly comes in handy for detailed explanations.

What immediately captivated us was  that artwork: its rich, vibrant, and evocative illustrations that feel both mystical and grounded. Each card features a central plant ally portrayed in lush detail, often accompanied by symbolic elements like animal guides or celestial motifs that tie into the astrological ruler (e.g., Sun, Moon, Venus, Mars, and so on). The colour scheme palette leans toward earthy greens, warm golds, deep blues, and florals that give the deck a living, organic energy—perfect for those drawn to nature-based spirituality.

The aforementioned guidebook is one of the deck’s strongest assets. Adriana Ayales, a respected herbalist (often described as a Costa Rican-initiated medicine woman), provides in-depth entries for each card. 

These cover:

•  Traditional medicinal applications

•  Ceremonial and spiritual uses

•  Planetary/archetypal connections

•  Symbolic meanings and messages

•  Animal guides or other associations

Other reviews consistently praise the herbology as “spot on and reputable,” with expert weaving of folklore and planetary links. It’s educational without feeling dry—many users report learning new connections between plants and cosmic forces, even if they were already familiar with astrological herbalism. We would agree.

In practice, the deck excels at gentle, insightful guidance. It’s especially resonant for healing work, shadow integration, ritual planning, or when seeking plant allies for emotional/spiritual support. Pulls often feel nurturing and wise, like consulting an ancient green ally under the stars. The smaller card size (and later pocket edition) makes it travel-friendly and easy to shuffle, though some prefer the full-size for appreciating the artwork.

Minor critiques are rare, but some note it’s more oracle than strict divination (intuitive rather than yes/no), and the focus on healing plants might not suit everyone seeking purely astrological or non-herbal oracles. Horses for courses we think. The deck is good at what it does.

This is a really well thought out and illustrated deck that bridges astrology, oracles and herbalism to great effect.

It’s a standout in the oracle world for its authenticity, beauty, and usefulness in holistic practices. If you’re into herbalism, astrology, plant spirit medicine, or simply love decks that feel alive with ancient wisdom, this one is highly recommended.

Whether for daily draws, ritual enhancement, or deepening your connection to plant and planetary energies, The Herbal Astrology Oracle feels like a genuine portal to that timeless synergy between earth and sky. Herbalists will feel right at home with this oracle.

About the creator 

Adriana is a renowned rainforest herbalist, medicine maker, educator, mother, and the founder/owner of Anima Mundi Herbals—a respected apothecary brand focused on bridging ancient plant-based remedies from Central and South America with modern wellness needs.

Born and raised in Costa Rica, Adriana grew up immersed in a rich tradition of herbal healing. Her family passed down knowledge of medicinal plants, with her grandmother (a psychic medium who practiced meditation and herbalism) playing a particularly influential role in sparking her early interest. From a young age, she experimented with rainforest plants and was drawn to the mystical and healing aspects of nature.

She has extensively studied various global ancestral healing traditions for over 15 years (with some accounts noting 13+ years of deep immersion), training alongside master herbalists, shamans, and curanderos/curanderas in regions including Costa Rica, the Amazon, and California. This includes tribal-style herbalism from Central and South American lineages, as well as formal studies (she’s an alumna of programs like those at the Berkeley Herbal Center/California School of Herbal Studies affiliates).

In her professional life, Adriana founded the aforementioned Anima Mundi Herbals in Brooklyn, New York, after moving from Costa Rica with the mission of creating “herbalism without borders.” The brand offers ethically sourced elixirs, tonics, body care, and other plant medicines inspired by indigenous wisdom, emphasizing sustainability and support for wildcrafting communities. She’s often described as a “plant messenger,” “seer,” who integrates intuition, spirituality, and science in her work.

As an author and deck creator, Adriana brings her expertise in astrological herbalism to the Herbal Astrology Oracle 

She weaves together planetary archetypes, plant spirits, medicinal properties, folklore, and ceremonial uses to offer guidance that’s both deeply healing and cosmically attuned. She’s also authored other works on herbalism and contributes to the field through education, interviews, and community building.

To purchase direct:

https://www.hayhouse.co.uk/the-herbal-astrology-oracle-card-deck