Showing posts with label oracles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oracles. Show all posts

Thursday, 11 December 2025

Deck of the week: The Unicorn Magic Oracle.

 If you’re happy and you know you it… buy this deck.

Pink ‘n’ fluffy : Doreen Virtue’s Magical Unicorns Oracle Cards (2006)


The Magical Unicorns Oracle Cards is a 44-card deck with guidebook set created by Doreen Virtue, published during the peak of her “angel lady” era, before her highly public conversion to fundamentalist Christianity in 2017 and her subsequent disavowal of virtually all her earlier New Age work (including publicly calling these cards “demonic” and urging people to throw them away). That context alone makes reviewing the deck in 2025 a slightly surreal exercise.


Art and Production Quality 

The illustrations are typical mid-2000s Hay House fantasy fare: pastel rainbows, sparkly manes, big-eyed unicorns prancing through cotton-candy clouds, and an abundance of glitter effects that look dated even by 2006 standards. The card stock is thin and flimsy; corners dent easily and the lamination has a sticky feel that attracts dust. The color saturation is aggressively saccharine—think Lisa Frank meets a sugar coma. If you have any sensitivity to visual overstimulation, these cards will give you an instant headache.




Theme and Messaging 

Every single card is relentlessly, oppressively positive. There is no shadow work here, no nuance, no acknowledgment that life sometimes sucks. Messages include gems like “Best Friends” (“You’re never alone!”), “You Are Loved” (complete with floating pink hearts), and “Practice, Practice!” (because apparently even magical unicorns need to do their homework). The guidebook explanations are written at roughly a third-grade reading level and consist almost entirely of affirmations such as “Say: I am safe. It’s only change.” Depth is not merely absent; it has been actively banished.


Accuracy and Usefulness as an Oracle 

What accuracy?! Because the deck contains zero cards that address difficulty, conflict, grief, anger, or consequences, it is essentially useless for any real divination or self-reflection. Need insight into a toxic relationship? You’ll pull “Trust” with a unicorn hugging a teddy bear. Struggling with addiction or depression? Here’s “Bubble Rider” telling you to “lighten up.” The deck functions less as an oracle and more as spiritual toxic positivity in cardboard form. If you are the kind of person who only wants to read nice things then you’re gonna love this oracle I guess but as a serious tool it’s a case of nice but dim.


The Irony of the Author’s Later Repudiation (pration

In 2017–2018, Doreen Virtue declared the deck (and all her angel/oracle work) to be “of the devil,” claimed the messages came from demons masquerading as unicorns, and begged people to burn or trash their copies. This puts buyers in the absurd position of owning a deck whose own creator now insists is spiritually dangerous. Some readers find this adds a delicious layer of chaotic energy to the deck; others find it disqualifying.


Who This Deck Is Actually For

•  Children under 10 who like sparkly ponies

•  Collectors of ironic/kitsch occult items

•  People who exclusively seeking feel-good affirmations and nothing else

•  Resellers on eBay who market it as “banned by the author herself!”


Should you buy it?

As a collector item maybe or you just like the cards go ahead. But avoid if you want an oracle that actually says something!


As a functional oracle deck for spiritual growth, shadow work, or honest divination, Magical Unicorns is one of the worst ever published—aggressively shallow, visually garish, and conceptually bankrupt. It is the spiritual equivalent of a bowl of marshmallows masquerading as dinner.

As a cultural artefact of early-2000s New Age excess and the later dramatic fall of its creator, however, it is fascinating in its train-wreck glory. If you can find it used for a fiver or less and you enjoy camp value, go for it. Otherwise, literally any other unicorn deck (Unicorn Tarot, Unicorn Oracle by Cordelia Brabbs, or even the much-maligned but superior “Oracle of the Unicorns” by the same publisher) is a better choice.

Thursday, 13 November 2025

Deck time: Anatomy of a Witch Oracle

Anatomy of a Witch Oracle 
By Laura Tempest Zakroff

The Anatomy of a Witch Oracle is a beautifully illustrated and spiritually rich divination deck created by Laura Tempest Zakroff, an artist, author, and modern witch known for her work blending art, magic, and personal empowerment. The deck is designed to help witches and spiritual practitioners connect deeply with their own inner power, intuition, and the sacred vessel of the body as a reflection of the magical self. It serves as both a mirror and a map, guiding users to explore how magic lives within their physical, emotional, and energetic forms.


A beautiful oracle which is different to many others 


At its core, The Anatomy of a Witch Oracle is based on the idea that the human body itself is a temple of magic. Each card in the deck represents a different part of the witch’s anatomy — not just physical organs, but also energetic and symbolic systems such as breath, blood, bones, and the witch’s heart. Zakroff’s intention is to show that every part of the body plays a role in magical practice, from grounding and intuition to healing and transformation.


The deck encourages self-awareness and connection to one’s own cycles, emotions, and intuitive wisdom. It is both a divination tool and a meditative aid, inviting users to listen to the messages their body and spirit are offering.


What the deck is like 

The deck typically contains 48 cards, each focusing on a symbolic aspect of the witch’s anatomy and magical experience. The cards are divided into themes that mirror the interconnected systems of the body and spirit. Examples include:

Bones – representing strength, structure, and ancestral support.

Blood – symbolizing vitality, flow, and passion.

Heart – associated with love, connection, and purpose.

Lungs – the breath of life and inspiration.

Skin – boundaries, protection, and the interface between the inner and outer world.

Eyes – perception, intuition, and spiritual vision.

Roots – grounding, stability, and connection to the Earth.

Crown – divine connection and higher awareness.


Each card combines body wisdom with magical symbolism, encouraging reflection on how that aspect manifests within the user’s own life.



The beautiful Artwork and Symbolism


The artwork, created by Zakroff herself, is done in her signature style — bold, flowing, and deeply symbolic, combining human anatomy with occult and natural imagery. Each image carries layers of meaning, blending realism with the mystical. The colors and forms evoke both the physical and spiritual worlds, helping to bridge the two.


The visuals are not meant to be clinical or morbid; rather, they present the body as sacred, magical, and alive with divine energy. The result is a set of images that invite both contemplation and empowerment.


Readers can use The Anatomy of a Witch Oracle in several ways:

Daily pulls – drawing a card to reflect on what part of yourself or your magic needs attention.

Body-focused readings – using the cards to connect with where energy is blocked or flowing freely within you.

Spellwork and ritual – incorporating cards into altar work, meditation, or magical healing.

Shadow work – exploring emotional wounds and internal patterns through the symbolic body.


Each reading is designed to help the user reconnect with the body as a vessel of power, healing, and spiritual wisdom.


Themes and Teachings of the oracle 


The major themes running through the deck include:

Embodiment – understanding the body as sacred and magical.

Balance – honoring both shadow and light within the self.

Healing – recognizing where energy needs nurturing or release.

Connection – linking the physical body with the Earth, spirit, and cosmos.

Empowerment – embracing personal sovereignty and inner truth.


In a world that often separates spirituality from the physical form, Zakroff’s oracle reminds practitioners that magic begins within the body — through breath, movement, intuition, and awareness.



Companion Guidebook


The accompanying guidebook provides detailed meanings for each card, including interpretations for upright and reversed readings, journal prompts, and ritual suggestions. It helps the reader apply the card’s message in practical, magical, and emotional ways. Zakroff also offers reflections on how to cultivate body awareness and spiritual connection through each card’s symbolism.



The Anatomy of a Witch Oracle is not just a divination tool — it’s a journey of self-discovery and embodied magic. It invites users to explore the wisdom of their own body, honor their spiritual anatomy, and live in harmony with their magical nature. It bridges the gap between the physical and metaphysical, teaching that every heartbeat, breath, and movement is a spell in motion.


It is especially loved by witches, healers, and modern pagans who seek to deepen their practice through self-awareness, grounding, and personal empowerment.

here’s an example three-card “Body–Mind–Spirit” reading using The Anatomy of a Witch Oracle. This type of spread is ideal for daily reflection or when you want to check in with your inner and outer self.



Some examples:


Let’s imagine you’ve shuffled the deck with the intention:


“What do I need to understand about my current balance of body, mind, and spirit?”



Card 1 – BODY: Bones


Message: “Stand strong in your structure.”


The Bones card represents the foundation and framework that supports you. It’s a reminder to care for your physical self — rest, nourishment, and grounding are essential right now. This card asks you to consider what “skeleton” supports your magical and mundane life. Are your routines stable? Do you feel strong and supported in your physical world?


Guidance:

Take time to reconnect with your body through movement or stillness. Try a grounding ritual or simply walk barefoot on the earth. Let your bones remember their ancient strength.


Card 2 – MIND: Eyes


Message: “See beyond the surface.”


The Eyes card is about perception, insight, and clarity. It invites you to examine how you see the world — and yourself. Are you viewing situations through old patterns or illusions? This card suggests awakening your inner vision and trusting your intuition.


Guidance:

Take a few moments to close your physical eyes and open your inner ones. Visualize the truth you need to see right now. Journaling or scrying may help you uncover hidden knowledge.


 Card 3 – SPIRIT: Heart


Message: “Your heart is the center of your magic.”


The Heart represents love, connection, and the flow of spiritual energy through compassion. Spiritually, this card reminds you that your purpose and power come from your ability to feel deeply — both joy and pain. Your heart connects you to others, to your craft, and to the divine pulse of life.


Guidance:

Open yourself to gratitude and empathy. Perform a small act of love or kindness — it will realign your energy and strengthen your connection to your higher self.

 Summary of the Reading

Body (Bones): Ground yourself and strengthen your foundation.

Mind (Eyes): Shift your perspective; trust your intuition.

Spirit (Heart): Lead with compassion and emotional truth.


Together, these cards suggest a powerful message of alignment — building strength in your physical world (Bones), opening your perception to new insights (Eyes), and allowing your spirit to flow freely through love (Heart).


This spread shows that when body, mind, and spirit are in harmony, your magic — and your life — become whole and vibrant.


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