Overview

Only a few hundred years ago, people believed that fairies could see into the future and were capable of bestowing the gift of prophecy on mortals they loved. This pack of 60 cards and accompanying book is designed to enable you to call upon the fairies to give you a glimpse into your destiny. The surreal art, combining photography, computer imaging and illustration, works as an opening into the mystical Otherworld. The book and deck are inspired by the landscape of the British Isles.

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9780738702742

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Reviews

Summary: An oracle deck (not a Tarot) with photorealistic (and surrealistic) art that crosses the boundaries between our physical world and the spiritual world of the fairy. It's ideal for learning about the classical myths of fairies and various fairy folk, and perfect for use by those interested in the fairy. For people who do divinations for others, it will certainly appeal as a deck to use for people with interests in this area. in-Depth Review: There are two things you are bound to notice first when looking at this oracle. First, it is not a Tarot. It does not have a Major Arcana and the suits each have only thirteen cards, not fourteen. Although this means it should not be confused with a Tarot deck, there is no reason that the cards cannot be used in your favorite layouts. Second, as you go through this deck you're simply going to be bowled over by the art. The artist, Paul Mason, has used graphics and photos blended together to produce cards of breathtaking realism and surrealism, with landscapes and characters (mostly fairy folk) ranging from great beauty to bizarre angularity. Each of the 52 cards has the name of a character of fairy or associated mythology. The images bring them to startling life. In fact, the harmony of the imagery on the cards matches the name of the characters as well or better than any other deck. If you've ever looked at a deck and wondered how the image on a card is supposed to represent the description given in a book about the deck, The Fairy Ring will end that problem. On the other hand, because it is most assuredly not a Tarot deck, you're going to find yourself consulting the book frequently to learn the meanings of the cards. Luckily, the book by Anna Franklin is really great. For each card there is a brief description of the image, a well-researched article revealing the myths and stories associated with the name of the character, the divinatory meaning (both upright and inverted), and how to work magically with the fairy or character on the card. It's quite a marvelous introduction to the fairy world. The book includes nine spreads you can use for readings. It also has one sample reading so you can see how the deck works. There is also a meditation method described for contacting the fairy energies. If you work with the fae, or are interested in knowing more about them, this deck is excellent. The illustrations are so real while at the same time have such an aura of otherworldliness that they seem to cross the usual barriers that normally separate our world from that of fairy. Even if you are not interested in the fairy, if you do divinations for other people you might want to keep this deck around. The uniqueness of Mason's art is such that it might attract people who might ask you to use it. Name of deck: The Fairy Ring Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide ISBN: 0-7387-0274-9 Creator's name: Anna Franklin Artist's name: Paul Mason Brief biography of artist(s): Paul Mason is an English Pagan artist, photographer, and illustrator best known for his stunning photomontage images and book jacket designs. He has worked previously with Anna Franklin as illustrator of The Sacred Circle Tarot and co-author of Lammas. Mason lives in the English Midlands. Name of accompanying book: Guide to The Fairy Ring Number of pages of book: 264 Author of book: Anna Franklin Brief biography of author: Anna Franklin [England] has been a Witch for 30 years, and a Pagan in her heart for all her life. She has conducted many rituals, handfastings and sabbat rites. She is the High Priestess of the Hearth of Arianrhod, a coven of the Coranieid Clan, a group of traditional Witches with their roots in the New Forest, and branches in several parts of the UK. The Hearth publishes the long running Silver Wheel Magazine, runs teaching circles and postal courses as well as a working coven. Anna Franklin is the author of eighteen books on the Craft including the popularSacred Circle Tarot, Midsummer, Lammas [with Paul Mason], and The Fairy Ring. Available in a boxed set?: Yes, the set includes the deck, a full-sized book and a protective box. Magical Uses: Meditation, Working with Fairies Reading Uses: General, Romance Artistic Style: Computer modified photomontage Theme: Fairies This is a divination deck, an oracle of the fairy folk, with a very unique structure. It has four suits, one for each season. Each suit has only nine pip cards and four court cards, Lady, Knave, Queen and King, giving the thirteen cards found in a suit of regular playing cards (rather than the fourteen usually found in the Tarot). In addition there are eight cards representing the Pagan Wheel of the Year, These Fairy Festival cards include Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Midsummer, Lughnasa, Herfest, Samhain and Yule. Thus, the deck per se consists of 60 cards, each with an illustration. There are also four double-sided cards that give brief descriptions of four of the original spreads revealed in the book.

First Runner Up for the 2003 Coalition of Visionary Resources (COVR) Award for Best Sidelines/Gifts--Interactive Category ...[I]f you like fairies, British and Celtic legends, or visually stunning art, don't miss the beautiful Fairy Ring.--Aeclectic Tarot ...[A] mastered oracle set of classical beauty for all of us diviners who feel the connection to the Fairy folk. --Echoed Voices It goes back to the sources and introduces us to a fairyland that is weird and dangerous as well as enchanting.--New Hope International There is a special beauty to this set that takes us someplace we may have never been. Those who love fairies will surely enjoy it, and those who don't yet know them might benefit from this lovely introduction.--Nellie Levine, Illumination Tarot The beautifully designed cards give one an immediate sense of the wonder of entering the fairy realm, and are truly stunning to behold.--RealityShifters News Ezine ...[F]ull of interesting folklore and characters that you'll want to know more about...--Rebel Planet Magazine ...[A] delight for those who do believe in fairies and their magick.--Wiccan Candles ...[A] captivating and unique deck.--American Tarot Association Tarot Reflections ...[S]cores high on all levels--it is visually attractive, easy to use and has an interesting and well-presented theme. I would recommend it to any reader of any level...--Tarot Association of the British Isles News ...[A]n essential guide to interacting safely with fairies...--Tarot Society of South Africa

Author Information

Anna Franklin is a third degree witch and high priestess of the Hearth of Arianrhod who has been a practicing Pagan for more than forty years. She is the author of twenty-eight books, including the Hearth Witch series, and the creator of the Sacred Circle Tarot, Fairy Ring Oracle, and the Pagan Ways Tarot. Her books have been translated into nine languages. Anna has contributed hundreds of articles to Pagan magazines and has appeared on radio and TV. She lives and works in a village in the English Midlands where she grows her own herbs, fruit, and vegetables, and generally lives the Pagan life. Paul Mason is an English Pagan artist, photographer, and illustrator best known for his stunning photomontage images and book jacket designs. He has worked previously with Franklin as illustrator of The Sacred Circle Tarot and co-author of Lammas. Mason lives in the English Midlands.

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