Macbeth: “Jessica is a ‘faerynaut’ of extraordinary powers, exploring the deep inner spaces of Faeryland, mapping and recording so we can all follow safely.” In the Introduction, Macbeth calls Froud an “ambassador” between our world and the faeries’ world. In his Foreword to the book, Brian Froud says of Ms. I read the introduction to the readings in The Faeries’ Oracle several times and have also reviewed Jessica Macbeth’s Web site , and I believe that this is what she is trying to convey.

In The Faeries’ Oracle, however, card number 60, “The Pook,” does not merely stand for a situation that may not be as black and white as we thought the Pook himself is trying to show the reader the other side of a situation. For example, in traditional Tarot “the Tower” has a meaning, but there isn’t a physical or even metaphysical Tower trying to give the reader a message. Therefore, drawing the card signifies whatever that particular entity stands for - or what their specific gift includes - but also means that this particular entity is trying to communicate something to the reader. The Faeries’ Oracle is different from all of the above, in that each card represents an actual being. Information about these different decks, along with a divination review, can be found here. There are, to name a few, a Halloween Tarot, a Vampire Tarot, a Robin Hood Tarot, and a Tarot of Sephiroth (cabbalistic). To my amazement there seem to be literally hundreds of different decks that are used rather like Tarot cards - usually with suits and with symbols that mirror traditional Tarot. I found this information along with a wealth of other information on different Tarots at the About website and, more specifically, on this page. Traditional Tarot has 78 cards divided into 4 suits of 14 cards each, with 21 “trump” cards that are outside of the suits. That being said, in order to discuss the book and cards I felt I should learn at least a little bit about Tarot or divination with cards. Oddly enough, my deck did not contain a blank card, which considering my lack of gift seems prophetic.

This is intended to “personalize and attune” the cards to one’s particular “energy”. The deck consists of sixty-five cards plus a blank card to draw in one’s own faery mentor. The Faeries’ Oracle is a lovely, well put together book whether it is a good tool for predicting the future, giving one insight into oneself, or aiding in decision-making must be determined by each individual.

If you are interested in the Oracular powers of the cards, an e-group of people who use them in this way can be found here. Before this review gets underway, let me say that I am writing about this work as a book and a set of cards, not as an Oracle - having never manifested any skill in that area.

Froud faeries