38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Oracle Based on the Old Ways, July 29, 2005
This review is from: The Well Worn Path (Cards)
"The Well Worn Path deck is designed to present and reveal the symbolism, meaning, and teaching that are the far-reading roots of modern Paganism and the Craft. The images in this deck depict the spiritual and religious concepts that were the foundations of European Paganism as once known to our ancestors." -the authors
Bestselling Wiccan author Raven Grimassi and High Priestess Stephanie Taylor have teamed up with award-winning Pagan artist Mickie Mueller to create a unique oracle called The Well Worn Path. More than just a divination kit, the 40 cards and 216-page guidebook serve as an introductory course on the Old Ways, and creates portals for mystical exploration, pathworking, magical alignment, and solitary rituals. The authors write in a sensible, gentle, and wise voice, like mentors on the Well Worn Path.
There are four different uses for each card in this kit:
Meaning: This section describes the basic meaning at face value.
Teaching: This section reveals the spiritual teaching or religious significance of the concept presented in each card.
Alignment: This section contains a guided imagery intended to promote a greater depth of awareness. Each card contains part of an ongoing story that will take you through a mystical journey presented on all 40 cards.
Ritual: This section demonstrates how you can use the cards to perform your own solitary ritual, which is ideal if you require privacy or have limited space.
I was immediately intrigued by the engaging art of artist Mickie Mueller, which is what initially drew me to the Well Worn Path. However, not being Wiccan, I had wondered if I would really be able to glean relevant Guidance from this deck. Having an affinity for earth-based spirituality and a familiarity with Tarot, however, proved to be the only background I really needed to use this deck effectively. Cards depicting the Pentacle, Moon, Air, Cauldron, Crone, Harvest, The Old Ones and Reincarnation are but a few of the familiar symbols and archetypes. Admittedly, some of the religious aspects were lost on me (for example, the Eight Fold Path card and the Cakes and Wine card), but most were recognizable to me in terms of symbol and practical spirituality. Other card themes include Familiar Spirit, Handfasting, Law of Three, The Rede, Broom, Summerland, Hearth, Voice of the Wind, Mother, Book of Shadows, Athame, Mother, Wheel of the Year, and so on.
The Guidebook contains three spreads: The Cauldron Spread, the Pentagram Spread and the Crossroads Spread. After experiencing a troubling situation, I thought I'd try the Pentagram Spread using the Well Worn Path cards. I was truly amazed at how relevant they were and how they "spoke" to my situation-especially the Words of the Magus card which advises "to know, to will, to dare, to keep silent". The Guidance I received was clear, confirming, and comforting.
At the end of the Well Worn Path Guidebook, there is a section on solitary rites, including the Rite of Inward Journey and the Solitary Full Moon Rite. The authors also explain how to use the card images for personal ritual, such as walking with the Greenman.
One thing I noticed, however, is that the Table of Contents is off a bit. For example, the Pentagram Spread is said to begin on page 18, but it really begins on page 20. Also, there is a typo in the Table of Contents: The Solitary Rull Moon Rite (R instead of F in "Full"). This isn't a big deal as far as the usefulness of the kit, of course, but it bugs me when I see a major publisher allow editing/typographical errors in an area as prominent as the Table of Contents.
Another thing that I must mention: I tried doing a one card reading a few days ago, and picked the Cakes and Wine card. While the message of integrating feminine and masculine energies made sense to me and imparted wisdom, I was a bit grossed out at this passage:
"...The cakes and wine are the divine offering versus the mundane meal. Here the wine is the menstrual blood of the Goddess, the essence of the cycles of life..." If you only have a passing interest in Wicca/Paganism and are a bit skittish about all the "womb" talk, you may not be too thrilled with the Well Worn Path.
The card backings feature a beautiful wooden door, as if beckoning the reader to discover the mysteries within. The 40 cards are of slick satin finish and are the same size as the cards from Llewellyn's recent releases (e.g. The Quest Tarot, Revelations Tarot, etc.) The Well Worn Path box set also comes with a cardboard box to store your cards, as well as a black organdy bag.
If you'd like to deepen your knowledge of Wicca and Paganism through pathworking, reflection, divination, and ritual, the Well Worn Path would make a lovely spiritual tool. Those who are not Wiccan may still be able to use this oracle, especially ones who are comfortable with goddess and earth-based spirituality and those familiar with the Tarot.
(To see 6 card images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at http://JanetBoyer.com)
Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deck Focuses on the Witchcraft/Wiccan Path, September 9, 2005
This review is from: The Well Worn Path (Cards)
For those who do not know, Raven Grimassi has been providing the pagan community with books on hereditary witchcraft, Italian witchcraft and Wicca for many years. Stephanie Taylor is a Third Degree Initiate in both the Italian Witchcraft Tradition and the Celtic Wiccan Tradition.
They have paired together to present us with a deck that reflects the mysteries specifically of witchcraft and Wicca.
The deck is comprised of 40 cards that do use witchcraft and Wiccan symbols, derived mostly from the European traditions. Images of cauldrons, wands, athame, pentagrams, the four elements, Summerland and more are, as I see them, derived from Wicca and witchcraft more than any other cultural or spiritual path. There are elements that are specifically Wiccan in nature, such as the Rede and the Wheel of the Year. But it does not detract from the nature of the deck. It was designed specifically with this in mind, and the images fall right into the intended place.
The imagery is illuminated by the very talented artist Mickie Mueller. Her figures are lifelike, and her impression of the Crescent-Crowned Goddess and Initiation (portraits of Grimassi and Taylor) are typical examples of her style. Very stylishly executed, and a she is a good choice as illustrator for this deck.
This is not a tarot deck. Its use would be similar to a tarot deck; to seek inner counsel regarding your own personal path or to be used to illuminate the personal path of someone you would read for. The accompanying book gives you insights into the use of the deck and interpretations.
After the introduction of the book, a discussion on the theme of the deck and a general overview on the use of the deck, the authors go into Divination Spreads for use with this deck. The cards are then examined one by one. Each card has a "Meaning", "Teaching" and an "Alignment". The cards are also illustrated in a black and white format. The "Meaning" is obvious; it is an interpretation of the card by the authors explaining their idea and intent for the card. The "Teaching" is a deeper examination of the card itself, going into symbols, design and background and other associations. The "Alignment" is alternative meanings found via a meditation you do on the card to find the cards connection to yourself.
The idea is original. Rather than trying to find meaning in the Qabala associations of the tarot that could carry over to the practitioner of witchcraft or Wicca, the deck speaks directly to those practitioners.
But it does fill a niche here, and it does it well. As I read through the meanings and teachings, I found the deck to be very positive, well developed and intriguing enough to actually work with it. And I was pleased with the readings I had. I would also consider using this deck for some of my clients, especially those who are new to the Wiccan path. There is a learning curve here, but if you are a practicing Wiccan, the cards speak for themselves very clearly. A little practice will yield some good results.
Overall, this is a lovely deck, original in content and purpose, well designed and the accompanying book clearly lays out the uses and meanings so anyone can pick up this deck and use it. It is a nice addition to the fine art of divination that speaks to a particular spiritual path. boudica
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More than a divination tool! A must have for all Pagans!, October 4, 2005
This review is from: The Well Worn Path (Cards)
I stumbled upon the Well Worn Path at my local bookstore when I was looking for another set of Divination cards. After reading the back of the box I scrapped the idea of buying the other cards and bought this beautiful deck instead. That was three days ago and I haven't been able to put them down!
The artwork is terrific! For anyone who is a seasoned witch or just a beginner on the path, the symbolism within the deck is fantastic. It is a great tool for Divination, but it is more than that, I feel this deck and book are a spirital tool that can help get at the heart of what this path has to offer. I am an eclectic pagan/witch who has been practicing for almost 10 years and I find that this deck is helping me to go even deeper into my practice. Through the use of the cards and meditation, I find I am able to delve deeper into the inner mysteries of this wonderful spiritual path.
I loved the way the book is layed out, there are three categories for each card. Alignment, which helps to tell the story that runs through the cards, connecting one card to the other. Teaching, which offers an more in depth explanation of the symbolism of the card and the history of the Path. Meaning, which offers suggested meanings of the card in a reading.
What I really liked about the book is that Mr. Grimassi says read through the book, look at the explanations and symbolism that he offers and then decide for yourself what the cards mean to you. He even suggests keeping your own notebook of what the cards mean to you. I find this refreshing and freeing especially for those who might be on the first steps of this path. So many books written today make it sound as though there is only one truth and one "right way" to experience this path. Since I believe that each person's relationship with the Divine is unique I applaud Mr. Grimassi for this suggestion!
If you are going to buy one deck this year, buy this one - You'll love it!!
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