Mythic Oracle
Mythic Oracle book cover

Mythic Oracle

Cards – December 1, 2008

Price
$29.99
Publisher
Blue Angel Publishing
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0980398397
Weight
0.035 ounces

Description

About the Author Carisa Mellado is a talented Australian author who has spent over a decade studying many different aspects of the Mind, Body, Spirit field. She has a strong interest in psychology and world spiritual traditions and is an expert in the area of Mythology. She has a close affinity with the Angelic Realm and is able to sense the subtle energies of the angels. Carisa is also a gifted musician and composer. She has been commissioned to compose music for several music soundtracks and meditation CDs including the soundtrack for the best-selling Meditations with Angels CD by Martine Salerno. The illustrator, Michele-lee Phelan has been painting since the year 2000. In her teenage years, many told her a career in art was an unattainable dream; some actively discouraged it. But Michele-lee believes that some dreams are more than just dreams; they are destiny, and it was her destiny to become an artist. Self taught, she has spent the years since then learning and refining the necessary skills and techniques, and developing her bold, colorful style. It is a style that has become recognizable regardless of the medium used and the subject depicted. For this artist, her art is the key and the genre of fantasy is the doorway. Both have lead Michele-lee to explore realms both real and imagined. A painter of dragons, mythology, goddesses and faeries, her works often also echo her spiritual beliefs. Fantasy and faith are intimately entwined. Her artworks and prints now grace the walls of many homes throughout the world. Each is a perfect reflection of the magick she feels and creates, and the care and pride she takes in both creating her paintings, and the merchandise she produces. Attention to quality and detail is of paramount importance. As a professional illustrator, Michele-lee has completed the cover artwork and internal illustrations for many publications, inlcluding the Oracle Of The Dragonfae by Lucy Cavendish and the Mythic Oracle (both from Blue Angel Publishing).

Features & Highlights

  • The Greek Myths are the stories of mankind. They are the reflection of human nature and human cycles and it is through these stories that we can come to better understand ourselves. The Mythic Oracle brings these timeless stories and symbols into the modern world, providing you with a tool you can use daily to gently guide you through the cycles of life in matters of love, career, creativity, family, spirituality and personal awareness, allowing you to move through life s challenges with greater clarity, awareness and ease, so you can live a clear, focused and fulfilling life. Exquisitely illustrated, the Mythic Oracle will give you deeper insight into what is happening in your life, what is needed and what comes next. The included guidebook features a description of the myths, their divinatory interpretations and a range of card spreads which will allow you to give accurate readings to yourself and others.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(187)
★★★★
25%
(78)
★★★
15%
(47)
★★
7%
(22)
-7%
(-22)

Most Helpful Reviews

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Beautiful cards

These are by far the most beautiful cards I own. I have three other sets of "oracle" cards, and several tarot decks, and have found that I only really connected with one of the tarot decks, and never with the oracle decks. This deck, however, is just amazing. I suppose a great deal of that is my fondness for the Greek pantheon, but the artwork is absolutely amazing, and the meanings given to each card seem to make it difficult to get a "bad" reading with the suggested layouts. Not that I'm saying the cards are all-purpose and generic - although I did notice that most of them tell you to journal your thoughts :-) - they simply seem to flow together better than any other smaller deck I've used.

I very much appreciate the fact that the heroes were included in the deck. The story synopses made me like Achilles and Herakles a bit more than I had previously, and I smile every time I see my favorite, Odysseus.

Only two complaints - I agree with another reviewer that other gods and goddesses could have been found to replace the duplicated gods in the pack, and I've always read that Demeter was a blonde...

Did I mention that the artwork is phenomenal? I normally do not like oversized cards, but I can forgive that in this deck for the artwork. In fact, if I could have poster-sized prints of each of them, other than being flat broke for the rest of my life considering how many cards there are, I would gladly hang them on every wall of my house. Apollo, Helios, Odysseus, and Poseidon would go directly over my couch. Athena and Zeus would go over the TV... or maybe I should reverse that so I could SEE the first four. Hmmm... Probably shouldn't have Hades and Persephone in the dining room, I'd scare off my guests...
9 people found this helpful
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A beautiful deck with a great Pantheon to draw inspiration from

This deck comprises of 45 cards and a guidebook. The booklet is 113pages. The cards have a laminated finish and are oversized. (Compared to playing cards they are twice the size)

The way that the deck and the booklet are ordered is by groups of mythologies. They are the Titans, Olympians, Magical Beings and Heroes. Some of the Olympian Gods have more than one card, but the meaning and the art work is different, this does show some depth to the myths surrounding those Gods and that they were multi faceted beings. For example Demeter has one card for the "Harvest" and another card for the "Mother" two of her major aspects.

You do not need to know anything prior about the Greek Pantheon to work and appreciate this deck at all, if you do know and love your mythology remember that this is an oracle and the information given in the book is referenced for that purpose only.

The explanations of the cards are broken up into the Myth about the God or being and then the message or the divination meaning behind it.

The artwork, like all of Michele-lee Phelan's work is vivid, bright and beautiful. She captures the feel of the myth or the God or Goddess beautifully. Her work draws your eyes in with the bold outlining and deep but bright colours, which allow her to keep some darkness and mystery in her work.

I have been drawing a card each night since I got this deck to work with it a little. I did find the information about the myth a little limiting as I mentioned above, but for its purpose it is just enough and the messages can come across as a little fluffy or shallow but they have been good little reminders and I have been drawing from my knowledge of the mythology of the Greek Pantheon to enrich my working with the deck.

I would have liked to see some of the less than perfect personality traits known in the deck and the lessons behind those, as this is what Mythology are all about.
7 people found this helpful
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Gorgeous Deck Featuring the Greek Pantheon & Heroes

"The Greek Myths are the stories of mankind. They are the stories of human nature, human cycles and the nature of the divine and it is through the symbols and metaphors of these stories that we can come to better understand ourselves and our own internal processes." - From the companion book

Curtains of water cascade downward as Poseidon's robe, while the right side of Hephaestus glows with cooling lava. Demeter is expressed in both the Mother archetype and as the Harvest, while the three Moirae spin, measure and cut the Destiny of humanity.

In what is arguably the most lifelike and richly rendered artwork of any oracle/Tarot deck (lusciously illustrated by artist Michele-lee Phelan), the Mythic Oracle of the Ancient Greek Pantheon quakes with relatable, recognizable archetypes from familiar myths as well as those that surround us in modern living.

Consisting of mostly Olympian and Titan Gods and Goddesses--with several Magical Beings and Heroes rounding out the mythological cast--the Mythic Oracle of the Ancient Greek Pantheon are numbered 1-45, depicting each character, name, and keyword. Some cards are devoted to various expressions of a particular Gods or Goddesses.

For example, Card 26 shows Hermes associated with Messages, while Card 27 shows the winged-helmeted god in respect to Travel. Eros represents Desire in Card 30, while he portrays Sacred Union in Card 31.

These sizable cards measure approximately 5 ½ x 3 ¾ inches, with a glossy, durable finish. The non-reversible card backing features a mythological beast carved within a circle, muted brown and rusty yellows rounding out the motif.

The 120-page companion book to the Mythic Oracle of the Ancient Greek Pantheon provides a myth for each card, as well as an in-depth message. Author Carisa Mellado, an expert on mythology, provides probing yet relevant meanings and questions for individuals to ponder. She also presents three excellent six-card spreads for use with this deck (or any oracle/Tarot deck): the Cycle Spread, Hero's Journey Spread, and the Archetype Spread.

I've used the Mythic Oracle several times and found it to be wonderfully revealing and insightful--and very accurate! I've even used these cards for contemplation and affirmation (especially after one-card spreads). I think this particular deck would also be excellent for writers (for plotting, brainstorming, characterization, etc.), as well as for therapists seeking engaging tools to help their clients understand the stories they live by.

Just a few of the legendary figures feature in this deck include:

* Prometheus - Sacrifice
* Mnemosyne - Inspiration
* Eos - New Beginnings
* Hera - Duty
* Pan - Sexuality
* Ares - Battle
* Athena - Wisdom
* Dionysus - Freedom
* Hebe - Play
* Chiron - Healing
* Pandora - Hope
* Hecate - Crossroads
* Orpheus - Faith
* Perseus - Courage

I was floored to read in the companion book that not only is Phelan a self-taught artist, but also that she's only been painting since 2000. Incredible! (Those who admire Phelan's work might remember that she painted the gorgeous Dragonfae Oracle deck, also from Blue Angel Gallery).

Those who have an affinity with the Greek Pantheon will absolutely want to get this deck, as would those who enjoy the familiar, dramatic tales of Greek mythology. The dynamic artwork of the Mythic Oracle communicates subtle yet profound truths, and the imagery serves as intuitive shortcut to the unconscious, shrouded aspect of ourselves that beg for illumination.

Highly recommended!

-- Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book

(To see 16 card images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at JanetBoyer.com)
6 people found this helpful
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Not Worth The Money

I got these cards as an inspiration point for a project involving ancient Greece. I was anxious to get them & I even squealed with delight when they arrived. Sadly, they've not met my expectations at all.

Rather than being gorgeous & inspiring depictions of the Greek pantheon, the images are more befitting of fantasy or romance novels. They're really disgustingly cheesy. For the money, they feel rather cheap. They're not based on a tarot model which is unfortunate; that would've been much more interesting in terms in Jungian archetypes / Joseph Cambell myths.

Basically, they don't do anything to elicit a deeper understanding of Greek myth (which was what I was hoping to get from such a product.) I had hoped they'd stir in me some visual / spiritual connection that would come forth in my writing as this project progresses. I've only had them a short while but I feel confident in this statement as I was already bored halfway thru the deck in my very first pass.

Zeus was an abomination! Hera was worse. Eros looked like a fangirl vampire from deviant art. Egad! It's bad!

I wish I hadn't wasted my money on this product. Pass this one up unless you like your art and your Greek gods a) super cheesy b) overly modern meets new agey meets ren-faire c) dumb-downed obvious.

Update: it's been a year since these arrived and it wasn't until reading this old review that I even remembered wasting $30 bucks on them. I never looked at them a single time after the first disappointing view. I know exactly where they are but have no urge to peruse them again. I wouldn't even give them as a gift to a cheesy ren-faire friend. I wish I'd sent them back.
4 people found this helpful
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Beautiful, Elegant and Powerful Deck

I love Greek mythology and have for many years studied and been inspired by these great stories. I find these cards do justice to these myths, bringing them to life and easily applied to the here and now. I have given many a powerful and accurate reading using these beautiful oracles. Moving and gentle, allowing for profound readings involving your psyche and inner selves. The messages are delivered with grace and are kind whilst dealing with the matter at hand. The illustrations are amazing. The art work is truly inspiring and I get immense pleasure from them. I can not recommend this deck highly enough.
2 people found this helpful