Deck Review- Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle Cards

Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle Cards is a 50 card deck and book set brought to us from the imagination of P.C. Cast and Colette Baron-Reid.  In small print on the back of the booklet I see that the design is credited to Danielle Deschenes and the illustration to Jenna DellaGrottaglia of Duirwaigh, Inc.

The deck is based on the young adult novel series, House of Night by P.C. Cast.  I have not read the books and I am not likely to, which speaks more to my time constraints and my preferred reading material than it does to the worthiness of the series.  So many books, both for fun and learning, and so little time.

Despite not having read the books this oracle is based on, I used it to great effect, paired with Mystic Dreamer Tarot.  I find there are two kinds of oracle cards.  The first has a system and you learn the system and use the imagery of the cards to intuit meaning.  Tarot falls into this category of oracle cards, as well as lenormands, playing cards, Sabian Symbols, and many other decks.  Obviously tarot is my preferred method of divination.  The second type of oracle deck is prominent in New Age stores and even regular bookstores, and those are the type with artwork on the cards, usually with a number as well, and you look up the card in the book to garner meaning, as well as using the particular imagery on the card.  These types of oracles usually have beautiful artwork and apt messages, but no formal system that can be defined and worked with.  Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle Cards fall into the second category, as do most of the ubiquitous Doreen Virtue oracle decks.

 The cards are large, measuring just shy of 3.5 inches by 5 inches.  They are slick and flippy, shuffling easily, and showing fingerprints on the glossy finish, especially the mostly black backs, which is a shame because the artwork is lovely.  The cards are gilded on the edges with shiny silver, which adds to the special feel of the deck, and they come in a sturdy two part box, with a small but full accompanying guidebook.  The book includes a description of each card with a small black and white inset of the card, and suggestions for how they can be read when they occur in a reading, as well as spread ideas.

Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle Cards

The images are computed generated, and populated by characters of the novels as well as some still life vignettes and a few animals, mostly domestic cats.  As could be expected from the name, the colors are dusky.  There seem to be far more females than males in the deck, and the males, for a change, are the less clothed of the two.  They certainly are eye candy, and the females are young, nubile and lithe.  It is a bit incongruous to me to see a kitten next to a hard bodied, shirtless male torso, and I certainly would not feel comfortable exposing my 12 year old daughter to the images, at least not together because the mixed message of the sweet kitten next to the undeniably sexed up six pack abs would confuse her, I feel, but it certainly appropriate for older teenagers and adults.  There is no violence or nudity, but the deck is probably edgy for some audiences.  There are five High Priestesses in the deck, one for each element, and Spirit.

The images did not intuitively speak to me, but this is not my preferred type of oracle, and upon reading the entries for each card I could easily find the thread of meaning in the readings.  It is not this decks' fault that I am so closely aligned with the system of tarot, and there are many people who greatly enjoy this kind of oracle.  What I read in the guidebook did pique my interest in the novels the oracle is based on, but ultimately not enough to drive me to read the books.  Even so, the guidebook as written in such a way I believe anyone could use the cards for divination or personal development.  A friend who has read the House of Night series also bough the deck and raves over the way they interact with the books, so if you like the story, you may find the deck a worthwhile visual to add to your enjoyment.  This is not a deck that is likely to enter my rotation, but few oracle decks would make it there, anyway.  It is a deck I enjoyed using and found value in.  As always, your mileage may vary.

There is also an app available from the iTunes store for iOS devices.  I have not used it, but I do have several different card apps on my phone, iPad, and Kindle Fire and I find them fun and useful when I do not have the deck I want handy.

Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle Cards

Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle Cards

Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle Cards

Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle Cards

Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle Cards

These images are from Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle Cards by P.C. Cast and Colette Baron-Reid, published by Potter Style.

Daily Draw- King of Swords, Six of Wands, Seven of Pentacless

I have happy news, which is that the great big cards of the past few days have finally fallen into place, and it is the happiest kind of news, which is a shake up, but a good one.  I had no feelings of dread, no fears, and my intuitive feelers usually give off great big warnings when bad things are coming, whether I am interpreting them correctly or not.  Not a drop of that, I am happy to report.

Mystic Dreamer Tarot- King of Swords, Six of Wands, Seven of Pentacles

This is the third time this King of Swords has led off the Daily Draw this week, which has to be significant.  I had an epihany last night about what this could be talking about, but then some news came, so I'll share that later.  Tarot is fully capable of tackling more than one subject at a time.

We have been stuck in legal issues with my husband's ex concerning the kids for many months, and she has been threatening action for years before that.  Because the kids wanted it, and because we wanted it, and as things began to come out about the other part of their home life, we asked for increased parenting time with them.  That request has been stuck in court for months, literally, when you would normally expect to hear back within a few weeks.  The court has finally taken action, and it is quite positive for us!  Nothing is certain yet but we have always been quite confident, with the reassurance of our counsel, that we will be able to gain at least a 50/50 split if not more time.

This is the keep-coming-around-again King of Swords, the lawyers, the judge, the court, and the legal system.  The Six of Wands is winning, although the only ones we want to win are the kids.  However triumphant, though, this Knight is still armored, and the battle may be won, but the war rages on (unfortunately for the innocents stuck in the middle).  He is marching towards the Seven of Pentacles, which is a card that signifies yet more waiting, but that is all right.  We'll just keep doing the right thing and expecting the right, good and moral outcome, even if we have to plead with the court to order it.

Mystic Dreamer Tarot- The Empress

The Shadow Card is The Empress, the mother archetype, and I think many of my "negative"or less than thrilling cards I have been drawing this week can be explained here.  I empathize deeply with my husband's kids' mom.  I have been a single mom with boys the same age, and I know how hard that can be.  Despite what she may believe, I did not want to fight with her.  I just wanted us to all come to an agreement that best suited the kids.  I feel her fear and worry at the next step, and I know when I began to share custody of my kids I was panicked for them.  It has turned out to be a great situation for us, giving me time and freedom to pursue my own life, my own degree and career, and giving my kids the vital time with their dad.  That can't be replaced no matter how much I love them.

My next statement is going to come off as judgmental, but I don't care.  Some things just need to be said.  If she was being the kind of mom she should have been, we wouldn't be here.  She wouldn't slander her children's father to them, she wouldn't try to poison their well of their self esteem in doing so, she would get a job and provide properly for them, and we wouldn't have to fight her for more time.  And even as I say that, I have to admit that I did not go gracefully into my current custody arrangement, either.  There were a lot of issues between The Ex and I that made me extremely uncomfortable with handing my kids over to him, but I kept some of his secrets and thus shot myself in the foot.  In the end, this was for the best, because children need their fathers, and it is so sad that so many kids don't have dads so invested in them.  My kids, the ones I had and the ones that came with my wonderful marriage, and I are so blessed to have dads that want to be in their lives, want to carry their part of the parenting, and I can't help but wish she would see that.

Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle- Differences

Which brings us to the Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle card drawn for this reading- Differences.  The black cat and the white cat perfectly illustrate where we are, completely unable to reach an understanding of the other, and there are even two pieces of fruit in the bowl, like their are two fine young men at issue here.  The thing is, cats don't eat fruit, so why do they want it?  My fear is this is more about the power struggle between opposing sides for some of the people involved than it is the well being of the kids.  Like The Empress up there reflects my own unresolved issues and hurts around my own long resolved and now peaceful custody situation, I think the arena of the children has become a way for their mother to express her unresolved hurts and resentments over the long ago break up.

As much as I want it, I just don't think there is going to be a way to bring everyone into agreement and live peacefully as one parenting unit.  And I wish it very much, for the sake of the kids.  If The Ex and I can coexist peacefully, after the wretched break up, the awful things we did to each other, and the horrifically ugly custody battle that came after, then healing is possible for any relationship.



These cards are from Mystic Dreamer Tarot by Heidi Darras and Barbara Moore, published by Llewellyn, and Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle by P.C. Cast and Colette Baron-Reid, published by Potter Style.

King of Swords, King of Swords- What Are You Trying to Tell Me?

Mystic Dreamer Tarot- King of Swords

The King of Swords has, for the third time this week, led off my Daily Draw, and I am fully aware that has some pretty powerful significance.  I came to some conclusions in my Daily Draw, which will publish later today, but before the information I discuss in that post was available, I had come to a different conclusion, which is equally viable and I intend to share here, too.

The King is a powerful man, uniquely intelligent, and almost aloof seeming in his cool calculation of any situation.  As a person, he can often signify a lawyer, a judge, a doctor... A surgeon!

I see my surgeon today, as a person who had two surgeries in three months' time, and still not experiencing the promised relief.  I remain in a great deal of pain, and that is not right.  However, I have a great fear that I won't be believed, and some of that is rooted in not finding my own voice, my problem, and a little bit in the fact that my surgeon's assistant basically told me my continuing pain was all in my head, just before my last MRI which revealed the disc had reherniated.  After that, I did find my voice enough to request that I only see my surgeon, who is kind and compassionate, who told me, "I believe you" the last time I saw him, and at the cost of these treatments, I deserve whatever I want.  Really, at the cost of just my health, I (and you) deserve whatever I want and need.

Xultun Tarot- Lord of Swords (King)

I can be a bit dense at times, and I have also pulled the King of Swords on the 78 Whispers Facebook Page a couple times this week.  Those cards are not necessarily meant for me, but are just a place to discuss cards and their varied imagery.  However, since I shuffle and pull a bit of my energy can't help but come out in them.  I can thank this image, from the Xultun Tarot by Peter Balin, for the keyword for the King of Swords, "Surgeon", sitting there all pretty for me on the pamphlet included with the deck.  Of course it makes perfect sense, the most mature aspect of the Court of Swords, wielding a sharp object, and I have heard that reference before, but since it never had personal significance to me it never took root.  Now I have a new association to use, and a humbling to put to work as well.  I had to see this card several times, in several aspects, in order to gain that keyword, because I had never looked beyond my own nose.

I need to be strong and impartial.  The moon in the King of Swords from the Mystic Dreamer Tarot shows that my surgeon is compassionate and empathetic to my needs, but I know from experience that I need to remain cool and collected.  It's just terrifying to imagine living the rest of my life in this kind of pain, terrifying to imagine yet another surgery, and most terrifying of all is the thought of having to prove I am not well.

Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle- Loyalty

A big chunk of my issues with telling him precisely what is going on is that I don't want to insult his work, which sounds so silly when I type it, but I have an innate need to please older gentlemen, a holdover from my childhood, and there is a childish aspect of myself that doesn't want to make him mad at me by telling him his work didn't do what it was supposed to do.  I can see both the shadow and light aspects of this in the card from Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle I pulled to expound upon the King of Swords- Loyalty.  I want to be loyal and good, and I need to embrace that King of Swords impartiality, because there is no cause or need for me to feel loyalty to my surgeon.  Gratitude, rapport, yes, but loyalty- no.

However, there is reassurance in this card.  I owe no fealty to my surgeon, but he does to me, or to solving my problem at least, and I believe him to be a kind man who is in this line of work because he truly desires to help people and end their pain.

The words from the companion book offer advice in this situation, as well, "You have chosen this symbol of Loyalty, and this means you are being called to stand up for who and what you believe in." I believe in myself, and I believe that while I am better, I am nowhere near full health, and I need to be clear about that, with no fear.  And that is why this card has been following me around all week.  (There is another aspect you will reading my Daily Draw later on, too.)



These cards are from Mystic Dreamer Tarot by Heidi Darras and Barbara Moore, published by Llewellyn, Xultun Tarot by Peter Balin, published by Arcana Publishing CO, and Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle by P.C. Cast and Colette Baron-Reid, published by Potter Style.

Daily Draw- King of Swords, The Tower, Five of Wands

My Daily Draws this week have been big cards, big concepts, and extremely heavy cards.  These ones are, too.  The good news is, I have not seen any of these big things happening in my outside life, so I am thinking they are more internal and that kind of shift.  If they are not, then they are events happening outside my sphere of current awareness and when I know about them I will be able to look back here and relate them to the cards I have been pulling.

Mystic Dreamer Tarot- King of Swords, The Tower, Five of Wands

These cards remind me most of how to get through a crisis situation.  The King of Swords is sublimely cool and unaffected.  He would never let an emotion get in the way of his logic, and the next cards are highly emotionally charged, so his collectedness is a valuable asset.  The Tower is always a card about massive disruption, and sometimes total destruction.  Judging by the card following it, the Five of Wands, which I often think of as inner struggle, this is a more internal process.  I am looking to the King of Swords for advice to stay cool, calm, and emotionally disengaged from potential swirling chaos.

Mystic Dreamer Tarot- Five of Cups

The thing is, my life is calm at the moment and I want it to be.  This is where reading for oneself can be a dangerous prospect.  Not dangerous as in harmful, but if I let it, these chaotic and big cards I am pulling this week could upset my peace of mind, and as of this moment there is no reason for that.  There is no physical evidence of change or upheaval, and my inner processes are all pretty much on an even keel.  I could also be turning a blind eye to something, but I don't think so.  Perhaps the most likely thing is something will come to light. and then I can say, "Ohhhhh!"

The Shadow Card of the reading is the Five of Cups.  I like the brave lift of her chin in this card, as if she is aware that she has lost some things, but she has retained the most important one, which is the two unbroken Cups, which relate to me back to the Two of Cups, sacred contracts and deep, abiding love.  When the Five of Cups appears we have to grieve our losses, but we must also be careful to not let ourselves get lost in them.  That far off castle in the background is her home to go back to whenever she pleases, and that can't be taken away.

Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle- Strength

The card from The Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle I have pulled is Strength, and it does a ot to assuage any fears the lightning struck Tower up there might give me.  The book reads, "Sometimes life will present you with challenges that you think are too difficult to endure." I am pulling these cards separately, from two different decks, so I know that I am getting true readings.  The book goes on, "Does it seem as if nothing goes your way and that everyone else appears to be having a good time?  Drawing this symbol means that, no matter what is happening in your life, you have the strength to endure all experiences.  Like an ancient oak whose trunk cannot be uprooted by the mightiest storm, you will know a strength that comes from within.  You will win this game of life!  You have the strength to face any situation now!" That is most reassuring!  (Although I have to admit to finding this language a bit too happy-happy joy-joy for me, but this deck is based on a book series for young adults and probably suits its' target audience perfectly.  I have not read the books.)

I am not scared of the readings I have been getting, but I am being aware, and that is a huge benefit of reading cards in and of itself- the ability to be aware.



These cards are from Mystic Dreamer Tarot by Heidi Darras and Barbara Moore, published by Llewellyn, and Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle by P.C. Cast and Colette baron-Reid, published by Potter Style.

Daily Draw- King of Cups, Five of Swords, The Hermit

"There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest." ~Confucius

I have the very distinct and slightly uncomfortable feeling that, like it or not, I am about to get a lesson all three ways today, or in the near future.

Mystic Dreamer Tarot- King of Cups, Five of Swords, The Hermit

There are some decks in which the King of Cups looks terribly put upon, almost sighing in resignation, and this is one of them to me.  His scepter is draped casually at his knee and he is more interested in his drink than the rest of the reading.

In the Five of Swords, two figures walk away from the third.  They don't look defeated to me.  They look like they have just decided that bitch and her trifling ways just aren't worth their time so they are on to bigger and better things.  The woman with the Swords may feel she has won but victory is always in the eye of the beholder.  The other two may very well feel victorious in being rid of her and her poisonous energy, and count any price paid a bargain.

The Hermit is the wise old man who who is looking over the whole reading.  If there is anything of value here, he will find it, and alchemically turn this nasty bit into gold.  Such is his power.  He is also representative of Saturn, on whom I have nine(!) aspects hinging on in my chart, so I know there is a lesson for me here about turning limitations into opportunities.

Mystic Dreamer Tarot- Two of Wands

The Shadow Card of this reading is the Two of Wands.  He is so much like a wanna-be Magician in this rendition.  All in all, I am getting the distinct impression someone would like to put one over on me.  I do not think they will be successful, because I appear often as The Magician in my own readings, not this weaker looking version.  They are welcome to try, though.  I am as disengaged as the King of Cups, as willing to walk away as the girls in the Five of Swords, and use every experience as a learning one like The Hermit.

From Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle I drew Vision (Aphrodite).  Before I look to the book, I instantly relate The Moon in this card to all The Moons in the Mystic Dreamer Tarot, which often signifies mystery and what can't be known, so I know this card resonates with this reading.  As soon I read this card represents Aphrodite, who in her Venusian guise rules over a big chunk of my astrological chart, and who is the goddess of love, I know that no matter what else may happen, the answer to all of my problems is love- love of self, love of my family, even love for those who would hurt me.  That is their darkness spilling over.  I don't have to let people continue to hurt me, and won't, but they can't make me hate them, either.  At best, they can earn my aloof disdain, as so strongly displayed in these cards.

Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle- Vision

The book reads, "When you choose this symbol, it means that no matter what you lose in your life, something better will replace it." And continues, "To know the future is to be prepared." So I guess all I have to say in return is, "Bring it." No one has the ability to bring me down but me.




These cards are from Mystic Dreamer Tarot by Heidi Darras and Barbara Moore, published by Llewellyn, and Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle by P.C. Cast and Colette Baron Reid, published by Potter Style.

Daily Draw- Eight of Cups, Temperance, Queen of Swords

There are a good many times in life when I have had to be taught and/or convinced that when a situation no longer works I am just best off leaving, and that is not abandonment.  I have loyalty issues, because once I give it I want it to be forever.

Mystic Dreamer Tarot- Eight of Cups, Temperance, Queen of Swords

The Eight of Cups, like most of them, is leaving a situation, although we often see a configuration of Cups in which some, but not all, of them are standing up.  This situation I am about to turn away from may, in fact, not really be inherently not working, but that still doesn't mean it is right for me.  The figure turns to leave, clutching her violin.  I played violin as as a teenager, and while I liked it a great deal, I did not love it.  She does love it, and that is why it goes with her wherever she may roam.  As long as she has the most important aspect of herself, nothing else matters.

To me, Temperance is a funny Major Arcana.  As an archetype I can get with the idea of being a mystical mix master of sorts, and I understand the metaphor of blending opposites.  In practice of the way I read, it most often appears as managing the details of day to day life.  I gotta do this, go here, write that, make this class, this kid thing, on and on.  Oh yeah, and keep my house clean so that is pleasurable to live and cook in for all of us.  Although my anxiety issues are less and less as I am more in control of how my days work, and as I live in this very happy home life, Temperance appeared a lot for me as needing to manage my circumstances as much as I am able to keep my anxiety issues from rearing their head.  Keeping a schedule helps me be less anxious.  Because both of the other cards are leaning into Temperance, and it is right there in the middle, as well as being the only Major Arcana, I know this card is the lynch pin of the reading.

Mystic Dreamer Tarot- Queen of Cups

The Queen of Swords is my second aspect in Queens, the Queen of Pentacles being my first.  She represents my Libra ascendent in my astrological chart, and the rising sign is the mask we wear for the world to see.  The Queen of Swords is probably happy with letting people perceive her as suits her best.  She is also practical, and quick witted.  As I put these cards together I can see that I have no need for guilt, and as I refer back to The Devil, my lens for the week, I am thinking that guilt is a huge shadow issue for me and needs to go.

To reaffirm that thought, the Shadow Card of the reading is the Queen of Cups.  She is far less in control of her emotions than her counterpart, the Queen of Swords, and if she is ill aspected she can be a guilt mongering, either beating herself or others up with her innate knowledge of what will most hurt.  Guilt is a strange emotion, really serving no purpose, because if we really thought we shouldn't do whatever we feel guilty about, most of us would stop.  It is kind of a filler emotion, and it puts on a show.

Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle- Self-Worth

The card I drew from Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle is Self-Worth.  When our Self-Worth is high, we don't engage in useless emotions like guilt, we leave untenable situations, and we arrange our lives in such a way that pleases us best while working with our loved ones.  Feeling our true Self-Worth makes us sure we can say what we need to say, as compassionately as possible, and when we come from a place of love our words always ring true.

The companion book says this about the card, "When you draw this symbol, you are asked to consider: What value do you place on yourself in life?" From these words combined with the tarot reading, I can know that sometimes the most loving act, for me, and for others, is in fact to do what is best for me, no guilt, no getting tripped up in useless emotions that do not serve to get me where I want to be.



These cards are from Mystic Dreamer Tarot by Heidi Darras and Barbara Moore, published by Llewellyn, and Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle by P.C. Cast and Colette Baron Reid, published by Potter Style.

Daily Draw- King of Swords, Knight of Swords, Ten of Cups

What I have to remember, what matters most, is the way this reading ends- the Ten of Cups, happily ever after, the rainbow happy ending most of us long for, and that I have considered essential to my happiness.  I have that now.

Mystic Dreamer Tarot- King of Swords, Knight of Swords, Ten of Cups

This reading is full of people, with two of the three cards being people or personalities.  I think they are probably both aspects of myself.  The King of Swords is my intellect, and the looming Moon behind him is how my feelings affect that intellect.  I choose words carefully and with great intent, and nothing irritates me more than having my words perverted after I have so carefully chosen them.  I have felt a bit like a warrior lately, and the Knight of Swords reflects that.  I had some words and I let them fly, which is an irony when thinking about how Swords relate to air, and that "words" is Swords without the "s".  I mistype Swords as "words" several times a day.  As I look back at my Major Arcana lens for the week, The Devil, I know that maybe I did not need to say everything I said, but it felt deliciously good to say what I did.  However, I did so in defense of my family, my happy ending, the Ten of Cups that really does mean everything to me.

Mystic Dreamer Tarot- Five of Pentacles

The Shadow Card for this reading is the Five of Pentacles.  I do not want to be left out in the cold, but I own everything I said, and I believe passionately in it.  I don't go around hurting people's feelings just to do so, so if being cast out is a consequence of saying what I had to say, then so be it.  I'll deal with the consequences of those actions like a grown up, because I was not throwing a child's temper tantrum.  I was expressing real concerns and true hurt, and if the person to whom I expressed them does not like that, it is their problem.  I don't feel good about what I said, because I should never have been in the position of having to say so, but I do feel I did the right thing and carry no shame.  I am responsible for what I say, but the reactions of others is their responsibility.

Later on, I have decided that I would like to also use The Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle, and the images of both decks seem compatible.  I have lots of oracle decks, too, and I am trying to decide if I stop collecting them or start using them, because I believe everything in my home should be loved, beautiful, and used.  This deck is based on a book series by P.C. Cast, but I have not read the books, so we will see if that matters as I endeavor to use the deck.

Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle- Listening

The card I drew, "Listening"", is very apt to this situation.  We got to where we are because someone did not listen to what my husband and I were telling them.  The companion manual, by P.C. Cast and Colette Baron Reid, reads, "Drawing this symbol indicates that you are meant to listen to what others are saying with their gestures, rather than their words."  This is a lesson playing out over and over in life, and my kids' lives currently, so I know it is a true reflection of what is happening here.

The inscription on the card reads, "...darkness does not always equate to evil... light does not always bring good."  That is also apt to the situation, as the person who took my tongue lashing today would like to look like "light"and therefore "good".  I think they generally mean to be, too, but this one instance just did not jive with the way I see those things, and I was in a position where I had to say so.

Tomorrow will be a better day.  Nothing ever stays bad for long, not when I have that Ten of Cups to look forward to every day, and this current bit of ugliness shall also pass.



These cards are from Mystic Dreamer Tarot by Heidi Darras and Barbara Moore, published by Llewellyn, and The Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle by P.C. Cast and Colette Baron Reid, published by Potter Style.