Silvana Alasia’s Egyptian Sacred Animals Oracle Cards are really lovely. The cards are a little oversized (all the better to see the artwork, in my opinion), and the box is simple and sturdy. The booklet comes with card meanings and interpretations in five different languages (English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian) which makes it accessible to a lot of folks.
I also particularly liked the clarity of the “How to Use the Deck” section in guiding users to not just read the meanings in the book and see it as absolute, but to look at the artwork too and pay attention to what comes up for the individual user in terms of images, feelings, and thoughts.
The cards themselves are of good cardstock, sturdy, but easy to shuffle and hold. The artwork and colours seem to be pulled from papyrus scrolls and temple walls; beautiful colours and images, and all somehow both earthy and invoking things beyond us.
I decided to do the three-card layout from the book to try them out. The cards are laid out left to right (1 to 3), with one being the “elements in favour of the situation”, two are the “adversities or elements against you”, and three represents “what can be done to change the outcome.”
Card One, Fish: Fluidity, relax. “Let go of your fears and worries. If you have to decide something, choose the option that brings you the most peace of mind.”
Card Two, Banebdjedet: Growth, renewal. “Right now, you have the opportunity to renew aspects of your life…It’s time to act with purpose…”
Card Three, Mehen: Defense, support. “If this figure appears to you, it could be a sign of protection and strength in a time of difficulty…Do not be afraid…”
I’ve pared down the full meanings from the book here, but this gives a pretty good idea of the meanings associated with these cards. My take is that things are progressing nicely, but I will need to also seize opportunities as they arise and not be passive. If I want good outcomes (and I do!), then I must put aside fear and know that I can work to the outcomes I’d like from a protected space.
In terms of the art work (and this is by no means an in depth look here), I see that the fish seems content, and is guided by what looks to me like the sun. Banebdjedet is looking both forwards and backwards with many eyes, and Mehen appears to enclose a well-lit space where things can be seen clearly, but is also protected.
I like the way these cards came up, and the book and artwork are really helpful and work nicely together to help the user.
These cards would be a great addition to anyone’s practise, especially if they enjoy Egyptian mythology and art!
~review by Mara McTavish
Author: Silvana Alasia
Llewellyn Worldwide (Lo Scarabeo), 2025
pp.: 127, Price: $21.95 (USD)
