The Magic Spells Oracle consists of thirty-six unnumbered cards that are divided by the elements plus two balancing cards. Crows decorate the backs while the face illustrations are simple and beautifully rendered. The perfect-bound, illustrated guidebook contains thoroughly researched material that is well organized and easy to understand. My only caveat is that the font is too small for me to see clearly.
The cards are straightforward and easy to understand. When I questioned the oracle if I should reboot my tarot business, I pulled The Dragon, and a balancing card, which I interpreted as to go for it, but make sure I have a firm business plan in mind before I reach out to clients. The energy felt as if I were consulting a dear friend and not a random stack of cards.
This deck creates an excellent focal point for meditation or conducting spell work. The oracle plays well with Tarot and runes when needing clarification in readings. For meditation, pulling a card and contemplating the keywords and the image brings about powerful insight. When composing spells, the oracle is most helpful when questioning when or if a spell should be done or used to amplify a spell. Take the Quartz card, for example. It can be used as a replacement in case you don’t have a quartz crystal handy, or you can use it as an amplifier if you need to boost crystals in your workings.
The versatility of this deck can be confusing at first. When I first met this deck, I felt as if I were looking at the divinatory version of a Swiss Army knife. But with time and practice, I grew to appreciate the diverse ways this oracle can be used. It’s one of those decks that you check first thing in the morning, tuck it into your bag to meditate with it during lunch break, or use with a pendulum during the new moon to determine the course of your month.
It has cleansing and healing abilities for those who wish to delve deeper into the keywords printed on the cards, and it’s a wonderful companion for anyone who is looking for a deck that feels as if it were designed just for them. Sleep with it underneath your pillow and take note of your dreams. You’ll be surprised as to what this powerful little box of cards can do.
~review by Patricia Snodgrass
Creator: Judika Illes
Weiser, 2025
p.$24.95
36 cards with illustrated 128 pp guidebook
