When my daughter was eleven, she was learning how to read Tarot cards from a neighbour. One day she said, "I bet I could make a better deck." She was annoyed by how obscure the Tarot symbology was and how much study was required to learn their meanings. She thought the cards should be clear enough to be understood by anyone.

She sat down with a pad of paper, drew pictures and cut them out, and began to do readings with her new deck. Everyone she read for was astonished, especially proud Momma. The images were clear, insightful and very astute in their observations of human nature.

Inspired, I created a deck for myself, copying many her images and adding my own, more adult images, drawing from my understanding of astrology to ensure a full spectrum of archetypes. For the next fifteen years I did informal readings with this deck for friends and family. These were universally successful, in that participants felt validated, entertained, and were often astonished by the pointedness and relevance of the images that turned up for them. Whenever I went home for family visits, I invariably brought the cards for a large group reading--the genesis of the oracle card parties.

I decided to bring the deck out into public view, but since they were very simple, drawn with felt pens and pencil on card stock, I needed to put some work into creating a more polished version. Over the winter of 2001/02, I crafted the current finished deck of cards. Using 3" x 5" index card stock, watercolours, india inks and acrylic decorator paints, each coated with three layers of lacquer, I ended up with a beautiful and very shuffle-able deck of images. During this process of creation, many new images were born and old ones were retired.

This was an emotional process, not unlike giving birth. Each completed card brought with it a 'rush' of energy and excitement--ooh, the creative process at work! The summer of 2002, I began to do readings for the public outdoors in a booth at our local Farmer's Market. This proved to be a success, and I continue with the Markets to this day (only on Wednesdays now, as I have moved to Courtenay). I also do private readings and card parties for groups.

I have been amazed, honoured and humbled by the vulnerability and intimacy that these readings allow me to facilitate and to participate in. I provide an interpretion based on my experience with the images and my own intuition, but when the person whose cards are being read has a different 'sense' of a card's meaning, I encourage them to go with that. The cards are designed to speak directly to the heart and to awaken intuition. 

View some sample cards and spreads here

Testimonials:

My friend and I discussed the readings over lunch following. It was most insightful and very useful. Thank you again for sharing your wisdom with us.
- Colleen C., Courtenay BC

At the beginning of the (oracle card) party, most of the women didn't even know each other. By the time you left, it felt like a gathering of old friends! What a wonderful way to generate intimacy!
- D.B., Vancouver BC