I bought my first deck of tarot cards in my late teens. The mists of time have blurred the facts but I do know it was the Aquarian Tarot because I still have it in my possession. My star sign is Aquarius and that seemed a good enough reason to claim the deck as mine; even back then I didn’t feel an affinity to the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith deck but there weren’t as many decks to choose from as there are today. Next came the Tarot of a Moon Garden, which was first published in 1993, providing more clues for my tarot timeline. That deck has since been lost so on a whim I bought another copy last week. Leafing through the cards I’m immediately transported back to that 20-year-old art student sitting on my bedroom floor trying to Figure It All Out. It’s like slipping into that younger skin, remembering her confusions and questions, and the pain of my first big relationship ending.
More than twenty years later my passion for divination cards has only grown stronger. They are creative and illuminating companions to my journaling and a constant friend in harder times. Funnily enough, it’s never once occurred to me to do readings for others. My relationship with the cards is extremely personal but while some of my decks are very precious to me, I don’t believe the cards themselves have inherent magical powers — they are simply pieces of cardboard after all — but my decks are special like my old journals are special: familiar, worn and loved. I treasure them like I treasure my books — and buy as many, too :)
As you can probably tell, I’m not big with the crystal balls and fortune telling. For example, I wouldn’t use the cards to make a decision, I’d use them to help me uncover how I FEEL about a decision. For me it’s less about “what’s going to happen?” and more “what am I really feeling? What do I need right now?” The cards are like mirrors reflecting me back to myself, an inspiring collection of clues and prompts that help me connect to the wisdom inside and around me.
I’ve wanted to create a course that explores using the cards for our own creative and personal growth for some time so I’m thrilled to announce the arrival of the Daily Guidance class! Eventually I’ll have my own deck of cards you’ll be able to use with the lessons (can you imagine?) but for now we’ll make do with the extraordinary array of decks that are currently available… Prepare to get addicted, my friends.
There’s an old wives tale floating around that your first tarot deck should be gifted to you, which I think is hilarious, because a) you’ll probably be waiting for a long time and b) it’s much more meaningful to take the time to find a deck that really sings to your soul. I’ll be sharing lots of my favourite in the class — I’m a huge fan of independently produced decks — as well as breaking down the different types of cards and styles of art to help you find decks you’re excited to get to know.
For now, here are some recommendations for a potential first (or fifth!) deck:
TAROT
The Universal Waite — this modern version of the traditional Rider Waite Smith deck is easier on the eye, with softer colouring and lots more detail. As the majority of tarot books refer to this system it’s worth investing in a RWS deck (or clone, like the Anna K and Dreaming Way decks below) so you learn the basics — it will stand you in good stead.
The Anna K Tarot — this sweet deck gives super clear readings, by which I mean it’s easy to understand what the cards are saying! I love the whimsical figures and friendly vibe and found I could read with this deck straight out of the box. Great for beginners. (artist’s website)
Dreaming Way Tarot — modern and yet oddly nostalgic, this is another RWS clone that breathes life into the cards. I find the art exquisite and since cutting off the borders (I’ll talk about making your decks your own in class!) it’s fast becoming a favourite.
Dame Darcy Mermaid Tarot — never in a million years did I think I’d love this deck as much as I do. Quirky, unkempt, fun and utterly charming, this self-published deck gives the traditional RWS imagery a nautical-themed new spin. I simply adore it.
The Wild Unknown Tarot (above) — this is the deck I pull out most frequently and always find new ways to appreciate its simple beauty. Possibly not the best choice for your first deck as some of the cards might leave you scratching your head; on the other hand, if the art speaks loudly to you it will find its way into your heart. There’s a reason why it’s so popular! (UK stockist)
Shadowscapes Tarot — Stephanie Pui-Mun Law’s ethereal paintings take you into a new land, one filled with magical beings that have their own stories to tell. Gentle and intuition-enhancing, this deck loosely follow the RWS system and dreams up new fantastical ways to envision the cards. (artist’s website)
ORACLE CARDS
Mother Mary Oracle — this is such a nurturing deck of cards, it’s my favourite Alana Fairchild deck (and I have them all). Her words are as beautiful as the paintings on the cards themselves and I love to draw a single card when I’m looking for a word-hug.
Magdalene Oracle — this is a deeply feminine sultry oracle that always inspires me to dig deeper into my desires. You’ll often find one of these cards on my altar.
The Goddess Oracle — this beautiful deck showcases goddesses from cultures around the world. It’s supportive and illuminating with a sizeable guidebook filled with mythological meanings, interpretations, poems and rituals.
Earthbound Oracle — a new favourite that I like to read with alongside a tarot spread. So simple and clear, I love how they eloquently add another layer of insight to any cards I’ve pulled.
Vintage Wisdom Oracle — there’s a quietness to this deck I find very soothing. The artwork is gorgeous (how a deck looks is as important as how it reads to me) — I love this one especially. Definitely one to add to your collection.
Soul Cards — this deck doesn’t have any words or even interpretations in the booklet. Instead, you meditate on the image to find your own meaning. Excellent journaling material and deeply intuitive, I’ve had some profound readings with this deck.
The giveaway
To celebrate the launch of the new class I have six decks up for grabs — The Wild Unknown Tarot, The Shadowscapes Tarot, The Dame Darcy Mermaid Tarot, The Mother Mary Oracle, The Magdalene Oracle and a set of Soulcards.
There will be 12 winners in total — 6 peeps get a deck of cards and a place in class PLUS! another six peeps will also get a place in class.
** If you win and you’ve already enrolled in class I will send you a refund! **
I’m happy to mail the decks anywhere in the world, so this giveaway is open to all.
How to play
You can enter up to five times in the following ways:
1. Leave a comment on this post sharing something that has already made you smile in 2016
2. Pinterest: Pin the first image below with a link to this post (then leave a comment saying you’ve pinned it)
3. Instagram: Share the second image below including a link to my IG profile @SusannahConway and the hashtag #dailyguidancecourse (then leave a comment saying you’ve shared the pic)
4. Facebook: Share this post on Facebook (then leave a comment saying you’ve Facebooked it)
5. Twitter or Google+: Tweet/share this post with your peeps (then leave a comment saying you’ve tweeted/shared the post)
Comments will close on Friday January 22nd at 11pm GMT comments are now closed and I’ll contact the 12 winners on Saturday 23rd (please make sure you type your email address carefully when leaving a comment)
Good luck and thanks for helping me spread the word about Daily Guidance! xo
* UPDATE: All the winners have now been notified :)
TO SHARE ON PINTEREST:
TO SHARE ON INSTAGRAM:
TO SHARE WHEREVER YOU LIKE :)
And it’s on my Instagram.
Finally, I have put it on Facebook. Thanks again!
facebooked it :-)
Would really love to join in the class, but I ordered myself to not enter more classes and actually use the ones I already have (more). So I did not sign up yet, but oh, I’m still thinking about it.
Instagrammed it at @Merel_Birdblocks
Thank you for producing such a beautiful course, Susannah. The thing that has made me smile during 2016 – receiving a belated and totally unexpected Xmas card from my estranged father… I am now 28 years old but he still draws his signature teddybear in the bottom right-hand corner of every letter or card :o) It made me beam xx
So far in 2016, my husband has been declared cancer free!!! This makes me happy.
Pinned by Elle Hayes
Facebook shared by Lia Hayes
Instagrammed by @mrsliahayes
Early this morning my cat woke me up by purring and pressing his nose all over my face.
What made me smile the most so far in 2016 is a wonderful female friendship! It’s hard for mom’s to make and keep friends and this woman is a gem.
Shared on Instagram
Pinned on Pinterest!
Shared on Facebook???
Pinned it.
Posted on fb
So very many things have made me smile so far this year! One of the big ones was going back to Nia classes :) (Nia is a dance-based movement practice – I love it so much!)
Pinned!
Hello, Susannah! Something that has made me smile in 2016 was my almost 2-year old nephew saying my name for the first time last Saturday. I’m usually the last to hear my name said by the little ones in my family for some reason. But I was ecstatic…Isaac finally said, “Jill!” It made my heart melt, especially when he hugged me on his own after saying it! I’m Isaac’s Godmother so it meant even more to me, and I know that eventually he’ll add the “Auntie” before Jill. :)
I’ve shared the pictures and/or links on both my personal and my blog Pinterest accounts, Instagram accounts (@soulseakernj and @photocone), Twitter accounts (@soulseakernj and @photocone), and Facebook pages (my personal page and my Blog page). I also included two links to this page in my most recent blog entry at soulseaker.com.
I figured commenting all at once was easier for you to keep track of…hope I was right! Best wishes with your new course. Have a splendid day!
I work in daycare and each day we walk the children to and from school. This week the first snow fell and everyone was very excited. Outside one of the homes we pass, there is a small statue of the Virgin Mary. One of the children who has special needs, pointed to her and said, “Look Mary’s wearing a snowsuit.” Indeed Mary was wearing a white cloak of snow. This made me smile.
My son splashing headlong into bull creek and then hiking back to home base, hands on hips, barefoot in his Superman undies. A fantastic 2 year old adventure!
It rained on the first day of the year and I always think that the rain is a way that nature is watering our dreams! ?
One of the best things that’s happened so far in 2016 s that of finding two tiny hummingbird eggs, tucked safely into the nest in our front yard.
Four’s my favorite number, so I entered four times: I pinned this on Pinterest, Tweeted and added a post to Instagram. And now I’m commenting here. :)
pinned!
I’ve shared the pic on instagram!
Facebooked it!
I smiled while night-skiing after work in 27 degree weather, watching a flock of little birds flit like a shadow across a field.
My family has made me smile this year. Just being with them and sharing love and our experiences and adventures. I can’t wait to see what fun this year brings.
Pinned it!
Facebooked it!
I Tweeted!
This post definitively made me smile! : )
the thing that has made me smile for 2016 instead of being asleep when the new year came in like usual I was awake creating and drawing in my journal, making paper flowers, drawing faces, painting, embracing all my creative goodness and embracing my inner goddess’s something incredibly new and exciting for me, all by candle light listening to soft beautiful Celtic music.. so different for me.
Something that has made me smile in 2016: spending lots of time with family! My word for 2016 is gratitude! Being very grateful everyday especially for family ?
Pinned it!!!
Learning how to read the cards is one of my things to do in 2016, and I’ve been pining over the Wild Unknown for quite sometime.
I’ve pinned to pinterest under the username ericaindenalpen https://www.pinterest.com/pin/433119689143837317/ and on instagram by the same name.
2016 has been pretty rough so far, but last week I was taking care of my neighbour’s chickens. It was a windy day and while I was in the chicken coop the door shut, and some how the latch behind it! Luckily a friend came by not too long after and heard me shouting in the chicken coop and freed me. Once it was over I just had to laugh and smile- I never thought I’d be cooped up with chickens!
I shared it on Instagram!!!
Face booked it
I tweeted it!
Posted on Facebook!!
You’re such an inspiration and I really love getting your Love Letters, always just what I needed.
Excited to find you and participate! I love the wild unknown deck…but I only know it in photos. Something that has made me smile in 2016 is finding new homes for my old (or otherwise unused) stuff. Very satisfying– I sense the new life ahead for the things and the people who gain them are always so happy!
A new puppy has made me smile!
Hello Susannah!! First of all congratulation on launching another beautiful project into life – best of luck with that, and also a huge thank you for everything you do. I can’t count all the times in life when your courses, your book or your musings in Love Letters worked as bread crumbles or feathers and helped me find the way out. Writing this makes me smile as well as the fact that I’m alive and there’s a whole year ahead which will be magical, I can sense it!
pinned here https://ru.pinterest.com/pin/167688786103325824/
https://plus.google.com/+NatashaYanoushkevich/posts/VnKUkLhWUP2 shared:)
the unexpected joy of wonderful posts on instagram!!
reposted your post on Instagram too:) account @chayanka :)
and happily tweeted as well!! https://twitter.com/chindi/status/688447035838578688
hmm – not seeing so am reposting: all a twitter at https://twitter.com/chindi/status/688447035838578688
IG post – trifecta (Twitter, IG and online comment) completed
I pinned it, thank you for your guidance. :)
In 2016 so far, what has made me smile is finding my word (with your help!) for the year. I chose freedom and again just thinking about it makes me smile, thank you!
Something that has made me smile this year (about a million times already) is my little daughter—laughing, running, smiling, jabbering, dancing, and being her little sunbeam self. She is 18 months old. Thanks for the chance to win a spot in your class and learn more about tarot cards, something I find myself oddly drawn to and also oddly resisting at the same time. A class would be a good introduction.
Pinned it!
I was actually grinning while sparring in my martial arts class last week. It made me realize how important it is to find places for spontaneity in my daily life—and movement!
I’m very new to this – a FB friend shared your site and I’ve been checking it out. I’ve never had a word for a year before and am still working on finding one. I have several that I’ve been rolling around in my head for the past week. The idea of tarot cards intrigues me – I don’t have one and have been looking into one good for a beginner. So finding this makes me smile. :)
I facebooked it.
And here is something that made me smile in 2016. When I had the flu last week a friend wrote a poem and sent it to me–about making soup for me. I loved it. It was a wonderful poem and such a great gift. No one has ever written a poem for me before! (except perhaps the roses are red, violets are blue variety :)
So that was a really lovely thing that still makes me smile all the time when I see it posted on my fridge.
Greetings Susannah,
Receiving my new Connected & Free Alchemist’s Oracle cards yesterday really brought a smile to my face! The importance of a card deck that personally resonates is something I hadn’t quite worked out, until recently. I was fortunate to have my first tarot gifted to me by my grandmother (The Mythic Tarot) and it will always have a special meaning to me. But I’m ready to select my own tarot now – and I hope I’m in with a chance to win this amazing opportunity with you.
PS I instagrammed as well, with a mention of which tarot I’m hoping the universe will bring my way. ?
x Jen
Oops! I forgot to include my IG deets … @alteredtype
Hi Susannah….so excited about the new class. I have taken classes from you before and loved them soooo I shared on facebook
also My word is complete so far I started 2 projects and have completed them…Next on the agenda is a UFO
thanks again
Linda
A phone call from my daughter in college, just to say hi and that she loves me! That made me smile and made my heart smile! Thanks… Lori
Something that makes and has made me smile so far in 2016 is my girls.. They have such beautiful souls and make me strive everyday to be a better Mum and person for them.
This is my fist year for having a word and My 2016 word is F L O U R I S H.. I’m so excited to make this happen…
I have shared and posted on all.. Pinterest belindajaynel, Instagram belindajlewis, FaceBook Belinda Lewis, Twitter @BelindaLewis9
I shared on FB.
I am smiling right now as I watch my sweet baby boy (3 months) sleeping soundly. He is pure love! The peace I felt after having him and now watching him day by day gives me an inner smile that lightens my life in a way air never could have imagined.
Pinned it!
I shared on facebook and something that made me smile deeply was seeing a William Blake painting at the Art Gallery because I owned the William Blake Tarot cards in my younger days. So tempted to get a new pack and see them again.
Facebooked it!
Instagrammed it!
Tweeted it!
I’ve pinned it!
And tweeted too. :)
So many thing have made me smile already in 2016. The most recent are these little gifts that mama earth keeps leaving for me. Feeling held by her.
I’ve been smiling every time I look at my new vision board for my Word for this year, create :)
Shared via Instagram
My children-playing in the rain!!
Shared on both Facebook and Instagram
My housemates dog has made me smile.
And, I’ve Facebook’d it!
:-)
My little niece has already made me smile in 2016. When she smile her sweet, pure pleasure smile at me, I can’t help but be filled with happiness!
pinned it. : )
Tweeted information.
Facebooked link.
Something that made me smile was a tarot reading that I had today. I’d love to learn more about it!
Shared on Facebook!
Just posted on Instagram.
I’ve smiled this year, in the sunshine at the beach.
Pinned! :-)
Watching my boys grow and learning from them each and every day makes me smile
In 2016, I left an abusive relationship, was hired by a family to nanny their wonderful kids, was provided-for via a live-in arrangement with them and a stipend, and met someone who, for a week, gave me butterflies and goosebumps unlike I’ve ever had in this life.
But seeing the Lord’s capacity to love me and my capacity to focus on faith and to keep myself open is not was brought the smile. What brought the smile was rushing to the post office to pick up mail and packages delivered for me to my abusers’ address, getting there at 2:05p as this was the best I could muster, and meeting with a stern and no-budge woman in her 60s who said, ‘No, the post office closes at 2p’, and then, magically, as if, she said, ‘Okay. But the post office closes at 2p, just so you know…just so you know.’.
The long drive there from my current location with the family I am with was filled with my calmest ‘Hail Mary’s’, knowing there was a faith-walk in the making. To see how God wanted to turn the lady’s heart around, last minute, and wanted to keep me earnest to being faithful, though it was easy to stress as after that day the post office would be sending my mail back, made me feel warm.
When I was in the queue of the post office, waiting my turn to pick up the things, that is when the smile came, broadly, deeply, powerfully, palpably: My guides are deeply here with me, I am so watched over, I am being loved more powerfully and perfectly than my mind has acknowledged thus far, I can relax. I closed my eyes and relished that moment of awareness, likely looking a fool or a strange person to the lady who let me in but truly, I did not care.
Oh, and I Facebooked this offer.
Just instagram-ed the picture!
I really enjoyed your last Journal Your Life course, though I haven’t finished it. My schedule got the better of me half way through. Will definitely find time to go through it when I get a chance soon.
Love from Malaysia!!
i’ve pinned it!
made me smile – getting my first 2016 roll of black and white film back from the photo lab :)
I start my year with a silent meditation retreat in the hinterland. Following sunlight sparkling on the trees led me up to some hidden rock pools where I discovered five beautiful blue freshwater crayfish. Big smiles!!
I spent some days at the beginning of the year without anxiety and panic attacks. It was very important to me.
Shared on Instagram!
Shared on Facebook!
Shared on Pinterest!
Pinned!
I smile every time my 16yo son snuggles up for a hug, even though he’s starting to need to lean over to put his head on my shoulder now.
Shared to Pinterest. Thanks!
Shared on IG. Thanks for the opportunity!