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 :)
Pinned!
Hi hon, there’s a Pinterest button at the bottom of the post x
What a lovely giveaway! I have done my unravelling for 2016 and am feeling very positive for this year (my word is “ease” to contrast with last year’s difficulties…) What has made me smile so far this year? Watching the moon on the rare occasions it has shown its face this winter! A gorgeous waning crescent last night between rain showers.
thank you, love! me too :)
Happily shared on Instagram.
On 2016 my first goddess oracle cards, the moment I held them I knew I was back home, it took me almost 20 years but I finally made it back home. I also wanted to say how much I agree with your comment on the cards, I always say that the tarot and oracle cards aren’t tools to tell the future, to me, specially tarot cards they show me my energies, the vibe that I’m flowing in that most of the time I’m not aware of. Thank you for this giveaway!
Lovely. So generous. Thank you for the chance. Susannah I’ve been reading your blog for awhile, and what makes me smile in 2016 beside my family is seeing how much you’ve grown and that you inspire so many like myself to try to find gratitude and love in the world around us.
Something that’s made me smile – seeing my dogs bounding through the mud & puddles absolutely ecstatic with life and so glad to be Alive!! Lovely to see ? x
My words for 2016 are release and intuition. I know two big words. What’s the saying, “go big or go home”………..this makes me smile knowing that there will be a lot of good things happening around these two words.
Tarot and Oracle cards are something I do not own at this time. With the explanations in this blog I will definitely feel more confident knowing what they are about and what I should look for. Thank you for that.
There is no way to correct it but my last name is Wright. Darn autocorrect lol.
The amazing weather in Southern California and waking up to palm trees makes me smile every morning!!
2016 has made me smile, I feel ready and excited about the year ahead. So many good things to look forward to.
Pinned. :)
Shared on Facebook. :)
Shared on Twitter.
Already posted on Facebook and instagram!
pinned… Cards ordered…
So far in 2016 I’ve already smiled because I got to start the New Year off with my boyfriend who is currently living in another country. That makes our visits extra special!
My children.
Shared this on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/51017408257013590/
my smile comes from the 13 year old rescue puppy. She has taken owership of our house.
My birthday was on January 11th and for the first time I spent it alone with no celebration. My boys and I spent the day together and it was an enjoyable day. However, a number of my sister in circle sent me birthday notes through the mail and a few sent gifts! I felt so loved and celebrated!! It reminds me that you need to have a party to have a celebration! I’m looking forward to seeing who gets to journey with you! ??
Pinned!
I am lucky enough to be able to audit classes at the local university. It is energizing to be with the 20+ yr old undergraduates. On my way to class I saw someone had made an outline of a heart in the snow with their boot prints. It made me smile.
Something that made me smile in 2016 was the universe showing me how magical it is, even on the rainy days. I live in the pacific northwest part of the States, and it’s often grey, dark, and dreary. We’ve been blessed with a few clear sunny days around here, and in those days I was awed by the snow-capped mountains and beauty of sunrise/sunset. Then it got cloudy again. As I was lamenting the lost sunshine on my morning commute to work, a bald eagle flew above my car overhead with it’s typical beauty and grace. Then, not two seconds later, a coyote sprinted across the road in front of me. I smiled, and said, “alright universe, I get it. Even in the dark times there is magic and beauty all around.”
P.S. Facebooked it!
You have truly opened and illuminated my life over the last 2 years with words, photos and my daily journaling practice. Is this the next addition to nourish my soul???
2016 has made me smile in so many ways so far! I was finally able to get back to school after having a baby. My son turned 6 months. And I reconciled with a family member that means a lot to me! Thank you so much!
This is an amazing giveway, thanks so much! My mother has made me smile every single day of this year. She has always been a witty lady, now her memory is not what it used to be (she is 91 years old) but her sense of humor stays intact. And now -maybe because she has nothing to lose- she is much funnier. It is a pleasure seeing her joy… and that made me smile too.
The thing that made me smile were my godchildren at the pool. Playing with this incredible free joy. They dared big, they celebrated their daring and it so often is such an inspirational thing to witness….
Oooh I’ve commented here, tweeted and pinterested!
Thank you for the oppo : ))
What an exciting give away! I’ve been studying your list of tarot and oracle cards for awhile now trying to decide which would fit me best. Some of the decks are so magical and beautiful!
Watching the sun sparkle on the snow after a fresh snow storm, my horse whinnying at me and racing through the deep snow to come see me, my dog pouncing on his ball in the deepest snow drifts, all these things have made me smile in this beautiful new year.
My smile for 2016 is seeing how my two boys play so well. After many heart struggles I’ve decided to start some meds for my youngest’s ADHD. So far it’s been hard to handle by myself but yesterday the two boys played for over an hour with (minimal) arguing and nobody was injured (yay!). I delight in hearing them have conversations and seeing the littlest personality bloom.
Ahhh many things have made me smile this year already! Mostly centred around my beautiful sons.
I think the most pertinent one is when my youngest, Max (who is autistic and mostly non-verbal, aged 8) running up to me every single day as he’s let out of class, running towards me full pelt with a huge smile on his face and shouting “MUMMY!!!” clear as a bell, closely followed by him seeing his big brother and running towards him in the same way shouting “ZAAACK!” while throwing himself into a cuddle. Best! Feeling! Ever!
After waiting so long for him to finally call me Mummy (aged 5 years, 10 months and 12 days), it is a cherished moment. <3
Pinned the beautiful image at: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/6333255704502168/
lying on the grass gazing up at the treetops has made me smile :) also pinned
Pinned! <3 https://www.pinterest.com/pin/162622236522978016/
Something that has made me smile in 2016:
A particularly good day at work. On 19th January 2016 I will have been running my own business for 1 year as a personal trainer – after four years working as a project engineer, after 4 years of university!
I was sitting in our staff room at the gym I work out of and was just looking around at everyone having a laugh and thinking to myself, “I’ve just had a really good session with a new client, and I’m surrounded by other people like me.” I felt like I had finally found a place and a job that really fitted me.
Something that made me smile in 2016-the look on my baby girl’s face when she unwrapped her new bicycle on her 4th birthday :)
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/MarylinMuir/status/687713846698602497
Teaching little kids yoga for the first time today has made me smile :)
Pinned! ?
Pinned :)
My first deck 24 years ago was Jamie Samms Animal Medicine cards. Like yourself i have added many different decks since, and I have used them to clarify the emotions, experiences and learnings in my life.
My life mantra is LOVE WINS, I have used the words and awareness of Grace, Fearlessness, Acceptence,Value, Kindness, and this year; SELFCARE, to walk this amazing Journey of absorbing and disseminating the plentiful and always refillable abundances of LOVE.
I send you and ALL
Wishes for the wonderful success of Learning, Clearing and reaching for Wholeness and sacredness of authentic LOVE
Shared on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MarylinJMuir/posts/10156382618615142
Oooh … am excited by the Dame Darcy Mermaid Tarot! Making me smile in this new year: watching the antics of the horses at the therapeutic riding center where I volunteer weekly. Such big goof balls! But when one leans its cheek against my face? Pure heaven and deep healing.
I’m travelling in my home country. Loving that feeling of returning to my younger self, drinking in a landscape that’s so familiar and beautiful yet different from where I live. Love it!
Shared on Pinterest!
Posted on FB!
Shared on Pinterest.
Shared on IG.
Shared on FB.
Instagram – pic shared @pmendir
Something that made me smile in 2016 – the look on my daughter’s face when she opened her acceptance letter to university. Where does the time go?
I smiled from ear to ear on New Year’s morning when I received wonderful news, so secret I can’t share it yet. But sometimes secrets we keep close to our hearts are so joyous and delightful.
I also Pinned to Pinterest, shared on Instagram and on Facebook! My heart is ready for this beautiful journey you are creating. Thank you for the beautiful giveaway!
There is so much to smile about in 2016: getting emails from Susannah Conway, new editing clients, return editing clients, clients who refer me to their other writing friends, my grandchildren, my husband, chocolate. Not just any chocolate, but really good, melt-in-your-mouth, but not too fast, deep dark rich chocolate and sunny days.
Tapping into my own positive energy and motivation has made me smile in 2016.
I have twin 6 year old nephews. Though they make Me smile everytime I think of them, AND though I don’t pick favorites with those beautiful little ones… the smile I first thought of is from Jake, the smaller of the two. Last week, I went to their very first basketball game. My brother is the coach. Again I said 6 years old. It was very cute, and very disorganized. My brother obviously told them to put their hands up on defense because every time, their hands went up. In Jakes case, his hands wide and up, him shuffling side to side intent on not letting the much bigger 7 year old shoot, focused, serious, determined, and not completely understanding the game… I smiled. It was a big smile. I didn’t take a photo when I watched because… I was there. It was perfect, and looking back it still makes Me smile. It also makes my heart smile. :)
Pinned it on Pinterest. X
Thanks for the chance at an awesome prize!
What’s made me smile so far this January – my children’s unconscious ability to keep us in balance. As the grown-ups in our house became all gung-ho and January-ey, the little ones have dug in their heels, slowed down and not so subtley shown us it’s time for hibernating rather than climbing a mountain. So wise. What do us adults know anyway – we’re only pretending to grown-up, right?
Only two weeks in and 2016 has already been a profound, smiling, and crying sort of year. Visiting family, brunch with friends, and some very good books have made me smile in the last few days. Also, some new opportunities to grow and flourish this year have already presented themselves, which has not only made me smile, but has also filled me with excitement and anticipation for things to come.
all fingers and toes crossed :)
What made me smile in 2016 is that I’m a clawhammer banjo player in Southern California,and it makes me feel cool in an oddly folky rebellious way.
Such a sweet and generous giveaway. Thank you! Something that has already made me smile in 2016 was visiting my husband and our dogs in Colorado. I’ll be moving there in a month while I tie up lose ends on the east coast. On this visit, I brought our cat with me and she met the dogs for the first time. It always makes me smile watching my husband interact with animals. He is so gentle and loving towards them and it makes me know he will be just as gentle and loving when we decide to have children. =)
This. This made me smile. Thank you.
The word that chose me this year -strength. It is already proving to be the perfect word to take me through this year. ?
Pinned :) https://www.pinterest.com/pin/47498971048546930/
Shared on Facebook!
Thanks for your inspiration, Sussanah. In 2016, it makes me smile to have built myself a little sacred space that I enter every morning to read, journal, draw and surf the internet. I have found it very grounding.
Something good that’s happened is I celebrated my 46th birthday. Grateful for another trip around the sun.
I have shared your course on Facebook. Thanks
I’m smiling now! This make me smile! You are amazing! Thank you!!!
Pinned the first image
My word this year is Joy. My nephew makes me smile. Thank you for the chance at this wonderful giveaway.
Pinned: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/206250857912970832/
Shared the post on Twitter. https://twitter.com/DatKaren/status/687720852276654080
My son – he always makes me smile! Thanks so much for this opportunity to win a place on the course and the cards!
Shared on Google+ :)
receiving snail mail packages from friends across the country is one of the things that has made me smile so far in 2016. (lovely giveaway!)
Shared at Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
My cats makes me smile every day. I have an chronic disease and bad genes, therefore I’ve decided not to have children of my own. I
enjoy my cats so much and luckily I have 4 bonus children a niece and a nephew. These kids makes me smile too.
My dad died of this disease and when I meditate he some times visits me, and that really makes me smile ?
Thank you so much for the opportunity to win. I would love to learn more about how to use the cards to help me discover how I feel about things.
I have shared on Pinterest.
https://www.pinterest.com/bookofsecrets/i-learn-every-day/
Thank you this is a lovely opportunity. I’ve just spent the last 10 minutes looking at the decks you have mentioned, and trying to decide on which one speaks to me. The strange thing is that the morning before you released the new tarot course I had written in my morning pages that maybe it was time to invest in a tarot or oracle card deck!
My Westie Daisy makes me smile several times a day – I’m so lucky to have such a beautiful,funny, little furry companion who gets me out into the fresh air every day.
Picture sahred in IG :)
Facebooked it
Shared in twitter and Google+
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MariannaDiFerdinando
Tweeted :) https://twitter.com/Karin_Lehmann/status/687722351740366848
Something that made me smile: watching two of my daughters start skating lessons!
My baby boy is turning 2 at the end of the month – and he makes me smile daily. Recently, he has learned to somersault and the joy on his face when he flips over just fills my heart in ways I never thought possible.
Shared on facebook
Tweeted with excitement! I really like your comment that these cards are less fortune tellers than they are mirrors we can hold up to ourselves.
Dear Susannah – I just read your post and feel this is just the course I need. I’ve begun to use oracle cards more and more, and would appreciate some suggestions for fresh approaches. I just Facebooked DAILY GUIDANCE. <3
What made me smile, life, healthy and happy in spite of the ups and downs.
Thank you, this is lovely! Inspired by your Unraveling the Year Ahead Guide, I am began drawing a card for the day every morning with my daily practice and I really cherish it. It makes me smile on the inside in a big way :) Other things that have made me smile in 2016 are my daughter, my husband, the rose on my table, my friends online and off, and my clients. xo
Email wrong, corrected
Thank you. I came across your blog when I was surfing among the net for some useful journaling guide. I wanted to know how to connect with myself through writings.
And everything comes in naturally: This is my first time ever to start a year with a word that I chose for myself, which is ‘intimate’, and I just ordered two decks of oracle cards to help me stay connected! Thank you for your beautiful and powerful words!
Love from HK.
My smiles so far in 2016 have been wide and sparkly! One that stands out was when myself and my partner snuggled up to work through your 2016 Vision workbook. We shared with each other our 2015 vision first – this produced many smiles – at our successes and our uncomfortable learnings. Thank you Susannah for sharing your journey with us.
My first deck was a RWT which I lost somewhere on my way. My most loved one is the Motherpeace Tarot. I used the cards a lot when I was younger, pretty much in the way you describe in your post. My cards (or my relationship to the cards) are a bit like waves, coming ang going, never gone forever. Even if I don’t think about them for a long period they use to pop up again when the time is right :-)
I love what you write about the cards, it expresses what I feel!
What made me smile in 2016? I was iceskating on a frozen lake high up in the mountains and the sun was shini g and it was such a brilliant day I was actually more grinning from ear to ear because of the joy in it.
And my boys make me smile everyday. And receiving a letter from my daughter who is in Brasil since July :-)
What has made me smile this year…MY PUPPY! He couldn’t be any cuter.
Thank you Susannah for this generous giveaway! I have become obsessed with tarot & oracle cards this past year & a half. I am intrigued by using them for journaling & creativity.
I agree with you that the cards reveal your true feelings…like mirrors!
Oh…and I shared on IG, Facebook, Pinterest & Twitter (-:
Something that has made me smile this year is snow! As a recent transplant from a tropical island, I’m digging winter!
My poorly pet rat has made me smile in 2016 – struggling with a tumour yet she’s as feisty and lively as she can be :)
Also tweeted and pinned!! xx