WILD KUAN YIN ORACLE

Wild Kuan Yin Oracle, Alana Fairchild, Illustrations by Wang Yiguang, Blue Angel Publishing, Victoria, Australia, released by Llewellyn Publications, Woodbury, MN, 2015, 44 cards, 272pp book, $23.95.

In the book’s introduction, Alana Fairchild says, “When I first saw the artwork…I was mesmerized. The artist’s vision captured something in my soul.”

        I know exactly how she felt because I felt that myself as I first went through the deck. The artwork is evocative, enchanting, and superbly detailed. Kuan Yin is shown in all guises of woman: maiden, mother, crone. She flies through the air, dances across water or snow, embraces buffalo…

        The card names reflect the artwork. Grandmother of Love, Granddaughter of Life depicts Crone and young female looking at each other, and the beautiful message (in the book) tells us that Grandmother is wisdom with the ability to learn from experience. Granddaughter is potential with the seed of life growing into fullness. Both ends of the spectrum. The message tells us to stop judging ourselves for our past and become empowered to engage more with life. How meaningful.

        The book is wonderful. Alana introduces us to the genesis of the deck and how it progressed to the cards and book you now hold in your hands. For those unfamiliar, she explains who Kuan Yin is in a way that makes it so clear.

        Alana then explains how to use the deck: How to formulate a question for a single card reading; what other spreads you might want to use; information on reversed cards. What I found helpful here is the explanation of Healing Processes.

        Each card has an explanation of its meaning as well as its Healing Process. If you keep getting the same card over and over, or if you feel you need more information on a particular card, you will find simple Healing rituals and prayers. For example, part of the prayer for Grandmother of Love, Granddaughter of Life (yes, my favorite card) is to ask for help trusting your own timing; help in letting go and trusting that life loves you and wants you to grow.

        There are only two drawbacks to the Wild Kuan Yin Oracle. One is that the print in the book is very small. I know it has to be in order to fit the book and cards in the small box, but there were times I had to use a magnifier. The other isn’t so much a drawback as a question. Alana explains “…if you find a reversed card in your reading…pay special attention to it.” Because some of the cards are horizontal, how can I tell if it’s reversed or upright?

        All in all, I found this deck incredibly helpful and insightful, and the book extremely well-written. You don’t have to know Kuan Yin; you’ll learn about her (and yourself) by connecting to her energy as you do readings for yourself and others with this beautiful deck.

- Kathy Cicalese