Heart of Faerie and Faeries' Oracle

Heart of Faerie Oracle and Faeries' Oracle are the two decks created by artist Brian Froud. The Faeries' Oracle came first (2001). The cards were created from images originally published in his book, Good Faeries/Bad Faeries. Then a few years later, Heart of Faerie came out (2010). Some people have strong thoughts about the differences and similarities between these two decks. I certainly don't think you need one in order to understand the other--they are both stand alone decks. But, to me, they also work together very well. I bought the two of them at the same time last year, so that may colour my opinion, though actually I have worked only with Faeries' Oracle since then, leaving Heart of Faeries until just this week.

There is a subtly different feel to the two decks. Faeries' Oracle seems more ethereal and otherworldly, whereas the Heart of Faerie seems more earthy, or anchored more obviously to the natural world. A large part of this is that the images in the Faeries' Oracle mostly show individual faeries or groups of faeries (Froud likes to draw them piled on top of each other, as if the world absolutely teems with faerie of all types)  in  a dark, empty or indistinct background. This lack of context lends a feeling of separation. Also, in Faeries' Oracle, there is a whole class of faeries Froud calls 'Singers', which are abstract beings of radiant light and energy. (These are actually my favourite images of faerie and I wish he would do a whole Singer deck!).

Beltane - Summer Solstice: It's Faerie Season!

Yesterday even though it was freezing cold, I couldn't help feeling suddenly overwhelmed by the first flush of Beltane fever, and the impulse hit me to end my One Deck Wonder with the Cosmic Tarot and focus on faeries from now until Summer Solstice. I found my book by Emily Carding, my two copies of the Tarot of the Sidhe, and my Faeries' Oracle by Brian Froud. They will be my exclusive divinatory tools from now until Summer Solstice. I am excited!

The book, Faery Craft, is not related to the two decks, but instead is about Faery lifestyle and practices. I haven't read it yet but have flicked through it on several occasions. It contains some information on Emily Carding's (and other's) ideas about faery, and there are lots of exercises suggested to help you get in touch with the faery. The remainder of the book focuses on the Faery lifestyle, a community of people who enjoy expressing their faery vision through artwork, writing, festivals and events--and dressing up!

Bippety Boppety Boo

You see this card and you think, 'Ooh, Faery Godmother!' But then you look again and think, 'Uh oh. Faery Godmother.' Because there's something about her that reminds me of the Evil Queen in Snow White, offering the poisoned apple. Only instead of the apple being poisoned, it's an offer of 'good medicine' -- good for us, but maybe not so tasty going down. At least, that's my response today.

Who is this figure? What is she offering, crossed arms, an apple in one hand, a giant pearl in the other. Why is she so shrouded in robes and wimples, so hidden? That look on her face says to me, 'Do you really want what you think you want? Have you really considered the cost? The consequences? Are you wise? Are you foolish? Do you even know what you are? Would you like to know?' 

Is she offering me wisdom? Grace? Understanding? The companion book suggests that she is, and calls her 'Sairie the Faery' and says she can provide rescue and protection. She can, of course, she's a faery and she can do whatever she wants. Sometimes, though, I think she wants us to rescue ourselves. She wants to give us a little lesson. But we have to choose to take it. And I believe she is subtle in her offerings, and will not offer the exact same thing twice...so be careful what you say no to. And be careful what you say yes to. 

May I be slow to say no and careful in saying yes to whatever the Faery Godmother has on offer for me today. 

Silicon Faeries 5

Faeries' Oracle 2000, Silicon Dawn 2011

Today's our last day of looking at Brian Froud's Faeries' Oracle (2000) alongside the Silicon Dawn by Egypt Urnash (2011). We see The Guardian at the Gate alongside the Ace of Cups.

You can see at once how they echo one another visually. Same shapes, lots of blue. Both have a flowy, watery feel. Both of the cards have to do with the free flow of emotion.

Silicon Faeries 4

Silicon Dawn 2011, Faeries' Oracle 2000

Today we've got 7 of Swords from Silicon Dawn and Epona's Wild Daughter from Brian Froud's Faeries' Oracle.

Silicon Faeries 3

Silicon Dawn 2011, Faeries' Oracle 2000

Today's cards are pretty powerful. We have 0 of Void from Silicon Dawn Tarot, and Honesty from Brian Froud's Faeries' Oracle.

Silicon Faeries 2

Froud Faeries' Oracle 2000, Urnash Silicon Dawn 2011

Tuesday's forecast: If you're expected to do the impossible, you better dig deep and find your inner Captain Kirk!

Silicon Faeries 1

I've decided to draw one card from Silicon Dawn by Egypt Urnash (2011) and one card from Faeries' Oracle by Brian Froud (2000) Monday-Friday this week. Originally I was going to alternate them. I sat and drew a card for Mon-Fri in the Faeries' Oracle, had a study of them, then drew Mon-Fri in the Silicon Dawn and looked them over. My intention was to select which card would be used for each day. Mon - Wed - Fri Faeries, Tue - Thu Silicon, I wondered? But then I noticed that the cards worked together really, really well for each day, so I'm just going to show you all of them.

Monday 12th Nov - 5 of Wands + Ffaff the Ffooter
When worries about the material start to oppress, ground yourself and get back in the moment!

Meeting the Faeries

Froud Faeries' Oracle in its new bag with the Faerie Notebook

My new Faeries' Oracle (Brian Froud and Jessica Macbeth, 2000) is out of the box for good. Funnily, it just didn't want to be in there. It seems very happy in the simple cotton print bag that actually came with my Wicca Moon Tarot, but that alas my Wicca Moon cards won't even fit into properly. The Faeries' Oracle fits perfectly, and as Jessica Macbeth instructed me to do in the companion book (she's bossy, but I like it!), I found a small notebook lying around and ripped out the first few used pages (it had a brief life as a 'food journal in October 2011--the faeries laughed at that as I pulled those pages out), numbered the remaining pages 0-65, and now have my new complete set. I may just chuck the box. (And this after I spent some time the other day converting it from a slip box, which I really dislike, to a lidded box. It's a simple matter of cutting out the back panel and artfully using clear tape to reconstruct the sleeve into a lid that fits over the insert that the cards fit into).

This is the first time I've made up (or channeled ??) my own meanings for cards, without reading the companion book. It is an interesting process. I am now on card number 25. Forty-one more to go! (I am leaving 'Fairy Guide' for last). After I write my first thoughts, I then take a peek at the guidebook and add anything from it that strikes me as being either similar to my own thoughts, or something I didn't think of that resonates. At the moment I am leaving out anything in the guidebook that doesn't 'sound right'.

The Piper, from Faeries' Oracle, Froud 2000

Above is a sample of my notes. I have front and back of one sheet per card, plus a few sheets at the back where I can make further notes or maybe some card spreads. This is a fun little project.

First draw from the Faeries' Oracle

The Faeries' Oracle by Brian Froud, book by Jessica Macbeth. Simon & Schuster, 2000.

This deck arrived yesterday and I had to start looking at it. Jessica Macbeth's very engaging book told me to go through the deck and pick the card I find most appealing, the one that makes me most uncomfortable, and then to turn them face down and pick up the one that 'calls' me. Then I was to answer a series of questions about them. I was cautioned NOT to go to the back of the book and look up the meanings, so I haven't.