Helpful magical beings are creatures or entities that possess magical powers and use them for benevolent purposes. They are often depicted in folklore and mythology as assisting humans in various ways, providing guidance, protection, and granting wishes. These magical beings can take on different forms and come from different cultural backgrounds, each with their own unique characteristics and abilities. One well-known helpful magical being is the fairy. Fairies are often depicted as small, winged creatures with magical abilities. They are said to be mischievous, yet benevolent, and are known to help humans in times of need.
Not only am I drawn to the illustration, I also love the message:
Even with the spreads included, you may want to go through the directions and their sample readings, to make sure you understand how to use the cards for best results. This deck would be best for a more experienced card reader and someone who has a basic knowledge of astrology, including the cycles and phases of the Moon.
They are said to be mischievous, yet benevolent, and are known to help humans in times of need. Fairies are often associated with nature and are believed to have the power to heal wounds, bless crops, and bring good fortune. Another popular magical being is the genie.
The Moon Oracle, by Caroline Smith and John Astrop
In this whimsical and colorful deck of cards and the accompanying guidebook for The Moon Oracle, authors Caroline Smith & John Astrop have created a system that tracks moon phases, moon mansions, and shares information on key Goddesses. Smith also provides the beautiful illustrations, which are rich with history and symbolism. Astrop and Smith were married and worked together to create this deck. After a prolific career as a designer of children’s books, Astrop passed away in 2013. Smith is an illustrator who worked alongside Astrop and also contributed to their creation of The Elemental Tarot, which was also released in 2021.
In the guidebook, Smith and Astrop chronicle the influence of the Moon from Shakespeare to scientific references. The eight phases of the Moon are explained as being similar to stages in plant life. Smith then utilizes this symbolism in her illustrations of the eight Moon phases in each of the four elements. This creates a section of 32 cards with colors that reflect the element and artwork that reflects the Moon phases as plants.
Did you know that the earliest astrology was Moon based, rather than being Sun-centric. For example, the Roman “Emperor Augustus used his moon sign, Capricorn, on his coinage.” 1 This idea forms the basis of the 28 moon mansions.
The final section of cards comprises 12 goddesses and each aligns with a Zodiac sign. In addition to providing information for a reading, any Goddess card that is drawn also “presides over the question. She acts like a guardian Angel or fairy godmother who looks after your interests.” 2
At first glance, the deck’s symbolism may be hard to read and understand. However, the authors have done a great job of explaining how to use the different phases, mansions and goddesses for divination. I decided to test the deck with one of my Facebook groups.
I did a simple one card reading for ten people, and every person shared that the message was spot on and very helpful for helping her navigate some area of current life. These readings were all done for what I call a “general” reading. In other words, no one asked me a question beforehand. I simply pulled a card for each person and then shared a portion of the message from the guidebook. One friend said that the message was “eerily resonant.”
The information in the guidebook for each card is succinct, insightful, and rich in symbolism. The more I worked with the deck, the more clues and symbols I found, such as all eight of the phases of the moon appearing on each of the Moon Phase Cards, with the phase highlighted in a darker color for the specific card selected.
The creators of this deck also include several original card spreads to make utilizing this deck easy and beneficial. To make it simple to pull the correct Moon Phase card for the day you are divining, there are Moon Tables in the back of the guidebook for 2016-2032.
I also did a five card reading for myself utilizing one of the spreads shared in the guidebook. The spread I utilized was called “The Elemental Cross.” 3
My question revolved around whether it was time to create an astrology class I had been contemplating. With the messages from the five cards, I learned that
- It’s an ideal time to start.
- If I decide to jump into this situation, it will be successful.
- Good planning is required and no need to be perfectionistic.
- I have all of the elements I need and may want to think outside the box.
- A systematic approach is best, allowing things to fall into place.
What a great reading! I’m ready to go!
The last card also included a message on timing and the month of “September” was referenced. To me, this means that it may take some time for the pandemic to slow down its spread, and as people are returning to a more “normal” way of life, I might plan my class for Fall 2022.
This deck would be best for a more experienced card reader and someone who has a basic knowledge of astrology, including the cycles and phases of the Moon. I’ve been studying the Moon for over a year and I had to read and re-read the information to make sure I was understanding the symbols and selecting the correct card. For most of the spreads outlined in the guidebook, you’ll want to separate the deck into the three parts: Elemental Moon Phases, Moon Mansions, and Goddesses. This is unusual, even for an oracle deck.
Since I tend to just “jump in” with most oracle decks, I was not initially aware of this and it led to a kind of muddled reading the first time I worked with the cards. I would say that most people will want to read the Introduction and the material for each of the three different parts of the deck. Without this background information on The Moon Oracle system, it may prove confusing and you might not receive a clear reading. Even with the spreads included, you may want to go through the directions and their sample readings, to make sure you understand how to use the cards for best results.
The deck comes in a sturdy box that holds the cards in a type of shadowbox indentation. There is also room for the oversized guidebook to sit on top of the cards. This box slides easily into a nice slipcase in the same rose color as the other box. The guidebook is a larger size and has a rose card-stock cover. Each of the cards is shown in black and white on the page that gives the symbolism and meaning.
The deck itself is printed on a nice glossy card-stock, in rich, jewel-toned colors. The back of the cards is printed in silver with the image of the winged goddess Artemis, a lioness and a deer. The cards are a nice weight and fairly easy to shuffle. The cards are 3 X 5, so if you have smaller hands like me, you may want to use an overhand shuffle for the cards, rather than a riffle shuffle.
My favorite card in the deck is Moon Mansion #25, Rebel. It features a red-headed lady hanging upside down in the nude. It features both Uranus and Mercury in Aquarius, which is Astro-speak for “cares very little for rules and tradition.” 4
Not only am I drawn to the illustration, I also love the message:
“If this card is drawn there is the potential for exceptionally bright thinking that produces sparks of genius. It indicates a powerful devotion to a cause. You are certain that your position is correct no matter how ‘out on a limb’ you seem to others. You must be prepared to act totally out of character to achieve your intended aims.” 5
For those of you who are utilizing the Moon and her 28-day cycle and 8 phases to steer your life, this deck presents a divination tool for even better navigation.
I really enjoyed working with The Moon Oracle and look forward to more divination adventures. This oracle card set would be great for an astrologer, an astrology student, or someone who wants to learn more about the Moon and using the Moon for guidance.
PJ Spur is an author, intuitive, spiritual mentor, astrologer, and hypnotist. She does tarot & oracle card readings, natal chart readings, grief coaching, and relationship healing. She also has hosted a weekly “Coffee & Cards” event with her Soul Compass Community for the past four years. Her book Navigating Grief with Grace is available on Amazon. Learn more at www.dearpj.com
References
- page 13
- page 15
- pg 104-105
- page 99
- page 99
“If this card is drawn there is the potential for exceptionally bright thinking that produces sparks of genius. It indicates a powerful devotion to a cause. You are certain that your position is correct no matter how ‘out on a limb’ you seem to others. You must be prepared to act totally out of character to achieve your intended aims.” 5
Genies are believed to reside in magical lamps or bottles and possess the ability to grant wishes to those who release them. In folklore, genies are often depicted as powerful beings who can manipulate reality and fulfill any desire. However, they are also known for their trickery, so one must be careful when making a wish. The leprechaun is a mischievous and helpful magical being from Irish folklore. Leprechauns are depicted as small, bearded men wearing green clothing and are believed to guard a hidden pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. While they are known to play tricks on humans, they can also be helpful by granting luck and wealth to those who are kind to them. In Norse mythology, the Valkyries are depicted as divine maidens who choose brave warriors to bring to Valhalla. These powerful female beings are associated with battle and were believed to aid warriors in their victories. Valkyries are often described as beautiful, winged creatures who ride on horseback and possess the power of prophecy. The benevolent magical beings mentioned above are just a few examples of the diverse range of helpful entities found in folklore and mythology. Across different cultures and traditions, these magical beings serve as symbols of hope, protection, and guidance for humans. While their specific characteristics and abilities may vary, they all share the common purpose of using their magical powers to assist and benefit humanity..
Reviews for "The Gifted Ones: How Magical Beings Possess Unique Abilities to Help Others"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Helpful magical beings" but I was left disappointed. The story felt too predictable and formulaic, with the same old tropes and clichés that we've seen a hundred times before. The characters lacked depth and development, and the plot was unoriginal and uninspiring. Overall, I found the book to be quite boring and it failed to engage me as a reader.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I absolutely hated "Helpful magical beings". The writing was juvenile and lacked any sort of sophistication. The dialogue was cringe-worthy, filled with forced humor and cheesy one-liners. The world-building was weak and inconsistent, and the magical beings felt like mere caricatures rather than fully fleshed out characters. The storyline was disjointed and confusing, with major plot holes that were never properly addressed. I found myself counting down the pages until I could finally be done with this disappointment of a book.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "Helpful magical beings" had all the potential to be a great book, but it fell short. The pacing was uneven, with slow and dragging parts interspersed with rushed and hurried moments. The descriptions were lackluster and failed to transport me into the fantastical world the author was trying to create. The protagonist was unlikeable and made illogical decisions, which made it hard for me to root for them. Overall, the book had a lot of potential, but it failed to deliver on its promises and left me feeling underwhelmed.