I love this artist with a realness. MJ Cullinane is incredibly talented and it’s like they channel the cards directly from spirit. I have their Forhaxa Tarot, based on Swedish myth, and the art is just so stunning and rich, it’s one of my favorite decks. And I’ve been coveting a lot of their other decks, so when The Raven’s Dream came up for preorder, I knew I had to get it. Because Raven/Ravenson, etc. You get it.

And it certainly didn’t disappoint.

The cardstock is a lovely matte stock that’s a dream to shuffle, even if the cards are a touch big for me. The art has an overall teal/blue cast, and it lends a moodiness to the cards that I just love. I could just stare at these cards for hours, not reading, but just gazing at the art. The symbolism is rich and deep, and I love them!

Let’s take a look at what the cards have to say!

1. Tell me about yourself. What is your most important characteristic? Judgment. This will be a great deck for decision making. This will be the deck that I reach for in a crisis when I don’t know which way to turn and need some illumination.
2. What are your strengths as a deck? Ten of Pentacles reversed. This deck sees me as a sovereign person, a person able to stand on my own without support. It will help me to make my own way in the world.
3. What are your limits as a deck? 9 of Swords. It’s not going to alleviate my worries or anxieties, it’s here to just be real. It’s not a soothing, happy deck, it will meet me in the darkness and dwell there with me.
4. What are you here to teach me? 5 of Swords reversed. It’s here to teach me how to be harmonious in my dealings with other people and make sure that I’m not constantly stuck in conflict. It will help when I need clarity on a confusing subject as well.
5. How can I best learn and collaborate with you? Nine of Pentacles reversed. Don’t expect comfort from this deck. Don’t expect it to soothe me. Don’t try to use this deck when things are easy breezy, use it when things are really difficult and contentious.
6. What is the potential outcome of our working relationship? 4 of Swords. It will help me find rest when I need it. It will help me find more peace overall in my life.

Wow. I wasn’t expecting all of that. I know it’s not a frivolous deck, but I didn’t know it was that intense and deep. I don’t wish for opportunities to use it, because it sounds like it’s really going to be best during difficult times, but I WILL spend time looking at the art, absorbing the beauty there.

What about you? Have you used this deck? Let me know, and blessed be! <3