The Playing Card Oracles is a book written by Ana Cortez and her father, the artist C.J. Freeman. Their idea is to revive the magic of the playing cards. It’s a fantastic work, filled with insights, card-symbology, ideas and original techniques.Not to mention the poetry, the little tales, the pictures…it’s a work or art and wisdom, that’ll open doors to anyone who believes there’s somehing else behind this apparently common deck.
Althought any random deck of playing cards (yes, the same you use to play poker) may be used, they have designed a very beautiful accompanying deck, called The Picture Book of Ana Cortez, illustrated by Freeman. He spent many years carefully making this deck, and his mysterious and evocative art makes it very different from other decks in this genre.
The ’system’ taught in the book is in no way related to or derived from Tarot – it’s an an individual entity. Thus, it’s best if one leaves his ‘tarot notions’ outside, in order not to get confused or try to mix the two things. The PCO, for instance, use a very different suits/elements assiciation than most of people who work with tarot are used: Diamonds are Fire; Clubs are Air; Hearts are Water; Spades are Earth. It also uses geomancy to further interpret the readings. Sounds confusing at first, but it’s actually just a matter of getting used to the uniqueness of this oracle.
As a collector, i’ve come across many books that teach you how to read playing cards. Most of the systems were confusing, lacked of any depth, they didn’t teach anything – you had to read with the book by your side always, you depended on it. The Playing Card Oracles was the first one i found that thinks out of the box, and the book is not only a little guide of meanings: it teaches you, it talks to you.That’s why i recommend it to all divination enthusiasts and curious people.
Visit the author’s website: Ana Cortez.org
Buy the set (deck & book): US Games Inc.
See some pictures: The Playing Card Oracles
Hi Marina,
I have bougth this tarot deck, it look like different and unusual. I have ridding a lot of informatión about it, that I have founded in internet. I wish have it, and playing with it as soon as posible.
I have a doubt about the best method to choose the different cards that are necesary to make same ridding.
Normaly I shuffle 78 arcans, and them I slide these cards and choose them. But there are people who first shuffle and cut in two or three groups of cards.
Bye
P.D Sorry for my english, to me it is difficult tell, that I want because of language. I’m spanish