Well Worn Path

[Niamh celtic mist]

Raven,

I can't wait for this deck to be availiable! Is there any information you can share about them.

Thanks!

Niamh

[raven grimassi]

Originally Posted by Niamh celtic mist

Raven,

I can't wait for this deck to be availiable! Is there any information you can share about them.

Thanks!

Niamh

Thanks, and yes I would be happy to share something more about the deck in addition to what already appears on the website:

http://www.wellwornpath.com/

The deck is a divination system designed for Pagans, Witches and Wiccans. It is not another Tarot deck made to look "witchy" or have a "Pagan feel" to it. The imagery of the deck reflects the beliefs and practices our community without having to adopt or adapt something outside of European Paganism (such as Hebrew Mysticism, Renaissance ceremonial magic, and so forth). Because the symbolism is basic and already commonly known to people involved in Paganism and the Craft, there is very little minimal memorization needed.

Because this is not a Tarot deck, there are no official suits in this deck, but instead you will find theme groupings. One example is the grouping of cards bearing the image of the altar, cakes & wine, the pentacle, wand, athame, and chalice. Another grouping is the Book of Shadows, and several cards depicting it open to pages showing such things as the Rede, Law of Three, Words of the Magus, As Above so Below, and so on.

You will not find figures like the Hierophant or the Devil in this deck, but instead there are images representing the Green Man, Maiden-Mother-Crone, Stag-Horned God, Crescent-Crowned Goddess, and other symbolic figures that are connected with Pagan & Craft themes. Additional themes include the Summerland, Handfasting, Reincarnation, and so forth.

The "card spreads" are also unique, and are designed for our community. One example is the Cauldron Spread, which is the major reading layout. The deck also presents the pentagram spread for a quick insight reading, and a Crossroads spread for choices and decisions. A full length book comes with the deck as a kit, which includes a nice carrying bag for the cards.

One of the exciting things about this deck is that it also teaches the foundational concepts of Paganism and the Craft. The book breaks each card down into three levels: divinatory meaning, the Pagan/Craft teaching associated with each image, and a magical/spiritual alignment connected to the concept expressed in the imagery. Here you can study and learn as you work with the deck, and the cards can be used like "flash cards" for personal review or to help students test their retention of the concepts reflected in each image on a card.

Another use of the deck is for solitary ritual, and the book explains how the cards can be used in this way. The cards in the deck contain images of an altar, a Goddess and God, each of the elemental ritual tools, and the four elements of earth, air, fire and water. These can be placed together to create "sacred space" - and through a guided imagery mediation, a person can perform a dedication rite, full moon ritual, or any of the Sabbats. All of this is described through examples provided in the book.

I would be happy to answer any questions, and to discuss the deck further.

Best regards - Raven

[Earthy]

They look beautiful, and sound so "right".
I guess that's something else to go on my wish list

[Nemesis Descending]

Originally Posted by raven grimassi

One of the exciting things about this deck is that it also teaches the foundational concepts of Paganism and the Craft. The book breaks each card down into three levels: divinatory meaning, the Pagan/Craft teaching associated with each image, and a magical/spiritual alignment connected to the concept expressed in the imagery. Here you can study and learn as you work with the deck, and the cards can be used like "flash cards" for personal review or to help students test their retention of the concepts reflected in each image on a card.

Very cool, sounds like a great way for newbies to learn the Craft, and have an experience with our ways. I can also see the value for teachers, and it sounds like a very good tool.

Originally Posted by raven grimassi

Another use of the deck is for solitary ritual, and the book explains how the cards can be used in this way. The cards in the deck contain images of an altar, a Goddess and God, each of the elemental ritual tools, and the four elements of earth, air, fire and water. These can be placed together to create "sacred space" - and through a guided imagery mediation, a person can perform a dedication rite, full moon ritual, or any of the Sabbats. All of this is described through examples provided in the book.

I have some friends in the military who always complain about the difficulty in practicing onboard ship at sea. I can see someone being able to do a ritual "in the astral" with your deck. Anyone looking over, would only see someone looking as cards set out before the person on his or her bunk. I think the deck also seems great for people in "mixed" households, where privacy (or even non-discovery) is important.

I think this deck will be a great contribution to the Pagan & Craft community. Thank you!

In Her Service,
Nemesis Descending

[Niamh celtic mist]

Thanks!

I am so glad that you are able to bring this to us. When I looked at the cards for the first time I felt many of the things you described. The images are perfect for reflection and contemplation..also what came to me instantly was how wonderful to take them along when traveling...It would be so easy to use them a s a portable spiritual altar..

Well the hardest part is going to be waiting for them to be released!

Blessings,

Niamh

[raven grimassi]

Originally Posted by Niamh celtic mist

When I looked at the cards for the first time I felt many of the things you described. The images are perfect for reflection and contemplation.

Thanks, and yes, this is one of the things that I wanted for the deck. I feel strongly about guided imagery as a tool. The imagery for each card was carefully designed to incorporate the symbolism that allows for the emersion mind, heart and spirit.

Originally Posted by Niamh celtic mist

..also what came to me instantly was how wonderful to take them along when traveling...It would be so easy to use them a s a portable spiritual altar..

We did some "field testing" with prototypes of the deck, and received positive feedback regarding using the deck for solitary ritual and spiritual alignment. Several people remarked about how the deck made it easy to carry the "tools" with them while travelling. It is one of the unique things about this deck that it was created (in part) to be used for solitary ritual and magic practices. We tried very hard not to make this deck cute, or to follow in the footsteps of some items that have received strong criticism for a variety of reasons, which include marketing teens and selling portable cardboard altars for the Witch on the go.

Author Mary Greer, well-known in Tarot circles, read the manuscript that accompanies with deck, and just submitted this very nice review:

"_The Well Worn Path_ by Stephanie Taylor and Raven Grimassi and illustrated by Mickie Mueller provides a pictorial map to the pagan mysteries, showing the major landmarks along the way. It’s a divination tool, a textbook, a storybook and a complete set of ritual paraphernalia, as well as entries to other realms. The deck and book teach you to see through the physical forms of broom, tree, path, book, elements and tools to the Spiritual Forces that infuse them. It encourages you to reach out with the spark of the Divine Within to touch the Divine Source. The cards themselves can even assist you in designing a ritual. Draw cards for a tool to use; an element to emphasize; a God, Goddess or Guide to invoke; and to indicate the theme or purpose of the ritual. I highly recommend _The Well Worn Path_ as a way to deepen your wiccan practice and to easily carry a whole ritual kit with you everywhere."

--Mary K. Greer, author of The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals and co-author of Understanding the Tarot Court.

Originally Posted by Niamh celtic mist

Well the hardest part is going to be waiting for them to be released!

I am excited as well, and eagerly await the arrival of the deck. Thank you for your expressed interest, it is much appreciated.

Best regards - Raven

[IvyWitch]

Is there a section on the website other than the store that has sample images of the cards? I can't seem to find anything other than pictures of the book and the box cover..

[raven grimassi]

Originally Posted by IvyWitch

Is there a section on the website other than the store that has sample images of the cards? I can't seem to find anything other than pictures of the book and the box cover..

I am not sure that I understand what you are asking. On the Well Worn Path website there are images of the cards (rotating), and the box cover, and the book, along with a brief description: http://www.wellwornpath.com/

But if you are looking for just the images to browse (larger images, and not rotating) you can find them on this link (created by our webmaster for the upcoming East Coast promotional tour this Fall) - http://www.cafepress.com/wellwornpath

Regretfully, the images on the link do not reflect the true beauty and the amazing detail rendered by our artist, but they do provide a fair representation of what the cards basically look like.

I will be back East doing appearances to promote the deck along with Stephanie Taylor, the co-creator and co-author of the Well Worn Path. We will be doing readings and presenting a workshop on how to use the deck for different purposes (divination, ritual, magic, and meditation, and so on). If there is any interest, people can check updates for the appearances on my personal website: http://www.ravengrimassi.com/

Best regards - Raven

[Scarlet Witch]

Originally Posted by raven grimassi

Regretfully, the images on the link do not reflect the true beauty and the amazing detail rendered by our artist, but they do provide a fair representation of what the cards basically look like.

Well, they look pretty awesome to me! From what you describe there's a lot of potential for this deck, and it may well be the "next step" in things. Kudos...

Blessed be,
Scarlet Witch

[gypsy0108]

I cant wait to try this deck out I started out in wicca with 2 of you books almost 13 years ago and i still use them to this day I am sure the tarot deck will be of the same quality