Review: The Field Guide To Garden Dragons

Field Guide For Garden Dragons

Author: Arwen Lynch
Artist: Stanley Morrison
U.S. Game Systems, Inc.
2019
ISBN #978-1-57281-979-5

The “Field Guide To Garden Dragons” is a 46 card whimsical fantasy deck that comes with a 135 page companion book. The instructions in the beginning of the book take the reader on a fantasy trip to identify garden dragons in their region, as well as others. Garden Dragons are identified as being members of the kingdom Animalia Mythica, phylum Draconia, class Fablia, and order Draco Occultatum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is stated that anyone wishing to see garden dragons must look closely, as they are very good at camouflaging themselves. Very tongue in cheek, the reader is also asked to report any significant differences in how the dragon(s) they encounter from the descriptions given in this book to the Royal Dragon Society, accompanied by field notes and illustrations. BTW – Garden Dragons can be found almost anywhere – including your own back yard!

Each dragon is presented with a black and white scan, the common name, the scientific name, a keyword, appearance, habitat, field notes, and mystical meaning. For instance, the Apple Dragon’s scientific name is Draco Malum Delisquious. It is described as having shiny wings, a lustrous sheen to its scales, and having green accents. Its eyes are able to rotate 360 degrees, and it radiates spines from its brow to the base of its tail. It prefers trees as a habitat. The field notes indicate that when this dragon roars, it sounds like the buzzing of bees. It is easily tamed. The mystical meaning is that of thinking about healthy habits. When this dragon appears in a reading, you are reminded to choose healthy, nutritious snacks. You may also want to add movement to your daily activity.

The cards themselves are 3.4 inches by 5 inches, on a glossy, quality cardstock. The backs are reversible. I really, really appreciated that there are no borders on this deck – the imagery goes clear to each side. The imagery is very gentle and whimsical, with nice use of color. At the bottom of the card the common name of the dragon appears, along with a keyword, in dark coloring against a beige background.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really felt that I wanted to know these little people, to go out into my yard, and sit and talk to them. For me, they brought a sense of peace. No instructions for reading with them are given in the companion book. They could be used as a daily draw, as a “What do I need to know?”, or as an action card following a reading with other types of cards. How the reader chooses to use them is up to the reader, limited only by their imagination!

© October 2019 Bonnie Cehovet
Reproduction prohibited without written permission from the author.

 

 

Review – The Fairy Tale Lenormand

Fairy Tale Lenormand

Author: Arwen Lynch
Artist: Lisa Hunt
U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
2016
ISBN #978-157281797-5

The Fairy Tale Lenormand” is a traditional 36 card deck, with two extra Lady and Gentleman cards (for personalized readings), bringing the deck to 38 cards. It comes in a beautiful metal tin, with a 120 page companion book. The theme for this deck is that of Fairy Tales – stories that we remember from our childhood, stories that entertain, while presenting us with life lessons. The world of fairy tales is a magical world, and there is no better artist than Lisa Hunt to bring this world alive for us.

Donnaleigh de La Rose, in her foreword, talks about peering into our own life fairy tale. We know that we all have our own stories, but how many of us regard them as fairy tales! She talks about seeing mirror images of familiar childhood fairy tales in our own lives. Another point that de La Rose makes is that in creating a Lenormand deck, it was necessary for Hunt to simplify the imagery from her usual detailed style. To the point that de La Rose feels that in the Fairy Tale Lenormand  there is a perfect fusion between theme and functionality.

In her introduction, Lynch talks about fairy tales serving as teaching tales, and how in the Fairy Tale Lenormand these myths are woven into the Lenormand structure to help readers learn to associate the cards in a more meaningful way. Where meanings are more concrete than in the stories themselves. (In the Lenormand, as opposed to other divination systems, the card meaning holds fast – i.e. it is not open to interpretation by the reader).

Each card is presented with the card title, playing card association, the associated fairy tale, and an explanation of how the tale fits into the card meaning. For example, card number 2 Clover carries the keywords luck, creativity, and serendipity, and is associated with the fairy tale “Thumbelina”. Card number 6 Clouds carries the keywords depression, confusion, and sadness, and is associated with the fairy tale “East o’ the Sun, West o’ the Moon”.

 Spreads presented include an explanation of fan-type spreads, the Crossroads Spread, the Tower Spread, and the Happily Ever After Spread.

 

 

 

The cards are 2 ¼” by 3 ½”. The backs are done using a gold background, with a black scrolled border, and a black  central image. The cards are reversible. The card faces show a gold border around a central image. The card number is in the upper let hand corner, with the associated playing card number and suit in the lower right hand corner. The card title is centered on the bottom of the card.

The artwork is done largely in pastels, and has a fantasy, “otherworld” quality to it.

 

 

 

 

The fairy tales presented are multi-cultural, which brings a certain depth to the deck. The artwork is fascinating – for me it brings back memories of these stories from my childhood. Time spent with this deck is well worthwhile! Each time you read a card, more symbols become evident – there are levels upon levels here!

© November 2016 Bonnie Cehovet
Publication prohibited without written permission from the author.