Table of Contents
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Dive down the rabbit hole to visit Wonderland and its bizarre characters through the unprecedented perspective of a teenage Alice. Paolo Barbieri’s exceptional work on his best-selling illustrated book becomes an incredible new 36-card Oracle. Carole-Anne Eschenazi’s instructions enrich this product with the perfect tools to interpret and explore the fascinating elements in Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece.
Product description from the publisher
Alice in Wonderland is a classic tale written by Lewis Carroll. It has been beloved by readers of all ages for generations. The story follows young Alice as she falls down a rabbit hole into a whimsical and nonsensical world filled with eccentric characters and surreal landscapes. One of the reasons why the story is so liked is that it has timeless themes of curiosity, adventure, and imagination. The fantastical and dreamlike nature of the story not only captures the hearts and minds of both children and adults but also engages them in a world where anything is possible and the impossible becomes possible.
The concept of a world brimming with possibilities serves as an exceptional foundation for an oracle deck, and the Alice in Wonderland Oracle, created by Paolo Barbieri, exemplifies this perfectly. The deck’s enchanting art style is so captivating that it draws you into its whimsical universe, much like Alice herself was drawn down the rabbit hole. Each card is a doorway into Wonderland’s surreal and imaginative realms, inviting you to explore its depths and discover the wisdom hidden within its fantastical imagery. Barbieri’s artistry transforms the traditional oracle experience, making every reading an adventure through a dreamlike landscape where the ordinary rules no longer apply, and magic is always within reach.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Multilingual guidebook + The guidebook is concise but good + Beautiful art style + Good quality cards | – No pictures in the guidebook |
About the Creators
Paolo Barbieri is an Italian illustrator and artist known for his imaginative works that often explore fantasy and mythological themes. With a career spanning several decades, Barbieri has contributed to numerous projects, including book covers, tarot decks, and oracle cards, each piece characterised by his attention to detail and vibrant use of colour. His ability to breathe life into mythical creatures, legendary heroes, and fantastical worlds has earned him a dedicated following among fans of fantasy art. Barbieri’s Alice in Wonderland Oracle deck is an excellent example of his talent, where his distinctive style merges seamlessly with the whimsical and surreal elements of Lewis Carroll’s timeless tale, creating a visually stunning and deeply immersive experience.
Carole-Anne Eschenazi, a writer and storyteller, often delves into the realms of fantasy, magic, and the metaphysical. Her narratives invite readers to embark on journeys of self-discovery and transformation. Her collaboration with Paolo Barbieri on the Alice in Wonderland Oracle deck ensures that each card in the deck is a work of art and a powerful tool for introspection and divination. This blend of visual beauty and spiritual guidance empowers users to explore the curious and often perplexing world of Wonderland, enlightening their journey.
Cards and the Artwork
Alice in Wonderland Oracle deck has 36 beautifully crafted cards, each measuring 88×125 mm (3.46×4.92 inches). These cards provide snapshots of the original story, inspired by the illustrations of the original book and the adaptations that followed. The strong connection allows you to flip through them as you read the book. This also means that even if you don’t plan to use the deck for oracle readings, it can serve you as a delightful memorabilia, capturing Wonderland’s whimsical essence in a compact form.
The backs of the cards feature the enigmatic Cheshire Cat, my favourite character from the story. It was a happy coincidence, for sure. This character symbolises the elusive nature of truth and the importance of perspective. So, it was the perfect choice for this deck. The subdued colour palette of the backside art complements the vibrant and detailed fronts, creating a visually appealing and thematically appropriate balance. The Cheshire Cat’s knowing smile and mysterious eyes invite you to ponder the deeper meanings within the cards and themselves.
In my opinion, the Alice in Wonderland Oracle deck captures the essence of Lewis Carroll’s beloved tale. Each card is filled with vibrant colours and interesting details that transport you into Wonderland. Barbieri’s art style is enchanting, but it also offers fresh perspectives on familiar characters and scenes. For example, Alice’s outfit has a more modern take than I imagined. It’s a good thing that even though Alice in Wonderland is a classic tale, the cards can still have some freshness in them.
The Guidebook of the Alice in Wonderland Oracle
As is customary for Lo Scarabeo’s decks, the guidebook is multilingual. I have been disappointed by the briefness of their guidebooks many times in the past, but this time, I was pleasantly surprised. This time, the guidebook does provide enough information for beginners to get started.
Unfortunately, having enough information does come with drawbacks. In this case, the cost seems to be that there are no pictures of the cards in the guidebook. However, even though we didn’t get pictures of the cards, the numbering system makes it easy to find what you are looking for, so the impact is quite minimal.
The guidebook is 128 pages long, and 53 of those are for the English part of the book. At the beginning of the guidebook, there is some background information about the deck and an introductory spread to get you started. I love that they suggest rituals to do before using the deck. Also, the different ways to use the deck are a nice touch. They make the deck better fit different levels of readers.
There are three sections for each card. The first is called In the story, giving you the card’s connection to the story. The second section is called Meaning. It is the suggested interpretation of the card. It was nice to see how the authors connected the parts of the story to the cards and made it feel more like an oracle deck. The third and last section is called the Key question. This summarises the card into a single question. In my opinion, this three-section structure was a good choice and made the cards more straightforward to understand.
Conclusion
Alice in Wonderland Oracle is a beautiful deck that combines Lewis Carroll’s classic story with Paolo Barbieri’s stunning artwork. Each card is like a window into the whimsical world of Wonderland, making it both visually captivating and thought-provoking. The guidebook is user-friendly, with multiple languages and a structured approach, making it accessible to everyone. It’s a lovely addition to your collection if you love Alice in Wonderland.
