This is not a tarot set.  What it is, basically, is the Celtic ethnic version of the Native American power animal teachings.  This is an animal oracular tradition for those of us of western European heritage.  There are 36 animal cards, three of which are blank so you can add your own power animal if you do not see it represented here.

The Druid Animal Oracle is available as a deck-and-book set only.  The book which comes with the set is a smaller hardbound edition which is nearly identical to the one which came with the Celtic Tree Oracle.  The pages are printed with lovely artwork borders in a blue-gray ink color on white paper.  It is a really nice book.  Also included in the set is a dark blue silky layout cloth.

The cards themselves are fairly large, which makes shuffling difficult, but not impossible.  There are no suits or Major/Minor Arcana, just the succession of 33 animals and then the 3 blank cards.  Most of the animals are real beings which exist today, but there are four dragons represented as well.  Each animal is given ample explanation and discussion in the book.

The Introduction is about 16 pages of history and lore, followed by a good lot about the animals of the Oracle. Many layouts are given.  The card illustrations are so skilfully done that a great deal of recognition, intuition and a sense of rightness about the animals is conveyed to the reader.

I recommend this set to anyone who is looking to work with Power Animals, especially if the Native American systems just don't feel right somehow.  I am a believer that ethnic heritage makes one more or less sympathetic to various systems of divination.  The artwork makes this a very nice addition to any collection as well.

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Review Copyright 1998 by Gina M. Pace
 
Druid Animal Oracle by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm
published by Simon and Schuster/Fireside Books
ISBN 0671503006