Sacred Path Cards
by Jamie Sams
illustrated by Linda Childers
 
This is not a tarot set, but it is one of the most powerful and yet simple divination/meditation deck-and-book sets I've yet looked at.  One of the many Native American themed decks, the Sacred Path cards predate many of the current sets, having been out for almost ten years.  I think they have been an influencing factor for many other systems.
 
I have read quite a few books by Sams, and so I kind of had an idea already before I ever looked at these cards that I would like them.  I have probably had more people recommend them to me than any other divination set, tarot or otherwise.  There is an additional workbook that can be purchased to go with this set, offering a series of exercises and extra meditations for the user to further explore the depths of the cards' meanings.
 
The cards themselves are all very similar in a good way.  Each of the 44 cards is bordered in a narrow turquoise-colored stripe with a salmon-colored stripe just inside it.  The entire rest of the card has a solid black background, upon which is featured the image of a pelt or a skin, with a Native American item or scene painted upon it.  The skin or pelt only varies from card to card in its actual color, sometimes it is a natural chamois color, sometimes a soft weathered grey, sometimes a redder tone.  Above the skin on each card, floated against the black background, is the card title in white letters, and an Arabic numeral in light blue.  Below the skin is a pair of keyword messages indicating the tone of meaning for the card.
 
I especially liked this design setup.  Before I got the set I suspected that having so much of each card being repetitive would make it kind of boring, but far from that, the consistency of design freed me from having to take in too many different details, and I was able to concentrate fully on each card's specific meaning and image.  I really think this is the strength of these cards.  Aside from the fact that the selected symbols of meaning are particularly significant for just about everyone, the ease with which these cards can be worked right from the start is something that should appeal to a wide audience.
 
Since this is not a tarot set, there are no Major or Minor Arcana, no suits, no court cards.  All 44 of the cards are numbered sequentially from 1 through 44.  There doesn't seem to be any placement of value of cards, they all seem to be on the same level of value.  The cards themselves are larger than standard cards, but handle and shuffle quite well.  The edges are polished to a smooth and almost silky finish, and since there are only 44 cards, their larger size is still manageable.  They actually feel quite good in the hands.  The card stock used is thin and flexible, with a matte finish coating on it for protection.
 
The book which comes with the set is a cloth covered hardbound edition some 325 pages thick.  Aside from lengthy meditations/explanations of meaning for each card (several pages are dedicated to each of the 44 cards, with a small black and white rendering of the skin and painting from each card), there are many different and unusual spreads given in the book, along the Native American theme, which have been crafted specifically for use with these cards.  Good descriptions are given for use of each spread to make them easier to use.
 
The cards and book come in a very nice package, made of a rigid cardboard and covered with a glossy paper label.  The cards do come in their own smaller box which tucks into the side of the larger one.
 
I highly recommend this deck-and-book set for anyone who is looking to do a lot of serious meditative work towards self-empowerment, with an eye towards consciousness and oneness with the earth.  It is a very good tool for breaking mental blocks when using the tarot, as well.  I have found that I like it very much.  The addition of the workbook allows one to thoroughly explore the possibilities with a guided touch.  It is simple and easy for the beginner to use, but has great depth for even the most experienced users to work with.  I find it one of the most versatile decks around for this kind of work.
 
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also by Jamie Sams, with David Carson:
Medicine Cards and Medicine Cards Just For Today
 
also available:
Sacred Path Workbook
 
Review Copyright 1999 by Gina M. Pace
 
Sacred Path Cards by Jamie Sams, 1990
published by Bear and Co.  ISBN 0-06-250762-1