Jessica Swift Animal Allies Oracle Cards

When I ordered this, I really assumed it would likely be another "hug-gy" affirmative oracle deck with the bonus of really beautiful art. I have 50+ card decks (mostly Tarot/Oracle) and am at the point where I just want to keep the decks I am very familiar with, I use regularly, or ones that are just beautiful to take out and look at. I use the cards for journaling, meditation, insight- not for divination. Plus, I do collect ones that are beautiful. I kinda thought this was a "beauty" deck, and it certainly IS a beautiful deck (probably one of the most beautiful decks I won) but it turned out that this deck is really, really readable, as well.I have to admit, I was completely surprised at how intuitive and powerful the images *and* the guidebook (really a big full-color fold out, but it holds a TON of information- more so than your typical LWB) are and how well they work together. There's a real system with this deck, and while it is fairly affirmative, it offers a lot of wisdom and advice. This isn't "woo-woo" fluff or feel good-level affirmation, there is real substance in both the cards and the guidebook. In fact, while oracle decks don't usually work in multiple card spreads, Animal Allies totally works in that way because there's really a lot of different ideas and actionable suggestions to work with in the entire deck, so you could easily do a seven or nine card spread and get a lot of insight from your reading without it being repetitive.As far as the art- it's just a *stunning* deck. I knew it was going to be beautiful based on the preview images, but I was surprised at how nice it really is in person. The quality is 100% there- matte, thick cardstock, large cards but still easy to shuffle, perfectly printed, GREAT information about each card. I was kind of expecting there to be a place where maybe the quality wasn't amazing because of the low price, but this deck is literally at the same level for the very expensive indie published decks. And the art on this deck is heads and shoulders above a great majority of both mass-market and indie decks- I know this sounds harsh but so many people are so interested in creating decks these days that the process of creating the art for them turns into another step in the process of production rather then being something really soulful and appropriately created. This is certainly NOT the case with Animal Allies. It's clear the author/artist - Jessica Swift- put a ton of thought and work and intention and care into this deck, both with the words AND (especially) the art. There's no disconnect between the images and the meanings of them. The images in this deck are just gorgeous and so wonderful to read with. I love to read "intuitively" (looking at the image on a card and seeing what comes up in my head) and while I'm not really great at it, this deck pretty much sang to me. I know that sounds hokey, but it's honestly the truth.And the guide-sheet is really helpful and insightful, too- it's not just affirmations- it offers quite a bit of insightful and action-steps. So it's not "you're exactly where you need to be and this bear is sending you a hug!", it's more "this animal represents ____ and here's how you can take that energy and work with it in your own life." Not "woo-woo" but actually down-to-earth, workable suggestions and wisdom.I love animals, and have many "animal" based decks, but this is pretty much my "soul" deck. Something about the words AND the art and the way it flows with my own intuition and feelings makes this deck work really, really well. So it's not just a beautiful deck to add to your collection, it's a deck you will really use and get a lot from.I can't recommend this enough- I don't understand why this isn't a deck that everyone in the tarot/oracle community is going nuts about. The price is INSANELY fair for a deck of this quality. If you're into cards or animals and mulling this deck over, "Animal Allies" isn't just a pretty deck for your shelf, this is the real deal. I'm kinda pissed at myself for waiting so long to get it.

So let's talk about Animal Allies. I bought this deck on here not really expecting much, it looked rather dinky in the listing picture, but I wanted another animal deck and something told me to give it a try. Let me just say, I'm glad I did. When it arrived I was immediately surprised by the size, much bigger than I expected but not so big that it's hard to shuffle. And the box is beautiful! A nice hard side box that slides off well and reveals an absolutely gorgeous deck. The card stock has a nice velvety feel and shuffles so easily. I love the design on the back and the art style of the animals is stunning. I knew they would be cute but seeing them in person, well, they are stunning and really brings out intuition toward the meaning. Speaking of meanings, this deck doesn't come with a book but instead the interpretations for each card are printed on a folded sheet. It's a nice quality paper and the way it's laid out is quite clever and unique. I like the way it was done. This is a wonderful deck and I would recommend it to anyone interested in receiving messages from animal spirits.

So beautiful. My only issue is with the description page. It would be a lot more convenient to just include description on of each card instead on a separate sheet that you have to fish around for. Other than that I am very happy with cards attached meanings.

Very energetic deck. Wonderful to use in readings.

I've been really enjoying this deck. I have several oracle decks, and recently began to focus primarily on just my animal, plan and Earth/Nature decks. I am writing about how to discover your own personal medicine, and I find the use of the animal decks to be pivotal and enjoyable for helping people recognize their own gifts and 'medicine.' Jessica did a great job w/ these cards, and her innovative sheet that explains in a simple paragraph the 'medicine' of each animal. It really is perfect, as little more is needed. The rest is for each individual to connect with intuitively to the animal, and what the animal symbolizes to them. Knowing the animals' natural behaviors is helpful in garnering what message the animal brings.To share a quick story about these cards, the very first time I opened them, I did my prayer of anointing and clearing them, then shuffled and spread them out. My intention was to pull an animal that best represented to me what I needed to know about the creation of my website, and online coaching packages that I've been developing. My husband happened to be lying on the ground w/ his legs up to release some back pain. I had him pull a card w/ the same query, for his online business he is developing that focuses on fitness using elastic bands, and food. He literally w/o really looking swung his arm, and it landed on a card towards one end of the spread. My cat had to help 'anoint' the deck, so I chose the card she stepped on. I pulled the crab, my husband pulled the Ram (Bighorn Sheep). We pulled the exact animal that represented each other's sun sign! How uncanny! He's a Cancer, I'm an Aries. I was truly dumbfounded. The odds are slim to ever have that be repeated. And yet, when reading the cards, they both made sense, for each of us individually, and for the fact that part of what we are each doing individually connects to the other ~ we are really a team.We separately own an acupuncture clinic, but are striving to create a more online business, to be able to work from home. I use this and other animal decks to help me w/ the popcorn trail, going step by step towards our dreams. I've written about it on my website and blog, tho I'm not sure I can leave those URLs here, but my website is Strong Spirit Woman (.com). If interested, look for the Personal Medicine tab, then you'll see a drop down. I've written about a few of the animals here so far, with more to come. My other favorite animal deck right now is SpiritSong Tarot. These two have become my go to decks, although I do have others.I know other decks may have more artsy or real looking portrayals, but there is a special magic to this deck, imo. Hope this review is helpful. I don't often do these.