Here is a modern interpretation of an old pack of cards, faithful to the symbolism of the originals, but offering a contemporary twist to reflect current issues. It is easier to understand and more fun than the tarot. The cards are combined with a guidebook on layout and interpretation.
Born and educated in Sydney, Australia, Titania Hardie is the highly successful author of a range of distinctive books published in the UK on folklore, magic, and divination, and recently a new series of children's books, The Frangipani Fairies. She has first-class honors degrees in psychology and English and was awarded the prestigious Chatterton scholarship for post-graduate study at Bristol University, where she is currently completing her M.A. on the Romantic poets. The Rose Labyrinth is her first novel. Titania lives in Somerset with her husband and two daughters.
Today I'm reviewing Titania's Fortune Cards by Titania Hardie.
Generally I like to start out with a disclaimer. I am an contemporary witch. I look for the connection between magic and science without the need to search for a creator. I receive no compensation for these reviews and all my links are standard Amazon links and not affiliate links. I am a practicing photo reader and have spent the last 16 years honing my craft. I offer personal readings by request and have a strong online history that boasts over 429,000 views.
As always I'll start with a general review of the physical book. The card pack I was sent had a few issues. First, the book was directly attached to the box for the deck. This makes it hard to read in my opinion. I would have to rip it off the glued box in order to read it as a book. Folding the box in 1/2 to read the book is nearly impossible as the spine is extremely wide and does not fit in the hands well. Secondly the deck fits into a slot cut in the left side of the box cover. When you open the box the deck is sitting on top of the book, instead of being nestled safely in the cover.
Two things in my opinion that hurt the overall presentation of this deck.Though a small deck in comparison to other decks I have reviewed, this deck only has the image on the card which means the reader will need to commit their meaning (as outlined in the book) to memory. There are no written words on the card to trigger the memorization so as opposed to many decks that offer an idea based on the scene in the card; here you'll need to read the book a few times to be able to successfully read the cards. A note should be made here the type face in this book is extremely small. Most of the cards definitions take up 1/2 a page so I'm confused as to why the decision to make the font so small was made. If I were to release an updated version, I would increase the font size to ease in legibility.
The book begins with an explanation of Madam LeNormand's famed cartomancer of the 19th century. The author provides us with the impact it had on their lives and then jumps directly into the card layouts. The Cross, 7 & 9 and even a 19 card layout are provided along with examples of how to read them.
There is a quick overview section that provides a thumbnail view of each of the card's face and a brief sentence on each. Each offers the "see also" that directs the reader to the full description of each card.
Each full description card page includes information on how to interpret the card based on how it falls in the spread as well as its meaning. The Cross card for example is said to be the card of destiny. It goes on to say that you are looked after and your road is in the hands of the gods. If it falls by the heart, you're destined for love; if by the garden destine for a job.
Over all an interesting deck with meanings that are only revealed in the study of the book. The images are muted but legible and offer the reader the opportunity to learn what the pairings are telling them. Not my favorite deck but not the worse I have seen by far.
I found this pack in a psychic fair. I fell in design love with the design and the succinct messages. They were pre loved and didn’t connect with the owner. They connect with me. Thank you for channeling this ‘message stick’.