Cave of Sybil: A Chthonic Oracle
There are no words to describe the energy and art created by Tiera May - and this oracle deck offering is no exception.
This deck is likely to make most of you feel uncomfortable - even if you feel that you know your shadow side well. Or if you like ‘darker’ themes and stories and imagery. Although I love darker themed decks, certain cards in this deck gave me pause for thought, to understand why I may not have wanted to look too long (and others I have loved and am drawn to). Your headspace needs to be in a particular space before you pick up this deck - even just to look at.
When I took photos of this deck, I tried LOTS of backgrounds, colours etc. - but only using a white wall really showed the simplicity and power of this deck. Minimalist and simple reading set ups will work just as well as intricate/detailed/ritual laden overtures with this deck. Try not to overthink it.
The ‘blind’ writing on the deck is so great - it almost is the opening and realisation for you that this deck will take you deep into the dark and uncomfortable themes that we all (at some point) face and choose to deal with (or not) in life.
The backs of the deck have the selected ‘word’ for the main illustration on the other side of the card - it is still easy to pull a random card from the deck - just don’t look at the word ha ha!
The guidebook is not a guidebook, its a spell book, a work of poetry rather than interpretation. And I love that Tiera has kept it simple - it is your deck and book to use as you see fit. And so its minimalist but remains thick with meaning, and forces you to continue down into layers that you may not have explored before. The spells are truly wonderful as I’m sure they will be interpreted differently by everyone who pulls a card and reads them - they are spells for YOU. I find myself thinking about the words long after I’ve pulled a card.
Be gentle with yourself when using this deck - this is not a love and light deck, but an exploration of the dark - that hopefully will help you to see and appreciate the light even more.
I am so honoured to be able to bring this magic to MoonAmaia - a deck warrior that brings the dark to balance with the light.
_____
An excerpt from Tiera May’s website:
(go here to see more: https://hedgeriderpress.bigcartel.com/product/cave-of-sybil-oracle)
The deck contains 53 original works of art. These images were created by hand over the past year in my personal journals and sketchbooks—an intimate inner-world not originally intended for display. The Cave of Sybil was born from the dark; thus, darkness is its common tongue. Every image is infused with the subversive spirit of the witch. Some elements have been consciously shrouded in black, while others have been unearthed. What is concealed is just as important as what is explicit; the intention is to honor what we cannot see.
THE NAMES:
The word “sibyl” comes from the ancient Greek word sibylla, which means prophetess. The most famous Sibylline oracle was the Sibyl of Cumae, a mercurial crone who lived in a cave and uttered her predictions in a state of divine madness. The Cumaean Sibyl served as a guide to the underworld, and her cave was regarded as the gateway to Hades. It is she who I’ve named this Oracle after.
Each image is charged with a carefully selected word that serves as its guiding force. The handwritten characters were inscribed blind and can be found on the back of each card.
THE BOOK OF SPELLS:
Each image in the deck is paired with its own magic incantation housed within a companion spell book. The Book of Spells was formed using my own cut-up ritual: words and phrases broken down, combined and reassembled using the alchemical principle of old, solve et coagula; to dissolve and coagulate. The best way to experience the Cave of Sybil is in conjunction with its spells. You may speak them aloud if you like.
*Please note that the Cave of Sybil Spell Book is less like a typical guidebook and more like a poetic grimoire. I have intentionally kept the instructions for using the cards brief so as not to limit their magical potential. Images have their own language, and words do not do justice to what they express. They act as catalysts for meaning, but their divinatory interpretation is ultimately an individual matter for which there are no rules.
DECK SPECS:
CARDS:
• 53 cards total
• Dimensions: 3.5 x 5 inches
• Printed on 330gsm Royal Card Stock
• Rounded corners, smooth finish
• Cards come in a 2 piece rigid box
SPELL BOOK:
The Book of Spells is 113 pages with full color images of every card in the deck alongside their corresponding cutup spell and name.
• Dimensions: 3.5 x 5 inches
• Perfect bound with soft cover
• Fits inside the card box with the cards
CARD BOX:
The cards and guide book come in a sturdy 2 piece, full-length rigid box with matte lamination. Boxes are made of 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Fibers. Deck boxes come shrink wrapped for extra protection.
There are no words to describe the energy and art created by Tiera May - and this oracle deck offering is no exception.
This deck is likely to make most of you feel uncomfortable - even if you feel that you know your shadow side well. Or if you like ‘darker’ themes and stories and imagery. Although I love darker themed decks, certain cards in this deck gave me pause for thought, to understand why I may not have wanted to look too long (and others I have loved and am drawn to). Your headspace needs to be in a particular space before you pick up this deck - even just to look at.
When I took photos of this deck, I tried LOTS of backgrounds, colours etc. - but only using a white wall really showed the simplicity and power of this deck. Minimalist and simple reading set ups will work just as well as intricate/detailed/ritual laden overtures with this deck. Try not to overthink it.
The ‘blind’ writing on the deck is so great - it almost is the opening and realisation for you that this deck will take you deep into the dark and uncomfortable themes that we all (at some point) face and choose to deal with (or not) in life.
The backs of the deck have the selected ‘word’ for the main illustration on the other side of the card - it is still easy to pull a random card from the deck - just don’t look at the word ha ha!
The guidebook is not a guidebook, its a spell book, a work of poetry rather than interpretation. And I love that Tiera has kept it simple - it is your deck and book to use as you see fit. And so its minimalist but remains thick with meaning, and forces you to continue down into layers that you may not have explored before. The spells are truly wonderful as I’m sure they will be interpreted differently by everyone who pulls a card and reads them - they are spells for YOU. I find myself thinking about the words long after I’ve pulled a card.
Be gentle with yourself when using this deck - this is not a love and light deck, but an exploration of the dark - that hopefully will help you to see and appreciate the light even more.
I am so honoured to be able to bring this magic to MoonAmaia - a deck warrior that brings the dark to balance with the light.
_____
An excerpt from Tiera May’s website:
(go here to see more: https://hedgeriderpress.bigcartel.com/product/cave-of-sybil-oracle)
The deck contains 53 original works of art. These images were created by hand over the past year in my personal journals and sketchbooks—an intimate inner-world not originally intended for display. The Cave of Sybil was born from the dark; thus, darkness is its common tongue. Every image is infused with the subversive spirit of the witch. Some elements have been consciously shrouded in black, while others have been unearthed. What is concealed is just as important as what is explicit; the intention is to honor what we cannot see.
THE NAMES:
The word “sibyl” comes from the ancient Greek word sibylla, which means prophetess. The most famous Sibylline oracle was the Sibyl of Cumae, a mercurial crone who lived in a cave and uttered her predictions in a state of divine madness. The Cumaean Sibyl served as a guide to the underworld, and her cave was regarded as the gateway to Hades. It is she who I’ve named this Oracle after.
Each image is charged with a carefully selected word that serves as its guiding force. The handwritten characters were inscribed blind and can be found on the back of each card.
THE BOOK OF SPELLS:
Each image in the deck is paired with its own magic incantation housed within a companion spell book. The Book of Spells was formed using my own cut-up ritual: words and phrases broken down, combined and reassembled using the alchemical principle of old, solve et coagula; to dissolve and coagulate. The best way to experience the Cave of Sybil is in conjunction with its spells. You may speak them aloud if you like.
*Please note that the Cave of Sybil Spell Book is less like a typical guidebook and more like a poetic grimoire. I have intentionally kept the instructions for using the cards brief so as not to limit their magical potential. Images have their own language, and words do not do justice to what they express. They act as catalysts for meaning, but their divinatory interpretation is ultimately an individual matter for which there are no rules.
DECK SPECS:
CARDS:
• 53 cards total
• Dimensions: 3.5 x 5 inches
• Printed on 330gsm Royal Card Stock
• Rounded corners, smooth finish
• Cards come in a 2 piece rigid box
SPELL BOOK:
The Book of Spells is 113 pages with full color images of every card in the deck alongside their corresponding cutup spell and name.
• Dimensions: 3.5 x 5 inches
• Perfect bound with soft cover
• Fits inside the card box with the cards
CARD BOX:
The cards and guide book come in a sturdy 2 piece, full-length rigid box with matte lamination. Boxes are made of 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Fibers. Deck boxes come shrink wrapped for extra protection.
There are no words to describe the energy and art created by Tiera May - and this oracle deck offering is no exception.
This deck is likely to make most of you feel uncomfortable - even if you feel that you know your shadow side well. Or if you like ‘darker’ themes and stories and imagery. Although I love darker themed decks, certain cards in this deck gave me pause for thought, to understand why I may not have wanted to look too long (and others I have loved and am drawn to). Your headspace needs to be in a particular space before you pick up this deck - even just to look at.
When I took photos of this deck, I tried LOTS of backgrounds, colours etc. - but only using a white wall really showed the simplicity and power of this deck. Minimalist and simple reading set ups will work just as well as intricate/detailed/ritual laden overtures with this deck. Try not to overthink it.
The ‘blind’ writing on the deck is so great - it almost is the opening and realisation for you that this deck will take you deep into the dark and uncomfortable themes that we all (at some point) face and choose to deal with (or not) in life.
The backs of the deck have the selected ‘word’ for the main illustration on the other side of the card - it is still easy to pull a random card from the deck - just don’t look at the word ha ha!
The guidebook is not a guidebook, its a spell book, a work of poetry rather than interpretation. And I love that Tiera has kept it simple - it is your deck and book to use as you see fit. And so its minimalist but remains thick with meaning, and forces you to continue down into layers that you may not have explored before. The spells are truly wonderful as I’m sure they will be interpreted differently by everyone who pulls a card and reads them - they are spells for YOU. I find myself thinking about the words long after I’ve pulled a card.
Be gentle with yourself when using this deck - this is not a love and light deck, but an exploration of the dark - that hopefully will help you to see and appreciate the light even more.
I am so honoured to be able to bring this magic to MoonAmaia - a deck warrior that brings the dark to balance with the light.
_____
An excerpt from Tiera May’s website:
(go here to see more: https://hedgeriderpress.bigcartel.com/product/cave-of-sybil-oracle)
The deck contains 53 original works of art. These images were created by hand over the past year in my personal journals and sketchbooks—an intimate inner-world not originally intended for display. The Cave of Sybil was born from the dark; thus, darkness is its common tongue. Every image is infused with the subversive spirit of the witch. Some elements have been consciously shrouded in black, while others have been unearthed. What is concealed is just as important as what is explicit; the intention is to honor what we cannot see.
THE NAMES:
The word “sibyl” comes from the ancient Greek word sibylla, which means prophetess. The most famous Sibylline oracle was the Sibyl of Cumae, a mercurial crone who lived in a cave and uttered her predictions in a state of divine madness. The Cumaean Sibyl served as a guide to the underworld, and her cave was regarded as the gateway to Hades. It is she who I’ve named this Oracle after.
Each image is charged with a carefully selected word that serves as its guiding force. The handwritten characters were inscribed blind and can be found on the back of each card.
THE BOOK OF SPELLS:
Each image in the deck is paired with its own magic incantation housed within a companion spell book. The Book of Spells was formed using my own cut-up ritual: words and phrases broken down, combined and reassembled using the alchemical principle of old, solve et coagula; to dissolve and coagulate. The best way to experience the Cave of Sybil is in conjunction with its spells. You may speak them aloud if you like.
*Please note that the Cave of Sybil Spell Book is less like a typical guidebook and more like a poetic grimoire. I have intentionally kept the instructions for using the cards brief so as not to limit their magical potential. Images have their own language, and words do not do justice to what they express. They act as catalysts for meaning, but their divinatory interpretation is ultimately an individual matter for which there are no rules.
DECK SPECS:
CARDS:
• 53 cards total
• Dimensions: 3.5 x 5 inches
• Printed on 330gsm Royal Card Stock
• Rounded corners, smooth finish
• Cards come in a 2 piece rigid box
SPELL BOOK:
The Book of Spells is 113 pages with full color images of every card in the deck alongside their corresponding cutup spell and name.
• Dimensions: 3.5 x 5 inches
• Perfect bound with soft cover
• Fits inside the card box with the cards
CARD BOX:
The cards and guide book come in a sturdy 2 piece, full-length rigid box with matte lamination. Boxes are made of 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Fibers. Deck boxes come shrink wrapped for extra protection.
