(Harp Seal)
The Druid Animal Oracle covers twenty-nine animals (including dragons) important to Celtic peoples. Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm discuss each animal thoroughly through stories, Celtic lore, and poetry. In their deck, each card is beautifully illustrated to inspire thought about the animal. Extra large, each card contains a scene of a particular animal with various pictorial meanings
For example, Seal (Ro’n) is illustrated with Seal sitting on the rocks of a North Atlantic beach. Behind Seal is Dutchman’s Cap, an island sacred to Druids. In the sky, a rainbow shines through a clearing sky. The illustration hints at the magical boundary between the actual animal and seal lore. Seal represents “Love, Longing, and Dilemma.”
The authors describe how to use the cards in a Celtic belief system--the Spiral Path. For those who simply want to know animal teachings, the book provides much Celtic lore and insights about each animal. The Druid Animal Oracle has several drawbacks though. For one, various dragons are included. For another, only Adder, Bee, Frog, and Salmon are included for the Crawling Ones and Finned Ones. Finally, several animals are divided in male and female pairs – Boar, Sow; Stag, Hind; and Cow, Bull. (For further explanation of Animal Card Systems, go to A Brief Note on Tarot and Animal Cards.)
Go To The Celtic Animal Oracle
Return to Individual “Animal Wisdom” Book Reviews page
Return to the Main Animal Page
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Va. Carper
August 16, 2005