“Hello, New Friend” spread and review for the Eht - A Netivot Oracle Deck
I’d like to thank @thewitchofthenorse (not sure why Tumblr won’t let me tag you!) for their allowing public use of their deck interview spread.
-> http://thewitchofthenorse.tumblr.com/post/155914214063/hello-new-friend
I was sad to not get the original beta test deck from @devotaj when she announced her creating a new oracle deck, so when she announced a kickstarter campaign, I jumped onto the opportunity and fought to see it be funded. Given that I am currently giving a review for the deck by Kohenet Ketzirah Ha’Magelet, it was for certain funded.
I was surprised to receive this deck on the Shabbat after the High Holidays of 5779 - I say received, as my father has to be asked to check the mail because he holds the mail key hostage. I would like to imagine that the package itself was delivered during Yom Kippur, but I’m certain at this point it was earlier.
With regards to the deck itself, the printing quality is superb and the stock is tough as fuck. Whoever this priestess got for a printer, I want this printer. And the art????
There is a bit of a quibble I have - I understand why the booklet was made into a PDF file rather than being printed, but I’m the type who needs a tiny booklet or card with associations. I can learn things after a while, but with something as complicated as Tarot or oracle decks, I need flash cards. Would this make reading for someone in public a little more embarrassing? Sure, but I need it.
I did also have a particularly slippery time with the deck - in the process of trying to handle the deck and in making the spread for this post, I spilled the deck twice. This could turn into a problem for a little bit, but with a little bit of rough handling (read: long use) I’m certain it’ll stop skidding around.
On to the interview of this deck -
The First Card: The general personality of your deck. This question will reveal if your deck is painfully truthful, a prankster, a pragmatist, a romantic, etc. [While I understand why @thewitchofthenorse suggested that this question can be used to describe how a god you may commune with through the deck might use the deck, but I think HaShem would have a few problems with that.]
Oreget (weaver) vessel: Bring Community Together. A vessel of the weaver, this card suggests quite flatly that this deck wants to bring things, people, events together. Its desire is to be with others like and not like it, to create.
The Second and Third Card: How does the deck feel about you? A simple first impression, how they feel about your energy. Just a brief introduction to you. What’s your first impression of me? Of our energy together?
Na’arah (maiden) offering: Fearlessly Delight in the Sweetness of Life. This suit is about intention and focusing, doing right action. Is this suggesting that I am wanting or needing to enjoy life more?
Chachamah (wise woman) offering: Learn and Teach Ancestral Wisdom. This suit is all about understanding and listening to teachings. Is this deck suggesting I am wanting to teach more than I currently am? I do not know. This is going to take a while, especially since I am still learning the “ancestral wisdom” and am trying to separate myself from teachings that proved toxic.
The Fourth Card: We all have teachers in life and Tarot’s higher purpose is to teach us. To show us our areas of growth and help us improve. What can we learn from building a relationship with our deck?
Baalat Ov (witch - I have issues with the term “shamaness”) offering: Keep the Well of the Ancestors. This deck may want me to learn from the relationship how to immerse myself in the cleansing waters of tradition and of life, and how to better communicate with all types.
The Fifth Card: Tarot, like all relationships, is a partnership. This card shows how to best utilize that partnership and shows you the best way to approach your deck.
Na’arah ally: Channel the Life Force in its Blooming. “Cultivate, cultivate, cultivate.” This is something I’m going to need to care for, apparently, and allow to grow but also guide away from hazards.
The Sixth Card: The most likely result of working diligently with your deck.
Na’arah vessel: Discover the Divine Presence Within. This card is right out about discovering potential and acting on it. Take that however you will.
The Seventh Card: The decks one piece of advice to you.
Ohevet (lover) offering: Play with Passion, Devotion, and Eros. Pretty obvious it wants me to be much more open about my emotions and about my want to connect with the world. I’ll set aside the Eros bit.
