Hello, soul friends!
Today's review is covering a deck that caught my attention as soon as I saw it in a Swap group on Facebook. It was unique and I didn't know much about it, as there wasn't too much online - I decided to just go ahead and pick it up.
I hope you enjoy my review and generous pictures!
sAcred Mirror Cards
I received this deck from a Facebook card deck sell group, when I saw someone had it for sale. As I didn't know what to expect, I wasn't even sure their size or what they really were. The artwork drew me in, and it was so different from what I currently had in my collection.
The Amazon description:
A set of 23 meditation cards with art and poetry by Alex Grey
Contains the complete series of Sacred Mirrors paintings plus two additional transformative images
Includes guided meditations, reflections, and poetry by Alex Grey By the author of Transfigurations (25,000 sold) and Sacred Mirrors (90,000 sold) The Sacred Mirrors are a journey through our physical, socio-political, and spiritual anatomy. Sacred Mirrors Cards contains twenty-three meditation cards featuring reproductions of all twenty-one of Alex Grey’s Sacred Mirrors paintings plus two additional transformative images: Oversoul and The Angel. Grey’s visionary poetry on the back of each card leads the meditator through contemplation of the image on the front of the card, culminating in a one-word theme for reflection. The twenty-three cards in this boxed set lead the viewer through the process of theosis--that is, coming closer to God--through contemplation of iconic archetypes and seeing oneself, each other, and the world as a reflection of the divine. The original 46” x 84” Sacred Mirrors paintings featured in the Sacred Mirrors Cards are on display at the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors in New York City.
About the Creator
Grey’s unique series of 21 life-sized paintings, the Sacred Mirrors, take the viewer on a journey toward their own divine nature by examining, in detail, the body, mind, and spirit. The Sacred Mirrors, present the physical and subtle anatomy of an individual in the context of cosmic, biological and technological evolution.
Begun in 1979, the series took a period of ten years to complete. It was during this period that Alex developed depictions of the human body that “x-ray” the multiple layers of reality, and reveal the interplay of anatomical and spiritual forces. After painting the Sacred Mirrors, he applied this multidimensional perspective to such archetypal human experiences as praying, meditation, kissing, copulating, pregnancy, birth, nursing and dying. Grey’s recent work explores the subject of consciousness from the perspective of “universal beings” whose bodies are grids of fire, eyes and infinite galactic swirls.
My Personal Review
This 23-card deck is meant to be used as a meditation tool. I wasn't really aware of what to expect with this deck, so upon opening it up I was a bit surprised at the artwork and the details in each card. I loved the vibrant tones and intricate artwork. It is breathtaking art piece, with so much detail included in each of the pieces.
The artwork was something that had called me with this deck, as I stated above and why I was excited to get my hands on a set. It was variously different from anything else I have seen and I loved the unique approach to the cards. There is no guidebook added to the "deck", but the deck does include interesting descriptions on the backs of the cards.
The cards have very intricate artwork of bodies, systems, and different elements, and a descriptive message on the back of each of the cards that is relevant to the artwork. There is some nudity included in each of the cards and various races included. I was actually socked at the nudity, as I was not aware how the deck was going to be or what was included in the cards. I am not even sure how one would use this deck in a practical way, unless you just use this as a meditative tool.
The card stock is very thick, super shiny finish, sticky shuffle, but allows you get a nice bend without cracking the card stock. The cards are very large, and not easy to shuffle.
The box is quite lovely for this type of deck. Large and holds all of the cards with a nice top that folds over. Mine has seen better days, but it is an enduring box that is thick.
Initially, I was a bit disappointed with the deck as I wasn't sure how to use it for clients or even for daily advice. While the artwork is stunning and the images are very powerful on some of the cards, I just didn't think this was a functional deck for me to keep.
Here are some extra pictures of this interesting creation:
Overall, I think this was an interesting collection of artwork for a card deck.
My overall opinion is that this deck is a 2 star choice.
Artwork - 5 stars
Card stock - 2 stars
Ease - 1 stars
Guidebook - N/A
I hope that you enjoyed my deck review, and also enjoy other deck reviews that I add to this site. I have a passion for exploring new decks and also finding various ways of connecting to my intuition. I appreciate you checking out my site and taking the time to read my review.
Happy Reading!
