Hello, soul friends!
I started off a section on my website where I review card decks that I have used over the years, and here we are almost 100 decks reviewed. I have owned over 200 various decks (currently own about 90+ - so still have a ton to review), and thought I would write some of my notes, experiences, personal opinions, and information on the decks for anyone out there looking for suggestions. Diving into the world of decks can be a bit scary, fun, and also at times overwhelming with the sheer amount of choices.
There are various differences to the types of card decks people use, but the most common ones are Tarot, Oracle, and Lenormand. Over the years, I have come to collect various and eclectic decks ranging in artistic style and type. I always purchase what grabs my attention, and have learned that my aesthetic is not for everyone. So, as always, purchase what you feel guided to use for yourself.
I am just expressing my opinions and my own personal experiences with these decks and I hope that you can appreciate the candor. As always, use your own intuition and find tools that suit your tastes.
Work Your Light Cards
The Work Your Light Oracle Cards deck is published by Hay House. I purchased my deck from them during one of their sales - out of curiosity, but I have also seen it available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and other bookstores.
Amazon Product Description:
Are you ready to Work Your Light? This beautiful 44-card oracle deck has been created to help you light up the world with your presence. By working with its five suits and connecting with your intuition, you will be able to start living a life in alignment with who you truly are.
– Confirmation cards give a quick hit of instant guidance.
– Inquiry cards help you tune in to the whispers of your soul.
– Action cards guide you on what action to take.
– Activation cards invoke healing within you.
– Transmission cards connect you with supportive energies.
The accompanying guidebook explains how to use the Work Your Light Oracle to deepen your relationship with your soul and the Source of all things. It contains in-depth meanings for each of the 44 cards, and reveals how to attune your cards, activate soul space before starting work, create different card spreads, and give readings for other people.When you work with the cards, you will find that your intuition increases, your soul’s voice gets louder, and you are able to deeply embrace who you are and the work you came here to do.
About the Author
Rebecca Campbell is a celebrated spiritual teacher and the bestselling author of Light Is the New Black and Rise Sister Rise. She teaches internationally, encouraging people to answer the callings of their soul.
www.rebeccacampbell.me
Danielle Noel is a designer, writer, and visual artist. She weaves together a combination of mystical narratives and intuitive visions in her illustrations, paintings, photography, and design.
www.daniellenoel.art
My Personal Review
This is a 44 card deck that includes various components from spiritual teachings, and also interesting information from different sources.
The cards are larger than a traditional Tarot deck, but similar to most Hay House decks. Product dimensions are 0.8 x 4.8 x 5.2 inches. It includes a guidebook and box. The lift top box is very similar to Hay House products and houses the set of cards and the guidebook in a very neat little package that is attractive with the designs from Danielle Noel. I have read the Light Is The New Black book by Rebecca Campbell and found it to be a fun and interesting book on spiritual awakenings. A lot of the passages made a lot of sense and I know really have helped so many people all around the globe. Danielle Noel is known for her collages and her beautiful decks such as the Starchild, Starchild Akashic, and Moonchild Tarot decks. I have not felt compelled to purchase either, as I am not a big fan of collage style art, but that is just a personal preference. I still find them to be absolutely striking.
The reason I haven't enjoyed this deck so much is the lack of versatility for me in my work. I also didn't find it easy to use for client work, which is what the majority of my collection is used for. It may just be my own personal apprehension or lack of connection to the deck, so I just don't reach for it. It has unfortunately sat in my collection for too long, not being used. Some tools don't always call out to each person who uses them, and unfortunately this is one of those that I was ready to just let move on to it's next home.
It is a very gentle, positive, and an easy deck to use - for the right person. From beginner to the experienced card reader, I think there is something unexpectedly beautiful about this deck. There is a lot of artistic creation in the collages, blending digital and photography with a color palette that is totally Danielle Noel, while also fitting the words from Rebecca. Seeing the deck, you can recognize both of them coming together to create it. So I think it is very much on brand. I also think it is exciting to see Hay House using fresher and newer spiritual intuitives in the market.
I did purchase this deck when it came out, but have only used it a handful of times and have found that I had a difficult time connecting to this deck. I like to keep decks and try to work with them over and over again to see if I can build a connection, and this is just one of those that wasn't for me. I kept it for about 5 or 6 months and only reached for it a handful of times, while also trying to do daily card pulls to connect, and I still had a hard time making it work for me, as a divination tool. A lot of the messages, while fun to use, didn't always have that moment of realization as a divination tool for me.
The guidebook provides upright, which is typical for Oracle decks. The backs of the cards have a beautiful repeating pattern, so you could read reversed cards if that is how you do your work. There was a few odd cards that seem to not mesh well with the deck, as though they were trying to cover a lot of ground - which I am sure is difficult in trying to be inclusive and also bring together various elements into just one divination tool, but it just didn't work for me. There was also the Yes card, which was literally like 2 pages of just Yes repeatedly. There was not a longer meaning attached, which I get it - keep it simple, right? But it felt a little off to me.
The deck has a beautiful and detailed guidebook that has meanings for the cards, spreads, and also information on the deck. I was not curious enough to study it further. So I am not sure what all it included, or how useful it could be to someone studying it, or utilizing it.
The card artwork is stunning. Truly, it is. But again, there was a lack of inclusivity which is starting to get a bit old at this point - especially for a large publisher like Hay House. I have seen the work by Danielle and she uses all shapes, sizes, colors, and people. I love that about her work - so I was a bit shocked at the lack of various types of "models" for this project. There was also a few spelling errors in the book, so I am not sure if things are being rushed through production. But the card stock is the newer style of Hay House with being a semi-matte finish and allowing a thicker shuffle, which is a nice finish for the artwork on this deck.
The cards are noticeably bigger than a deck of standard playing cards and the card stock itself is solid; I recommend anyone with a new deck spend some time shuffling it and getting to know its feel, in addition to just "getting to know" any new deck. I've found that I can shuffle them quite easily, even with my small hands. They are traditional Hay House size. I was a bit disappointed they were not gilded, as I thought it would definitely lend a more lush feel to this deck, which is an aesthetic masterpiece. The subdued color palette, the vibrant tones sprinkled, the simple border and text - it really is a beautiful deck. This deck is a stiffer card stock from typical Hay House products, but it needs some time shuffling in order to get a smooth shuffle. It is a bit scratchy, so I gently shuffle these cards. I am afraid to peel or scratch these cards up, or to cause flaking with constant shuffling.
The guidebook is helpful, and includes some interesting
messages even on some of the more difficult cards, allow you to understand a new point of view on upcoming challenges. After all, to be forewarned is to be forearmed! I think it is a unique style and also allows people to learn to trust their intuition with time and a little effort. There are some nice little Work Your Light Inquiry questions with each of the cards to help you journal and grow a bit. These simple details make this deck standout a bit from other Hay House products. But due to my own personal lack of connection with this deck, I passed it along.
All in all, I had a hard time connecting to this deck, even if the artwork is very beautiful. Some of the messages just didn't allow me to feel that intuitive hit, so I didn't reach for this deck very much, although I do see them all on Instagram, shining and looking stunning in pictures. I just don't find myself connecting to the messages, so for me this was a deck that I passed on to someone else who would treasure them more fully.
Overall, I think it is the right deck for those who enjoy blending and perhaps even studying their decks more. As I was not really interested in it, it wasn't a deck I am tempted to reach for repeatedly, but I do think the quality is beautiful and with dedication, it could be an amazing divination tool for the right person. I sold my copy and hope it is being used more than I was reaching for it.
My overall opinion is that this deck is a 3 star choice.
Artwork - 4 stars
Card stock - 3 stars
Ease - 3 stars
Guidebook - 3 stars
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.
As always, happy reading and exploring, friends!
