The Well Worn Path [With 40 Cards and Black Organdy Bag]

This set is neat because you can join it into the other set "The Hidden Path" and the back of the cards match, etc. So can expand what you can do with them!

These two decks are not only important for divination, in the way of fortune telling, but more importantly for communing with the Divine. They provide doorways that can transport you into places and experiences if you choose to use them in that fashion. I would encourage it for anyone trying to walk the paths for which these cards are designed. Those who are will know instantly upon seeing the art in these cards because you will resonate with their note. They are very powerful.

What I enjoyed most about this deck is the universal appeal. For example the images of the God and Goddess cards include subtle symbolism that connects them with any cultural expression (Celtic, Germanic, Roman, Greek, etc). The God card features Harvest Lord symbolism, waning & waxing year symbolism, woodland symbolism, warrior symbolism, and solar symbolism. The Goddess card features celestrial symbolism, nature symbolism, and Underworld symbolism. This type of depth makes the deck ideal for any tradition of Paganism, Witchcraft, or Wicca. In addition to the general widespread Pagan connection and appeal, the deck also includes cards that are typically associated specifically with Witchcraft and Wicca. However, in reality this is not entirely exclusive, as the companion book presents general themes of Paganism that are also associated with the cards. Here again the deck shines in its universal application. An exciting aspect of this deck is its unique use as a system of divination, a teaching tool, a ritual kit, and a source for guided imagery journeys. This makes the deck ideal for solitary practitioners, and people who require privacy when practicing. I read on a forum that military people are finding it useful to perform full moon rituals at sea or on base without drawing attention. Another person noted that the deck would be ideal for prisoners, as the cards provide them with ritual tools that they cannot otherwise possess. If you want a deck that speaks to you, and goes beyond the standard stuff we've all seen over and over again, then this is the deck for you.

I stumbled upon the Well Worn Path at my local bookstore when I was looking for another set of Divination cards. After reading the back of the box I scrapped the idea of buying the other cards and bought this beautiful deck instead. That was three days ago and I haven't been able to put them down! The artwork is terrific! For anyone who is a seasoned witch or just a beginner on the path, the symbolism within the deck is fantastic. It is a great tool for Divination, but it is more than that, I feel this deck and book are a spirital tool that can help get at the heart of what this path has to offer. I am an eclectic pagan/witch who has been practicing for almost 10 years and I find that this deck is helping me to go even deeper into my practice. Through the use of the cards and meditation, I find I am able to delve deeper into the inner mysteries of this wonderful spiritual path. I loved the way the book is layed out, there are three categories for each card. Alignment, which helps to tell the story that runs through the cards, connecting one card to the other. Teaching, which offers an more in depth explanation of the symbolism of the card and the history of the Path. Meaning, which offers suggested meanings of the card in a reading. What I really liked about the book is that Mr. Grimassi says read through the book, look at the explanations and symbolism that he offers and then decide for yourself what the cards mean to you. He even suggests keeping your own notebook of what the cards mean to you. I find this refreshing and freeing especially for those who might be on the first steps of this path. So many books written today make it sound as though there is only one truth and one "right way" to experience this path. Since I believe that each person's relationship with the Divine is unique I applaud Mr. Grimassi for this suggestion! If you are going to buy one deck this year, buy this one - You'll love it!!

For those who do not know, Raven Grimassi has been providing the pagan community with books on hereditary witchcraft, Italian witchcraft and Wicca for many years. Stephanie Taylor is a Third Degree Initiate in both the Italian Witchcraft Tradition and the Celtic Wiccan Tradition. They have paired together to present us with a deck that reflects the mysteries specifically of witchcraft and Wicca. The deck is comprised of 40 cards that do use witchcraft and Wiccan symbols, derived mostly from the European traditions. Images of cauldrons, wands, athame, pentagrams, the four elements, Summerland and more are, as I see them, derived from Wicca and witchcraft more than any other cultural or spiritual path. There are elements that are specifically Wiccan in nature, such as the Rede and the Wheel of the Year. But it does not detract from the nature of the deck. It was designed specifically with this in mind, and the images fall right into the intended place. The imagery is illuminated by the very talented artist Mickie Mueller. Her figures are lifelike, and her impression of the Crescent-Crowned Goddess and Initiation (portraits of Grimassi and Taylor) are typical examples of her style. Very stylishly executed, and a she is a good choice as illustrator for this deck. This is not a tarot deck. Its use would be similar to a tarot deck; to seek inner counsel regarding your own personal path or to be used to illuminate the personal path of someone you would read for. The accompanying book gives you insights into the use of the deck and interpretations. After the introduction of the book, a discussion on the theme of the deck and a general overview on the use of the deck, the authors go into Divination Spreads for use with this deck. The cards are then examined one by one. Each card has a "Meaning", "Teaching" and an "Alignment". The cards are also illustrated in a black and white format. The "Meaning" is obvious; it is an interpretation of the card by the authors explaining their idea and intent for the card. The "Teaching" is a deeper examination of the card itself, going into symbols, design and background and other associations. The "Alignment" is alternative meanings found via a meditation you do on the card to find the cards connection to yourself. The idea is original. Rather than trying to find meaning in the Qabala associations of the tarot that could carry over to the practitioner of witchcraft or Wicca, the deck speaks directly to those practitioners. But it does fill a niche here, and it does it well. As I read through the meanings and teachings, I found the deck to be very positive, well developed and intriguing enough to actually work with it. And I was pleased with the readings I had. I would also consider using this deck for some of my clients, especially those who are new to the Wiccan path. There is a learning curve here, but if you are a practicing Wiccan, the cards speak for themselves very clearly. A littl