Review: Ghosts & Spirits Tarot

 

Each year there are hundreds of new Tarot decks to hit the market, and some are quite creative ... unique, one-of-a-kind.  The Ghosts and Spirits Tarot deck by Lisa Hunt is that kind of deck, with a completely original style that will most likely attract a sea of imitators.  I am not the only one to fall in love with this deck either.  Ghosts and Spirits Tarot has won the deck of the year award 2013 from About.com, as well as the making Aeclectic Tarot's List of Top Ten Decks Published in 2012.  

This 79-card deck features ethereal and supernatural beings from legend and lore.  Lisa Hunt has done her homework and done it well.  These ghastly ghouls are from the haunting legends around the globe, a rich and delightful bone chilling collection that will stir your inner core.  Ghosts and Spirits Tarot follows the structure of traditional tarot with 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana card.  A special bonus card jumped into the deck, a card meant to help with deeper levels of reflection and insightful guidance.  The booklet gives a brief synopsis of the story associated with each card as well as divinatory meaning. The descriptions of the ghosts and spirits are based on extensive research as well as her own interpretations.  The art is gorgeous, captivating and chilly ...

Review: Edible Wild Foods Playing Cards

Edible Wild Foods Playing Cards, U.S. Games Inc. 

I have been studying the weeds for over a decade now.  My lawn is filled with all sorts of hidden treasures ... purslane, dandelion, pine, clover ... and sometimes I have myself a nice salad.  I am familiar with wildcrafting and backyard herbalism, however my skills certainly do need a little sharpening.  The Edible Wild Foods Playing Cards are completely genius - GENIUS!!!  I absolutely love them.  

If you are new in the area of wild plant identification, foraging and wild foods all together, you will want these cards for sure, but in addition to some good books ... preferably by the author of these cards Linda Runyon.  She eats wild foods herself and is extremely knowledgeable about this subject.  

The cards themselves are very detailed, filled with lots of helpful information.  Once again, if you are new to this, please use these cards with some good wild food books.  The cards are like wild food cheat sheets, with the ability to play card games too.  You have to hide your hand, so that the backs of the cards do not reveal your cards, but so what ... This is one deck of cards that could literally save your life.  Each edible plant is shown in a full-color photograph for easy identification and the map identifies the geographic areas where the plant grows in the wild. The card face explains warnings, characteristics, plant parts, aliases, uses and special cooking hints.

The Edible Wild Foods Playing Cards, a 52 card deck, is a great tool to use when you are learning the identification, attributes and uses of wild foods.  

This deck is a must-have for camping, hiking, scouts, gourmet cooks, survival preparadeness, wild edible interest, student or just for the plain old super cool among us ... Includes key chain for easy portability.  Linda's core and common 52 wild edible plants are printed in brilliant color and clarity.  Each has its own card.  Here is a list of the wild edibles that are in the deck.  

1. Aloe
2. Amaranth
3. Arrowhead
4. Aster
5. Blackberry
6. Blueberry
7. Raspberry
8. Wild Strawberry
9. Birch
10. Bulrush
11. Burdock
12. Cattail
13. Chamomile
14. Chickweed
15. Chicory
16. Cholla
17. Clover (Red & White)
18. Daisy
19. Dandelion
20. Dock
21. Fir, Balsam
22. Fireweed
23. Goldenrod
24. Grape
25. Lamb's Quarters
26. Mallow
27. Maple
28. Meadowsweet
29. Milkweed
30. Mint
31. Mullein
32. Mustard
33. Nettle
34. Phragmites
35. Pine
36. Plantain
37. Prickly Pear
38. Primrose
39. Puslane
40. Queen Anne's Lace
41. Rose
42. Saguaro
43. Shepherd's Purse
44. Sumac
45. Sunflower
46. Thistle
47. Thyme
48. Violet
49. Wild Lettuce
50. Willow
51. Wintergreen
52. Yarrow

Review: Angel Cards for Children by Diana Cooper

Diana Cooper received an angel visitation herself during a time of personal crisis, which changed her life, inspiring her to write about them.  A healer, therapist and author of several books including The Wonder of Unicorns, A Little Light On Spiritual Laws, A new light on angels and The Power of Inner Peace, Cooper follows the guidance of her angels to share spiritual gifts and helps connect others to the angels too.
 
The Angel Cards for Children deck is simply lovely.  The messages are easy to understand and simple.  Sometimes adults are so wrapped up in their own worries and problems that they forget how scary and difficult it can be being a child.  No need to have special sensitive ears to hear the message of the angels.  The little ones can simply draw a card and think about its meaning.  The cards instil deep values, morels and understanding at a young age, wisdom that will last a lifetime. 

 For more information, please visit Findhorn Press.

Review: Banana Split Card Game

The Banana Split Card Game by U.S. Games Systems Inc, is a fun game for the entire family. Winner of both the Creative Child Preferred Choice award and the iParenting Media award, Banana Split is a great way to sweeten up the day. 

My husband and I played this game last weekend.  I had the game set all up before he had a chance to decline an invitation.  I read the rules out loud before we began the game.  It is really simple to play, yet still requires a bit of strategic thinking, keeping it interesting.  The game is designed for children ages 6 and up.  My husband and I played each other, and what we thought would be a silly game, turned into a fun-filled evening of a delicious sweet-treat of sprinkles, whip cream and ice cream sundaes.  My husband and I really get into the games we play, desiring the bragging rights that come with winning.  I was surprised how fun this game is.  The player with the most points wins the game.  Players collect topping cards and then match them to the toppings pictured on the ice cream cards, earning points.  A banana split is like a trump card in the points department, each worth twenty points.  There are only two chances to create a banana split in each game.  The colorful cards and game pieces create a feel-good environment, lightening up any mood.  My husband really did well for not wanting to play in the first place.  He was making all sorts of ice cream creations, earning points nearly every turn.  His smiles were nearly as big as they are when he is really eating an ice cream sundae.  The nature of the game makes it a great way for children to learn counting, sequencing, numbers and cool ice cream recipes.  Luck was on my side as I found myself in a position to create not just one banana split, but two and I won the entire game ... although my husband did great through-out.  This game is so fun.  I cannot wait to play again, this time with the little ones.  

I cannot recommend this family game enough.  For more information, please visit U.S.Games.

Review: Teen Angel Cards

Diana Cooper's Teen Angel Cards are a charming deck inspirational cards that give great advice for teenagers.  Illustrated by Norbert Pautner in a popular Manga style, the deck is colorful, with cute angels that developing minds can relate with.  There are 53 cards in all, 52 angel cards plus one instruction card.  Each card has a powerful, yet simple message and an affirmation. 

I absolutely love these cards.  The messages and advice are perfect for teenagers.  A few examples are ...

Do your best.
Listen to others.
Don't judge others.

For More information, please visit Findhorn Press.

Review: SleepytimeTalk™

SleepytimeTalk™

U.S. Games Systems Inc has a series of conversation cards that make a game out of talking.  There are several decks, each with around 52 illustrated and colorful, laminated cards.  The cost is about $6.00 each deck.  The Sleepytime Talk deck is the perfect way to help little ones to bed or to use just before bedtime to encourage sleepiness.  Each card has a paragraph of interesting, thought provoking facts about sleeping and bedtime with a question at the end to initiate talk, such as what kind of music helps you fall asleep of what do you see when you look up into the night sky?  There are no right or wrong answers ...

Lots of fun and really do work well to send the children off to dream land ... and sometimes their daddy's too.

For more information, please visit U.S. Games.

 

 

Review: Radmilla Cody, Seed of Life

The 46th Miss Navajo, Radmilla Cody has quite the life story ... spending time in jail, a result of the decisions of her then abusive boyfriends' drug trafficking, as well as being the first biracial woman to hold the title.  Cody, a very talented and beautiful Navajo Woman inside and out, is now an active advocate for domestic violence prevention.  

In Seed of Life, Radmilla sings traditional songs of Diné, the Navajo people and her music is a glimpse into the life of the Navajo of today. 

A short album at just shy 35 minutes, Seed of Life includes two patriotic songs, God Bless American and America the Beautiful, in the elegant Navajo language. Radmilla sings in her native tongue, her voice ringing out with clarity, grace and noble intention. Her inner beauty is infused in her music.   

Seed of Life is a truly inspirational album.   For more information, please visit Canyon Records.