Compendium of Witches Oracle - 30 portraits and 30 symbols from the craft
This is not a deck that follows one tradition. It brings together witches from different cultures and periods, each with her own story. One card shows a figure from Scottish folklore, another a witch rooted in African or Latin American traditions.
The deck consists of two types of cards: 30 portraits and 30 symbol cards. The portraits are watercolours, the symbols refer to magical tools and concepts such as 'Familiar', 'Offering' and 'The Circle'. Together they form an oracle that connects rather than separates.
What you see on the cards
The portraits are painted in watercolour. The colours are earthy: ochre, rust brown, green, sometimes a bright accent colour in a detail. Each portrait shows a witch with attributes that refer to her background: herbs, animals, jewellery, tools.
The cards are borderless. That means the image runs right to the edge, with no white border. It gives the portraits more space, but also asks for careful shuffling.
The symbol cards are simpler in design: a central symbol, a name, no further text. The guidebook explains how you can use them in a reading, both separately and in combination with the portraits.
How this deck works in practice
You can use this oracle in two ways: draw only the portraits, only the symbols, or shuffle both stacks together. Each system gives a different kind of reading.
The guidebook runs to 176 pages. For each portrait there is a description of the witch, her background and the symbolism woven into the illustration. For each symbol card there is an explanation of the concept and how it can behave in a reading. There are no fixed spreads, but there are suggestions for interpretation.
Spread the cards out on a soft surface instead of riffle-shuffling. The borderless finish is vulnerable at the edges.
About Natasa Ilincic
Natasa Ilincic is a Scottish artist with a background in anthropological fieldwork. Her work has been shown at the London House of Illustration and other galleries. She works mainly with folklore and traditional stories, which she translates into illustrations with a contemporary style.
Her strength lies in the combination of historical knowledge and visual translation. The portraits in this deck are not fantasy figures, but are based on research into how witches have been depicted and understood in different cultures.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 60 (30 portraits, 30 symbols)
- Card size: 121 x 170 mm
- Finish: Borderless, matte
- Guidebook: 176 pages
- Language: English
- Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
- Artist: Natasa Ilincic
Questions we often get
How do you use the two stacks of cards together?
You can shuffle them together and use them in one reading, or draw a portrait first and then a symbol for depth. The guidebook gives examples of both approaches.
Are the portraits based on historical figures?
No, they are fictional witches. However, they are based on research into folklore and traditional stories from different cultures. Each witch carries details that refer to a specific background.
