Guides of the Hidden Realms Oracle - two messages per card, one spiritual guide
Not all oracle cards work through metaphor. Some show you a figure and say: this is your guide. The Guides of the Hidden Realms Oracle by Colette Baron-Reid turns each card into an encounter with a spiritual being carrying a message.
The deck contains 44 cards, painted by Jena DellaGrottaglia in a style that blends fantasy and surrealism. Each figure has a name and a function. The guidebook gives two texts per card: an 'Oracle Message' for general situations and a 'Relationship Message' for questions about relationships.
What you see on the cards
The illustrations are rich and atmospheric. You see figures with wings, surrounded by light, flowers and cosmic patterns. Some guides look angelic, others more like nature spirits or mystical beings. The colours are warm: lots of gold, purple, blue and rose tones.
The cards are sturdy and shuffle smoothly. They have a matte finish that reflects light gently. The size is 100 x 140 mm, slightly wider than classic tarot cards.
How the texts work
The 'Oracle Message' is poetic and direct. It is the general message that the guide carries. The 'Relationship Message' applies that same energy to a question about a relationship, friendship or family bond. Both texts sit side by side in the guidebook, per card.
Colette Baron-Reid's tone is warm and encouraging. She writes in images and metaphors, but stays concrete enough to connect directly with recognisable situations. You do not read theory, but reflections that work for daily use.
Draw one card in the morning and read both messages. One may touch something in your work or inner process, the other something in a relationship. It does not have to be either-or.
Who this works for
This deck is accessible for anyone who has never worked with oracle cards before. You need no prior knowledge. The guidebook explains how to set up a spread and how to prepare yourself. Each card has a clear name and two worked-out messages.
Those who enjoy detailed, dreamlike imagery and poetic language will feel at home here. The themes revolve around trust, surrender and receiving help from beyond yourself. This is not a deck that challenges or confronts, but rather comforts and affirms.
About Colette Baron-Reid and Jena DellaGrottaglia
Colette Baron-Reid is an author and oracle expert. She has written several books, developed various oracle cards and founded Oracle School, an online platform where people learn to work with this type of cards. Her work has been translated into 27 languages.
Jena DellaGrottaglia is an illustrator who often collaborates with Baron-Reid. She paints digitally and is known for her detailed, atmospheric style in which light and texture play a major role.
Specifications
- Author: Colette Baron-Reid
- Illustrator: Jena DellaGrottaglia
- Publisher: U.S. Games Systems
- ISBN: 9781646712090
- Number of cards: 44
- Language: English
- Weight: 415 g
- Card dimensions: 100 x 140 mm
Questions we often get
What is the difference between this oracle deck and tarot?
Tarot has a fixed structure of 78 cards, divided into Major and Minor Arcana. This oracle deck contains 44 cards and follows no fixed system. The messages are phrased directly and intuitively, without the symbolic layers of tarot. You need no prior knowledge.
Are the texts in the guidebook enough to get started straight away?
Yes. For each card there are two worked-out messages, plus explanation on how to set up a spread and prepare yourself. You need no additional material.