Oracle of Novice Witches

Oracle of Novice Witches - 50 cards about folklore, tools and animal helpers

Not every oracle deck has a teaching structure. This one does. Oracle of Novice Witches is built as an introduction to three traditional parts of the witchcraft tradition: historical figures, ritual tools and animal familiars.

The fifty cards are divided into three groups. 24 cards show legendary witches and sorcerers from history and folklore. 13 cards depict magical tools such as a cauldron, a broom or a crystal ball. The remaining 13 cards are devoted to animals that act as spiritual guides.

Francesca Matteoni, historian and folklorist, wrote the texts. Elisa Macellari illustrated with a contemporary, graphic style: brightly coloured, playful, without the dark heaviness that characterises many witch decks.

What you see on the cards

Each card has a name and a single keyword at the bottom. A figure like Aradia carries the word 'freedom', a cat the word 'independence', a pentagram 'grounding'. That simplicity makes it possible to draw a card quickly and use it directly.

The imagery is clear and graphic. Macellari works with flat colours, clean lines and little detail. That suits the accessible tone of the deck. There is no mystical twilight, no Gothic atmosphere. The images invite rather than intimidate.

How you work with it

The 64-page guidebook gives background information and interpretation for each card. For the historical figures it says who they were or where they come from in folklore. For the tools you read how they were traditionally used. For the animals it states what quality they represent.

The keywords on the cards themselves make it possible to work without the guidebook. Draw a card, read the word, look at the image. That is often enough for a daily reflection.

Try a three-card reading with one card from each category: a figure for who inspires you, a tool for what you need, an animal for who supports you. The structure of the deck lends itself perfectly to this.

About Francesca Matteoni and Elisa Macellari

Francesca Matteoni is a historian and writer specialising in folklore and folk magic. She translates complex traditions into clear, usable texts without simplifying them.

Elisa Macellari is an illustrator and graphic designer. Her work has previously appeared in children's books and graphic novels. You can see that background in the accessible, cheerful style of this deck.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 50
• Card size: 76 x 127 mm
• Guidebook: 64 pages, full colour illustrated
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9781646710980
• Publisher: U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
• Author: Francesca Matteoni
• Illustrator: Elisa Macellari

Questions we often get

Can the cards be used without the guidebook?
Yes. Each card has a name and a keyword. That is enough for a quick reading. The guidebook adds context and background, but is not a requirement.

How does this deck relate to traditional tarot?
This is not tarot. It is a themed deck with a fixed division into three categories. You can combine it with tarot as a supplement, but it also works completely independently.