The Wild Way Oracle deck - astrological decans and the Celtic wheel of the year
Not every oracle deck links astrology to the seasons. This one does. The Wild Way Oracle deck by Nicola Allan connects the 36 decans of the zodiac to eight festivals from the Celtic wheel of the year, and turns them into one readable system.
The deck consists of 44 cards: 36 minor cards for the astrological decans and 8 major cards for the seasonal celebrations. Allan painted them by hand, in a style where human figures, plants and animals flow into each other. The cards are large, 126 x 88 mm, and printed on thick recycled cardstock with gold foil details and a matte finish that resists scratching.
What you see on the cards
The imagery is soft and symbolic. No sharp lines or bright colours, but watercolour tones where landscapes, bodies and animal heads blend together. Each card shows a decan or seasonal feast through natural symbols rather than text.
The gold foil accents sit mostly in details like stars, circles or leaf edges. It gives the cards a tactile quality without making them shiny. The matte finish ensures they shuffle smoothly and do not stick together.
How the system works
The 36 minor cards correspond to the decans, ten-degree segments within each zodiac sign. Each sign has three decans, each with its own energetic flavour. The 8 major cards represent the eight Celtic seasonal celebrations such as Samhain, Imbolc and Beltane.
The deck includes four physical reference cards that explain the structure. The full guidebook is digital, not a printed booklet. It gives the symbolism for each card and shows how to use the astrological layer in a reading.
At each new decan (roughly every ten days), pull the corresponding card and leave it out for a while. This way you notice which energy is at play without having to interpret right away.
Who this deck is designed for
This deck is built for people who want to combine astrology and seasonal work. If you already know what a decan is, you can start right away. If you do not, you will need the digital guidebook to place the cards.
The imagery is intuitive enough to work without the guidebook, but the astrological structure requires some baseline knowledge. This is not a beginner deck in the sense that you can read everything straight from the card.
About Nicola Allan
Nicola Allan is an artist and designer from Scotland. Her work centres on ecological awareness and connection to natural cycles. For The Wild Way Oracle deck she combined her illustration work with her interest in astrology and pagan traditions.
She had the deck produced locally in Scotland on G.F Smith Colorplan cardstock, made from recycled sources. Production took place without plastic packaging.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 44 (36 minor cards, 8 major cards)
- Card size: 126 x 88 mm
- Cardstock weight: 400 gsm
- Finish: matte anti-scratch coating with gold foil accents
- Paper type: G.F Smith Colorplan recycled cardstock
- Extras: 4 physical reference cards, digital guidebook (English)
- Production: Scotland
- Publisher: Astraea Creative
- Artist: Nicola Allan
Questions we often get
Do I need to know astrology to work with this deck?
You need a basic understanding of the zodiac to follow the system. The digital guidebook explains the decans, but it helps if you already know how the signs are built. Without that knowledge you can still use the cards intuitively, but you will miss the astrological layer.
Does this deck come with a printed guidebook?
No, the guidebook is digital. You receive access to an online guide with your purchase. The four physical reference cards give an overview of the structure, but for the full meanings you need to consult the digital version.
