Wild Unknown Alchemy Deck and Guidebook - hexagonal cards for transformation
Not all oracle cards are rectangular. This deck is made of hexagons, a shape that forces you to lay out and see patterns differently. That choice is not decorative: the hexagon comes from natural structures like honeycombs and crystal lattices.
Kim Krans designed this deck as a visual system around alchemy. Not the medieval laboratory version, but alchemy as a metaphor for personal transformation. The 71 cards are divided across themes such as the four elements, seasons, metals and colours. Each theme gets its own visual language in ink and watercolour.
What the cards look like
The style is recognisable if you know The Wild Unknown Tarot: fine black lines, watercolour washes in muted tones, plenty of white space. Symbols are stylised but not abstract. A bird remains a bird, a key remains a key.
Because the cards are hexagonal, you can lay them with their sides touching. This creates a network rather than a row. The guidebook contains spreads designed to make use of this.
What is in the guidebook
The guide runs to 224 pages. Each card receives a description that covers the symbol, the theme and the alchemical background. After that come reflection questions and suggestions for use.
At the back are four spreads designed specifically for the hexagonal shape. These spreads work with adjacent positions, which means you can do more than just lay single cards side by side.
Lay the cards with their sides touching and notice which symbols meet. Sometimes a line forms, sometimes a star. The shape helps determine how you read the cards.
Who this works for
You do not need prior knowledge of alchemy. The texts are clear and the images speak for themselves. What does help is some experience with oracle cards, because the guidebook does not contain basic instructions on how to draw a card or ask a question.
The hexagonal shape takes some getting used to. Shuffling works differently, so does laying out. That suits people who have room for experiment.
About Kim Krans
Kim Krans is an artist who previously created The Wild Unknown Tarot, one of the best-selling tarot decks of the past ten years. Her work is characterised by a combination of nature symbolism and tight composition.
For this deck she worked closely with Chronicle Books, the publisher that also brought out her earlier work. All cards are drawn and painted by her own hand.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 71
- Card size: 108 x 124 mm, hexagonal
- Card finish: Matte
- Guidebook: 224 pages, illustrated
- Packaging: Sturdy storage box with magnetic closure
- Language: English
- ISBN: 9781797212577
- Publisher: Chronicle Books
- Design and illustrations: Kim Krans
Questions we often get
Are hexagonal cards difficult to shuffle?
The shape requires a different technique from rectangular cards. You can best hold them in your hands and move them in circles, or spread them out and move through them. It becomes familiar quickly.
Can I combine this deck with The Wild Unknown Tarot?
Yes. The style is similar and the themes align. Some people use the Alchemy cards as a supplement to a tarot reading, others lay them out separately.
