Wisdom of the Elders Oracle - Mi'kmaq traditions in card form
Not every oracle deck comes from a living spiritual tradition. This one does. Shawn Leonard is a Mi'kmaq medium and spiritual teacher. He grew up with the stories, symbols and ceremonial practices of his people and turned them into a 44-card deck.
The illustrations are by Tracey Metallic and Aaron Googoo, both Mi'kmaq artists. They base their imagery on traditional motifs: animals, plants, natural forces and ancestral figures. The style is digital and richly coloured, with clear linework and symbolism recognisable within Mi'kmaq culture.
What you see on the cards
The cards work with archetypes from nature and the spiritual world of the Mi'kmaq. Think of the bear as teacher, the eagle as messenger, fire as purifying force. Each symbol refers to an aspect of life or a lesson passed down within the community.
The guidebook explains what each symbol stands for, which stories belong to it, and how you can apply the message. This makes the deck accessible, even if you are not familiar with indigenous traditions.
How this deck works in practice
The cards invite you to pause and reflect on your relationship with the earth, with ancestors, with forces beyond yourself. They do not ask direct questions, but offer points of connection for reflection. Draw a card for the day, read the accompanying text and notice what resonates.
Many people use this deck in combination with time spent in nature. The symbols often refer to elemental forces, which you can experience more directly outdoors.
Draw a card before you go for a walk and keep the message in the back of your mind. See if you notice something of the symbol in your surroundings: a bird, a wind direction, a particular tree.
About Shawn Leonard
Shawn Leonard is known for the television programme 'Spirit Talker', in which he demonstrates his work as a medium. His spiritual practice is based on the traditions he grew up with in the Mi'kmaq community. He gives talks and workshops, and guides people in developing their own spiritual connection.
This deck is an extension of that work: a way to make the wisdom of his ancestors and teachers accessible to a wider audience.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 44
- Language: English
- Card size: 90 x 130 mm
- Finish: full-colour, durable coating
- Weight: 450 g
- Publisher: Hay House
- Contents: 44 cards and comprehensive guidebook
- Author: Shawn Leonard
- Illustrators: Tracey Metallic and Aaron Googoo
Questions we often get
Is this deck based on the tarot system?
No. This is an oracle deck with 44 cards, without the structure of tarot. The cards are entirely based on Mi'kmaq traditions and symbols, not on arcana or classic tarot meanings.
Do I need to be familiar with Mi'kmaq culture to work with this deck?
Not necessarily. The guidebook explains the background and meaning of each symbol. It does help if you are open to the spiritual frameworks at the centre: connection with ancestors, reverence for nature, and a cyclical worldview.
