- The divinatory art of the 52-card deck -
The foundation, the deepening, and the alchemy. Begin where you’re called.
A Source Book for Divination Plus Cards
Your complete divination kit for the 52-card deck: meanings, spreads, the calendar in playing cards, and the methods that built the practice.
Dare to be different. A work of poetry and prophecy from a rare father-daughter collaboration. Interpretations not found in so many other books, but a system all its own. Unexpected, intuitive, with pen and ink illustrations on all 52 cards.
“Every now and then a book comes along that is so strikingly original that it can completely change popular perceptions on a given subject. This is one of those books.” - from the back cover
A New Dimension of Card Reading
The deepening. CJ’s first body of artwork, and his last to reach print, published only after his death. The paintings that kicked down the door: his most striking illustrations, his most controversial, and the most guided writing Ana has produced.
From the foundations of the first book through discoveries found nowhere else: the 36 gates mapping the cards through the year, original card legends by both Ana and CJ, geomantic talismans for all the courts, a secret alphabet, and CJ’s own preliminary sketches for the cards themselves.
For readers who thought they’d already found the edge of what playing cards could do.
The Art of Transformation in Life and Card Reading
Two books under one cover: the descent, and the sacred art that followed.
Part One is the struggle: eating disorders, leaving home, minimum wage jobs, before the calling became clear. Part Two is cards as a practice in communion - presence in the reading, the mystical weight of the words you choose when framing a question, quantum physics in the shuffle itself. Techniques that apply to any deck, any style of reading. Less a book of how-to. More a book of prayer.
In Ana’s words: “It has been birthed straight out of my soul, kicking and screaming… It is pure, undiluted BOOTLEG.”
This deck has changed the way I look at the world. It is amazing that the 52 card deck is perhaps the most magic item that circulates the global population, but goes entirely unseen for its esoteric purpose… get ready, because if you purchase this deck, it will send you down the most magical rabbit hole you have been on.
Out of the literally hundreds of oracle/tarot decks I own this one never leaves my tarot table, it is in constant use.
Once Oracle Alchemy finished downloading on my Kindle, to my surprise, I couldn’t stop reading. There were no vapid clichés or long discussions of whether silk or cotton is better for card pouches here. No platitudes or pink, fluffy clouds, either, just a profoundly spiritual take on card reading expressed in simple, straight-forward language that had me saying “ah hah” and “amen” every few pages.
Poetry and stories from Mr. Freeman are interspersed throughout the book, and are a great joy to read. Aside from his wonderful artistic sense, Mr. Freeman has an incredible ability to see with his heart and soul. He is one of the world’s great teachers.
The art is incredible and the characters and imagery create a magic window into a world that was lost to time until it was excavated by professional dreamers.
Ana Cortez’ writing style makes you feel as if you were talking to her. I must have read this book dozens of times already and I never get tired of it… Also, the way it teaches you to read common playing card decks, usually used for games, is amazing. The meanings given by Ana Cortez are at the same time intuitive and complex. They bring together numbers, colours and images. And they even include Geomancy, which is a fantastic addition to the system.
I was immediately magnetized. I’ve never been pulled in like I have with this.
This is a truly unique card deck, and unlike any cards I have seen before. Beautifully illustrated. But be aware that this is not tarot! How refreshing it is to find an original take on such an ancient art form. Ana’s approach to card reading also includes a system of timing, making predictive work even more precise. Highly recommend.
The book that she wrote and CJ Freeman illustrated is one of the favorites in my personal library.
This is a very honest and intimate read. Similar to Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, Ana’s journey teaches the importance of inner deconstruction of challenging life-defining moments and points of failure, and being able to create something new from the ashes… The second half of the book is just brimming with messages, secrets and rituals… and Ana’s timing is wonderful for sharing her book of knowing in these uncertain times when just such a book is needed for guidance. Thank you Ana!
The Playing Card Oracles is a seminal work in the art of card reading. A must for serious and ambitious students…
…the way she mixes original tales, poetry and pure esoteric wisdom is rich and delightful. You do not read “The Doors of Somlipith” - you kind of dive into it. It’s a fully immersive experience.
(The) Playing Card Oracles should be on the required reading list for card readers of all levels. I simply couldn’t put the book down.
I use both tarot and general oracle cards in my spiritual practice, and enjoy them both. But I had held off on any use of ‘playing card’ divination because it felt dry and hollow to me. Then I found this deck, the previous deck, and Ana Cortez’s books and it was like I had found the system that resonated with me. So fantastic!
I first saw this book at the Meow Wolf “art experience” in Santa Fe, NM… I couldn’t stop thinking about the book… It is a beautiful book to read, full of history as well as inspired illustrations.
Your work, along with Mr. CJ Freeman’s, is, in my opinion, the most accomplished and profound in the history of cartomancy. Thank you so much.
It goes beyond teaching divination and feels more like a ‘travel book’ into the realms of the cards themselves.
Wonderful book, cards and tons of information on her YouTube and website. I read tarot and love it, but I’ve been exploring playing cards because, I feel, they can be more intuitive, expansive.
This book is a must have for card readers of any kind. Oracle, tarot, playing cards… this book will help any reading. I LOVE IT !!! Update 2014… This book has become my most trusted source for interpreting Tarot. It’s my go to book. I cannot say enough good about this book!!!
I’ve spent the last year looking into pretty much every playing card system I could find and I came right back here - the place where my journey with playing cards started! I so appreciate how intentional, deep and well-thought out your system is. It’s time for me to commit fully. I’m currently rereading the Playing Card Oracles and Doors of Somplith books and rewatching this video series. Thank you!
For tonight: meanings, a card or two, and a ritual to open the deck - as if for the first time.