Hidden Lore of the Wild Forest
By Mark Ryan and John Matthews Illustrated by Anne Yvonne Gilbert
The Sherwood Oracle created by Mark Ryan and John Matthews, creators of the well-known The Wildwood Tarot and illustrated by Ann Yvonne Gilbert is a journey into the Sherwood Forest, home of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws. Here is where ancient wisdom lies, offering the promise of restored connection to the natural world familiar to our ancestors. The characters you will meet there will serve as companions or challenge you on every level and offer blessings as you acquaint yourself with them and the places they inhabit. The journey into the forest may be physical, through dream, meditation, or imaginative journey.
The Sherwood Oracle comprises a set of thirty- five oracle cards, beautifully illustrated by Anne Yvonne Gilbert, the details of which express the inner and outer character of each personality the seeker meets in the forest. The cards include the outlaws, the adversaries, the wild ones, the dancers, and the places in Sherwood where the four elements are present in water, shelter, food, and fire and the need for balance of these is expressed by the authors, Mark Ryan and John Matthews, in the well explained companying book. The book contains excellent historical information on all characters and places as well as excellent examples of meditations which the seeker can follow or create their own. The presentation of the set is of high quality, with a sturdy box with magnetic closing and cards which are pleasing to shuffle and handle.
We have been conditioned by authorities and corporations to fear nature, the woods, the bush where poisons, wild animals and insects and weather threaten our security, while our fences are built higher, supermarket aisles filled with packaged, processed foods continue to multiply and gardens are controlled by round-up and artificial turf is lain. The memory of simpler times, all be them with their challenges, where imagination flourished, and creativity abounded, slip away.
At a time when hope and light become harder to hold onto in this world, The Sherwood Oracle will captivate the seeker, entice them into slowing down and taking time to work with these archetypal energies in the characters and places, to clarify their path and goals, while inspiring imagination and creativity, and rekindling hope in the world.
Turn off the television, shut down the computer, turn off all devices and enter the forest, a place soothing and unrushed where the breath slows and deepens. You will not be disappointed whether the use is for answering personal questions in everyday life or following your own inner path to new depths of wisdom. Like The Wildwood Tarot, The Sherwood Oracle will become a trusted companion.
Linda Henery