The Sherwood Oracle by John Matthews and Mark Ryan
Art by Anne Yvonne Gilbert
Publisher Sterling Ethos
Okay, all you Robin Hood and King Arthur fans, here is the deck you have been waiting for. And The Sherwood Oracle delivers!
Let’s start with the box. It is a beautifully designed fold-over magnetic box in pale green. The Green Lady graces the front.
After opening the box, you will find a thick book with who else but Robin Hood on its cover. If you know the legend of Robin Hood, you will have a head start. John Matthews and Mark Ryan did their homework and created a beautiful book with an explanation, a quote, questions, meditations, and more for each card. In the book, there are several different ways to look at the cards. The detail that this team has put together is truly awe-inspiring. Of course with this team I would not expect any different.
Anne Yvonne Gilbert has done an amazing job of capturing the magic and wonder of Sherwood Forest. The detail she has provided will make you want to look closer. The beauty makes me want to frame each card and place them around my home like the pieces of art that they are. I like that the cards are divided into groups: Outlaws, Adversaries, Wild Ones, Dancers, and Places. Reading the book, you will understand why this is so.
The card stock lets them down a bit. I am well aware that this is not a creator’s choice but a publisher’s choice. However, it does give the cards an old-time feel. If that is what they were going for, then they have succeeded. I worry about how it will hold up over time.
There is also an enclosed ‘Map’. I will be taking this to be ‘plaqued’, as I have several others.
I have yet to have the chance to use this deck with clients, but I will. I need to understand the characters better before I do so. I have used several of the meditations; they are beautiful.
