Observation

I think this is what I seem to be doing a lot lately with this deck. I think, more or less, it set the tone for January going into February. I think the oracle has done really well with spreads, but also in combination with tarot cards. When I put the syntax in a [tarot card] + [oracle card] format, the reading is easier to piece together (the syntax is the way the reading is written out). Also, reading with this deck reminds me of reading in a lost language or something. I am more reminded of ancient Mesoamerican hieroglyphs even though they look nothing like it (I do have, little, if any, experience reading these scripts).

Things with the deck are coming along. I am currently making updates to the copy that will be published. I think it could be another day or two until this is complete. Some of the center symbols were a bit small compared to other pieces in the deck. I also thinned out the Health and Enemy cards. Other cards that needed resizing were Man, Woman, and the Longing cards. I am currently (and pain-stakingly) working on the last card as I write this entry (and yeah, I'm longing to be done with it, lol).

Meanwhile, I've been adding bits of information to the manual, and will also need to update the images. I am thinking of adding a spreads section. In any case, I'll have plenty of time to work on these changes, and hopefully purchase a final copy before the end of the week. I've been meaning to contact the company to see if I can get a thicker card stock. The stock and edges started wearing out on my copy after the first week. I do use this deck weekly and almost daily. The tedious details aside, I'm happy with the progress of this project so far.

Ok, so here is another excerpt from the manual. The information may need to be edited over some, but the basic message will stay the same. Enjoy!

EXCERPT FROM THE PLUTONIAN ORACLE MANUAL

SPELL WORK

Can the Plutonian Oracle be used for spell work? Why not? If you feel any one symbol speaks to you for a particular spell, feel free to use it. I would also love to hear feedback on this, as I have done it a few times myself and feel like the results have been solid. Symbols can be written onto candles, disposable glass candles, petitions, or be used for meditation purposes in the course of healing work.

KARMA, SOUL MATES/TWIN FLAMES, AND PAST LIVES

During this deck's creation, I got a few questions about karma, soul mates/twin flames, and past lives.

While it's quite possible to tell if you hold a connection with someone on a soulmate/karmic/past life level with this deck, there are no cards that address these topics in a straightforward manner. For example, there isn't a "Soulmate" card or an official karmic relationship indicator. I deliberately left these topics out of the deck. The main focus of this deck is to promote the here and now. I chose not to address these categories due to the fact we can ultimately give our power away to them. However, readers can incorporate these concepts into the deck if they wish to on a more direct level.

ASTROLOGY AND NUMEROLOGY

Can the oracle be used with astrology or numerology? Yes. However, I recommend only using it as the need arises for general information, or with astrological- or numerological-themed spreads. It shouldn't take the place of the actual practice of astrology or numerology. Please see Healer 4 card's description for more information on how to use this deck with astrology and numerology.

QUINTS

In cartomancy, a quint number may be calculated using the numerical value of each card in a reading and adding it up. The sum number can hold numerological significance, but usually points back to another card in the deck associated with it. In the Plutonian Oracle, each card has a number assigned to it called the "Numerological Number." This number can be found under the Optional Correspondences table in the card's description or in the Optional Correspondence table found in Index II. Please see Sample Readings in Index I for a sample of how to calculate the quint using the Plutonian Oracle.

Ok, there you have it. Thank you for staying updated and please check back for more updates to come forth soon. 

Monique

This and That...

Hi everyone,

I've had a hectic start to the middle of the month. Between work and school, things are pretty busy during the week. However, I will say not too much needs to be done in terms of the artwork. I've made improvements or corrections to 70% of the cards I've set aside.

I'm also looking at having the manual done by mid February and I'll be posting a few more smaller excerpts from it.

Over the week, I've had some time to reflect on this deck as I use it. My self-readings aside (cause it's difficult to read for myself), I am happy with how it reads so far. I feel it's been straightforward if I ask the right questions. On another note, I've decided I want this to be a quality deck and putting more into making this happen is something I'm willing to do.

As far as the way it reads... this is not a deck where you just lay out cards and read. I may draw a few extra cards or use a few indicators to explore a few cards in the readings I do. It definitely has made me stop and think first before drawing more cards.

Ok, I want to say thanks for checking back and staying updated. I'll make my next update this week or weekend. Have a great week!

Checking In Again...

It's late here in California, but I feel like writing. I've made a few touch-up's to the artwork as well as corrected some indicator placements that did not match an original set (yes, there are two). I've also added some to cards I felt needed more options such as the Ex card.

The manual is coming along nicely. I have inserted images for each card as well as some for example readings. I actually cut the number of indices down to two due to time constraints. With the way things are moving, progress will slow slightly but I don't think it will change the availability date.

I wanted to share an excerpt from the reader's manual here to give those interested a feel for how it will read and what they can expect. The manual covers everything from how to read with the cards to timing methods. Currently it's 89 pages in Word. There will be links to each section and a "back" link at the end of these sections to trail back to the table of contents. This will allow readers to gain easy access to meanings of the cards as they read. I don't think this manual will be available in print for a while, but it will be available in digital format. More info to come on this.

EXCERPT FROM THE PLUTONIAN ORACLE MANUAL:

READING AND WRITING OUT THE READING

A bit similar to the tarot when reversals are read, the Plutonian Oracle has a mode in which cards appear. For example, when the Hidden card comes up inverse it means that whatever is hidden will come to light or be revealed, indicated by the sun glyph appearing upright. The reader may go by its assigned title, "Revealed" placing the mode in parentheses. In the example below, the Hidden and Involvement cards are inverted while the Enemy card is not.

Hidden (revealed) - Involvement (unhappy) - Enemy (hidden) 

As an option, the word "inverse" may be written out to clarify what position the card is in. The example below includes two options in which the syntax may be written:

OPTION #1: Hidden inverse (revealed) - Involvement inverse (unhappy) - Enemy (hidden)

OPTION #2: Hidden (inverse: revealed) - Involvement (inverse: unhappy) - Enemy (hidden)

If an indicator has no name and no sample can be found in this manual or other resource, then the reader is free to appropriately style an indicator name in its place.

For more samples on how to title untitled indicators as well as to learn about the syntax of the oracle, please see Index I, "Sample Readings." 

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Thank you for staying updated and please check back for more updates.

Monique

Copy Update

I'm baaaack! I just got my copy of the Plutonian Oracle in the mail this afternoon (a day earlier than expected) and overall, I'm happy with it. The deck is the size I need it to be, tiny for my small hands. Those of you with larger hands are just going to have to deal! :P

This aside, the card stock is good in my opinion. It's not terribly stiff or flimsy. I would say stock is about a 7 on a scale of 1-10.  Of course, you be the judge. I may make a video if I can stop being shy about it. :]]]

As for the images, they are acceptable. Aside from the white of the cards being a little see-through and a few jagged lines here and there, it's something I'm proud of for a first edition. Still.. I may smooth over some cards. I think all artists have a critical eye when it comes to their own work. I am certainly no exception.

When I received the deck, I was super excited and I posted an image at my favorite reading website. Even though the company says their images don't bleed through the back, I went with black backing to be on the safe side. The only issue I am encountering with an equally-sided length deck is that some of the cards are coming up sideways. I will be addressing how to deal with this in the manual.

The manual is about 90% done, with the images still needing to be inserted and the three indices re-written over to reflect the revised cards. This manual is going to be extensive and I hope not too overwhelming. 

There are a few card images that need to be corrected before it can be available. I also made the mistake of having the publisher print the Retrograde card twice (the Pause card never got printed).

I have made images here available as well as on my Instagram, espearitesreadings. Please feel free to request an add and view the images there, or you can simply see them here.

In terms of time tables, I expect to have this deck available by mid to late February, unless something slows down progress. Thank you again for staying updated and a big thank you to those who've supported me throughout this endeavor! 

Monique