Dream Your Joy
Artist/Author: Judy Mastrangelo
Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2023
Description: 59 cards, 128-page guidebook, book-shaped box with magnetic closure lid.
Card Size: 3.5 x 5
"My intent is always to spread feelings of hope and inspiration to all, by sharing my belief in the spirituality of humankind and nature."
Judy Mastrangelo has produced a beautiful deck featuring her own illustrations. The pastel colors and gentle images give a joyful feel. The many shades of pink backings are delightful.
Unfortunately, I was unable to connect to this deck. The cards are beautiful and the exercises were interesting, but I didn't feel much beyond pretty pictures.
The Guidebook begins with concerns over your health and encourages you to seek professional care if needed. I felt this was an unnecessary statement, like a trigger warning of sorts. Of course, this is only my feeling and opinion.
The Purpose of This Deck is to bring you to a joyful state in order for you to get through difficult times.
Mind Painting is a form of meditation practiced and encouraged by the author of "paint a picture in your mind" of the way you would like to be in the ideal world. Again, in this section, she brings up stress and seeking professional help.
Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't seek help for your health concerns. You should if you need help, but it felt out of place to me in an Oracle Deck guidebook. I'm trying to give an honest review, but feel I may be triggering someone. That is not my intent at all.
The About the Cards and Using the Cards covers the creation of the deck and a process to use the deck.
The bulk of the guidebook goes through each card: one page features the card artwork, while the other page contains the card name, a phrase, a short meaning, and exercises to go with each card. The activities vary from meditation and affirmations to physical activity and chakra exercises to drawing and coloring.
Tranquility: Find your sanctuary appeared as my first pull. A beautiful image of a solitary woman relaxing, enjoying her own company. She is confident and powerful in her own rights. (This is what I saw in the image.)
The Meaning in the guidebook says that the woman finds some time to be alone and think of her purpose. "Taking some "alone" time doesn't mean that you are lonely." A balance between social and alone time is needed for a healthy life.
The first exercise is a Meditation of self-reflection over where you are, how you feel about your life, and what you can do to change it for the better.
The second exercise is Look in the mirror for imperfections and decide the best methods to fix your issues.
Both exercises, for me, suggested something is wrong with you, and you need to fix yourself.
Although I didn't get a feel for this deck, you may find it's perfect for you. I encourage you to visit these other reviewers for more insight into the deck.
Bonnie Cehovet -
"This deck is a wonderful tool of empowerment that can be used by all ages."
Kaye Lynne Booth -
"You will enjoy perusing this deck, even if you don’t hold stock in the power of oracles and divination. "
(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)
