An oracle deck that is reminiscent of Savannah’s surprise movie cards and helps with divination… seems like a fun weekend card deck to pull out on movie night!
Hello, dearest readers! I am currently being whined at by a very cold and very tired dog as I type this article tonight. I promise – she has many blankets and an entire bed at her disposal. Anyway, the Classic Horror Oracle deck with 50 cards and a companion guidebook, designed and put on the market in 2023 by Ricardo Diseño (illustrator) and Steve Mockus (text). The whole thing was put out by Chronical Books LLC, but don’t worry, this deck can be found on Amazon and in bookstores.
Let me tell you how much I love the art. Diseño’s illustrations are dynamic and colorful. They draw the eye and make you want to stare at them forever. I am not sure if you can classify them as pop art, abstract, or something else. I get old-school propaganda posters mixed with some Picasso and a little sprinkle of comic book style pin-up. It’s a vibe. I spent a lot of time on his website. I may need to get prints. Not lying.
I am a huge fan of color. Which honestly lends to this deck. The line work brings the depth and the shadow that we need for the horror. However, if you were hoping for something more gruesome with more red, grey, black, and gore – this may not be what you’re looking for. Some of my favorites are here for your viewing pleasure, though.
The book. Take it as you will. The alignment is classic horror. While the cards have a singular description: Egg for Alien… The book will tell you the movie. I think there is something fun just flipping through the deck and guessing the movies. There were a couple that stumped me and others that were immediate a-ha’s. There was no way I could NOT recognize some of these classics: “What’s your favorite scary movie?”
After describing the movie associated with each card, you get very brief explanations for upright or reversed. My favorite is probably the one for The Shining. Makes sense if you’ve seen the movie or read the book – focusing too much on work or do you need to take a break and play? Simple and to the point. My kind of explanation.
One thing I love about this deck: Rated E for everyone. Don’t dabble in the occult? No problem! It could be great for trivia or picking out a movie for movie night. Want to learn more about classic horror movies? You’ve got the title, the year, the director, a famous quote, and a synopsis right there. Want to play a guessing game with the pictures? Do it! This is really one of the most multi-use decks I have picked up… ever.
Lastly, it does have some layout recommendations for readings for you sight-seers. One of them is a layout I have not seen in a companion book: the pentagram. Get the deck to feast your eyes on that beast. From there, it’s all up to you. Have fun with this one!
Happy Readings!
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