Brief Description of Deck

Deck was conceived by Eileen Connolly and illustrated by her son Peter Paul Connolly. A "modern" color palette is used (lots of fuchsia and teal blue). I took a class with Eileen when the deck was released and she commented that she deliberately took out all "negative" elements because she wanted a very positive deck. Therefore, the Death card has been replaced by Transition and the Devil card has been replaced by Materialism. No blood, gore, and violence in this deck!

When I used to use this deck for readings, people reacted very positively to the cards, almost with a sigh of relief. There are three books which "accompany" the deck: Handbook of the Apprentice, Handbook of the Journeyman, and Handbook for the Master.

These web sites that have various examples of cards from the deck:

Description of the Fool

A man (not young) is seen in the middle of a purple crossroads. There are daffodils amongst the grass on the side of the roads. We see a blue sea in the background and on the Fool's right in the background are white cliffs topped with green grass. Also on the Fool's right in the foreground is a small expectant-looking dog. The man is dressed in brown shoes, golden yellow tights, pink & fuchsia short coat with yellow trim, and white cuffs and collar. He is wearing a yellow cap with a red feather. The cap has a sort of halo effect around it. He has brown hair and his face has a very intense look. In his right hand he is carrying a wand with three green leaves that is almost parallel to the ground. In his left hand he carries a white rose.

Crossing the body diagonally (from right to left) is the strap for a purse that is on his left side. A quasi-Celtic, pretzel-looking design in red embroiders his pink caplet. His left foot is leading straight down the path. His head & body are pointing toward the path to the left. In the far background there are fluffy, white clouds hanging low on the horizon with blue sky above the clouds.

Connolly's Interpretation

You are now at the crossroads; the decision you make can be important, think carefully. You have the power to use your will; Choose with wisdom, be soul-still. Past mistakes could be the best lesson. Look before you leap.

Astrology : Pluto

Sephiroth : Triad of Intelligence

Path : Chochma to Kether

Hebrew : Aleph (OX)

Principle: Substantiality

Expression : Father/Creator/God/Intellectual/Active

My thoughts on this card

As I traverse that royal road
The way stretches before me narrow, unimpeded.
All that I know I carry with me
All that I am I carry within me.
At one with nature and myself.
Emotions led by pure intent,
My actions are inspired.
The path going forward,
The path going back.
The path to my left,
The path to my right.
All are the same
All are different
Each is the Way.

And finally from T.S. Eliot, "Burnt Norton" from The Four Quartets

At the still point of the turning world. Neither flesh nor fleshless: Neither from nor towards; at the still point, there the dance is, But neither arrest nor movement. And do not call it fixity, Where past and future are gathered. Neither movement from nor towards, Neither ascent nor decline. Except for the point, the still point, 0.