A few years ago, when I received my Angelic Reiki attunement, I learned that angels/spirit guides appear to me as animals when I close my eyes. The master explained that she saw them as sacred geometry, and another student saw them as gemstones. This started a long journey for me of studying the spiritual symbolism and the energies of animals.
Cards from the Oracle of the Chimeras by Debora Mayfair and Marga Biazzi [Llewellyn]
I’ve been working closely with these spirit guides as a Reiki therapist and master, connecting with new ones when needed, but also establishing a relationship with some that have helped me time and time again. So, when I saw the Oracle of the Chimeras, by author Debora Mayfair and artist Marga Biazzi, I knew I needed to get a copy.
- Publication Date: May 8, 2025
- Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
- Page Count: 128 pages
- Card Count: 40 cards
- Dimensions:3 x 1.28 x 5.11 inches
Manifest the specific talents and strength of the chimeras with this kawaii (cute) oracle deck.
Cultures around the world have found meaning in the animal kingdom, drawing inspiration from different creatures to achieve specific talents and strengths. In this deck, these animal powers find their human manifestation as chimeras, beautifully portrayed by the cute, soft-toned art of Marga Biazzi. This oracle helps you manifest the qualities of these animals in your life.
Similar to The Illustrated Bestiary: Guidance and Rituals from 36 Spirited Animals, by Maia Toll, this deck of cards guides the witch to connect with spirit guides in their animal forms. The definitions are concise, making it easy for anyone to work with them. There are some classical, obvious meanings, but also new perspectives that surprised me.
Two of those were the bear as “manifestation of the spirit of the ancestors, in which it sinks its claws to draw strength,” and the peacock as a symbol of renewal because “the feathers it loses each year grow back more beautiful and softer.” There are many surprises when it comes to the meanings and messages of each chimera.
I also have to applaud the concept of the art, presenting them as humanoid, chimerical (pun fully intended) creatures to symbolize the cards as a bridge between animals and humans. Even though we people are mammals, a category of animal, we do so like to think about ourselves as a separate species. This deck reminds us that we are more similar than we often believe.
Cards from the Oracle of the Chimeras by Debora Mayfair and Marga Biazzi [Llewellyn]
Readings I did both for myself and for others offered a common quality: compassion. Compassion for what we do, what we represent, what we have endured, and what we want to achieve. Nature can be devastating; my Natural Hazards class for this summer semester has made sure that I never forget that. But nature can also be gentle, beautiful, and insightful.
These chimeras are a reminder of what we can become if we discover the best qualities we have so we can work on them, enrich our lives, and be a new version of ourselves. Needless to say that I am in absolute love with this deck, the instructions, the art, and the spread included in the guidebook
My only advice would be to be mindful of certain cards: one represents the “heart totem”, but totems are specifically for Native Americans and their beliefs. Using that word out of context is inappropriate, especially if we are not part of a tribe. Instead, think of it as your “heart animal,” plain and simple.
Thanks to Llewellyn Publications for the review copy.
The Wild Hunt is not responsible for links to external content.
To join a conversation on this post:
Visit our The Wild Hunt subreddit! Point your favorite browser to https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Wild_Hunt_News/, then click “JOIN”. Make sure to click the bell, too, to be notified of new articles posted to our subreddit.