Featured Pack: The Celtic Book Of The Dead by Caitlin Matthews

"I do not know where I am bound.

I journey far across the foam.

I seek my soul, where is it found?

I watch the star to guide me home"

Immram Chant

(From Celtic Book Of  The Dead by Caitlin Matthews)

There are many criteria by which you might judge a deck to be good, great even. Artwork, thoroughness of research, theme and originality are but a few. Along with all of these, The Celtic Book of The Dead posses -for me, at least - a special extra something. It is a feeling lodged deep in the centre of the mind, the primitive reaction you will often have to a deck which speaks directly to your subconscious, in the language of your dreams. When people tell you to use a deck which speaks to you, this is what they mean.

Having recently rediscovered this enchanting deck, and reread the accompanying book, I am beginning to understand why. Caitlin Matthews has drawn from an eighth/ninth century Celtic tale, Immram Curaig Maelduin (The Voyage of Maelduin's Boat), and in doing so has tapped into the long-buried wisdom of the Celtic oral storytelling tradition.The story documents an immram, a voyage into the Otherworld beyond our mortal realm, following Maelduin as he encounters strange and magnificent islands in a quest to avenge his father's death.

An immram is seen not only as a story, but as a guide to the realms beyond death.It is even said that the Celts used the immram to prepare the living for death, and the journey they must face beyond. The Celts often used storytelling as a method of divulging such wisdom to a younger generation. Much as the Immram or soul journey could be called upon to guide the living in the face of death, Caitlin Matthews has created an inspired deck which can be called upon in times of crisis or confusion.

In spite of all this, as the book states: "This is not a morbid journey, but a voyage to islands with plenteous salmon, feasting halls, and pillars of silver rising from the sea."

The 42 card deck consists of 7 gift cards, 2 guide cards, and the main 33 card deck. Each card in the deck represents an island encountered by Maelduin and his men, but also presents an aspect of life to be examined further by the reader.

The depth of research and dedication involved in the set are apparent from the outset, the author presenting not only the story and card definitions, but a plain english, point-for-point breakdown of the tale for those less experienced with divination and mythological symbolism. As always, her knowledge of Celtic and Shamanistic tradition is remarkable.

After nine years. this deck still ranks among my favourites, and it's magic is far from waning.

Midnight Meadow Score:

Style: 9/10

Substance: 10/10

Check out this deck on Amazon, read more about it at Learn Tarot, or visit Caitlin's Official Website and Blog.