The Wild Unknown - Archetypes by Kim Krans

Tarot cards are everywhere right now. There are new decks being created every day. This new wave of Tarot has its good points and its bad points. However, people are waking up to their abilities to problem solve and awaken their inner selves through reading cards. If this sounds too airy fairy for you then do not despair – I don’t do airy fairy but am aware of the power of images upon human beings which is what led me to my love of the Tarot and divination cards in the first place (over twenty years ago in fact).

I have bought many Oracle decks over the years. The artwork can be quite wonderful, and their messages are meaningful but I have never really bonded with them the way I had hoped. These cards would be sold or donated and after much deliberation I decided to stick with my Tarot cards. Then I saw some artwork by Kim Krans which led me down a magical rabbit hole to The Wild Unknown: Archetypes Oracle deck.

The description reads: Kim Krans illuminates the revelatory power of archetypes—the ancient, universal symbols that have endured across time and cultures and reside deep in our shared psyche. Illustrated in her unmistakable "Wild Unknown" style, an emotionally evocative combination of elegant line art and lush watercolor painting, The Wild Unknown Archetypes Deck and Guidebook fosters a profound understanding of our complex personalities, behaviors, and tendencies.

My deep interest in the psyche and symbolism led me to believe that this deck could be worth investing in and I wasn’t wrong. It is one of the most striking decks I have ever owned. The artwork is not only magical in itself but the depths of their readings are incredible. The guidebook is an excellent soft back book that you can use easily when referring to the cards and following the guides on various spreads. But I must admit, I find the cards wonderful on their own. For months now I have picked a card a day which has prompted me to dig deep into its meaning through journalling. In addition to my readings, I've taken notes on my dreams, synchronicities, and experiences afterward. As a result, I have been able to enhance my private practice. Magic, psychology, and ancestral work have come together in ways I never imagined.

Kim describes herself as "a shapeshifting, multidisciplinary artist who creates doorways to the imagination - to other realms. My job is to make the portals too beautiful to resist, so people slip through without realizing it. What I am truly interested in is the power of image, and the power of ritual, to transform the individual and the world.”

Here is where I slip in between to explore new realms - the portals, the liminal spaces - places I love to explore.