Here’s an update about my crystal oracle card deck idea. Where the idea came from, my vision and its development. What I’m working on now and what my plans are for publishing it…
Project Update & Clarification
After many of you reached out with your thoughts, ideas, questions and suggestions with this project, I realised something. I’ve been sharing bits about this project for over a year now on social media and in my newsletters.
Not everyone has read everything and I do need to clarify a few things in this update. This way you will know what I’m doing, where I am now and what my plans are.
A Little Background
First, here’s a little background. Like some of you, I first discovered oracle and tarot cards as a teenager. But, I didn’t start using oracle cards as part of my daily spiritual practice till after 2005.
I’ve built up a big collection over the years and I consider them a personal must-have spiritual tool. Despite this, There are very few crystal-based oracle card decks on the market that I have a connection to and use.
My Vision For A Crystal Oracle Deck
As with other ideas, this came to me because I wanted to create something that was not already out there. I wanted to make a crystal oracle card deck that wasn’t just a photo or illustration of a crystal with a title or keyword.
There’s nothing wrong with that but it’s not what I want to create. I also wanted an oracle with some kind of structure to it. My oracle would need to give spiritual guidance but still be practical and easy to apply to everyday life.
Feeling inspired, I began to journal this, developing my ideas and sketching things. As I did this I would get all types of intuitive downloads, I could see how some of these cards looked like finished in my mind’s eye. This often happens during my morning meditation or yoga.
Creating My Own Crystal Oracle Cards
I had no idea if I would be able to get these cards published and tried to focus on the creative project without worrying about that. I really wanted to see how the cards would work, so I decided to make a tester deck (like a design mock-up) of my own.
Although I went to art college, I’m not an illustrator but I can draw roughly what my vision is for each card. This deck was just for my personal use and if it never saw the light of day then at least I get my own custom oracle out of it!
I’ve since learned this is not normal practice for oracle creators but I honestly think it has helped me so much. I have been able to fine-tune and perfect the deck to where it is working perfectly, accurately and as complete as I can get it.
There’s a photo below of my tester deck. I’m only showing the backs, which I recently did a woodblock print on. This is not the final design of the backs.
Major Revisions
After October 2020 I made major changes to the deck. I had kept adding new cards to the point where the deck had over 60 cards. It was all a bit too much, once I reduced the cards to my original plan it worked so much better. It now has 45 cards and those removed cards could be part of another oracle someday.
The other thing I did was change the order of the cards which had a magic effect on the whole deck. I’ve learned a lot through this process, which will save me time in the future.
Developing The Oracle Card Meanings
Another task I was working on was developing the card meanings. I have a journal that I write down all the keywords, deeper meanings and any correspondence. This has grown as I have been able to use my oracle cards for daily draws and personal readings.
I have also created oracle card spreads specifically for my deck. All this will help me when writing the accompanying guidebook.
How I’m Publishing My Crystal Oracle Cards
I have looked into my options and spoken to oracle deck creators to figure out what I’m going to do with mine. I’ve decided I’m not going to self publish this myself but to get it traditionally published by an oracle card publisher. This way, it will make the deck more easily available internationally and more affordable.
Of course, this means I will have to approach a publisher and propose the idea. I think I know who I will approach but it will depend on them at that point. It’s important to me that I don’t lose the integrity of my deck so I need to be sure before signing anything.
I’m not ready to do this yet because I have a couple of things that I need to do before moving forward.
Looking For Illustrators
I still need to find a professional illustrator to work with. How the deck is illustrated is very important to me and I know what I’m looking for. I have a few ideas but I need to pick one. I still need to go through the hundreds of illustrators suggested to me in my recent survey (thank you!).
Because this is not self-published, I won’t need to commission any artwork myself. That will be between the publisher and my chosen illustrator, later on.
Writing The Guidebook
Ideally, I want to have at least the first draft of the guidebook for the oracle complete before approaching publishers. The reason I’m doing this is so that I’m not rushed to write it (publishers give you a deadline).
That could potentially interfere with other things I need to do, including other commitments. I’m currently busy working on my 4th book, which I would like to complete first if possible.
What The Deck Is Called & Other Details
I do have a working title for my crystal oracle, but I don’t know if it will be used. There’s an oracle coming out that has a similar title to mine which might pose a problem 😕. I’ll need to speak to the publisher about this, but it’s okay as I have another title I could use.
What I can say is that this isn’t a photographic deck, it won’t be a collage deck either. It will be borderless and has 45 cards in it. I’m all about colour and vibrancy for the artwork. The oracle has a structure, symbolism and depth, I think many of you will love it.
I really wish I could describe my crystal oracle in more detail, but I don’t think that would be a good idea at this stage. If it was just me, I would share more but it will all depend on the publisher.
Don’t worry, once I find the right publisher and know what they wish to release and when then I’ll share more. I’ll hopefully be able to share some of the artwork before release with you too.
Get Future Updates
If you want to know the latest updates on this project be sure to be following me on social media (Instagram & Facebook). Also, my newsletter which will notify you of any blog post updates like this.
Do you have a question or comment? I would love to hear from you in the comments below (PLEASE keep any questions you have concise and stick to this blog post topic if you want a response).
If you are looking for other information please search my website or visit the Resources page to see if it’s already been covered elsewhere.
With gratitude,
Ethan 🧿
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Copyright © Ethan Lazzerini – Not to be used or appear elsewhere without permission from the author Ethan Lazzerini.
This is so fascinating! I wish you all the blessings in the world for making this happen! I’ve had an idea for years, of making my own oracle cards deck based on an old TV show that’s so inspiring to me and some of my friends. I’ve had the sense lately that the Goddess wants me to get on with it and do it already. So reading this today feels like another push, and I’m reading and following your article with much interest.
Hi Ethan!
I note you’ve developed too many cards. How about releasing the ones you aren’t going to include in the primary deck, as an expansion pack? You could maybe charge a percentage of the original deck price. That way your hard work – and downloads – won’t go to waste.
Love and Light.
I second that suggestion. And if the combined decks are too unwieldy to handle, one can always work with part of the deck. Spirit will decide which cards you end up with, anyway.
We’ll have to see what happens. The extra cards were all of the same theme so they could be part of another oracle which I might do later down the line
my experience as a professional illustrator and a person who has experience with publishing books is that publishers have their artists and if you provide artwork to them they will want to redo it by their artist and not pay your illustrator, just a heads up! all the best, Ethan.
I think it depends on the publisher and maybe things are changing. I have spoken to several deck creators from the same publisher and they had the option to go with the publishers choice or choose their own illustrator to work with. Of course, the artwork must be good and they will have to be happy with your suggestion/s.
Thank you, Ethan, for sharing your updates with us. I appreciate that. I’m sending great vibes your way.
These will be worth the wait!
Please consider the size and stiffness of the cards. I’ve discovered that large and or stiff cards are awkward to handle and shuffle.
Love what you do!!
I second that. I have small hands and my wrists are almost always inflamed, so handling large, inflexible cards is tricky; shuffling downright hurts. Not the upshot either Ethan or the crystals are aiming for, I know.
Sounds fascinating and quite unique! Good look with this and I look forward to seeing the finished product when it’s finally published!
Thankyou for sharing Ethan really uplifting to read this, positivity all the way
Sam
Excited to see the finished deck and Thank you for creating one and sharing your journey with us Wishing you all the best
I will certainly buy your deck when it is published, Ethan.
My favorite crystal oracle deck up to this point is “The Crystal Ally Cards”, which has served me well. As you suggest, it is not photographs of crystals, but rather colorful energetic illustrations. Its suits are the five elements, each of which has its own trump card. The guide book is large and its content excellent.
I am sure that you have seen it, Ethan, but if not, you might want to take a look at it.
I eagerly await your own deck!
Regards,
David
I can’t wait to get my hands on your Oracle cards when they are published! It sounds like your ideas are unique and carefully thought out. I am awaiting my April copy of Soul and Spirit magazine with your article in it. It takes awhile shipping from the UK to Ohio!
I hope you enjoy it once it arrives
Now I came up with something about the oracle cards. Maybe some nice illustration that the crystal represents. For example, tiger eye maybe a picture that symbolizes strength and stability 🙂
Size does matter and this is my personal criteria for which deck I will buy. As a previous comment here mentioned how unwieldly cards can be. I have small hands , so for shuffling…..this is important to me. Thank you for asking us .
Good luck my friend.!! . I have a question, as a Christian seeker are these considered Tarot ? As I’m ok with gem & crystal work but , just for me I like to avoid Tarot. Thanks
No these are oracle cards, it is divination but not Tarot. Tarot has always been titled Tarot, following the 78 card structure and system of Tarot.
Thank you Ethan. I just received new crystals for Mothers Day
Just read this really interesting perspective from the oracle deck illustrator Jennifer Hawkyard. Shes the illustrator of Kyle Gray’s Angel Guide Oracle and forthcoming Gateway of Light Oracle for Hay House. Shes shared how she was found and what it was like working on an oracle in the following blog post.
https://www.jezhawk.com/blog/what-its-like-working-on-an-oracle-deck-as-an-illustrator