Book Review: Faerie Wisdom
Title: Faerie Wisdom: Magical Guidance and Wisdom
Author: Gillian Kemp
Illustrator: Emma Garner
Publisher: Cico Books
Release Date: March 12, 2024
Pages: 52 Cards and 64-Page Guidebook
Gillian Kemp begins the guidebook with faerie “folklore as old as the hills in which faeries have lived since time immemorial.” Page after page draws readers into the magical world as their customs, rituals, foods, occupations, habitat, and means of transportation are introduced. The illustrated handbook depicts faeries as varied and their world being not unlike that of humans when life was simpler. Kemp notes some fairies are the size of humans and can live in each others’ worlds.
She describes the fae as “an endangered species of nature spirits” who “dispense good fortune to the deserving, and misfortune to mortals who need to learn a lesson.” Although they revel in secrecy and blend into natural surroundings, faeries can be seen by the pure-of-heart.
After establishing their enchanted world, Kemp gives instructions for twelve layouts using three to thirteen cards, explaining what they will reveal. You can lay them out as you would tarot cards. Along with colorful illustrations, every card holds a short faerie message, one pulled in the morning can serve as a daily affirmation.
Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter serve as suits. Each has a faerie king and queen who rule that season and its element, along with a group of faeries associated with the themes of that part of the year. For instance, there’s the Undine in winter and the Nymph for spring.
In the guidebook, each card is shown with its name, the sentence printed on the oracle card and about eight lines with more complete interpretations. Readers will come to know elves, trolls, house spirits, mermaids, brownies, the merpeople, and banshees. Together should be able to answer questions about life, love, and the future.
NOTE: This set, which comes nicely boxed, was originally published in 2003.
About the Author:
Gillian Kemp is a best-selling author and clairvoyant who can prophesy the future using astrology, tarot cards, playing cards, tea leaves, crystal balls, palmistry, dreams, and flowers. She is the author of “Celtic Goddesses and Their Spells,” “The Celtic Goddess Oracle Deck,” “The Tree Magick Oracle Deck,” and “The Modern Wiccan Box of Spells.” She lives in the United Kingdom.
About the Illustrator:
Emma Garner is a website designer, social media marketer, and content creator with a background in art and design. She founded Queen Creative, a boutique agency. Find her on at Instagram @queenie_creative and on Facebook at Queenie Creative.
About the Reviewer:
As an eclectic solitary practitioner, I travel the country in a converted school bus and share magick with those I meet. Find me at https://thewitchonwheels.com/ and on Facebook.
