LEGEND OF ZELDA TAROT REVIEW

I never thought I would own a deck like this particularly because I didn't think there would be someone brave enough to translate their game experience into a workable deck of tarot cards. Think about it: Britt Hoyer from Pixel Perks has given us a visual translation of Zelda through her eyes, and modeled it after a traditional system so that we can still read with it. That's what I call a labor of love!

The cards are buttery and they fan out so easily. It feels like premium playing card stock to me. Actually, one quick Etsy browse answered my question: They are 2.75" x 4.75" (standard tarot size) and are printed on premium, 310gsm, casino-quality, cardstock plastic-coated with a linen finish. The deck comes shrink-wrapped in a hand-folded box.

When I compare these cards to cards that I own, they are pretty much the same size as my Joie de Vivre, which makes them standard sized tarot cards, although the card stock is superb. They shuffle very easily, and fan out without any clumps. They fit comfortably in anyone's hands.




I love that while I am handling these cards, I have songs from the game looping in my head. Not only that, I get random tunes too. Many decks have provided me with visual experiences or even an ambiance to project to, but I've never had a clairaudient experience from a tarot deck before. I have to say I quite like it. It adds another layer to my readings!

Let's see what the cards have to say for themselves:



♡ What is your most important characteristic?
The Tower. Knocking down notions that no longer serve, or perspectives that won't help you with this deck. This deck wants to be seen as a manifestation of its own, taken into account for its own merit in fortune telling. It'll re-establish concepts according to the interaction between its cards, and won't account for other decks. It beseeches a fresh new start.

♡ What are your strengths as a tarot deck?
Judgment. I love that the angel is playing the ocarina, because I can infer from this card that the music played is a divine manifestation, and a divine source of message. It is pointing out also that it will bring light to matters that up until now lie unearthed. It is a deck that will bring out things you haven't considered before in a call to action. I feel there will be many sitters set straight with this deck. Very nice! Proactive!

♡ What are your limits?
Page of Bottles. The deck is new to my collection and new to the lives of many readers, which can make it seem like there is inexperience around. However, do not mistake the sensibility of new work for lack of strength. There will be a chance for this deck to make its way to more seasoned readers once they see the value of the deck.

It is also suggesting to me that it must be approached with an open heart. Leave defense mechanisms for another day. If you're not open, you might not receive the message that is meant for you. Take note!



♡ What are you here to teach me?
Four of Rupees. You have enough. Don't limit yourself, don't stay in the comfort zone. If you remain happy while you are boxed in, you won't have a chance to expand and to explore. This is a valuable lesson in not resting on your laurels and learning that you must invest faith and time if you wish to get something in return.

♡ How can I best learn to collaborate with you?
Six of Rupees. Quite literal answer. You will learn by giving, and you get as much as you give. This is an energetic exchange that can merit great rewards or very little. More than anything, it offers help when you need it. Whenever you want support and don't know where to turn, chances are that you can turn to this tarot deck.

♡ What is the potential outcome of our working relationship?
Two of Swords. We have two very different ways of thinking and perceiving in terms of ideology and experience, but a truce between both can prove to be formidable. Some information will be held back until the right time, until you are seasoned enough to really understand the nuances of the deck.



♡ Which card do you want to show off?
The High Pristess. See, she sits enthroned before the columns of light and dark, good and evil. She floats before the gel with piercing eyes that see past all that is there. I love that the Moon is portrayed on a shield she keeps to her side. Her gift is her protection from the world, and she uses it as well as other really lovely amulets I see on her character design. This card is one of intuition that is harnessed to fit a purpose, and to me that is exactly what this deck offers. Knowledge.

♡ How do you see me?
The Hermit. This answer made me laugh a little, because it's true. I have taken to telling people that I would rather spend time with my tarot cards than socializing. I know he's just floating around in the game graveyards, where you unearth the tombs and beat some zombies or get treasure. I do relate with him, though. He's pretty disconnected from the rest of the village, and he has a very specific purpose in keeping secrets. I like that he follows the light of his lamp, meaning he makes his own path… and he could move, but he stays there. Suddenly I find myself inexplicably a lot like this often overlooked video game character!

♡ How do you see yourself?
King of Swords. Serious, stern and analytical. You don't mess with this deck! It is manifesting a very strong personality, and will tell things in a straightforward way. If you're not ready, you may be bruised by the reality that is manifested by you. In other words, don't expect this tarot deck to sugarcoat your life for you. It's going to deliver a serious message.



After having read with them, it reads like a tarot deck should. It works just the same, and since the illustrations are themed, they provide an additional layer of interpretation for those who seek it. I personally appreciate that, because it is in the nuances that I find a personal connection with my cards. These have something to say, and once you get used to the manner in which they connect to form a story, you're going to have lots of material to work with.

It didn't take me very long to adjust to the tone of the cards at all. I string stories together with ease. I would, however, like to spend more time reading with them on my blog. They're just begging to be used!



All the readings I have used them on for clients have given me Aha! moments. Would you like your own copy? I suggest you get one. Why don't you head on over to PixelPerks on Etsy and get yourself deck? You won't be sorry!
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2014 ANNUAL REVIEW

Wow, what a year coming up! There are so many Major Arcana cards present that I can already tell it’s going to be a big one. I feel like general themes are that of self-initiation, structure, connection, love, moving and making sacrifices for things to be in balance.

The last year’s theme of Three of Cups made a lot of sense to me once everything was put in motion. 2014 has been very tough to me, I have had many losses in terms of people and friends, and I had to pull the strength out of where I did not know that I had it.

01. October. Eight of Wands. Fast action, motion and exchange of messages. We’re getting this new wheel started off with lots of buzzing and talking. Perhaps you will need to reflect on things before talking about them. Maybe it’ll be a time of being on the go and acting fast. I just know it’s not boring.

02. November. Two of Swords. This is a slow month, completely unlike the previous. It marks a time when communication is not flowing and can’t be forced. This will not be the right time to express yourself or take a risk in communicating with someone you might not feel is ready to hear what you have to say.

03. December. The Emperor. Structure, authority and oppression. This is a tough month for all of us who have a set routine. It’s so hard to break out of it for the sake of what else we have going on. I feel like this card is representative of people in my life as well as circumstances I don’t always have control of. It’s hard to pull away from the chains that bind!

04. January. Judgment. A new start to a — hopefully — better new year. 2014 kind of stomped on me, then drove over me and went back in reverse as well. I’ve been pretty flattened by it, and looking forward to a new call of action. This is a new dawn rising for all of those that have been in the dark for the past few months. Let us celebrate!!!

05. February. The Lovers. A month of romance and connection, with yourself as well as with others. There is a binding intimacy here that can be scary from how dangerous it is. I think that when we get so close to others that you can’t tell where one starts and the other one ends, we risk losing ourselves in the process… or even getting hurt.

06. March. Ace of Cups. New love, intimacy and flourishing of emotions in a grand scale. The magnitude of the intensity seems quite overwhelming to me. Love without restraint or borders… it’s worth it.

07. April. Temperance. Moderation, taking back some of the excess and learning to live clean of it. All of my life I have had role models that are in no way, shape or form moderate. They believe in rewards of hard labor, with well-deserved pampering. I am in no way spoiled, but I am also in no way moderate. Lots to learn, lots to learn. I had a trip to Japan planned for this month, but after seeing this I realized it’s probably not happening.

08. May. Wheel of Fortune. Being on the go. What is changing? What is staying the same? Interesting. I have a feeling that this is a radical month of exploration as well as of letting go and letting things happen. Surprise, surprise! Let’s see what comes next.

09. June. Ten of Wands. Exhaustion from overworking. This is a time to just relax and embrace things as they are. There is such thing as working too hard, and that’s something I will have to learn eventually. I am a workhorse… But then I wouldn’t gain any experience if I didn’t put myself out there, through hard labor and investing all my energy.

10. July. King of Wands. Inspiration, admiration. A fire that comes from within, laced with charisma and enough to rally others to you. This card is constant in my life, it represents a person as much as a state of mind. To me, it is familiarity and comfort at the hands of the kindest soul I know.

11. August. Three of Coins. Working in threes, as a team and in mutual efforts. This means not just thinking about yourself, but also how the actions you carry out affect others around you. Think in teams, not individually.

12. September. The Hanged Man. This is a slow month, it feels like it is purposely going to be awkward in order for a new perspective to be gained from it all. This is a time to consider there are alternatives outside of our immediate perception.



13. Highlight. Two of Cups. The year will be centered around a romantic theme, a bonding theme. When two people come together in a relationship, their energies mix together and influence their existence. I have seen these effects in motion already and recognize them as they come into my life now.

Let's see how this year turns out.
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HELLO WITCHES Nº106

My weekend was pretty loaded. It was very active, and I didn’t see it coming. I conducted a séance and it went terribly wrong. I can't even begin to tell you the details, because it just takes me back to a dark place that I really struggled to get out of. The days after have been difficult for me. Even getting out of bed is a huge chore. The event happened on Saturday night, but traces lingered on Sunday and Monday still.

This spread is very positive and kind of awkward, but works for the most part in an attempt to bury the memories of the week prior. I get a pretty strong romantic tune to it that seems also to be the solace of moral support. That Devil card concerns me, though. I decided to take a break from my Facebook to concentrate on other aspects of my life. While I still log in on ninja mode, it has taken lots of pressure off of me to announce that I won't be participating as is expected to on a weekly basis.

October is coming up and my next Annual Review is due. I'm going to have to break the routine and post it tomorrow. What fascinates me is how accurate it was once more. I'll tell you more about that tomorrow!



♡ Monday. Four of Cups. Distractions distractions, and the sense that things aren’t going quite according to plan. It can be hard to focus when you feel as if things don’t go quite the way you want them to. Sometimes it’s best to sit and day dream than to go out and do.

♡ Tuesday. Eight of Swords. The walls are closing in. Perhaps you’ve outgrown them. You feel stifled every time you try to move, and as a result might lose the motivation to move or do anything.

♡ Wednesday. Six of Wands. Things could be in quick motion, and that can get overwhelming if you are not in control of your circumstances. It seems that when you realize the real scale of your problems and not the size you imagined them to be in, everything is more manageable. Alternatively, it can be a day to deal with cards in the collection. I feel like things come into clarity.



♡ Thursday. The Devil. The claws that catch! Today we must stop and ask ourselves if there is anything in our lives we have fallen prey to. Losing self control, being reckless or acting dangerously. A strange and unknown threat. Nightmares.

♡ Friday. Two of Swords. This conversation won’t lead you anywhere you want to go, so you might as well come to terms with that. Blocking things out or keeping words from flowing might be sensible. Staying detached and calm in an odd situation. Putting up gracefully with someone who is difficult.

♡ Saturday. Six of Cups. Remembering things can get you lost in melancholy, particularly when the memory concerns somebody else. This is a card of innocence and memories, as well as the reminder to strategize ahead of time.



♡ Sunday. The Empress. Taking care of someone as you would have them take care of you. This can be a messy day when you feel you’re the one rearranging things and putting them in order. It can be a mess or it can go well if you keep it under control.

♡ What to avoid. The Hierophant. Try to stray from the nagging words and lessons that life pushes your way if you can. Don’t lose the notion of who you are because of who someone else expects you to be. Be true to yourself.

♡ What to strive for. Two of Cups. Get lost in love, and believe in the support of others. You are worth loving, and trust me, you will find love. So don’t worry about that situation.

What a wonderful week is up ahead.
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ROYALTON PUNTA CANA IN REVIEW

How do you define paradise? I have been known to think of it as being surrounded by your loved ones with good food, drinks and music. I love being in good company and feeling the love of people that I admire as well. I like to be treated with respect or being seen as an equal. Connecting with other people is perhaps my biggest pleasure, and more so when it is in a beautiful environment.





Coming here was perhaps the most notable highlight of my trip to Puerto Rico. On Tuesday, September 1st, my Mom and I boarded a cruise ferry to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Even though I was sick, I still managed to have tons of fun with her that night. Dinner was absolutely tasteful, and the show had some very challenging dances. We cracked jokes when some of the patrons would act out of hand. If only you knew… but let’s just leave it at that suspense.

The next day, none of us had slept because we couldn’t get used to the gentle murmur of the engine and the fact that the ship was swaying to the sides. We were still pretty eager to go outside and explore, though. The drive to the resort was a whopping 2 hours with one stop in the middle. After meeting some colorful tourists on the way there, we finally arrived at the Royalton.

They received us with cocktails and the warmest of smiles. We looked around, struck with awe of how beautiful the place was. When you walk to the end of the lobby, you get a bird’s eye view of the pool area and the different areas where all of the rooms are. You can see curtained daybeds in the beach and an abundance of clear designer pools. Gorgeous!










We went to lunch while our room was being readied. The attention was super sweet, and for the first time all day we felt this lull of peace washing over us as we delighted in a bottle of champagne.

I loved being so close to the beach and in a place that felt private and peaceful even though there were so many people around. It was great to be there, in such a beautiful place, with the most important person in my life.

Our stay was absolutely enjoyable, so much in fact that within half an hour of being there, we decided that we were coming back to spend New Years Eve, if possible. We were sold.

I hope you enjoyed the photos of our trip. I’m still day dreaming about it today!
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HELLO WITCHES Nº105

Hello Witches, I had such a pleasant weekend! It got started off pretty early, with lots of heavy work in the middle and enough time to see friends from college as well as those that I am connecting with now. Last night I went clubbing with my friends Justin, Crystal, Kyle, Fraser and Carlo as well. I feel like my life is split between my life in the West Side and the life from the tropics, but in a way it helps preserve characteristics that are best brought out in those scenarios.

This week we have an assortment of Kings, Queens and Knights. I don’t see any patterns, save for an abundance of Swords and Coins suits. To me this just has more to do with my usual life, the day-to-day I am constantly dealing with.

I found that I like reading this deck intuitively; letting the symbols depicted in the card to interact with the characters to tell me the message. Sometimes it’s so easy to get stuck in the accepted system of tradition, I know that all readers go through this. Some tarot card decks numb you out when you use them so often that the definitions start manifesting as shortcuts. This can really ruin a reading that is supposed to be intuitive in the first place, so I am happy about that.

Very happy with the Alice Tarot! Please red my review on it here.



♡ Monday. Wheel of Fortune. A week that gets started with a fast paced could be one that begins with disorganization. If there is something I cannot usually tolerate, it is disorganization. I really don’t like it! However, I know this Major Arcana card well enough to acknowledge that when the wheel of change spins, you don’t resist that change for your own good.

♡ Tuesday. Five of Coins. Alice is so lonely, to me it just looks like she needs a friend. Often times that is what I want. I want a friend to have around and talk to. I feel as if it’s very hard to keep a balanced ratio of men and women in my life, simply because of their interests being so different. Sometimes there are large cultural incompatibilities that push us even further apart when I realize that our interests are also not a strong match. I feel lonely!

♡ Wednesday. Knight of Wands. Sweet day to come out! It’s actually going to be colder in the area, and on this day there will not be overcast weather, so it seems like a great day to come out. This is also a great day for creativity and inspiration as well as for sharing the craft you are passionate about with someone you hold dear. Go and seek adventures!



♡ Thursday. Nine of Coins. Alice looks so cozy, blissfully unaware and uncaring about what goes on in the outside. I resonate this image because this is basically my lifelong routine. I wake up and turn work mode on, but I also take numerous breaks during the day to sit on my couch and think. Sometimes I read, sometimes I play video games as well. Sometimes I don’t do anything but stare into space and think. It feels great… to me, it feels like freedom!

♡ Friday. Nine of Swords. Friday seems a little problematic to me, mostly because of anxiety or things just not going according to plan. With the mess in the card, I guess it’s time to give the apartment a good scrub as well! Clear those cobwebs from your surroundings, then from your mind as well.

♡ Saturday. King of Cups. See, he feels so small but he looks up to her. From this gesture I typically assume to be admiration, it looks like they are sharing an excerpt from a book and talking about it. It’s nice to share musings with somebody else in hopes that they will resonate just as you. This creates harmony.



♡ Sunday. Three of Coins. Work work work! Perfect your craft, cook something ad get around to working again. I usually find that Sunday is my most productive day, although nowadays it really doesn’t make much of a difference when I do or do not. It’s a matter of getting things done that weighs more, I think.

♡ What to avoid. Queen of Swords. I have to learn not to be so selective with the people I talk to. Sometimes, when I am not feeling a subject I tend to tune people out and focus on something else. Life is so short that I just don’t want to be bothered anymore, but I guess it doesn’t mean I should alienate others either. It’s a good reminder to be open.

♡ What to strive for. King of Swords. To me, he looks as if he is outside of himself. Anything but in his safe zone. He’s trying to be someone he is not, or someone who can deal with all the rifts life has brought him. To me, it seems to recommend trying new things and not getting stuck to the same old stuff. I feel like it is an encouragement to preserve natural quality of state of mind, but to be open to that which is not usually habitual.

Have a great week!
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