Winterseer Animal Companion
We’re already over halfway through winter, but I wanted to mention this lovely seasonal set by Siolo Thompson. The Winterseer Animal Companion (2021) is a decent-sized piece of kit, and this means we have a regular-sized guidebook. The box is sturdy with a magnetic clasp; and it has an insert! The cards are a good size, medium-weight, and laminated. The deck is effortless to manage, and the fifty-six cards shuffle smoothly. It has a relatively minimalist design, and the centrally placed designs stand out well against the crisp white background.
The book has a short introduction and information on how to use the cards. The card interpretations are extensive, and Siolo gives over a page of text per card. But, for this reason, I won’t be giving a complete example for any of the cards. I'm not analysing the card images either — with animal totems, we need to focus on understanding the dominant behaviour of an animal, fish, or insect. Siolo gives each card several keywords, a description of why the animal is included in the set, and then a lengthy explanation of the meaning when it appears in a reading. I appreciate that Siolo included a reversed, or negative interpretation in the guidebook because it means we can use it more effectively as a tool for self-development. Knowledge of animal totems will certainly help with any interpretations, but I like that she includes a simple keyword underneath each animal title as a major prompt. I love that the designs are uncluttered and that you get a full-page-sized version of the image to look at in the book — it’s helpful to notice any minor details you could easily overlook on the card. Because there is so much information in the book, there’s bound to be something in it for both beginner and advanced-level students.
Keywords for Spider are: weave, patience, creativity, persistence, storytelling, connection. The background information covers the spider’s role in myths; especially those that involve creation. It’s noted that Robert the Bruce used a spider as a source of inspiration after watching one while he was hiding in a cave. The spider's early association with weaving and spinning obviously get a mention. The appearance of spider in a reading covers a lot of ground. It is acknowledged that spiders can attract and repel. Siolo writes about how the spider is a useful ally for creative types. Acute vision and hunting skills are highlighted, and she mentions how it is closely aligned to Goddess energy. For the reverse, the information talks about the importance of doing the work needed to bring something to fruition. We’re also cautioned on the behaviour of others and warned to be on guard against falling into anyone else’s trap. One thing that is missing here is the myth of Arachne. The story of her conflict with the Goddess Athena would have been a fantastic inclusion. Thinking about this further, it would be nice to see a list of relevant myths to research at the end. Still, there’s lots of information in the book and plenty of scope for the reader to find avenues of inspiration to explore.
All-in-all, I like this oracle set because of its user-friendly format. The focus on northern hemisphere creatures makes it an excellent resource for anyone ‘local’ engaged in self-development or sign-following during winter. The cards are varied enough to ensure you can use the set as a relatively comprehensive tool. The book is detailed enough for absolute beginners, and there are enough cards for those with extensive knowledge of the animals but would like a deck to use for ideas on what to develop or work on next.
Siolo Thompson has four other decks: The Linestrider Tarot (2016), the Hedgewitch Botanical Oracle (2018), the Otherkin Tarot (2019), and the Scrying Ink Lenormand (2023). The artwork is similar in each set, and I’m especially keen to get my hands on the oracle and Lenormand.
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