// The Layers of Visuals, Lore and Cartomancy //
The imagery of the Northern Light Strengths Oracle draws from several sources, and if you want you can use these to further your reflection, association and intuitive reading of the cards.
The cards are grouped strengths under the umbrella of virtues, in accordance with the classification. The classification is styled after the Linneaus taxonomy of nature, a system for the natural world which standardized the naming of species and order them according to characteristics and relationships with one another. Carl Linnaeus was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist in the 18th century, and the visuals of this deck are inspired by his two publications, Systema Naturae (1735) and Species Plantarum (1753).
Each virtue and corresponding strengths have a color, inspired by the seven colors of the chakras, which also correlate to the rainbow color spectrum of light.
Each virtue has a spirit, which takes the form of an animal. This part is not, like the rest of the system, tied to an existing tradition – think of it more like a mascot, to be embraced or not.
Each strength has a herb and its use based on Arctic Scandinavian hedge witch tradition. Hella Nathorst-Böös is an excellent the current writers on this very specific topic, which otherwise blossomed in the 1970’s.
For those of you familiar with the tarot, this deck provides a perspective of modern science to the long-standing tradition of cartomancy. Each card is, of course, described by the strength as it is defined in positive psychology – but a strength is nothing static, it is all about balance. There’s an optimal use, but there is also underuse and overuse. So, each strength has a tarot card corresponding to the optimal use, its underuse and overuse, and I believe you will find this blend of systems quite helpful.
With love / Johanna
✦ The Northern Lights Strengths Deck will be released in 2025 – sign up to be the first to know! ✦
