Very valid points, Martyn. These traumas brought up in this deck can take years of therapy, some of it pretty intense. While holding a crystal can help in meditation, I don't think it will heal these deep wounds. Then the person working the cards feels worse.
Thank you for drawing attention to this. I think there is a really worrying trend in some decks being published and there really needs to be some more responsible thinking and accountability. Really dangerous messages in some and given that some vulnerable people may seek comfort or answers in cards, this needs to be addressed.
Oof!! 😳😣Oh dear. This is bothersome. Trauma is multifaceted and anyone who has experienced it has very specific experiences. Therefore, there is no "one quick fix" or band-aid for trauma. There are some pretty big claims written in that guidebook that could potentially trigger someone and make matters worse. Wow. This deck is not only a hell no for me, I will be watching the decks that are released from Rockpool a lot more closely now. Thank you, as always, for keeping your reviews open and honest. Much love and respect. 💌
It’s just wrong on many levels Ang. I’m really surprised that Rockpool even went near a deck like this to begin with. Love always to you my friend. Miss you 🥰
There are now so many sacred feminine-divine feminine decks that they have actually diminished and watered down the importance and impact of the Sacred Feminine. It makes me sad and angry. I share your concern that these types of decks that claim to be able to heal emotional trauma are worrisome and even potentially dangerous.
I agree Liz. Sadly, it’s less about authenticity, and more about money. I find not only the misinformation shocking. But the whole new age agenda that claims to heal emotional trauma.
This is one of the reasons I love your channel: because I know I will always get an honest opinion when watching. Thank you for speaking your truth and not going along with a lot of this new age bs!
Thank you. You know I’ll always say it as it is. I’m not being unkind when I do this. I’m just calling out this ridiculous new age nonsense, that’s so damaging to people.
Before I retired, I spent over thirty years working in the field of suicide prevention and risk assessment. The current proliferation of self-styled shadow decks, and the various ways I hear 'shadow work' defined/dumbed-down/reinvented here online give me the willies. It would keep me up at night, if I let it.,
Thank you for giving your very honest opinions about this deck Martyn, I appreciate it. The artwork is definitely not for me but more than that, I don’t like what is in the guidebook at all. It really could cause more trauma for people with some of the issues being looked at here. You made some very valid points 🥰❤️
Thank you for watching Sandra. In the wrong hands, this deck could do more harm than good. Sad that we have fo even have discussions about things like this ❤️❤️
This was an amazing review. You pointed out things that I would have totally missed. For me personally though, for topics so personal I would not buy a deck to work through it. I like artwork with the heads that spread out into earthy realms. Thank you for your honesty always ♥️
Well said 🙌 during this time when a lot of people are going through difficult times it is very irresponsible to create a deck like this one. There has been an increase in suicides. I agree that shadow work and decks like this one can do harm and trigger past trauma.
Also, I looked up the author, because I do read French and no where does it say that she is a therapist and what type of degree she holds. So, no idea on that front.
She is not a therapist recognised by having taken on a qualification. But she has written 12 best selling books and has a business with her husband and they have probably made millions of the back of it. It's so wrong to be falsely saying therapist if it misleads people. She could say she is new age maybe? It's a shame that the publishers endorsement will sell even more of her work so they can profit from it too.
@@alifefullofsimplicity I don't know enough to know how she has got away with it for so long. Like the people who $7 to become a life coach, with a certificate at the end that you print yourself. I can only wish that nobody purchasing this kind of thing thinks it will make everything better. If anything from listening to what @Martyn'sMusings was reading in the guidebook, it could make a person feel terrible and follow a bunch of nonsense that will not work it out for them. The publishers really have no idea on this occasion! I'm not trying to disrespect this woman, I just think it goes beyond belief that this guide book will go to print.
@Clair Telford Yeah, I totally agree. Like if she's a Life Coach that's a completely different thing from being a therapist and shouldn't be writing guidebooks on healing trauma for oracle decks. 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ Ridiculous.
I totally get your point of view and I agree with what you said. As someone who has both a Psychology and Social Service degree, professional help is always the way to go when it comes to mental health. Also, I agree that there should always be a disclaimer for these types of decks. But I actually like the deck. I'm not mad at the art, even if it's samey. I love the colours, it felt very chakra based when I first saw it. I like there's a balance of negative and positive cards, I find sometimes that oracles are too positive sometimes. I totally get where you're coming from in regards to the guidebook. I myself would never use this to read for others, if I was to purchase it. Atm, I added it to my wish list, but I am intrigued by it for personal use. Though, I will say that I feel the "Sacred feminine" aspect is so overused now in oracle decks, maybe it's time to move on into other areas.
I completely agree with you (and also enjoy the chakra categories). I have this deck and I’m quite liking it so far; would I use it for a client? No-not all decks need to be used for others. It’s for my personal use, and I find it works well for journaling. Also, the entries tend to be suggestive rather than accusatory/damning, in that there are varied lists of how that particular card may be relevant to you-not all points are necessarily applicable at any given time.
@Samara Garfinkle While I agree in part, I do understand where Martyn is coming from. I have worked in the mental health field in social service, and not everyone is in a place where the guidebook could be seen, like how you and I see it. I do feel that Rockpool should put a disclaimer at the start of the guidebook and that a disclaimer should be listed in product description of every site its listed on. That way people can decide if this is something they'd want to get based on the themes.
I still think for personal use it can be damaging. Sorry. It’s another new age attempt at ‘healing’ using all forms of different schools of spirituality. Again, it’s done with very little thought how much of an impact it can have on a person. Dealing with issues of abuse, should be undertaken by a professional person in that particular field. Not a mass market oracle deck.
I appreciate your honesty, as always, Martyn. I see this as a self-care deck and I think, used with a deck such as The Gentle Tarot, actually could be helpful. However, I agree with you, I would not use a deck like this with a client. I also see it as a deck more geared toward young people, and while that may or may not make things even worse, sometimes young people are just starting to understand things for themselves and this lighter approach might be a way of introducing them to finding language for their emotions. I don't know, just a thought. The images on the cards are uninspiring to be sure.
I just don’t understand why decks like this even get to the publisher? Someone has to be held accountable for the damaging content. Some decks can be very helpful in gaining clarity. But I wouldn’t say any deck could heal anyone.
This deck is so unhealthy! It is counter productive to any form if healing! Obviously I haven't got this deck nor read the guide book however, my takeaway from this video is first the deck images are flat, lack so much feeling...just empty. Now that guide book...what that does for healing is close down all oppertunities for healing, closes doors for open, honest & open questions that are valuable in discussing these topics that raise vulnerable topics...rockpool you could potentially do far more harm than good with this product. For these topics you need something that is going to offer support, empathy, make someone feel seen & heard ( that there traumas are validated) not palmed off with a crystal and affirmation. Thank you for the walkthrough and sharing your views Martyn, love your honesty...this one however has me wanting to complain to Rockpool!
Thank you Heather. Everything you’ve said, I can’t add anymore to it. I’m in the process now of engaging with Rockpool. So any complaint from the community, would add extra weight.
Honestly, did we need another "sacred feminine" deck? It's the repetitiveness that feels very money grabby to me. Great honest review, much appreciated!
This is the kind of deck I would have bought, read the guidebook and chucked it in the bin! I may have kept the cards to read intuitively but I won't buy this now as it seems totally irresponsible to wright a guidebook up that way. Even people who don't have significant trauma in their past or present could end up doubting themselves and their own judgment. Not one for me. Thanks Martin for your considered opinion. 🙏💖
You’re welcome. I’ll always be honest on here. Especially if I think something can be damaging, and not helpful. For me, it’s totally irresponsible to bring decks out like this. Either self published. Or mass market 💖
Somebody who's calling themself a "therapist" should know better what an oracle deck can and cannot do, and what is supportive vs what has a high risk of becoming problematic. And how come there isn't even a disclaimer.... I thought that was the law ....
Interesting, this author who is referred to as a therapist Malory Malmasson, is located in France. There is nothing much to be found on the internet about her regarding any background or qualifications. Sadly, not surprised at all. The standards have really slipped in the last few years, which is why discernment leads my choices very much now. Low buying for me is the norm.
That’s all I could find out about her too. And yes, standards really have slipped with the mass market publishers now. I don’t think any professional therapist would condone anything like this deck anyway do you?
@@martys_musings Agree, no professional therapist would condone this deck. Unfortunately, anyone can call themselves a therapist and not have any formal recognised training/qualifications.
@@PandoraPortal333 well yes. You can take any old online course now that gives you a ‘therapist’ qualification. I’m making a follow up video to this today.
This deck is frightening. I showed snippets of your review to my husband (a psychologist). He was appalled that this deck purports to heal - or help individuals heal - some pretty serious issues, including abuse. He was deeply unsettled that someone vulnerable might draw the "abused" card while alone and not have real resources and supports available to deal with what could be triggered by this card, or that they might think there is something wrong with them when chanting a mantra doesn't make them feel better. Another card in this deck states that "it is neither a weakness or dangerous be vulnerable." What a load of crap. Therapists need to be very careful not to cause harm. Because this deck is advertised as being written by a therapist, and claims to be a tool for healing, I am astounded that this deck does not have a caveat in the front advising that it only be used by people who do not have issues that might require professional psychological help.
Hi Jennifer. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I’m in total agreement with you. To be honest, I’m pretty disgusted by it. Thank you for showing your husband. That really has confirmed everything I though now. I’m actually in the process of contacting Rockpool to hear their thoughts on it. Thank you again 💖
@@martys_musings It is a bit alarming that the websites published for her by both Rockpool and Simon and Schuster do not work. I can find no information on her training. Maybe anyone can call themselves a therapist!
Thanks Martyn. It's not just bullshit (re your crystal comment), it is downright dangerous, irresponsible, superficial and misleading - and goes to prove - yet again - that just because someone is a therapist (or any other credible profession) does not mean they have integrity, substance or any understanding of what working through trauma involves, let alone what is required to heal from it. It's a shame as it casts a shade on the incredible body of work undertaken by those who practice therapy with integrity, care and professionalism, and whose work with trauma patients is so needed and valued. To add to this, the cheap way it is drawn (feels like a quick job lacking depth and detail) makes me feel the main goal in publishing this deck was $$.
I couldn’t have put it better myself. Thank you so much for this comment. I agree with every single word you have said. I wonder how people feel when they have created these decks? Do they have any conscience I wonder? I know it’s extremely toxic and dangerous. And having received this deck for a review. It’s making me feel as though I’m not the kind of person to do this anymore.
@@martys_musings I find your reviews bring much needed perspective and balance, so I do hope you continue. The oversaturation with kitsch, cheap and superficial decks is just a reflection of wider undercurrents in our society, which one can find in any sphere of life and is not limited to tarot by any means (in my opinion). I think we just react to it more strongly as we know the value tarot can bring when created and used with integrity, and feel like these types of decks lower the bar, hence why our reaction. Thank you 😊
Thank you. I’m not going anywhere. I’m just thinking on about accepting decks to review in the future. Even though this one isn’t at all good. It’s still been given exposure. At least though people have been warned, and can make their own mind up to purchase it or not. There’s so so much shit going on in the so called ‘spiritual’ community. I honestly don’t think that people have a clue what they are doing now.
Not my kind of deck. I don't care for this type of "art." And I don't like a deck that could make a vulnerable person feel like a failure because these mantras didn't work. ~ Joni
