the Hard Times Oracle deck

this oracle deck was dreamed up out of a need for advice when going through those murky, difficult times. the Hard Times Oracle contains 66 cards with photos and phrases chosen to help facilitate growth. turning to divination cards in times of need can be a helpful way to get advice and direction when it feels impossible to take that first step into the unknown. the Hard Times Oracle can be used on its own or can alongside other Tarot decks to help clarify what will help you embody the lessons a specific card has for you.

many of the phrases on the cards are open ended, inviting you to notice what comes to your mind when reading them. you are also encouraged to share your own interpretations to help expand the breadth of meaning for what these cards have to say.

the photos on the cards were taken during my 7 years of living in the Southwest- a time where i experienced many hardships, adventures, and so much growth. i spent quite a bit of time traveling across the country, so places like California, Kansas, Vermont, Massachusetts, and North Carolina all appear alongside the enchanting backdrop of my New Mexico home. while these moments hold specific memories and meanings for myself, they also offer glimpses into the quiet of someone else’s life. giving the Hard Times Oracle that nostalgic feel of finding an box of old photos from a stranger and getting lost in the imagined stories of someone else’s wordless point of view.

it is worth noting that i was moved by this article I had read right before taking off to New Mexico on the Spring Equinox in 2015. i held this story close as I traveled, knowing the horrors and fears that come along with being a fem traveling solo. i offer this oracle deck as a counter narrative. it is my coming of age story of hitting the road, staying alive, and becoming a better person because of it. one where there is a promise of life in the future. a gift to all of you who would like to continue on your own adventure despite the never ending obstacles.

as well as an invitation for you to write your own story as well.