"Runic Oracle" Oracle Deck Review

The “Runic Oracle” oracle deck by Rich Lister (Author), and Selena Moon (Illustrator) is due for release August 2025 and offers a mix of norse mythology, norse divination, and building on a Norse/Heathenry practice. Each card comes with it’s own affirmative statements and inspirations that tie in to the theme but empower you spiritually, and I was really happy to see more than just Odin and Tyr on the deities list for this deck.

• Guidebook: 150+ pages including card spreads, correspondences, coloured card depictions (unusual for many guidebooks) and suggestions for other ways to work with the runes.
• Artwork: Digital modern images and graphics collaged including key words and correspondences for that Rune or Deity.
• Total Cards: 44 cards
• Inclusivity: Plenty of nature and animal usage up to card 24 to represent the runes, the people thereafter are stereotypically scandi in features
• Environmental Impact: TBC; Printed & Bound in China (No charitable mentions, no eco-friendly inks, no 1% for the planet etc) but deck comes with free downloadable app.

Unique Deck Points

I really enjoy the correspondence aspect because I do love to use cards in spells and spellwork. If you work with the Norse pantheon or want to start to work in a Scandi-Pagan way, there are plenty of tips/suggestions throughout the deck itself. It’s only specific to Elder Futhark runes, and these northern Gods are described from their imperfect aspects that’s nice to see – they’re not all powerful, they made mistakes, and they represent very distinct aspects of the human experience.

I also like that the author wrote “these cards won’t give you an answer, they’ll give you a story.” and this is true of anything I know about Norse parables!

The Community Thinks

This deck messaging resonates with them. I put the cards to the test with the community on Instagram to show that it genuinely has useful features, and here is what some of the lovely folks had to say about the deck. “This is very on point at the moment because everything around me seems to be without foundation. I have lots of projects on the go but they are all half finished obviously. I will be listening for what is right because if it’s not a yes it’s a no.” shared Bex. “For the books interpretation I think it leaves more questions than answers. Perhaps this deck is more for shadow work. For me, as I read it, I was able to attach the interpretation to how I was feeling and my current journey. That may not be easy for a beginner user. If someone was reading for you then it would be fine as the reader also attaches interpretation but someone new looking for clear guidance may find it a bit difficult to understand.” kindly shared Nydia. “Beautiful artwork, I like it’s very esoteric/spiritual. The explanation was very nice and thorough, even to someone who is not used to that terminology or this kinda stuff.” shared Tom. Generally, the reiterating themes for folks was that this deck was accurate for them, that they loved the Norse theme, and they like the affirmations too as a nice touch.

The Downside of the Deck

I feel like we’ve seen this artwork before, albeit it can be very pretty. The irony of me having this deck is the amount of ads I’m getting from a certain fast fashion brand for Runic Tarot, a complete rip off from the actual artist themselves (it’s so annoying to see this happen for authors and illustrators). But this artwork style for these deity pantheons is not new. The art choices as well, I understand some of them, but others don’t immediately link up for me (so I understand the Cow/Cattle for Fehu, as aligned with original translation, but the glittery Wunjo art? Ragnar-Lothbrok styled person for Odin? I don’t get it). I found that this then made it hard to tell stories, to curate and remember meaning from certain cards, and I found then this impacted my ability to read.

I feel if I spent more time exploring what the art means to each rune, in a way I could process and be dedicated to, then that would be helpful. If you were to get this deck, it’d be best to spend time with it to really learn it, maybe a card a day as a helpful practice.

I’m sad to write negative points of decks because I know they’ve been worked on really hard, but there’s such an influx of digital art that in the age of AI it’s making myself (and my community) actually talk more about it. I’d love to see more originality; in this instance maybe multi textured or using actual Scandi-art (old Norse reliefs or something? There are options!)

My Favourite Card

I pulled Isaz for myself, with keywords of “glamour, speed, glacial movement”. In short – just because something is beautiful doesn’t make it any less dangerous. I’d not be surprised if the next card I’d pull would be Freyja, just to affirm this meaning for myself. It asks me to see what’s going on in my life, to look around to see where energy can flow quicker and easier, and to know what I can freeze myself to move forward.

Why I Love This Deck

I like it fine, and I’m genuinely sad I’m not obsessed! Maybe it’s personal preference, but I would have loved to connect with it more. The correspondences are great for spells and for understanding connotations and connections, and I love the deities to runes split for the deck.

I feel that those who would love this deck are those who follow a Norse pantheon as their spiritual practice, those who love to use divination so want to learn elder futhark runes & meanings too. This deck can be worked with for many different purposes, and the journalling prompts from the card inspiraions can take up a good hour of deep thought & reflection.

If you’re interested in learning more about the “Runic Oracle” oracle deck, you can do so here. Any click-throughs may lead to the affiliate programme awarding us compensation which helps compensate the writers on the website, pays towards the web hosting, and all the other boring behind-the-scenes bits.

Thank you for reading my super honest review! Until next time xox