Elsie's Wheel Aquarius Deck & Guidebook

The Elsie's Wheel Aquarius Deck is an oracle system rooted in the Sabian Symbols, a set of 360 insightful phrases corresponding to each degree of the zodiac. This particular deck focuses on the 30 Aquarius degrees, embodying themes of creative social change, friendship, and community strengthening. Designed to be inclusive and accessible, it requires no prior astrology background to use, making it suitable for a wide range of individuals seeking self-exploration and intuitive guidance.

Created by freelance illustrator Carolyn Dugas of Studio Gooz, this deck is intended as the inaugural release in a larger series, with each subsequent deck exploring a different zodiac sign. The design allows for individual use or combination with other decks in the series for more complex readings. The creator chose Aquarius as the first release due to its timely themes of unity and common ground, aiming to foster connection in a world that often feels divisive.

The deck's unique approach to the Sabian Symbols involves numbering them from 0-29 instead of the traditional 1-30, simplifying the process of finding corresponding symbols for planetary positions in a natal chart. This thoughtful adjustment makes the deck particularly user-friendly for those interested in integrating it with their astrology practice, while still functioning as a standalone oracle for general guidance and reflection.

The artwork is described as colorful illustrations created with marker and colored-pencil, aiming to channel an 'inner child' aesthetic that brings joy and positivity. The style is likely vibrant and expressive, given the chosen mediums and the artist's stated intent. Each illustration visually interprets one of the Sabian Symbols, such as 'The field of Ardath in bloom' or 'A big bear sitting down and waving all its paws,' suggesting a narrative and symbolic approach to the imagery. The use of traditional art materials like markers and colored pencils implies a hand-drawn, possibly whimsical or folk-art quality, rather than a highly polished digital style.

This deck is ideal for individuals interested in self-reflection, personal empowerment, and exploring themes of community and social change. It particularly suits those drawn to astrology and the Sabian Symbols, even without prior expertise, as it's designed for accessibility. Readers who appreciate colorful, hand-drawn art and a focus on positive, unifying messages will find this deck resonant. It also appeals to collectors interested in unique oracle systems or those looking to integrate a visual tool into their astrological practice.

Carolyn Dugas, a freelance illustrator at Studio Gooz, developed Elsie's Wheel after becoming fascinated by the Sabian Symbols through an astrologer friend. Despite having little prior astrology experience, she found the symbols deeply relatable, comparing them to Tarot archetypes but with a more tangible quality. This led her to visualize and illustrate her own intuitive understanding of each symbol, culminating in the plan for a 12-deck series. She named the project after Elsie Wheeler, the psychic who originally channeled the symbols, to honor her often-overlooked contributions.