Review: Once Upon a Place

Let's talk about books and folklore for a moment, shall we? We often say that fiction is better than reality, but there are elements of reality that keep fiction alive, connecting us to the world and teaching us that there is still hope. How about we make it unique by learning about the places pictured in fiction? Let's talk about Once Upon a Place: Forests, Caverns & Other Places of Transformation in Myths, Fairy Tales & Film, by Holly Bellebuono, with a foreword by Jack Zipes. Thanks to the publisher for the copy to review!

• Print Length: 208 pages.
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications.
• Publication Date: March 8, 2025.
• Genres: Folklore, Mythology, Non-Fiction, Paganism.
• Rating: 5/5 stars.

Once Upon a Place explores narratives from modern film, famous fairy tales, and ancient mythology to define the five core locations that shape every story: the Cavern, the Deep, the Vessel, the Forest, and the Labyrinth.

Popularized by Joseph Campbell, the hero's journey features narrative stages along which a person matures and transforms. But where heroes transform is just as important as what they do to get there. Holly Bellebuono shows you how the location of each hero's journey step is intimately tied to the challenges faced, setting the tone for the entire adventure.

To illustrate each location, Bellebuono shares fifteen original adaptations―such as the tales of Persephone, Gilgamesh, Cerridwen, and Alice―to explore how the "sense of place" drives the adventure and outcome. From Innana's descent into the Cavern to Snow White entering the Forest, this book offers powerful wisdom about personal growth, life's purpose, and the origins of creativity.

What I like about this book is how simple yet insightful it is. You don't need to be that familiar with the stories in order to enjoy them or follow them. The author captures their essence as she retells them in a conversational style that retains the evocative language they were written with so long ago. That is already a good mark in my eyes!

Not only that, but also the ideas that Holly Bellebuono explores in each of the stories, and their settings, are as universal as you can expect them to be. We are all familiar with concepts like rites of passage, maturity, adulthood, and coming of age. However, the way she shows them under a different light, more spiritual than anything else, is fascinating.

I wasn't that convinced about The Vessel chapter because it is not a setting, strictly speaking. Nonetheless, as a crucial element in the stories that feature it, you get to see it as a remarkable object that can symbolize anything from birth to knowledge. I would say this one was my least favorite chapter, but it doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it.

As a specialized book, this is perfect for Pagans and witches interested in folklore and symbolism. Far from being the typical, overly commercialized book of spells that promises to change your life, Once Upon a Place presents you with a choice: you either change and evolve, or stay stagnant. As you learn in all the chapters, this should be a no-brainer 

Kinky regards, K!

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Review: Oracle of the Chimeras

First times are always special. At least mine have been. And my first time with the Oracle of the Chimeras, by author Debora Mayfair and artist Marga Biazzi, was special for sure, so I want to tell you all about this adorable deck that combines cute art with deep knowledge about the self and witchcraft. Thanks to the publisher for the copy to review!

• Publication Date: May 8, 2025.
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications.
• Page Count: 128 pages.
• Card Count: 40 cards.
• Dimensions: 3 x 1.28 x 5.11 inches.

Manifest the specific talents and strength of the chimeras with this kawaii (cute) oracle deck.

Cultures around the world have found meaning in the animal kingdom, drawing inspiration from different creatures to achieve specific talents and strengths. In this deck, these animal powers find their human manifestation as chimeras, beautifully portrayed by the cute, soft-toned art of Marga Biazzi. This oracle helps you manifest the qualities of these animals in your life.

Obviously, the art had a lot to do with me getting this deck. It's impossible not to love it! The level of detail and the unique style could charm anyone, especially because the creators decided to show the union between the human and the animal world to create their chimeras. You don't have animals mixed up, but humanoid creatures in between both realms.

However, it was the descriptions that made me fall in love with it to a deeper level. Many oracle decks tend to focus either on the light or dark side of the person, light work or shadow work, which is fine, but few present a balance between the two. This is one of those cases where you can work the right-hand and left-hand path as you need.

The size of the cards is also perfect for me while also allowing for introspective meditations. There were many times when I wasn't sure about some of the meanings in the reading, but just looking inside the card, I was able to connect and find the answers I missed. That's another plus point: the design doesn't distract, and has no lettering or words on it to focus just on the chimera and their energy.

There were instances when I felt some descriptions didn't go as deep as others, so it wasn't as balanced in that regard, in my opinion, but it does give an initial guidance that helps to get the conversation started, so expect it to be a more intuitive experience than with other decks. On the good side, it will help you with psychic development. On the negative side, it might require more effort, time, and practice if you're not familiar with animals as spiritual guides.

Kinky regards, K!

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