Hello, soul friends!
Today's review is covering a couple of decks that were sent to me by the creator, Roxan of @spiritual_af. I was so excited to see her creation. I loved the simplistic and funny straight up language on the decks, which of course is very much like the Rebel Deck series - which is so fun and foul mouthed! I knew that these would also be a good fit for this cursing gal. I love the generous f bombs. As I have said before, I am eclectic and don't like to add in similar decks. Plus, I love seeing other Indie decks, and checking them out!
I hope you enjoy my review and generous pictures!
Grateful AF + Spiritual AF Cards
I received these
decks directly from the creator and publishing house she used Knock Knock. I found them both to be an intriguing and interesting affirmation style decks. And how often do you get to see a deck that just straight up calls you out in a hilarious manner? Loved the simplicity. I will review them together as they are similar in shape, size, and content. There are subtle differences, which I will highlight, but also will focus on what is similar.
The Amazon description of the Grateful AF cards:
These super-salty, ultra-inspiring cards don't sugarcoat that it's often hard AF to grow as a human and be your best self. Use this deck to help you put feet on your gratitude practice. Simply pick a card, read it, do what it says, then see your life get less sh*tty. It's a gratitude list in a box!
100 gratitude cards for potty mouths (delinquents and good humans alike) who want to work on their personal development
A unique gift that encourages appreciation of everyday things from soup to nuts, teeth to butts
Includes fancy-ass stand for displaying your favorite self-help profane phrases
Created by Roxan McDonald, of the hit Instagram account @spiritual_AF
4 x 2.55 x 2.4 inches; 100 cards; cardstock card stand
And the Amazon description of the Spiritual AF cards:
Created by Roxana McDonald, of the hit Instagram account @, these super-salty, ultra-inspiring cards don’t sugarcoat that it’s often hard AF to grow as a human and be your best self
Use this deck to help you put feet on your spiritual practice; simply pick a card, read it, do what it says, then see your life get less shy*try - it’s spiritual growth in a box!
4 x 2. 55 x 2. 4-inches; 100 cards; cardstock card stand
100 inspirational cards for putty mouths (delinquents and good humans alike) who want to work on their personal development
Includes fancy-ass stand for displaying your favorite self-help profane phrases
About the author
Roxan McDonald is @spiritual_AF on Instagram. She has dedicated herself to helping people find their voice both on the page and in their lives. She currently leads writing groups in Santa Cruz, Carmel, and Monterey. Roxan co-teaches with Ellen Bass at Esalen Institute. For fourteen years she was on the management team of two alternative high schools focused on serving at risk youth. Roxan taught creative writing, poetry and memoir writing in alternative schools and produced eleven anthologies of student writing. She has studied with Ellen Bass, Marcy Allencraig, Joseph Stroud, Barbara Bloom, Jessica Brown and Andy Courturier. She is an alumni of the Community of Writers at Squaw Valley, Breadloaf Sicily and is a member of Cheryl Strayed's Writers Camp. Roxan won the Mary Lonnberg Smith Award in poetry and her short stories, memoir excerpts and poetry have been published in The Porter Gulch Review. She won the Eshleman Scholarship for the Community of Writers at Squaw Valley. Roxan received an honorable mention in nonfiction for the San Miguel de Allende Writers' Conference Writing Contest for an excerpt from her memoir. Roxan holds a bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Education from California Institute of Integral Studies. She is currently working on a Masters of Fine Art in Creative Writing at Pacific University.
My Personal Review
These both include 100 cards and are meant to be used as an affirmation deck, versus Oracle or a Tarot deck. You can't confuse it for a tarot deck, and I am not sure how these would fly exactly as an oracle. I wasn't really aware of what to expect with these decks, so upon opening it up I was a bit surprised at how blunt they both are. I love the language and the fun messages on the backs of the cards. The Grateful AF deck is like a hilarious gratitude deck that brings back the focus to what we should be grateful for. Simple reminders and inclusions of fun stuff like Mango, Pesto, Bubbles, Trees and so on. I think that it really does allow you to refocus when you're having a hard time. There is a cute little stand in each of the decks so you can display your card, and keep it out where you can see it. The Spiritual AF deck has fun little phrases on the front of the cards with a longer explanation on the back. These are a lot of fun, while also bringing some fun awareness and a sprinkle of F bombs all over the place - totally my speed. I think these could be used more as an oracle, if you would like to do that, but I highly recommend them as affirmation cards.
As these are intended to be more of a cut through the crap and listen to the messages type of decks, I enjoyed the fact that you can use them as an affirmation card to help you bring your attention back to focus, or just an overall clarity type of card to pull. There are some really fun prompts that can open up some discussions that may be necessary to things shifting and evolving, as well as some fun suggestions. It can be so easy to forget all the beautiful things to be grateful for and also how to focus on what truly matters to us.
The cards are simple in messages but pack a real punch! It isn't the f-bombs or generous potty words scattered throughout but the lovely way that it brings you back down to the core of where you need to stop getting in your own way. The also are fantastic on calling you out on your bs. I think they are wonderful decks for those who don't mind being called out a bit or also learning how to refocus themselves in a fun way. These are a fun tool for those who don't like the traditional fluffy unicorn messages from affirmation decks of yesteryear. While those cards are helpful for certain clients, I feel as if these might now jut get you out of your head a bit more, but also do it in a humorous fashion. And that is something that I am grateful for!
The cards are stylized in unique ways but have a repeating and similar feel throughout. I like the different texture in the fonts and backgrounds that were included. They are edgy and feel very urban with the spray paint, chalkboard, neon light, and marquee signs. Some look like handwritten notes, others are typed up and have an older vibe, I like it. There is texture and it makes them stand out while also bringing a cohesiveness to both decks. You can mix and match and they go very well together. There is also the similarities with the backs of the cards having a black background with white writing and the title of each of the decks in their respective colors of yellow and teal.
The card stock is not very thick, semi-matte finish, slick to shuffle, and allows you get a nice bend without cracking the card stock. The finish really helps make the cards shuffle easily without sticking or scratching. The size is very similar to a business card. Love this small size, as it is nice for those of us with smaller hands. Not too large, and not too small. They each have a nice, snug lift top box, that include a small stand in order to display your cards. The boxes are nice and neat, with their smaller size, so easy for storage. No guidebook is included as the cards are meant to be used with your own intuition and they are already pretty straight up.
After speaking with the creator of the deck, I was much more aware of reason why they wanted to create a deck like this. There was a bit of a need for a deck that cuts through the fluffy unicorn messages and this is why these remind me of the Rebel Deck series, but with a different twist. While those are wonderful when you need a pick me up, or reassurance that you will get where you would like, but it can leave you a bit deflated if you are in the middle of your mayhem. Both of these deck cut through that and just straight up tell you what is up. I also find that these would be a fun addition to an office, to help break the ice, or just a fun way to connect with others. I love the intention and the creation here!
While this style may not be for everyone or work well with those who are a bit more sensitive, I found it to be a perfect fit that worked well with my sense of humor, my potty mouth, and also my no-holds-barred type of communication mannerisms. These are a fun way to connect and also make things a bit more comfortable when you have to talk about more difficult topics.
All in all, I really have enjoyed these decks so much thus far and can't wait to bust them out with some of my clients. I have had a few clients that really enjoy the funny messages, as well as the reminder. I also find them to be fun for card drawings!
Here are some extra pictures of these fun creations:
Overall, I think these are fun and well-executed decks. Simple, but straight to the point. I highly recommend either of them to anyone looking to add some fun affirmation cards to their collection!
My overall opinion is that each of these decks is a 4 star choice.
Artwork - No artwork
Card stock - 4 stars
Ease - 4 stars
Guidebook - No guidebook
I hope that you enjoyed my deck review, and also enjoy other deck reviews that I add to this site. I have a passion for exploring new decks and also finding various ways of connecting to my intuition. I appreciate you checking out my site and taking the time to read my review.
Happy Reading!
