The Didisburye Oracle is a pack of 42 Oracle Cards designed and developed by the artist John Eastwood. The Oracle is a new divinatory system derived from the four classical elements of Earth, Water, Air and Fire and combines the folklore and history of Didsbury, Manchester with original photography of Didsbury heritage. Each card is accompanied by a quote from the writings of Alderman Fletcher Moss (1843-1919) the famous Didsbury resident, author, historian and philanthropist.

The Didisburye / Didsbury Oracle Cards Box Front

Stone Carving from Parsonage Gardens Gateway, Didsbury, Manchester

These cards can be used intuitively straight from the box but a copy of the Guide to the Oracle with selected references from the writings of Fletcher Moss can be downloaded Below.

Comprising 41 named cards and 1 blank card, the Didisburye (Didsbury) Oracle is a new divinatory system derived from the four classical elements of Earth, Water, Air and Fire. The first card numbered 0 represents the Spirit, cards 1-10 correspond with the element of FIRE (energy/passion), cards 11-20 the element of WATER (emotions), cards 21-30 the element of AIR (intellect/thought) and cards 31-40 the element of EARTH (physical circumstances). The additional blank card can be used as a replacement card or to extend and personalise the Oracle.

Brief card meanings are given next to each image below together with quotations from books on Didsbury folklore and tradition by Fletcher Moss:
*S = Didsbury: Sketches, Reminiscences and Legends (1890)
*D = Didisburye in the '45 (1891)
*F = Folk-lore Old Customs and Tales of my Neighbours (1898)
*P = Fifty Years Public Work in Didsbury (1915)
You can click on any of the cards to view a larger image.

Card 1

'Creativity'

Card 2

'Doorway'

Card 3

'Pathway'

Card 4

'Growth'

The harvest of success - an enterprise followed through to conclusion with much experience gained. A time to enjoy rewards and rest after effort and trouble and to celebrate and plan anew.
 
“The high land at Didsbury was formerly a moor, and the low land was a marsh, crowded with poplar and alder trees; now some of the moor is worth £1,000 an acre, and even more, while the marsh is all drained and embanked, and is some of the most productive land in England. Forty years ago no corn was grown in the carrs, or eas, as the low land was called; it had been waste, and was gradually improved, after drainage, by the pasturing of cattle and the cutting of the rough grass. About the time of the Crimean war, the high prices of corn and potatoes caused them to be first grown there, and the richness of the land is shown by the fact that in the hot dry summers of 1868, '70 and '74, in the Millgate district, eighty bushels of wheat and one hundred and twenty loads of potatoes have been grown on the statute acre....The small freeholds of farming land in our district have, as elsewhere, been nearly all absorbed by the larger ones.”
*S p.84

Card 5

'Conflict'

Conflict manifests in many ways both internally and externally but unease, frustration, challenge and differences of opinion are also powerful creative energies. Let your actions be guided by the voice of your conscience, address matters creatively without rashness, blame or loss of control. Engage in competitive exchanges with integrity.
 
“The sentinel of the wild geese feeding in the marshes gave the warning kank, the note of alarm, and instantly every long neck was stretched for flight as the gaggle of geese on strong pinions flew towards the sea. The fox whisked his brush as he slunk rapidly and silently away. The timid hares fled across the bogs in all directions, sitting upright with cocked ears meditating on the unusual noise, and frightening one another. The heron slowly flapped his huge wings as he sought a quieter fishing ground; and the loud quack, quack, quack of the startled wild duck gave the alarm to others as on quickly whirring pinions she fled to the river of the distant marshes. The otter silently sank under the water, with only eyes and nostrils exposed, observing all that passed, and diving below without a ripple when he deemed danger too near.”
*D p.74

Card 7

'Challenge'

Card 8

'In Flight'

A flurry of activity, sudden realisations, swift action and communication. A time for consolidation and rapid completion of projects. Energy and movement propels you forward to reach your goals and to create space and freedom for the spirit to fly. This is a time to act.
 
“One of the wonders of the world has always been the half-yearly migration of birds, and no more is known about it now than was known thousands of years ago. Lighthouses have thrown some little light on the matter, but none of the discoveries of science tell us anything as to how birds know the time and the direction for their flight. It has been said and written over and over again that the birds know the way and fly by sight and teach the young ones. The contradiction to that statement is that in many cases the young birds migrate by themselves, or go first, and the great masses of migrants go by night, very often on pitch dark nights, when the only guides they could possibly have are the stars, if they are visible.”
*F p92-93
“The way back by the forest as the shades of evening were drawing in, and the great storm clouds gathering round, was very fine. All speed must be used for every moment is valuable.”
*F p271

Card 9

'Vigilance'

Be strong, be true to yourself, trust yourself. Stand your ground in the face of challenges and don't give in to doubt or let down your guard. By reaching deep inside yourself you will find that you have the necessary inner-strength and resolve to overcome whatever obstacles you face and to accomplish what you set out to do. Stay focused, stay aware, be determined.
 
"That wonderfully wise bird the goose must come in for its share of folk-lore. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. To play at fox-and-geese is everywhere synonymous with the attempt of craft and cunning to circumvent others as wary as themselves. To go a wild-goose chase is well known to mean an arduous chase or pursuit that will probably end with nothing; for the wild goose is one of the wariest and fastest fliers of any birds, although they are very tame when well treated. I have some at Didsbury now, and it is a beautiful sight to see the terrific pace they can go when on the wing. Ordinary tame geese never forget their wild instincts altogether, for they go into the middle of a field to rest, and have sentries to stand and watch. An old Roman legend relates how the watchfulness and cries of geese saved the city of Rome."
*F p84

Card 10

'Overwhelmed'

"If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail". There are times when it is best not to waste any more effort on a conflict that you cannot win. Sometimes we are better off just walking away. Being weighed down with too much pressure and responsibility can be restrictive and often requires an imaginative and reflective approach - delegation rather than stubbornness. This may be time to get a more balanced flow into your life and to remember that the power of mirth, can often crack the veneer of perspective. 
 
“Years ago the large churchyard was a valuable asset to the church, but as time went on it became crowded, and twice it was officially proved there was no room to bury any more bodies, yet the burials went on, the heads of one row and the feet of another being “disposed of” to make room for cross rows, tons of stone and huge railings like prison bars marked appropriated plots, but more room had to be made somewhere and parsons and clerks wanted fees. When it became impossible to squeeze in any more excepting into family vaults the fees did not pay the expense of keeping the churchyard in order and it was allowed to fall into shameful disorder.”
*P p.117

Card 11

'Inspiration'

Card 12

'Harmony'

Card 13

'Pleasure'

Card 14

'Opportunity'

Tempting as it may be to rest on our laurels, once our environment becomes too familiar, new opportunities, goals and motivations are needed. Without risk, freedom and excitement are lost and imagination becomes stifled. Whatever locks out any possible perils can become a prison that locks us in; we become weary and discontent and look to material things for happiness. Don’t take what you have for granted and don’t overlook an opportunity that presents itself to you.
 
“I was very impatient, but it was only another little blessing in disguise, for the Library Association had invited Carnegie to a reception and banquet at the Hotel Cecil in London, and that some of us must attend....The banquet began at eight o'clock and continued until some time the next morning. It may have been an American fashion to have things alternatively scalding hot and icy cold. The effect of it was that when I got to bed I couldn't sleep for hunger, and yearned for a good bowl of porridge and milk....Breakfast-time at the Cecil came at last, and fortified by porridge and bloaters and bacon, I determined to see Carnegie if possible....With our Chief Librarian to take care of me, we went off in a taxi and had a memorable interview with the old man....we had several shakes and might have passed a very pleasant hour if footmen had not been continually coming in with cards or notes, and Mrs. Carnegie came in for a short time. He wrote my name and address in a book, and said he would send me one of his books and speak to his secretary about the Didsbury library. Within a week a short and simple sanction was sent authorizing us to build the library at Didsbury according to the plans inspected....If we had not been there very early for London, we might not have had an audience, so there was some good in having no sleep....”
*P p.147-149

Card 15

'Showers'

Card 16

'Memories'

Card 17

'Moonlight'

Card 18

'Moving On'

There are times we need to move on and to let go, but we should always keep our eyes on the future whilst giving thanks to the past. Sometimes the need to let go or declining interest might indicate a need to take time out, to recharge ourselves and regain our enthusiasm.
 
“The road was well known to me, having walked it once, and ridden it on horseback many times. It is along the old coach road from Manchester to the south, the first stage to Wilmslow being twelve miles, the next to Congleton twelve, and the next to Newcastle twelve, all good road excepting about Newcastle. As I was only a novice at cycling, I started early in the morning, when I could have the roads to myself, and walked up and down all the hills. Five o'clock on St. Swithin's Day found me going through Cheadle. At Wilmslow the workpeople were astir, and the clock at Fulshaw tolled six as I passed. Seven o'clock found me at Alderley in the open Cheshire country, with birds, rabbits and young pheasants on the road, the air deliciously fresh, and the wind at my back, rolling quietly along a good road in the most beautiful manner possible.”
*F p.227-228

Card 19

'Wish'

Card 20

'Fulfilment'

Card 21

'Clarity'

The gift of clarity offers a clean break, a new insight, a new way of thinking, new ideas, insights and impulses. This is the 'aha' moment, a time to champion our cause, pursue our opportunities, accomplish our goals.
 
“The lanes, the roadsides, and the adjoining fields were covered with booths, tents, shows, carts tilted up, travelling vans, gipsy encampments, &c. The horse races were held on the Sandlands, the foot races on the High Street, and the prison bars and other similar games down Stenner Lane, in the Withey Ley. The booths and vans contained various curiosities, such as living skeletons, two-headed girls, fat women, hairy dwarfs &c. A giant, described as being like Goliath of Gath, ten feet high, with a weaver's beam for the shaft of his spear was in one caravan. If some local Thomas a Didymus, being hard of belief, asked how the giant could stand up when the van was not ten feet high, he would be told to pay his money and walk up, and he would find the giant lying down inside; how could they have the vans made so high they would not go under the trees.”
*D p.36

Card 22

'Dilemma'

Card 23

'Sorrows'

Card 24

'Contemplation'

Card 25

'Fallen Leaves'

Card 26

'Journey'

Journeys are both mental and physical, opportunities for the mind and body to unfold their energies and reach harmony through learning, difficulty and experience. We may journey through confused and stormy times until we reach sanctuary, but anxiety and effort can bring clarity. On your journey, look at what is really there rather than what you think you see.
 
“On the mountain-top, hundreds of feet above the railway whistles, barrel organs, street cries, and all the nuisances of civilisation, with no sound but the music of the winds, and yet all that wealth can buy is there, with some it cannot buy, and all around stretches one of the finest scenes man ever saw – the rich plain of Cheshire from the base of the cliff to the blue distance over the Mersey, the Dee, and the mountains of Wales. The arid dry lands where gold and jewels are found are poor beyond compare with this land of milk and honey, of waving corn and fruitful orchards, of cattle in a thousand fields – a land studded with ruined castles and abbeys, stately churches, many-gabled halls, moated manors and cosy cottages, all teeming with the traditions of an historic past.”
*F p.269

Card 27

'Uncertainty'

Card 28

'Restriction'

Card 29

'Worries'

Card 30

'Closure'

Card 31

'Windfall'

Card 32

'Balance'

Card 33

'Accomplishment'

The third card of the Earth element shows progress, clear intention, clarity of priorities and commitments and applying right effort towards a wise end. It is the alignment of mind, heart and action.  Your endurance, determination, and tenacity have brought progress and accomplishment, now you need to maintain the momentum, pay attention to detail and stay focused on the project in hand.
 
“I never entered into any public work with the idea of making money by it. Only a fool would do that. Even my books were not written for money. I did not begin public work to serve the public. “I fought for my own hand.” Having been drawn or plunged into public work a time or two I went on with it partly for fighting's sake, partly for company's sake, gradually growing more and more interested in it, until, when able to do so, I gave up private business and for the last twenty years have worked heart and soul, never missing a council meeting, with incessant daily work for the public, realizing that public work like “virtue is its own reward.” Of the many things here written done in Didsbury during more than fifty years, and numberless other things that are not here recorded, I can truthfully say “Quorum pars fui.”
*P p.viii

Card 34

'Security'

Card 35

'Adversity'

Card 36

'Synergy'

Charity, synergy and success in physical or financial relationships. New projects are fruitful. This is time to take stock of your overall position in a practical sense, build and grow what you have and grasp the opportunities available to you. The promise of bounty indicated by the sixth card of the Earth element, is because of labour, effort and engagement and is thus earned and not a gift. Be generous, give and receive with grace.
 
“The allotment gardens have flourished and been copied all over the city. They seem to me to fulfil in a small way an ideal socialistic state of things. The rent of the land is spend in charity to the poor of the district. The tiller of the soil has health, recreation, profit, and the purest of all pleasures. Shakspere gave us the ideal state where “Every man shall eat in safety what he plants,” and we now plant such fruits and vegetables as Shakspere never saw or ate. Ruskin wrote of the real and wholesome enjoyments possible to man: “To watch the corn grow, and the blossoms set, to draw hard breath over ploughshare or spade; to read, to think, to love, to hope, to pray – these are the things that make man happy....”
*P p.69

Card 37

'Patience'

Rewards are often not immediate, you may feel that you are banging your head against a wall but your efforts will eventually yield results. Wait for opportunities rather than rushing after any vague promise. Patience, reflection and observation are the keys, save your energy for something more productive.
 
“The churchwarden forgot himself sadly one sacrament Sunday. There were only three of four in a year then, and my father, with several of his children, was starting for church when the clock struck, and the old man exploded. He banged the clothes-brush down, swearing at large, cursing everybody and everything, for he said he should be late for church, and had to get the sacrament things ready and “take it.” The clocks were then made to vary, as they are now in some country places. There is the church time; that is official, and supposed to be infallible, although the birds will perch on the clock fingers and alter them. Then there is the clock in the hall or houseplace, which is generally twenty minutes before the church, and the clock on the stairs, which is nearly an hour fast – that is the one to get out of bed by.”
*F p.177

Card 38

'Industry'

True craftsmanship considers the quality of the work itself rather than the end goal of material reward. Through industriousness, consideration, learning and diligently applying what is learned, we reap the harvest of our skills and talents. Organise and attend to details. Use your experience to find more refined ways of achieving ends. Consider facts prudently and conscientiously, take time, but remember that small details are important but they are only part of a bigger overall picture.
 
“These Woods must have been of a “hard-bitten breed;” they kept the clark's office for 250 years....They kept a shop; they kept an inn; they kept books, journals, and ledgers, with the accounts of the churchwardens, of the waywardens or highways, of the constables, of the archers' club and the newspapers, of the rush cart and wakes, and with most of the parish, and they kept them well. All is recorded....They plowed for people, carted coals, paid postage, lent horses....advanced cash for parchment for a petition, superintended the making of new drains or feighing marl....Entered every year how many loads of hay, wheat, oats, or potatoes came off each field, when they were planted, and what they sold for....It would seem as if nothing could happen in the village for years, without being recorded in these books.”
*S p.35

Card 39

'Contentment'

Card 40

'Legacy'

Real wealth is a synchronicity of mind, body and soul, it is mental, physical and emotional. Invest the resources you have gained and enjoy in meaningful ways and direct your energies positively. Matters are proceeding well but the real value of what we have is in how we use it and share it, some things in life you cannot clutch tightly in the hand without crushing the value out of them.
 
“It is natural for anyone to consider most that for which he has striven most and enjoyed most. I have tried for many years to live my life usefully and unostentatiously, leaving something for the generations that are to come after me round the home where my life has been happily spent. I have tried to secure three great blessings for the public – Playing Fields, a Public Library, and a Home for Poor Gentlefolk....Part of the Playing Fields has been secured....I would like to see every acre of the adjoining low land as far as the river and some of the high land secured while there is yet time. In another fifty years Didsbury will have a population of 150,000 or more, according to its late increase , and there are no signs of that rate decreasing. Are there to be no playgrounds for its youth?”
*P p.178

Card 0

'Essence'

When the Essence card appears in a reading, it should take precedence over the other cards. It is a firm reminder that we are not passive victims of fate or circumstance, we are the creators of the future and all future events are subject to the changes we make and the actions we take. Be one with the spirit of life, open to all possibilities where every moment is a new beginning and nothing is hidden. Be courageous and optimistic, trust yourself and above all trust your instincts and intuition. Rise above the material world. The answer lies inside you.
 
"There is an old saying that may still be heard in country places, ' We shall live till we die, if th' pigs don't eat us'; it may be a relic of metempsychosis, or a belief that our spirits shall in some future state inhabit other bodies or animals. I have several times heard the saying, but those who said it could not give its meaning, they merely remarked the oft-quoted ' the old folks said it.' It might also indicate a survival of fatalism.”
*F p.24

Unnumbered

'Blank Card'

DESIGN
BOOKLET

DESIGN

Box front from the Didsbury / Didisburye Oracle

Tuck Box Rear from the Macclesfield Tarot

CARD MEANINGS

The Guide (User Guide) to the Didisburye Oracle can be downloaded by clicking on the image below. The file is in PDF format ready for you print out or to read in your web browser or tablet device. The Guide includes all of the images and detail shown above together with some example card spreads for readings.

Download the User Guide / Divinatory Guide to the Didisburye Oracle

Download the Didisburye Oracle Guide

The Didisburye Oracle