Oracle of the Dreamtime by Donni Hakanson, is a book and card set based on the Australian Aboriginal Dreamings. The circular cards are illustrated by 6 Koori artists, making it also a collection of contemporary Aboriginal art. Each card is based on a native animal, bird, insect, reptile, rock or celestial body, with a Dreaming for each one. The Reconciliation Card hopefully blends the ancient, tribal origins of this ancient land with the modern Dreaming. Each Dreaming, or each card, focuses on an issue. Although the Aboriginal Dreamings are thousands of years old, their messages and meaning are as relevent today, if not moreso. They can encourage us to look more deeply at life, and to see the patterns that run through our lives in a different way.

thru the dreamtime, of course... but a different dreamtime, the one of dreams... i had asked the Universe...God...Spirit for a mission, for something i could do that would be important to me, like mothering, but didn't infringe on my role as a mum with two young children. i wanted to be able to help others in some way too. i had a dream... those are famous words, aren't they? in my dream i was in the Dreamtime, and all the creatures and plants and rocks and stars were there. it was like the animal parade in that Australian poem, The Drover's Dream. i awoke with an excitement, and a knowing, that i was to write an oracle, one based on our native world and spiritual wisdom, and illustrated by several Aboriginal artists. it consumed many hours, inbetween sleepless babies, tick infestations and laundry ;-) and took five years before i found a publisher. i went through quite a journey writing the Dreaming Cards (as I affectionately call them.) I am a white person interpreting Koori culture, in a modern, alternative way. Personal doubts surfaced with the guilt of the white past in Australia, and also the loss of not only Australian Aboriginal people and their culture, but of this land and its native life. On the positive side, I saw the beauty and richness of this unique culture, and the potential that by sharing it in a modern, mainstream way, more people would become interested in it, and its relevent issues. the culture of Australia's first people is becoming as great a loss as the many species of plants and animals that are now extinct. still, the Dreaming lives on, in a modern way; especially around those who seek to reconcile their lives with the spirit of the land in a positve, healing way. (Regeneration, conservation, learning from the past.) i hope the Oracle of the Dreamtime aka the Modern Dreaming Cards, can help others in understanding the richness of Aboriginal culture, in the context in which it is presented.

Oracle of the Dreamtime

This is a review on Amazon.com   (yet to get!)

A review in Perceptions

On Francis Firebrace's Pageext

A review in Dutch - or is it German?

Solandia's Aeclectic Tarot (Great site, heaps of decks, shows some cards but inaccurate colour & fidelity)

How the Oracle of the Dreamtime came into Being...

thru the dreamtime, of course... but a different dreamtime, the one of dreams... i had asked the Universe...God...Spirit for a mission, for something i could do that would be important to me, like mothering, but didn't infringe on my role as a mum with two young children. i wanted to be able to help others in some way too. i had a dream... those are famous words, aren't they? in my dream i was in the Dreamtime, and all the creatures and plants and rocks and stars were there. it was like the animal parade in that Australian poem, The Drover's Dream. i awoke with an excitement, and a knowing, that i was to write an oracle, one based on our native world and spiritual wisdom, and illustrated by several Aboriginal artists. it consumed many hours, inbetween sleepless babies, tick infestations and laundry ;-) and took five years before i found a publisher. i went through quite a journey writing the Dreaming Cards (as I affectionately call them.) I am a white person interpreting Koori culture, in a modern, alternative way. Personal doubts surfaced with the guilt of the white past in Australia, and also the loss of not only Australian Aboriginal people and their culture, but of this land and its native life. On the positive side, I saw the beauty and richness of this unique culture, and the potential that by sharing it in a modern, mainstream way, more people would become interested in it, and its relevent issues. the culture of Australia's first people is becoming as great a loss as the many species of plants and animals that are now extinct. still, the Dreaming lives on, in a modern way; especially around those who seek to reconcile their lives with the spirit of the land in a positve, healing way. (Regeneration, conservation, learning from the past.) i hope the Oracle of the Dreamtime aka the Modern Dreaming Cards, can help others in understanding the richness of Aboriginal culture, in the context in which it is presented.

My fun geocities page

Connections publishers  (shows some cards)

Me,  age  21 months, in Madang, Papua New Guinea.

Oracle of the Dreamtime by Donni Hakanson, is a book and card set based on the Australian Aboriginal Dreamings. The circular cards are illustrated by 6 Koori artists, making it also a collection of contemporary Aboriginal art. Each card is based on a native animal, bird, insect, reptile, rock or celestial body, with a Dreaming for each one. The Reconciliation Card hopefully blends the ancient, tribal origins of this ancient land with the modern Dreaming. Each Dreaming, or each card, focuses on an issue. Although the Aboriginal Dreamings are thousands of years old, their messages and meaning are as relevent today, if not moreso. They can encourage us to look more deeply at life, and to see the patterns that run through our lives in a different way.

Dear Donni I have never written to an author of a book that I've loved before, but I am compelled to write and beg you to  re publish your book Native Symbols. I found your book in a book shop at Coollangatta and since that time my daughter and myself (A nd sometimes my husband is found looking for it!) fight over it continually.  The reason is that both of us often like to keep it with us as it is truly remarkable with your insights into the animals that may cross our paths during the day.  So with this in mind I set out to buy not one but a few copies as I thought there are other friends who I know would delight in it as much as we do.  I ordered my copies and as I was assured that the copies had been located proceeded to give the one precious copy away to a friend while I was in Sydney on business.  Imagine my dismay when I went to the book shop to discover that they had ordered the oracle instead of the book and then told me that they didn't think that it was available anymore.  I did purchase the oracle and I love the book that you have there as well. but I really wanted the copy of Native Symbols. I would only have one thing to ask if you would consider re publishing Native Symbols and that is can you add even more than the sixty or so animals.  I have to tell you how incredible the lessons and the insights for me and my daughter have been.  It does not matter what we looked up it was always deeply spiritual and has helped us both on our path.  I really want to thank you for such a publication. I thank God that Michelle had your contact details so that I could contact you, and I wish you Great Spirits joy and peace as you continue your work. Kindest regards, Louise R.