Avalon occult cards are a set of unique tarot cards that are believed to possess mystical powers and insights. These cards draw inspiration from both traditional tarot symbolism and the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The name "Avalon" itself refers to the legendary island where King Arthur's sword Excalibur was forged. Each card in the Avalon occult deck is adorned with intricate and detailed illustrations that depict various archetypes, symbols, and scenes from Arthurian mythology and the occult. The deck typically consists of 78 cards, divided into two main categories: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana cards in the Avalon occult deck represent significant life events and spiritual journeys.

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The Vanishing Witch by Karen Maitland, author of the hugely popular Company of Liars will thrill fans of CJ Sansom and Kate Mosse with its chilling recreation of the Peasants’ Revolt. It offers an intelligent, beautifully researched glimpse of a more deadly, superstitious era …

‘A compelling blend of historical grit and supernatural twists’ Daily Mail on The Falcons of Fire and Ice

The reign of Richard II is troubled, the poor are about to become poorer still and landowners are lining their pockets. It’s a case of every man for himself, whatever his status or wealth. But in a world where nothing can be taken at face value, who can you trust?

The dour wool merchant?
His impulsive son?
The stepdaughter with the hypnotic eyes?
Or the raven-haired widow clutching her necklace of bloodstones?

And when people start dying unnatural deaths and the peasants decide it’s time to fight back, it’s all too easy to spy witchcraft at every turn.

Reading Guide

Reviews

“Maitland creates a wonderfully gothic atmosphere… Karen Maitland is renowned for her painstakingly researched medieval novels and this story set against the Peasants Revolt in 1381, continues in that vein.”

The Independent

“This is glorious stuff, intriguing and thrilling on every page with a mass of historical detail, drama and colour. A great story well told”

Lovereading.co.uk

She Reads Novels

The Major Arcana cards in the Avalon occult deck represent significant life events and spiritual journeys. These cards often depict key characters from Arthurian legend, such as King Arthur, Merlin, and Guinevere, and are associated with themes of destiny, transformation, and self-discovery. The Minor Arcana cards in the Avalon occult deck are divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles.

"She had read novels while other people perused the Sunday papers" – Mary Elizabeth Braddon

The Vanishing Witch by Karen Maitland

Karen Maitland is an author I’ve been meaning to try for a while. With two of her novels on my tbr pile to choose from, I decided to start with this one, The Vanishing Witch, as it had been waiting the longest.

The story is set in Lincoln and covers the period between September 1380 and September 1381. As you may know, 1381 was the year of the Peasants’ Revolt when large sections of the English population rebelled in protest against excessive taxes. I actually read a non-fiction book about the Revolt just before Christmas – England, Arise by Juliet Barker – and this provided me with a lot of background knowledge. However, even if you know nothing about this period of history, you should still find The Vanishing Witch easy enough to follow. The Revolt does play an important part in the plot, but this is first and foremost the story of fictional Lincoln wool merchant, Robert of Bassingham, and his family.

When an attractive widow called Catlin asks Robert for advice regarding an investment, the merchant is only too pleased to help. Despite his reassurances to his wife, Edith, that his relationship with Catlin is purely business-related, he soon finds himself falling in love and it’s not long before the widow, her young daughter Leonia and adult son Edward have become part of Robert’s household. With Edith seriously ill, Robert’s two sons, Jan and Adam, become suspicious of Catlin’s motives – a suspicion shared by the family servants.

A few miles away, in the village of Greetwell, another man is also facing difficult times. His name is Gunter and he is a boatman, responsible for collecting and delivering cargoes of cloth. Work has been sparse lately and when the King’s commissioners arrive in the village, Gunter knows he will struggle to pay his taxes…

I found The Vanishing Witch a very entertaining and enjoyable novel and am quite happy with my first introduction to Karen Maitland’s work. There were plenty of things to like – the time period (not a very popular choice for historical fiction, which made it all the more interesting), the dark atmosphere, the touches of the supernatural, and the plot, which twists and turns as secrets are uncovered and revelations are made. I particularly loved the way Maitland altered my perceptions of the characters as the focus moved from one to another; she made me wary of some of them from the beginning, but I was never quite sure whether or not that wariness was justified!

By telling the stories of both Robert of Bassingham – a wealthy merchant – and Gunter, one of his workers, Maitland is able to explore what life was like in the 14th century for people at different levels of society. However, while the mystery revolving around Robert and Catlin was compelling, the storyline surrounding Gunter’s family and the Peasants’ Revolt felt less developed. This subplot had the potential to be as interesting as the other one and I was disappointed that it wasn’t explored in as much depth.

I’ve mentioned that the author has added some supernatural touches to the novel: each chapter begins with a superstition, a piece of folklore or a description of a spell. These don’t have a lot of direct significance to the story but they are fun to read and are part of the overall atmosphere of the book. There are also some sections of the novel narrated by a ghost, whose identity and role in the story we don’t learn until the end of the book. I didn’t guess who the ghost was and I was surprised when I discovered the truth!

So will I be reading more Karen Maitland? Yes, of course! I’ll start with her new one, The Raven’s Head, then go back to explore her earlier novels.

The Vanishing Witch: A dark historical tale of witchcraft and rebellion

Set during the time of the Peasants’ Revolt, this novel expertly weaves different strands and plots together to create a satisfying and fascinating whole. The book is centred around the enigmatic figure of the Widow Catlin, who worms her way into the affections of local wool merchant Robert of Bassingham; she brings along her son and her small innocent-seeming young daughter to join the family.

All is not as it seems, however, and tension quickly mounts. The famous revolt of 1381 plays a vital part, and the reader feels in the thick of it, hearing the screams and smelling the blood and fire as property is destroyed and nobles attacked. The narration switches focus from this family to the servants, Beata and Tenney, and from them to a poor river boatman family, whose son Hankin runs away to join the rebellion. There is also narration from a ghost, which sounds strange but seems to work in this heightened atmosphere of superstition, witchcraft and nefarious plots.

The reader is completely immersed in the medieval world, and the novel is very well researched. At the back there are historical notes, a timeline and a glossary to help with the more obscure medieval terms. It is a very good sign when you really don’t want a novel of nearly 700 pages to end, and I recommend this chunky offering unreservedly. Not to be missed by any lover of medieval fiction, and even better than previous offerings, Company of Liars and The Owl Killers.

The Vanishing Witch: A dark historical tale of witchcraft and rebellion

Set during the time of the Peasants’ Revolt, this novel expertly weaves different strands and plots together to create a satisfying and fascinating whole. The book is centred around the enigmatic figure of the Widow Catlin, who worms her way into the affections of local wool merchant Robert of Bassingham; she brings along her son and her small innocent-seeming young daughter to join the family.

All is not as it seems, however, and tension quickly mounts. The famous revolt of 1381 plays a vital part, and the reader feels in the thick of it, hearing the screams and smelling the blood and fire as property is destroyed and nobles attacked. The narration switches focus from this family to the servants, Beata and Tenney, and from them to a poor river boatman family, whose son Hankin runs away to join the rebellion. There is also narration from a ghost, which sounds strange but seems to work in this heightened atmosphere of superstition, witchcraft and nefarious plots.

The reader is completely immersed in the medieval world, and the novel is very well researched. At the back there are historical notes, a timeline and a glossary to help with the more obscure medieval terms. It is a very good sign when you really don’t want a novel of nearly 700 pages to end, and I recommend this chunky offering unreservedly. Not to be missed by any lover of medieval fiction, and even better than previous offerings, Company of Liars and The Owl Killers.

Each suit represents a different aspect of life, such as creativity, emotions, intellect, and material possessions. These cards provide detailed insights into specific areas of a person's life and can offer guidance and clarity. When using the Avalon occult cards for divination or spiritual guidance, individuals typically follow traditional tarot reading methods. This may involve shuffling the deck, selecting a specific number of cards, and interpreting their meanings based on their position and symbolism. The Avalon occult deck is often used to gain insights into one's personal journey, relationships, career, and spiritual growth. It is important to note that the Avalon occult cards, like any other divination tool, do not possess inherent magical powers. Instead, they are believed to act as a channel for intuition and self-reflection. Their interpretations and meanings are subjective and can vary depending on the reader's personal beliefs and intuition. Overall, the Avalon occult cards offer a unique and enchanting approach to tarot reading, blending the rich symbolism of traditional tarot with the captivating legends of King Arthur. Whether used as a tool for self-reflection or as a means of seeking spiritual guidance, these cards can provide individuals with profound insights and connections to the mysteries of the universe..

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