We interviewed Marije Miller about her new oracle deck - Gates to Soul Wisdom Oracle. It is an interesting deck as it is inspired by Human Design, which is a fusion of a few different esoteric areas as well as science, such as Astrology, I Ching, the Chakra System, Kabbalah and Quantum Physics. If you're like me, and have never heard of Human Design, read on ...
Where in the world do you call home?
I am originally from the Netherlands, but I now live in in Santa Cruz, California. For many years I moved around every two to three years, but Santa Cruz has been my home for the past 14 years. It’s beautiful here!
What was your first experience with tarot or oracle cards and when did you fall in love with them?
I think I was 12 when I visited a travelling carnival and won a set of Lenormand cards. I was intrigued! It arrived in my life at that awkward time, where everything inside and around me felt uncertain, and using the cards gave me a sense of knowing what to expect. That was my entry into divination: Astrology, I Ching, Runes, of course the Rider Waite tarot, etc. soon followed.
What made you want to create this deck? What was your inspiration?
The Gates to Soul Wisdom Oracle is inspired by Human Design. I have studied this knowledge for over 15 years: it combines Astrology, I Ching, the Chakra System, Kabbalah and Quantum Physics in an amazing way, which is both incredibly insightful as well as practical. I do readings for people and teach classes, but the information is vast: there is so much to learn if people really want to start using their chart in a practical way. I’ve been wanting to make it more accessible for everyone for a long time.
Then one morning in August 2019 I woke up with this inspired knowing: I sat down and started writing for three days straight. It was incredible! All this information came through in a different structure, in the form of an Oracle. The deck actually contains three separate card decks that work together: the I Ching is one, the Chakras determine another set, and Elemental Wisdom came out as a way to deliver the strategies that are mentioned in Human Design. I love how it all came together!
Aside from your own deck, do you have a favourite deck? If so, which one?
Oh, that is such a difficult question! I have collected quite a number of decks over the years and I do change the deck I work with depending on the specific issue, or season, etc. However, some of my favourites are the Rider Waite, Crowley Thoth Tarot, Osho Zen Tarot, Lucy Cavendish’ Oracle Tarot, the (Un)Sacred Oracle, and Alanna Fairchild’s Wild Kuan Yin Oracle…
Do you have a favourite card (either from your deck or just the card in general). If so, why is it your favourite?
Another great question! There is a card in my deck that is called “The Now”. The artist I worked with, Timothy Eyes, captured it with a painting of a Japanese Torii gate. It represents such a picture of the Present. For me, the Present is a place of real possibility, as well as a peaceful moment: there is no guilt or regret of the past and no worry for the future…
What have been your challenges in creating this deck?
Hmm, overall the whole process has been so beautiful and smooth. The one challenge I had, was that about a week before going to print, I suddenly found there were three other decks with the same name “Soul Wisdom Oracle”! Mind you, I did do my research beforehand, and had not noticed this. Then Mercury Retrograde came along and suddenly I found the other decks with the same name. This caused me to change the name for my deck to Gates to Soul Wisdom, which coincidentally is a reference to Human Design, so it worked out well!
What is one thing you really want people to know about this deck?
What I love about this deck is that in addition to providing insight into a situation or challenge, it actually provides 7 practical ways to tap into your own intuition to find a solution. It really captures that practical aspect that I love about Human Design.
Your cards incorporate I Ching and Human Design. I am very curious about Human Design. Could you please explain what this is?
Absolutely! Human Design is a knowledge that incorporates a number of different wisdom systems: Astrology, I Ching, the Chakra System, Kabbalah, Quantum Physics and even relates to DNA. Based on your birth information a chart is created that shows your Blueprint. The information encoded is very insightful and often answers questions about those curious things you do that make you ‘you’. And then there is that practical aspect in your Design, that helps you tune into your specific way of navigating life, so you get to live your Purpose.
Very often in life we tend to have that negative voice in the back of our minds, reminding us of not being good enough, etc. Knowing your Design you get to have more peace with that voice. There is this incredible sense of feeling deeply seen when you get to understand your chart. It’s beautiful.
How will you celebrate when your deck is finally published?
I am so looking forward to that moment! I’ll want to share it with my family, including the artist, as well as with the many Kickstarter Backers who have supported the campaign to get the deck printed. It will be a fun party!
How can people pre-order?
People can use this link to pre-order the deck at a discount via Indiegogo:
There are also options to add-on a beautiful Oracle Cloth, or a special wooden box to keep the cards protected and safe. I am very much looking forward to sending out the Gates to Soul Wisdom Oracle to people, as soon as it arrives from the printer!