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Introduction

Welcome to the world of Elle Qui Oracle

(“She Who”) featuring magnificent female
warriors and women of great compassion
and wisdom. This distinctly feminine deck
features 44 heroines who have experienced
it all: from fear to freedom, hardship to
hope. They now share their powerful
lessons of life and love with all who seek
them out. Each card presents a woman
who is willing to challenge you in unique
ways. With names drawn from Asian and
African, as well as European languages, Elle
Qui offers the worldview that, as different
as our lives are, we are all linked by similar
inspirational experiences. It is our hope
that this deck can be a bridge connecting
women of diverse cultural backgrounds as
we journey through life.

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Elle Qui Oracle can be used for introspec-
tion as well as divination. Each card has
three suggested questions to help you dig
a bit deeper into your situation. Use them
as you see fit. You are encouraged to come
up with your own questions as well. Let
your own vision of “She Who” lead you
to a new understanding of yourself. As
you view each card, tell yourself a story
about the individual in the art. Imagine
how you might greet her if you met her in
person. Do not be surprised if you glimpse
reflections of your own strengths and
weaknesses in these cards. This deck will
help you discover layers of forgotten selves.
Elle Qui works with your own imagina-
tion, so let your mind wander. Who will
you be today?

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The Cards
 she who battles:
ABANOLAKA
Justice, Fierce, Commitment

When abanolaka, she who battles,

appears, you would do well to gird your
loins. Abanolaka is the Zulu word for ‘fierce.’
She is not one to take the easy way out. Her
preference is a deadeye stare straight into the
depths of what challenges her. Her bronze
armor and war ribbons match her ferocious
gaze, yet at the same time, she wears a soft,
white dress that billows in the breeze and she
holds her sword back. As fierce as Abanolaka
is, she is equally patient, and knows some-
times the best strategy is to fight a battle with
words not swords, restraint not aggression.
Abanolaka is here to help you face your
current challenges. If you decide to stand and
fight, remember her unwavering focus and
complete commitment. Abanolaka knows if
she is first victorious in her heart, she cannot
be beaten. But there is a great saying, “You do
not have to attend every argument to which
you are invited.” You are not diminished by
refusing to do battle. Often it takes greater

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strength to lay down your sword. By doing
so, you may learn something that changes
the entire scene. Your enemy may turn out to
be a friend, or a teacher rather than a taker.
Whichever path you choose, stay fiercely
committed to your decision.
• What is the battle at hand that I must
take on?
• How would I feel if I refuse this particular
fight?
• What’s really behind this conflict?

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she who becomes:
AETERNA
Metamorphosis, Transcend, Journey

aeterna, she who becomes, rises light

like a feather. No longer anchored to the
ground, her lightness of being creates a
total metamorphosis of self. Even her hair is
changing colors from fiery red to the inten-
sity of light blue and white like the hottest
part of the flame. Her passion to transcend
to her next highest self is taking place. Her
right hand is held in the Prithvi Mudra to
offset the fire element and increase the earth
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element. She knows she must maintain
this balance if she is to continue evolving.
This powerful mudra increases her sense
of stability, which she needs as she floats
off the earth. Her antenna-like stamen
gathers information on deep sensory
levels. Aeterna may seem to be asleep, but
she is focused on her journey at hand.
This card indicates that you are at a
moment of becoming the being you have
been working on. All the effort is coming
together to send you soaring up to the
next plane. The good news and the bad
news is there is always another level to
achieve. Each subtle state of existence
creates new challenges. Know that you
have safely lived on your current plane,
and all that you have learned by, and
failed in, and powered through will be
brought with you on your journey. The
cranes who rise from the mist show you
the past is a source of strength for the
future. Like the caterpillar who metamor-
phoses into a butterfly, it is time to try out
your new wings.
• What is the next level for me?
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• How can I benefit the most from this
transcending?
• What challenges me the most in my
current spiritual journey?

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she who questions:
AMALIE
Curiosity, Destiny, Search

amalie, she who questions, welcomes

you. She wears an assortment of vivid
flowers and honors the many tendrils. Each
one is a possibility, a chance, an unexpected
happening. Her gift is to see which ones
will open next. She Who Questions
welcomes questions because she loves
giving answers that lead to more questions.
She is the sacred circle of the oracle. Do
not be dismayed if your search seems to
lead you to more questions. It is Amalie’s
preferred way.
Amalie shows that you have other paths
in front of you. There are avenues you can
take that you may not even see yet. Be ready
for the unexpected signpost pointing you
toward a completely different way. Destiny
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can sometimes be tricky because you may
be pulling for the wrong shore. Stop for
a moment in your seeking. Tap into your
natural curiosity and question things. Even
those people who have always seemed one
way and only one way may have hidden
depths. Your job is to reexamine what you
thought truth was. Chances are good you
will be given an opportunity to make some
changes. Remember the circle can become
a spiral so rather than leading you back to
your own beginning, it may take you up or
down. Your skill at questioning will help
you find your way.
• What am I searching for?
• What is the meaning of destiny to me?
• In what ways has my journey been a spiral?

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she who r esists:
AUDAZ
Fearless, Justified, Resistant

audaz, she who resists, grips a bloody

knife in her hand. She looks back to see who
follows. Her determination is echoed in the
golden bee exploring the rose in her hair.
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She will continue to do what she must do.
She holds no love for violence, but neither
will she allow fear to rule her. When the
call comes to fight for her rights, she
will always answer. Her fierce resistance
comes from a lifetime of being told what
she cannot do. Audaz embraces her own
voice, her own power, her own infinite
right to be herself.
Audaz’s message is to fight for yourself.
Resist those who would change who
you are. Stand against injustice in your
world. It is best to choose the path of
non-violence, yet at times you may have
to use justified anger as impetus to move
yourself forward. This moment calls for
you to draw on your own inner strength.
Examine how you may be allowing things
to happen simply by refusing to resist.
This is not a time to allow others to walk
over you.
• Am I allowing my power to be blocked?
• Is my anger justified?
• Are there peaceful ways to resist?

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 she who gr ants wishes:
AYLIS
Wish, Desires, Hope

aylis, she who grants wishes, dances

among the stars in purple and gold. Her
eyes gaze downward to catch all the wishes
being made. While she can’t acknowledge
every wish, she waits for the ones that
truly touch her heart. The wand she carries
displays the bright light of hope we all
send up. This is her energy, her gift, what
motivates her to continue her dance and to
hold her attitude of listening.
Aylis tells you to define what you want.
What are your wishes? What is your
heart’s desire? Do not answer too quickly.
Sometimes we wish for a horse when what
we truly desire is movement. Your duty
to yourself is to dig deeply into your own
wants and needs. Heed the proverb: “Be
careful what you wish for. You may get it.”
So, She Who Grants Wishes requires you
to apply discretion before you say what it
is you think you want. Aylis’ goal is not
to withhold things from you. She merely

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hopes you will not waste the gift of a wish
today. This card brings work but also
fulfillment.
• What is the underlying reason for my
heart’s desire?
• What am I willing to do to have my
wish fulfilled?
• Where can I use more hope in my life?

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she who brings light:
BLANCHE
Light, Serenity, Beacon

blanche, she who brings light,

understands the symbiotic nature of
light and growth. The vine, which
crowns her, springs up from beneath
her feet. She offers herself up as support
so the searching leaves can seek the
bright sun. Blanche herself wears only
her hair, the vine and peacock feathers
as she welcomes the warmth. Her elfin
ears point to the sun, drawing in its
comforting, life-giving rays. Even her
hair shimmers with echoes of fire.

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This card’s message is to assure you that
you are whole. The answer you seek is
already dancing in your own spark of life. If
you feel drained and restless, now is a good
time to fuel yourself with food that nour-
ishes and replenishes you. Enjoy vegetables
from the garden that have been super-
charged by the sun. Creativity needs to be
fed as well. Go to those places where you
can connect with the things that ignite you.
If your normal creative outlet isn’t giving
you what you need, try something different.
Imagine yourself peacefully accepting all
the energy of the sun. Taking only what
you need, you become a beacon for other
seekers. You not only reflect the brilliance,
you are the emanating light. This card calls
you to understand your own warmth, your
own glow, your own brilliance.
• What serves as my beacon?
• Where can I go to recharge my own
battery?
• What are three things I value about
myself?

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 she who loved once:
BLUE
Fragile, Secret love, Rejection

blue, she who loved once, has a sad

demeanor because she is thinking about
someone who no longer accepts her love.
She wears a golden wreath on her dark hair
and clasps flowers to her heart. From her
glance, you can see she is feeling lost
and alone now. The delicate dogwood
flowers are meant to be given to someone
special, but Blue hesitates in offering her
love again.
This card encourages you to explore your
own feelings of vulnerability. There is
always a risk in revealing your emotions.
If you have a secret love, it can be a
thrilling thing as much as a terrifying one.
If you tell them how you feel, how will
they respond? Will they appreciate your
declaration or will they walk away? The
only real way of knowing the answer is to
hold out your gift. Let this card remind
you that you weren’t meant to love only
once. If you suffer the anguish of rejection,

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allow yourself time to heal. When you are
ready, pick new flowers. Face the world
head on so others can find you to offer you
their love.
• Who are the people I trust to love me?
• In what ways do I feel vulnerable?
• How can I best protect my fragile heart
today?

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she who surprises:
BRISE
Surprise, Discovery, Revelation

brise, she who surprises, stands

watching at her window. She is singing a
song we can’t hear but the butterflies can.
They are attracted to her nature as if she
were a living representation of nectar. She is
their butterfly queen who can direct them
to the sweetest flowers. She oversees polli-
nation of not only the flora, but of human-
kind as well. One of her favorite things is
the unexpected discovery. It isn’t only the
surprise bringing Brise her happiness, but
the feeling of divinity that comes with the
marvelous moment of revelation.
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When this card of surprise shows up,
expect the unlooked-for moment. If you
are receptive to fortuitous and unheralded
insight, you stand a very good chance of
finding the answers you need. The key
here is the message may come in unusual
ways. You cannot expect a straightforward
response. Rather, look for those things
that reveal themselves through patterns.
Perhaps you see a caterpillar over and over.
Or maybe it will be the caterpillar, the
chrysalis and then the butterfly. Whatever
the symbol is, don’t worry if you don’t
understand it in the moment. Sometimes
discovery comes only after we have
assimilated the knowledge deep within
ourselves. We must allow the process to
unfold. Forcing it may ruin the moment of
sacred surprise.
• How can I pay closer attention to the signs
I am given?
• How can I discover my own divine
direction?
• What is being revealed to me?

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 she who fr ees:
CARLY
Liberation, Unrestrained, Freedom

carly, she who frees, demonstrates

how useless it is to try to bind her. She
stands barefooted on the rocky shore, her
hair blowing loose from the confining
headband. Birds swoop overhead. The
waves break upon the rock where she
perches. Nothing can contain her. She
has made the decision to be free, so free
she will be. Her wrists bear the marks of
the shackles. She will always remember
the lessons of wearing them but now she
tosses the broken, useless chains into the
water. Within the waves there is almost
an electrical pulse as Carly’s energy sets
her loose. This is a being who will not be
restrained.
The message of this card is that you face a
challenge only you can answer. Will you
remain obedient to the chains put upon
you? Or will you cast them aside to live the
liberated life? It’s important to remember
sometimes bonds are accepted. You should

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also understand you can change your mind
about those restraints. You are at a point
where you can end anything you feel holds
you back. It would be wise to examine the
chains thoroughly though. Who holds the
other end and who holds the key?
• When did I first notice that I am being
held back?
• What would real freedom feel like?
• What chains do I yearn to be free of?

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she who nurtur es:
COLETTE
Empathy, Gentleness, Insight

colette, she who nurtures, entwines

her hair with a soft crown of flowers and
leaves. The name Colette means ‘necklace’
in French. She also wears a delicate gold
chain adorned with an amethyst and tiny
pink pearls. The soft luminescence of the
pink pearls and blossoms reflect Colette’s
gentle nature and her nurturing heart.
Purple amethyst is a stone that promotes
healing from grief as well as a sense of
balance and peace. On Colette’s forehead it
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signifies the third eye chakra, the source
of her insight and intuition. She instinc-
tively knows what others are feeling so
she is able to nurture those who need her
gift of empathy.
This card brings a gentle message of hope
and healing. When you are troubled, turn
to those around you and let them see
what you need. If you are lucky you may
encounter one of those rare souls who see
at a glance exactly what you are experi-
encing. You will recognize the knowing
souls like Colette, by the empathetic
depth in their eyes. Allow yourself to be
nurtured back to health and happiness.
• When do I need to be more gentle with
myself?
• Do I allow myself to be nurtured by
others?
• Who can I share my gifts of empathy and
insight with?

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 she who whispers:
CONSCIA
Secrets, Confessions, Confidante

conscia, she who whispers, knows

how to keep a secret. You won’t pry anything
from her lips. She is the quintessential vault
who holds all the lies and all the truths of
the world. Her smoky quartz headdress
helps remove negative energy. In fact, it is
said to transform it into positive energy. It is
her role to hear all the confidences of all who
come to her. Conscia, Latin for ‘confidante,’
never judges. She simply listens.
This card reveals that all of us have secrets.
It may be time to release yours now if they
have become a burden. If you are concerned
about being judged, look into your own
heart first for compassion. Sometimes
we convince ourselves that our secrets
are uniquely deep and dark. When we
expose them to the light we may discover
others with the same fears. If someone has
entrusted you with their secrets, honor
their confidence.
• What are my secrets?

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• What would happen if I shared my secrets
with others?
• Who can I trust with what I value most?

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she who year ns:
DESIREE
Yearn, Longing, Pine for

desiree, she who yearns, longingly

watches the moon rise. She sheds her robes
and ribbons for they are not needed in
the coming dark of night. She will return
her laurel wreath and lyre to the sun god
Apollo. Her realm is the mystery of night.
Desiree seeks her divine feminine self in
the cycles of the moon. Birds come winging
toward her, messengers from the moon
carrying the answer she seeks. Desiree
teaches us how to fully commit to pursuing
our dreams. Rather than hope for some-
thing, she has begun the process of making
her desires real.
The message of this card is to commit fully
to your wants or admit you are simply stuck
in the mode of pining for what you cannot
reach. Your energy is at stake here. Will
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you shed yourself of what you do not need
in order to gain what it is you really want?
Are you unsure of your yearning? Wishful
thinking has its place, but now is the
moment to drive forward to your goal or set
the goal aside. The moon is reachable if you
dedicate the resources necessary.
• How far away is this thing I long for?
• Are my goals realistic?
• Am I giving up too much or not enough?
What is the balance?

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she who r egr ets:
ECLAT
Battle, Victory, Bitterness

eclat, she who regrets, brings the

message of bitter victory and success,
which may be regretted in the long run. She
knows how to go to battle. She understands
how to win a war. Never having run from a
fight, the ground she rests upon is littered
with skulls. She stands solitary on the
smoke-covered battlefield, secure in the
knowledge that she is victorious. But while
the battle had to be waged, perhaps it could
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have been done with less acrimony. Some of
the wounds Eclat inflicted were to herself.
There will never be any love lost between
Eclat and those she has crushed in the
name of her hollow victory.
The message of this card is to use caution
in arguments. We all have disagreements
in our lives. It is how we resolve those
moments that defines our future. How often
have angry words been used as weapons
before any attempt at a truce is made?
Consider your speech carefully before you
launch those arrows. Is it the right thing to
do? Can you find another way to resolve the
confrontation that doesn’t involve the loss
of friends and self-respect? Before you send
out a declaration of hostilities, look deeply
into Eclat’s eyes and consider her regret.
• What is the best outcome for all involved?
• Will I have regrets if this conflict ends
bitterly?
• Who will be harmed if this matter is not
settled amicably?

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 she who forgives:
ELIXIR
Remorse, Guilt, Forgiveness

elixir, she who forgives, wears simple

autumn leaves in her hair. Her hazel eyes
welcome you to her world. The green of her
gown echoes nature’s favorite color. She
is a healer. She holds an intricately etched
decanter containing a healing elixir of
forgiveness. But there is a dare hidden here.
Like all miracle cures, you must seek her
out and complete a task. Elixir’s magical
liquid can soothe your woes, but first you
must address what caused those pains in the
first place. Are you willing to engage in this
arduous, possibly perilous journey to the
center of yourself?
Elixir appears because you seem to be
seeking solace from hurts inflicted by others.
You must ask yourself if those wounds
were self-inflicted. Did you stay too long
when you knew you should go? Did you not
return when you had messages that you were
needed? There are so many ways we can
harm ourselves, but the worst of all is guilt.

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We heap blame upon ourselves when we can’t
undo what’s been done. Remorse for things
said or unsaid, all of this must be dealt with
when we seek healing. The message of this
card is, you can be healed, but first you must
forgive yourself.
• If I were to write a letter asking for forgive-
ness, what would it say?
• If I would write a letter telling someone I
forgive them, what would I say?
• What do I need to let go of in order to heal?

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she who doubts:
ENID
Fear, Wariness, Trust

enid, she who doubts, is learning how to

let go of mistrust. She has scars, both visible
and invisible, that have held her back from
living fully. She carries an ornate emerald
pendant, which is said to promote the truth.
It calms the wearer and restores self-esteem.
Even though Enid is young, she knows that
allowing doubt to hold her back will only
harm herself. With the cautious eye of a wary
doe, Enid ventures back out into the world.
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The message of this card is to examine your
own doubts. We all have been injured by life
in one way or another. If we continue to hide
in the shadows, then we allow those who did
us injustices to win. Now is the time to let go
of old misgivings and learn to trust again.
Wariness is not a bad thing unless you are
using it to give yourself permission to hide
from life. Put on a trusty talisman, slip your
scarf from your ears so all your senses are
engaged, and trust in your own unique power.
• Who or what am I hiding from?
• How do my fears limit me?
• Where do I need to place my trust?

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she who surr enders:
ESTAFANIA
Chains, Bondage, Release

estafania, she who surrenders,

rereads an old letter from someone who hurt
her long ago. Clutching the response to her
breast, she allows herself to be overcome by
the agony yet again. Her bower has become
her prison. Iron shackles bind her in this spot.
Wrapped around her, this black cable weighs
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her down. What she hasn’t realized yet is that
the chains are of her own making. By holding
on to regret, anger or fear, she has forged
heavy links tying her to her past. No one can
release her save herself. And save herself is
what she must do. To do that, she must let go
of the past.
The lesson of this card is that when we
surrender to the losses of the past we strangle
ourselves with sorrow. It reminds us that
when we let the ropes of past hurts turn into
anchors, they only hold us back. Your task is
to carefully review things from the past. If
they cause you pain, you must let them go.
It’s like a paper cut that won’t heal because
you keep touching it. Put the past in the
past where it belongs. Breaking this chain of
misery will not be easy, but you’ve been given
the chance to start anew. Don’t let misery
detain you from your amazing life.
• Am I surrendering to old pain or
releasing it?
• If I could write a letter to one person who
hurt me, what would I say?
• Which chain link can I break today?

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