Cards

[Dragon]

I am not thinking of the usual Tarot type but Oracle cards: plant, tree and animal.
Can the 'meanings' given to each plant, tree or animal be anything deeper than the author's imagination.?
Should the meanings be taken with a 'pinch of salt' ? After all, for example, the meaning for the Hazel Tree Oracle includes " an early grave"
should the reader not follow the advice.

[treegod]

I think what matters is the individuals own associations with the cards and their own intuition. As such these oracles (even the various Tarots) are springboards for our imaginations and intuitions. "Traditional interpretations" also serve the same function; they may evoke certain relevant associations but aren't the actual "meaning" behind the cards, which are better found within oneself.

My favourite definition of divination (cards or otherwise) is confirming what you already know!