Name of Deck: Inner Child Cards- A Fairy-Tale Tarot

Creator: Isha Lerner and Mark Lerner

Illustrator: Christopher Guilfoil

Cost: $34.95 US

Fables and fairy tales are often moral lessons to be learned and carried throughout life’s journey. As we grow older, we forget about these stories and the Inner Child Cards remind us of these lessons in magnificent, Technicolor usage of fairy-tale images. The combination of fairy tale personalities and the teachings of human psychology found in the Tarot make for famed narratives useful to any Tarot user.

In this deck the four suites are Wands (depicted as butterflies), Swords, Hearts (depicted as winged hearts), and Crystals. In traditional Tarot, Cups always represent emotions and this is where the Lerners have integrated the icon of Hearts. I especially enjoy the switch from Pentacles to Crystals in this deck as it conveys the full meaning of prosperity: material, earthly, physical, and emotional. Other changes include the royal court where Child=Page, Seeker=Knight, Guide=Queen, Guardian=King and the naming of the individual major arcana cards reflecting the themes behind many fables (i.e. Hansel and Gretel as the Lovers, The Yellow Brick Road as Strength, Cinderella as the Moon , etc.).

The large book included with this deck serves as the illuminating waters for the cards. The book, about 291 pages, gives one a complete explanation of the cards the way the creators have envisioned them. Also, there are six highly innovative card layouts presented by the Lerners: the CHILD, Hopscotch (a Kabbalah Tree of Life spread), Wishing Well, Rainbow, Spiral Staircase, and a simple new take on the three-card spread layout called What’s Around the Corner.

The Rainbow spread is described as a sevenfold system of cards. After fanning out the cards choose seven from the fan. The meanings for the cards are as follows:

• 1= Physical
• 2= Emotional
• 3= Mental
• 4=S piritual Synthesis (Heart)
• 5= Future Mental
• 6= Future Emotional
• 7= Future Physical

Cards 1-3 represent your physical, emotional, and mental development in the recent past

Card 4 signifies the synthesis of this growth or experience right now.

Cards 5-7 symbolize reflections of your future mental, emotional, and physical development. There is a link between cards 1 and 7, 2 and 6, 3 and 5.

Recently I was able to do the rainbow spread on someone who was currently undergoing issues with alcoholism. Working backward on this spread with the cards pulled, we were able to pinpoint some of the issues in the past that had amplified her current issues with alcoholism. Any blockages (reversed cards) on the past side of the spread (cards 1 through 3), were linked to the issues or blockages (reversed cards) found on the future side of the spread (cards 5 through 7). For example, if a reversed card is in position 6, then one would look at position 2 for any meanings and significance and vice versa. This is such a profound spread in doing psychology work, but the Lerners also find this spread especially helpful for health issues.

Inner Child Cards appeal and work best for those who are familiar with fables and fairy-tales. The stories/symbols associated with each card allow for deeper meditation and meaning. Those who love bright colors will be drawn to this deck. Those who are really interested in the way color, numbers, and astrology work in the Tarot will find this deck amazing as the accompanying book taps into the culmination of these ancient traditions. This is an excellent purchase for the experienced Tarot muse looking for something deeper yet unique, and also for the non-experienced Tarot user fascinated by fairy-tales and fables.

Love and Light,

Remi Daily