Transformation Sparks Hope

Inner Child Cards Interview: Aeclectic Tarot with Isha Lerner

I dreamed I was a little gnome or tree-like being — short, gnarly and old, with very crooked fingers and fantasy-like. I was with a male partner of the same origin and we were sitting behind a large wooden slat, perhaps a fallen tree, working with the Tarot cards. There was a line, miles long, of little people waiting to have us look at their cards. It was quiet, mystical and full of nature and bird song. I awoke with a deep truth within — this dream was a vision. It resonated deeply and showed me one of my lifetimes with the cards. I hold the dream dear to my heart as I have a very earthy and natural experience with the Tarot.

For over thirty years, I have studied, created and played with the archetypes within the 78 card deck and I continue to learn and expand my understanding of the cards. They are an endless source of wisdom and teachings for me.

1) What originally brought you to the world of Tarot?

Isha: My experience with the Tarot happened in an organic and natural way. I didn’t go out looking for the Tarot, nor did I make a conscious decision that I wanted to study and learn Tarot. It appeared naturally in my life in my late teens and continued to grow as an interest and a passion. I had a profound dream in my early twenties that invoked a deep curiosity within. In a way, this dream confirmed to me the reality that I had worked with the Tarot in other lifetimes. I do not profess to know the exact way in which past lives effect our present life, but I have come to believe that there is a chord or thread that connects a soul’s journey from life time to life time.

2) In general, when using your decks I always feel I’ve taken a tour not only around the world but also through history. What of your personal background do you believe contributes to this sense of journey as one uses your decks?Isha: My hope is that the decks I have created may expand one’s understanding of archetype and the mystery of humanity. They are endless teachers and the wisdom held within the context of the 78 cards is infinite. My truest belief is this: The Tarot is encoded in our DNA as a source or guideline to follow as we progress as living beings on earth. I believe the Tarot has been passed down perhaps from other planets and is a perfect representation of the individuation process, the same process found in folklore and fairy tales. This is the passion behind the Inner Child Cards: A Fairy Tale Tarot.

3) What separates the first edition of the Inner Child Cards from the latest edition?

Isha: We decided to make an update in the first two chapters and change the cover on the box as a way to perfect the deck’s appeal. We did find that it might have confused people but it is fulfilling to have attempted to bring the very best of the cards and imagery to the public. I prefer the new box with Little Red Cap on the cover — however, the pink cover with the Child of Wands is still adored by many.

4) My favorite of the Inner Child Cards is Wishing Upon a Star, and before that it was Little Red Riding Hood. What card would you consider as your favorite from this deck and why?

Isha: My favorite card has always been the Earth Child, known as the World Trump 21 in the traditional Tarot. I love the image which represents a soul returning for rebirth — full of love and devoted to a new cycle of service on planet earth.

5) Kat Black, creator of the Golden and Touchstone Tarot, mentioned that in finding the images to be used for her cards, she felt like a casting agent, mulling over art images in her mind for the perfect faces for each card.  Did you find picking the right fairy tales for your cards an easy process or one as equally occupying as Kat’s experience?

Isha: Once the concept of the Inner Child Cards fell into our hearts, the co-author Mark Lerner and myself felt as if each Major Arcana card was a blessed gift or a falling star, falling into our hearts, minds and souls. They all fell into place very quickly and easily and it was so pure and perfect. It was a joy.

6) Do you plan to create another deck? If so, will you be in the process of experimenting with different color hues and pallets than that of the Inner Child Cards?

Isha: I have created several decks since the Inner Child Cards. The Power of Flower Cards, The Triple Goddess Tarot, and the Tarot of the Four Elements. I am in the process of completing another deck, The Castle of the Soul, which is a sequel to the Inner Child Cards. This deck puts the individual in the castle where true love is found. We explore what it is like for us to live within the context of this divine love. Do we accept love or reject it? The cards will help and guide us. You can find all of my decks on my website.

7) I found that the book that comes with the Inner Child Cards to be quite illuminating and would like to know how the Inner Child Cards workbook is different, or can add more insight than the LWB included with the cards?

Isha: I wanted to add more information about the mystical meaning of fairy tales, and so the workbook extends my study that includes within the first three chapters ten years of research regarding fairy tales. Each card is given key notes from which to study, as well.

Just recently, I’ve used the Rainbow Layout in a reading and I was astounded by how well this spread works, especially when using Thoth interpretations in conjunction with interpretations.  Do you consider The Inner Child Cards more of a RW deck or does it have its own feel?

Isha: I would say both. If a person is familiar with the Tarot, any deck can be used and understood. This is why I feel it is important for a person to learn the basics of Tarot in order to obtain a deep understanding of the cards from an historical perspective. From there, the individual may extend their repertoire with the Tarot and individualize it.

9) In using the Rainbow Layout to uncover past issues, do you find using flower essences after an Inner Child Card reading helps the querent ease into the needed? If so, which of your flower essences do you feel work well with the nature of the Inner Child Cards?

Isha: I am a huge fan of using flower essences as a follow-through with an Astrology or Tarot session. They assist with so many blocks whether they are emotional, spiritual, mental or physical. I recommend several different flower essences depending on the specific needs and challenges of the individual. However, I will mention a few of my favorites. Buttercup essences illumines the light of the child within and is a warming flower essences for the soul force. Shooting Star helps remind one of his or her own true origins and strengthens one’s relationship to his or her own destiny. And, I adore Iris and Sunflower … terrific essences to align one with confidence and creativity.

10) Why is it that you prefer to read the cards only in their upright meanings?

Isha: I respect each individual’s choice and preference regarding this subject. For myself, I prefer to avoid reversals. Perhaps it is my own personal need. Reversals create duality for me and I seek to avoid duality, which I feel invokes fear. If a person is worried about choosing a reversed card along with the concern of which cards will appear, it will invoke worry. Each painting was created upright, and within this fullness, the whole story of its nature is revealed. If we know the cards well and look deeply enough, we will find whether the card chosen is a challenge or a gift, and whether or not there are parts of our own psyche in need of help, healing and deeper understanding. This process works for me, and when teaching my classes we discuss this thoroughly. I am not biased as to what an individual chooses to do.

11) This is the final part of the interview when I ask for you to pick a deck or a card from a deck on which to reflect, other than the decks you’ve created (preference would be something from my collection, but can also be a deck from your personal collection).  You may comment about the things you like about the deck or things about the deck or card that is also emulated in the Inner Child Cards.

Isha: I have a trusty relationship with the Mother Peace Deck, which is hands-down my favorite Tarot deck besides the Inner Child Cards and the Aquarian Tarot. I have a very old Mother Peace deck that I have used since the early 80’s. I feel it captures the essence of the feminine in a profound yet simple way, and I love the interpretations of the cards. I respect the work of Vickie Noble. I use this deck when a woman is in crisis and in need of a very serious look at her situation. The cards never fail me, and this deck in particular is extremely close to me and special.

Explore the depth and magic of the Inner Child Cards with a Happily Ever After Tarot reading, with text written by Isha Lerner.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 5th, 2009 at 3:00 pm and is filed under Tarot. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.