Site for Tarot Decks and Children.

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 19 Jun 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

aeonx	19 Jun 2002
Greetings. I just found this site about tarot decks and children: Tarot Decks and Children which seems pretty good. It's a short text on the theme and pictures from several decks that they think fit children. Check it out! :) ~aeonx~

Diana	19 Jun 2002
edited

Maan	19 Jun 2002
Voyager for kids???? Interesting choice I'm with you on this Diana, i do't get why nudity is harmful for kids. Or adults for that matter. There is nothing more natural

Jeannette	19 Jun 2002
aeonx: What a wonderful page! I've become very interested in tarots that are well-suited for work with children over the last few years, for two reasons: 1) Taliesin, age 7 2) Danielle, age 3 :) LOL! My prides-and-joys!!! We have a classification in the Tarot Garden database for "Children's" tarots, although the criteria I've applied for defining "children's" is primarily actual children's "themes" (fairy tales, children-at-play, etc.), so our list would differ in many ways from the list given on the lelandra.com site. However, the point is well-taken: if you want to engage children with tarot, any deck with bright, colorful, simple (to surface appearances) illustrations is a potential candidate. The list you've directed us to is a wonderful compilation of possibilities. Actually, my 3-year-old works with the "Gill" tarot -- but that's because she's still in the "bend-and-mangle-the-cards" stage, and that deck was an extra I had that was missing a card. Although I certainly want to encourage her exposure to tarot, I didn't want to give her a "good" (as in "complete") deck until she's old enough to treat the cards with gentle respect. Anyway, here's a few selections I would definitely add to the lelandra.com list: Kinder Tarot (Germany) Children Tarot (Italy / Lo Scarabeo) i Tarocchi delle Fiabe (Italy / Lo Scarabeo) Arcani Fiabeschi (Italy) The Children's Tarot: The Road is a River (U.S.A.) (The definition of these 22 cards as a tarot is very "borderline," IMHO) Le Tarot d'Or (France) Tarot of Oz (U.S.A. / Llewellyn) Schutzengel Tarot (Germany) If there's anyone who works with tarot with their children, I'd love to hear some stories! -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com P.S. -- The picture of the "Empress" in the "Kinder Tarot" looks just like my daughter! No wonder I chose it as the "front page sample card" for the Tarot Garden database, eh? LOL! :D

Starfish	19 Jun 2002
Aeonx & Jeanette - Thank you so much for posting the linka! I love them :) My 9 year old expressed interest after I did a reading for her earlier this week. Now, to let her view them and pick out a deck for herself (or even let her play with my brand spanking new Whimsical deck, that I picked up at Borders today). :TQC Starfish

truthsayer	19 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Diana What's their issue with nudity? I just can't figure what's wrong with a naked body! What's naughty about genitals?? This site must be sponsored by John Ashcroft (for those who don't know, he's the new US Attorney General who is covering up all the "naughty parts" of the beautiful statues in his building with cloths or figleaves or something). And children LOVE scary cards - they love all those horror stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel (wow, the latter is REALLY scary!). you know, i must really be uninformed b/c i need ppl from other countries to tell me what's in the news! LOL what you said about john ashcroft is both hilarius and frightening. no doubt he is a member of the christian coalition. i will have to check this out. only in america, huh? please don't count me in w/ this side of the US!!!!!! i really have issue w/ the owner of the website calling genitals "naughty" parts. what's naughty and unnatural about sex? it's attitudes like that that lead kids to be ashamed of their bodies and have sexual hang-ups as adults. personally, i think if i were to show my 5 and 7 & 8 year old neice and nephews the "naughty" cards and i didn't make anything of it, they'd just laugh and maybe say "i see her boobies!" or something like that. but it wouldn't be too much for them to handle. they might be uncomfortable w/ death and the devil but they'd probably just tell me,"i don't like that card!". they would probably include the "scarey" card in the story b/c how do you tell a balanced story w/o light and shadow? maybe using the death card might be a less frightening way to talk about death particularly in decks w/ less intense death cards. i think kids enjoy making ups stories about the cards. i think children who are sheltered too much from the world have a more difficult time learning to cope as they grow up. if it's brought up slowly and naturally then some things are easier to deal w/. there is a potential for abuse in anything. if parents take the time to explain about good touch and bad touch instead of naughty parts which has a high potential to be shaming then communication is more open b/t parent and child if something happens. if i won't show a certain deck to all adults i certainly wouldn't show that deck to a child.

mondk	19 Jun 2002
The reason I ask is that I have a 5 year old son who has already expressed an interest, but I am afraid all the decks I have, some of the meanings would be beyond his comprehension. He does meditate with me though, quite well. And he knows how to "protect" himself...by using his angels and asking for their help. So, when is an average good age? Blessings, Michelle

AutumnMoonfire	19 Jun 2002
I do understand those of you who are saying "what's wrong with nudity?" I would still hesitate to give a kid a deck with frank nudity in it...I can imagine the phone call now "your child brought a pornographic tarot deck to my childs's house!" LOL Much easier not to have those conversations! John Ashcroft is the son of a pentacostal preacher....

truthsayer	19 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by AutumnMoonfire I would still hesitate to give a kid a deck with frank nudity in it...I can imagine the phone call now "your child brought a pornographic tarot deck to my childs's house!" LOL******************yeah, i can understand wanting to avoid that kind of conversations. kinda hard to explain tarot to child welfare folks.*************************** ... John Ashcroft is the son of a pentacostal preacher.... ***well, that explains a lot that i was guessing about. again this is a scarey man to have as much power as he does.<<>>************

AutumnMoonfire	19 Jun 2002
It kinda says something about the people of Missouri would rather send a dead man to the senate the re-elect Ashcroft. At least under the parlimentary system you can call early elections if it gets too bad...we're stuck till 2004 (or longer)

Violet Gargoyle	19 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by AutumnMoonfire I do understand those of you who are saying "what's wrong with nudity?" I would still hesitate to give a kid a deck with frank nudity in it...I can imagine the phone call now "your child brought a pornographic tarot deck to my childs's house!" LOL I avoided that with my daughter by getting her the Cardcaptor Sakura deck. (It's WB Approved!) I have one of my own too. She is just more interested in copying me I think, she does layouts of cards but doesnt know what they mean, except pick out some of the words.....

aeonx	20 Jun 2002
I didn't read what was on the site properly. I just thought it seemed like a good site for children... ~aeonx~

aeonx	20 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Diana I realise from it that there is really an ocean between Europe and the States, and not only the Atlantic ocean. I don't agree with you on this one, Diana. I think you would have to say 'Switzerland' instead of 'Europe'. It's not like this in Norway, for instance, and I don't have this view of most countries in Europe either. ~aeonx~

Maan	20 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by aeonx I don't agree with you on this one, Diana. I think you would have to say 'Switzerland' instead of 'Europe'. It's not like this in Norway, for instance, and I don't have this view of most countries in Europe either. ~aeonx~ Switzerland and The Netherlands...maybe Germany < Catlin? But whe arequite liberal in many ways ;)

Maan	20 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by aeonx I didn't read what was on the site properly. I just thought it seemed like a good site for children... ~aeonx~ Don't worry.. you got a nice discussion started didn't you :) :*

aeonx	20 Jun 2002
Thanks Maan. :) It was an unintetionally started discussion! :D ~aeonx~

Kiama	20 Jun 2002
Hmmm... I also have come across the obstacles which can come of children, nudity, Tarot and the evil and Death cards... I hav com o the conclusion that it all depends on how each child is rased. For instance, there is no way on this Earth that I would let the daughter of ou local vicar look at the Cosimc Tribe deck, jut as there is no way I would let my little sisters look at my Manara Erotc. (Although I will let them take a peek at the Cosmic Tribe). Some parenrts raise their kids to see nudity as rong and dirty, and I am not going to go against thewir judgement by showng their kids a deck with exceessive nudity. However, I do not think that cards litkethe Loers and Star, esp. if they are not photographi should be frowned upon. After all, they are cartoon-like in essence... For my own childre, hen I have them :P, I wil raise them to see nudity as natura, andi ill be no more abnormal than walking around clothed. But for other kds, I would hesitate at showing themcertain deck, but I wouldn't pick decks esp. for them. My view on this isthat they pick the deck themseleves. I don't go saying that'thi deck is for kids, this one isn't'.... The list in that artcile was good and fairly comprehensive, but I would also say that any deck as long as it does not have an erotic/sexual themesuch as the Manara Erotic, and possibly as long as it didn't have photogrpahi nudity (Depends on thekids tho), could still be used. I wouldn't deny kids things like the Rider Wite, Thoth, Robin Wod, etc, just cuz some cards have nudity n the. Sorry fo the rant! Kiama

aeonx	20 Jun 2002
You are welcomed to rant any time you want, Kiama! :D I agree with you, it depends on the child and how it's raised. I wouldn't give the Cosmic Tribe to all children either. Some are more fragile than others. I also don't think it's neccessary to be open about nudity, and sex, towards ones child, at all times. Some things still remain best as 'secrets'. I would never say, do or forbid anything that would damage my childs self-esteem or opinon of his/hers body. However, I wouldn't have nudity in their face all the time either. Relax, I am not saying that some of you mean this! I'm simply putting an edge to what I mean. It was a discussion on children, nudity and sexuality in a newpaper not long ago. A professor stated here that the childs 'playing around with itself' was positive, and helped the child gain a better relationship to its body. If parents accidentaly 'discovered' what the child was doing, and yelled at it, the child would then be sexually damaged. This professor also suggested that kindergardens made their own 'play-rooms' for 'doctor-games'... Come on!! I absolutely agree that one should not yell at children for touching their private parts, but we don't need to create special rooms for this either! What an outragous suggestion! The parents should guide their children through life, giving advice and help, also when it comes to sexuality and nudity. Maybe especially when it comes to this. Low self-esteem can destroy so much! Hm. Seems like I'm ranting as well here. Hope you all get what I mean. ~aeonx~

Diana	20 Jun 2002
edited

aeonx	20 Jun 2002
I agree with you too, Diana, and I see your points in this discussion. Actually, I think everybody participating here has valid opinions. I'm also glad there's no big misunderstandings. (So we don't have to go up and below each other, like Lee and Umbrae in the thread 'Why do they come to us part 2'. *lol* Have you read this? :D ) ~aeonx~

Major Tom	20 Jun 2002
Here's a link to an article about tarot and children with a rather different (and refreshing) point of view: http://www.tarotconsultant.com/April2002/tarotandchildren.shtml

Maan	20 Jun 2002
Like that link very much! Thank you Major Tom :)

Diana	20 Jun 2002
edited

Lee	20 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Diana Maybe I'll hop over to the thread you mentioned and see if they'll let me join in the fun!:D Please do! :) -- Lee

Kiama	20 Jun 2002
Major Tom, I agree that the article is very refreshing, and certainly inspirational! (I'm gonna makeup some of those gift baskets for my little sisters...) Aeonx: I can see your point, don't worry, I wasn't offended... I agree that such things shouldn't be flaunted in ids' faces, cuz that would probably scare them even more... I guess my main point was to act natural about it all. Not emphasise it either way... Kiama

aeonx	20 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Diana Oh shucks! And here I was sitting with my bullet-proof jacket in this terrible heat, just in case, and what am I going to do with all the sand-bags and barbed-wire I've just set up around my house? Maybe I'll hop over to the thread you mentioned and see if they'll let me join in the fun! :D *ROFLMAO* I can picure that! :D ~aeonx~

truthsayer	20 Jun 2002
between major tom's link and the one from aeonx, there is a fairly balanced view of tarot and children. both show different extremes so somewhere in that is a balance. this has been a great thread that i've found very interesting! i don't want anyone to feel like wearing a bullet proof vest, etc. (that was very funny, diana) i like being able to show different viewpoints like we do. :) i love the idea of tarot gift baskets, too! it sounds like such fun!!!

Violet Gargoyle	20 Jun 2002
That could be fun, and an excuse for me to go to the mall! Each basket includes a decorative box to store them in, a larger box to store that and the companion book, a recommended complementary book, plus a silk cloth and perhaps a placemat and candle with candle holder, a cd of nature sounds, a crystal etc. Make some themes, fairy tales, celtic, disco, anime, and you got gifts for the variety. I think I have found Yule gifts for a few people this year, thanks!

wavebreaker	20 Jun 2002
I've got a basket in my living room with toys for when my 3-year old niece comes over. She knows where the basket is and always goes straight for it when she comes in. Maybe I should put a Whimsical Tarot in it? ;) I've got no idea however what my brother and sister-in-law think about tarot, they don't even know I'm using it (nobody in my family knows).

Jeannette	20 Jun 2002
Wow -- the posts on this thread are coming faster than I can read them! You snooze, you lose, I guess -- LOL! :) However, I wanted to add my "thanks" to Major Tom. That article about helping kids develop a positive understanding of tarot was fantastic! I've bookmarked it for future reference. -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

aeonx	21 Jun 2002
I love the idéa of a Tarot Basket! It's great as a Christmas gift! I'll have to remember that. And theme-baskets, what a cool suggestion Violet Gargoyle! I wonder if there is a Winnie the Pooh-deck out there... This along with other Pooh-stuff, like a Pooh-cloth. :D That would certainly make a great gift for children! ~aeonx~

Faerie Lin	21 Jun 2002
I would really enjoy a Winnie The Pooh Tarot Deck (for myself hehe). Done in the classic style, that would be so beautiful. Lin

Emily	03 Apr 2004
Bumping this up. I'm looking around for a tarot deck that my little 7 year old son would like. He's not into fairy's or anything he would consider 'for little girls' lol Its a shame they don't do a Power Rangers or Action Man tarot lol :)

lunakasha	03 Apr 2004
I would highly recommend the Voyager deck for children....it is brightly colored and full of detail...will keep them interested for hours!!! The only drawback is the size of the cards....it is too bad they have not issued a smaller version...not only for kids but for us adults with small or average-sized hands!!! :) :) Luna

baba-prague	03 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Maan Switzerland and The Netherlands...maybe Germany < Catlin? But whe arequite liberal in many ways ;) Czechs are astonishingly relaxed about nudity - it is just not an issue at all. Being Irish (though okay, I lived in the UK for years) I found this a bit startling at first - but I do think it's a really good attitude. I have to add that I would have thought that Baroque Bohemian Cats was ideal for children (and adults hopefully) until I read a post by Kissa pointing out that her children mught take one look and start dressing up their cats! Oh my goodness! It made me laugh but I am also now adding a "do not try this at home" bit at the beginning of the book...

Kissa	03 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by baba-prague I have to add that I would have thought that Baroque Bohemian Cats was ideal for children (and adults hopefully) until I read a post by Kissa pointing out that her children mught take one look and start dressing up their cats! Oh my goodness! It made me laugh but I am also now adding a "do not try this at home" bit at the beginning of the book... Well Baba, we must have a psychic connection here! i actually showed the BBC cards to our oldest girl (soon 4) this morning. I was watching the cards and she came by my side, she was bored and started to annoy the little one (1) so i told her: "come on, jump on my lap, i'll show you nice tarot cards with cats in them". And there she was, choosing the ones she wanted me to click bigger, finding which family cat the BBC looked like (we have 3 cats, my sister 2, my parents 9 and neighbours have some too, so we have many cats to compare to!)... And when we watched the cards i was thinking "i really hope she's not going to grab our boy and put him a doll dress..." He's neutered but that doesn't mean he has to crossdress, uh? So our girl lOVED the "princess" dresses, she told me the Hermit is a queen, the fool is going to fall from the roof, the lovers are a "monsieur chat" and a "madame chat" ;) , on the tower, there's a fat man flying, the sun is a "bébé chat". She saw both the tower and the devil, believe me she's a veeery sensitive little girl (she turns the tv off if she's frightened or bothered by a naughty character even if i tell her it's going to ok at the end!) so i'd definitely say that the BBC gets the thumbs up from the most difficult member of the jury... I still think it's a good idea to add the mention "don't try this at home" on the decks to come ;) Kissa

mysticalowl	03 Apr 2004
I am a teacher who would love to use the tarot cards to help my students tell stories and express themselves. However, there is no way that parents would be ok with cards that have nudity. It doesn't matter what my view might be or whether or not I think it is appropriate. I'm really glad to see that there are a lot of decks out there that I can use for this purpose. Now I can go out and buy a few decks for the soul purpose of experimenting with the stories. This way I can leave my prize reading decks at home. :)

baba-prague	04 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Kissa I still think it's a good idea to add the mention "don't try this at home" on the decks to come ;) Kissa Thanks Kissa, that is all really good to hear (I read the post out to Alex too). Alex's seven year-old is very fascinated with the whole process and began to do her own drawings of "Princess Cats" a while back (though horses are the current obsession). Hers all have very colourful cocktails (with umbrellas and things) in their paws. Like princesses should of course :-) So far she has not tried dressing any cats either, though I think she has considered it with the kittens once or twice. I will put in just a paragraph at the beginning of the book - it won't do any harm and will at least put my mind at rest! It's been hard to get the balance right sometimes. I'm still not sure that the Tower isn't a bit too sad, but I think we managed to keep Death quite funny, but with a serious subtext. "Judgement" is the one I'm now worrying about. The deck needs to work for adults too and I don't want to make it sugary, but it does need to be fun. The nudity thing? Well, this is one good thing about using cats!

Jeanette	04 Apr 2004
Is the link for the tarot consultant article still valid? This was posted by Major Tom: Here's a link to an article about tarot and children with a rather different (and refreshing) point of view: http://www.tarotconsultant.com/Apri...dchildren.shtml

The Site for Tarot Decks and Children. thread was originally posted on 19 Jun 2002 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.