Once Upon a Time Tarot - tarot told through fairy tales
About the Once Upon a Time Tarot
The Once Upon a Time Tarot is a complete 78-card tarot set. Every card is tied to a specific fairy tale character or scene, such as Puss in Boots, Snow White, or the Big Bad Wolf. The fairy tale imagery sits on top of the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith structure, so each card keeps its original tarot meaning. The guidebook, written by French author Carole-Anne Eschenazi, explains which fairy tale element appears on each card and why that connection was made. She encourages you to start your questions with 'once upon a time...' so you can look at your situation as a story with a beginning, a challenge, and a way forward. Italian illustrator Gaudenzi created the artwork in a rich, colourful style with plenty of detail to explore.
Imagery and themes in the Once Upon a Time Tarot
The cards are densely illustrated with fairy tale scenes: forests, castles, magical encounters, and familiar characters in key story moments. At the same time, the traditional symbols of the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot are present throughout: cups, swords, wands, and pentacles all appear clearly. The themes running through the cards are challenge, growth, temptation, and overcoming difficulty, which mirrors the structure of classic fairy tales. The overall mood is warm and nostalgic. You do not need to know every fairy tale to find your way around the cards.
The creators of the Once Upon a Time Tarot
Carole-Anne Eschenazi is a French author who wrote the guidebook for this tarot set. She connects fairy tale archetypes to the traditional meanings of the tarot in a way that is accessible and thoughtful. Gaudenzi is an Italian illustrator known for bringing tarot imagery to life with colour and detail. The set was published by Lo Scarabeo and Llewellyn.
How to use the Once Upon a Time Tarot
This tarot set works especially well for reflection, particularly when you feel stuck in a pattern you cannot seem to break. The fairy tale figures give familiar situations a new frame, which can help you spot something you had been overlooking. Because the Rider-Waite-Smith symbolism is preserved, you can use any standard tarot reference alongside these cards without needing to relearn meanings. Readers who already know the Rider-Waite-Smith system will find the fairy tale layer adds a new dimension to readings they have done many times before. The guidebook walks you through both the tarot meaning and the fairy tale connection for every card.
Pick a card for a question that is on your mind, read the fairy tale explanation in the guidebook, and then ask yourself: which role am I playing in this story, and what would the hero do next?
Features of the Once Upon a Time Tarot
- Author: Carole-Anne Eschenazi
- Illustrator: Gaudenzi
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo / Llewellyn
- ISBN: 9780738778662
- Type: Tarot, 78 cards (Major and Minor Arcana)
- Card language: English
- Weight: 245 g
- Dimensions: 70 x 120 mm
Expert FAQ about the Once Upon a Time Tarot
Do I need to know the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot before using these cards?
Some prior knowledge of the Rider-Waite-Smith system makes using this set easier. The fairy tale imagery is charming on its own, but the guidebook assumes you are interested in tarot meanings, not just the stories. If you are new to tarot, the guidebook will help you get started. If you already read with Rider-Waite-Smith cards, you will find the fairy tale angle adds something fresh to your practice.
How do the card dimensions of the Once Upon a Time Tarot compare to standard tarot cards?
The cards measure 70 x 120 mm, which is a standard tarot size used by many Lo Scarabeo decks. Most people find this size easy to handle and shuffle. It is neither unusually large nor small for a tarot set.
