This set of 40 charming cards contains small signs and encouragement imbued with magic from every corner of the garden. Take refuge from daily life within the secret mazes, rose trellises, strange statues and fairy gates. As the commotions of the outside world fade away, what secrets will you uncover?

From Secret Garden product description

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Secret Garden is the first inspirational deck I have ever bought. What I like about it is that It is beautifully straightforward. This feature makes it an excellent choice for daily or weekly draws, especially if you don't want to think too much. For example, I put my weekly card on my refrigerator with a magnet. There, it can share its wisdom with me whenever I'm in the kitchen. It's a nice reminder of the message of the week.

Everything about this deck's design is refreshingly simple, allowing readers to incorporate drawing the cards into their daily routine without fuss. The cards are crafted to offer clear and accessible guidance. You don't need any experience or guidance to use them.

Secret Garden's messages are insightful, grounded, and practical. They provide a down-to-earth perspective that resonates well with everyday experiences. Each card immediately delivers relevant and applicable wisdom, ensuring the insights gained are meaningful and actionable. This no-frills approach allows the deck to shine in its simplicity, proving that sometimes the most profound guidance comes from the most straightforward tools.

Pros	Cons
+ Cute art style + Down-to-earth messages	- A bit more variation in the border art would have been a bonus

About the Author

Jessica Le is a talented graphic designer and illustrator with a notable background in the publishing industry. Her career includes a role at Rockpool Publishing in Sydney, where she contributed to designing and producing their front-list titles. Jess holds a Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication with First Class Honours from UTS, and her passion for illustration is evident in her dreamy, storybook-inspired artwork, influenced by early 20th-century styles.

In addition to her design work, Jess is a published illustrator and author, with works such as the Whispering Woods Mini Inspiration Cards (2017), Sea Melodies (2018), Secret Garden Mini Cards (2020), and Star Light Mini Cards (2022), which have reached audiences in Australia, the USA, and France. Her interest in bookplate design is reflected in her membership with The New Australian Bookplate Society. Jess is open to freelance opportunities for bookplates, covers, and illustrations, welcoming inquiries from potential collaborators.

Cards and the Artwork

The Secret Garden deck is a sanctuary of tranquillity. It features 40 enchanting cards imbued with a touch of magic drawn from the hidden wonders of a lush garden. The theme beckons you to escape the chaos of daily life, and the deck's cute art style and minimalistic approach ensure a captivating experience. However, I would have liked to learn more about this promised garden. Perhaps some short stories or something would have been a nice addition.

The art within the deck is a delightful blend of charm and subtlety, capturing the essence of a garden steeped in mystery and magic. Each card is surrounded by a border filled with flowers, and a small picture in the lower left corners is related to the card's message. While this minimalism doesn't quite live up to the promise of "Take refuge from daily life within the secret mazes, rose trellises, strange statues, and fairy gates," I don't mind that much. I just wished there would have been more variation in the borders.

The Guidebook of Secret Garden

The Secret Garden does not have a guidebook, nor does it necessarily need one. Each card is perfect just the way it is, and the meanings are immediately understandable. These cards allow readers to connect with the message without needing additional instruction. This deck is crafted to be a standalone source of inspiration and insight, and I suspect you could combine it with the other decks by the same author. It's up to you how you want to interpret the words given to you. Just sit back and enjoy the journey, as the deck box suggests.

If there were a guidebook, I would have liked it to include more information about the titular secret garden. What is it, and what happens there? The secret mazes and magic got my attention, and I would have liked to learn more about them. But that might just be the fantasy nerd in me talking. Perhaps the secret garden is our own mind with its mysteries.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Secret Garden inspirational deck by Jessica Le offers a refreshingly simple and insightful experience for both newcomers and experienced users. The deck's cute art style, down-to-earth messages, and minimalistic approach make it an excellent choice for daily or weekly draws. While the deck does not come with a guidebook, the cards are designed to be a standalone source of inspiration, allowing readers to connect with the messages and interpret them uniquely without needing additional instruction. Overall, the Secret Garden deck provides immediately relevant and applicable wisdom, making it a valuable tool for personal reflection and growth.

Secret Garden - Enchanting Messages From Quiet Spaces

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