In Depth: First Aid for Broken Hearts Tarot: Companion for the Wounded Soul

“… After every arduous healing process, we emerge fortified and illuminated, better prepared to face life’s difficulties again…”

– Introduction, First Aid for the Broken Hearts Tarot Guidebook

If you’ve ever turned to tarot in the midst of heartache, you know the cards can be a source of comfort, clarity, and the occasional tough love. First Aid for Broken Hearts Tarot offers a gentle place to land when the soul is shattered, acknowledging the rawness of grief while reminding you that healing is possible.

The Art and Symbolism: Soft and Surreal

The artwork features a muted palette, with pastel washes and delicate illustrations that evoke a dreamlike quality. It blends the quirky and unfamiliar with a soft, surreal world where the rules are bent but never broken. Even when the cards depict the bizarre (like women with crows for heads), it somehow just makes sense.

Pain is present in the imagery—caged figures, Victorian sorrow, misty landscapes—but there’s always hope. A flower growing through a crack, balloons carrying childlike wonder, or birds waiting to welcome the reader back from grief. The deck nods to the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith system but speaks its own language, making it accessible for all levels.

I do suspect that AI may have played a role in the artwork, though the box doesn’t explicitly state it and what little I could find of the author seems to point to them denying any use of AI. However, some images have a slightly uncanny quality—improperly formed details, an extra leg on animals here and there, subtly off proportions, and that telltale digital smoothness on character faces—which might give some readers pause. See the footnote below for more information.

How It Reads: A Gentle but Honest Guide

This deck reads like a best friend who won’t let you wallow forever. It validates pain but encourages growth. Cards acknowledge grief but always suggest a next step, however small.

The guidebook is surprisingly profound, offering clear insights without false sentiment or toxic positivity. It gives words to pain while gently guiding the reader forward, reminding them that healing is a journey, not a destination.

TL;DR

If you process emotions through tarot, this deck is a beautiful companion. It’s ideal for:

• Anyone going through a breakup or loss
• Tarot readers who use their deck for self-care or journaling
• Those who prefer a softer, introspective energy
• Anyone feeling heart-heavy and needing a deck that gets it

This deck may not be for those who:

• Prefer sharp, no-nonsense readings
• Strongly favor traditional Rider-Waite-Smith imagery
• Dislike decks with AI-generated elements

But if you want a tarot deck that holds your hand through tough times, this one may be just what you need.