Cries of the Souls Oracle, by Isabelle Nerf and illustrated by Daphne Sebbane
Rockpool Publishing, 192278673X, 144 pages, 42 cards, March 2025
Cries of the Souls Oracle, authored by Isabelle Nerf and illustrated by Daphne Sebbane, offers readings filled with meaningful insight and emotional depth. This is a deck to discover new facets of the soul, especially those pieces that have been hurt, hidden, and are crying out for attention. Specifically designed to be a tool for readers to discover their inner power, the thoughtful insights within this deck will guide you in discovering your wounds and blocks to gently release and transform them.
“The wounds you carry inside you can block you on your path. This is a part of life, but you don’t have to live with them as pain. Even if you can’t erase your wounds, you can accept them and create a new relationship with them that will accompany you on a path towards peace and well-being.”1
It’s not always easy to delve into shadow work. Many opt for decks that offer a positive affirmation to counter the pain, but in my experience, the only way to truly offer a soothing balm to what ails our soul is by taking the time to settle in and quietly listen to what this part of us needs to say. This deck is a perfect way to communicate with our inner needs, offering the messages that it might be too difficult or troublesome for us to discover on our own. In many ways, this deck feels like a trust companion or guide who is willing to hold your hands while you venture into emotional vulnerability.
There’s something so relieving about naming the block or pain that’s been holding us back. Each time I’ve used the deck, asking what obstacle is holding me back that day or seeking insight into a certain situation, the card I’ve pulled immediately made intuitive sense and I felt a weight being lifted off my shoulders. My burden was no longer mine to carry alone; Nerf’s meaningful messages offer a fresh perspective.
For each card, within the guidebook Nerf offers a mantra, a piece of wisdom to understand the reason for the block and the role it plays in your life, supplemental guidance about how the wound can bring positivity or protect you, a warning that helps you to define your relationship with the wound to promote self-acceptance, and insight on moving forward by creating a new relationship with your wound to reclaim your power. What I found interesting about the guidebook entries is how they’re written in first-person, as though the wound is speaking directly to you.
Here’s an example of a reading that was very significant for me: I was struggling in my relationship to my grandmother. She’s over fifty years my elder and our viewpoints on what is expected of me as a woman and mother differ vastly. I have been struggling with her critical remarks about my parenting and endless barragement of disapproval in regard to my life choices. I’ve felt torn between maintaining family harmony and being true to myself.
And would you believe the card I pulled? Family Loyalty. The mantra on this card reads “I am myself.”2 In the Wisdom section of the guidebook, the wound says “I may not consider your needs, dreams and passions as having any importance, especially if they diverge from family conventions.”3 This is exactly what my wound was telling me: I was a failure, I could never succeed at what I want in life even if I tried, and that my path was one of self-indulgence.
I deeply resonated with Nerf’s writing, which highlighted how this wound really shows up when we’re doubting our path, providing an excuse to not take a risk and follow a beaten path instead. I love the ideas for moving forward, which include listing what is great about myself and my dreams, even vision boarding them as a reminder, so that I can focus my energy on these projects and diminish the energy of the wound. The one line that really stood out for me was this one:
“Assert yourself and dare to show your identity and creativity to the world, because the more you do so the more you’ll diminish my power over you and future generations. Live your own life and set aside the codes that don’t work for you.”4
This “dialogue” with the wound really made me feel more confident again. Yes, I am always going to feel the pressure of my family, but by acknowledging this wounding I can learn to stand in my own power and create a new path that feels aligned with my soul.
The cards themselves are simply beautiful. The only colors used in the deck are black, tan, and coral. The back of the cards shows two hands holding roses with an eye on each palm; there’s sketches of teardrops and stars surrounding them. The whole deck is gilded with a black edging that makes for a smooth shuffle.
As for images on the cards themselves, Sebbane has done a wonderful job choosing potent symbols to represent the energy of each card. Looking at the images invokes feeling, even in their simplicity, and I feel like one could use the images as talisman for protection. At the bottom of the card is the title and mantra, encased in a box, once again giving definition and emotional clarity to each pull. The artwork is both ethereal and grounded, drawing the reader into a world where the spiritual realm comes to life. This makes the deck visually appealing and enhances the intuitive experience by providing visual cues that resonate with the reader’s subconscious.
Overall, working with Cries of the Souls Oracle has been a moving experience. The insightful interpretations provided by Nerf, combined with Daphne Sebbane’s symbolic illustrations, create a powerful tool for self-reflection and reclaiming one’s power. This deck offers more than just answers—it provides a pathway to understanding the needs of one’s soul and encourages readers to listen to their inner voice and connect with their emotions, fostering a deeper understanding of themselves and wounds that need tending. I highly recommend this deck to readers of all skill levels. The content is accessible thanks to Nerf’s creative approach in writing the guidebook, offering insight into the depths of one’s inner landscape.
Alanna Kali is an astrologer, numerologist, and pioneer spirit that loves to explore life through the lens of depth psychology. She has a passion for studying the humanities and social trends. Her academic work is centered upon reuniting body, mind, and spirit through eco-psychology. She loves reading, spending time in nature, and travel.