The Enchanted Tarot, created by Amy Zerner and Monte Farber, represents a unique and visually captivating approach to the ancient practice of tarot divination. First published in 1990 and re-released for its 25th anniversary in 2017, this deck distinguishes itself through its collage-style artwork, which utilizes various fabrics handcrafted by Amy Zerner. It is described as visually sumptuous and pretty, inviting users to lose themselves in its rich imagery. While the deck shares thematic elements with the traditional Rider-Waite system, it also draws flavor from the Thoth Tarot and the Tarot de Marseille tradition, yet maintains its own distinct and charming personality.
The core philosophy of The Enchanted Tarot is centered on the concept of divination as a means to connect with the "spark of the Divine" that resides within each individual. The cards and their associated meanings are designed to trigger insights from one's Higher Self. This Higher Self is understood to provide guidance through what might be perceived as irrational hunches, intuitions, and flashes of inspiration, thereby making everyday life feel extraordinary. The methodology emphasizes that the power of intention and concentration is paramount. Whether using physical cards or an electronic version, the act of shuffling and selecting a card while focusing on a specific question creates a meaningful link between the query and the card drawn, guided by the user's own Higher Self. This process is believed to work consistently, as affirmed by the creators' years of experience.
A defining feature of The Enchanted Tarot system is its proactive and holistic nature, which extends far beyond simple fortune-telling. The accompanying book is a crucial component, offering a complete system for both divination and healing. Each card provides three distinct layers of information designed to address different aspects of the user's consciousness:
- The Dream: This section addresses the unconscious mind, relaying a tale or narrative associated with the card's archetype.
- The Awakening: This part speaks to the conscious mind, offering direct advice, guidance, and practical interpretations for the situation at hand.
- The Enchantment: This is perhaps the most unique element, linking the unconscious and conscious minds through specific, actionable rituals. These "healing rituals, charms, chants and spells" are designed to help the user embody the principle or force behind the card, facilitating a deeper, more transformative experience.
This three-tiered approach allows the user not only to understand the card's message but also to actively engage with its energy for personal growth and healing. For instance, the enchantment for the Death card—which indicates a fear of change—suggests a 13-day ritual involving observing cut flowers as they wither and die, culminating in a burial ceremony with a verbal enchantment to release the fear of change.
The Enchanted Tarot is therefore presented not merely as a tool for divination, but as a comprehensive guide for overcoming problems. Its value for a tarot student lies in this integrated system, which provides a clear path for understanding a situation, receiving guidance, and then performing a tangible ritual to align one's energy with the desired outcome. The deck is considered a "proactive" system, offering a pleasant and healing journey for those on the tarot path. It is a complete system that combines the art of divination with the science of self-healing, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to navigate life's challenges with greater clarity and spiritual alignment.
The Mechanics of Divination
The fundamental principle behind using The Enchanted Tarot for divination is the connection between the user's conscious intention and the symbolic language of the cards. The process is straightforward yet requires a specific state of mind. When a user wishes to consult the cards, they are advised to calm their mind and sincerely ask their Higher Self for guidance regarding a specific question or situation. The act of electronically shuffling and selecting a card, or physically shuffling and drawing one, is performed at the precise moment of this focused concentration.
This simultaneous action is what forges the connection. The user's state of mind at the moment of selection is seen as implying a future course of events related to the query. The power of intention and concentration links the question and the chosen card together in a meaningful way. This method operates on the belief that the Higher Self guides the user to select the card that holds the precise message needed at that moment. This principle applies equally to physical decks and online versions, as the efficacy is rooted in the user's internal state rather than the physical nature of the cards themselves.
The purpose of this divination is not simply to predict a fixed future, but to "get in touch with the spark of the Divine that is within you." The insights gained are intended to be those that come from a deeper, more intuitive place—the part of the self that provides guidance through hunches and inspiration. This approach empowers the user, framing the reading as a conversation with their own inner wisdom, facilitated by the archetypal imagery of the tarot.
The Unique Structure of the Deck and Its Interpretations
The Enchanted Tarot's structure is built upon the traditional framework of the Major and Minor Arcana, but its interpretive system is what truly sets it apart. The deck is a collage deck, meaning its imagery is created from a variety of fabrics, all handcrafted by Amy Zerner. This gives the cards a tactile and visually rich quality that is distinct from the painted or drawn art of many other decks.
Monte Farber’s divinatory definitions incorporate elements and numerology, adding layers of meaning to the traditional interpretations. The deck's system is designed to be a complete learning tool. By working with both the cards and the book, users can learn how to actively overcome the problems they are facing. This is achieved through the three-part description for each card:
- The Dream: This narrative component taps into the subconscious, using storytelling to evoke the deeper, mythic resonance of the card's archetype. It is designed to bypass the analytical mind and speak directly to the user's inner world.
- The Awakening: This provides the conscious, rational interpretation. It offers clear advice and guidance, explaining what the card means in the context of the user's question and what actions or mindset shifts might be beneficial.
- The Enchantment: This is the bridge between the subconscious insight and conscious action. It is a practical, ritualistic component that allows the user to embody the energy of the card. These enchantments are healing rituals, charms, chants, or spells that help the user to actively work with the forces represented by the card. For example, the enchantment for the Death card is a ritual to release the fear of change, while enchantments for other cards would be tailored to their specific energies.
This integrated approach transforms a tarot reading from a passive reception of information into an active, participatory process of self-discovery and transformation. It provides a framework for not only understanding a situation but also for engaging with its underlying energies to facilitate positive change.
The Role of the Higher Self in Readings
Central to the philosophy of The Enchanted Tarot is the concept of the Higher Self. This is described as the part of an individual that connects to the Divine spark within. It is the source of intuition, those "irrational" hunches and flashes of inspiration that guide a person through life. In a tarot reading, the Higher Self is seen as the true guide. The user's focused intention during the card selection process is what calls this Higher Self into action, steering them toward the card that holds the most relevant wisdom for their current query.
This framework demystifies the process of divination. It is not about receiving messages from external, mysterious forces, but about accessing one's own deepest wisdom. The tarot cards act as a catalyst or a language system that allows the Higher Self to communicate through symbols and archetypes. The images and their established meanings "trigger insights" from this inner source. Therefore, the accuracy and relevance of a reading are directly tied to the user's ability to quiet their mind, focus their intention sincerely, and be open to the intuitive guidance that emerges.
This perspective also emphasizes personal responsibility. The insights gained are for the user's own growth and guidance. The Enchanted Tarot system, with its proactive enchantments, further reinforces this by providing tools for the user to actively participate in their own spiritual and emotional healing, based on the guidance received.
The Enchantment as a Tool for Healing and Transformation
The "Enchantment" component is the most innovative and defining aspect of The Enchanted Tarot system. It moves the practice beyond simple divination into the realm of active spiritual and psychological work. These enchantments are not generic spells but are specifically designed to align the user with the core principle or force represented by each card. The purpose is to help the user embody the card's energy, thereby resolving internal conflicts, overcoming obstacles, and fostering personal transformation.
The example of the Death card enchantment illustrates this perfectly. The Death card often signifies endings, transformation, and the fear of change. Instead of simply interpreting this as a negative event, the enchantment provides a structured ritual to process and release the associated fear. By observing the natural process of decay in cut flowers over 13 days, the user is guided to meditate on the nature of impermanence and transformation. The final act of burial and a verbal release ceremony provides a tangible, cathartic experience for letting go of fear.
This method can be applied to all cards in the deck. For example, an enchantment for a card representing a creative block might involve a ritual to honor the elements or a chant to awaken inspiration. For a card about relationship difficulties, it might involve a charm to foster empathy or a ritual to release old patterns. The key is that these enchantments are not passive; they require the user's active participation and engagement with the symbolic meaning of the card. This process creates a powerful synergy between the symbolic world of the tarot and the user's lived experience, facilitating deep and lasting change.
Conclusion
The Enchanted Tarot by Amy Zerner and Monte Farber offers a comprehensive and proactive system for tarot practice that integrates divination with healing and personal transformation. Its unique, fabric-collage artwork provides a visually rich medium for exploring the archetypal themes of the tarot. The system's strength lies in its three-part interpretive structure—The Dream, The Awakening, and The Enchantment—which guides users from intuitive insight to conscious understanding and finally to active, ritualistic engagement. By emphasizing the role of the Higher Self and the power of intention, it frames tarot reading as a tool for accessing one's own inner wisdom. The inclusion of specific enchantments and healing rituals makes it a particularly valuable resource for individuals seeking not only to understand their life's circumstances but also to actively participate in their own spiritual growth and the resolution of challenges.