The Enchanted Tarot, created by Amy Zerner and Monte Farber, presents a unique and visually sumptuous system of divination that distinguishes itself through a threefold approach to interpreting the cards. First published in 1990 and reissued in subsequent years, this deck and its accompanying guidebook offer a proactive methodology for understanding and navigating life's challenges. Unlike traditional tarot systems that may focus solely on predictive elements, the Enchanted Tarot integrates psychological insight, conscious guidance, and practical ritual work. This comprehensive system is designed to address both the unconscious and conscious minds, facilitating a holistic journey of self-discovery and energetic alignment. The deck itself is a work of art, utilizing handcrafted fabric collage by Amy Zerner, which creates a gentle, evocative, and soothing visual experience. Monte Farber’s textual contributions weave together elements of divination, numerology, and the traditional meanings of the tarot, creating a complete framework for spiritual and personal growth.
The Structure of the Enchanted Tarot System
The core innovation of the Enchanted Tarot lies in its structured interpretation of each card across three distinct levels of consciousness: "The Dream," "The Awakening," and "The Enchantment." This framework moves the seeker from internal, subconscious understanding to external, conscious application, and finally to energetic transformation.
The Dream: Unconscious Allegory
The first level, "The Dream," addresses the unconscious mind. In this section of the guidebook, Monte Farber presents a gentle fable or allegorical story for each card. These narratives are designed to bypass the analytical mind and speak directly to the deeper, intuitive self. The approach is similar to that of Inner Child cards, where mythic storytelling reveals hidden truths and emotional undercurrents. The Dream is not a static interpretation; rather, it is meant to be revisited, with each reading offering a new layer of understanding and deeper knowledge. It allows the seeker to connect with the archetypal energy of the card on a soul level before attempting to rationalize its meaning.
The Awakening: Conscious Guidance
The second level, "The Awakening," translates the allegorical wisdom of "The Dream" into the conscious realm. This section functions as the traditional interpretation found in most tarot guidebooks, offering straightforward discussion and advice. Here, the card's meaning in a reading is clearly defined, addressing the seeker's waking life concerns and providing actionable guidance. For example, the interpretation for the Devil card in this level warns against relying on material objects for self-worth, suggesting that such bondage stems from limited beliefs. It encourages a shift in emphasis from physical concerns to those of the spirit, advocating for the use of visualization, affirmation, and actions in harmony with natural law. This level empowers the seeker with conscious awareness and practical steps to address their current situation.
The Enchantment: Practical Ritual and Healing
The third and most distinctive level is "The Enchantment." This section provides practical, tangible actions the seeker can take to embody the principle or force behind the card. These "enchantments" are healing rituals, charms, chants, and spells designed to align the user's energy with the message of the tarot. These rituals often utilize natural items and simple actions to focus energy and manifest change. The Enchantment is what makes the deck proactive, bridging the gap between understanding and being. It transforms the tarot from a passive divination tool into an active agent of personal transformation.
Specific Examples of Enchantments and Interpretations
The efficacy of the Enchanted Tarot system is best illustrated through the specific examples provided in the source materials. These examples demonstrate how the threefold approach works in practice for different cards and situations.
The Devil Card: Transcending Material Obsession
The Devil card in the Enchanted Tarot is depicted as a mask with dark horns and slitted eyes, gazing down with obsession at the material world.
- The Dream: This level presents the face of evil as a narrative, allowing the seeker to explore the concept of material bondage on a subconscious, allegorical level.
- The Awakening: The conscious interpretation advises that if one needs material objects to feel good, it indicates an inner emptiness and fear of exposure. The guidance is to change the focus from the physical to the spiritual, recognizing that bondage is a result of limited beliefs. The seeker is encouraged to use visualization, affirmation, and actions aligned with natural law to change these beliefs, avoiding deceit.
- The Enchantment: To transcend the obsession indicated by the Devil card, a specific spiritual cleansing ritual is prescribed. The seeker is instructed to choose either clear quartz or amethyst, purify it by washing with salt water, and wipe it dry with a silk cloth. Then, holding the crystal to the lips, one chants: "I wish to transcend my obsession. Help me to see love where I see temptation." The crystal is then placed on the Devil card, creating a physical link between the ritual and the card's energy.
The Death Card: Embracing Change
The Death card is visually unique in this deck, depicting a skeleton standing with hands in pockets and legs crossed, as if about to dance. This imagery softens the traditional fear associated with the card, suggesting a lighter perspective on transformation.
- The Dream: The fable addresses the unconscious fear of change and the natural cycle of endings and beginnings.
- The Awakening: The interpretation guides the seeker to understand that the Death card signifies a necessary transformation, a release of the old to make way for the new.
- The Enchantment: The ritual for the Death card is a 13-day observation and release process. The seeker observes cut flowers as they wither and die over 13 days. At the end of this period, the flowers are taken to a burial site, where a small verbal enchantment is used to release the fear of change that the card indicated was being held. This ritual uses the natural process of decay to mirror and facilitate the internal process of letting go.
The Six of Hearts and Eight of Hearts: Rituals for Joy and Cleansing
The source data also provides examples for the minor arcana cards, specifically the Six of Hearts (Cups) and Eight of Hearts.
- Six of Hearts: The enchantment for this card involves creating a tangible charm for joy. The seeker is instructed to cut out a red paper heart the size of their palm and write a specific rhyme upon it: "Joy to you, joy to me, joy to everyone I see." This simple act serves as a focus for attracting and spreading joy.
- Eight of Hearts: This enchantment focuses on energetic cleansing. The seeker is instructed to burn sage, hold a white feather in the smoke, and sweep it up and down the entire body. This practice is a well-known method for clearing negative energy and purifying one's aura, aligning the seeker with the card's message of release and emotional clarity.
The Visual and Artistic Nature of the Deck
The Enchanted Tarot is described as a "visually sumptuous" and "very pretty" deck. Its unique artistic medium is fabric collage, handcrafted by Amy Zerner. This choice of material gives the cards a texture and depth that is distinct from standard illustrated decks. The use of lace is a notable feature, with specific credits given to a resource for these materials. The imagery is considered evocative and soothing, avoiding the overly bright or bold illustrations that can sometimes distract a reader or crowd a reading with the artist's personal feelings.
The deck employs a distinct color coding for its suits, which reinforces the elemental and healing qualities associated with each:
- Wands: Red
- Hearts (Cups): Purple
- Swords: Blue
- Pentacles: Green
This color scheme is consistent throughout the deck and is intended to represent the healing qualities inherent in each suit. Examples of the artistry include the Three of Hearts, showing a ballerina reflected in mirrors holding a gold heart; the Princess of Swords, depicting a Victorian lady reading a letter in nature; and the Two of Wands, featuring a male figure on a mountaintop with crossed swords and a butterfly. These images, while different from the Rider-Waite-Smith tradition, maintain the archetypal themes of the tarot while offering a unique, charming, and aesthetically pleasing perspective.
Integration of Divination, Elements, and Numerology
While the Enchanted Tarot has its own distinct personality, it remains rooted in traditional tarot systems. Monte Farber’s definitions express the elements and numerology, which are foundational to tarot interpretation. The source data notes a "flavour" from the Thoth Tarot and the Tarot de Marseille tradition, suggesting a depth of symbolism that appeals to serious students of the tarot. However, the deck is accessible to all levels of practitioners, from beginners to experienced readers.
The combination of the cards and the book is presented as a complete system for overcoming problems. The "Awakening" section provides the divinatory definition, while the "Enchantment" offers a practical way to work with the card's energy. This integrated approach helps the seeker not only to understand their situation through divination but also to actively participate in their own healing and resolution. The deck is designed to open up the meaning of the cards for both the reader and the seeker, facilitating a collaborative and insightful reading experience. The absence of inverted definitions in "The Awakening" section simplifies the learning process, focusing on the core energy of each card.
Conclusion
The Enchanted Tarot stands as a comprehensive and proactive tool for divination and personal growth. Its unique threefold structure of The Dream, The Awakening, and The Enchantment provides a complete pathway from subconscious insight to conscious understanding and finally to active energetic transformation through ritual. The deck’s gentle and beautiful fabric collage artistry, combined with Monte Farber’s integration of traditional tarot elements, numerology, and psychological fables, creates a system that is both deeply insightful and practically applicable. By offering specific enchantments for cards such as The Devil, Death, and various minor arcana, the Enchanted Tarot empowers seekers to embody the principles of the cards, facilitating healing and change. It is a system designed not just for passive prediction, but for active participation in one's spiritual and personal journey, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to navigate life's challenges with grace and intention.