Review by for The Enchanted Tarot: Book and Cards Rating:
I have to go with the majority here in praising the artwork of these cards; with their many shapes and textures, they’re undeniably gorgeous. However, for me, that may be part of the problem…there’s simply too much going on in each card, with the result (for me, at least) that the artwork distracts from the meaning. I own several Tarot decks, and this is the only one that I consistently have trouble reading.Another problem (and again, this is for me…as several reviewers have noted, each person has his/her own relationship with different decks) is that with their Victorian-type styling, they’re a bit too “modern” for my taste. Anyone like me who connects strongly with mythical/folkloric archetypes may miss the more traditional symbolism that I’m used to in Tarot decks. I think that is the main reason these cards don’t “speak” to me like other decks do.Many of the reviews have mentioned the positive nature of the illustrations, and I have mixed feelings about this. This positivity does make the cards more non-threatening, but sometimes we need strong warnings about possible dire situations that may lie ahead. The Ten of Swords -should- be a frightening card, but the idea is that the cards surrounding it should give advice as to how to avoid or at least lessen the impact of the situation.I do like the format of the book, although I have to give the same caveat as another reviewer did: Readers should read from the cards, not from the book. However, I think the exercises given in the book do help novice readers to begin to associate the meanings of the cards in their minds.Overall, most of my problems with this deck come down to personal taste. I can certainly see why the deck has drawn so many good reviews, and again, different decks speak to different people. For me, though, this deck is in my collection merely for the artwork, since for divinatory purposes I just don’t connect with it.
Review by for The Enchanted Tarot: Book and Cards Rating:
The Enchanted Tarot is my main deck out of the dozens I now own, and it’s because the symbols are both so immediately accessible and attractive to anyone I read for, plus the images are so tactile/sensual as they are made from fabric collages. None of these cards seem “scary” to the novice, and all offer hours of fun when you study them in depth…they are subtle, sensitive, but in keeping with traditional symbolism. The cards handle well and the descriptions and meanings given are beautifully written. I particularly like the way the book is formatted with the storyline, interpretative meaning and then the “enchantment” at the end – which is like a cross between a spell and an affirmation, useful to the reader to ingrain the feeling tone and positive message of the cards. I would recommend this deck to both the experienced tarot reader and to the novice, which speaks for itself. A must-have in any collection.
Review by Tara for The Enchanted Tarot: Book and Cards Rating:
These cards are magnificent! They are absolutely beautiful and full of magick! As with all decks, they can be moody, but with lots of attention and love, these will more than fulfill your expectations. I feel they are best utilized as a personal deck, but they do read fairly well for others. The book is very informative and could help guide a beginer through the magical world of the tarot. Enjoy!
Review by wysewomon for The Enchanted Tarot: Book and Cards Rating:
I’ve read with this deck since it came out about ten years ago. I usually let clients pick which of three or four decks speaks to them, and the enchanted is a favourite of people who have not had a reading done before. It also seems to reassure people who are a little afraid what the cards might tell them.The Enchanted Tarot is a beautiful deck with lots of soft coordinating colours and rich fairy tale and Arabian Nights imagery. Because the face designs are constructed from fabric collage or even quilting in some cases, this deck has a depth and sense of texture than many do not achieve. This deck is quite sturdy with unusually thick and heavy cardstock. Cards from other decks I have read with over long periods of time have literally worn out and ripped in half; this is not a danger here.As in so many cases, the beauties of this deck contain its flaws. I find some of the fabric collage designs — particularly of the Major Arcana — to be unnecessarily cluttered. Sometimes this makes it dificult to get into the card and hear what it has to say. The designs of the Major Arcana are also bordered in a way that makes the main images quite small. Much of the traditional symbolic detail is absent in favour of one main figure, for example, a skeleton for Death and a large, round doily for the Wheel. I find this makes the readings in which these cards appear lacking in depth and detail. This is not always a bad thing.I am not particularly fond of the substitution of hearts for the suit of cups. I don’t understand why the artists did this or why they didn’t substitute playing card suits for all four Minor Arcana suits. It works, though.I read from the cards, not from a book. In fact, the first thing I tell students is to throw away their books. So I disagree with Farber/Zerner’s premise of enlarging the pictures in the book so you can see the detail. That just locks you into remembering the book, instead of looking at what’s in front of you. I think what details are relevant should be clearly visible on the cards. These cards are hard to see.As I noted before the cards are very thick — the deck is about a third again as thick as most others. The cards are also quite long and narrow. One card is almost as long as my entire hand and slightly less wide than my palm. They are extremely difficult to shuffle. People with small hands take heed. I tend to shuffle this deck in halves. Many clients simply stir them around on the table.Not my favourite deck, but a possibly useful addition to a reader’s toolbag.
Review by for The Enchanted Tarot: Book and Cards Rating:
I’d been looking for a Tarot deck for a while, and finally found one that spoke to me. I love the use of textiles and color in this deck, and the images are truly wonderful. Each card is a work of art, and the set as a whole is to be treasured.
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(out of 26 reviews)
Review by for The Enchanted Tarot: Book and Cards
Rating:
I have to go with the majority here in praising the artwork of these cards; with their many shapes and textures, they’re undeniably gorgeous. However, for me, that may be part of the problem…there’s simply too much going on in each card, with the result (for me, at least) that the artwork distracts from the meaning. I own several Tarot decks, and this is the only one that I consistently have trouble reading.Another problem (and again, this is for me…as several reviewers have noted, each person has his/her own relationship with different decks) is that with their Victorian-type styling, they’re a bit too “modern” for my taste. Anyone like me who connects strongly with mythical/folkloric archetypes may miss the more traditional symbolism that I’m used to in Tarot decks. I think that is the main reason these cards don’t “speak” to me like other decks do.Many of the reviews have mentioned the positive nature of the illustrations, and I have mixed feelings about this. This positivity does make the cards more non-threatening, but sometimes we need strong warnings about possible dire situations that may lie ahead. The Ten of Swords -should- be a frightening card, but the idea is that the cards surrounding it should give advice as to how to avoid or at least lessen the impact of the situation.I do like the format of the book, although I have to give the same caveat as another reviewer did: Readers should read from the cards, not from the book. However, I think the exercises given in the book do help novice readers to begin to associate the meanings of the cards in their minds.Overall, most of my problems with this deck come down to personal taste. I can certainly see why the deck has drawn so many good reviews, and again, different decks speak to different people. For me, though, this deck is in my collection merely for the artwork, since for divinatory purposes I just don’t connect with it.
Review by for The Enchanted Tarot: Book and Cards
Rating:
The Enchanted Tarot is my main deck out of the dozens I now own, and it’s because the symbols are both so immediately accessible and attractive to anyone I read for, plus the images are so tactile/sensual as they are made from fabric collages. None of these cards seem “scary” to the novice, and all offer hours of fun when you study them in depth…they are subtle, sensitive, but in keeping with traditional symbolism. The cards handle well and the descriptions and meanings given are beautifully written. I particularly like the way the book is formatted with the storyline, interpretative meaning and then the “enchantment” at the end – which is like a cross between a spell and an affirmation, useful to the reader to ingrain the feeling tone and positive message of the cards. I would recommend this deck to both the experienced tarot reader and to the novice, which speaks for itself. A must-have in any collection.
Review by Tara for The Enchanted Tarot: Book and Cards
Rating:
These cards are magnificent! They are absolutely beautiful and full of magick! As with all decks, they can be moody, but with lots of attention and love, these will more than fulfill your expectations. I feel they are best utilized as a personal deck, but they do read fairly well for others. The book is very informative and could help guide a beginer through the magical world of the tarot. Enjoy!
Review by wysewomon for The Enchanted Tarot: Book and Cards
Rating:
I’ve read with this deck since it came out about ten years ago. I usually let clients pick which of three or four decks speaks to them, and the enchanted is a favourite of people who have not had a reading done before. It also seems to reassure people who are a little afraid what the cards might tell them.The Enchanted Tarot is a beautiful deck with lots of soft coordinating colours and rich fairy tale and Arabian Nights imagery. Because the face designs are constructed from fabric collage or even quilting in some cases, this deck has a depth and sense of texture than many do not achieve. This deck is quite sturdy with unusually thick and heavy cardstock. Cards from other decks I have read with over long periods of time have literally worn out and ripped in half; this is not a danger here.As in so many cases, the beauties of this deck contain its flaws. I find some of the fabric collage designs — particularly of the Major Arcana — to be unnecessarily cluttered. Sometimes this makes it dificult to get into the card and hear what it has to say. The designs of the Major Arcana are also bordered in a way that makes the main images quite small. Much of the traditional symbolic detail is absent in favour of one main figure, for example, a skeleton for Death and a large, round doily for the Wheel. I find this makes the readings in which these cards appear lacking in depth and detail. This is not always a bad thing.I am not particularly fond of the substitution of hearts for the suit of cups. I don’t understand why the artists did this or why they didn’t substitute playing card suits for all four Minor Arcana suits. It works, though.I read from the cards, not from a book. In fact, the first thing I tell students is to throw away their books. So I disagree with Farber/Zerner’s premise of enlarging the pictures in the book so you can see the detail. That just locks you into remembering the book, instead of looking at what’s in front of you. I think what details are relevant should be clearly visible on the cards. These cards are hard to see.As I noted before the cards are very thick — the deck is about a third again as thick as most others. The cards are also quite long and narrow. One card is almost as long as my entire hand and slightly less wide than my palm. They are extremely difficult to shuffle. People with small hands take heed. I tend to shuffle this deck in halves. Many clients simply stir them around on the table.Not my favourite deck, but a possibly useful addition to a reader’s toolbag.
Review by for The Enchanted Tarot: Book and Cards
Rating:
I’d been looking for a Tarot deck for a while, and finally found one that spoke to me. I love the use of textiles and color in this deck, and the images are truly wonderful. Each card is a work of art, and the set as a whole is to be treasured.