Review by Bonnie Cehovet
The Enochian Tarot is a more than slightly non-Traditional Tarot deck. It consists of 86 cards, numbered from 1 to 86. Cards number 1-30 constitute the Major Arcana, while cards number 31-86 constitute the four suits. The Enochian Tarot is based on the writings of Dr. John Dee, who is said to have received information about the Enochian Magic system from t he angelic realm, who spoke to him through his psychic partner Edmond (or Edward) Kelly.
The universe as John Dee presents it does not follow Qabalistic thought (i.e. the Tree of Life). It consists of two parts: four Great Watchtowers and thirty Aethyrs or Aires. Each of the Major Arcana cards portrays one of the Aethyrs. The Enochian Tarot system employs a system that represents the universe, which, while is differs from the Qabalistic system, is along the lines of Tarot and can justifiably be termed a Tarot deck. I do recommend buying the deck and book together because of this. If you buy them separately, as I inadvertently did, the companion book, by Gerald Schueler, is entitled Enochian Tarot.
The Enochian Magical system when it first came into being (during Elizabethan times) was primarily used for ritual magic. It is interesting to note that the material was given to Dr. Dee, through Edmond Kelly, in the Enochian language ( or the language of the angels). This system was expanded on by the Golden Dawn, and Aleister Crowley, to include astral travel to the region s described on Holy Tablets by the Angels to Dr. Dee.
The Schuelers represent the Enochian Tarot as a deck that can be used for divination, ritual work and pathworking within the Enochian magical universe. There are several interesting tables of correspondence in the LWB (little white book) that accompanies the deck. On pages 8-9 there is a table that relates the correspondences between the astrological attribution, Hebrew letter, Enochian letter and the Major Arcana. On pages 10-11 there is a table that lists the correspondences between the Enochian letters and Geomantic and Lineal figures.
One of the interesting notes about this deck is that the authors encourage reading the cards as groups, rather than as isolated cards. From the book:
"No card has real meaning in and of itself, instead each card has multiple meanings. Some cards have meanings that can be good or bad, depending on the situation. The interpretation of any given card should be determined in large part by the positive or negative aspects of the cards around it. "
Following are a few of the definitions the authors have placed for the cards - the descriptions are short, and make no reference to the symbolism on the cards.
1 LIL The Babe (masculine)
Purity, completeness, satisfaction, wholeness innocence. Reversed: Desire, incompleteness, impurity, immaturity, foolishness
31 EDLPRNAA King of Fire First Senior of Fire (masculine)
Renewal, warmth, change, violence, enlightenment. Reversed: coldness, sterility, desolation
52 AILA Higher Sephirothic Cross Angels of Air. (feminine)
Authority, harmonious progress. Reversed: futility, lack of authority
The suit cards (pips) are named from Higher Sephirothic Cross Angels to Demons for each of the four suits. The numbering of the Minor Arcana is from the most spiritual to the least spiritual.
The cards themselves are 3" by 5 1/2" - a little large for comfortable use for those with smaller hands. They are of high quality, glossy cardstock and will stand up to use. The backs are a burgundy color, with what I take to be a graphic of the Enochian world in the middle. The cards would not be able to be read as to upright/reversed until they were turned over.
The card face has a 1/4" white border surrounding the card graphic. At the top of the card is the number and card title, at the bottom of the card is the meaning.
The spreads presented at the end of the book are a three card Enochian Spread, defined as past-present-future; a three card Pyramid Spread; the ten card Celtic Cross Spread; a five card Pentagram Spread; an interesting spread called a Thirteen Card Layout that takes the form of three triangles, each within the other; a seven card linear spread called the Seven Card Enochian Spread and a ten card Tree of Life Spread.
There is also a chapter on pathworking including several ritual processes. For those that seriously want to work with the Tarot for spiritual, as well as personal progress, this chapter works well.
I don't recommend this deck as a general reading deck, but for spiritual readings or for personal/group magickal work, I feel that it would do well.
(c) November 2003
Footnotes: 1. ibid. page 7. 2. ibid. page 17. 3. ibid. page 23. 4. ibid. page 24,34,42
Bonnie Cehovet is a professional Tarot reader with over ten years experience, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and is certified as a Tarot Educator with the American Board For Tarot Certification. Bonnie has served in various capacities with the American Tarot Association, is co-founder of the World Tarot Network, and Vice President (as well as Director of Certification) for the American Board For Tarot Certification. She has had articles appear in the 2004 and 2005 Llewellyn Tarot Reader.
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