The Forest of Enchantment Tarot beckons seekers to enter the foreboding forest taking up the spiritual journey of their lifetime. Here author Lunaea Weatherstone and illustrator Meraylah Allwood create a wooded world tangled with thickets and teaming with magical creatures.
Besides a menagerie of animals and birds, the forest is inhabited by dragons. elves, fairies, gnomes, trolls, wizards, and witches. More notably, there’s a cantankerous giant to be avoided.
Moreover, adding to the mystery, some of the inhabitants are shape-shifters, changing from one entity to another. Additionally, magical thickets appear to block the way back and often mysterious mists shroud the winding path forward. Then seekers must rely on their intuition to find their path through.
Nonetheless, seekers on a true “Hero’s Journey” will learn their lessons and find their way to the other side.
Forest of Enchantment Tarot Boxed Set
The Forest of Enchantment Tarot deck is published by Llewelyn Publications and is available at this affiliate link, https://a.co/d/5pIlBL4.
The deck comes packaged in a sturdy good-sized magnetic closure box with the cards nestled in an interior compartment. And the set includes a 240 page full-color companion book with readable sized print.
Moreover, the deck’s card stock is the trendy thin plastic-like material. And I love the cards’ glossy finish that makes for easy gliding while shuffling.
Notably, some criticize that this often used plastic-like card stock is too thin and flexible. But I feel it’s more durable than cardboard card stock, which splits and frays no matter how thick. And some of the super thick card stock decks are cumbersome to handle with my smallish hands.
Your Path Through the Enchanted Forest Companion Book
Llewelyn published this companion book under a different name than the deck. It’s appropriately named, Your Path Through the Enchanted Forest. For the theme of this deck is for the seeker to embark on their spiritual journey. And to see it through to the end.
In fact, the first card in the deck is the White Hart (Stag) representing the Fool. The Hart stands at the entrance of the foreboding forest urging the seeker to enter the wood.
Then the last card is the same White Hart representing the World. This Hart stands at the forest exit urging the seeker to step out into the welcoming world, rewarding their perseverance.
When I really took in these two White Hart cards, I had an Aha! moment. Finally, I really got the age-old “Hero’s Journey” analogy for the Major Arcana. First, the Fool steps forward on the arduous journey, Then, once the journey is complete, the World card character steps through the laurel wreath back into the world.
I often read the companion books of a new deck cover to cover and found this one a good read. And the print size was easily readable for my aging eyes. The text and cards loosely draw from old fairy tales within forest settings. And both have a decidedly old English forest flair with a bit of humor thrown in.
The companion book starts out with an introduction to the forest environment and its inhabitants. Then it explains how the Tarot works, how to care for your new deck, and frequently asked Tarot questions. Next it goes into the card meanings.
Companion Book Card Meanings
First of all, this deck is a Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) based deck. However, author Lunaea has coined the four traditional Suits of Cups, Wands, Swords, and Pentacles with the below alternative titles:
- Cups are Visions
- Wands are Spells
- Swords are Challenges
- Pentacles are Boons
It’s a cute idea for deck creators to change the name of the Suits to better match their deck’s theme. But it does throw the Reader, if they read with several decks. For during a reading they must stop to think which Suit does this cutesy title refer to?
Additionally, Lunaea has coined the Court cards with the below alternative titles:
- Page is the Child
- Knight is the Seeker
- Queen is the Weaver
- King is the Keeper
These Court cards can also throw the Reader until they are well acquainted with them.
Now, let’s discuss the card meanings. The book gives a one page meaning for each card. First, it gives a detailed description of the card’s images and symbols. Then it gives a detailed explanation of the card’s meaning.
Moreover, following each card’s meaning are two additions:
- Meaning at a Glance – includes several of the card’s traditional key phrase meanings.
- A Closer Look – points out an obscure fun fact in the card.
Note: the author does not read reversed (upside-down) cards, therefore she doesn’t include their meanings in her text.
The companion book lists the Major Arcana card meanings first, then the Minor Arcana cards meanings,
Notably, the Minor Arcana cards are not arranged in the usual Suit manner. Instead, the cards are arranged by card number, with all four Suits’ cards of the common number grouped together. This arrangement continues with the Court Cards.
Companion Book Images
A glossy full-page and full-color image of each card appears opposite its detailed meaning. This is a real plus for me. For I like to carry around the companion book of a new deck to familiarize myself with the cards. And I’d rather carry a book than a deck to a café!
Another asset to mention each card has a small gold label with its title emblazoned across its front.
Companion Book Spreads
Finally, Lunaea has included several imaginative spreads at the end of her book.
- Your Day in the Forest
- The White Hart
- Breadcrumbs and Moonstones
- The Owls’s Advice
- Shining Eyes, Creeping Feet
- The Council of Animals
This is a real plus, for deck collectors love to see several imaginative spreads included in companion books. Consequently, reviewers ding decks that don’t include them.
Forest of Enchantment Artwork
Artist Allwood’s beautiful images depict woodland landscapes and entities with muted color tones. And rather than crisp images, hers have a misty quality and seem almost like paintings on canvas. Instead of jumping off the cards, her misty images draw you into themselves.
These cards are stunning, and I love their Celtic forest vibe.
Final Words for the Forest of Enchantment Tarot
This Forest of Enchantment is alive with wonder and danger. And travelers will never be the same after reaching the other side. For each entity met up with, human or animal, earthly or otherworldly, is set to impart an important life lesson.
I hope you will give this enchanting deck a try. For I know you will love traveling through it’s magical forest as much as I do. Happy Taroting!
Note: To book a professional Tarot reading with Jeannette see our Book a Reading page.
I love this deck! So beautiful and magical!
Me too Lori. Thanks for reading!