The Tarot of the Dream Enchantress will sweep you away on flights of fancy where you will see many strange and marvelous things, and where you will find yourself along the way. For readings and experiences that are anything but non-traditional, use these cards as a magical mirror to reveal the Dream Enchantress within yourself.

In-Depth Review:
Many people say that dreams are one way that the subconscious speaks to the conscious mind. Dreams use images and symbols to create a bridge, to form a way communicating that both parts of the mind can understand. Tarot works very much the same way. The images on the cards awaken our souls, stir our intuition, and open up new realms of understanding.

In the Tarot of the Dream Enchantress, there is a mistress of this fascinating world. This enchantress weaves together seemingly random images to convey messages that we most need to know. You may not be quite sure if she is a goddess, a force of the universe, or part your own being; perhaps she is all three.

Thoughts of dreams nestle very comfortably with thoughts of darkness, the night, and the moon, all of which are associated with feminine energy. The goddess is associated with the moon and is queen of all that she sees in her shadowy kingdom. So it is no surprise that this deck is filled with feminine figures and shapes. It is a very soft and fluid world, although not flowery and sugary-sweet. There is danger and action present as well.

Starkly contrasting with the female figures are a few of the traditionally male figures. These characters are all masked and most of them appear to be female (judging by their bodies). They include: The Fool, The Emperor, The Hierophant, The Tower, 2 of Wands, and all of the Kings. This leads to a string of questions such as: Why did the artist do this? What does it mean? What do your answers reveal about you? These questions are part of the fun and beauty of this deck.

Many of the cards, particularly from the Major Arcana, harken to traditional RWS images, but it is not for yanking quickly from the box, roughly shuffling, and slapping onto a table with answers demanded from it. This deck will not reveal its secrets by force or even by sincere study. No. This deck requires quiet, gentle, non-hurried contemplation.

The art of this deck is at once otherworldly and primitive. There really isn't anything sci-fi about them, but there is a futuristic feel as well as the patina of the ancient past. The images seem simple yet have epics within them. Look at the 3 of Wands or Strength or even the Page of Wands and you'll feel entire novels well up within you.

The tone of the meanings in the included booklet reflect the feeling of the deck overall. That is to say, they are appropriately vague and inspiring, leading you to deeper interpretations of the cards. Here are a few examples. The Magician: "You have knowledge. You have intuition. You have resources. Mix them well. Apply the heat of your will, and there is nothing you cannot create. Make sure you really want what you intend to make." And, for the 10 of Wands: "A grand achievement, yes, but the work is finished. You have done well but to continue on now is fruitless and merely stressful."

When it comes to giving actual reading with this deck you will find it inspirational, revealing, and at times amazingly explicit). When you want to dream, to explore, to be carried away, this is the deck you should use.

Deck Attributes

Name of deck: Tarot of the Dream Enchantress

Publisher: Lo Scarabeo

ISBN: 9780738715308

Creator's name: Marco Nizzoli

Artist's name: Marco Nizzoli

Name of accompanying booklet: Tarot of the Dream Enchantress

Number of pages of booklet: 63 (14 in English)

Author of booklet: Barbara Moore

Brief biography of author: The Tarot has been a part of Barbara Moore's personal and professional lives for over a decade. In college, the Tarot intrigued her with its marvelous blending of mythology, psychology, art, and history. Later, she served as the Tarot specialist for Llewellyn Publications. Over the years, she has been active in the American Tarot Association and has spoken at Tarot conferences around the United States. Barbara's articles on the Tarot have appeared in several Tarot publications and in Llewellyn Publications' New Worlds of Mind and Spirit magazine. She has also sat on the Tarot Journal editorial board. Barbara's own education in the Tarot has been and continues to be broad and enlightening. She has studied under renowned Tarot scholars Mary K. Greer and Rachel Pollack, and she has taught the Tarot to all manner of would-be Tarot readers.

Barbara enjoys the challenge of giving a voice to Tarot cards and oracle decks. She has had the good fortune to write books for several decks, including A Guide to Mystic Faerie Tarot, The Gilded Tarot Companion, The Hip Witch Tarot, Enchanted Oracle and The Mystic Dreamer Tarot.

Available in a boxed kit?: No.

Reading Uses: General.

Artistic Style: Surreal.

Tarot, Divination Deck, Other: Tarot

Does it follow Rider-Waite-Smith Standard?: Yes.

Does it have extra cards?: No.

Does it have alternate names for Major Arcana cards?: No.

Does it have alternate names for Minor Arcana suits?: No.

Does it have alternate names for the Court Cards?: No.

Book suggestions for experienced Tarot users and this deck:

21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card by Mary K. Greer