The Everyday Enchantment Tarot by Poppy Palin – 2018 – Schiffer Publishing, LTD.
“Profound wisdom is made accessible with this contemporary 78-card deck and expansive guidebook, which demystifies the tradition Tarot without losing its essential magic or structure. This down-to-earth yet captivating Tarot reveals the extraordinary in the ordinary, reminding you that there’s nothing humdrum about the everyday life. This warmly inclusive Tarot celebrates all life, embracing nature and the non-human beings that share our world – our unseen companions and our creature-kin. Here wild spirits and animals, car mechanics and busy parents are all equally vital, and each has something meaningful to share. These engaging individuals support and encourage you on your journey, making every day more enchanted. ” (quoted from the bottom of the box)
The Everyday Enchantment Tarot is a 78 card deck which follows classic tarot card structure with the Major Arcana retaining traditional titles. The Minor Arcana consists of Wands, Coins, Cups, and Blades. The cards themselves are bright with much detail and symbolism that draws you into the scene. I particularly appreciate the matte finish of the sturdy card stock as they shuffle easily without sticking. The actual cards have rounded corners and the beautifully illustrated card backs are reversible. The deck and book set come in a lovely “treasure” box that is both pleasing to the eye and allows easy storage when not in use. The extensive (175 page) guide book shows a black and white image for each card with Keywords, information on the image, the story, and the meaning. For instance:
Keywords – Control, possess, impose, protect, insist, hoard, stagnate, resist, reinforce, isolate, obsess
The Image – The Rider-Waite card shows a mature seated man clutching a coin to his chest. Here a serious young boy crouches down on a beach with his gold. He’s playing “king of the castle” on his “treasure island” -an elaborate construction with walled defenses, protected by a moat. In his splayed hands are his riches-four coins- that he’s built his sand castle to defend, and he displays his wealth with a stern look to deter would-be thieves.
The Story – This treasures mine and you can’t have it. I don’t even like you seeing my coins, but at the same time I can’t help exhibiting them-aren’t they burnished and bright? Good job this moat is between us or I know you’d try and steal my shining things!
The Meaning – The boy is like the legendary King Canute and his futile attempt to hold back the sea as it inevitably progresses towards him. He may shake his fist and command those waters to stay back, but “time and tide wait for no man.” Because greed and suspicion have temporarily overtaken this boy’s reason he still believes control is possible if he shouts no! loudly enough.
This example is just a small sampling of the wisdom given in each instance. I have to say that I really appreciate the time and thought that has been put into the deck as a whole and each individual card.
As I go through the deck I find several images that I am particularly drawn to. In the Major Arcana – The Lovers, The Hermit, Death, and The World. It wasn’t until I assembled this image that I noticed a distinct pattern in my choices. Lets see what they have to say…
The Lovers – We’re soul mates-a claim usually made by people falling in lust who mistake that heady hormonal rush for something significant. I looked in the eyes of a lovely lady more than fifty years ago and saw the same spirit behind them as I see now-I responded to her soul as well as her gentle beauty.
The Hermit – Come and sit peacefully beside me. Don’t be afraid to my dog, she’s a gentle giant-I couldn’t bear to share a home with noisome, demanding creatures! When I close my front door I shut out the world’s distractions and expect a calm home, conducive for contemplation.
Death – Ah, child, I will miss your precious face! Yet I’ll never be far away, I promise. It’s Granny’s time to leave her body, but she will never, ever leave you. You can come and sit here year upon year and although you may not see me, I’ll still be beside you, dear.
The World – Here we sit at the end of the world! But this isn’t Armageddon-we women are co-creators with nature, not destroyers. We’re carefully casting on, stitch by loving stitch, and bringing a better way to bear as we purl the past into a kinder future. We’re changing the old patterns and smoothing out the knots as our clicking needles create a realm of community and compassion-of Oneness.
I love the stories that go with each card as they speak in the first person and say what I feel when contemplating the images.
The Minor Arcana:
Four of Wands – Today’s the day! Happiness fizzes inside me like the bubbles of the champagne my parents brought-I’ve got so much energy I may pop and spill over any minute! If I wasn’t already dancing I’d be off twirling and giggling like a child.
Page of Cups – I love you! Please don’t think I’m being forward, saying I care when we haven’t been introduced. I was brought up to be polite and not to talk to strangers, but that’s pretty impossible when I know everyone’s another version of me-that we are each other. Isn’t that marvelous?
Six of Blades – Mere weeks ago I’d never have believed I’d have to uproot my wife and child, taking them away from everything familiar and reassuring. Never say never it seems, for here we are on the move, leaving all we hold dear: Things can happen out of the blue that can’t be planned for, no matter how dependable or organized we are.
King of Coins – What a splendid end to another productive day. I feel the richest man alive with my treasures spread about me. My good fortune isn’t just weighed in gold-although I earn enough-it’s also beyond measure. How do I place a value on my sweet-natured daughter or my trusty farmhands whose forefathers tilled this soil before them?
In each and every image I can see myself, family, and friends especially in the Minor Arcana. The images and stories are relevant and are filled with the wisdom of the Tarot that we’ve come to know and love.
A truly enchanting deck that I highly recommend to both beginners and advanced readers alike. Don’t miss out on The Everyday Enchantment Taort, a wonderful addition to any collection and a deck that everyone can relate to. Hats off to author and illustrator, Poppy Palin.
