The True Love Tarot [Hardcover]

"True Love Tarot is a unique map and guidebook that can enable soul mates to find each other and lovers to overcome obstacles, even today when the world can sometimes appear to be as dark as a cloudy night. It will provide you with the means for getting in touch with the quiet voice within you that knows, without a doubt, what is best for your greatest good and highest joy." - From the companion book

For decades, the Enchanted Couple has created beautiful, accessible oracles intended to illuminate the truth within us all. Amy Zerner, an award-winning fabric collage artist, and Monte Farber, a psychic advisor with an engaging writing style, have teamed up once again to form their third Tarot deck: the True Love Tarot boxed set. The book and deck comes in a very attractive, sturdy box that's similar to a cigar box. When opening the cover of the box, the companion book is tucked into the left side via the back flap, while the right side features a hollowed out area to store your deck of cards (which is also in its own box.)

Formatted along the lines of traditional decks, the True Love Tarot is dedicated to finding, enhancing, and deepening the flow of love. A 78-card deck, the each card features one of Amy's colorful collages as well as a thematic keyword. The creators have divided the Minor Arcana into Shells (Water/Cups), Roses (Fire/Wands), Wings (Air/Swords), and Gems (Earth/Pentacles). The Court Cards are Princesses, Princes, Queens, and Kings, and the Majors follow traditional renderings.

The 161-page companion book displays a full-page image each card, as well as meanings for both upright and reversed positions. Monte has taken much thought and care in providing generous interpretations for both the Major and Minor Arcana. In addition to the thorough meanings, a unique feature of the companion book is a quick answer offered for those asking yes/no questions. Printed in full-color pastels, the pages reflect the colors that Amy and Monte have attributed to each of the suits: the Majors are purple, Roses are mauve, Shells are sage green, Swords are powder blue, and Gems are creamy gold.

Admittedly, these color and element attributions can get confusing. For some reason, I find myself leaning towards interpreting Shells as Earth/Pentacles and Roses as Water/Cups! The colors add to the confusion, especially since Air is usually associated with yellow, Earth with green, and Water with blue. When I see Roses, I think of emotions, relationships and love, so I have to remind myself that, in the True Love Tarot, Roses are associated with Fire...not Water.

Unlike the Enchanted Tarot or the Zerner/Farber deck, the Minor Arcana of True Love Tarot is non-illustrated. This means that each card displays the motif of the suit according to the card number. For example, the Six of Gems card shows six gems, the Four of Shells card shows four shells, and so on.

The card backings are fully reversible with a pastel magenta background and a burgundy filigree design. The card stock isn't very stiff, and the cards measure 5 ¼ by 3 ¼ inches. I've used them several times, and it looks like the edges are starting to lift, so I'm not sure they'd hold up well with rigorous treatment or use.

In addition to the lavish illustrations and card meanings, the companion book of the True Love Tarot provides twenty-two spells, rituals and enchantments to help you connect with Spirit, reinforce desires, and strengthen intention. Some of these magical rituals include:

* Attracting love
* Self-empowerment
* Relieving stress
* Ending a fight
* Opening up the heart chakra
* Overcoming loneliness
* Recovering from a broken heart
* Ending obsessive feelings
* Overcoming jealousy
* Releasing sadness
* Increasing self-esteem
* Ending a relationship
* Starting over

At the end of the book, Monte has listed the ABC's of love. For example:

C - Cultivate contentment in all circumstances. Self-doubt is the most daunting of obstacles that inhibit us on our quest for enlightenment. We can know true contentment when we embrace the present and stop struggling to escape insecurity, pain, and doubt.

S - Soulmates work on their relationships by working on themselves. You know you have found your soul mate when you enjoy just watching your partner live and when you desire to make your partnership work and to be there for each other in every way.

Y - You can change only yourself. You cannot change anyone else. You can, however, make sure you get involved with a person who desires change for the better. Devoting time to study or self-improvement will always enable you to improve your situation. The desire to grow is one of our most basic needs.

The True Love Tarot is an upbeat deck and companion book devoted to love, respect, and self-development. While the non-illustrated Minors could prove problematic for those who access intuition through images, the keywords and a personal numerological attribution system can aid in their interpretation. I did several readings with this deck and found the messages to be clear and accurate. Although love and relationships are the central theme of this deck, the cards themselves-as well as Monte's interpretations-aren't exclusively for this purpose.

The True Love Tarot radiates positive energy and lightheartedness, but doesn't shy away from the potentials and realities of relationship difficulties or personal hardship. The offered advice is always incisive, hopeful, and pro-active. If you have a strong Lover, Knight, or Princess archetype active in your psyche, you'll likely enjoy this deck. Those who do many relationship readings may also find the True Love Tarot a great resource for their oracular took-kit.

(To see 10 cards images from the True Love Tarot, as well as read my interview with deck creator Amy Zerner, visit the Reviews--Decks section at JanetBoyer.com)

Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)

The True Love Tarot is not only a celebration of the love Amy and Monte share, but a celebration of ALL love affairs. As always, the presentation is just lovely - packaged in a book-like box, the deck is nestled on the right hand side and the FULL COLOR book tucks neatly into the left side of the book-box. When I say FULL COLOR book, that is what I mean...every single page is rich with color and it has big glorious pictures - full page pictures of each Major Arcana card and half page pictures of the MInors!. What this says to me is no corners were cut in the production of this book. Love is an opulent, lavish emotion and the presentation of this set celebrates just that!

The deck is another one of Amy's exquisite tapestry gifts. In this deck the central figures are somewhat bigger than in previous decks, and many may find them easier to read with. But none of the detail is sacrificied, it is just a slightly bolder look. The Minor Arcana cards are not fully illustrated, but use the symbols of the suit; Roses, Shells, Gems and Wings. There are Keywords on each and every card, so complete knowledge of the Tarot is not really necessary to use the deck. The colors are rich and vibrant and the deck will reflect the energy you bring to the reading.

The book is a little masterpiece on its own. It is written in the style of a knowledgeable friend sitting with you, teaching you how to read the Tarot and gently nudging you through a reading. I love that style of writing!

The book will even tell you how to use the cards masterfuly for those dreaded YES and NO questions that plague Tarot Readers. "Will I meet the love of my life soon?" can finally be quickly answered - smiling here...

This is a delightful deck for those new to the Tarot and experienced Tarot readers will also find it a useful addition for those special "Romance Readings" that are called for so often. Personally, I can imagine every single teenaged girl I have ever known adoring this deck and having a blast with it for years! If you are looking for a fabulous Valentine's Day gift, don't delay, this is just the gift. Even for yourself.

Personally, I just love this deck. I find it lighthearted, sweet and yet full of advice and wit. It is a fun, useful deck that will delight you with insightful answers to heartfelt questions. A great addition to any collection.

Enjoy!!!

Amy Zerner and Monte Farber have done it again - they have released a wonderfully packaged set of lovely and insightful cards. The True Love Tarot is a complete tarot deck with the suits of the Minor Arcana renamed Roses (Wands in most decks), Wings (a. k. a. Swords), Shells (a. k. a. Cups), and Gems (a. k. a. Pentacles and/or Coins). The Major Arcana is fully illustrated with Ms. Zerner's amazing and beautiful collage tapestry work. The Minors are illustrated in basic pip fashion (i. e., a picture of 4 tapestry Roses for the 4 of Roses, 9 tapestry butterflies for the 9 of Wings, and so on). The tapestry elements that Ms. Zerner uses are beautiful in and of themselves, plus she will use a variety of different types on a single card. So although the pips are not fully illustrated scenes they are still lovely cards.

As a professional reader with over 20 years experience I found this deck to be quite insightful. Not only does it give good advice where existing relationships are concerned, but it can also give guidance on the changes a person needs to make in their life in order to help manifest the type of relationship that they desire. This deck is fast becoming popular with my clientele and it has a wide appeal to both beginning and advanced readers alike.