Zerner Farber tarot deck

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 22 Mar 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Maan	22 Mar 2002
Just baught this deck and well i don't know what to think of it yet. The little white booklet is probebly the best one i have ever seen. But the cards... The pictures are really nice but a litlle cute and the card stock is really bad. I have shuffeld them a couple of times and it al ready shows Has any one any experience with this deck and is the Enchanted version better? BB Maan

truthsayer	22 Mar 2002
i believe the enchanted is the same deck but the cards are much bigger and comes with a heavy stock book. i like the ZF deck a lot b/c i traded it away once but had to have it back!! :) it is rather frilly and romantic. the collage style isn't for everyone but it is one of the few collage decks i do like. i mix the cards by putting the cards in 7 rows and adding a new card each time i go around. then i cut the deck 3x and then fan the cards to choose. this seems to preserve the cardstock. i don't shuffle because the card stock is thin but for ppl with smaller hands this feature is really ideal.

Thirteen	22 Mar 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Maan Just baught this deck and well i don't know what to think of it yet. The little white booklet is probebly the best one i have ever seen. But the cards... The pictures are really nice but a litlle cute and the card stock is really bad. I have shuffeld them a couple of times and it al ready shows I've got this deck and I happen to love these cards--though I didn't find the stock bad on mine--maybe you should return them? This deck really appeals to me, its images some of my most favorite, especially the Chariot, Magician and High Priestess. Beautiful. I also like that the "princesses" are all holding letters--so they're also "pages." Nice combo on that. And cups are hearts. Here's the thing you have to know about this deck. These cards will roll over and do tricks for you if you're a water sign (Pisces, Scorpio, Cancer). If you're not, then be prepared, they're going to play "Mom" with you. That means, no matter what you ask them, they're going to decide what to give you advice on. Usually something in the back of your mind, something unconscious or something you've been putting off dealing with. So if you ask a question about your job, and the spread you get doesn't seem to answer that question at all, think about what else the cards could be responding to. Like family or relationship problems. You'll find the readings dead on, by the way, very accurate. Just not what you wanted to talk about. Don't be mad at the deck, it's just trying to take care of you. One last bit of advise, be very nice to this deck. It's sensitive (no, I'm not kidding) ;)

jema	23 Mar 2002
thirteen is sooo right. of all my decks the zerner-farber is the only one that got it's own handmade box. it also stay right in my cosy corner at all times, refuse to mingle with the other decks. it also will not be used in readings for other people, it is exclusivly for me. i got it as a gift from a friend, one of them out-of-the-blue-gifts just casue she felt like it and while i love to trade decks this one never ever been considered for trade. i do find it to be a "cute" deck but not a very fluffy one. i never do full spreads with it - one card is just enough, i used two cards on occasion but one is really all it needs to pinpoint any problems and give me some ideas for a solution. it works excellent in story-telling exercises too. i have friends who just don't like this deck though, so i guess it is a very personal deck. oh and i am a cancer:-)

Kissa	23 Mar 2002
Hi Maan, I am a scorpio and I don't know what to think about this deck or do I ??? I bought the Enchanted Tarot which is a bigger version of ZF deck. I fell in love with the Moon card that was on Amazon.com page. Then I got the deck and it felt really good, but most of the cards just don't work for me. I admit that the Magician, the Ermit and most of the Majors are really nice but then I got bored watching thru the deck, I almost came dizzy. Too many colors, too many small details, the people for example are always lost in the landscape and appear too small. I finally put the fonger on what's bothering me : Amy Zerner's style is so busy and fluffy and lacy/pinkish that I can't let my own ideas and inspirations come thru the deck, it feels like she didn't let any room for my visions of the cards. I still reckon that this deck is nice to look at, the artwork is really unique but 78 cards is just toooo long. Yet the book is very valuable and interesting. I hope I didn't offend the ones who like the deck. Is there someone out there who couldn't "connect" to this deck? or I am the only one ?? Kissa

Maan	23 Mar 2002
"If you're not, then be prepared, they're going to play "Mom" with you." Your rigtht Thirteen. I worked with the cards some more. I'm an aquarian so... I'm really starting to connect with this deck. Strange but i feel like pulling not more then three cards a time. This deck doesnt seem to need more cards to tell me the trues ( like my mum) But the cards still look very used en i don't like the backs.How is the back of the Enchanted deck? I'm thinking about buying it. BB

napaisti	23 Mar 2002
don't worry Kissa, you're not the only one. I also bought the Enchanted deck because I liked the version of the Moon. Unfortunately once I got the cards home it didn't take long to realize that this deck and I just weren't meant to be. The cards just don't resonate for me, and while I can appreciate the effort and artistic talent put into the cards, the overall look doesn't appeal to me. The few readings I did with this deck were all over the place, and didn't integrate at all, even when other decks gave me very straightforward readings on a subject. (BTW, I'm a Pisces.) That said, I feel strongly that tarot decks are a very personal thing, and that if someone does feel drawn to a deck, then they should rejoice at the connection, enjoy the deck, and not feel influenced by the experiences/opinions of someone else. Be well, napaisti

Thirteen	23 Mar 2002
Gosh, between Kissa and Napisti, I'm beginning to think I was wrong about "water signs" and should just say "if you're a cancer" (the "mom" mom of zodiac signs). Especially after both of you mentioned that it was the "moon" card drew you to the deck :) Quote: Napisti The few readings I did with this deck were all over the place, and didn't integrate at all, even when other decks gave me very straightforward readings on a subject. Like I said, this isn't a strightforward deck. It was probably answering another question altogether, giving you unasked for advise it thought you needed to know. This deck really will ignore your question if there's something else on your (and its) mind. I really do think of this deck as maddeningly "mom-ish"--the one thing you don't want to talk about or think about is the one thing it wants to bring up and discuss. And it stubbornly refuses to let go of it, not till it's had its say. So you want to talk about, say, your job problems, it wants to discuss that nice boy you're seeing and why haven't you called him? I suspect this deck would make you tea and cookies if it could, and tell you to straighten up and comb your hair and why don't you wear that blue outfit which looks so nice on you? Which might be why you and Kissa are annoyed with it ;) Everything you both said, by the way, is spot on: The cards are busy cards--which I think handicaps them in large spreads, and which is why they seem to work better with only 1-3 cards pulled. And as they're pictures made of cloth, they're lacy and often a little odd-looking. Image wise, they're very Victorian--romantic and old fashioned. All of which may be too much and very unappealing depending on your taste.

Kissa	24 Mar 2002
Quote: Originally posted by napaisti That said, I feel strongly that tarot decks are a very personal thing, and that if someone does feel drawn to a deck, then they should rejoice at the connection, enjoy the deck, and not feel influenced by the experiences/opinions of someone else. 100% true. The kind of attraction I felt for the Enchanted Tarot was curiosity and esthetical interest whereas the attraction I felt for the deck that connects with me the most was really magical, incredibly strong and it spoke to me already from the other end of the world (I got it from New Zealand and look at my location ;) ) So I guess that's why the Enchanted didn't work for me after all, I misunderstood my interest for sincere and real attraction. As napaisti said, the artwork was still worth buying the set and as so many people own and love this deck, I didn't regret buying it as I like to know what others are talking about ;) . And Maan, you are right, if you like the small ZF, maybe you should consider buying the bigger Enchanted, it also comes with a very good book. If you have small hands like I do, you will probably be scared by the size of the deck and its thickness (now these cards stock is something, a few shuffle won't show for sure !!!) but someone wrote in a review that you just have to learn how to handle them or shuffle separatlely and bring the deck altogether at the end. The back of the Enchanted cards is white with a thin golden running around the card at 5mm from the edge. In the middle, there is a small golden design made from two hearts (they renamed the cups suit), four stars (for pentacles, the suit still has the pentacles name), two wands and two swords, it isn't cheesy at all and works for revearsal. You know about the name of the suits already since you have the ZF, stupid me ;) !! As napaisti said and especially if the smaller deck worked for you, don't mind my mean comments and GO FOR THE BIGGER ONE !!!! ;) When I was considering buying one of them, I wanted the bigger one to get the big book and the big pictures. Kissa

Kissa	24 Mar 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Thirteen Gosh, between Kissa and Napisti, I'm beginning to think I was wrong about "water signs" and should just say "if you're a cancer" (the "mom" mom of zodiac signs). Especially after both of you mentioned that it was the "moon" card drew you to the deck I really do think of this deck as maddeningly "mom-ish"--the one thing you don't want to talk about or think about is the one thing it wants to bring up and discuss. And it stubbornly refuses to let go of it, not till it's had its say. So you want to talk about, say, your job problems, it wants to discuss that nice boy you're seeing and why haven't you called him? I suspect this deck would make you tea and cookies if it could, and tell you to straighten up and comb your hair and why don't you wear that blue outfit which looks so nice on you? Which might be why you and Kissa are annoyed with it Thirteen you are sooo right. I don't want a mom-ish relationship to my decks because I already have a Mom on my back ;) I mean I am looking for spiritual support and I get the cuddly mom-ish feeling from non-threatening pastel colors decks that suit me the best. I guess the Enchanted might just be too stubborn and too passionate for me. As for the "lace" parts, I am more a cotton freak on that matter :p so it couldn't really have worked for me, could it ?? I might be a scorpio but I still get most of spiritual and emotional planets in air signs (as Moon in Aquarius and Venus in Balance) so your theory might still work for others, I don't know ... Anyway, I wanted to thank you for doing such a good and profound analysis on the Enchanted and why it didn't work for napaisti and me. Somehow this ends in a much more positive way my relationship to the Enchanted tarot, I used to be so frustrated about this deck and didn't know why. No I am in peace with it and I like it much more this way. Thanks Thirteen !!! :) Kissa

harleen	28 Mar 2002
I was using this deck until recently...I just felt almost like every reading was a struggle to get what I needed out of it! It was not like that at first...I had been reading off and on for a while, but ZF was my first "serious" reading deck, and it seemed okay for a few months...then got very "mothering"...too much so for me. I like softer images, but it just felt like...the cards had to have their say, even if it did not apply to what I was asking.... I ended up switching decks finally, on the advice of my best friend. My new deck will also have its say but I am able to figure out what and why, and how it relates to my questions, without a fuss...which is what I need. I am a Leo, so what was said about the deck being like a Mom to signs other than water makes so much sense...! Some of the illustrations are gorgeous, and the LWB is great...but I think it's a good deck for those starting who need that extra mothering guidance or who either don't read often/prefer that style of reading.... Harleen :)

Pedeka	28 Mar 2002
I don't have the Zerner Farber deck, but I do have a set called CUPID CARDS by done by the same couple. Its not any good for anything but romantic readings, but I love the style and I have been intending to get either the ZF or Enchanted deck for a long time. Youve talked me into the Enchanted I think, I like cards that feel heavy. By the way I'm a gemini and in true form, the more colors and things that are going on in a a card the more I can get out of it. Plus I probably need that "Mom" influence in a reading, because I tend to go off on tangents based on details unless I try very hard. I like decks that are very sure about what they want to say to you. Pedeka

truthsayer	30 Mar 2002
i am a pisces w/ moon in scorpio and venus in pisces. cancer is at my nadir.so i don't think you are off target on Z/F, thirteen, at all. water signs are the most flexible of the zodiac plus we don't like to be put in categories simply by our fluid nature. the way the ZF reads for me is different than the way it reads for my querents. i've always been a nurturer and clients who need nurturing just love this deck--including my mother! yes, i generally nurture my mom instead of vice versa. LOL ZF and i have an understanding that while i don't like being clobbered b/t the eyes, i don't want to be mothered either. i traded it once b/c i felt bored b/c i work w/ it so well. i wanted a deck w/ more challenge. however, i recently traded back for it and ended up getting the enchanted book in kind. decks as easy for me to read as ZF are difficult to find. i like this combo b/c i prefer smaller decks and this one shuffles so well for me. i enjoy the enchanted book very much. so in the end, trading worked out for me very well.

All Is One	30 Mar 2002
I agree with everything written here, although being a Scorpio w/Gemini ascendent, moon in Leo, I have a very odd relationship with all my decks- i.e. they have moods and I have moods and we seem to generate alot of magic together or actually need to be in seperate rooms. This is a deck I got about six years ago, the large deck, with the fancy book. I was amazed that so many of yu said the 3 cards work best...I was never able to get anything else to work, and I put this deck away after only a few months because it completely and stubbornly refuses to work with my own personal spreads, and is not very nice about being used for even the simplist of love rituals or family harmony invocations - which I thought would be well matched to the sweetness of Amy's images. (I hate the queens and princesses, can't help it). I love the back of the lg cards - the gold design. I love the art Amy did for the cards- but because of my experience with them, I have never felt attracted to any deck described as "collage" whether photo or cloth. The dream/Illusion/Fulfillment of the book was helpful in inspiring me to loosen up six years ago and to stop using rev crds- I may have the terms wrong, it's been awhile. The lg cards w/book ($30?? I think?) make a great gift for Moms (LOL, but true!) and for other people totally new to Tarot. I honestly have enormous respect for anyone who creates a lovely piece of art, especially a tarot deck (lovely or ugly, art is art) and I do see the value of the deck. I maen no disrespect to anyone who loves it. Tarot decks are as personal as . . . well several subjects I'm too shy to mention.

Diana	30 Mar 2002
edited

All Is One	31 Mar 2002
In trying to recall the terms used in the E.T. book, I went and looked it up. The Dream The Awakening The Enchantment (I badly misquoted in my last post) In looking through the book after six years, I'm reconsidering my feelings for this deck; Thanks for the inspiring posts,

destinyawaitsme	31 Mar 2002
I've used this deck intensely for about a year and I must agree that it wears easily. They look like I've been using them for about 10 years. But it is my favorite deck. My first deck was the shapeshifter and I was horribly disappointed. I didn't want to buy the ol faithful Rider Waite, but I wanted something that stuck with similar symbolism and system as the RW. So I bought the Zerner Farber....and believe it or not I was still disappointed! But I knew there was no way I could afford to buy another one...so I made myself stick with it. Now it's my primary deck. Whenever I try to learn other decks I have to remember the Zerner-Farber picture and then I can remember the meaning to the cards. It's weird. Sure it's not for everyone, it's a tad frilly, and I never liked collage decks either, but this one has stuck with me.

Junia	07 Jun 2005
Well I did a search for Zerner-Farber and Enchanted Tarot and found this one--albeit an old one. I have both full sets and they have become my main reading decks. I am a Sagitarius (whatever that means-I don't know a lot about the different signs). I have found that I don't get a Mom feel as much as the deck just downright tells me what is going on deeply. In the hardbound book for the Enchanted it mentions that this deck was developed with Jungian (dreamlike) images in mind. It certainly does the trick for me. It is great for shadow work (whether I like what it says or not). I wish that I could get the older card stock on the Enchanted because mine is very flimsy (as is the Z-F). It never fails to surprise me how different we all are and what decks work well with some and not others. Thank goodness for all of the creators/artists out there that keep making different decks like this one. Otherwise I'd be stuck with a RW or Marseilles for choices (no offense for those that find them supreme). Or some of you might be stuck with The Enchanted and Zerner-Farber! ;-)

The Zerner Farber tarot deck thread was originally posted on 22 Mar 2002 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.