Enochian Tarot
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Enochian Tarot
Gerald and Betty Schueler's "The Truth About the Enochian Tarot" attempts to marry the esoteric depth of John Dee's angelic system with the divinatory framework of the Tarot. The ambition is considerable, and the result is a deck and accompanying text that offers a unique, albeit demanding, approach. The integration of the Aethyrs and Enochian angels onto the Tarot cards is their core innovation, providing a complex symbolic language for those already fluent in Dee's system. This intricate layering is its primary strength, offering a fresh perspective for seasoned practitioners. However, the work's limitation lies in its sheer density. The explanations, while thorough, can feel overwhelming, especially for those not deeply immersed in Enochian magick. The assignment of the 12 Holy Aethyrs to the court cards, for instance, is an interesting conceptual leap but requires significant prior knowledge to fully grasp. The book's strength is its specialized focus; its weakness is its accessibility to a broader audience. It serves best as a reference for those dedicated to mastering this specific esoteric synthesis.
📝 Description
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Gerald and Betty Schueler published The Enochian Tarot in 2002, merging traditional Tarot with Dee and Kelley's angelic system.
The Enochian Tarot, published in 2002 by Gerald and Betty Schueler, integrates the complex angelic system of John Dee and Edward Kelley with the standard 78-card Tarot structure. This fusion introduces a unique set of correspondences and symbolic layers to divination and meditation practices. The book details the origins of Enochian magick and its application within Tarot, aiming to provide a more advanced method for those who seek metaphysical interpretations beyond common readings.
This work is intended for experienced Tarot practitioners and advanced students of Western Esotericism. It is especially relevant for individuals interested in John Dee's angelic system, ceremonial magick, or the history of occultism. Those finding standard Tarot interpretations insufficient for their spiritual or intellectual pursuits will benefit from the detailed correspondences and expanded symbolic vocabulary presented. It is not an introductory text but a specialized resource for dedicated researchers.
The Enochian system originated in the late 16th century through John Dee and Edward Kelley's purported communication with angelic beings. This cosmology and language were later developed by figures like Aleister Crowley and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The Schuelers' 2002 book situates itself within this lineage, applying Enochian principles to the Tarot, a system continuously adapted since the 15th century and influenced by Hermeticism.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Learn how the 12 Holy Aethyrs, a core concept from John Dee's angelic system, are mapped onto the Tarot court cards, offering a unique interpretive layer beyond standard symbolism. • Understand the specific correspondences between the Enochian Angels and the 78 Tarot cards, providing a deeper, magickally-attuned method for divination and meditation first presented in 2002. • Explore how the Schuelers' integration of Dee's system offers an evolved Tarot framework, moving beyond traditional interpretations for advanced practitioners seeking complex symbolic systems.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Enochian Tarot system?
The Enochian Tarot is a system that integrates the divinatory structure of the traditional 78-card Tarot with the angelic language and cosmology revealed to John Dee and Edward Kelley in the late 16th century. It assigns Enochian angelic and Aethyric attributions to the Tarot cards.
Who created the Enochian Tarot?
The Enochian Tarot system and its accompanying book, "The Truth About the Enochian Tarot," were created by Gerald J. Schueler and Betty Schueler, with the book first published in September 2002.
How does the Enochian Tarot differ from traditional Tarot?
It differs by incorporating the complex Enochian magickal system, including its angelic hierarchies and the 12 Holy Aethyrs, assigning specific correspondences to each Tarot card. This adds layers of interpretation and magickal application beyond conventional Tarot.
Is "The Truth About the Enochian Tarot" suitable for beginners?
No, this book is generally considered advanced. It assumes a familiarity with both Tarot symbolism and the fundamentals of Enochian magick, John Dee's system, making it more appropriate for experienced practitioners and scholars of esotericism.
What are the 'Aethyrs' in the Enochian system?
The Aethyrs are conceptualized as 30 spiritual realms or planes of existence within John Dee's Enochian cosmology. The Schuelers specifically focus on the 12 Holy Aethyrs, assigning them to the court cards of the Enochian Tarot.
Where does the Enochian system originate?
The Enochian system originates from the late 16th century, purportedly received through angelic communications via scrying sessions conducted by Dr. John Dee and Edward Kelley in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
Enochian Angelic Attributions
The core of this work lies in its detailed mapping of John Dee's Enochian angelic hierarchies onto the 78-card Tarot structure. Each card, from the Major Arcana to the Minor Arcana, is assigned specific angelic names and roles derived from Dee's system. This transforms the Tarot from a purely divinatory tool into a complex magickal key, intended to facilitate communication with the angelic realms described in the Enochian system. The Schuelers present this as an evolved form of Tarot for serious practitioners.
The 12 Holy Aethyrs
A significant innovation presented is the integration of the 12 Holy Aethyrs, a concept central to Enochian cosmology, onto the Tarot court cards (King, Queen, Knight, Page). Each Aethyr represents a distinct spiritual plane with its own angelic governors. By linking these to the court cards, the Schuelers provide a framework for understanding the dynamic interplay of elemental forces and consciousness across different levels of existence, deepening the interpretive possibilities for these often-misunderstood cards.
Evolved Divination and Meditation
The Schuelers propose the Enochian Tarot as an 'equally evolved Tarot' designed to meet the needs of a more complex human consciousness than traditional decks. The book suggests that this integration offers a more potent tool for both divination and deep meditative practices. By engaging with the specific angelic and Aethyric correspondences, users are encouraged to achieve a higher level of spiritual insight and magickal efficacy, moving beyond simple fortune-telling.
John Dee's Legacy
This work is intrinsically tied to the legacy of Dr. John Dee, the 16th-century scholar and occultist who, with Edward Kelley, claimed to receive the Enochian language and angelic system. The Schuelers act as interpreters and modernizers, translating Dee's complex angelic cosmology into a tangible Tarot system. The book explores the historical context of Dee's work and its subsequent development within occult traditions, positioning their Tarot as a continuation of this esoteric lineage.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“The Enochian Tarot was designed to fill that need [for an evolved Tarot].”
— This statement frames the Enochian Tarot not as a mere variation, but as a necessary progression in Tarot's application, driven by the increasing complexity of human spiritual inquiry. It positions the deck as a response to a perceived limitation in existing Tarot systems.
“People have used the Tarot for centuries as a tool for divination and meditation.”
— This highlights the enduring historical role of Tarot, establishing its traditional functions before introducing the Enochian system as an enhancement. It grounds the innovation within a long-established practice.
“Now you can discover the divinatory power of the Tarot combined with the magickal power of the Enochian system.”
— This expresses the core promise of the book: the synergistic fusion of two powerful esoteric traditions. It suggests that combining Tarot's insight with Enochian magick unlocks a greater potential for both understanding and influence.
“This deck is explained in The Truth About the Enochian Tarot by the creators of that deck.”
— Emphasizes the authenticity and direct lineage of the explanation provided. It assures the reader that they are receiving information straight from the source, Gerald and Betty Schueler, who developed this specific Tarot system.
“As the human race became more complex, there was a need for an equally evolved Tarot.”
— This interpretation suggests that traditional Tarot frameworks may have become insufficient for contemporary spiritual needs. It posits that the Enochian system provides the necessary complexity and depth to address modern esoteric challenges.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
This work firmly belongs to the Western Esoteric Tradition, specifically drawing from the lineage of ceremonial magick initiated by John Dee's Enochian system. It builds upon the foundations laid by Dee and later interpreters like Aleister Crowley and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The Schuelers adapt this complex angelic cosmology, originally focused on invocation and spirit communication, to the divinatory and meditative structure of the Tarot, creating a hybrid system that bridges angelic magick and Tarot psychology.
Symbolism
Central to the Enochian Tarot's symbolism are the 72 names of the Angels of the Shemhamphorash and the 12 Holy Aethyrs. The Shemhamphorash angels are assigned to various cards, imbuing them with specific angelic influences and intelligences. The 12 Holy Aethyrs, representing distinct spiritual planes, are mapped onto the Tarot court cards, offering a layered understanding of elemental forces and spiritual progression. These elements create a dense symbolic matrix intended to facilitate deeper magickal work and spiritual insight.
Modern Relevance
Contemporary practitioners of ceremonial magick and advanced Tarot students continue to explore systems that offer greater depth and complexity. The Enochian Tarot appeals to those seeking to move beyond conventional interpretations, drawing inspiration from historical magickal systems like Dee's. While not as widely adopted as some other esoteric Tarot systems, its unique integration of angelic hierarchies and Aethyric planes provides a specialized resource for those engaged in rigorous occult study and practice, particularly within circles interested in Dee's original material.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Advanced Tarot practitioners seeking to integrate ceremonial magickal systems into their readings, offering a deeper, multi-layered interpretive framework. • Students of John Dee's Enochian system who wish to explore a practical application of its angelic hierarchies and Aethyrs within a familiar divinatory structure. • Esoteric researchers interested in the evolution of Tarot symbolism and its intersection with 16th-century angelic magickal traditions, providing a specific case study.
📜 Historical Context
The Enochian system, first documented in the late 16th century through the scrying sessions of John Dee and Edward Kelley, represents a unique branch of Western esotericism focused on angelic communication and a complex cosmology. While Dee's work remained largely within manuscript circulation for centuries, it was significantly revived and integrated into modern occultism by figures such as Aleister Crowley and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in the early 20th century. The Schuelers' "The Truth About the Enochian Tarot," published in 2002, emerged during a period of renewed interest in ceremonial magick and complex esoteric systems, following the foundational work of occult scholars like Israel Regardie. This book situates itself within this lineage, offering a specific application of Dee's angelic framework to the Tarot, a practice that had seen various esoteric interpretations, notably by the Golden Dawn and later by Crowley himself, though the Schuelers' specific mapping, particularly involving the 12 Holy Aethyrs onto the court cards, presents a distinct evolution.
📔 Journal Prompts
The assignment of the 12 Holy Aethyrs to the court cards.
The specific Enochian angelic correspondences for the four suits.
How the concept of the Aethyrs influences your understanding of the court cards.
The integration of the Shemhamphorash angels into the Tarot structure.
The potential for using Enochian Tarot for advanced meditation practices.
🗂️ Glossary
Enochian Magick
A complex system of ceremonial magick attributed to Dr. John Dee and Edward Kelley, involving an angelic language, cosmology, and invocations, first documented in the late 16th century.
Aethyrs
In Enochian cosmology, these are spiritual realms or planes of existence. The 12 Holy Aethyrs are a specific subset, each associated with distinct angelic governors and spiritual qualities.
Shemhamphorash
The 72-fold Name of God derived from the Book of Exodus, each part associated with a specific angel, which forms a significant part of Enochian angelic hierarchies.
Court Cards
The King, Queen, Knight, and Page cards within the Tarot's Minor Arcana, representing personages and energies. In the Enochian Tarot, they are linked to the 12 Holy Aethyrs.
Divination
The practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means, often employing tools like Tarot cards.
Ceremonial Magick
A structured system of ritualistic magic, often involving elaborate preparations, invocations, and symbolic tools, aiming to achieve specific spiritual or material effects.
Esotericism
Teachings or practices concerned with esoteric knowledge, often restricted to a small group or initiated individuals, focusing on spiritual insight and hidden truths.
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