The Enchanted Förhäxa Tarot - Scandinavian folklore with elemental symbolism
Some tarot decks stay close to the RWS tradition. Others choose a radically different approach. This deck chooses the second.
MJ Cullinane, creator of the Crow Tarot, has built a system here that completely replaces the traditional suits. No more Cups, Swords, Wands or Pentacles. Instead, this deck works with Water, Air, Fire and Earth. The court cards are different too: kings have become Elders, the Emperor is a Council of Monarchs. These choices are not merely aesthetic. They shift the emphasis from individual power to collective wisdom.
What you see on the cards
The imagery draws heavily from Scandinavian folktales and mythology. Fairies, mermaids, nature spirits and other beings populate the scenes. The style is digital collage: layers of photographs, textures and drawn elements that together create a rich, almost dreamlike atmosphere.
The colours are intense. Deep blues for Water, warm reds for Fire. Each element has its own visual identity, which makes reading more intuitive once you grasp the logic of the system.
The cards are large, 99 x 137 mm. That format shows the details well, but also requires large hands or table space to shuffle comfortably.
How this works in practice
This is not a beginner deck. The absence of traditional names requires that you are either already familiar with tarot and make the translation yourself, or study the guidebook thoroughly before you start laying cards.
The guidebook explains how the elements relate to each other and provides background information on the mythological references. That helps, but you need to invest time. The images are evocative enough to work with intuitively, but the structure demands study.
During a reading, pay attention to which elements are dominant. If Fire and Water are both strongly present, that says something about the energetic tension in your question.
About MJ Cullinane
MJ Cullinane, also known as Margaux Jones, works from Seattle. She gained recognition with the Crow Tarot and chose a rich, layered visual style there as well. Her background is in digital collage, a technique she has developed further here.
She is a devoted nature lover and that returns in every aspect of this deck. The focus on the elements and the presence of animals and plants is not decoration, but core.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Card size: 99 x 137 mm
- Language: English (cards and guidebook)
- Publisher: Hay House Inc.
- ISBN: 9781401970710
- Packaging: Sturdy box with magnetic closure
- Weight: 400 g
- Artist: MJ Cullinane
- Style: Digital collage
Questions we often get
What does Förhäxa mean?
The word is derived from Swedish and means 'to bewitch' or 'to enchant'. It refers to the magical influence of nature and folklore that runs throughout the deck.
How does the court card structure differ from a traditional deck?
The Kings have been replaced by Elders, and the Emperor by a Council of Monarchs. This shifts the focus from individual authority to shared wisdom and spiritual leadership. The Queens, Knights and Pages remain, but fit within this adapted hierarchy.
