Product Description

The Witches Tarot Kit
Created by Ellen Cannon Reed
Illustrated by Martin Cannon    
1-56718-558-4   •   $34.9.95 U.S.   •   $48.95 Can.
Boxed kit includes: 78 full-color cards   •   5 1/4 x 8, 320 pp. book   •    layout sheet   


What does the Tarot have to do with the Qabalah? What does either of them have to do with Witchcraft?  How can you possibly combine all three into a workable system?

The Witches Tarot is proof that it can be done. This unique Tarot explores the paths and spheres of the Tree of Life, the experiences they represent, and what they mean to Craft people and other Pagans.  In the course of this study, you will learn how the symbols of the Tarot deck relate to the paths and to the Craft.

The striking imagery of these cards uses symbols from the Qabalistic Tree of Life, yet is decidedly Pagan in nature. Creator and High Priestess Ellen Cannon Reed has replaced the traditional Tarot Devil with The Horned One, the Hierophant with the High Priest, and the Hermit with The Seeker.

The 320-page companion guide to The Witches Tarot included with this kit contains complete divinatory meanings for the cards, and an indispensable list of correspondences for each of the Qabalistic Paths with associated Tarot card, Hebrew letter, colors, astrological attribution, animal, gem, and suggested meditation.

The Witches Tarot kit also includes a large layout sheet for doing the Four Seasons Spread. It can be used anywhere, adding a special touch to your readings. However you choose to tap the unique powers of The Witches Tarot, it will open you to your deepest, intuitive self.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #266888 in Books
• Published on: 1996-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781567185584
• Condition: USED - VERY GOOD
• Notes:
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

About the Author
Ellen Cannon Reed, High Priestess of the Isian tradition, was a student and teacher of the Craft and Qabala for fifteen years.  She and her husband (and High Priest), Chris, had been active in the Southern California pagan community for the last ten years.   When she was not teaching, working with her coven or writing, Ellen enjoyed embroidery, beadwork, and reading.  Ellen passed away in 2003.

Customer Reviews

Love the deck, but don't use the book
Although I love the witches tarot deck and use it for all my readings, I do not necessarily agree with the explanations in the book. The descriptions of each card (meaning and reversed meaning) are actually way too brief to conduct a decent reading. Hence, I would recommend the deck if it feels right, but not the book for it's interpretation.

No RWS clone here!
I was initially drawn to this deck by the stunning use of color in the artwork, which is crisp and clean. As I took my first look at the deck, I could tell it was one which would be easy to read intuitively, without the LWB or the companion book, also by Ellen Cannon Reed, as the imagery on each and every card is quite evocative.

This is not a RWS clone, and in my opinion, not a deck for a beginning reader. Those who have used RWS style decks extensively will find this deck quite different, as it combines tarot imagery with pagan and Qabalistic symbolism. Most of the Minor Arcana cards (along with a few of the Majors) are interpreted very differently from RWS style decks. I do not think one would need to be a master of the Qabala to read with the deck, although some basic knowledge of the Tree of Life would add to the reader's full use of the deck.

As with many pagan styled decks, the element of air is associated with Wands and fire is associated with Swords. The Devil has been replaced by The Horned One (the masculine force of deity) and The Seeker has taken the place of The Hermit.

The biggest challenge for me personally, and the only drawback to the deck I have identified in three weeks' worth of use is interpretation of the Courts. Court cards in this deck have no interpretation which stands on its own - instead, they are used to modify the card immediately after the Court card. For me, that means laying a spread face up - something which I do not like to do. I prefer to lay a spread with all cards face down, and turn them over one at a time, forming an initial impression of the spread as a whole, then going back to interpret each card in sequence. Still, this is certainly not a fatal flaw, and in time, I'm sure the Witches Tarot will number among my favorites of my modest collection.

Prefered Deck
They and beutifully colored and easy to read. If you are just starting out and you want something simple but not traditional and boring this is an ideal deck. This deck of cards was my second deck. My first deck was thrown away by my mother but when she saw this one she loved them to the point that I had to buy her one. Today I have 5 decks, and each has its purpose but this deck is my personal deck that I don't like to use for anyone.