13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but highly specialized, not recommended for 'general' readings., November 30, 2005
This review is from: The Witches Tarot (Cards)
I've heard about this deck for years, and finally picked it up in a store. I'd heard it was strongly connected with the Qabalah, which I knew almost nothing of--and so hit my first stumbling block with using this deck.
If a reader does *not* have at least an elementary grasp of what the Qabalah is and its very basic symbolism, most of the imagery of these cards will be difficult to interpret. Many, many of the cards feature a large, solid-color half-circle image that takes up a lot of room on the card, a baffling image (I know one person who thought it was a printing error) unless one knows these half-and-quarter circles are supposed to represent specific sephiroth on the Tree of Life (according to color, etc.) Without this knowledge, there is an entire level of meaning that is inaccessible to the reader (and thus, the querent).
I have no quibble with "switching out" certain cards, like The Devil, for more "Pagan-friendly" images, or moving away from the "One True Interpretation" as set out by the Rider-Waite and Waite-derived decks. Anyone who's done readings for others knows the frustration and disruption that result when one has to calm a client when The Devil or Death or similar "spooky" cards appear. The problem isn't entirely removed by using this deck, but as The Devil is one of the big trigger cards for such a reaction, I'm not sorry to see it reworked to fit into this particular paradigm.
Though I have been reading cards for well over a decade now, I always thumb through the book/booklet included--one can often learn interesting Tarot minutae or new spreads or philosophies about the cards, often specifically related to a particular deck. It never hurts to know the designer's intentions/focus for a deck, and can prevent that nasty disconnected feeling when symbols differ from expected. So I knew before I laid out the first spread that the court cards, unlike traditional Tarot, were never meant to be read individually with this deck. They're more like "lens" cards, focusing energy in a particular way towards the secondary card that should be laid out next to it.
While I enjoy vibrant, somewhat fey-seeming art with my cards (such as the Sacred Rose deck or the Faerie Wicca Tarot), the art here is more like Llewellyn bookcover art--not a *bad* thing, but it may be a turn-off to those who object to "Barbie Witch" images. The cards are a good size, easy to handle. The image on the back of the card could've been better chosen, as it's then far too easy to tell if a card is reversed. (But then, I lay out all my cards face up when doing most spreads, so this is less of a factor for me, and this is hardly the only deck with this problem.)
The Minor Arcana are not labeled clearly, so it can be easy to mistake one suit for another. My major complaint with this deck is that one really *does* need the full-size book(s) to work well with the design of this deck--and that particular book is not sold seperately any longer, which is a major aggravation for those who bought just the deck. Ideally, one should have *both* of Reed's books, "The Witch's Tarot" and "The Witch's Qabalah" to get a grip on the Qabalah symbolism *as used in this deck*. (I know there are those who feel the connection to Qabalah borders on inaccurate.)
*That* is what annoys me: after paying for the deck (or kit, if you're a smarter shopper than me) then having to go out and buy additional books that apply *only* to one deck and require some considerable study. TWQ is *not* a quick afternoon read. Spending that much money is a considerable investment, and not knowing that in advance can come as a rude shock--and smack overmuch of a cheap commercial gimmick. Ideally, something packaged as a "kit" should have *all* the basic materials--or the product should be able to stand alone, without recourse to supplemental materials.
This is not a pick-up-and-go deck. It requires study, of new material not usually connected with Tarot. (And by 'study,' I mean *study*, as in the equivalent of a full continuing ed. class) I consider this an advanced deck, and highly specialized.
With all these caveats, I'd have to say this deck works best as a personal deck (I use mine for contemplation and guidance along my personal spiritual path) and readings for those you might regularly share ritual with. In that area, this deck is wonderful, and I reserve this deck for that purpose alone (which, in my experience only improves the accuracy). For general readings, I'd recommend another, more generalized deck, such as the Universal Waite, Tarot of the Old Path, or similar decks.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome illustrations!, November 16, 2003
This review is from: The Witches Tarot (Cards)
Awesome-awesome-awesome illustrations! The deck has full, life-like illustrations that extend all the way to the edge of each card, unlike some decks. Illustrations are not 'cartoonie' like the Tarot of the Witches, which are gruesome.
The only possible down-fall of this deck, is that you should read the companion book. The deck is based on Quaballa(a Jewish mixed with Wiccan tradition), and if you were like me and knew nothing of it, then you will have to read the companion book. The illustrations are based on the Quabala system and the spheres in the Tree of Life(Major Arcana only).
After reading the book, the cards are more easily understood. Plus the author states once the cards start giving off another meaning other than what is in the book, to throw the book out (not literally of course), which I applaud.
Some cards which are different in this deck would be: Seeker (traditionally the Hermit), High Priest (traditionally the Hierophant), Horned One (traditionally the The Devil).
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