The Witches Tarot (Kit) (Llewellyn's Modern Witchcraft) (Bk.2) [Paperback]

Ellen Cannon Reed (Author)

Book Description

Series: Llewellyn's Modern Witchcraft | Publication Date: June 8, 1996

The Ultimate Tarot Set for Witches Everywhere

If you are new to Paganism or the Tarot, this is the set for you! The art is amazing, brilliant and intense. It follows the form of a traditional Tarot and is able to blend the Qabalistic Tree of Life with Pagan symbolism. The High Priestess stands proudly in the Goddess pose and wears a garter showing that she is indeed a high priestess of many covens. The Devil loses its evil reputation and returns to his original form as he becomes "The Honed One," showing a couple staring in awe at the powerful and loving God crowned in the horns of a stag. The Minor Arcana is also fully illustrated, featuring strong characters in rural settings, evoking a feeling of Pagan spirituality.

Included in the box is a special layout sheet for doing the Four Seasons spread. This sheet isn't available anywhere else. It's beautiful and helps to make readings easy.

The box also includes a full-sized, 320-page book. It's the first book that explains the Tarot from both a Qabalistic and Wiccan point of view. Every card is thoroughly explained as is the way to read the cards using the layout sheet. It covers the symbolism of the cards, correspondences of the cards with letters, astrology, colors scents, gems, and Qabalistic paths, gives examples of how to use the cards when doing pathworkings, and sample readings and spreads.

No mater what type of Witchcraft, Wicca, or magick you practice, this is the set to have to have.

Editorial Reviews

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; Book, Map & Cards edition (June 8, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567185584
• ISBN-13: 978-1567185584
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,375,637 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Love the deck, but don't use the book, March 26, 2001

By 

Carmen Honacker "Carmen" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Witches Tarot (Kit) (Llewellyn's Modern Witchcraft) (Bk.2) (Paperback)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No RWS clone here!, January 25, 2006

By 

Sharpchick (Mabelvale, AR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Witches Tarot (Kit) (Llewellyn's Modern Witchcraft) (Bk.2) (Paperback)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prefered Deck, November 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Witches Tarot (Kit) (Llewellyn's Modern Witchcraft) (Bk.2) (Paperback)

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.