Customer Reviews

The Witches Tarot Book (Llewellyn's Modern Witchcraft)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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).

I am so torn with this deck.....The cards feel good in my hands, and I am able to give accurate readings with this deck without looking up the meanings....BUT, there are a few things I really dislike about this deck.....some of the cards have a body builder image on them which seems to be comepletly out of place in this deck....it seems almost "cartoonish"....and I also don't like the fact that the court cards are all the same.....it makes it very difficult to read when there is no distinct imagery.... I do wish that all tarot cards were the same size so I could take out the few cards that I really dislike in this deck and substitute them with cards from another deck. This deck also has some of the most beautiful cards I have ever seen....as I said before,....... I am torn between love and hate of this deck.

This book is an interesting if simplistic exploration of attributions between the Tarot major arcana and the paths on the most common version of the Tree of Life. She writes from an expressly neopagan bias, and the writing does occasionally devolve into self-congratulatory inspirational tone--fellow pagans are better than the run of the mill, etc. While I'm sure that's very reassuring for pagans to read, it doesn't add anything to the text except distraction. For each of the major arcana, she includes a short list of correspondences, some traditional, some not, and an essay on why she feels that card "belongs" on the particular path it does. Despite its flaws, they are interesting reads, as most sources (of all quality levels) simply don't pay much attention to the nature of the paths on the Tree of Life. Also interesting is the system she puts forth for interpreting the effects of court cards. In all, a mixed read; it will be of most interest to Wiccan (and Wiccan-similar) parties. Its treatment of Kabbalah is rather simplified, and many of the conclusions reached are less than convincing, and its segues into inspirational "we rule!" tone are distracting. Still, not a bad read

This is a very Wiccan 78-card Tarot; the mostly traditional Major Arcana are used to evoke very traditional Wiccan Mysteries and roles. Colors are bold, art is well rendered. Some traditional cards are quite re-interpreted; the Devil is re-cast as the Horned One and Pan, with dramatically different interpretation than used in more traditional Tarots; the Hermit is re-visioned as The Seeker; the Hierophant in this deck is the High Priest, again replacing some Tarot-traditional interpretations for this card. Gender polarities are key in this deck; human figures are shown as burly manly men, or buxom babes; Wiccan symbols (such as the garter on the High Priestess, and the High Priest thrusting a blade into the chalice) are characteristic. The Tarot-traditional associations of wands with fire, swords with air, is reversed to a Wiccan-traditional wands with air, swords with fire; while very convenient to pagans who share those associations (and not all do), this makes card comparisions across decks for these suits somewhat difficult for students and multi-deck users. A lot of thought went into this deck, and familiarity with Qabbalah, high and ceremonial magick and British traditional Wicca will be extremely helpful for the reader (and possibly will be helpful to querents, too).
Note: this is the deck designed by Ellen Cannon Reed and illustrated by Martin Cannon; there are numerous decks with Witch or Witches in their titles.

Of all the tarot decks I've ever owned, this is one of the most beautiful. The artwork is gorgeous. I disagree with the other reviewers on the court cards, I find them easy to tell the difference between. I do recommend the accompanying books for the set, while it is possible to read the cards without the books-it defeats the purpose. I wouldn't classify the books as "easy reads", but if you are serious about learning the Quabala they are a "must have". The cards speak to your deep spiritual questions as well as your more mundane life questions. This is my primary tarot set.

This is the first Tarot Deck I ever bought. It helped me to learn, though I seeked the help of my on-line coven sisters. I have done about ONLY 4 readings for friends and 3 for myself. However, in all cases I REALLY shocked the people at how much I was able to tell them. I really connected with this deck. My on-line sisters said not to go too much by the definitions SHE gives you (or with any deck for that matter), but the ones YOU come up with! I have done this and I think this is what leads to my success. I did learn some general terms from her such as 3's often represent struggle, pentacles are the physical ect. I think all would enjoy this deck as I have gotten many positive comments on it!

With tarot decks I have found that its *greatness* depends on how well you can relate to the deck. The Witches Tarot was my first deck and I now use it to do public readings and for paid readings. I have found that it IS different from the most common decks. The Wands are associated with Air in this deck and the Swords with Fire, is the most outstanding difference in the deck from others. However, just because it is different does not mean it is bad. I have found the deck to be very useful with the amount of detail that is found in all of the cards! I recommend this to anyone who enjoys pulling out the definitions from the images they see within the deck. Also, I definately found the book very interesting and it sparked my interest in Kabbalah! So the book/deck is a great combination! :)

I purchased this tarot deck and love it! The artwork is fantastic, and it speaks to me on a inner level. I definately would reccomend this deck to anyone interested in tarot cards. The seller shipped quickly and I reccomend them as well!!!!

I was very disappointed with the witches tarot as they are advertized as boarderless and even though I was reasurred that they were boarderless unfortunately they have big black boarders around each card. As a professional tarot reader this stops the flow for me. The original cards in a yellow box were boarderless but the ones in the red or blue boxes are not.