Cannon Reed's "Witches Tarot"

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 27 Nov 2001, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Berengaria	27 Nov 2001
Hi peeps, I'm a reader and collector in the U.S. who just acquired Ellen Cannon Reed's _Witches Tarot_ (artist Martin Cannon). I have been wary of this deck for quite a while as I am completely unaffiliated with Kabbalistic/Qabala interpretations of Tarot, and this deck is heavily based on such interpretations. However, I have it now, and I am alternately impressed and bemused by the masterful artwork. Can I just say: what's up with the suit of Pents and those muscle-bound men? They make me wince whenever I come across them. And the incongruous 6 of Swords...? Anyway, the LWB includes some un-RWS divinatory meanings, but no interpretation of the symbolism on the cards (for example, why does the Hanged Man look like Hercules or king Neptune?). Another problem is that both the LWB and online Tarot pundits proclaim this deck to be the center of a whole new system of interpretation (esp. in how one reads the courts), but the LWB only briefly hints at this new reading technique, without offering specifics. I do not plan to engage in a study of the Kabbalah, nor invest in Cannon Reed's companion books any time in the near future. However, I am still drawn to MANY(definately not all) of the images and would like to have a working relationship with this deck. What are your thoughts on this? thanks in advance peace Berengaria B.

Kiama	27 Nov 2001
Quote: Berengaria (28 Nov, 2001 07:02): Anyway, the LWB includes some un-RWS divinatory meanings, but no interpretation of the symbolism on the cards (for example, why does the Hanged Man look like Hercules or king Neptune?). The Hanged Man is the Norse God, Odin. He has a patch, cuz that's what Odin wore. He is Odin, because, according to the Nore legends, in order to gain the Runes, Odin hung himself upside down on Yggdrasil, for nine days and nights, with no food, water, or comfort. Due to his 'sacrifice' (He survived, BTW) he gained knowledge of the Runes. This story is in keeping with the meaning of teh Hanged Man: Sacrificing something of yourself so you can gain. I have the Witches' Tarot, and used it for a while, but I did find the muscley men rather off putting aswell! They added a strange '1920's England' look to teh Pents suit, and really did nothing for me. Another quibble I have about this deck is those funny coloured semi-circles in all the Major Arcana cards! What is going on there?! But, one thing I like about this deck, is teh Horned One. The transition from evil card to card of giving into your pleasures and desires without feeling guilty is good. But every time I see this card I have to laugh. Cuz: Look at it, and then think about how much the Horned God lokos like a DJ or something, cheering as the people beneath him dance. "Dance! Yeah! Boogey! Funky!" he says... he he. ;p Being Pagan, I can idenitifty with some of teh symbolism and mythology used in this deck. However, I am not a student of teh Qabalah/Cabala/Kabalah/Kabbalah/whatever, and I probably never will be: It's never attracted me at all. But I guess I'll delve into it in the future... Kiama

moon	28 Nov 2001
Out of the blue, about a month or so ago, I purchased this deck. I'd seen a few scans of cards on here and a few other places, and it looked like it would be a very attractive deck. I purchased it, brought it home, and realized the few cards I'd seen were the highlights of the deck. The rest left much to be desired. Absolutely HATED those muscle-bound men in the pentacles suit. And those damn generic court cards. Grr. So I passed the deck along. Blessings, Jess

Jewel	28 Nov 2001
Quote: Kiama (28 Nov, 2001 10:32): The Hanged Man is the Norse God, Odin. He has a patch, cuz that's what Odin wore. He is Odin, because, according to the Nore legends, in order to gain the Runes, Odin hung himself upside down on Yggdrasil, for nine days and nights, with no food, water, or comfort. Due to his 'sacrifice' (He survived, BTW) he gained knowledge of the Runes. This story is in keeping with the meaning of teh Hanged Man: Sacrificing something of yourself so you can gain. Kiama thanks this is very helpful!!! Another quibble I have about this deck is those funny coloured semi-circles in all the Major Arcana cards! What is going on there?! Kiama The funny colored circles are the Sephiroth from the Tree of Life. Each Major Arcana card represents a pathway on the tree of life thus the colored circles correspond to the 2 Sephiroth between which the path of the card lies. I read the first book (Qabalistic Tarot) by Ellen Cannon Reed and found it very helpful in terms of the Qabalistic symbolism and understanding of her deck. I am planning to buy the second one soon. Since she has used the Tree of Life as a basis (I have not fully delved in to the deck yet so I cannot speak with certainty) it could explain much of the design in the Minor Arcana as well. Each Sephiroth is numbered 1-10 and each has 4 aspects corresponding to the 4 suits. Based on the qualities of the Sephiroth the designs should have been developed. Hope this helps you both out a bit. Love & Light,

Kiama	29 Nov 2001
Hmm... *Kiama ponders* That's very useful, Jewel. At least I know now. But I think they spoil the artwork, personally,and seeing as I don't really know much bout the Qabbalah, I don't really pay attention to them in readings... Kiama

Jewel	30 Nov 2001
Quote: Kiama (30 Nov, 2001 09:23): Hmm... *Kiama ponders* That's very useful, Jewel. At least I know now. But I think they spoil the artwork, personally,and seeing as I don't really know much bout the Qabbalah, I don't really pay attention to them in readings... Kiama If you would like to get a glimpse of the Tarot in Qabalistic context I highly recommend you find a book called The Truth About Tarot by Suster. I posted all the info on this book not too long ago. The section of the book dealing with this is not long and is written in a format that can be easily understood, all it is meant to do is provide you with a glimpse and an insight that is all. Love & Light,

Jewel	30 Nov 2001
P.S. Another interesting point I find with this deck is that as the Sephiroth are present on the Majors, if you look at the Tree of Life you can see the minor arcana that are "tied" (for lack of a better term) to each Major. One of the most interesting things I ever did was to actually recreate the Tree with this deck ... try it ;)

tarotbear	30 Nov 2001
The 'funny, coloured circles' in the cards are the colors of the corresponding spheres on the Tree Of Life. If you find a TOL layout and lay out the cards on the appropriate paths, you will see that they link the spheres together. I still find them very intrusive, though.

Kiama	30 Nov 2001
Quote: Jewel (01 Dec, 2001 03:20): P.S. Another interesting point I find with this deck is that as the Sephiroth are present on the Majors, if you look at the Tree of Life you can see the minor arcana that are "tied" (for lack of a better term) to each Major. One of the most interesting things I ever did was to actually recreate the Tree with this deck ... try it ;) The Adrian Tarot is actually designed for the reader to do this. But it's more like a jigsaw puzzle than anything, because the pictures behind each Major aren't very clear, so you have to squint to see which Major goes where in the Tree of Life. It took my boyf and I abut an hour to figure out that it was far too complicated fr our feeble minds... ;p Still haven't figured it out yet, so I will be trying it out with the Witches Tarot later.... Thanks! Kiama

WhiteRoseTarot	30 Nov 2001
I have the Witches' tarot (but hopefully not for long) ...I acquired it back in the winter with several other decks but only opened the deck itself about 3 weeks ago..imagine my shock to find, not only the absence of keywords, but the absence of suit names? okay this may not be important to a long-term reader, but i am only a one-year Newbie, and these illustrations are NOT clear as to suits, i have several times had to return to the book (not the LWB, i don't have one for it, but the BIG book) and look up the comparison notes (Reed gives illustration notes for several decks incl. RWS) in order to figure out what card i've just pulled..and even then sometimes..:( i've read thru the book, but since i am totally at sea re Qabalah it didn't improve my interest in the deck; it doesn't resonate with me, i dont appreciate reading with it, and..i hope my set can find a home with someone who does appreciate it, b/c i think every deck should be with someone who really does love it! (as i do my William Blake, Shapeshifter, and Sacred Circle, and newly acquired Enchanted Tarot!)

The Cannon Reed's "Witches Tarot" thread was originally posted on 27 Nov 2001 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.