Reading Gill

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 02 Feb 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Pollux	02 Feb 2002
I'm going to receive Gill and Aquarian from Alida. I was wondering about the way I would have read the Tarot cards. I don't think I can use all the decks I have (well, five only) in the same way. For the Aquarian, I know some link and title, but what for the Gill? Could I keep reading the same way (i.e. sticking to Rider-Waite meanings at least)? I think I can't. They're different decks. PLEASE HELP ME OUT!

Sulis	08 Oct 2002
Hi, thought I`d resurrect this post since I`ve just got the Gill. So for all of you with the Gill out there, how do you read it? Do you stick to RWS meanings which don`t tally with all of the key words or do you use another system? I`ve heard that this deck is Thoth based but since I know nothing of Crowley`s tarot this doesn`t really help me. As Pollux said in the original post you can`t really put RWS meanings onto a different style of deck. Any pointers in the right direction, book recommendations etc would be much appreciated. Love and light Crystalmynx xx

Lee	08 Oct 2002
Hi, crystalmynx -- The Gill minors are based on the Cabalistic Tree of Life -- each number 1-10 relates to the corresponding number of the ten spheres on the Tree of Life. In my opinion you wouldn't want to try to keep RWS meanings in mind, because there are simply too many differences. I found that the Gill minors made a lot more sense to me after studying the Cabalah a little bit. Or, alternatively, you could forget about the Cabalah and simply go with the keywords on the cards and see what they suggest, in conjunction with the pictures. Hope this helps -- Lee

Sulis	08 Oct 2002
Thanks Lee, Good advice, for now I`m going to stick with the keywords. Off I go to study my new Gill. Love and light Crystalmynx xx

Jewel	09 Oct 2002
Hi Crystalmynx! I have the Gill but have not read with it. I do use the Cosmic Tribe which is also Thoth based and I agree that superimposing RWS meanings is not the way to go. I think Lee's suggestion is a great one, and one that I will probably follow when I work with the Gill. Since I started working with CT, I notice that I actually prefer the Thoth based systems and am more drawn to decks following that nature. The "moody minors" (unillustrated but not simply pip cards) really open new dimensions. There is a really good book out there called The Truth About Tarot by Gerald Suster that has a chapter on Kabalah that is not too in depth but might shed some light on the Kabalah for you without hurting your head too much ;)

Keslynn	09 Oct 2002
I love my Gill! I think it's partically Pollu'x fault that I ended up getting it. BUt no blame here! I'll never be upset at another tarotholic for making me buy. ;) I agree that putting RWS meanings on this deck is not a good way to go. Some knowledge of the Qabalah is useful but not necessary. These cards are superbly illustrated so I can generally get a lot of meaning from the keywords and colors, etc even without bringing Qabalah knowledge to bear. I did get the Gill deck and book set, and I must say that this was extremely helpful to me. She explains the Qabalah correspondences very well though sometimes she waxes a little ethereal. Books you might want to check out for a quick and easy overview of Qabalah is The Witches Qabalah and The Witches Tarot by Ellen Cannon Reed. Her books are tailored a little more toward her own Qabalisticly themed deck but she is clear and a good read. She gets the idea across. And you'll soon learn that every tarotist who uses Qabalah has their own opinion. Good luck and congrats on obtaining a lovely deck. :) Kes

Sulis	09 Oct 2002
Thanks for the book recommendation Jewel, Amazon Uk have that book for £4.99, I may just have to order it. The Gill is my first `moody minors` type deck and so I don`t have any experience with a Thoth based system. I do feel incredibly drawn to these type of decks though, the next 2 decks on my wishlist are the Stone tarot (which is RWS based but with moody minors instead of scenes), cosely followed by the Cosmic Tribe. Love and light Crystalmynx xx

Jewel	09 Oct 2002
Crystalmynx, the book is short and very easy read. It includes numorology, astrology, Qabalah, and other stuff. As Jema said Qabalah knowledge is not essential for the Gill so this book should work well for you. I cannot recommend that book highly enough. And its cheap too! always a good thing. I have also been wanting the Stone Tarot, but let me tell you the Cosmic Tribe rules! For me the images just come alive and the deck just speaks on its own. I have never had an experience with a Tarot deck as I have had with the Cosmic Tribe. If it is already on your wishlist, as number 2, then I say bump it up you won't regret it. Not a deck for everyone, but if you already like it ... why wait? *LOL*

Sulis	09 Oct 2002
Ooh I can see how you got your Queen Tarot Siren title. I`m most impressed. Crystalmynx xx

Pollux	09 Oct 2002
it is obvious I had not seen and meet the Gill yet when I posted this thread, right? ;) OI bet you'll see clear once you have worked with it a bit, and started studying it (ARGH I HAVE TO POST IN THE STUDY GROUP!!! *LOL*). I think that there might be some old threads where we discussed some things about the Gill. They might be helpful for the first steps, just to know our opinions and experiences. My problem when I started tis thread was that I could not get the book. And I STILL am in that situation. Crystalminx, if you decide to get it, I would be very happy to trade for it once you have read it if you feel you can do without it. (or well, we coul set up another trade anyway... *LOL*). Anyway, I am pretty satisfied with the "knowledge" of the cards I have developed myself, alone. I didn't think at the time I could do much like this - but I have, and if you want to you will get there quickly as well!! :) Don't forget to check some old threads (did I say this already?) - there was one in which we talked a bit about it more specifically... it could be helpful.

Jewel	10 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by crystalmynx Ooh I can see how you got your Queen Tarot Siren title. I`m most impressed. Crystalmynx xx *ROFLMAO* ... well thank for the compliment (I think ;)). So did you order the Cosmic Tribe yet? :D

Sulis	11 Oct 2002
Can`t quite afford the Cosmic tribe yet, I`ll have to wait till the end of the month when my husband (who earns very little) gets paid *lol* - it`s Ok because he`s addicted to buying vinyl - as in records so I`m quite justified. The book you recommended has just arrived though and at 1st glance looks every bit as good as you say. Thanks Jewel. Love and light Crystalmynx xx

Jewel	11 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by crystalmynx The book you recommended has just arrived though and at 1st glance looks every bit as good as you say. Thanks Jewel. I hope you do like the book. It is not one that you hear anyone but me talk about *LOL*, but to me it is one of the best Tarot books I have ever read. The only thing I do not like about it are like the last 4-5 pages where he talks about modern Wicca with disdain. But if you can ignore that the whole part on Tarot is really good.

The Reading Gill thread was originally posted on 02 Feb 2002 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.