Witches Tarot deck

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 03 Mar 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Umber_Lunna	03 Mar 2003
Greetings to you all. This is my first post, and I have a question. Is there anyone here that uses or is familiar with Ellen Cannon Reed's Witches Tarot deck? I have been using it, trying it for a while now. And there's one thing I can't quite understand: the court cards are supposed to modify another card, obviously the one you draw right afterwards. But how about when the card you draw is another court card? It makes no sense to me and it really messes up my readings. Maybe I'm missing something because english is not my first language. I use the Celtic Cross spread 99% of the times .. any help from anyone familiar with this deck is very, very welcome. Thank you in advance.

Sulis	03 Mar 2003
Hello Umber_Lunna, welcome to Aeclectic. You`ve certainly come to the right place to learn about tarot. I think there are a few people here who use the Witches tarot; it seems to be one of those decks which people either love or hate, no middle ground. I used to have this deck but traded it away for a few reasons: The court cards were one of the main reasons, along with the wands / air, swords / fire correspondences which I just couldn`t get along with. I think that Elen Cannon Reed has developed a whole new system of using court cards which are quite different to the way they`re usually used. I don`t know if you`re a tarot beginner or if you`re experienced. Either way, I think that the only way to learn how to use the courts as Ms. Cannon Reed does is to refer to the book which goes along with the deck. You could try using the courts in the standard way. If I were you I`d check out THIRTEEN`S TAROT BASICS for some good advice on how to use the court cards. Hope that`s helped a bit. Love and light Crystalmynx xx

Silverlotus	03 Mar 2003
Welcome to Aeclectic, Umber_Lunna. I used the Witches Tarot for many years, and I was never really able to use the court cards the way Ms. Reed suggested. I read them in the more "traditional" manner, which is as representing people or characteristics. The link crystalmynx provided should help you out quite a bit. I'd also suggest http://www.learntarot.com for additional information on the court cards. If I may, I would also suggest perhaps considering purchasing another tarot deck if you find you aren't connecting with the Witches Tarot very well. I did use it for years, but I never really liked it. I always felt like I was fighting it. When I bought the Robin Wood deck I found that everything became much clearer. And the court cards in the Robin Wood deck are much easier to read. Just my opinion, of course. :)

Pollux	03 Mar 2003
I have CrystalMinx deck now :D And I have tried to work with it. But it simply refuses... :p *lol* There's something about the artwork that really puts me off. Apart from the fact that her system is a bit difficult (I enjoyed her book a lot), I think my main problem is just THE CARDS. There's no relationship, no line of speech, so just silent. Black Out... *lol* I think I will be trading the deck soon...

Umber_Lunna	06 Mar 2003
Thank you all for taking the time to reply :) I do like this deck, and I have done some pretty accurate readings with it. I only get stuck when 1 court card follows another and I am left with 2 modifying cards with nothing to modify :( I also have the book and there is no explanation for this problem in there either. I will try the links you suggest :) Thanks again.

Silverlotus	06 Mar 2003
If you want to follow Ms. Reed's ideas about modifying with court cards (which I don't really recommend, but that's just me), perhaps draw a third card when you have drawn two courts cards. It is possible in life for a person or a situation to be influenced by more then one thing, so I don't see why a tarot card can't be. It could let you know that there are multiple modifying circumstances surrounding what you are reading about. Just my ideas here, of course.

Sulis	06 Mar 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Pollux I have CrystalMinx deck now :D There's something about the artwork that really puts me off. Apart from the fact that her system is a bit difficult (I enjoyed her book a lot), I think my main problem is just THE CARDS. There's no relationship, no line of speech, so just silent. Black Out... *lol* I think I will be trading the deck soon... Ah Pollux, you couldn`t get on with it either. I can see exactly where you`re coming from with your comment about the artwork: The magician looks like an ugly woman in drag and those men in speedos ewwwwwwwwwwww! *lol* I could go on but I realise that some people like this deck so I`ll shut up. Love andlight Crsytalmynx xx

coldsuns	19 Mar 2003
I love the Witch Tarot but love more at the Teen Witch Tarot. Anyway is the Witch Tarot nice to use? Hm..anyone has pictures of it?

The Witches Tarot deck thread was originally posted on 03 Mar 2003 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.