The Green Witch Tarot deck represents a unique fusion of traditional Tarot archetypes with the cyclical rhythms and symbolic language of nature. Created by Kiri Leonard, this deck reinterprets the classic Rider-Waite system through the lens of Wiccan practice and the "Green Witch" tradition, which emphasizes a personal relationship with the natural world. The deck is designed to be visually intuitive, using muted colors and illustrative styles reminiscent of fairy tales to convey complex spiritual concepts. By incorporating specific animals, plants, and ritualistic imagery, the deck offers a multi-layered approach to divination that connects the querent with the elemental forces of earth, air, fire, and water.
For individuals seeking holistic energy harmonization, the Green Witch Tarot provides a tool for introspection that aligns with the cyclical nature of life. The deck emphasizes the feminine divine and the transformative power of nature, offering insights that can complement spatial and spiritual balancing practices. The following sections detail the deck's structure, symbolism, and interpretive approach, drawing exclusively from the provided source material.
The Philosophy and Visual Language of the Deck
The Green Witch Tarot is characterized by a "light" energy that is described as soft yet fair. The artistic style plays a crucial role in this perception. Kiri Leonard created the Arcana in the style of children's book illustrations, a deliberate choice to ensure the cards are approachable and easy to understand visually. The characters are rendered with active facial expressions and body language, allowing the viewer to immediately grasp the emotions and thoughts being expressed within the scene.
A distinct feature of the deck is the attire of the characters, who are dressed in medieval clothing. The ages of these figures range from children to the elderly. This variation is not arbitrary; it serves to highlight the cyclical nature of life. The author uses age to symbolize the different seasons of existence: childhood as spring, youth as summer, maturity as autumn, and old age as winter. This thematic element reinforces the connection to natural cycles, a core tenet of the Green Witch tradition.
The visual presentation extends to the physical construction of the cards. The deck features borderless cards measuring approximately 7 x 11.5 cm. The lack of borders allows for a more immersive experience with the imagery. The back of the cards depicts an old wooden fence adorned with a wreath of fir branches and rose flowers, centered around a pentagram inscribed in a circle. This symbol represents the harmony and balance of the elements and the individual within nature. However, the source notes that if a card is turned over to reveal this back, the pentagram can invert to symbolize discord or the destruction of a system, introducing a dualistic meaning to the symbol.
Structural Adaptations: Arcana and Suits
While the Green Witch Tarot adheres to the fundamental structure of classic Tarot, it incorporates specific renaming and thematic shifts that reflect its Wiccan and nature-based focus.
Major Arcana Adaptations
The deck retains the standard number of Major Arcana but alters the names of several cards to align with nature mythology and folklore. These changes shift the focus from abstract concepts to tangible natural forces and archetypes.
- The Sidhe (Temperance): The card traditionally known as Temperance is renamed "The Sidhe." Sidhe refers to forest creatures akin to fairies. This change connects the concept of moderation and balance to the ethereal, elemental spirits of nature.
- The Nature (The Devil): The Devil is reinterpreted as "Nature." This card loses its traditional sinister connotation and instead symbolizes the wild, unbridled power of nature and the concept of retribution based on one's actions toward the natural world.
- The Holly King (The Hermit): In some interpretations, The Hermit is replaced by "The Holly King," a figure from Celtic mythology associated with the winter season, further grounding the deck in seasonal folklore.
The Suits: Elemental Tools
The four suits correspond to the classic elements but are renamed to reflect ritualistic tools used in witchcraft:
- Athames (Swords): Originally Swords, this suit represents ritual blades.
- Chalices (Cups): Represents silver bowls, associated with water and emotion.
- Wands: Represented by staves resembling magic wands, associated with fire and will.
- Pentacles: Represented by round wooden altars depicting a pentagram, associated with earth and material matters.
The Court Cards (Pages, Knights, Queens, and Kings) follow traditional roles but are interpreted through the lens of age and responsibility. Pages indicate the beginning of an activity or lack of experience; Knights represent a good level of skill and responsibility; Kings and Queens denote rank and status.
The Role of Nature in Interpretation: Animals and Herbs
A defining characteristic of the Green Witch Tarot is the inclusion of a totem animal and a characteristic plant on every card. These elements are not merely decorative; they are integral to the card's meaning and offer additional layers for intuitive interpretation.
Symbolic Integration
The accompanying literature details the specific relevance of each animal and plant. However, even without prior knowledge of herbalism or animal lore, the imagery is designed to be evocative. The presence of these elements encourages the reader to connect with the "magick" of nature.
Examples from the source data illustrate this integration: * Six of Chalices: Features marjoram, which symbolizes immersion in happy memories and a connection to one's family. * Eight of Athames: Depicts a hedgehog, representing self-defense and a natural distrust of others. * The World Tree (The World): Shows two iconic creatures—a serpent at the bottom signifying death and the completion of a cycle, and a stork at the top symbolizing a new beginning.
This approach allows the querent to engage with the cards on multiple levels. The main image provides the narrative, while the animal and plant offer specific energetic signatures or "magical" associations that can deepen the reading.
Interpretive Approaches: Waite System and Beyond
The Green Witch Tarot offers flexibility in interpretation, accommodating both beginners and experienced readers.
Standard Waite-Based Interpretation
For those new to Tarot, the deck allows for interpretation based on the Rider-Waite system. The scenes are constructed to be eloquent and clear, making it easy to apply standard meanings. The Minor Arcana largely reflect the ideas of Waite, though the visual scenes have been adapted.
"Magical" and Intuitive Interpretation
The deck encourages a "magical" approach, viewing the cards as specific actions or rituals to change one's reality. The imagery often depicts ritualistic acts. For instance, the Ten of Athames shows a heroine attempting to revive a mandrake root, with the blades forming a protective magic circle.
The source material highlights that the deck is "very talkative," meaning it provides ample visual cues for the reader. By observing the color schemes, environments, and the specific attributes (such as tools or ritual objects) present in the cards, the reader can derive a comprehensive and "objective" prediction.
The Suit of Athames: A Shift in Meaning
The suit of Swords, transformed into Athames (ritual blades), undergoes a subtle but significant shift in meaning. In this deck, the suit is described as less painful than in traditional Tarot. Instead, it denotes the need to defend oneself or to engage in conflict for the sake of a lofty goal. The Seven of Athames, for example, does not depict a standard theft scene. Instead, it shows a protagonist carrying prey, suggesting a context of survival or necessary acquisition rather than moral failing.
The Aces: Pure Energy
The Aces in the Green Witch Tarot are visualized as the root or pure potential of their respective elements. * Athames (Ace of Swords): Suggests having the necessary tools to bring ideas to fruition. The imagery often includes dandelion seeds, interpreted as wishes, and dandelions representing the power to choose one's thoughts. * Wands, Chalices, Pentacles: Each Ace utilizes a specific color scheme and symbols (staves, silver bowls, wooden altars) to reflect the raw energy of the suit.
Practical Considerations for the Reader
The Green Witch Tarot is designed to be accessible. The accompanying book is 240 pages long and is described as a comprehensive resource for beginners. It grounds the deck in the "Green Witchcraft" approach, emphasizing a personal relationship with nature, the Goddess, the God, and the Wheel of the Year. While the book provides detailed explanations, the source notes that the reader can choose whether to fully integrate these Wiccan themes or simply use them as background context.
The physical handling of the cards is also noted as a benefit. The semi-gloss finish and borderless design make them easy to shuffle and fan, making the deck practical for regular use.
Conclusion
The Green Witch Tarot serves as a bridge between traditional Tarot wisdom and the vibrational energy of the natural world. By renaming cards to reflect nature spirits and wild forces, and by embedding every card with the specific energies of plants and animals, it offers a holistic tool for divination. It invites the querent to view life through the lens of natural cycles—seasons, ages, and elemental rituals—providing a framework for understanding personal challenges and opportunities. Whether used for standard fortune-telling or for deeper spiritual rituals, the deck remains rooted in the concept that nature is a guiding force, offering both protection and wisdom to those who seek it.