The Witches Tarot deck, created by Ellen Dugan and illustrated by Mark Evans, represents a significant modern interpretation of traditional tarot, specifically designed to resonate with contemporary magical practitioners. This deck serves as a tool for self-discovery and spiritual guidance, integrating the foundational structure of the Rider-Waite-Smith system with vibrant Wiccan symbolism and natural themes. The deck's primary purpose is to assist users in connecting with their inner wisdom and navigating life's challenges through the imagery of herbs, animals, and natural phenomena. It emphasizes the ethical use of energy, reminding the practitioner that the power derived from the cards should be utilized solely for positive intentions.
Origins and Creation of the Witches Tarot
The Witches Tarot was brought into existence in 2012 through a collaboration between Ellen Dugan, a practicing American witch and master of horticulture, and artist Mark Evans. Dugan’s background in landscape design and her deep appreciation for plants heavily influenced the deck's aesthetic and thematic focus. The deck was conceptualized to provide a "tome with secret knowledge," inviting the user to explore the world of natural elements to harness immeasurable power for good.
Ellen Dugan’s vision was to present her personal worldview and introduce the fortuneteller to a magical reality where healing, personal growth, and family happiness are possible. Despite the name "Witches Tarot," the term is used to denote a "knowing mother" or wise woman who possesses insight and the ability to lead. The artistic contribution of Mark Evans brought this vision to life with a surrealist style characterized by bold colors and dreamlike fantasies. The result is a deck that captures the essence of witchcraft while remaining accessible and visually stunning.
Structure and Unique Features
The Witches Tarot adheres to the traditional tarot structure, divided into the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana cards, such as The Moon and The High Priestess, address significant life events and karmic lessons. The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits, which in this deck are renamed to reflect the four natural elements: Water, Air, Fire, and Earth (corresponding to the traditional Cups, Swords, Wands, and Pentacles).
Unique modifications distinguish this deck from its predecessors. While it maintains the core meanings of the Rider-Waite-Smith system, several names have been altered to better fit the pagan aesthetic. For instance, The Fool is renamed The Pilgrim. The suits are also reimagined to enhance the magical connection: * Water (Cups): Characterized by a soothing color range, often featuring children and mermaids to symbolize sincerity and faith in miracles. * Air (Swords): Depicted with imagery that can be heavy or depressing, yet these cards hint at wisdom, intelligence, and necessary challenges. * Fire (Wands): Illustrated with bright colors, sunlight, and blooming imagery, representing energy and creativity. * Earth (Pentacles): Focuses on material stability and the grounding forces of nature.
The artwork is designed to help the user connect with Spirit while remaining grounded in the physical world. The deck avoids borders, allowing the imagery to flow freely, and uses a distinct color theme for each suit to aid in intuitive reading.
Interpretations and Card Meanings
The Witches Tarot provides essential insights for self-discovery and spiritual connection. Each card holds a unique meaning that links to the user's feelings and mind, fostering personal and spiritual growth. The deck taps into the subconscious mind, aligning with psychological concepts discussed by thinkers like Freud and Jung, to uncover hidden truths.
The Role of Magic in Readings
Unlike standard tarot decks, the Witches Tarot includes "spell-enhancing extensions" as part of its companion guide. These magical practices are designed to be used alongside traditional readings to amplify intentions. Key features include: * The Triple Goddess Roll: A method to invoke the phases of the moon and feminine energy. * The Four Elements Roll: A ritual to balance the elemental forces within the user's life. * The Wheel of the Year Roll: A practice connecting the user to the seasonal cycles and their corresponding energies.
These additions allow the practitioner to move beyond passive prediction into active magical work, using the cards as a focal point for energy manipulation.
Court Cards and Reading Systems
In the specific version of the Witches Tarot created by Ellen Cannon Reed (a distinct deck mentioned in the source data), the approach to Court Cards is unique. In this system, court cards do not have a specific meaning of their own when they appear in a reading. Instead, they act as modifiers for the next card dealt. This dynamic approach changes the flow of the reading, adding layers of nuance to the interpretation of subsequent cards.
Practical Application and Spiritual Growth
The Witches Tarot is not merely a tool for divination but a guide for spiritual evolution. The source material emphasizes that tarot connects with psychology, highlighting its role in self-discovery. By engaging with the cards, users can uncover hidden wisdom that already resides within them.
To deepen the connection with the deck and ensure accurate readings, several practices are recommended: * Cleansing the Deck: Regularly cleaning the tarot cards strengthens the bond between the practitioner and the deck, ensuring that readings are clear and deeply felt. * Journaling: Writing about tarot readings helps identify patterns and track personal growth over time, turning the practice into a profound learning experience. * Education: Joining classes or groups to practice reading tarot is encouraged to build confidence and skill.
The deck serves as a bridge between the mundane and the magical, encouraging the user to explore their potential while adhering to the ethical principle of using energy only for good. Neglecting this rule is warned against, as it can lead to negative consequences for the questioner.
Visual and Thematic Elements
The Witches Tarot is visually distinct. The version by Ellen Dugan and Mark Evans features rich Wiccan symbolism and is described as "Waite in the looking glass world," where ordinary characters are immersed in a fairy-tale reality. The imagery is often light and fanciful, despite introducing the user to otherworldly forces.
Conversely, the Ellen Cannon Reed version is noted for its "luminous clarity" and bright images by artist Martin Cannon. The people in this deck are often depicted in medieval-style dress or nude, emphasizing a connection to ancient traditions. The color themes are strictly defined: Wands are yellow, Cups are blue, Swords are red, and Pentacles are green. This consistent color coding aids in rapid identification and intuitive association during readings.
Conclusion
The Witches Tarot deck stands as a powerful synthesis of traditional tarot structure and modern pagan spirituality. Created by Ellen Dugan and illustrated by Mark Evans, it offers a unique path for those seeking to understand themselves and the world around them through a magical lens. With its renamed suits, elemental focus, and inclusion of spell-enhancing practices, it provides a comprehensive toolkit for both divination and active magical work. Whether used for simple yes-or-no questions or deep spiritual exploration, the deck guides the user toward personal growth, emphasizing the importance of ethical intent and a connection to the natural world.