Ellen Cannon Reed (1943–2003) was a High Priestess of the Isian tradition and a respected teacher of the Craft and Qabala for over fifteen years. Her goal was to create a deck that expressed traditional Tarot ideas through Qabalistic symbolism in a way that would resonate specifically with Pagans and Wiccans. Unlike many modern "witch" decks that prioritize aesthetics, Reed’s work is a rigorous study of the , mapping each card to specific spheres and paths. Deck Structure and Unique Symbolism
While it follows the standard 78-card structure, the deck features significant name changes and symbolic shifts to better align with Pagan theology: the witches tarot ellen cannon reed
The Witches’ Tarot: Bridging Qabalah and the Craft in Ellen Cannon Reed’s Masterwork Ellen Cannon Reed (1943–2003) was a High Priestess
The Witches' Tarot deck is rich in symbolism, drawing on various sources, including Wiccan rituals, mythology, and alchemy. Some of the recurring themes and symbols in the deck include: Deck Structure and Unique Symbolism While it follows
To understand the innovation of Reed’s work, one must first acknowledge the theoretical elephant in the room: the Qabalah. While the Tarot has been linked to the Hebrew Qabalah since the days of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, many Wiccan and Pagan practitioners in the late 20th century found the system overly patriarchal or rigidly cerebral. Reed, however, argued that the Qabalah was not antithetical to Wicca but was, in fact, a necessary framework for understanding the Tarot’s depth.
Visually, The Witches’ Tarot is a departure from the medieval Christian imagery of the Rider-Waite deck. Illustrated by Martin Cannon, the artwork retains the two-dimensional, iconic style of traditional Tarot but populates it with figures drawn from Pagan mythology and Wiccan ritual.
including Hebrew letters, astrological attributions, gems, and animals for every path.