
The story of The Witches Tarot by Ellen Cannon Reed is one of a High Priestess seeking to bridge the gap between ancient Qabalistic traditions and modern Paganism. First published in 1989 by Llewellyn Publications, the deck and its 320-page companion book were designed to present the Tarot in a way that resonated deeply with "paganfolk" while maintaining traditional symbolism. The Vision and Purpose
Reed, a High Priestess of the Isian tradition, created the deck as a practical follow-up to her first book, The Witches Qabala. While her first book focused on the spheres of the Tree of Life, The Witches Tarot was designed to explore the Paths that connect them. Her goal was to show that the Tarot was not just for divination, but a vital tool for: Pathworking and meditation Magical rituals and astral travel Understanding the intersection of Wicca and Hermetic Qabala A Pagan Reimagining
The deck is famous for renaming traditional cards to better fit a Pagan worldview, removing Christian-centric imagery in favor of ancient archetypes:
The Witches Tarot: Reed, Connon Ellen, Cannon, Martin - Amazon.ca
The Witches Tarot by Ellen Cannon Reed is widely regarded as a foundational text and deck for those who seek to bridge the gap between traditional Qabalistic theory and Wiccan practice. Originally published in 1989, it remains a favorite for practitioners who want a tarot system that speaks directly to Pagan sensibilities while maintaining the structural integrity of Western occultism.
While many users search for "The Witches Tarot Ellen Cannon Reed PDF," it is important to note that the work is a comprehensive 320-page guide often sold as a kit with a deck illustrated by Martin Cannon. The Core Philosophy: Qabala Meets the Craft
Ellen Cannon Reed, a High Priestess of the Isian tradition, designed this system to make the often dense Qabalistic Tree of Life accessible to Pagans. The book explains how each card represents a specific "path" or "sphere" on the Tree of Life, providing a spiritual map for personal growth and magical work. Witches Tarot Deck, w. 78 Tarotcards - Amazon.de
I can’t provide or help find copyrighted PDFs. I can, however, write an original article summarizing and reviewing The Witches’ Tarot by Ellen Cannon Reed, including its themes, structure, notable cards, and how it differs from other tarot decks. Would you like a concise review (≈300–500 words) or a longer deep-dive (≈1,000–1,200 words)?
I can’t provide a direct PDF or a full reproduction of The Witches’ Tarot by Ellen Cannon Reed, as it’s a copyrighted published work. However, I can offer you an original short story that incorporates the themes, symbolism, and archetypes from that deck and book.
Here’s a story inspired by the essence of Reed’s approach — blending Wiccan spirituality, tarot archetypes, and the journey of a modern witch.
Title: The Fool’s Walk
Elara had owned The Witches’ Tarot for seven years, but she’d never been able to shuffle the deck without a tremor in her hands.
The cards weren’t just paper to her. They were thresholds. Ellen Cannon Reed’s images — the Horned God staring from the Emperor card, the Crone’s silhouette in the shadows of the Moon — felt less like illustrations and more like mirrors into a world she could almost touch on Samhain night.
Tonight, she finally dared.
A candle flickered on her altar, casting the three-footed cauldron’s shadow against the wall. She drew:
0 – The Fool (the young witch with a white rose, stepping off a cliff between two towering oaks).
IX – The Hermit (a hooded figure holding a lantern shaped like a crescent moon).
XVII – The Star (a naked woman pouring water from twin chalices into a moonlit spring).
She frowned. Fool, Hermit, Star — a path of beginnings, solitude, and hope. Too poetic. Too vague. She needed answers about her failing coven, the blight on her garden, the nightmares of a figure in a crow mask.
A knock came at her door. Three slow raps. Then silence.
Outside stood a woman in a tattered black cloak, her face hidden beneath a hood. In her gloved hand: the exact same three cards, but the images had shifted. The Fool’s rose had thorns dripping blood. The Hermit’s lantern revealed a skull inside. The Star’s water was evaporating into smoke. the witches tarot ellen cannon reed pdf
“You drew the lesson,” the woman whispered. “I drew the consequence.”
Elara stepped back. The woman entered, each step leaving a faint frost on the wooden floor. “Ellen’s deck was never meant for divination,” the stranger said, pulling down her hood. Her face was Elara’s — but older, scarred, with eyes like cinders. “It’s a map for initiation. The Fool isn’t you. It’s what you must kill.”
Before Elara could speak, her doppelgänger touched the Star card. The room dissolved into a forest under perpetual twilight. Elara felt her memories peel away — first her name, then her coven’s faces, then the feel of the sun.
In that void, she heard the Hermit’s voice: “To become the Star, drown the Fool’s fear.”
She understood then. The blight on her garden was her own doubt. The crow-masked figure was her terror of leading alone. The deck had waited for her to stop asking and start walking.
Elara reached into the cauldron she now realized was inside her chest — and pulled out a single card she’d never seen before: The Weaver (a woman spinning a web from a spindle of moonlight, the Horned God and Mother Goddess as threads).
She looked at her older self. “You’re not the consequence. You’re the guide.”
The doppelgänger smiled — and crumbled into autumn leaves.
When Elara woke at her altar, the three cards lay face-up. But now, The Fool held a lantern. The Hermit’s hood was thrown back to reveal a young woman’s face. And The Star’s water flowed green with life.
She shuffled the deck once more. No tremors.
From that night on, she never did a reading for herself again. She didn’t need to. The cards had become her Book of Shadows — not fortune-telling, but transformation.
And whenever a seeker drew The Fool, Elara would whisper: “That’s not a warning. That’s an invitation to leap.”
If you’re looking for the actual text of The Witches’ Tarot by Ellen Cannon Reed, I recommend checking your local library, used bookstores (e.g., AbeBooks, ThriftBooks), or a legal ebook retailer. For the companion deck, look for the edition illustrated by Martin Cannon (her son).
Witches Tarot Ellen Cannon is widely regarded as a seminal work that bridges the gap between traditional Wiccan/Pagan beliefs and Qabalistic philosophy
. While often sought after in digital PDF formats for convenience, the physical kit originally included a 320-page companion book, 78 cards illustrated by Martin Cannon, and a unique "Four Seasons" layout sheet. Core Themes & Content Synthesis of Systems
: This is the first major work to explicitly explain Tarot through both a Wiccan and Qabalistic lens, connecting the cards to the paths of the Tree of Life Renamed Major Arcana
: Reed adjusted several traditional names to better suit Pagan sensibilities. For example, "The Devil" becomes The Horned One , "The Hierophant" becomes The High Priest , and "The Hermit" becomes The Seeker Pictorial Pips
: Unlike older decks, the Minor Arcana are fully illustrated with rural, Pagan-themed scenes that make the cards more intuitive for beginners. Elemental Shifts The story of The Witches Tarot by Ellen
: A notable departure from the standard Rider-Waite-Smith system is that Reed associates Wands with Air Swords with Fire Review Summary Witches' Tarot : Reed, Ellen Cannon: Amazon.se: Books
The Witches Tarot by Ellen Cannon Reed: A Guide to the PDF and Deck
The Witches Tarot, created by High Priestess Ellen Cannon Reed and illustrated by Martin Cannon, is a landmark work in modern occultism that bridges the gap between Wiccan practice and traditional Qabalistic symbolism. Originally published in 1989 by Llewellyn, it has remained a staple for Pagans seeking a deck that reflects their spiritual path while maintaining deep esoteric roots. Seeking the "The Witches Tarot" PDF
While many users search for a PDF of Ellen Cannon Reed's work, it is important to distinguish between available formats:
Official Digital Access: While physical copies are often preferred for their tactical nature, digital versions may be available for loan through platforms like the Internet Archive, which hosts a scanned copy of the 1989 edition.
Companion Guides: The 320-page companion book, often titled The Witches Tarot: The Witches Qabala Book 2, provides the essential meanings and meditations for the deck.
Legal Note: Be cautious of unauthorized "free PDF" downloads from third-party sites, as these often infringe on the copyrights held by the author's estate or Llewellyn Worldwide. Core Philosophy: Qabala Meets the Craft
Reed’s deck is unique because it explicitly maps the Major Arcana to the paths of the Qabalistic Tree of Life while using imagery that resonates with Witches and Pagans.
Renamed Cards: To better fit a Pagan worldview, several traditional cards were renamed: The High Priest (replaces the Hierophant) The Horned One (replaces the Devil) The Seeker (replaces the Hermit)
Thematic Suits: Each suit follows a distinct color theme to aid in quick recognition during readings: Wands: Yellow Cups: Blue Swords: Red Pentacles: Green Key Features of the Deck and Book
Bridging Worlds: A Look at Ellen Cannon Reed's "The Witches Tarot" First published in 1989, The Witches Tarot
by Ellen Cannon Reed remains a seminal work for practitioners seeking to harmonize Western occultism with modern Paganism. While many decks focus solely on the artistic or divinatory aspects of the cards, Reed’s deck—and its accompanying 320-page guide—serves as a comprehensive manual for the Qabalistic and Wiccan traditions. The Core Philosophy: Qabala Meets Wicca
The defining feature of Reed’s system is its integration of the Qabalistic Tree of Life with Wiccan symbolism. Reed was the first to explicitly discuss the Tarot from both perspectives in a single volume, showing how each of the 22 Major Arcana cards associates with specific paths on the Tree.
Pagan Imagery: Illustrated by artist Martin Cannon, the deck uses bright, luminous images designed to appeal specifically to "paganfolk".
Symbolic Departures: Unlike the Rider-Waite-Smith tradition, Reed’s system utilizes court cards primarily to modify subsequent cards in a reading rather than having isolated meanings. Deck Structure and Design
The deck follows a traditional 78-card structure but employs specific color coding for its suits to align with elemental associations: Wands: Yellow Cups: Blue Swords: Red Pentacles: Green
The cards are notable for being borderless, allowing the "amazing, brilliant, and intense" artwork to stand on its own. Where to Find the Book and Deck
If you are looking for a digital version or a physical copy of this classic set, several options are available: Title: The Fool’s Walk Elara had owned The
Archive and Digital Access: The Internet Archive hosts a digital copy of the 1989 publication for those with "print disabled" access or through their lending library system.
Official Publishers: The set is traditionally published by Llewellyn Publications, which originally released it as part of their "Modern Witchcraft Series".
Collector's Notes: It is important to distinguish this deck from the more recent "Witches Tarot" by Ellen Dugan. Reed’s deck is often preferred by those interested in the Qabalistic paths and a more traditional, ritualistic approach to the cards.
The witches tarot : Reed, Ellen Cannon, 1943 - Internet Archive
Ellen Cannon Reed The Witches Tarot is a seminal work for practitioners looking to bridge Qabalistic symbolism with Pagan and Wiccan practice. If you are looking for information on this specific book and deck, 📖 The Companion Guide Summary
The 320-page book is not just a list of meanings; it is designed as a complete system for pathworking and meditation.
Card Meanings: Includes descriptions of each card’s Hebrew letter, astrological correspondence, color, scent, and gemstone.
Pagan Shifts: Traditional cards are renamed to better fit Wiccan themes, such as The Horned One (The Devil) and The Seeker (The Hermit).
Unique Spreads: Features the Four Seasons Spread, designed specifically for the turning of the Wheel of the Year.
Magical Use: Provides instructions for using the cards in spellwork and rituals, such as the "Rite of Mending Love". 💻 Finding the PDF Legally
While the physical deck and book set are often considered rare collector's items—sometimes priced as high as $300—you can access the text digitally through these official or legal channels:
The witches tarot : Reed, Ellen Cannon, 1943 - Internet Archive
The witches tarot : Reed, Ellen Cannon, 1943- : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. Internet Archive The Witches Tarot (Llewellyn's Modern Witchcraft Series)
Do not underestimate your local library system. Many libraries carry Llewellyn titles. If they don’t have it, request an Interlibrary Loan (ILL). A librarian can often scan a chapter for research purposes under fair use, though not the entire book.
Note: The book is available digitally. The deck is harder to find in PDF form legally. However, you can often buy the deck used (without the book) and then buy the digital book. This is a fully legal workaround.
No discussion of the book is complete without acknowledging the artwork. Martin Cannon’s illustrations are deliberately stylized. They are not as polished as the Rider-Waite-Smith, nor as ethereal as the Robin Wood Tarot. Instead, they are bold, almost comic-book-like, with heavy black outlines and vibrant, saturated colors.
Critics sometimes call the art “dated” or “amateurish,” but fans argue that its strength is clarity. Every symbol is readable from across a table. The Goddess (as The High Priestess) and the Horned God (as The Devil, dramatically reclaimed as a positive force of nature and ecstasy) are rendered with unabashed pagan devotion. This deck does not ask for aesthetic judgment; it asks to be used.