Do you know the meaning of the cards of the Witches' Tarot

The meaning of the cards of the Witches' Tarot is associated with the meanings of the cards of the Traditional Tarot of Rider Waite. With attractive images that emphasize aspects of nature and many elements present in the cults of witchcraft, the Witches' Tarot rescues the period in which witches lived in their golden age with a more current language.

As we will show in this article, the Witches' Tarot is one of the decks indicated for those who are beginning their practices because it is highly intuitive. Moreover, since it presents part of the liturgy of Modern Witchcraft, practitioners of Wicca can use their knowledge of their religion to interpret the secrets of the cards.

At the end of your reading, you will have the answers to your main questions about this beautiful Tarot, so that you will already be able to start your divinatory practices. Take your broom, light a candle and a suitable incense, as we will enter the path of this powerful oracle.

What is the Witches' Tarot?

The Witches' Tarot is a generic term that groups different types of decks developed around aspects present in the legends and practices of Modern Witchcraft. So that you can understand its characteristics, we present below its origin, benefits and differences in relation to other decks.

Origin and history

The Witches' Tarot is a deck that has different versions and, consequently, different histories. However, the vast majority of decks that are called "Witches' Tarot" originated from the Rider Waite deck, one of the most widely used traditional decks.

As can be seen in many visual aspects of her cards, many patterns can be established between Ellen Dugan's Witch Tarot published in 2012, for example, and Waite's Tarot.

In Brazil, there are many decks called Witches' Tarot. One of the most popular is by the author Ellen Dugan, but other versions are also easily found on the market.

Benefits of the Witches' Tarot

Like any deck, the Witches' Tarot is primarily a tool for divination and self-knowledge. In addition, using the Witches' Tarot will bring the following benefits to your life:

- Obtaining advice to understand and overcome problems, thus improving the quality of life and relationships;

- Knowledge on mythological themes and association with Witchcraft, Paganism, Magic and Feminine Spirituality;

- Acquisition of a clearer perspective on your own life and the circumstances in which you find yourself;

- Help in focusing on essential aspects of life, focusing on improving it through problem solving;

- Inner peace, since they work as a tool for self-knowledge;

- Clarity in decision making;

- Management of matters related to the heart, finances, health and spirituality.

Differences between the Witches' Tarot and other decks

One of the main differences between the Witches' Tarot and other traditional decks is the presence of more symbolic and mystical patterns. On the cards, it is possible to observe pagan symbols and elements linked to Witchcraft, such as the pentagram, the black cat, and other tools linked to the Art.

In addition, some cards are renamed: the Magician, for example, is the Witch card in the Witches' Tarot; the Pope (or Hierophant) is now called the High Priest; the Hermit has his female version, called The Hermit; The Hanged Man is called The Sacrifice; and, finally, the Madman card is now called The Madwoman.

As you can see, the Witches' Tarot is more centered on the energy of the Sacred Feminine, and is therefore indicated for people who wish to connect with this energy. Finally, many of the images presented in this Tarot are quite different from traditional Tarots. Understand them below.

Witches' Tarot Symbols

If you are used to the symbology of more classic decks, when you observe the cards of the Witches' Tarot, you will notice subtle differences. These differences are perceived not only in the names of some cards, as we pointed out earlier, but also in their symbols, which will be presented below.

Elements of nature

The first card of the Witches' Tarot, called The Witch, already marks the presence of nature in this deck, during an Esbat ritual. Throughout all the cards, it is possible to notice that natural elements are present throughout the Tarot: there are no confined spaces, everything occurs in natural environments.

This is because much of the practice of Modern Witchcraft is conducted outdoors, since it is a religion centered on the cycles of nature, seen as a manifestation of the divine marriage between a female deity and a male deity.

Moon Phases

On the vast majority of cards, you will notice that there is always the figure of the moon stamped on them. Cards like the Witch (crescent moon), the Priestess (crescent moon), the World (full moon) and even Death (waning moon) contain different phases of this celestial body.

The Moon is the symbol of mysteries, the subconscious and magic, and because it is used as a natural time marker, always be aware of its symbolism when interpreting the cards in which it appears.

Magic instruments

Many magical instruments can be observed in the Tarot of the Witch. In the card The Witch, much of the magical clothing is already observed in the altar present in the card: the chalice, the pentacle, the athame and wand, symbols of water, earth, air and fire, respectively.

Other instruments such as the staff, sword, moon tiara, witches' ropes, the helmet of the Cornish God and many other witchy symbols are also observed in this deck.

Black cat

The Black Cat is an animal that has been popularly associated with the Witch figure in society. Due to this strong association, it is not surprising that it would figure on cards in this deck as the familiar of the witch, her protective spirit and companion for spells.

In addition to the black cat, dogs, crows and even a bear (in the case of the Strength card) are present in the Witches' Tarot.

Pentagram

The pentagram is the five-pointed star associated with the practice of Witchcraft. Each point of this star is associated with one of the four elements of nature (earth, fire, air and water) surmounted by the fifth point which represents the fifth element, known as Ether or Spirit.

This symbol attracts protection and is one of the witch's emblems, and as such, it couldn't help but appear on the cards in this themed deck.

Meaning of the cards of the Witches' Tarot

Now that you already know the main symbols of the Witches' Tarot, how about deepening your studies and learning the meaning of the cards to use it? Find all the information you need to start developing your self-knowledge and get the answers you need below.

I - The Witch

The Witch is the card of action. You have in your hands, like the witch in front of her altar, all that is necessary to succeed in your endeavours. In this way, you are aligned with the power of action to bring about change and make your plans come true. In addition to your will, it is essential that you use your intelligence to achieve your objectives.

If it is taken in the inverted position, The Witch shows that there is an opportunity that should not be missed. Also, be on the lookout for someone close who is trying to manipulate you. In some cases, she also indicates difficulties in expressing yourself.

In Love plays, this card indicates the initial glimpse of the act of falling in love. However, it is indicative of romantic illusion if it appears inverted. The Witch also shows dexterity in dealing with finances. Be prepared for financial opportunities.

II - The Priestess

The Priestess is a card of initiation. It signifies intuition, denoting mysteries which are often associated with common sense. When it appears, it is time to trust your inner voice and it is important to take note of your dreams as the answers you seek will come through them.

When it appears in the inverted position, The Priestess points to the fact that you are possibly ignoring your intuition by being focused on the opinion of others. It is important to connect and trust yourself, for within you lies all the wisdom you need.

In the Love Tarot, the priestess marks the notion of intimacy, reminding us of the importance of patience when the subject is love. If it is inverted, watch out for false people, whose true faces are hidden.

In reading about career and finances, it is time to seek your improvement through training. Also, keep your finances secret. If inverted: denotes lack of knowledge or isolation.

III - The Empress

The Empress represents themes such as motherhood and the feminine essence. Generally, this card feels like a request for you to connect with your feminine side, connecting with energies such as creativity, caring nature, and fertility. It also embodies abundance and therefore appears to show pregnancy, the importance of connecting with the natural and wild world, and points to acomfortable life.

When inverted, it indicates that you have been too interested in the lives of others, making you dependent. In love, it represents commitment and affection, but if it is inverted, beware of attachment, possession and jealousy. In the financial and professional field, it indicates generosity, wealth and comfort. If it is inverted, fasten your seat belts: it indicates insecurity and instability.

IV - The Emperor

The Emperor represents control, organisation regulated by the theme of fatherhood. He is symbolic of the male principle, a father figure who represents structuring thought through strategies which establish rules and create systems. He may indicate that you are in a position of power and dominance.

In the inverted position, it signifies abuse by a boss, male relative, usually indicating a man who wants to control your life and deprive you of your independence. In this sense, the Emperor is also associated with a possessive partner.

In the relationship Tarot, it indicates a traditional and often cold relationship. It also predicts the use of logical thinking to deal with feelings. If inverted, it indicates an arrogant partner and a toxic relationship.

When it comes to money and profession, invest in a routine to discipline yourself financially and professionally. In the inverted position, it indicates tyranny of a boss and uncontrolled finances.

V - The High Priest

The High Priest stands for institutions and their values tied to tradition. He appears to represent a mentor who will serve as a spiritual guide and giver of wisdom. It is a time to act according to convention and tradition. It may mean that you will be part of something traditional.

When it appears inverted, it signals time to break tradition and taboos. Also, you may be consumed in backward conventions or thoughts and that it is important that you get rid of them.

In love, it indicates a traditional partner, spiritual love or even marriage. If it appears inverted, watch out for misalignment of values and be prepared to break taboos.

When the subject of the reading is career or finances, your success will be achieved in a group and through traditional financial institutions. The inverted High Priest points to a time to take financial risks or endure pressure.

VI - The Lovers

The meaning of the Lovers card is choices. In a draw they indicate that decisions need to be made, whether they be about a temptation, a relationship or a choice between the suitors around you. During the decision-making process, you will need to sacrifice some aspect of your life.

If it appears reversed, this card points to a tension or conflict that takes away your sleep and triggers disharmony, making your life difficult. It may also indicate that you have avoided taking responsibility for your six actions.

In Love, the Enamored ones point to a healthy relationship or bring the romance theme to the reading. Inverted, they indicate coldness, unbalance or even detachment. In readings about career, they show partnerships, societies and financial choices. Inverted, they point to irresponsibility and conflicts at work.

VII - The Car

The Chariot is the card of action. It is about overcoming challenges and moving towards victory by exercising control over life situations. It is precisely control which makes you a winner. It is necessary to use your willpower to overcome the obstacles which eventually come your way.

When inverted, the Chariot signifies demotivation, lack of willpower and even aggressiveness and impulsiveness. You have lost your focus and with that, your sense of direction has been compromised.

In love, be ready to take action and take control over your love life. Inverted, the car asks you to be careful about your obsession to find someone.

When it comes to money and career, you are in a phase armed with ambition and ready to achieve your financial goals. The inverted Chariot points to the opposite: lack of ambition as well as thoughtless decisions.

VIII - Justice

Justice is the card of lasting effects, so decisions made under its influence will have long term effects. If you are in an evaluation process, don't worry: it shows fair judgment. However, if you have harmed someone, this card shows that sooner or later you will pay for the consequences of your actions.

When inverted, Justice shows that you are in denial about the consequences of your actions. In readings about love, this card shows commitment and that you are being treated fairly. Inverted, it indicates that you may be the victim of injustice or have false expectations.

In career, it shows your integrity and your balance when it comes to finances. If inverted, be on the lookout for dishonest people.

IX - The Hermitess

The Hermit appears as an inner guide, bringing introspective knowledge. She indicates a journey within yourself, unlocking the unknown in you. On this journey, it is common to wish to be alone. Therefore, the Hermit marks an existential crisis or a spiritual encounter with a woman who will be your mentor.

In the inverted position, it shows recollection or a period of seclusion for your soul searching. Avoid being alone for too long as this can trigger negative effects. It may also indicate a complicated phase with depression.

In love, you have decided to take a break from self-knowledge. If inverted, you have been rejected and are feeling lonely. When the topic is profession and money, you question the purpose of what. If inverted, you are trying to align your career with your life goals.

X - The Wheel of Fortune

The Wheel of Fortune shows nothing lasts forever, so remember that neither your phase of brightness and ascension, nor your phase in which you feel in the mud will be eternal. Everything is fleeting and, therefore, remember to take advantage of the lessons that the different ups and downs of your life can provide

When inverted, it is a sign of bad luck, because there are negative influences that you cannot control. In love, The Wheel of Fortune brings changes in the relationship or even a period of adaptation to it. If inverted, it shows lack of control caused by external influences.

In money, she brings opportunities and luck but be prepared for change. Inverted, she signals difficulties in adapting to work or even unforeseen changes.

XI - The Force

Strength means the inner strength to withstand stress or danger. You stay calm and your resilience will help you achieve your goals, even on days when you can't stand up.

It also shows compassion and the patience that sooner or later will bring rewards. The woman present on the blade represents the mind trying to master its instinctive side, represented by the bear. When inverted, it means a great challenge, which will provoke fear or anger. It may indicate that you have lost the taste for life.

In Love, the Force brings lasting affective bonds. Inverted, it denotes low self-esteem and, consequently, insecurity.

In Career or Finance, dare to progress in your career and control your spending. Inverted, it shows problems managing finances or insecurity.

XII - The Sacrificed

The Sacrificed, as the name suggests, is the card of sacrifice. It shows that you have to renounce something, so you can move on to a new phase. It brings with it the possibility of facing a spiritual journey, seeing the world from new slows, since it is upside down.

It appears indicating that you are indecisive, so stop what you are doing and reflect. The inverted Sacrificed reveals cats of energies and resources in something that will not give you a return.

In love, it reveals the importance of avoiding pressure and alerts you to be ready to make sacrifices. Inverted, it indicates changes. When it comes to money, it indicates changes and uncertainty, and if it has inverted, procrastination and waste.

XIII - Death

Death represents a change that is happening naturally. The trigger to bring about change has already been pulled and this process will slowly cause your world to change completely. It hardly means physical death.

When inverted, Death signifies change, however you are resisting it because you are attached to your present situation. Resisting change will only increase your limiting beliefs and lock you into the past. This can compromise your future.

In Love, Death shows changes or ending of relationship. Inverted, you are resisting changes. In Career and Money, be prepared for possible financial loss. Inverted it shows bad financial habits and stagnation.

XIV - Temperance

Temperance points to clarity. Because you know where you want to go, you find inner balance in what you do, for within you know that things are going your way. You are quite flexible, adapting easily to environment and situations. However, be ready to reassess your priority list of choices.

When inverted, you are probably anxious, stressed, or even feeling out of balance. Temperance appears as a warning that something may soon affect your balance and peace.

In love, act with serenity and care. Inverted Temperance denotes period of imbalance and impatience. When it comes to finances, you will reach your goals slowly, so persevere. Inverted indicates imbalance and recklessness.

XV - The Devil

The Devil signifies addictions and a path towards the precipice. This card is associated with materialism and its consequences such as emotional emptiness related to lack of fulfillment in life. You may feel hostage to situations or have the need to flaunt what you have. However, control over your desires is totally illusory.

In the inverted position, it indicates a period of sobriety and opportunity to get rid of addictions or bad habits. Although painful, the change the way to find your essence and regain your integrity.

In love, the Devil represents sexual desire, hedonism and lust. Inverted, shows dependence on someone and passion. In financial life, you cultivate bad habits and end up sabotaging your own life. Inverted is a sign of independence.

XVI - The Tower

The Tower signifies a sudden change. Something that was stuck appears, and may indicate separation or the desire to move even to another country. The Tower also indicates a secret about to be revealed. It is considered an intense card, because it indicates losses or disastrous situations.

When reversed, it signals that the crisis you avoided will arrive. It's important to shake off the feeling of false resilience and give yourself over to change, because you will benefit from it.

In the Tarot of Love, the Tower indicates change of perspectives and terminations. The inverted Tower suggests abandonment or a period of adjustments. In professional and financial life, be prepared for possible job loss. Inverted, it indicates overcoming financial problems.

XVII - The Star

The Star signals the end of a difficult phase. With it, your life will gain more spirituality and hope. It also symbolizes generosity, prosperity, luck, fertility and the encounter with truth and consciousness brought by the encounter with our place in the world.

When inverted, it indicates lack of faith, hopelessness and the feeling that you are swimming against the tide. In readings about relationships, it indicates the end of heartaches and an optimistic phase. If it is inverted, however, it is a sign of self-criticism and hopelessness.

At work, you will be rewarded and your goals will be met. If reversed, you are demotivated and susceptible to pessimism.

XVIII - The Moon

The Moon is the card of the imagination. It represents illusions and the mysteries of the subconscious. Therefore, you are more prone to illusions, walking in the dark, since the Moon is the only light capable of guiding your path.

Just as one of your halves is hidden and cannot be seen from earth, there are things that are not showing themselves to you. However, this will not last for long as hidden secrets will emerge.

When inverted, the Moon touches on themes such as unhappiness and mental confusion. It also indicates anxiety and paranoia. In Love, the Moon brings uncertainty and signals a complicated relationship. If inverted, be careful with your fears so as not to give in to paranoia as this will bring disappointment.

In career, don't sign contracts as there is a lot of misinformation. The inverted Moon indicates disappointment and even sabotage, so be careful.

XIX - The Sun

The Sun symbolizes achievements and optimism. It represents the beginning of a new phase with more harmony, in which the shadows of the past have been dispelled. It can represent a father figure and a phase with much happiness.

When inverted, the Sun shows that you don't accept the good things that happen in your life, nor do you recognize your good points. It's as if your sun is covered by rain clouds or you are turning a blind eye to what is happening.

The Sun in Love is a sign of fulfillment and happiness. However, its inverted position reveals dissatisfaction and boredom. In the financial field, it is a sign of money, stability and professional success. If inverted, it shows temporary difficulties, potential failure and limiting beliefs

XX - The Judgement

The Judgement is chart in which you see a person being judged by a male and a female figure. It is a time to evaluate your past actions, accepting your needs and finding your true Self.

As a consequence, there will be substantial changes that will have direct effects on your life. When reversed, The Judgment shows that you doubt your potential and that you judge yourself very cruelly. This causes you to miss precious opportunities. As a result of this judgment, you miss opportunities.

In Love, this card points to the direction of renewal, in which it is possible to make adjustments. Inverted Judgement, shows period of denial and that you do not assume the consequences of your actions. In professional life, it symbolizes responsibility and vocation. However, inverted reveals negationism, pride and doubts.

XXI - The World

The World symbolizes the last stage. It is the card of completion and achievements, being linked to balance and evolution. Because it symbolizes a great change, the World indicates commitments such as marriage, a trip or even children.

When inverted, the World indicates the last stage of a phase of your life. This final stage, however, makes you feel incomplete. In heart readings, the World represents the energies of gratitude and satisfaction with your loved one. Inverted, it points to the feeling of incompleteness.

In the professional field, remember to fulfill your goals in this last stage. Inverted, it indicates dissatisfaction caused by a false notion of success.

XXII - The Mad One

In the Crazy card, you have a woman walking on a beach, holding her staff and followed by a raven and a black cat. In the natural position, the Crazy signifies beginnings of a journey. As a consequence, this experience will result in more knowledge of life and the world around you, as the Crazy is wrapped in optimism.

The Crazy is a symbol of naivety and freedom. Because you don't know the way, you end up risking yourself. In the inverted position, the Crazy indicates that you are acting in an inconsequential way. Beware of dangers.

In Love, it means a light atmosphere of romance and passing relationship. Inverted, it shows risks or lack of commitment. In Career, the Louca shows job opportunities. Inverted, it represents unnecessary expenses and imprudence.

The Witches' Tarot can be an enriching experience!

As we have shown throughout the article, the Witches' Tarot brings new elements to the traditional Tarot arcana. Consequently, they throw new nuances of meanings, based on pagan mythology and the elements of Modern Witchcraft, which will make the process of studying this deck an enriching experience.

By studying it, you will not only learn the meanings of the cards, but you will also gain access to the knowledge of Witchcraft, considered by many as the Ancient Religion, The Art, or even as the Ways of the Ancients.

As you will notice, each arcane presents its own elements and symbologies, many of which reinvent old elements of the more traditional decks, with a more modern language and based on the cycles of nature, in a kind of initiatory journey of a witch's life.

As you enter this journey, you can find the dormant magic within you, awakening your personal power, your connection to the Sacred, and honoring the most ancient of all manifestations of Divinity: nature.