The Green Witch Tarot Guidebook is a companion book to the Green Witch Tarot deck, written by Ann Moura with artwork by Kiri Østergaard Leonard. This guidebook serves as a comprehensive resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding and practice of tarot, with a specific focus on the natural world and the magical energies found within it. The Green Witch Tarot deck itself is unique in that it blends the traditional tarot system with the wisdom and symbolism of the natural world. Each card depicts vibrant and intricate illustrations of plants, animals, and elements inspired by the green witchcraft tradition. The guidebook provides detailed descriptions and interpretations of each card, as well as instructions for performing tarot readings and rituals. One of the central themes of the Green Witch Tarot Guidebook is the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of aligning oneself with the rhythms of nature.
The author then quickly talks about rituals to consecrate her game, meditations to center oneself, art and how to shuffle the cards and cut the deck. But these few pages are too short for a novice, and they are useless for an experienced practitioner. Given Ann Moura's background and knowledge in this field, it would have been welcome if she had talked more about these magical and meditative practices.
However, in the Tarot de Marseille, the hanged man is traditionally suspended by a rope from a beam that is supported by two tree trunks on either side of the man. However, I highly recommend this deck if you are a practicing witch, Pagan, or curious about witchcraft and you re looking for a tarot deck that reflects your spirituality.
One of the central themes of the Green Witch Tarot Guidebook is the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of aligning oneself with the rhythms of nature. Moura explains how the different suits of the tarot (Cups, Wands, Swords, and Pentacles) correspond to the elements of water, fire, air, and earth, respectively, and how to interpret their meanings in relation to the natural world. In addition to providing interpretations for each card, the guidebook also delves into various spreads and layouts that can be used for tarot readings.
The Green Witch Tarot Deck: An honest review for tarot beginners
When I teach tarot to beginners, I always recommend they start learning with a RW-based tarot deck.
(RW = Rider-Waite, the tarot deck originally created in 1909 by A.E. Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, originally published by the Rider Company).
There are many tarot decks that follow this tradition, using the same stories, meanings, and symbols as the original deck, but in a more attractive package. The Green Witch Tarot is one of them.
This deck was designed for a very specific type of person, so before I start this review, I want to let you know that I’m not that person. I’m not a practicing witch. I have a fairly limited knowledge of the Pagan symbols used in the Green Witch tarot deck, and although I think the images are beautiful they don’t really “mean” much to me. My ignorance might be (unknowingly) influencing my review of this deck.
However, if you are Pagan, Wiccan, a witch, or just consider yourself witch-curious, you’ll love this deck. It’s a very good deck for tarot beginners, with a few minor caveats.
FYI: I purchased my copy of The Green Witch Tarot from Amazon in mid-2017 for about $24.00. It’s also available directly from the publisher for a few dollars more.
Moura offers guidance on creating sacred space, grounding oneself, and connecting with the energies of the cards before beginning a reading. She also suggests using herbs, crystals, and other natural tools to enhance the intuitive process and deepen the connection with the cards. Furthermore, the Green Witch Tarot Guidebook explores the cycles of nature and how they can be reflected in tarot readings. Moura discusses the symbolism of the seasons, the lunar phases, and the Wheel of the Year, showing how these natural cycles can be incorporated into one's spiritual practice and tarot readings. Overall, the Green Witch Tarot Guidebook is a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced practitioners of tarot. It provides a unique perspective on the tarot system, integrating the wisdom of the natural world and the green witchcraft tradition. With its beautiful illustrations and comprehensive explanations, this guidebook offers a deeper understanding of the cards and their connections to the magic and energies of the natural world..
Reviews for "Exploring Herbal Lore with the Green Witch Tarot: A Guidebook"
- Sarah - 1 star - I was really excited to get "The Green Witch Tarot Guidebook", but unfortunately it was a major disappointment. The book lacked clear explanations and the organization was confusing. It felt like the author assumed that the readers already had a deep understanding of tarot, which made it difficult to follow along as a beginner. Additionally, the illustrations were not as visually appealing as I had hoped. Overall, I would not recommend this guidebook to anyone looking to learn about tarot.
- Michael - 2 stars - I found "The Green Witch Tarot Guidebook" to be lacking in substance. The descriptions of the cards were brief and offered very little insight or interpretation. I was hoping for a more in-depth exploration of each card and its meaning, but was left wanting more. Additionally, the font used in the book was small and difficult to read, which made the overall reading experience frustrating. For those looking for a comprehensive guidebook on tarot, I would advise looking elsewhere.
- Emily - 2 stars - I was disappointed with "The Green Witch Tarot Guidebook". While the artwork in the book was beautiful, I found the explanations of the cards to be vague and lacking depth. The book seemed more focused on the green witch theme rather than providing a deep understanding of the tarot cards themselves. I was left wanting more analysis and interpretation of each card's symbolism. Overall, I don't feel like I gained much knowledge or insight from this guidebook.