supralurid's Full Review: Elizabeth Josephine Gill - The Gill Tarot
I think one of the most important things about reading tarot is finding a deck that is just right for you. For me, that's the Gill Tarot. I knew it from the first time I saw it over at Aecletic Tarot.
No one else seems to see it's appeal though. I can't articulate to them what is so wonderful about this deck; it's a feeling more than anything else. Everyone tells me that the artwork is bizarre and unappealing. Well, okay, it is a bit atypical. The minor arcana cards mostly feature large numbers, a summation word, and a lot of not terribly obvious symbolism. Unlike the Mythic Tarot, the deck I learned on, there is no story told through the numbers of the minor arcana. Instead, we follow the path of the tree of life, using cabalistic symbolism and color schemes. I'll admit right now that I don't know a whole lot about the cabala. But I haven't felt that I really need to for basic use of the cards. Of course, it has piqued my interest and for a fuller, deeper connection, you can be sure I'll be doing some more reading on the subject. The accompanying book by Gill gives a good overview, but is a bit much for me (especially in one sitting). It did, however, help me to understand the symbolism a whole lot better.
The major arcana & court cards are beautifully done in my opinion. Much of the symbolism in these cards is traditional, making them a bit easier to work with. However, the first reading I did was before I had read the book or familiarized myself with the deck much. It was a cold reading for someone who I knew only by the mention of her name. I felt very comfortable right off the start, and for me, the reading seemed very intuitive. I didn't feel estranged by these cards, as I sometimes feel with the Osho Zen deck (which is a good deck, but one I don't feel completely comfortable with).
It's a beautiful, atypical deck pulling from several traditional sources. I love it. However, I can't say I would recommend it to anyone. What I recommend is that you find a deck that suits you. Look around. try aeclectic.net/tarot/ or a witchy book shop like mystical tymes in new hope, pa (where you can flip through a book containing sample cards from several decks). Much luck.
Elizabeth Josephine Gill provides a thoughtful and comprehensive interpretation of her tarot deck, based upon the Tree of Life and classical religious...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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