| The Witches Altar is a visionary Tarot/Oracle Deck A deck in progress co-created by Beth Roth and illustrated by Ted Enik The Witches Altar Cards are unexpected, eclectic still lifes depicting symbolic altars. Each card corresponds to a traditional tarot card. However, unlike any other deck, they are laid out as horizontal vignettes - personal altars created from household and ritual objects. The power of the deck can be drawn upon in two different ways; practical or oracular, familiar or mysterious. By placing an Altar Card before him/her, each individual shrine will invite the seeker to enter. Through detailed imagery and rich symbolism, an Altar Card will stimulate the imagination and open the seeker’s mind to a meditative journey. For example, if you look to the EAST (right hand side) the objects on the altar all correspond to the Realm of AIR. Violets – Flower corresponding to Air Sparrow – Bird corresponding to Air Pansy candle – Flower corresponding to Air Scales medallion – The astrological sign Libra (Air sign) Sylph – Air elemental Twins embroidery – The astrological sign Gemini (Air sign) Tree gallows with doodle – The Hanged Man Athame – Ritual tool of Air Topaz – Gem corresponding to Air I invite you now into The Circle! Come, be at peace and travel with me into the enchanting world of The Witches Altar! Each Altar Card presents an intricate portrait that invites contemplation and meditation. Stay with me here in this sacred space as we journey with The Circle/Hanged Man This guided meditation will prompt you to discover the key to your question. What is it you seek at the altar? Meditation at the Altar of The Circle/Hanged Man Between the layers of ancient worlds I hang, reversed, bound only by my left foot, suspended in time. My head is full of all and nothing; consciousness dissolving into pools of light and shadow like skipping stones across still water. My blood beats out a steady rhythm drumming in the mists of time and place. We are in limbo. You can feel my pulse coursing through and around you binding us together in sacred space. Embrace me in this cosmic dance, reversing mind and body. (Pause) Look skyward my friend and follow the path of the sun crafting golden orbs about you. Allow a spiral of silvern stars to carry you upward, floating… as if lost at sea like a gilded ship from a far away realm we cannot see. Aloft! (Short Pause) Ascend with me to the temple tree for I am the keeper. Make your sacrifice willingly. Let go of all you have known before. (Short Pause) It is through me that you reach this turning point, this first stage of unfolding, initiation, opening to your inner truth. Here we make our pact with divinity, offering the cakes and the wine. (Short Pause) Revelation comes when turning in all directions. Up/down, east/west, north/south. We become the penumbra circling the light, holding it in our perfect love and trust. (Pause) Look into my beatific eyes. Hang here with me. I am the messenger from above to below. I hold the words of runic power. Listen my friend. (Short Pause) And now carve your secrets in the gallows tree so that you may be reborn with me. Divinatory Keywords for The Circle/Hanged Man Necessary sacrifice, Suspended time, Wisdom from beyond, Altered perspective 12The Hanged Man/The Circle Necessary sacrifice, suspended time, wisdom from beyond, altered perspective, reversal |
The Witches Altar |
The Altar Cards are named after the elements of ritual. Each card will be twice titled with its traditional assignation as well as The Witches Altar equivalent. Click on highlighted cards below to see them in progress! 0.The Fool/Ostara Beginnings, breath of life, innocence 1. The Magician/The Athame Conduit, creative acts, magic 2. The High Priestess/The Chalice Psychic receptivity, feminine wisdom, memory 3. The Empress/The Lady Beauty, Mother Nature, abundance, fertility 4. The Emperor/The Lord Honor, respect, authority, law 5. The Hierophant/The Pentagram Worship, devotion, reverence, spiritual protection, tradition 6. The Lovers/The Spirit of Air Communication between worlds, commitment to a higher ideal, messages 7. The Chariot/The Wand Control, power, directed will, harnessing desire 8. Strength/Lammas Self-mastery, stamina warrior/warrioress, talent/skill 9. The Hermit/Yule Solitude, reflection, going deep within, guiding light 10. Wheel of Fortune/The Cauldron Fate, cyclic motion, transformation 11. Justice/Mabon Seeking balance, equality, karmic lesson 12. The Hanged Man/The Circle Necessary sacrifice, suspended time, wisdom from beyond, altered perspective, reversal 13. Death/Samhain Ending a cycle, metamorphosis, release 14. Temperance/Spirit of Fire Alchemy, angelic presence, art, healing 15. The Devil/Spirit of Earth Sensuality, sexuality, materialism 16. The Tower/Imbolc Phallic energy, release from the darkness, sudden emergence, revelation 17. The Star/Blue Moon This is a wish card 18. The Moon/The Scrying Stone Prophecy, illusion, dreamtime, meditation, enchantment 19. The Sun/Litha Apex, peak experience, warmth, light, fulfillment 20. Judgement/Spirit of Water Baptism, initiation, rebirth, resurrection 21. The World/Beltane Joy, cosmic dance, yin/yang, union, completion |
