The Gill Tarot

The Gill Tarot - the Tree of Life as structure

Not every tarot deck shows its philosophical foundation this directly. The Gill Tarot is built on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life and makes that structure visible in every card. The back shows the diagram, the numbered cards refer to the ten sephiroth, and the colours and symbols are chosen to carry the energy of the four suits.

Elizabeth Josephine Gill designed this deck within the Thoth system. That means the Minor Arcana does not show figurative scenes, but abstract compositions in which form, colour and keyword determine the meaning. The Major Arcana follows the familiar sequence with its own visual language.

What you see on the cards

The illustrations are clear and geometric. Gill works with planes, lines and symbols that set down the essence of each card without much detail. Each card carries a keyword: 'Strife', 'Peace', 'Dominion'. That keyword does not stand alone, it is embedded in the composition.

The colours are strong and deliberately chosen. Red, blue, yellow, green and white dominate, each with its own energetic charge. The back shows the Tree of Life in purple on a white background, which gives the deck a meditative character even while shuffling.

The cardstock is matte and sturdy, the corners are rounded. The size is 70 x 120 mm, which sits well in the hand and shuffles comfortably. The 48-page guidebook gives basic principles and background on the Kabbalistic symbolism.

Who this deck works for

This deck is designed for those who take the Kabbalah seriously as study or practice. The keywords make the deck accessible, but the depth lies in the relationship between card, sephira and path on the Tree of Life. That requires knowledge or curiosity.

Those accustomed to the Rider-Waite system will need a moment to adjust. The Minor Arcana shows no characters or actions, only symbols and colour. That asks for a different way of reading: more intuitive, less narrative.

Lay the cards in front of you and look at the colour first before reading the keyword. What does that colour evoke? Only then add the word. This is how you build your own relationship with the deck.

About Elizabeth Josephine Gill

Elizabeth Josephine Gill is an artist and tarot scholar. Her work combines classical mystical texts with contemporary design. The Gill Tarot is her best-known design and is used worldwide by readers working with Kabbalistic and Thoth-based systems.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78
• Card size: 70 x 120 mm
• Material: Matte cardstock with rounded corners
• Guidebook: 48 pages, English
• Card language: English (keywords)
• Weight: 310 g
• Publisher: U.S. Games Systems Inc.
• Card back: Tree of Life in purple on white
• Designer: Elizabeth Josephine Gill

Questions we often get

Is this deck suitable if you are not yet familiar with the Kabbalah?
The keywords provide a starting point, but the strength of this deck lies in the Kabbalistic structure. You can use it without that knowledge, but you miss a layer that distinguishes this deck.

How does this deck differ from the Thoth Tarot?
Both decks work within the same system and refer to the Tree of Life. The Gill Tarot is clearer and simpler in form. Where Crowley and Harris stack complex symbolism, Gill chooses abstraction and colour.