The Thoth Tarot is an esoteric tarot deck painted by Lady Frieda Harris for Aleister Crowley. Aleister Crowley’s Egyptian tarot deck, illustrated by Lady Frieda Harris, dazzles with its esoteric art and wisdom. Each of the 78 cards bursts with vibrant imagery, weaving ancient archetypes, occult insights, and raw human truths. This deck is a thrilling journey for tarot enthusiasts, igniting and elevating your practice.
Crafted by Crowley and Harris, it challenges yet rewards. Not for the timid, but for those who dare, it unveils a treasure trove of wisdom. Need clarity or inspiration? The Thoth deck delivers. The Book of Thoth isn’t just a deck; it’s a gateway to the mind’s mysteries and the universe’s secrets.
Each card bursts with vivid imagery and profound meaning, revealing insights from fleeting emotions to life’s grand quests. Crowley originally intended the Thoth deck to be a six-month project aimed at updating the traditional pictorial symbolism of the tarot.
Unlike the familiar Rider-Waite, the Thoth deck is a daring, intricate system that challenges you to explore its depths. Crowley’s blend of occult philosophy, Egyptian imagery, and Qabalistic concepts saturates each card with profound meaning, while Harris’s vivid artwork turns every card into a captivating puzzle. The Thoth deck draws from deep esoteric traditions, inviting anyone to connect with its vivid symbols.
Each card weaves a compelling narrative, creating a powerful tapestry. These elements aren’t just decoration; they’re the deck’s language. The symbolism surrounding Thoth is extensive.
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How to Read the Thoth Tarot Deck - Introductory Class
Thoth: The Divine Influence
Thoth, or Djehuty, dazzles in ancient Egyptian mythology as the god of wisdom, writing, magic, and the moon. With the head of an ibis or baboon, he personifies knowledge and communication. Thoth, the divine scribe, infuses order into the cosmos and chronicles the deeds of the dead. Creator of hieroglyphics and guardian of scholars, his wisdom spans science, mathematics, and magic, crafting a rich tapestry of knowledge.
Thoth’s influence extends beyond Egyptian mythology, shaping diverse cultures and spiritual traditions.
Key Cards and Their Symbolism
Let's delve into a few key cards and their rich symbolism:
The Fool: A burst of green and gold, with a carefree figure teetering on a cliff. It’s the thrill of new beginnings, the courage to leap, and the chaos of possibility. The crocodile lurking below?
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The Magus: Electric with energy, this card shows a winged figure juggling tools amid serpents and Mercury’s glow.
The High Priestess: Draped in lunar blues, she holds a bow and arrow, guarding the mysteries of intuition. Crescent Moon: Seen in cards like The High Priestess or The Moon, it hints at intuition, cycles, and the pull of the subconscious.
Adjustment: This card, with its scales and sword, commands balance and accountability.
Navigating the Thoth Deck
You don’t need to be an occult expert to work with the Thoth deck, just an open mind and a curious heart.
- Linger on the Art: When you draw a card, soak in its details. What do the colours or shapes stir in you?
- Keep a Tarot Journal: Capture what each card’s symbols mean to you.
- Meditate with a Card: Draw a card each day, like The Aeon, and immerse yourself in its imagery.
- Play with Spreads: Lay out a three-card spread-past, present, future-and watch the symbols come alive.
Things to Watch Out For
Don’t get lost in decoding every detail like it’s a puzzle to solve.
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The Court Cards
Crowley accepted the Golden Dawn's changed names of all the court cards which can cause some confusion for people used to the more common decks. Specially since he changed the structure of the court cards, while each of the places retains much of the original meanings, there are subtle differences.
Justice and Passion
from. Thoth). (Justice) and Passion (Lust, Power).
Counterchanged Zodiac Signs
Tzaddi is the letter of The Emperor, the Trump IV, and He is the Star, the Trump XVII. For The Star is referred to Aquarius in the Zodiac, and The Emperor to Aries. Aquarius and Aries are therefore counterchanged, revolving on the pivot of Pisces, just as, in the Trumps VIII and XI, Leo and Libra do about Virgo.
Versions of the Thoth Tarot Deck
There are several versions of the Thoth Tarot deck:
- Crowley Thoth Tarot Version A1
- Crowley Thoth Tarot Version A2
- Crowley Thoth Tarot Version B
- Crowley Thoth Tarot Version C (Green)
- Crowley Thoth Tarot Version D (Blue)
Conservation Efforts
Harris' renditions of the tarot are on watercolor paper affixed to a thick backing; the acidity of the backing, according to a report from 2006, resulted in discoloration of borders, and to some extent, the paintings themselves. The paintings also required cleaning and the repair of small tears.
A conservation plan called for cleaning the surfaces, the removal of backing (while retaining original inscriptions), reuse of the hand-painted window mats, and replacement of overlays with acid-free, museum-quality paper.