This is an old revision of the document!
Thoth Tarot
Aleister Crowley, a prominent English occultist, mystic, and ceremonial magician, had a significant influence on the practice of tarot divination. His seminal work, “The Book of Thoth,” provides a comprehensive guide to the Thoth Tarot, a deck he co-created with Lady Frieda Harris. Throughout his writings, Crowley offers insights into the tarot's symbolism, divinatory meanings, and practical applications.
Éliphas Lévi, a French occultist and influential figure in the esoteric tradition, provided a vivid metaphor for the power of tarot in his work “Transcendental Magic: Its Doctrine and Ritual.”
“An imprisoned person with no other book than the Tarot, if he knew how to use it, could in a few years acquire universal knowledge, and would be able to speak on all subjects with unequalled learning and inexhaustible eloquence…” (Lévi, 1854).
In “The Book of Thoth,” Crowley emphasises the significance of tarot as a system of knowledge, writing, “The Tarot is a pack of seventy-eight cards, and on these cards are symbols which constitute a complete pictorial representation of the Universe” (Crowley, 1944). He suggests that the tarot acts as a symbolic language through which practitioners can access and understand the cosmic forces that shape human existence.
Crowley also highlighted the importance of approaching tarot divination with the right mindset, stating that “The serious student will…discover that the Tarot is a living and articulate being, whose language is intelligible only to those who have taken the trouble to learn its grammar” (Crowley, 1944). This statement underscores the necessity of dedicating time and effort to mastering the symbolic language of the tarot in order to unlock its true potential for divination.
Regarding the actual process of tarot reading, Crowley advised that “The divinatory method is simplicity itself. It consists of a careful analysis of the cards and their symbols, and the synthesis of their meanings” (Crowley, 1944). He urged practitioners to focus on the symbols and their interrelationships, rather than relying on memorised meanings or prescribed interpretations.
Crowley's views on the tarot's role in self-discovery are apparent when he states, “The origin of the Tarot is very ancient. It is not merely a device for fortune-telling, but the keys of the Royal Art, the links between the macrocosm and the microcosm, the means whereby the Universe may be interpreted in terms of the human Ego and vice versa” (Crowley, 1944). Here, he describes the tarot as a tool for exploring the self and understanding one's place within the larger cosmic context.
Throughout the creation of the Thoth Tarot, Aleister Crowley and Lady Frieda Harris exchanged numerous letters discussing the development, symbolism, and artistic choices involved in designing the cards. Their correspondence demonstrates a collaborative and dynamic working relationship, in which both parties contributed ideas and perspectives to refine the deck's visual and symbolic elements.
In one particular exchange, Crowley and Harris discussed the artistic direction for the card “The Lovers.” Harris initially conceived the card's imagery based on the traditional depiction of a man standing between two women, representing the choice between vice and virtue. However, Crowley challenged this concept and proposed a more complex interpretation, drawing from Kabbalistic and astrological symbolism. He suggested that the card should portray the union of opposites, embodying the concept of duality and harmony.
Harris, acknowledging the depth of Crowley's esoteric understanding, embraced his proposal and adapted her artistic vision accordingly. She crafted an intricate and visually striking image that fused the symbols of the zodiac, the Tree of Life, and the mythological figures of Adam, Eve, and Lilith. The final card showcases a harmonious marriage of artistic and mystical elements, exemplifying the synergistic nature of their collaboration.
The correspondence between Crowley and Harris not only reveals the deep level of intellectual engagement between the two, but also highlights the dedication, passion, and persistence they both invested in the creation of the Thoth Tarot. Through their combined efforts, they produced a masterpiece that transcended the traditional boundaries of tarot imagery, offering a visually arresting and conceptually rich deck that continues to captivate and inspire tarot enthusiasts to this day.