The Thoth Tarot, a deck that’s as enigmatic as it is powerful. Created by the infamous occultist Aleister Crowley and illustrated by the talented Lady Frieda Harris, the Thoth Tarot is a journey into the deeper mysteries of the universe and the human psyche, if you dare to look.
Unlike your typical Tarot deck, the Thoth Tarot is steeped in symbolism that draws from a wide range of esoteric traditions, including astrology, Kabbalah, alchemy, and Egyptian mythology. Each card is a work of art, brimming with intricate details that invite you to look beyond the surface and explore the hidden meanings within.
But don’t let its complexity intimidate you. While the Thoth Tarot may seem daunting at first, it’s also incredibly rewarding for those who are willing to learn it's language. Whether you’re an experienced Tarot reader or a curious beginner, the Thoth Tarot offers a rich and nuanced tool for self-discovery, spiritual growth, and understanding the forces that shape our lives.
The Creators
Weather you love him or hate him, we can’t talk about the Thoth Tarot without talking about Aleister Crowley - in the interest of time, I’ll be uber brief: He was an Occultist who thought himself a prophet and was tasked with bringing forth a new era of spiritual enlightenment. Known for his controversial views and larger-than-life persona, Crowley wasn’t just content with practicing magic—he wanted to redefine it. His life was a mix of mysticism, scandal, and relentless pursuit of knowledge, all of which culminated in the creation of the Thoth Tarot.
While Crowley provided the esoteric foundation for the Thoth Tarot, it was Lady Frieda Harris who brought the deck to life with her stunning artwork. Harris, an accomplished artist with a background in spiritual and artistic circles, was introduced to Crowley in the late 1930s. Although she had little experience with the occult, Harris was intrigued by Crowley’s vision and agreed to collaborate with him on what would become one of the most ambitious Tarot decks ever created.
The collaboration between Crowley and Harris was intense and transformative (and sometimes hilarious if you read their letters). Crowley provided Harris with detailed instructions for each card, drawing on his extensive knowledge of astrology, Kabbalah, and other esoteric systems. Harris, in turn, interpreted Crowley’s complex ideas through her artistic lens, creating images that were not only visually stunning but also rich in symbolic meaning. Harris’s use of geometry, color, and symbolism adds depth to the deck, making it a powerful tool for meditation and divination.
Comparing to RWS
The more traditional Rider Waite Smith Deck is very accessible in its imagery, using Christian symbols, the Thoth deck, as the name conveys, has more Egyptian and Jewish imagery. To a western reader it is like a different language. One can use them as they do the RWS, but they would be missing out on more details then can be imagined.
Nothing in the Thoth Tarot deck is by chance or just for aesthetics - the colours, the symbols and the placement of the symbols all have a purpose and convey something to the reader.
The Major Arcana, for example, not only represent archetypal energies but also correspond to paths on the Tree of Life in Kabbalah, astrological signs, and other esoteric concepts. The Minor Arcana are equally detailed, with each suit representing a different element and each card offering insights into specific aspects of life and the human experience.
With the new spiritual paradigm that Crowley brought the changes to the Tarot we knew were needed. The more obvious differences are the
Disks instead of Pentacles
Cards Changes
Thoth’s Adjustment card is Justice in RWS,
Lust is Strength in the Thoth deck,
Aeon takes the place for Judgment,
Universe takes the World card’s place and
Art takes the Temperance place
Page, Knight, Queen, King are taken place by the Princess, Prince, Queen, Knight for reasons that are way out of scope for an Article with the term ‘brief’ in it.
Minors have fun names like, Ruin, Valor and Debauch
Understanding Kabbalah and Its Role in the Thoth Tarot
Central to Kabbalistic teachings is the Tree of Life, a symbolic diagram that represents the flow of divine energy through ten interconnected spheres, or Sephiroth.
In the context of the Thoth Tarot, Kabbalah plays a crucial role in shaping the deck’s structure and symbolism. Crowley, a devoted student of Kabbalah, incorporated its principles into the design of the Tarot, believing that the Tarot and the Tree of Life were intricately connected. Each card in the Thoth Tarot corresponds to a specific path on the Tree of Life, linking the card’s imagery and meaning to the Sephiroth and the flow of divine energy.
The Major Arcana, in particular, are deeply connected to Kabbalistic teachings. Each card is associated with one of the 22 paths on the Tree of Life, which correspond to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. These paths represent the stages of spiritual evolution and the journey of the soul as it ascends toward the divine. By understanding the Kabbalistic connections of the cards, readers can gain deeper insights into their spiritual significance and the underlying forces at play in a reading.
For those new to Kabbalah, the Thoth Tarot offers an accessible introduction to its principles. By studying the connections between the Tarot cards and the Tree of Life, readers can begin to explore the profound spiritual wisdom that Kabbalah offers. While Kabbalah may seem complex at first, its teachings provide a rich and rewarding foundation for understanding the deeper meanings of the Thoth Tarot.
Working with the Cards
You can use the cards in any spreads you see fit. In the Book of Thoth, Crowley describes his preferred way of divining with them; it's a very long process, and can be very enlightening - but staying with the theme of brief, we won’t go into it here.
Just like any self actualization tool, the Thoth Deck helps you see yourself and overcome blocks. Personally, I’ve seen a lot of spooky videos and superstitious comments about these cards - some people say they are afraid, others say it’ll accelerate your karma. People are only afraid of Crowley and his history, not his cards, and as for the accelerating karma - all tarot cards do that. Without these tools to look within, we’d have to wait for the Tower moment, but if we know a Tower moment is coming … we can prepare, thus accelerate your karma.
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