A Brief History of Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot
The majority, who hear the word tarot, usually think of mystical gypsies or even pagan heretics. However, for the many who follow the divinatory path, the Book of Thoth rings sweetly in their ears. While there are many common decks, the Thoth Tarot is considered by tarot enthusiasts to be unparalleled. An item to become an adept of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn; Aleister Crowley and the other members were inspired to create their own tarot decks. As was tarot divination, an integral part of the Golden Dawns practice between Kabbalah, Astrology, Geomancy, Clairvoyance, Astral travel and Alchemy. Shuffles like “Rider-Waite Tarot“(by AE Waite and Pamela Coleman Smith), the”Builders of AdytumThe deck (BOTA) created by Paul Foster Case, and the “Thoth Tarot” by Aleister Crowley and Lady Frieda Harris were created in turn.
The Thoth Tarot deck was painted in watercolor by Lady Frieda Harris in accordance with Aleister Crowley’s directives. Crowley referred to this deck as The Book of Thoth and wrote a book of that title for use with the deck. Crowley originally anticipated that the Thoth deck would be a six-month project, intended to update the traditional pictorial symbolism of the tarot to the more primordial or archaic representation. The project ended up lasting five years, between 1938 and 1943.
Aleister Crowley and Frieda Harris were scrupulous in their work and Harris painted some of the cards up to eight times. Although the decks of the Golden Dawns members were very similar, vigilance in deck interpretation led to some differences. It seems as if it is a crucial task to make these cards as close as possible to their ancient roots. Thoth Tarot was meant to merge the Kabbalistic tradition, the Tarot, philosophy, science, and magic to form one supreme yet multifaceted tradition. Aleister Crowley was forced to create a tool that could be used to explore the magical and mystical elements of both the microcosm and the macrocosm.
It seems as if Crowley; although he never saw the deck published, he knew he was doing something fundamental. He was a pioneer not only mystically, but philosophically, scientifically, religiously, and magically. Being the truest form of Tarot, Thoth Tarot is the pinnacle of the divine. Crowley’s intention for the deck was clear: “I will not allow the cards to be issued so that they can only be used for gambling or fortune-telling.” -AC Aleister Crowley knew the difference between light and dark magic, practicing both in separate rooms in his lodging. He knew that many would want to abuse and misuse the deck for personal gain, not guidance. So reader, he listened to Crowley’s advice. Don’t use the deck if you don’t have pure intent or nothing good will come of it. “There is only one main definition of the object of all magical Ritual. It is the union of the Microcosm with the Macrocosm. The Supreme and Complete Ritual is, therefore, the Invocation of the Holy Guardian Angel; or, in the language of Mysticism, Union with God.