Crowley Thoth Deck (Small Edition): 78-Card Thoth Tarot Deck (Small Edition) by Aleister Crowley, with Egyptian Symbolism, Qabalistic & Astrological ... by Lady Frieda Harris, Includes Booklet

by Aleister Crowley, Frieda Harris (Illustrator)

Crowley Thoth Tarot Deck Small features 78 cards painted by Lady Frieda Harris according to instructions from the occult scholar, Aleister Crowley, in a handy small size. The magnificent art deco work contains kabalistic and astrological attributions described in Aleister Crowley's Book of Thoth. The art deco artwork of the Thoth is rich in Egyptian symbolism. To each of the twenty-two Major Trumps of the tarot is assigned, by tradition, a Hebrew letter and a path on the Tree of Life, as well as an astrological sign, element, or planet. The deck also reflects Crowley's interest in alchemy and magic. The original Crowley Thoth Tarot has attracted a worldwide following, both for its striking beauty and for its complex depiction of occult knowledge. Since its initial publication in 1969, the deck has never been out of print. Included with the deck is a booklet of instruction, which contains two essays by Lady Frieda Harris and a commentary by Stuart R. Kaplan.

Genres: Tarot, Occult, Magick, Divination, Art, Spirituality, Reference

78 pages, Unbound

First published December 1, 1971

About the author

Aleister Crowley was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, novelist, mountaineer, and painter. He founded the religion of Thelema, proclaiming himself as the prophet destined to guide humanity into the Æon of Horus in the early 20th century. A prolific writer, Crowley published extensively throughout his life.
Born Edward Alexander Crowley in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, he was raised in a wealthy family adhering to the fundamentalist Christian Plymouth Brethren faith. Crowley rejected his religious upbringing, developing an interest in Western esotericism. He attended Trinity College, Cambridge, focusing on mountaineering and poetry, and published several works during this period. In 1898, he joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, receiving training in ceremonial magic from Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers and Allan Bennett. His travels took him to Mexico for mountaineering with Oscar Eckenstein and to India, where he studied Hindu and Buddhist practices.
In 1904, during a honeymoon in Cairo with his wife Rose Edith Kelly, Crowley claimed to have received "The Book of the Law" from a supernatural entity named Aiwass. This text became the foundation of Thelema, announcing the onset of the Æon of Horus and introducing the central tenet: "Do what thou wilt." Crowley emphasized that individuals should align with their True Will through ceremonial magic.
After an unsuccessful expedition to Kanchenjunga in 1905 and further travels in India and China, Crowley returned to Britain. There, he co-founded the esoteric order A∴A∴ with George Cecil Jones in 1907 to promote Thelema. In 1912, he joined the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), eventually leading its British branch and reformulating it according to Thelemic principles. Crowley spent World War I in the United States, engaging in painting and writing pro-German propaganda, which biographers later suggested was a cover for British intelligence activities.
In 1920, Crowley established the Abbey of Thelema, a religious commune in Cefalù, Sicily. His libertine lifestyle attracted negative attention from the British press, leading to his expulsion by the Italian government in 1923. He spent subsequent years in France, Germany, and England, continuing to promote Thelema until his death in 1947.
Crowley's notoriety stemmed from his recreational drug use, bisexuality, and criticism of societal norms. Despite controversy, he significantly influenced Western esotericism and the 1960s counterculture, and remains a central figure in Thelema.

Reviews

[Tai Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the deck that taught me the deeper occult, alchemical, astrological, kabbalistic and magickal meanings and uses for the tarot. If you want to use the cards in ritual - especially if you practice ceremonial magick - then this deck is perfect. It's also beautifully illustrated, and the accompanying booklet is one of the more insightful and engaging I've read thus far.

Although I don't think the OTO and this branch of magick is quite for me, and there are quite a few of the minor acrana cards I don't care for, this is still a must-have deck for serious readers and collectors.

[S. Spelbring · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am currently reading a separate book on the Crowley Tarot deck, but recently realized that I had not read the guidebook that came with the deck yet.

So I did.

It does not do the deck any justice. It talks about Lady Harris and her involvement in the creation of the deck, the exhibition in 1942, includes 2 essays from Lady Harris, and the content of the cards themselves. Very little is said about reading the cards themselves, though it does give a spread that seems more intuitive than ones I've seen before.

Essentially this guidebook is a basic level introduction to why the cards look the way they do. Which is the novelty of this deck, but there is a great deal behind why these cards are designed this way and it's barely touched upon.

It's a tiny little pamphlet that doesn't do the deck justice. If you want to purchase this deck I highly suggest getting a different guidebook or find a reputable website to help you read with it.

The deck itself is great and belongs in everyone's tarot collection.

[Action Jackson Buth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic art work on these tarot cards

[John B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply the best

[Action Jackson Buth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic medium size thoth deck. Great art work.

[Candice Islander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This deck is BEAUTIFUL and just the right size to actually see the detail of Lady Frieda Harris paintings. I keep it in a special place for when I'm ready to learn they manner in which they are to be read.