Aleister Crowley THOTH Tarot Deck
THO 01
Sale: $24.98

Detailed Description

The Thoth Tarot is a divinatory tarot deck painted by Lady Frieda Harris according to instructions from the author, Aleister Crowley. Crowley referred to this deck as The Book of Thoth.

Crowley originally intended the Thoth deck to be a six-month project aimed at updating the traditional pictorial symbolism of the tarot. However, the project ultimately spanned five years (1938 - 1943) as its scope grew ever wider. Aleister Crowley and Frieda Harris were meticulous in their work, and Harris painted some of the cards over and over until Crowley approved.

The illustrations of the Thoth deck are rich in symbolism, based upon Crowley's stated desire to incorporate symbols from many disparate disciplines; including science and philosophy, as well as to draw on his extensive knowledge of various occult systems. For example, the pip cards in the four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, and Disks) depict their objects in carefully-crafted positions; for example, the Four of Swords (which Crowley named "truce") shows four swords with their points toward the center of an imaginary square, suggesting a possibly tense peace.

The card illustrations are uniformly stark and vividly illustrated throughout.

Neither Harris nor Crowley lived to see the deck published. The first full publication was in 1969, although this initial printing was seen by many to be of inferior quality, and in 1977 Harris' paintings were rephotographed for a second edition. The current edition is based on a further update that took place in 1986.

- 78 card tarot deck
- 3.75" x 5.50" cards
- Instructional booklet included.