The Book of Thoth: The Complete Guide to the Tarot, Magick and the Occult - Aleister Crowley - PDF Drive
Aleister Crowley's Book of Thoth: A Guide to the Tarot of the Egyptians
Have you ever wondered what the mysterious symbols on the tarot cards mean? Have you ever wanted to learn more about the ancient wisdom hidden in their images? If so, you might be interested in reading Aleister Crowley's Book of Thoth, a short essay on the tarot of the Egyptians, which he published in 1944.
Aleister Crowley Book Of Thoth Pdf 20
Introduction
In this article, we will explore who Aleister Crowley was, what his Book of Thoth is, and what it reveals about the tarot of the Egyptians. We will also look at some of the main concepts and themes that he discusses in his book, such as the theory of the tarot, the correspondences of the tarot, and the meaning of each of the 22 keys or trumps of the tarot.
Who was Aleister Crowley?
Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) was a British occultist, writer, poet, magician, and mystic. He was also known as "The Great Beast 666" and "The Wickedest Man in the World". He founded a new religious movement called Thelema, which is based on the principle "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law". He wrote many books on various topics related to magic, mysticism, and philosophy, such as Magick in Theory and Practice, The Book of Lies, and The Book of the Law.
What is the Book of Thoth?
The Book of Thoth is one of Crowley's most famous works. It is a short essay on the tarot of the Egyptians, which he claims to be "the most complete and perfect system ever devised for revealing all secrets". He wrote it in collaboration with Lady Frieda Harris, who painted 78 beautiful cards for his tarot deck. The book explains the symbolism and meaning of each card, as well as their relation to various esoteric systems such as astrology, alchemy, numerology, and Qabalah.
What is the Tarot of the Egyptians?
The Tarot of the Egyptians is Crowley's name for his own version of the tarot deck. He claims that it is based on an ancient Egyptian tradition that was preserved by secret societies throughout history. He also says that it is "the original book" that contains "the secrets of all secrets". He calls his deck "The Book of Thoth", after the Egyptian god of wisdom and writing. He also calls each card an "Atu", which means "key" in Egyptian.
The Theory of the Tarot
In his book, Crowley presents his theory of how the tarot works and what it can reveal. He discusses several topics related to this theory, such as:
The Contents of the Tarot
Crowley explains that his tarot deck consists of 78 cards: 22 Atu or trumps, 40 cards divided into four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, and Disks), and 16 court cards (King, Queen, Prince, and Princess). He says that each card represents a specific idea or concept that can be expressed in various ways. For example, he says that Atu I (The Juggler) represents "the Will", Atu II (The High Priestess) represents "the Understanding", and Atu III (The Empress) represents "the Imagination".
The Origin of the Tarot
Crowley traces back the origin of his tarot deck to ancient Egypt. He says that it was derived from a sacred book called "The Book of Thoth", which was written by Thoth himself. He says that this book contained all knowledge and wisdom in a symbolic form. He also says that this book was later lost or destroyed by various invaders and conquerors. However, he claims that some fragments of it survived and were passed down by secret initiations and teachings. He says that these fragments eventually formed what we know today as the tarot.
The Correspondences of the Tarot
Crowley shows how each card in his tarot deck corresponds to various other systems of symbolism and knowledge. He says that each card has a numerical value, a letter value, a color value, a zodiacal value, a planetary value, an elemental value, and a musical value. He also says that each card has a connection to other cards through various patterns and arrangements. He uses these correspondences to interpret and analyze the meaning and significance of each card.
The Initiated Tradition of the Tarot
Crowley claims that his tarot deck is based on an initiated tradition that has been preserved by secret societies throughout history. He says that this tradition is related to the mysteries of the ancient Egyptians, the Jews, the Greeks, the Christians, and the Rosicrucians. He also says that this tradition is compatible with his own system of Thelema, which he received from a spiritual entity called Aiwass. He says that his tarot deck is a tool for achieving gnosis, or direct knowledge of one's true will and nature.
The Tarot and the Holy Qabalah
Crowley explains how his tarot deck is linked to the Holy Qabalah, which he defines as "the science of the structure of the Universe". He says that Qabalah is based on a diagram called the Tree of Life, which consists of 10 spheres (Sephiroth) and 22 paths connecting them. He says that each sphere represents a stage or aspect of creation, and each path represents a force or process between them. He also says that each path corresponds to one of the 22 Atu or trumps of his tarot deck. He uses this correspondence to map out the journey of the soul from ignorance to enlightenment.
The Atu (Keys or Trumps) of the Tarot
In his book, Crowley describes each of the 22 Atu or trumps of his tarot deck in detail. He gives their names, their symbols, their meanings, their correspondences, their attributions, and their interpretations. He also provides commentary on their significance and implications. Here are some examples of his descriptions:
The Fool
Crowley calls this card "The Spirit of the Aethyr". He says that it represents "the Negative", "the Nothing", "the Zero", and "the Absolute". He also says that it represents "the Holy Ghost", "the Great Fool", "the Rich Fisherman", "Percivale", "Zeus Arrhenothelus", "Dionysus Zagreus", "Bacchus Diphues", and "Baphomet". He says that this card corresponds to the letter Aleph, the number 0, the color sky blue, and the element Air. He also says that this card corresponds to Atu XXI (The Universe), Atu XVII (The Star), Atu XIII (Death), Atu VIII (Adjustment), Atu IV (The Emperor), and Atu I (The Juggler). He interprets this card as meaning "infinite possibilities", "pure potentiality", "freedom", "spontaneity", "innocence", "joy", "creativity", and "divine madness".
The Juggler
Crowley calls this card "The Magus". He says that it represents "Mercury", "Thoth", "Hermes", "Budha", "Woden", "Nabu", "Tahuti", "Logos", "Word", ```html "Communication", "Skill", "Art", "Science", and "Wisdom". He says that this card corresponds to the letter Beth, the number 1, the color yellow, and the planet Mercury. He also says that this card corresponds to Atu XX (The Aeon), Atu XVI (The Tower), Atu XII (The Hanged Man), Atu VII (The Chariot), Atu III (The Empress), and Atu II (The High Priestess). He interprets this card as meaning "initiation", "transformation", "manifestation", "expression", "intelligence", and "mastery".
The High Priestess
Crowley calls this card "The Priestess of the Silver Star". He says that it represents "the Moon", "Isis", "Artemis", "Hecate", "Diana", "Persephone", "Proserpine", "Nephthys", and "Sophia". He also says that it represents "the Unconscious", "the Intuition", "the Mystery", and "the Silence". He says that this card corresponds to the letter Gimel, the number 2, the color blue, and the Moon. He also says that this card corresponds to Atu XIX (The Sun), Atu XV (The Devil), Atu XI (Lust), Atu VI (The Lovers), Atu IV (The Emperor), and Atu I (The Juggler). He interprets this card as meaning "revelation", "inspiration", "illumination", "imagination", "sensitivity", and "vision".
... Conclusion
In conclusion, Aleister Crowley's Book of Thoth is a fascinating and complex work that explores the tarot of the Egyptians in depth. It reveals the symbolism and meaning of each card, as well as their relation to various esoteric systems and traditions. It also provides a guide for using the tarot as a tool for spiritual growth and development. Whether you are a beginner or an expert in tarot, you will find something new and interesting in this book.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Aleister Crowley's Book of Thoth:
Q: Where can I get a copy of the Book of Thoth and the Thoth Tarot Deck?A: You can buy them online from various websites, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Samuel Weiser. You can also download a PDF version of the book from the Internet Archive.
Q: How can I learn more about Aleister Crowley and his philosophy?A: You can read his other books, such as The Book of the Law, Magick in Theory and Practice, or The Book of Lies. You can also visit websites dedicated to his life and work, such as Thelemapedia or LAShTAL.
Q: How can I practice tarot reading with the Thoth Tarot Deck?A: You can use any tarot spread that you like, such as the Celtic Cross, the Three Card Spread, or the Tree of Life Spread. You can also create your own spreads based on your intuition and creativity. You can consult Crowley's book for guidance on how to interpret each card and their combinations.
Q: What are some of the benefits of using the Thoth Tarot Deck?A: Some of the benefits are: - It helps you develop your intuition and imagination. - It stimulates your mind and expands your knowledge. - It reveals hidden aspects of yourself and your situation. - It connects you with higher forces and energies. - It empowers you to make positive changes in your life.
Q: What are some of the challenges of using the Thoth Tarot Deck?A: Some of the challenges are: - It requires a lot of study and practice to understand its symbolism and meaning. - It can be overwhelming and confusing at times due to its complexity and richness. - It can be controversial and provocative due to its association with Crowley and his reputation. - It can be intimidating and scary due to its dark and powerful imagery.