The Secrets and Symbols of the Book of Thoth: Aleister Crowley's Egyptian Tarot Explained
Aleister Crowley Book of Thoth PDF 28: A Guide to the Egyptian Tarot
If you are interested in learning about the Tarot, you may have heard of the Book of Thoth, a famous deck created by the occultist Aleister Crowley in the early 20th century. But what is the Book of Thoth exactly, and why is it considered one of the most influential and powerful Tarot decks ever made?
aleister crowley book of thoth pdf 28
In this article, we will explore the history, theory, and practice of the Book of Thoth, as well as the meanings and symbols of each card in the deck. We will also show you how to access a free PDF version of the book that accompanies the deck, which contains Crowley's detailed explanations and insights on each card.
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student of the Tarot, you will find this article useful and informative, as it will help you understand the deeper mysteries and secrets of this ancient art.
The History of the Book of Thoth
The Book of Thoth is not just a name for a Tarot deck, but also a reference to an ancient Egyptian text that was said to contain the secrets of creation and destiny.
According to legend, Thoth was the god of writing, magic, wisdom, and science in ancient Egypt. He was also known as Hermes Trismegistus (the thrice-great Hermes) by the Greeks and Romans, and as the founder of Hermeticism, a mystical tradition that influenced many esoteric movements throughout history.
Thoth was said to have written a book that contained all the knowledge of the universe, but it was hidden from humans because they were not ready for its power. Only a few initiates were able to access and read the book, and they gained extraordinary abilities and insights.
The Book of Thoth was also associated with the Tarot, a set of 78 cards that originated in medieval Europe as a game, but later became a tool for divination and occultism. The Tarot was believed to be a symbolic representation of the Book of Thoth, and each card was a key to unlock its mysteries.
One of the most famous and influential Tarot decks in history was created by Aleister Crowley, a controversial and charismatic figure who was involved in various occult and mystical organizations and practices in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Crowley was fascinated by the Tarot and the Book of Thoth, and he wanted to create his own version of the deck that would reflect his own vision and philosophy. He collaborated with Lady Frieda Harris, a talented artist and fellow occultist, who painted the cards according to Crowley's instructions and specifications.
The project took several years to complete, from 1938 to 1943, and resulted in a stunning and unique deck that combined elements from various traditions, such as Egyptian mythology, Qabalah, astrology, alchemy, numerology, and more.
The deck was originally published in a limited edition of 200 copies in 1944, with an accompanying book written by Crowley that explained the meaning and symbolism of each card. The book was titled The Book of Thoth: A Short Essay on the Tarot of the Egyptians.
The deck and the book were later reprinted by various publishers, and became widely available and popular among Tarot enthusiasts and practitioners. The deck is also known as the Thoth Tarot or the Crowley-Harris Tarot.
The Theory of the Book of Thoth
The Book of Thoth is not just a beautiful and artistic deck, but also a complex and sophisticated system of symbolism and correspondences that reveals the hidden structure and meaning of reality.
Crowley based his deck on the principles and teachings of the Qabalah, a mystical tradition that originated in Judaism and later influenced Christianity, Islam, and other religions. The Qabalah is a way of understanding the relationship between God, the universe, and humanity, using various symbols, diagrams, and concepts.
One of the most important symbols of the Qabalah is the Tree of Life, a diagram that consists of 10 spheres (called sephiroth) and 22 paths that connect them. The Tree of Life represents the different aspects and levels of existence, from the highest (Kether) to the lowest (Malkuth).
The Tree of Life also corresponds to the Tarot, as each card represents one of the sephiroth or one of the paths. The 22 cards of the Major Arcana (also called Trumps or Keys) correspond to the 22 paths, while the 56 cards of the Minor Arcana (divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Disks) correspond to the 10 sephiroth in each suit.
By using this correspondence system, Crowley was able to assign various meanings and associations to each card, based on their position on the Tree of Life. He also used other systems of correspondence, such as astrology, alchemy, numerology, colors, sounds, animals, plants, gods, etc., to enrich and expand his interpretation of each card.
For example, the card 0. The Fool corresponds to the path that connects Kether (the Crown) with Chokmah (Wisdom), which is also associated with the Hebrew letter Aleph (A), which means Ox. The card also corresponds to the element of Air, which represents breath, spirit, intellect, freedom. The card also corresponds to the planet Uranus, which represents innovation, revolution, 71b2f0854b
