Do you consider the Thoth to be a basic deck?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 May 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

aeonx	24 May 2002
Greetings. I had to start a new thread on this matter, since I have found some statements about the Crowley deck to be outragous! ;) Members here (you know who you are, sinners :P ) have stated that Aleister Crowley's Thoth-deck is a basic deck. What what what?? :D You just have to elaborate on this! I would like to know very much what is 'easy' or 'basic' about the Thoth. You see, I'm fairly new to tarot, having read for only a year and a half now. The original RW was my first deck, then I bought the Thoth. Ah, what a beautiful and absolutely stunning deck of cards! I've tried reading with it, but I've found it too difficult to interpret. The heavy symbolism confuse me, and the elements from i.e. astrology and kabbalah didn't exactly help... I won't use the Crowley-deck more until I find the time to study it properly. For me, this is everything but a basic deck, and I think you need to give it the consideration it requires before reading with it. So, people what do you say? Basic or not? ~aeonx~

Kiama	24 May 2002
Not basic. Read my reply to 'First Deck' for elaboration... Kiama

raeanne	24 May 2002
Well, I would say the Thoth deck is a basic deck, but I view that as meaning one of the first three decks I would recommend someone get. I would first recommend RW or Universal Waite because it is so standard. Then perhaps Robin Wood because her book explains everything so well that it fills in any gaps that the RW missed. Even if you don’t like the Robin Wood deck, The Book is very educational because she explains why she chose the symbols and designed the cards the way she did. I think that is a very interesting process to follow. Then I would recommend the Thoth deck as a third deck for a solid foundation. This doesn’t mean that I think someone could totally understand the Thoth deck at this point but I think this is the time to begin looking at and learning from this deck. If all you understand is the artwork, you can still use the Thoth deck. As you learn more about astrology or Kabbalah (however you want to spell it), then you can add that knowledge to your reading. I don’t think Crowley put any special power into this deck that is so powerful that a beginner can’t handle it and it will get out of control unless you have advanced to a higher level. I just don’t see it that way. I think Crowley put basic symbols on the cards and then went over them again with astrological meanings and then went back again with Kabbalistic meanings, etc., etc. The result is very interesting. It’s like a marriage where one plus one has a baby and now there is three instead of two and you are left scratching your head and wondering why the math doesn’t work but enjoying the results!

Jeannette	24 May 2002
I agree with raeann; it's a matter of semantics. It depends on whether you define the term "basic" in this context as "beginning/tutorial/simple" -- which the Thoth definitely is not -- or as meaning "foundational/essential" -- which the Thoth is, IMHO. All serious students of tarot need to consider spending some time with the Thoth at one point or another, if not for reading, then at least for learning what it has to offer in contrast to the R/W. While not quite as influential as the R/W, the Thoth has definitely had a noteworthy impact on the evolution of modern tarot. -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Diana	24 May 2002
edited

Kiama	24 May 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Jeannette and/or Lori I agree with raeann; it's a matter of semantics. It depends on whether you define the term "basic" in this context as "beginning/tutorial/simple" -- which the Thoth definitely is not -- or as meaning "foundational/essential" -- which the Thoth is , IMHO. All serious students of tarot need to consider spending some time with the Thoth at one point or another, if not for reading, then at least for learning what it has to offer in contrast to the R/W. I agree with this. I don't think the term 'basic' in this sense though is meant to be the 'foundational/essential' meaning.. I think here it is talking about whether or not it is the best deck to start out with. It is certainly one of those decks you need at some point, although probably it'll be easier to study it when you have something to compare it to! I think starting out with an RW based deck would be helpful here, cuz then later you could compare it to the Thoth and see just how much they differ... Kiama

AmounrA	24 May 2002
I would not class the thoth deck as basic. I think waite deck and its clones are basic, in the sense that a beginer could use them, but the user would quickly grow out of them. The thoth deck can be used by the begginer and stay fresh for the rest of there life, no matter how skilled they get....thoth deck grows with the user.

Liliana	24 May 2002
I took the term basic as foundational and voted yes before I read the rest It is foundational, but definately not easy Still, if a beginner is drawn to it I think it is possible to learn with. :THP

Phoenix	24 May 2002
I believe that every tarot-holic should not be with out this deck, but I don't think a beginner should use one, not until theu know the basics behind tarot.

jade	24 May 2002
i voted no. i used this deck for about a year and then i just couldn't handle how negative i saw it as being. other decks, the negative cards can be something positive........like being numb to a situation can make it so that your feelings don't get as hurt.......but i couldn't seem to get that kind of meaning with the neg. cards in this deck. i gave it away. in light, jade

DestroyTheHuman	24 May 2002
I choose the Thoth Deck as my first deck. Im having no real trouble reading with it. It's a fun deck to look at, and after reading all of thirteens basics ans sifting through Learning the Tarot, I have a pretty good handel on the meaning of the cards. I think it all depends on the person. After looking at a lot of the diffrent decks out there I think this one is acually easier, because the minor arcana's suits are all labled. IE five of swords doesnt just say Five at the top and swords at the bottom. It acually says defeat on it. This helps me remember the cards diffrent meanings, because sometimes the pictures alone arent enough. Epsecially with images like the cups*most of them look similar*

Cocobird55	24 May 2002
I defined basic as being for beginners, and voted no. However, I do agree that it is a great deck to have and study. Other decks are based on the Thoth, although I can't remember which they are. Sue

Phoenix	24 May 2002
The Rohrig Tarot is heavily based off the Thoth, as well as the Cosmic Tribe Tarot I believe.

jmd	25 May 2002
Any deck which true to Tarot can be a basic deck... in both senses of the term 'basic' (foundational and 'beginner'). I personally consider that any deck which is true to Tarot can be such that the person can get a life-long journey of enjoyment and deepening understanding with it... as well as 'grow out of' any deck... including Crowley-Harris's Thoth deck!

The Do you consider the Thoth to be a basic deck? thread was originally posted on 24 May 2002 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.