Thoth

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 14 Aug 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Krystianx3	14 Aug 2002
Hi, I'm new here. This is a great site for beginners like me I'm sure. Many of you have probably already discussed the Aleister Crowley deck, but I wondered if someone would like to give me their opinion on it. Do you like it, do you use it, is it easy to read with, do you have any misconceptions about the deck and Aleister Crowley's history. I would appreciate any input. Thanks. Krystian...

Laurel	14 Aug 2002
Hi Krystian. The Thoth deck is one of my personal favorites and something I use consistently. Right now I'm going through a "card-a-day" study program to help get reaquainted with tarot after a long break, using the Thoth deck. Crowley's "The Book of Thoth" which accompanies the tarot is hard to understand unless you have done considerable reading of his earlier texts and understand a lot of his theories and opinions. The Thoth deck by itself can be used affectively for reading and self understanding even without a comprehensive background in Thelema, etc. Laurel

Jewel	14 Aug 2002
Hi Krystian! Peronally I find the Thoth deck to be an excellent study deck, due to its complexity. I read with the Cosmic Tribe which is based on the Thoth, but I am more inclined to use the Thoth as a learning tool. In the recent past we have had multiple threads on the Thoth deck and on Alister Crowley ... you might want to check those out!

Minderwiz	14 Aug 2002
Hi Krystian, I got my Thoth deck just under a month ago and I like it. You'll find some good threads relating to books about this deck. I don't think Crowley's 'outrageous' self publicity should put anyone off using it. Minderwiz

divinerguy	14 Aug 2002
I traded away my Thoth deck because it didn't work for me. The images disturbed me on levels which are difficult for me to describe. The images remind me of nightmares. I need to work with a deck that is more tranquil.

Kitty	14 Aug 2002
Hi Krystianx3 I personally love my thoth deck and no other deck comes up to the same standard for me when reading. I would recommend though that you try the smaller size as it is easier to handle and be aware that the deck can come in two slight different colour variations. I prefer the AGM version, the other version has a green tinge to it, but others like the green :) Also good books to go with the Thoth Deck are "Keywords for Crowley Tarot" and "The Crowley Tarot Handbook" bith by Hajo Banzhaf. Good luck, I encourage you to give the deck a go, you will not be disappointed. Let us know how it goes Oh and have a read of the reviews of the deck here at Aeclectic!! Love

Emily	15 Aug 2002
I have the large Thoth, the green one - I do like the colouring of this deck however. I have used it but find the artwork very distracting, I find myself studying the cards for the artwork instead of learning how to read them lol Just when you think you know a card, you see something else you've not noticed before or I read a thread here and something gets pointed out. I do think this is a deck that I will study properly at some time in the future but at the moment I'm having too much fun with my Spiral and Victoria Regina to give the Thoth deck the attention it deserves. The reputation of Aleister Crowley never bothered me, I think his tarot was unique and, even today, will all the new decks around it still is.

Liliana	15 Aug 2002
I have the Thoth and dont like it, because I dont like the art (dodges flying objects). Seems everyone else does, but not me. And tho I know the pipish minors are intuitive I prefer full scenes. The irony is I find myself attracted to thoth style decks, not thoth itself. I adore my Rhorig, and my new Book of Chaos deck is cool, and Haindl is on my wishlist. So eventually I will probably study and love Thoth itself, but right now i have others I love. Mine is the small one with the 3 magus cards, i find having the extra two far more interesting than the Unicursal Hexagram. But Thoth is still influential, it indirectly led to my mariage after all ;) :THP

AmounrA	15 Aug 2002
Thoth 'is' a fabulous deck, and a friendly one as well. The unicursal hexagramm card is more useful when using the deck qabalistically, and that is basically the secret to getting the most out of thoth, use it with the qaballa, as it is very very much designed and created to be used in that manner. I would advise you read the book of thoth [which is not as daughting as made out:-)]

jmd	15 Aug 2002
I agree with AmounrA that the Thoth, especially, is designed to be used integrally with particular Qabalistic associations. It is a deck which, it should be remembered, is Frieda Harris's artwork, based on Crowley's suggestions/directions, and contains much which, though I may personally view as unfortunate changes, is true to its own essence.

RedWood	15 Aug 2002
I am with Divinerguy...I got bad vibes and traded it away...did not like the art at all..very disturbing..

jema	16 Aug 2002
i love my Thoth. for the longest time i wanted one but i somehow failed to buy it or trade it and then one day i got it as a gift and since then also bought a larger version and i am thinking about buying the extra large version of it now! i use it for my daily card, for my very fist steps into qabalah studies and for comparative readings. the artwork appeals to me and the reputations of crowley does not scare me away. i am actually just now waiting the his "book of the law" to arrive in my mailbox. i don't mind working with decks with pips for minors. perhaps because i am used to it and the pips here are so very expressive that they are hardly pips at all.

The Thoth thread was originally posted on 14 Aug 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.