Your opinions on Crowley?

[Cosmotaroist]

What I like about Crowley....is by his bold act to "reveal" the secrets from the orders to the masses. I like this philosophical approach to conveying his interpretations of things. Of course I like what he did to the Thoth deck...

Theres a lot of myth about this guy though...I would say beware of the unsubstantiated criticisms for the guy...

[ZenMusic]

I believe a research thread on the Book of Thoth with black and white photos of the original paintings would be good shared idea!

the original painting have recently been rescaned and a new version of the deck is being released later this year

[Ross G Caldwell]

It is a problem when one runs up against "The Demon Crowley". So much light in his personality, mixed with so much darkness. It's like reading the diaries of your great-great-grandfather, only to find out he held some opinions and did some things you find repulsive.

I spent 15 years in the belly of that beast, but I never had to crucify a frog baptised "Jesus", to symbolize my liberation from the old aeon. I found that the cruel streak in my nature wasn't all that big, and there was no need to push it.

But then, scientists practiced vivisection of animals in those days - much worse than Crowley went on in the lab, and probably still does today.

[fyreflye]

I wonder why some consider it necessary to have an "opinion" about Crowley at all. Except among the tattered remnants of his tiny cult he's of no importance at all today. The Thoth tarot stands or falls on the ingeniousness of its design and the quality of its execution.

[Ross G Caldwell]

Originally Posted by fyreflye

I wonder why some consider it necessary to have an "opinion" about Crowley at all. Except among the tattered remnants of his tiny cult he's of no importance at all today. The Thoth tarot stands or falls on the ingeniousness of its design and the quality of its execution.

I think his personality, or first or second-hand accounts of it, can turn people off of anything connected to him.

It's like saying that the Nazi flag is actually a pretty nice looking design, it's just art, so why not have a few around?

No, Crowley was not a nazi, or a mass murderer; it's just an example to show how symbols can become tainted by their origins.

[TheOld]

Crowley seems to be a really weird man with the capacities to show his dark side whitout too much temperence ;-)

His tarot is the most intriguing tarot i'v ever work with, verry powerfull and verry interesting, i love his bright AND dark side.

Counsciousness
Omeada

[Edge]

Originally Posted by Cosmotaroist

Theres a lot of myth about this guy though...I would say beware of the unsubstantiated criticisms for the guy...

And that I feel is one of the major problems regarding impressions on Crowley. The gullible are quick to believe what is popular and easy for them to digest. To get to the truth about the man one has to be prepared to be challenged and may experience some uncomfortable emotions at times.

[Edge]

Originally Posted by fyreflye

Except among the tattered remnants of his tiny cult he's of no importance at all today.

Huh, what cult is that?

[Umbrae]

The issue with Crowley is context.

Back in his time period - his behavior was dark scary and weird.

Put Crowley into todays world (NYD, SF...) and he comes off as a piker.

London of 1920-30 and London of 2006 is WAYYYY different.

[Abrac]

Originally Posted by fyreflye

Except among the tattered remnants of his tiny cult he's of no importance at all today.

Crowley is of importance today mainly because of his influence on a few key people who went on to influence an entire generation. The Beatles and Led Zeppelin being just two examples. Whatever you think about the man himself, his influence today is undeniable.

Abrac