Intensive Thoth study program

[Formicida]

As I mentioned elsewhere, I'm interested in buying a large-size Thoth for border-hacking purposes. I make myself earn any new decks that I buy by setting goals, so as not to spend the big bucks on oodles of decks that I'm not going to use. I figure the best way to earn a second copy of one deck is to prove that I'm really serious about it with a study program. (And it's a good thing to do with the Thoth anyway.)

So here's a draft of what I want to do. I'd really appreciate suggestions.

1. Buy a copy of DuQuette's Thoth Tarot book. Read, if not the whole book cover to cover, then at least the introductory material that's not about individual cards.

2. Do the same with the Book of Thoth. Except the buying part--I already have a copy

3. Buy a piece of butcher paper and draw a big Tree of Life on it. Print out or make copies of the cards (or at least the Majors) and place them in their positions on the Tree. Add information about all the related symbolism that I can find. Hang it on my wall. (I mean this to be an ongoing project).

4. (?) Bone up on:
Kabbalah (reread the Chicken Kabbalah--other book suggestions are welcome)
Astrology (need book suggestions--note that I'm interested in astrology only in a Tarot context, if possible)
Egyptian mythology (need book suggestions)
I don't know how much of this is covered in the DuQuette book, versus how much I'll actually need/want. Also, should I read any of Crowley's other books? Are they readable without Cliff's notes (as the DuQuette book is to the Book of Thoth)?

5. Join the Thoth reading circle here, if they'll have me

6. Study the individual cards in a "78 weeks" format (sort of like LittleBuddha is doing). I may buy the deck after I get to 22, but that doesn't mean I'm going to let myself skip the Minors.

Suggestions? Am I missing anything obvious?

[ravenest]

Originally Posted by Formicida

3. Buy a piece of butcher paper and draw a big Tree of Life on it. Print out or make copies of the cards (or at least the Majors) and place them in their positions on the Tree. Add information about all the related symbolism that I can find. Hang it on my wall. (I mean this to be an ongoing project).

Great idea, also a workbook, with a tree image on each page 1 for astrology, 1 for etc etc (as it might be hard to put them all on one page, even a wall poster. also you could set up the same with other Systems AC uses like i ching for courts etc.

Originally Posted by Formicida

Egyptian mythology (need book suggestions)

Rosemary Clarke The Sacred Tradition in Ancient Egypt
Rosemary Clarke The Sacred Magick in Ancient Egypt
(2 seperate volumes)
Temple Harakte (you can google on the above for intros)

Originally Posted by Formicida

Also, should I read any of Crowley's other books?

Sure, probably more than anyone, AC is best comprehended by a fuller study of his life and that will reveal a lot of what he is on about in his tarot. Liber Aleph, Autobiography (Hagiography- Confessions of A.C.) Magic Liber Aba Bk 4, that should keep you busy for a while.

QUOTE]

[Edge]

Sounds like a good plan and a disciplined approach. Would recommend more focus on BOT than DuQuotte and highly recommend "The Confessions". However, any study of AC is a worthwhile task IMO.

[Formicida]

Ooh, I like the workbook idea, Ravenest. I think someone recently gave me an unlined blank book--now I know what to do with it! (I normally prefer lined ones).

Thanks for the book recommendations and encouragement, both of you.

[Sheri]

Hi Formicida!

I am in siouxj73's Thoth Reading Circle and we would love to have you join in! We use a featured spread, but are free to read the cards however we like. I personally prefer to read the Thoth intuitively and have been actively cutting the borders off my big Thoth to get rid of the words at the bottoms of the cards.

We just started a new round so you could join us for the next one (the rounds are usually weekly).

I admire your passion and initiative to learn and know Thoth!

valeria

[Formicida]

Just as an update, I've started studying the Fool card this week. I might have been able to spend more time on background info, but I'm hoping to keep moving along and pick things up as I go. I thought I was prepared, and I'm still astonished at how much there is to know. It's a crazy, exhilerating experience. There's so much behind this deck.

I'll probably be bothering you all with questions and comments as time goes on. I'm already compiling a list of questions about the introductory section of the BoT.

I'm keeping a more detailed (but scattered) journal of my thoughts about it in my livejournal. I understand I'm not allowed to post a link, but it's in my profile if anyone wants to follow along. (Mod, if not even this much self-promotion is allowed, feel free to remove this paragraph, and I apologize.)

Oh, and the reading circle is great!