Lillie
fools_fool said:To understand it you have to devote a lot of time and study to this one deck,
fools_fool
I have heard this kind of thing said before, and although I am sure the people who say it are just saying what they think or feel, I don't agree.
I never devoted a lot of time to studying this deck. Or studying Crowley.
I just used it. I looked up what I needed to know, in the LWB, or in the Book of Thoth, and got on with it.
With Crowley himself, I just read what I enjoyed reading. I just learned what I learned as I went along.
Ok, yes, so I have been learning for 20 years, but I never felt that I worked hard at it, or that it was work at all.
I enjoyed using the deck and I still do.
My problem is that a lot of people talk about the Thoth like it was some terrifying, complex edifice that needs years of study before you can read with it.
Some people even seem to feel that it is somehow evil or tainted by Crowleys reputation.
Well, what I want to say is that it is neither of these things.
It's just a deck of cards. 78 bits of art.
Very pretty from my perspective, though not everyones cup of tea.
It's not evil, it's just a thing, it's no more or less than what you yoursel make it be.
And it's easy to read. Just pick it up and use it, like any other deck.
You can buy it today and use it today.
The images are essentially fairly standard. Most of the majors correspond well to the RWS, (as they should). The minors have the key words to help you.
Just use it and learn as you go along.
Really, if you like the way the deck looks it will be easy.
If you don't like the way it looks, then don't bother with it. You shouldn't have to look at pictures you don't like.