Aleister Crowley

Aleister Crowley's "The Book of Thoth: A Short Essay on the Tarot of the Egyptians" was published in 1944 as part of The Equinox series. This work delves into the esoteric symbolism, philosophical underpinnings, and practical applications of the Thoth Tarot deck, which Crowley developed in collaboration with artist Lady Frieda Harris. The deck and its accompanying book integrate numerous mystical systems, including ceremonial magic, astrology, alchemy, ancient Egyptian mythology, and Crowley's own philosophy of Thelema.

The book itself is structured into four main parts, covering the theory of Tarot, the Major Arcana (Atu), the Court Cards, and the Minor Cards. It further elaborates on the intricate symbolic language of the deck, drawing connections to Hermetic Qabalah and other esoteric frameworks. The initial release was a limited edition of 200 signed copies, bound in fine materials, and sold out rapidly. Subsequent editions have made this influential work on Tarot more widely accessible.

The core of "The Book of Thoth" is its exploration of the Tarot deck conceived by Aleister Crowley and brought to visual life by Lady Frieda Harris. This deck is not merely a set of playing cards but a complex symbolic system designed to encapsulate a vast array of esoteric knowledge. Its creation between 1938 and 1943 involved drawing inspiration from diverse traditions. These include the practices of ceremonial magic, the principles of astrology, the transformative processes of alchemy, and the rich tapestry of Egyptian mythology, specifically referencing the figure of Thoth. Furthermore, the deck is deeply interwoven with the philosophy of Thelema, a spiritual path founded by Crowley himself. The integration of Hermetic Qabalah is particularly notable, providing a structural and symbolic framework for understanding the relationships between the cards.

"The Book of Thoth" is systematically organized to guide the reader through the intricacies of the Tarot. It is divided into four primary sections: "The Theory of the Tarot," which lays the foundational principles; "The Atu (Keys or Trumps)," detailing the Major Arcana; "The Court Cards," examining the figures of the royal suits; and "The Small Cards," covering the Minor Arcana. Each part is further subdivided into chapters and appendices, allowing for a comprehensive examination. The book includes visual representations of the cards as envisioned by Crowley and Harris. Appendices offer additional layers of study, such as the use of Tarot for divination and a discussion on the non-arbitrary nature of esoteric correspondences. Appendix B notably features a diagram connecting the Tree of Life from Kabbalistic mysticism with mathematical conic sections and trigrams from the I Ching.