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Tarot of Thoth Alistair card interpretation examples. Features of the Tota Tarot deck

Aleister Crowley is the most famous Kabbalist, occultist and tarot reader in England. Strictly speaking, Crowley himself is not the creator of the Thoth Tarot deck; he only resurrected lost wisdom. There are many different versions of the origin of this deck. The most popular is associated with Ancient Egypt. According to it, the “Tarot of Thoth” contains encrypted symbols that contain the sacred knowledge of the priests of the god Thoth. Crowley was also a supporter of this theory. He was involved in deciphering and restoring ancient images, which were eventually described in the book “Tarot of Thoth”.

Story

Crowley had his own reasons for conducting mystical research. Tarot, in the understanding of the mystic, was the bearer of sacred knowledge. Therefore, when Crowley became convinced that at the beginning of the 20th century the time of the god Osiris would end and the era of the god Horus would begin, he realized that the change of cycles would affect the magical and spiritual sphere of human life. And such changes will lead to the need to make corrections and changes to the system of Tarot cards, symbolically reflecting all areas of the surrounding reality.

Initially, the occultist did not want to change the entire deck. He only intended to correct the most significant values. However, Freda Harris, his assistant and artist, insisted that the deck be completely redesigned. As a result, the changes affected both the visual series and the semantic sequence.

Work on the new deck began in 1938 and lasted for 5 long years, although Crowley initially intended to make all the necessary changes in 3 months.

Book "Tarot of Thoth" (Crowley)

The Book of Thoth is Crowley's most famous work, in which the occultist presented a complete description and interpretation of the Thoth deck. This book can be considered both as a textbook on Tarot cards in general, and as a guide to the worldview of its author and occult philosophy.

Crowley included a Kabbalistic interpretation of the Tarot deck, various divination systems, quotes from the Book of the Law and many other occult texts. Tarot is in the “Book of Thoth” a way of understanding the world and comprehending ancient wisdom.

Distinctive features

By nature, Crowley was a passionate syncretist. Tarot became a reflection of his search. The occultist traveled the world in search of secret knowledge, studied the mystical, occult and magical traditions of various nations and societies, including traditional religious communities and secret brotherhoods, where only initiates were allowed. The result of this was the synthesis of everything known into a complex teaching, which was called “thelema”.

This mixture of religions and magical sacraments was reflected in his Tarot deck, which was the result of the occultist’s entire life of research - after finishing work on the cards, he lived only 3 years. Therefore, the correct interpretation of Crowley's Tarot is very difficult without studying the philosophical views of the mystic.

Among the first distinctive feature of the Thoth deck is the design - no one has ever used this style to design the Tarot before. For this we can thank the Egyptologist artist F. Harris.

The next difference is more significant and is related to the conceptual side. The fact is that the interpretation of the symbols of the Thoth Tarot is very different from the interpretation of traditional decks. This is due to the fact that Crowley combined symbols of many occult schools and cultures, and also supplemented the pictures with his own worldview.

Symbolism and meaning of Crowley's Tarot

To effectively use the Crowley Tarot deck for fortune telling, you need to master its symbolism. If in traditional cards free and associative interpretations are allowed, then in the case of the Thoth Tarot it is necessary to strictly follow the semantic definition that Crowley himself gave. Another noteworthy point is that all cards from the Thoth deck are interpreted exclusively in an upright position. In the system developed by Crowley there are simply no separate meanings for the interpretation of reversed cards.

In addition, the mystic refused to use the “Last Judgment” lasso in his Tarot, which was replaced by “Eon”, invented by the author. Crowley also changed some of the names. Thus, the arcana “Moderation” and “Strength” turned into “Regulation” and “Lust”.

Thus, Crowley created his own fortune-telling system, the key to which is found in the Book of Thoth.

Major Arcana

The Thoth Tarot cards by Aleister Crowley, like traditional ones, are divided into two arcana - major and minor. The senior ones include 22 cards, which are meaningful, unlike the junior ones. They were the ones who were affected by the most dramatic changes. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to consider and describe them in detail.

Arcana from 0 to 5

Zero card, or “Fool” (Fool, Madman, Jester). Traditionally, the card is placed between the 20th and 21st Arcana, but Crowley placed it at the beginning of the row, proposing that the major Arcana begin from scratch. “Fool” refers to the air element, Uranus acts as the patron planet. It means ideas, novelty, spirituality, the border between old and new.

“Magician”, 1st lasso - refers to Mercury. Denotes strength, wisdom, skills, capabilities, spiritual potential, energy, creativity, communication skills, thought processes.

“High Priestess”, 2 lasso - associated with the Moon. Denotes feelings, intuition, instincts, inner focus, introversion.

“Empress”, 3rd lasso - correlates with Venus. Responsible for sex, love, beauty, pleasure and fertility.

“Emperor”, 4th lasso - associated with the zodiac sign Aries. Symbolizes dominance, leadership, devotion and idealism; struggle, power, ambition, anger, exaltation, fanaticism, stubbornness.

“Hierophant”, 5th lasso - correlates with the sign of Taurus. It is the material embodiment of spiritual principles. Symbolizes perseverance, work, willpower, structure, organization.

Arcana 6 to 10

“Lovers”, 6th lasso - associated with the sign of Gemini. This card is one of the most difficult to interpret in the Thoth Tarot. Nevertheless, its general meanings are as follows: interaction, communication, choice, inconsistency.

“Chariot”, 7th Arcana - is influenced by Cancer. Symbolizes strength, inner search, victory, overcoming obstacles, introspection.

“Regulation”, 8 lasso - he is patronized. Denotes justice, balance, poise and harmony.

“Hermit”, 9th lasso - associated with Virgo. Symbolizes wisdom, the search for knowledge, meaningfulness, depth of knowledge, self-sufficiency, systematization.

“Wheel of Fate”, 10th lasso - Jupiter patronizes. Embodies fateful turns in life and socially significant phenomena: religion, politics, ideology. Interpreted as luck and happiness.

Arcana from 11 to 15

Aleister Crowley attached great importance to the patron planet or zodiac sign associated with the lasso. Their relationship contains the deep meaning and the key to understanding the symbolism of the card.

“Lust”, 11th lasso - patronizes Leo. Symbolizes conviction, ardor, creative energy, strong, almost fanatical passion for something.

“The Hanged Man”, 12 lasso - correlates with Neptune and is under the protection of the water element. Denotes loss, sacrifice, punishment, suffering.

“Death”, 13th lasso - patronized by Scorpio. Symbolizes transformation, change, significant rethinking, destruction, crisis, collapse of ideas or business. In extremely rare cases, it can mean physical death.

“Art”, 14th lasso - associated with Another difficult card to interpret, since it is not directly related to art as an aspect of life. The map rather denotes the symbiosis of various forces, their interaction, and the sequence of actions.

“Devil”, 15th lasso - patronized by Capricorn. Directly related to the concept of subordination. In addition, it denotes obstacles, constraint, slavery, obsession, absorption in the material side of life.

Arcana from 16 to 21

The description of the major arcana proposed by Crowley (Tarot) is coming to an end.

“Tower”, 16th lasso - correlates with Mars. Symbolizes danger, blow of fate, change.

"Star", 17th lasso - is under the auspices of Aquarius. Denotes opportunity, hope, faith, unexpected help.

“Moon”, 18th lasso - zodiac sign of Pisces. Denotes confusion, deception, mistakes, witchcraft, the beginning of change.

“Sun”, 19th lasso - protects the Sun. Symbolizes triumph, victory, power, glory, satisfaction, realization of plans, truth, selfishness.

“Aeon”, 20 lasso - associated with Pluto and the fire element. The map was created by Crowley. Indicates a transition, a beginning, a summing up, a threshold between the old and the new.

“Universe”, 21 lasso – patronized by Saturn. Interpreted as totality, synthesis, integrity, completeness, perfection.

Minor Arcana

The minor arcana of the Crowley Tarot consist of 56 cards. They have remained virtually unchanged. The only thing that distinguishes them from a traditional deck is the design, which, although devoid of plot, gives the symbols greater imagery. Crowley's main change was the change from the suit of pentacles to the suit of discs. However, the symbolic has not changed.

Contents [Show]

The system of predictions using a deck of cards, called Tarot, has been known, by historical standards, not so long ago - since the end of the 14th century. Where they came from, who invented them and brought them to European lands - nothing is known for certain. Among Tarot lovers, there are several versions of their origin. One of them connects the deck with Egypt, seeing in it encrypted symbols of sacred knowledge that the priests of Thoth wanted to preserve and pass on to descendants. Proponents of this hypothesis are making attempts to decipher the original, original Tarot symbols, although they admit that the authentic form of these drawings has been lost. One of these enthusiasts, Aleister Crowley, the brightest figure of the esoteric world of the 20th century, made a similar attempt to resurrect the secret wisdom of the Egyptian mysteries, lost in the depths of centuries. The result of his work was the famous and quite popular in tarot circles, the “Tarot of Thoth” deck.

The prerequisite for creating a new deck was Crowley's conviction that at the beginning of the 20th century, namely in 1904, the era of the god Osiris ended and the era of the god Horus began. The change of cycles also affected the spiritual, magical sphere of life, thus requiring adjustments to the symbolic system of Tarot cards. Initially, however, Crowley did not intend to create a new deck. His plans included only correcting the most suitable option from all existing ones. But his assistant, artist Frieda Harris, insisted on a complete reworking of the visuals and semantic consistency of the new set of cards. Work on them began in 1938 and lasted five years (instead of the originally intended three months). Thus was born the deck known today as Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot cards.

In his views, Aleister Crowley was a terrible syncretist. He passionately sought secret knowledge wherever he could reach. Traveling around the world, Crowley studied the magical, occult and mystical traditions of a wide variety of societies - from traditional religious communities to secret initiation brotherhoods. The most contradictory thoughts, ideas and doctrines coexisted in his head, which he synthesized into a complex eclectic teaching, which he called Thelema. This whole heterogeneous mixture was reflected in the Thoth Tarot, in a sense, drawing a line under all of his work: three years after completing work on the deck, Crowley died.
The first feature of his cards concerned the artistic design. This was a completely new style for Tarot, never used before. Crowley owes this to his partner, who was an experienced artist who had a great sense of the essence.

Another interesting and most important distinguishing feature of the Crowley Tarot of Thoth is that the interpretation of its symbols differs significantly from the interpretation of other, more traditional versions of the cards. Crowley combined in his work the symbolism of many cultures and occult schools, put his worldview into the pictures and introduced a lot of additional images. Moreover, Crowley swapped some cards, and removed others altogether, replacing them with analogues of his own composition. All this put Aleister Crowley's Tarot of Thoth in a completely special position, turning fortune telling into a special, independent system of predictions.

He left us the exegetical key to his deck in his fundamental book on the Tarot, called The Book of Thoth. In terms of content, this is a rich reference book of fortune telling cards. However, there is also some uncertainty there, so modern tarotists who use the Tarot of Thoth in their practice sometimes have to calculate the meaning of a particular symbol, relying on their own experience, insight and intuition.

The main graphic, and most importantly semantic, changes affected the cards of the major arcana. Therefore, it is worth dwelling on them in a little more detail.

To use Crowley's deck productively, you need to understand its inherent symbolism. If in other collections a certain amount of freedom in interpretation is allowed, due to a subjective set of associations with a standard archetype, then in Crowley all the cards are strictly tied to their meaning.

It should be noted right away that, unlike other decks, all Thoth Tarot cards are interpreted only in an upright position. In the system he developed, there is no special meaning for the reversed cards - this is true for both the major and minor arcana.

Aleister Crowley excluded the twentieth arcana “The Last Judgment” from the traditional series, replacing it with his own composition called “Aeon”. In addition, in accordance with some French versions of the deck, he swapped the “Strength” and “Justice” cards, plus, as already noted, he quite significantly “corrected” the generally accepted meaning of the pictures, even to the point of changing the names of some of them. For example, the same “Strength” and “Moderation” received the names “Lust” and “Regulation”, respectively.

Traditionally, the Fool card with a numerical value of zero is placed between the twentieth and twenty-first arcana. However, Crowley returned it to the beginning of the general series, proposing to start the semantic sequence from scratch.

The Fool (Jester, Fool, Madman) correlates with the planet Uranus and the element of air. It means novelty, idea, the border between old and new forms, spirituality.

The Magician in the Thoth Tarot is associated with Mercury. Means wisdom, strength, spiritual potential, capabilities, skills, abilities, creative potential, energy, thought and intellectual processes, communication.

Associated with the moon. Symbolizes introversion, internal focus, feelings, instincts, intuition.

This figure is associated with Venus and is in charge of all the traditional Venusian aspects of life - love, relationships, sex, fertility, beauty and pleasure.

His figure is associated with the sign of Aries. Therefore, it embodies qualities such as leadership, dominance, idealism and devotion. The Emperor symbolizes struggle, ambition, power, exaltation, anger, stubbornness, fanaticism, energetic action.

The hierophant (sign - Taurus), that is, the initiate, carries the idea of ​​​​the material embodiment of spiritual principles. Therefore, it is explained as labor, diligence, willpower, organization, structure, patronage of higher powers.

This is one of the most difficult cards in the Thoth Tarot. Interpretation on a surface level is determined by the sign of Gemini and the idea of ​​communication - communication, interaction, inconsistency, choice.

The Chariot is ruled by Cancer. Its associations include the concepts of strength, victory, internal search, introspection, and overcoming obstacles.

This arcana is ruled by the sign of Libra. Accordingly, it is interpreted as balance, justice, harmony and poise.

The hermit is associated with the sign of Virgo. Its meanings: search for knowledge, wisdom, depth, departure from everyday life, meaningfulness and systematization, self-sufficiency.

It is located under the rule of Jupiter. Reflects global turns of fate and universally significant phenomena - politics, religion, ideology. It can be interpreted as happiness, luck, and in a figurative sense as a tailwind.

This card is located in the competence of the sign Leo. Associated with ardor, conviction, absorption, creative energy, burning with something - an idea, desire, etc.

It is subordinate to Neptune and correlates with the element of water. The semantics of the arcana are sacrifice, loss, suffering, punishment.

Sign – Scorpio. Most often it means change, transformation, change. Perhaps a crisis, destruction, collapse of an idea, business or stage of something. Very rarely - physical death.

Art is another challenging arcana in the Thoth Tarot. The interpretation of cards usually has no connection with this aspect of life at the level of a separate archetype. Crowley brings it under the sign of Sagittarius. The semantic series of this arcana is sequential actions, symbiosis of different forces, interaction.

The figure of the devil, associated in the Thoth Tarot with the sign of Capricorn, reveals the concepts of subordination. At the same time, it speaks of constraint, hindrance, obsession, slavery and material absorption.

The image of a tower or fortress under the auspices of Mars means danger. In addition, these are drastic changes, sudden blows of fate, turning points and moments.

The star is ruled by Aquarius. This card symbolizes hope, opportunity, inspiration, unexpected help, faith.

The Moon card is associated with the sign of Pisces. This arcana speaks of mistakes, confusion, deception, delusion. May mean witchcraft and the beginning of change.

The sun is associated, of course, with the sun. The meaning of this card is victory, triumph, glory, power, fulfillment, satisfaction, truth and selfishness.

The innovative card “Eon” associates Crowley with Pluto and the element of fire. He is charged with the beginning of a new business, the results of the past, the opening paths of the future, a transitional stage, a threshold.

This chart is ruled by Saturn. Interpreted as the final synthesis, result, universe, perfection, completeness, integrity.

The Thoth Tarot attaches particular importance to the major arcana. The cards of the minor arcana in Crowley's edition as a whole did not undergo significant changes. The only thing that distinguishes them is their unique design, devoid of a storyline, but giving imagery to the symbols of the suits themselves.

The most that Crowley contributed to the minor arcana was that he changed the suit of pentacles to discs. At the same time, the previous semantic core of the suit itself remained the same.

In conclusion, it is worth saying that for the Thoth Tarot, the layouts used when working with ordinary decks are also quite acceptable and do not require specific additions. Correction is made only for the interpretation of the images themselves.

Aleister Crowley is the most famous Kabbalist, occultist and tarot reader in England. Strictly speaking, Crowley himself is not the creator of the Thoth Tarot deck; he only resurrected lost wisdom. There are many different versions of the origin of this deck. The most popular is associated with Ancient Egypt. According to it, the “Tarot of Thoth” contains encrypted symbols that contain the sacred knowledge of the priests of the god Thoth. Crowley was also a supporter of this theory. He was involved in deciphering and restoring ancient images, which were eventually described in the book “Tarot of Thoth”.

Crowley had his own reasons for conducting mystical research. Tarot, in the understanding of the mystic, was the bearer of sacred knowledge. Therefore, when Crowley became convinced that at the beginning of the 20th century the time of the god Osiris would end and the era of the god Horus would begin, he realized that the change of cycles would affect the magical and spiritual sphere of human life. And such changes will lead to the need to make corrections and changes to the system of Tarot cards, symbolically reflecting all areas of the surrounding reality.

Initially, the occultist did not want to change the entire deck. He only intended to correct the most significant values. However, Freda Harris, his assistant and artist, insisted that the deck be completely redesigned. As a result, the changes affected both the visual series and the semantic sequence.

Work on the new deck began in 1938 and lasted for 5 long years, although Crowley initially intended to make all the necessary changes in 3 months.

The Book of Thoth is Crowley's most famous work, in which the occultist presented a complete description and interpretation of the Thoth deck. This book can be considered both as a textbook on Tarot cards in general, and as a guide to the worldview of its author and occult philosophy.

Crowley included a Kabbalistic interpretation of the Tarot deck, various divination systems, quotes from the Book of the Law and many other occult texts. Tarot is in the “Book of Thoth” a way of understanding the world and comprehending ancient wisdom.

By nature, Crowley was a passionate syncretist. Tarot became a reflection of his search. The occultist traveled the world in search of secret knowledge, studied the mystical, occult and magical traditions of various nations and societies, including traditional religious communities and secret brotherhoods, where only initiates were allowed. The result of this was the synthesis of everything known into a complex teaching, which was called “thelema”.

This mixture of religions and magical mysteries was reflected in his Tarot deck, which was the result of the occultist’s entire life of research - after finishing work on the cards, he lived only 3 years. Therefore, the correct interpretation of Crowley's Tarot is very difficult without studying the philosophical views of the mystic.

Among the first distinctive feature of the Thoth deck is the design - no one has ever used this style to design the Tarot before. For this we can thank the Egyptologist artist F. Harris.

The next difference is more significant and is related to the conceptual side. The fact is that the interpretation of the symbols of the Thoth Tarot is very different from the interpretation of traditional decks. This is due to the fact that Crowley combined symbols of many occult schools and cultures, and also supplemented the pictures with his own worldview.

To effectively use the Crowley Tarot deck for fortune telling, you need to master its symbolism. If in traditional cards free and associative interpretations are allowed, then in the case of the Thoth Tarot it is necessary to strictly follow the semantic definition that Crowley himself gave. Another noteworthy point is that all cards from the Thoth deck are interpreted exclusively in an upright position. In the system developed by Crowley there are simply no separate meanings for the interpretation of reversed cards.

In addition, the mystic refused to use the “Last Judgment” lasso in his Tarot, which was replaced by “Eon”, invented by the author. Crowley also changed some of the names. Thus, the arcana “Moderation” and “Strength” turned into “Regulation” and “Lust”.

Thus, Crowley created his own fortune-telling system, the key to which is found in the Book of Thoth.

The Thoth Tarot cards by Aleister Crowley, like traditional ones, are divided into two arcana - major and minor. The senior ones include 22 cards, which are meaningful, unlike the junior ones. They were the ones who were affected by the most dramatic changes. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to consider and describe them in detail.

Zero card, or “Fool” (Fool, Madman, Jester). Traditionally, the card is placed between the 20th and 21st Arcana, but Crowley placed it at the beginning of the row, proposing that the major Arcana begin from scratch. “Fool” refers to the air element, Uranus acts as the patron planet. It means ideas, novelty, spirituality, the border between old and new.

“Magician”, 1st lasso – refers to Mercury. Denotes strength, wisdom, skills, capabilities, spiritual potential, energy, creativity, communication skills, thought processes.

“High Priestess”, 2 lasso – connected with the Moon. Denotes feelings, intuition, instincts, inner focus, introversion.

“Empress”, 3rd lasso – correlates with Venus. Responsible for sex, love, beauty, pleasure and fertility.

“Emperor”, 4th lasso – associated with the zodiac sign Aries. Symbolizes dominance, leadership, devotion and idealism; struggle, power, ambition, anger, exaltation, fanaticism, stubbornness.

“Hierophant”, 5th lasso – correlates with the sign of Taurus. It is the material embodiment of spiritual principles. Symbolizes perseverance, work, willpower, structure, organization.

We continue to describe Crowley's Tarot cards.

“Lovers”, 6th lasso – associated with the sign of Gemini. This card is one of the most difficult to interpret in the Thoth Tarot. Nevertheless, its general meanings are as follows: interaction, communication, choice, inconsistency.

“Chariot”, 7th Arcana – is under the influence of Cancer. Symbolizes strength, inner search, victory, overcoming obstacles, introspection.

“Regulation”, 8 lasso – it is patronized by the constellation Libra. Denotes justice, balance, poise and harmony.

“Hermit”, 9th lasso – associated with Virgo. Symbolizes wisdom, the search for knowledge, meaningfulness, depth of knowledge, self-sufficiency, systematization.

“Wheel of Fate”, 10th lasso – patronized by Jupiter. Embodies fateful turns in life and socially significant phenomena: religion, politics, ideology. Interpreted as luck and happiness.

Aleister Crowley attached great importance to the patron planet or zodiac sign associated with the lasso. Their relationship contains the deep meaning and the key to understanding the symbolism of the card.

“Lust”, 11th lasso – patronizes Leo. Symbolizes conviction, ardor, creative energy, strong, almost fanatical passion for something.

“The Hanged Man”, 12 lasso – correlates with Neptune and is under the protection of the water element. Denotes loss, sacrifice, punishment, suffering.

“Death”, 13th lasso – patronized by Scorpio. Symbolizes transformation, change, significant rethinking, destruction, crisis, collapse of ideas or business. In extremely rare cases, it can mean physical death.

“Art”, 14th lasso – associated with the constellation Sagittarius. Another difficult card to interpret, since it is not directly related to art as an aspect of life. The map rather denotes the symbiosis of various forces, their interaction, and the sequence of actions.

“Devil”, 15th lasso – patronizes Capricorn. Directly related to the concept of subordination. In addition, it denotes obstacles, constraint, slavery, obsession, absorption in the material side of life.

The description of the major arcana proposed by Crowley (Tarot) is coming to an end.

“Tower”, 16th lasso – correlates with Mars. Symbolizes danger, blow of fate, change.

“Star”, 17th lasso – is under the auspices of Aquarius. Denotes opportunity, hope, faith, unexpected help.

“Moon”, 18th lasso – zodiac sign of Pisces. Denotes confusion, deception, mistakes, witchcraft, the beginning of change.

“Sun”, 19th lasso – protects the Sun. Symbolizes triumph, victory, power, glory, satisfaction, realization of plans, truth, selfishness.

“Aeon”, 20 lasso – associated with Pluto and the fire element. The map was created by Crowley. Indicates a transition, a beginning, a summing up, a threshold between the old and the new.

“Universe”, 21 lasso – patronized by Saturn. Interpreted as totality, synthesis, integrity, completeness, perfection.

The minor arcana of the Crowley Tarot consist of 56 cards. They have remained virtually unchanged. The only thing that distinguishes them from a traditional deck is the design, which, although devoid of plot, gives the symbols greater imagery. Crowley's main change was the change from the suit of pentacles to the suit of discs. However, the symbolic meaning of the cards has not changed.

The Thoth Tarot was created by Aleister Crowley in collaboration with a talented artist named Frieda Harris. Currently, this deck is one of the most popular, second only to the classic Rider-Waite Tarot. In the book "Tarot of Thoth" Crowley writes that in many ways his cards are associated with Kabbalistic teachings, as well as the concept of the Tree of Life - Sephiroth. The images of the Arcana in this deck, compared to others, are full of different symbolism.

1 Features of the Thoth Tarot

The Thoth Tarot has 2 main subgroups - the Major and Minor Arcana. The major ones are the 22 main cards; minor – 56 cards of 4 suits. Each suit traditionally begins with an Ace, followed by a two, a three, and then up to a ten. After this, the curly designations begin - Prince, Princess, Queen and Knight. Crowley made some changes to his deck:

  • Crowley called Coins common to other decks Disks.
  • The Arcana Wheel of Fortune is simply called “Fortune”.
  • The fourth Arcana received a double name - “Lovers” / “Brothers”.
  • The lasso “Moderation” is called “Art”.
  • "Judgment" has been replaced with "Eon".
  • "World" - to "Universe".
  • Crowley replaced “Strength” with “Lust”.
  • “Fairness” - to “Regulation”.

Working with this deck requires high skill as a fortuneteller. There is an opinion among professional tarot readers that the Thoth Tarot is the most energy-consuming.

Major Arcana of the Tarot: deciphering the meanings

2 0. Fool

The patron saint of the Jester is the god Dionysus. The magician Papus wrote: the image of a fool is associated with a neophyte who, due to a blindfold, is unable to foresee the complexity of his journey. In the Tarot of Thoth, Crowley pays the greatest attention to this Arcana.

The card depicts a man with horns on his head. It is located in the center of the oval-shaped egg. The long umbilical cord symbolizes unity with the Universe. In the Thoth Tarot, this card speaks of the desire for development. A fool is a jester who is ready to go through other Arcana.

The symbols on the Arcana reveal the meaning of the card:

  • A heart-shaped spiral means openness, emotional rebirth.
  • The butterfly indicates the questioner’s readiness to change, his desire for self-development.
  • The two hugging children in the picture speak of the importance of paying attention to valuable relationships.
  • The crocodile and the tiger biting the jester indicate liberation from fear.
  • Horns on the head mean the ability to be aware of reality, to see cause-and-effect relationships between events.
  • The sun symbolizes the rebirth of sexual energy.

Predictions using the Rider-Waite Tarot: features and decoding

3 I. Magician

In other decks, this card is usually called "Mage". Crowley considers the god Mercury to be the patron of the Magician. The card shows him balancing on a thin board. He manages to skillfully juggle various objects - a whistle, coins, fire, a rod, a winged egg, a sword. God moves between light and darkness, good and evil, white magic and black. Near the Magician's head you can see two snakes, symbolizing healing.

Interpretation of the Arcana:

  • Clarity and precision of mind. The questioner has enough intelligence to distinguish good from bad.
  • In personal relationships, the card speaks of increased love and mutual magnetism.
  • Disclosure of all physical and spiritual abilities.
  • Initiative, willingness to get down to business.

Tarot cards: types of decks, meaning and interpretation of predictions

4 II. High Priestess

The image of the High Priestess is patronized by the moon goddess Isis. Crowley called the Priestess the tallest female figure in the entire deck. On the map it is surrounded by a weightless network of moon rays, which indicates its subtle spiritual nature. Below you can see fruits, testifying to the riches of the inner world.

Card Meaning:

  • The questioner gained access to his inner spiritual reserves. You should be more active in self-development.
  • Disclosure of unusual abilities - clairvoyance, healing.
  • The questioner's occupation relates to esotericism.
  • In relationships with a significant person, there is deep intimacy and mutual understanding.

5 III. Empress

Her patrons are the Greek goddesses Artemis and Hecate. The Empress is a mother and a beloved woman at the same time. The card depicts a symbol of unconditional acceptance and love - a pelican feeding its chicks with its own blood. On the Empress's shield is a double-headed eagle, symbolizing personal transformation, transformation at a deep level. The Empress's left hand is open, and in her right hand she holds a lotus stem, which is a phallic symbol.

Meanings of the Arcana Empress:

  • Full disclosure of femininity, realization of feminine qualities.
  • In the future, it is possible to work through unresolved conflicts with the mother.
  • Next to the questioner is a beautiful and strong woman whom you want to imitate.
  • Profit in business or a good bonus at work.
  • Wise resolution of the current difficult situation.

6 IV. Emperor

The patron of this Arcana is the Greek goddess Athena and the Roman Mars. If the Empress's symbol is fusion, then the Emperor's strategy is separation. His image symbolizes the father, senator, ruler. The Emperor is the embodiment of the power of patriarchy.

His throne features vibrant shades of red, the color of the god of war, Mars. Double-headed eagles, as in the Empress Arcanum, indicate internal changes driven by the powerful energy of the Sun. To the right and left of the Emperor you can see rams, symbolizing perseverance and power. In this aspect, Arcanum can be compared with the astrological sign of Aries. Crowley emphasized that the submissive meek lamb depicted on the card was the reverse of the frantic ram, which was a symbol of the Emperor himself.

Card in the layout:

  • Demonstration of toughness and leadership qualities. The questioner should be more flexible.
  • In relationships, Arcan suggests that the questioner strives for dominance.
  • In combination with the Knight of Wands card, the Emperor can indicate the infidelity of a permanent partner.
  • Often Arkan means a specific person who influences the situation - a high-ranking official, law enforcement officer, etc.

7 V. Hierophant

The patroness of Arkan is the goddess Hera. The Hierophant sits on the Bull, as if on a throne. On his sides are 4 cherubs. These are a bull, an eagle, a lion and a man. They symbolize different aspects of existence. Ox - earth (material), Leo - fire, dynamics. Man is Air (mentality). The eagle is a symbol of transformation, indicating a connection with the world of feelings and emotions.

The Hierophant is a true spiritual master, the last step in the possible development of man. A woman stands in front of him - the goddess Hera. In her hands she holds objects symbolizing wisdom and emotions. In the Hierophant they are in harmony and balance.

The meaning of the Arcana in the Thoth Tarot:

  • Meeting with an enlightened person, a spiritual Teacher.
  • The questioner seeks the truth, has an understanding of the meaning of the events happening to him.
  • The questioner has to teach someone or receive education himself.
  • Deep trust reigns in relationships with people.

8 VI. Lovers (or Brothers)

The patron saint of the Arcana of Lovers is the Greek gods Castor and Pollux. The card depicts the wedding of the Emperor and Empress. The wedding ceremony is performed by the Hermit, whose appearance is completely hidden by robes. This secrecy symbolizes that the origin of all objects and phenomena is hidden from perception and intellect. All symbols are shown in pairs on the card. This suggests that personality transformation occurs in a marriage. The children depicted are holding in their hands objects from those spheres that will be subject to change. This is a bowl (a sign of emotions), a spear (thought processes, intellect), flowers (a symbol of spirit), a stick (flesh).

Arkan can mean:

  • A loving relationship that will transform a person.
  • New ways of personal growth.
  • Getting married.
  • The questioner, following the call of his heart, will be able to make an unambiguous decision.
  • It is recommended to combine your efforts with the efforts of other team members.

9 VII. Chariot

The patron of this Arcana is the Greek god Apollo the Charioteer (Mercury in the Roman tradition). The card depicts a charioteer seated in a pose of meditation. The Holy Grail can be seen in his hands; Before moving forward, he calculates all possible consequences. In the Thoth Tarot, this card shows a team; it contains four sphinxes, symbolizing the forces that set the chariot in motion. Once the right direction is chosen, it will move forward.

Possible meanings of the Arcana Chariot in the layout:

  • Courage, a deep understanding of your goals.
  • The desire to leave a familiar place.
  • Career growth, significant advancement.
  • The questioner will be able to solve the most serious problems, overcoming the contradiction between mind and soul.
  • The beginning of a new relationship, accompanied by a breakthrough from the “shackles” of the previous connection.

10 VIII. Regulation

The card depicts a young woman with scales. She holds a magic sword in her hands, and she herself balances on her toes. Only absolute calm allows her to maintain her balance. In the old deck this card was called Justice. A female figure is depicted in front of the throne. The throne is made of 4 balls and pyramids. They, like their owner, symbolize impartial impartiality.

What does the Regulation card mean in the layout:

  • Facing the consequences of your actions.
  • The need to carefully weigh words and actions, avoiding extremes.
  • The questioner needs to find the conditions in which he will feel harmony.
  • Balancing, the need to submit financial statements.
  • A balanced life.
  • Excessive caution of the questioner breeds inaction.
  • Close attention should be paid to those people or phenomena that can infuriate the questioner.
  • It is useful to engage in meditation to restore the balance of the mind.

11 IX. Hermit

The patrons of this Arcanum are the Greek god Atis; Roman gods Ceres and Adonis. The card depicts an old man, whose appearance is hidden from prying eyes. In his hand is a bright lamp, a symbol of internal energy and awareness. The hermit bravely embarks on a search for inner truth. But on this path, danger awaits him in the form of his own Shadow - it is symbolized by a poisonous snake and the three-headed dog Cerberus. The hermit is a symbol of the sage. He plunged the light of knowledge so deeply into the inner waters of the unconscious that he was able to illuminate this darkness.

The card may mean:

  • Knowledge and understanding of oneself, honesty towards oneself.
  • You need temporary solitude to understand yourself.
  • There may be bitterness towards others, forced isolation from society.
  • The need to accept your loneliness.
  • The questioner should not worry about people who do not understand him. Most likely they will just make him part of the "herd".
  • If the opportunity arises to meet a spiritual teacher or mentor, you should take this chance.

12 X. Fortune

The patron of Fortune is the god Jupiter. The card depicts the Wheel of Fortune with ten spokes, which rotates among lightning and thunder. The wheel symbolizes integrity, which is in constant motion. The Sphinx, crocodile and monkey are symbols of the ancient Egyptian gods. The properties of the sphinx are the 4 virtues of a magician: knowledge, willpower, courage, silence. The monkey is a sign of flexibility, the ability to adapt to new circumstances. Crocodile is the god of creativity.

Arcanum Fortune in a reading can mean:

  • Situations in which the questioner needs to learn an important life lesson.
  • The need to find out the root cause of the current state of affairs.
  • Routineness at work.
  • Serious changes.
  • Maintaining the status quo in love.

13 November Lust

The patroness of the card is the goddess Demeter. The Arcana depicts the figure of a woman who is intoxicated with passion. The seven-headed lion also appears to be excited. The woman turns her head towards the fire urn, she is completely captured by the energy of creativity and change. In her hands is the Holy Grail, surrounded by tongues of fire.

Arcana meanings:

  • The person who wants to is full of energy and thirst to work.
  • High creative spirit, desire to create.
  • Meeting the emotions raging inside. Their pacification.
  • Strong relationships full of passion.
  • The questioner should not hide secret desires under the guise of decency.
  • The need to accept yourself.

14 XII. Hanged

The patron god of this Arcanum is Poseidon. In almost all decks, the meaning of this card is the same - it depicts a young man hanging upside down. Aleister Crowley's deck was no exception. But in his deck, the Hanged Man hangs not on a tree or a gallows, but on the ancient Egyptian hieroglyph Ankh, which is a symbol of life and related in its meaning to the Arcana of the Empress. The body of the hanged man is devoid of sexual characteristics. The face is also poorly drawn.

The symbols of this Arcana are read without difficulty. The facelessness of the Hanged Man indicates that he has a complete lack of individuality. Unknown gender directly indicates a lack of sexuality.

The Hanged Man Arcana Meanings:

  • A state of depression, deep self-doubt.
  • Pessimism. The questioner sees no light in the future.
  • Established habits and a rigid view of reality do not allow us to see things as they are.
  • Lack of faith in yourself, your intuition.
  • Things are not going well at work or business; delays, bureaucracy.
  • By accepting the situation as it is at the current moment, you can make a significant leap forward.

15 XIII. Death

The patrons of this Arcanum are the gods Thanatos and Hades. Usually this Arcanum does not mean real, physical death - it indicates radical changes, transformation of circumstances, personality. The card shows a skeleton with a scythe. It is under extreme tension, like a compressed spring. On his head he wears a traditional Egyptian cover, which was used in ancient times during funeral rituals. There is a scorpion nearby, ready to sting at any moment. Water lilies and lilies that once bloomed are now covered in dirt.

Arcana Death means:

  • The end of the current situation and the beginning of a new one.
  • The end of the current stage does not always bring sadness, because it is always followed by something new. Change can be compared to finishing school and entering a university.
  • The questioner's readiness for change.
  • Completion of the next stage of personal growth.
  • In relationships, the card in most cases foreshadows separation.

16 XIV. Art

Arcanum means the union of opposite meanings. The card depicts the marriage of the imperial couple. The dark-skinned Emperor now has a light face, while the light-skinned Empress has a dark face. They are dressed in green, which symbolizes the creative process. Water pours into the urn; Steam rises from it - a symbol of a new state.

The Art card in a layout can mean:

  • Resolving contradictions, interacting effectively with others.
  • The questioner underestimates the difficulties that await him in working on the implementation of the project.
  • It is necessary to develop a calm and focused approach to work.
  • The questioner needs to find peace with himself; forget about careerism and competition, love yourself for who you are.
  • In personal relationships - a period of understanding, trust, cooperation.

17 XV. Devil

The patrons of this Arcana are Pan and Hermes. In the Tarot of Thoth, the Devil is represented as a white goat with large spiral horns. On the goat’s forehead there is an open Third Eye, symbolizing heightened perception. At the back you can see a phallic symbol - a column. The two balls at the bottom of the Arcana symbolize eggs. In them, like the cells of a male seed, there are male and female figures - four of each sex. This card symbolizes creative power in its material, masculine manifestation.

This Arcana is often misunderstood by beginning tarot readers. In order to correctly interpret the Devil card, it is recommended to abstract from the prevailing stereotypes surrounding this symbol.

The arcana in the layout can mean the following:

  • There is a person surrounded by the questioner who practically “demonizes” him. This character should be treated with humor and lightness.
  • The person became acquainted with the shadow side of his own personality and found the strength to resist addictions.
  • In a relationship, it symbolizes flirtation, sensuality, passion.
  • The questioner may be overcome by instincts of destructive power.

18 XVI. Tower (or War)

The patrons of the Arcana Tower are the gods Ares and Mars. The map shows a collapsing building. Lightning, fire and various weapons of war completely destroy the building. At the top of the Arcanum the eye of the Choir is depicted - a symbol of pure awareness, the ability to see things as they are. The dove signifies compassion, which arises from the ability to know oneself.

Arcanum Tower can mean:

  • An unexpected end to a relationship that was poisoning the life of the questioner.
  • An explosion of emotions and passions.
  • The walls behind which the questioner has been trying to hide until now are crumbling.
  • Rapid changes that completely destroy the familiar picture of the world. Man is in the midst of transformation.
  • Collapse of the value system.
  • The need to let go of the old, rush towards the new.

19 XVII. Star

The goddess Juno patronizes the Star. The card in the Thoth Tarot depicts a girl (Star) holding two bowls in her hands. This is Nuit, goddess of the stars. She raised the golden cup high and poured star milk from it. On the left is the seven-pointed star Babalon, rotating the energy flows of the Universe. The Star is a very favorable card.

Arcana means:

  • New, promising relationships.
  • The questioner is on the verge of a new stage in his career.
  • Encounters that seem random actually have value and influence.
  • Negotiations and alliances will bring good luck.
  • Projects in any field will have a favorable completion.

20 XVIII. Moon

This Arcana, like the Hanged Man card, is patronized by the god Poseidon. The waning moon symbolizes immersion in the dark worlds of the unconscious. This card speaks of the final and most difficult test. At the top there is a narrow passage guarded by stern and ominous sentries with wolf heads. Behind them are dark towers, which are symbols of these sentries. At the feet of the guards are depicted prowling jackals. This Arcanum in the Thoth Tarot can mean rigor and non-acceptance of outside interference. The guards do not allow anyone to approach the passage out of idle curiosity or without confidence in their abilities. At the bottom is a scarab, the sacred Egyptian beetle, symbolizing the light of consciousness. The darkness of illusions dissipates when awareness appears.

Arcanum Moon in the reading means:

  • Lack of awareness. Existence approaches the animal.
  • Uncertain situation. Unclear life circumstances.
  • The questioner is tormented by fears and nightmares.
  • Feeling of insecurity, lack of self-confidence.
  • Destructive jealousy in relationships.
  • Fear of decisive action, exam.

21 XIX. Sun

The gods Helios and Apollo patronize the Sun. In its motives, this Arcana is similar to the Fool card. But the Sun is not subject to evil forces. The card shows two children with butterfly wings on their backs. They symbolize the interaction of a man and a woman, free from prejudice. The obstacles are over, and now all the energy is available for creativity. The top of the mountain is surrounded by a high wall. This means that for now the highest level of spiritual knowledge remains closed to dancers.

The Sun Arcana also represents danger - perhaps even more so than in the Fool Arcana. A person, having found a source of light within himself, succumbs to the temptation to freeze in narcissism, which is confirmed by the fate of Icarus or Narcissus. Having found inner energy within yourself, you need to share it with the world.

Arcana Sun is:

  • A bright streak in life.
  • The work is done with joy and enthusiasm.
  • Good relationships with management and colleagues.
  • In a relationship – no problems, a cloudless period, complete mutual understanding.
  • The search for oneself is completed, the questioner is in harmony with his desires; he has reached the highest level of self-acceptance.

22 XX. Eon

The Aeon is patronized by the Greek god Hades and the Roman Vulcan. Since this Arcana testifies to spiritual growth, the image of a luminous child is brought to the fore. Around the top of the card is the body of Nut, the goddess of the night. It symbolizes unlimited possibilities. Nut's husband, Hadit, is depicted at the bottom of the card as a fireball. From their interaction a child is born. It symbolizes a miracle. Having managed to overcome the last trials, they find their happiness.

Aeon card meanings:

  • Great joy and delight on the path to self-knowledge.
  • Liberation of the obsolete.
  • Major changes - perhaps a new job.
  • Discovery of a powerful source of creative self-realization.
  • The questioner will soon find the true “treasure” in the current relationship. If he is lonely, he will soon find him in union with a new partner.

23 XXI. Universe

The patron of the Universe is Saturn. This is the final card of the deck. The universe is closing the cycle that began with the Arcana Fool. The card depicts a naked woman dancing a light dance of liberation. The sickle in her right hand allows her to successfully get through any temptations and seductions.

Arcana Universe in the layout means:

  • Finding your true calling.
  • Achieving a long-awaited goal.
  • Happiness from brilliant completion of a task.
  • A strong love union - a “resort romance” will never arise under this Arcanum.

The Tarot of Thoth is often called “all-encompassing” - after all, in its creation Crowley relied on the symbolism and teachings of various civilizations. The layout made on this deck allows you to get an answer in the most extraordinary life situation. Sometimes it can take several days to interpret a fortune telling.

And a little about secrets...

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Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot cards are named after the mythological character - the Egyptian wise god Thoth. They differ from the general tradition. Some, even very experienced tarot readers, are afraid to use the Thoth deck in their rituals. Others use only these Tarots, and would never exchange them for any others.

Tarot Thoth - a deck that has received great recognition

The creator of the Thoth Tarot, the most mysterious dark magician of his time, Aleister Crowley, acquired a terrible reputation and was known to everyone as a very cruel person. Despite this fact, his Tarot became widespread. They carry a rich symbolism that draws on the ancient mythology of many cultures.

The Thoth Tarot cards, along with the Book of Thoth, were developed in the early 20th century by the English mystic, occultist and tarot reader Edward Alexander Crowley, better known as Aleister Crowley. The cards were created together with artist Frieda Harris, who was also passionate about mysticism.

Aleister Crowley was a dark magician and Satanist, one of the most famous ideologists of the occult of his time.

He created his own doctrine of Thelema and was a member of the Order of the Silver Star. Because of his views and immoral behavior in public, Aleister Crowley's relationship with society did not work out; many were afraid of him.

Crowley studied already known Tarot decks for a long time. He was not satisfied that the interpretations of the cards were unclear and the meaning was revealed only to a select few. He decided to create such a deck of Tarot cards so that everyone who decided to study magic would discover their symbolism.

Artists, out of superstition, did not want to collaborate with Crowley, all except Frieda Harris. She was an Egyptologist, interested in mythology and mysticism. Alistair explained to her the meaning of each Arcana and each individual card. Work on the deck took a long time, and they were printed only after the death of the creators. The Second World War prevented the work from being published on time.

The drawings turned out to be very complex, abstract, they differed from traditions. The reverse side of the cards depicted the Rose and Cross of the Golden Dawn.

According to the Tarot tradition, Aleister Crowley's deck is divided into Arcana - Major and Minor.

Tarot Thoth - a deck that is traditionally divided into the Major and Minor Arcana

The Major Arcana are called Tarot Trumps, there are 22 of them.

Crowley changed the names and meanings of some trump cards from the traditional Tarot, and moved some to other positions.

  • The Major Arcana Gallery includes cards.
  • Fool or Jester. Opens the deck.
  • High Priestess.
  • Empress.
  • Hierophant or high priest.
  • Lovers/Brothers. Crowley gave the card a double name.
  • Chariot.
  • Regulation. The original name was Justice, and position XI.
  • Hermit.
  • Fortune. The original name was Wheel of Fortune.
  • Lust. The original name is Strength, and position VIII.
  • The Hanged Man or the Gallows.
  • Death.
  • Art (Alchemy). Original name Temperance.
  • Devil.
  • Tower.
  • Star.
  • Sun.
  • Eon. Original name Court.
  • Universe. Original name: World.

The Thoth Tarot traditionally has four suits of the Minor Arcana, each with 14 cards.

  • Wands.
  • Swords.
  • Cups.
  • Disks. Traditionally, this suit is called Coins (Dinars, Pentacles). Crowley changed the name. The disk symbolizes the Earth. In the Middle Ages it was represented as a flat disk.

The images of the first ten cards of the suit do not have a plot that is suitable for interpretation. Each card has its own content and symbolism. The next four arcana have changed names compared to the canonical ancient Tarot. The Page card received a new name and a new meaning. The Knight became the Prince, the King became the Knight, and only the Queen remained the Queen.

Each Aleister Crowley Tarot card of the Thoth Tarot has an astrological correspondence.

The signs depicted on the Thoth Tarot cards belong to the mythology of different peoples and different spiritual practices. Thoth cards contain mystical symbols:

The interpretation of the meaning of each lasso is ambiguous, it is multifaceted. Aleister Crowley gave his cards a detailed interpretation from his personal, very specific point of view on magic and astrology. The symbolism of many cards coincides with the traditions of the Tarot, but the meaning of some cards has changed or received additional meaning.

This refers to the Arcana, which Crowley renamed. The magician believed that at the beginning of the 20th century the old era ended - the Aeon of Osiris, and the countdown of a new milestone began - the Aeon of Horus, which would last the next two millennia. Based on this conviction, he did not give his cards an unambiguous classical interpretation. A change of era changes the astrological framework, and therefore the meanings of the Tarot arcana.

The meaning of the Thoth Tarot cards is described in detail in the "Book of Thoth"

A comprehensive description, symbolism and meaning of the Thoth Tarot cards are described in The Book of Thoth. This is a valuable work in which mystical secrets are revealed. Those who want not just to tell fortunes, but to seriously study the magic of the Tarot, should definitely read the book.

Practicing sorcerers who use Tarot, based on their personal experience, give a simplified interpretation of the cards. Sometimes their interpretations differ from the canonical ones intended by the creator. Especially these are the renamed cards - Aeon, Art (Alchemy) and Lovers.

The Major Arcana of the Thoth Tarot are the most important in the Tarot deck. They are most saturated with symbols and reflect all aspects of human life and its events. Each card received an interpretation in the Book of Thoth. But practicing magicians often disagree with existing interpretations. They assign some cards, if not a new meaning, then additional properties.

The first card in the Thoth Tarot deck. Symbolizes the beginning, new potential, an abundance of ways of self-realization, creative disorder, the recklessness of youth, naivety, irresponsibility. Irresponsibility is the negative meaning of the Jester. Layouts for future business development, if the Jester appears in them along with a negative card, will signal that you need to take the matter more seriously and gain new experience.

It means willpower, desire for life, determination, skill and experience, cunning and mental acuity. If the Mage is given in the reading, this may mean that the person has a magical gift. This card always carries a positive message.

Symbolizes the feminine principle, and everything connected with it - wisdom, intuition, the ability to wait, creativity.

It also carries feminine power and symbolizes cyclicality. It means the birth of a new life, renewal, thirst for life, sensuality, trusting relationships in the family.

A strong power card. It symbolizes a sense of reality, a willingness to answer for oneself and others, leadership qualities, pragmatism, tenacity of character, and uncompromisingness.

Symbolizes understanding, indicates an intelligent person. If the alignment gave the Hierophant card, this may indicate that soon a person will understand himself, learn the truth, find harmony between the soul and the body, or learn about an important event.

Map of love, friendship and trusting human relationships. In plans for the future, it may directly indicate an imminent marriage.

It symbolizes the path - the path of life, the path to success in business, the path of knowledge or comprehension of the truth.

Regulation - a card symbolizing the restoration of justice

It is a symbol of balance and harmony. In fortune telling for the future, the card means that affairs and relationships with people will return to normal, and justice will be achieved.

A very controversial card. Its positive side is solitude and self-knowledge. Negative meanings – isolation, selfish actions, depression.

A positive card of luck, especially in matters of finance. And it also symbolizes the beginning of something new, serious changes in life.

The interpretation of it in the books of Aleister Crowley differs from the modern one. Practicing magicians define Lust as a powerful energy card. It means fearlessness, love of life, passion, willingness to take risks.

The card is considered negative. It means powerlessness, difficult life circumstances, doubt, the need for sacrifice, and the lack of an alternative.

A negative card symbolizing death and destruction. May warn of the imminent death of a person, a pet, destruction of a business, loss of a job, divorce.

The card always has a positive message. It means achieving harmony in business and relationships, overcoming difficulties and conflicts, and recovery from illness.

Symbolizes the worst manifestations of man - envy, greed, deceit, selfishness, lust. The Devil appearing in the chart suggests that you need to beware of the manifestation of these qualities in someone or in yourself.

Symbolizes the emergence of a new one in place of the destroyed old one. Changes can be both positive and negative. Positive – clearing thoughts, realizing something new, breaking up unnecessary relationships. Negative – bankruptcy, divorce, separation from loved ones.

A strong positive card of new hope. It means happiness, harmony, the emergence of new previously unavailable prospects, new relationships.

Negative card. Symbolizes difficulties, obsession with fears, depression, bad feelings.

The interpretation of this card is diametrically opposed among different practicing magicians. Some consider it extremely positive, symbolizing happiness, the birth of something new, the development of oneself and one’s creative abilities. Others call it negative. They say that the Sun falling in the chart means that failures, quarrels, and nervous breakdowns await in the future.

Aeon card - the beginning of something new (for example, a work project)

The map was created by Crowley as a symbol of the beginning of a new era - the Aeon of Horus. And the meaning put into it was the same - the beginning of something new, a change for the better.

It is a symbol of successful completion, reaching peaks, assertion in one’s knowledge, and recovery.

The major arcana carry the main meaning in Tarot layouts; the remaining cards complement the overall picture with new symbols and meanings. Each suit of the minor arcana symbolizes one of the four elements.

The interpreter gives the cards from Ace to Ten of all the minor arcana classic meanings; only the meanings of the last four cards, which Crowley changed their names, differ.

Wands are a fiery suit; they are responsible for the emotional aspect of life. Basic meanings of the arcana.

  • Ace – creative energy, logic, new beginning.
  • Two – possession, dominance.
  • Three is a virtue.
  • Four – completion (usually good).
  • Five is a struggle.
  • Six is ​​a victory.
  • Seven – valor, active actions.
  • Eight – speed, dynamic development.
  • Nine is strength.
  • Ten – suppression, obstacles, problems with the law.
  • Prince – active development, the path to achieving a goal, energy.
  • Princess - overcoming fears.
  • Queen – activity, thirst for development, passion.
  • Knight - unbalanced excessive energy, cruelty, aggression.

The suit of Cups is watery, they are responsible for feelings and everything connected with them. The simplest and most popular interpretations of the cards of the suit of Cups of the Thoth Tarot.

  • Ace – love and kindness, a supporting set of human feelings.
  • Two is love.
  • Three – abundance of feelings, fruitfulness of work.
  • Four – luxury, a feeling of fullness.
  • Five is a disappointment.
  • Six is ​​pleasure.
  • Seven – imposed stereotypes, self-doubt, alcoholism.
  • Eight – lethargy, laziness, depression.
  • Nine is happiness.
  • Ten - satiety.
  • Prince – pessimism, negative attitude towards life, depression.
  • Princess - lightness, optimism, inspiration, hopes for the best.
  • Queen - ambiguity, an incomprehensible situation.
  • Knight – leadership qualities, awareness of strength, movement towards the goal.

The airy suit of Swords is responsible for the intellectual sphere, issues of understanding and awareness of events, ideas, one’s role in the world, etc. Basic meanings of cards.

  • Ace - understanding, clarification.
  • Two – peace, tranquility, unambiguous clear thoughts.
  • Three – grief, anger, jealousy.
  • Four – a truce in a complex conflict.
  • Five – defeat, fear of failure.
  • Six – science, pure reason without emotions, high order.
  • Seven – futility, pessimism, awareness of one’s uselessness.
  • Eight is an active intervention that will lead to negative consequences.
  • Nine – cruelty, self-accusation.
  • Ten – collapse, emotional imbalance.
  • Prince – indecision, lack of understanding of the situation.
  • Princess - conflict, scandal.
  • Queen - radical changes of views, changes of opinions.
  • Knight – understanding of the task, self-confidence.

Knight of Swords - self-confidence

The earth, which is represented by disks, always symbolizes everything material and tangible. These are finances, real estate, the fruits of labor and all the emotions that the possession of material values ​​evokes.

  • Basic interpretation of cards by suit.
  • Ace – small capital, profit from working on the land.
  • Two – changes, positive or neutral.
  • Three is work. The map indicates only the activity, not its result.
  • Four - strength, power.
  • Five – anxiety, complication of the situation.
  • Six is ​​success.
  • Seven is defeat.
  • Eight – prudence, stability of position.
  • Nine – acquisition, can be material or energetic (finding a friend, stable relationship, etc.).
  • Ten – prosperity, in monetary matters or in matters of human relationships.
  • Prince - advancement towards a material goal, receiving the fruits of one’s labor.
  • Princess – high material potential. In a reading, it may indicate pregnancy.
  • Queen - growth, the emergence of vitality, finding something you like that will bear fruit.

Knight - indicates that the time has come to collect the fruits of your activities and enjoy the process. A strong material card. Fortune telling with Thoth Tarot cards will reveal aspects of life, events and emotions in all their diversity.

This amazing and unique deck is not inferior to the ancient Tarot cards, and in some ways even surpasses them. It was designed by its creator taking into account the variability and cyclical nature of life. Crowley believed that magicians should reveal secrets, and not create them, fooling everyone's heads. He managed to fully realize the idea in his Thoth Tarot.

Online fortune telling using the Thoth Tarot (Aleister Crowley)

The famous Tarot deck created by the occultist, Kabbalist and tarot reader - Aleister Crowley. This unique deck is filled with encrypted symbols from Egyptian and Celtic mythology. Each of the arcana of the Thoth Tarot is made in a certain color scheme, which also matters in interpretation. Aleister Crowley's Tarot of Thoth is an effective magical tool that can be used not only to predict the future and get answers to questions, but also for spiritual practices and meditation.

Fortune telling using the Thoth Tarot - Sale. This layout is used in a situation when you want to sell something. With the help of this fortune-telling, you will find out whether this transaction needs to be carried out, whether what you are selling will fall into good hands, whether the moment is right for sale, whether the offered price corresponds to the value of what you are selling, and also the result of how the transaction will end

Fortune telling using the Thoth Tarot - Why did this happen? With the help of this fortune telling, you will find out what the situation really looks like and how you see it, what are the pros and cons of the current situation, why did all this happen and what will it lead to?

Fortune telling with Thoth Tarot cards - Financial forecast for the month. This layout will show what your financial situation looks like at the moment, how events will develop further, what will hinder and what will help in financial matters, and what the outcome of the month will be for you.

Fortune telling on the Thoth Tarot - Gift. This layout will show what you were given from birth, what skills and abilities you have acquired, what you should develop in yourself, what helps you develop yourself, in what area you can apply your talents and what the result will be for you.

Fortune telling on the Thoth Tarot - Past, present, future. This simple layout can be used both to get answers to questions about your whole life, and for any exciting situation. This layout consists of only three cards - past, present and future.

Fortune telling on the Thoth Tarot - Scarab. This layout can be applied in a situation where a specific goal has been set; you will find out what your goal is, what you really need, what information you need, what works against you, what helps you move towards your goal, what you should give up, what you should learn, what will happen if you take the initiative into your own hands , and also - what happens if you go with the flow

Fortune telling on the Thoth Tarot - Agreement. With the help of this fortune-telling, you will find out which factors are favorable for concluding an agreement, which are not, what moment to choose for concluding an agreement, how the process itself will go, and also what the results will be

Fortune telling with Thoth Tarot cards - Analysis of relationships. This fortune telling will show the current situation between people, the essence of problems in relationships, the path that needs to be followed to achieve harmony, the influence of external and internal factors, as well as the prospects for the development of relationships in the future

Fortune telling on the Thoth Tarot - The Path of the Esotericist. This fortune telling will be interesting for those who connect their path with the study of esotericism and esoteric practices. With the help of this fortune-telling, you can find out what your inclinations for esoteric development on the maternal and paternal lines are, your past experience, the current situation, your goals, what you can achieve on your own and whether it is worth seeking the help of a Teacher

Fortune telling with Thoth Tarot cards - Freud and the Spirit. This fortune telling is intended for an in-depth analysis of human behavior and reactions to various events and circumstances. This layout is based on Freud's theory of the layers of the subconscious. Well suited for analyzing an existing problem, a difficult situation when a person is trying to find the cause of external problems within himself.

Fortune telling on the Thoth Tarot - True face. This fortune telling shows the main features of your personality - how others see you, how you perceive yourself, what your ambitions are, as well as the true face that you hide from others

Fortune telling with Thoth Tarot cards - A vicious circle. This fortune telling will show your personality, your thoughts at the moment, events that will happen to you soon, the situation you are in now, the recent past, your actions in the present, abilities and skills, as well as goals, ideas and aspirations. This fortune telling can be used both for yourself and for any person of interest.

Fortune telling with Thoth Tarot cards - The Law of Attraction. This simple three-card spread can be used for daily fortune telling. With this reading you will find out what energies you are currently attracting, what you need to do to raise your vibrations to a new level, and also what you will attract if you raise your vibrations to a new level

Fortune telling on the Thoth Tarot - New lover. This fortune telling will help you find out whether you will have a loved one in the near future, who he will be according to his zodiac sign, how compatible you will be, whether your relationship will be long-lasting, and also what this relationship will lead to in the future

Fortune telling with Thoth Tarot cards - What does the New Year have in store? This fortune telling will help you find out how best to act in the New Year in order to achieve success and prosperity, how love and relationships will develop, what awaits you in the material sphere, in your career, health, what surprises may happen in the new year

Fortune telling with Tarot cards of Thoth - Shadows. This interesting fortune telling can be used for self-knowledge; here you will get answers to various questions about yourself - what is the source of positive energy for you, how others treat you, what negative emotions are you experiencing, what awaits you, what will support you, what motivates your actions and underlies the events that are happening what you may encounter on your path to happiness

Fortune telling with Thoth Tarot cards - An idea. This fortune telling can be applied in a situation where you are planning to start a new business, perhaps you have an idea that you want to implement. With the help of this fortune-telling, you will find out what in your past influenced your decision, how things are in the present, what is the purpose of your idea, true motivation, what awaits you in the near future, whether you will be able to translate your idea or project into reality

Fortune telling with Thoth Tarot cards - Celtic cross. This layout is used to consider an exciting situation; you can find out what the situation looks like at the moment, what forces are influencing it, what is your true attitude towards what is happening, your hopes and fears, and also the outcome of what all this will lead to

Fortune telling with Thoth Tarot cards - The Prism of Love. This interesting layout is designed to get answers to the most exciting questions about love, relationships, and the future with a certain person. This alignment will show what is happening between you at the moment, what your loved one wants from you, what he is afraid of in a relationship with you, what he feels, what actions he is ready to take. With the help of this fortune telling, you will also find out what awaits your relationship in six months, a year and what is destined for you in general

Tarot Thoth is one of the most mystical and deep decks, which was born thanks to Aleister Crowley and Frieda Harris, an artist who embodied the idea of ​​a genius. This Tarot is woven from many esoteric symbols taken by the author from the mythology of the ancient Egyptians and Celts. Crowley left instructions for this in The Book of Thoth, which became his last work.

Features of Tarot Thoth fortune telling

In general, the deck corresponds to English traditions and echoes the classic Rider-Waite Tarot. Both authors share the same logic for creating structure, but upon closer examination, Crowley's work reveals many distinctive features.

  • The Strength and Justice cards returned to their places, becoming the 11th and 8th arcana, respectively.
  • Some Major Arcana have changed their usual names. Lovers were renamed Brothers, Power became Lust, The World became the Universe, etc.
  • The Suit of Pentacles changed its name to Disks. Thus, Crowley wanted to emphasize its connection with the element of earth, which during the Middle Ages was represented as a flat disk.
  • The first ten Minor Arcana of each suit lack plots. However, the cards are complemented by a complex series of different symbols that resonate with suit and rank. For the first time, captions have been added for deeper understanding. For example, 2 cups became Love, 6 swords - Science, 4 wands - Completion, etc.
  • The court cards have also undergone changes. Now the hierarchy is built according to the following scheme: Princess, Prince, Queen, Knight.

Major Arcana

The images of the Major Arcana, unlike the Minor Arcana, are drawn in more detail. Their interpretation is given in traditional meanings, but various symbols give them many new facets.

For example, all Major Arcana are associated with either zodiac signs or planets. Thus, Regulation (Justice) is astrologically associated with the sign of Libra, which emphasizes the need to find the optimal balance, balanced decisions and control of emotions. The hermit corresponds to the constellation Virgo, which is responsible for the search for meaning, depth and self-sufficiency.

The Arcana Brothers (Lovers), Aeon (Judgment) and Art (Temperance) underwent the most changes. Let's look at the example of the 14th Arcana. Art represents the pinnacle of harmony and unity, which is metaphorically depicted on the card. The masculine and feminine have come together to show the conscious merging of opposites. This symbolizes overcoming contradictions (a reference to the opposition between the conscious and unconscious components of the psyche), healing and the establishment of harmony. Indicates the need to accept all of one’s sides without dividing into positive and negative, and to perceive oneself as a whole person.

Preparing for fortune telling


To seriously work with such a deep and wise deck at home, superficial knowledge of the Tarot is not enough. Undoubtedly, you will receive an answer to the question, but you will not see the half-tones, half-hints that the deck points to. Therefore, before fortune telling, it is advisable to study the structure of the Thoth Tarot, delve into Crowley’s philosophy and obtain the “Book of Thoth”.

There are a few simple points to prepare for fortune telling:

  1. Choose a time and place so that no one will disturb you or disrupt your mood.
  2. Formulate the question as precisely as possible so as not to receive a double answer. For example, if you want to know about someone's feelings towards you, do not ask: “Does he like me or not?” Ask the Tarot how this person feels about you.
  3. Shuffle the deck.
  4. Lay out the cards according to a pre-designated pattern. If there is none, and you need to get an answer to one question, it is recommended to post from one to three Tarots. With a large number, you can get confused in the details.

How to read layouts and interpret dropped cards

The Thoth Tarot is a classic deck in which the system is built in accordance with the suit and rank of the card. Understanding the structure is enough at first. Here's a short diagram.

  • Ace – a new beginning, the emergence of an idea, opportunity, initial impulse.
  • Two - division of a single impulse into two parts, dilemma, choice, emergence of new people.
  • Three - the first result, small victories, ideas become embodied.
  • Four – stability, stable rules, long-established forms of interaction.
  • Five – conflicts, clashes with external circumstances.
  • Six – harmonization, significant success in business.
  • Seven - an internal crisis, a search for guidelines, the ability to rely only on yourself.
  • Eight – consolidation of the result of the efforts made.
  • Nine is the result of actions, reaping the fruits, there is no turning back.
  • Tens - the end of the road, strength and inspiration have been exhausted, the need to choose a new goal.

Regarding the suits, everything is also simple. Swords symbolize the intellect and mental sphere, wands symbolize willpower and desire, cups symbolize emotional and sensory perception, and pentacles symbolize the material and resource sphere.

For example, knowing that the Ace is the beginning of a new cycle, and cups are the sensual sphere, we conclude that the Ace of Cups means revival in emotional life. Perhaps thanks to a new romantic interest.

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A good way to get to know the Thoth Tarot, in addition to studying literature, is to meditate on the cards. This helps to penetrate deeper into the design of the deck, to feel the space of the Arcana. You can take one card a day for meditation and devote a few minutes to it. To do this, place the card in front of you and look at it carefully. Look at every detail. What's happening on the map? What would you do if you were in this space? Feel what emotions the environment evokes. What might the symbols shown here mean? This practice is useful not only for working through the Thoth Tarot, it is useful for getting acquainted with any new deck.

The Thoth deck is characterized by an interweaving of Kabbalistic, esoteric and astrological correspondences, so some minimal knowledge in these areas will be useful when studying it.

At first, interpret the cards by analogy with the classic Rider-Waite Tarot, adjusted for the features of some Arcana. This is useful for remembering classical values. As your immersion in Crowley's creation deepens, do not forget that the deck has a lot of shades and the depth of symbols is incomparable to any other. Think of it as a separate system to which you need to find your own approach.

The Thoth Tarot is not just a reworking of old traditions to suit modern trends, it is a unique development of Aleister Crowley, which contains all his knowledge about esotericism, mythology and history. It is difficult for a beginner to use such a deck, but if you decide to master it, you will acquire truly extensive encyclopedic knowledge.

Tarot card readings are very popular and are popular in predicting the future and revealing various situations. There are many different decks, each of which is interesting in its own way and deserves attention. Among them are the Thoth Tarot cards, which are an effective magical tool. They are used for prediction, finding answers to questions, meditation and spiritual practices. They are readily used in their work by professional masters and ordinary Tarot lovers. The Thoth Tarot deck gained its popularity due to the ease of working with it and the fact that it never fails.

The Thoth Tarot deck has gained popularity due to the ease of working with it.

What is the Thoth Tarot

Aleister Crowley's Tarot, or as they are also called the Thoth Tarot, appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century. The authors of these mysterious Tarots are the occultist Aleister Crowley and the artist Frieda Harris. There are many secrets and legends around the name Alistair. His worldview explains the Masonic, Kabbalistic and occult symbolism of these cards. Their symbolism is multifaceted and includes knowledge of Kabbalah, astrology and mystical symbols of different countries. They are full of secret symbols of Celtic and Egyptian mythology, which have a special interpretation. Each lasso has a certain color, which, when interpreting cards, affects its meaning. The coloring of the Arcana is quite unique, and it has not been used anywhere before.

A special feature of the Crowley Tarot is that only the meaning of the Thoth Tarot cards in the upright position is used for prediction. On an intuitive level, they figure out the rest of the interpretation of the cards. That is why fortune telling on the Thoth Tarot must be thoughtful, and the master must not only know the Tarot well, but also the secrets of the magical sciences.

Major Arcana

Before telling fortunes using occult cards, you should definitely get acquainted with the holy book of Thoth. To work with them, you will need to study the Thoth Tarot and the meaning of the cards. Getting to know them must begin with the major Arcana. The structure of this deck is not broken; it contains twenty-two major Arcana. The Arcana themselves have undergone changes. “Justice” and “Strength” swapped places. Instead of the Judgment card, the Eon card appeared, symbolizing the end of the old era and the beginning of a new stage of development. Many different small details have been added to the image of each Arcana, and each card received its own interpretation. That is why the meaning of Thoth may differ from traditional ones.

The meaning of the major Arcana

When using Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot cards, it is necessary to pay special attention to the meaning of the Major Arcana:

  • Jester. Represents gullibility, carefreeness, lightness and a warm relationship with a partner. There is also illegibility and naivety. Problems may arise that will be underestimated. The jester indicates a lack of professional qualities. During this period, all new acquaintances will remain at the level of flirting and fleeting romance.
  • Mag. Positive card. Success in exams, negotiations and new endeavors. Changes for the better will begin to occur in matters of the heart. But only for this, the fortuneteller will have to take the first step himself. Businessmen will be able to successfully develop their business. People who have struggled with the disease for a long time will recover.
  • Priestess. Tells a person that he should rely on his intuition and knowledge of psychology. It is one of the strongest cards. Represents harmony, potential and wisdom. A person receives pleasure from everything he does. He has good material well-being and financial condition. There is complete harmony in your relationship with your partner.
  • Empress. Predicts career growth. In union with a loved one, a new round of development will begin, and an addition to the family can be expected.
  • Emperor. A person needs to pull himself together and take control of the situation. To achieve success at work, you need to purposefully move forward and not turn anywhere. In union with your loved one, no trials are scary.
  • Hierophant. Indicates the correct direction. During this period, the trust of partners increases and love blossoms.
  • Lovers. It says that a person enjoys working and communicating with employees. Lovers will follow the call of their hearts and in union with their beloved there will be harmony.
  • Chariot. Success awaits in all matters. There will be a rebirth and revival in feelings with your loved one.
  • Regulation. The time has come to receive a reward for your efforts, and in an alliance with a partner you need to rely on your head, not your heart.
  • Hermit. Change of place of work and transfer of your affairs. Loneliness awaits a person.

It is necessary to pay special attention to the meaning of the Major Arcana

And also do not forget that there are other cards, namely:

  • Fortune. In all spheres of life, a person needs to rely on fate.
  • Lust. Success awaits you in your work, and a hurricane of passions rages in matters of the heart. But the Star card speaks of dishonest methods in professional activities.
  • Hanged. Symbolizes lack of work, or problems in professional activities. A crisis may begin in matters of the heart.
  • Death. Retirement or dismissal from work. Parting with a loved one.
  • Art. The person was able to find a balance between work, and harmony and peace reign in the family.
  • Devil. The fortuneteller uses forbidden techniques. An alliance with a partner is built on mutual hatred.
  • Tower. Change of activity and final severance of communication with a lover.
  • Moon. All decisions made will help in moving up the career ladder. A person will have to struggle with jealousy and fear of losing a loved one.
  • Sun. Symbolizes happiness in all areas of life. But the Universe card represents the joys of life.
  • Eon. The time has come for changes in professional activities. The fortuneteller can expect a new love or the birth of a long-awaited child.

Minor Arcana

In the layouts, the minor Arcana of the Thoth Tarot complement and influence the interpretation. They can direct fortune telling in a different direction. The Thoth deck has the following minor Arcana:

  • Wands. They are the element of Fire and represent creative and strong energy.
  • Cups. Represent the element of water. They represent love, feelings, joy and disappointments.
  • Swords. They are the element of air and personify high spiritual development, understanding of the subtle world, and intelligence.

In the gallery you can see images of the Thoth Tarot. You can do absolutely any layout on the Thoth Tarot. Fortune telling with Thoth Tarot cards will bring pleasure to any master. With them, beginners will be able to master the secrets of fortune telling, hone their skills to perfection and become professional interpreters.