Crowley Tarot Standard Edition

Crowley Tarot Standard Edition - astrology, kabbalah and alchemy in 78 cards

There are tarot decks you pick up and understand immediately. This is not one of them. The Thoth Tarot by Aleister Crowley and Frieda Lady Harris demands time, curiosity and a high tolerance for complex symbolism.

Frieda Lady Harris painted the cards between 1938 and 1943, under strict guidance from Crowley. The result is abstract, colourful and packed with references to astrology, kabbalah, alchemy and Egyptian mysticism. The imagery looks nothing like what you would expect from a classic Rider-Waite deck.

What you see on the cards

The colours are intense: orange, blue, gold and purple dominate. The compositions are geometric and abstract. Symbolism is not illustrated but condensed into form and colour.

Every figure, every symbol, every colour refers to something: a planet, a Hebrew letter, an alchemical process. Sometimes multiple layers overlap. This is art that functions as esoteric text.

The cards are printed by AGM-Urania on sturdy cardstock. The colours are clear and sharp, even in the details. The format is 103 x 70 mm, compact enough to shuffle comfortably without the images becoming too small.

Who this system works for

This deck is designed for serious study. Crowley himself wrote The Book of Thoth as commentary, a book of over three hundred pages filled with references to his own magical system, Thelema.

The included 96-page guidebook offers an introduction, but does not cover everything. You need additional sources if you want to truly grasp the symbolism. Beginners can work with this deck, but must be willing to study.

Many people do not use this deck for daily one-card readings, but for more complex spreads or as a meditative tool. The images do not give immediate answers. They ask you to keep looking.

Place a card in front of you and try to decipher the symbolism without the book. Note what you see, what you feel. Only then read the meaning. This deck works best when you approach it slowly.

About Aleister Crowley and Frieda Lady Harris

Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) was an occultist, poet and founder of Thelema. He developed the Thoth system as a revision of traditional tarot, based on his own magical practice and the kabbalah.

Frieda Lady Harris was an artist with no prior experience in tarot or esotericism when she began the project. Crowley taught her his system and she translated it into images. Her background in modern art, with influences from cubism and art deco, is clearly visible in the abstract forms and colour planes.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78
• Card size: 103 x 70 mm
• Guidebook language: multilingual, including English and German
• Guidebook pages: 96
• Publisher: AGM-Urania
• Card quality: sturdy, suitable for regular use
• Packaging: solid storage box
• System designer: Aleister Crowley
• Illustrator: Frieda Lady Harris

Questions we often get

Is this the original AGM-Urania edition?
Yes. This is the official standard edition, based on Lady Harris's original paintings. The print is from AGM-Urania, the publisher that has been producing the Thoth Tarot for decades.

Can I work with this if I only have experience with Rider-Waite?
You can work with it, but do not expect the transition to be seamless. The symbolism is structured differently and the images are more abstract. Take the time to learn the system, preferably with additional literature.