The Thoth Tarot: A Look Back at Crowley and Harris's Iconic Deck

The Thoth Tarot isn't just any deck of cards; it's a profound work by two fascinating individuals: the well-known occultist Aleister Crowley and the talented artist Lady Frieda Harris. This deck is special because it brings together many different spiritual ideas like Kabbalah, astrology, and ancient Egyptian beliefs, all in a visually stunning way.

The project began in 1938 when Crowley, then in his late 60s, decided he wanted to create an updated tarot deck that fit his own spiritual system called Thelema. He found an incredible partner in Lady Frieda Harris, an artist who, despite being new to these mystical topics, threw herself into the work with dedication.

What started as a plan for a quick six-month project stretched into five intense years of collaboration. Crowley provided incredibly detailed instructions for each of the 78 cards—everything from the symbolism to the exact colors to use. Harris then took these complex ideas and turned them into breathtaking artwork, often painting several versions of a single card until Crowley was satisfied. Her art is known for its dreamlike quality, bright colors, and intricate patterns that perfectly captured the deep spiritual energies Crowley wanted to express. You can still find the original watercolor paintings at the Warburg Institute today, showing just how important they are artistically and historically.

Crowley made some big changes to the traditional tarot. For instance, he renamed several major cards; "Strength" became "Lust," and "Judgment" became "The Aeon," reflecting his belief in a new spiritual era. He also added specific astrological and Kabbalistic meanings to the minor cards, making the whole system very connected and detailed for fortune-telling and meditation.

Even though the artwork was finished by 1943 and Crowley's book, The Book of Thoth, came out in a limited edition in 1944, neither Crowley nor Harris lived to see the deck widely available. Crowley passed away in 1947, and Harris in 1962. It wasn't until the late 1960s that the Thoth Tarot started to become more common. Early printings, however, sometimes had color issues or even mistakes because the artwork was so complex.

The Copyright Hiccup: When the Deck Disappeared (Briefly)

Getting the Thoth Tarot out to the world wasn't always smooth sailing. There was a time when the deck was hard to find because of copyright disagreements. While the copyright for the original artwork eventually expired and became public domain, the rights to specific reproductions and improved versions made by different publishers became a legal issue. This meant that, at times, certain editions or even the entire deck would be difficult to buy. These legal battles, frustrating for fans, actually highlighted how popular and valuable the deck had become in the world of occult practices. Eventually, companies like U.S. Games Systems and A.G. Müller released their own versions, each trying their best to accurately reproduce Harris's original vision using better printing methods.

Today, the Thoth Tarot remains one of the most studied and respected decks globally. Its deep symbolism and philosophical ideas continue to challenge and inspire those interested in spiritual knowledge, while its striking looks appeal to artists and practitioners alike. The teamwork between Aleister Crowley and Lady Frieda Harris is a remarkable achievement in the history of occult art, showing their combined genius and dedication to creating a complete system for understanding spirituality.

Carolina Dean 
Tarot Reader to the Stars! 

Links:

• Vintage Thoth Tarot Deck (12th House Books) 
• Thoth Tarot (Aeclectic Tarot)