Newbie to Tarot, should I start with the Thoth Deck?

[Athena1111]

What is so intimidating about it? I love astrology too so I know this deck has those elements in it too. I just feel like wouldn't t be hard to learn the thoth deck after you've gotten so used to the others?

[Raggydoll]

If you want to work with Thoth then by all means do so! I think that it’s the artwork that some people really aren’t connecting with, while others love it. So if it calls to you, go for it  :thumbsup:

[Flaxen]

The Thoth has a reputation for being hard because of all the symbolism put in by its creator. The Book of Thoth is packed full of detail about the philosophy of the deck and is not dumbed down in any way. Crowley expects you to know qabalah, astrology and mythology.

 

These ideas are also present in the RWS - both came via the Golden Dawn system, after all.

 

RWS has spawned many more decks than the Thoth - which mostly reduced the symbolism present in the original.

 

I think it is this difference which means more people are comfortable with the RWS type decks - they don’t feel the pressure to know all the esoteric stuff as they can be read intuitively.

 

Thoth users tend to delve more deeply into the esoteric side. It is a wonderful deck to use and can meet you whatever level you are at. I’ve had mine 20 years and over time my knowledge of various aspects has deepened. Don’t be intimidated by it, just take it out and read with it. Don’t worry you don’t ‘know it all’ - after 20 years I still have areas I’m hazy on. :)

[gregory]

If it speaks to you, then absolutely go for it. I actually wish I hadn't read as much as I had before I started to look closely at it, even though I know that's important.

[Starlight]

Where would you recommend a Thoth-newbie look for help reading with the deck?

 

And does one use the Thoth in a different way than the RWS? For example, some readers use Tarot for prediction (external) whereas I've heard that Thoth is more introspective. Is that the experience of other Thoth readers?

[Raggydoll]

Where would you recommend a Thoth-newbie look for help reading with the deck?

 

And does one use the Thoth in a different way than the RWS? For example, some readers use Tarot for prediction (external) whereas I've heard that Thoth is more introspective. Is that the experience of other Thoth readers?

 

I would recommend the book “Understanding Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot” as it is informative without being intimidating. As far as how to use the deck, then I’d quote Crowley himself: “Do what thou wilt”. So simply experiment and see in what ways you are drawn to use this deck. Personally I think it would be perfect for rituals and magic. But this is not a deck that I use particularly often as I have other decks that I’m more drawn to.

[Barleywine]

I used the Thoth (my first deck) exclusively from 1971 to 2011 and have great appreciation for the artwork and the Book of Thoth. But I had a background in qabalah before I picked it up, so I wasn't fazed by jumping in at the deep end. That said, I've read the BoT four times since 1971 and I'm still picking up fresh insights from it. I agree that the DuQuette book is a good place to start.

Edited June 22, 2019 by Barleywine

[Guest]

Maybe it's just me, but I felt that the Thoth could be read fine intuitively as it could once you start learning about the esoteric layers of the deck. I dont see why you cant start with it. Along with myself, there are plenty of readers who started with the Thoth. Admittedly, I dont see why it's any more intimidating than any other tarot deck. A good deck should have multiple layers of symbolism, imo. That's how you get to know one another and grow with the deck. The RWS looks simpler perhaps, but it it also a layered deck once you really get into it.

[Barleywine]

2 hours ago, Anesiadora said:

Maybe it's just me, but I felt that the Thoth could be read fine intuitively as it could once you start learning about the esoteric layers of the deck. I dont see why you cant start with it. Along with myself, there are plenty of readers who started with the Thoth. Admittedly, I dont see why it's any more intimidating than any other tarot deck. A good deck should have multiple layers of symbolism, imo. That's how you get to know one another and grow with the deck. The RWS looks simpler perhaps, but it it also a layered deck once you really get into it.

The thing I find the most amenable to intuitive reading with the Thoth deck is the extremely evocative mood of the Minor Arcana. It's possible to see the connection between the semi-scenic images and Crowley's titles, but it isn't entirely necessary. Take the rather "prickly" appearance of the 8 of Swords. Crowley calls it "Interference," but you don't have to know that to see how uncomfortable it is. Harris' jagged, molten, angry-looking geometric shards say it all, along with the erratic symbolism of the misbegotten assemblage of swords. The RWS version is tepid in comparison.

Edited June 27, 2019 by Barleywine

[AeonHorus]

My first deck was Thoth and I have never looked back.