Your Thoth Library

[EmpyreanKnight]

I finally got the revised edition of DuQuette's book. I'll compare it to the old edition and post the differences here. I just love the smell of new books. :)

 

Thanks! I'm interested to know the difference.

 

There are only a few pages of difference, and it's mostly in the introduction. The main text remains almost untouched.

 

If you have the original, I don't think you have to buy the Revised edition unless if your copy's already tattered or something. If you don't have the book yet and you want to explore the Thoth, definitely buy the Revised version.

[Magickjack]

My first pick would be The Thoth Companion Snuffin, then Keywords by Banzhaf.  I agree that Maleens Tabula Mundi Tarot app does make it understandable and is really good.  I know most like the DuQuette book but some, in my opinion who know the deck well, do not recommend it.  I don't have it so I can not say.  The symbolism in each card is depended heavily on the Tree of Life so understanding why something is in a card depends on how much you know about the Tree of Life, Kabbala, Astrology, History, the Golden Dawn and Crowley's view himself.  The more information you know about a card, the more you get the "feel" of the card.  It's nice to know why the card looks the way they do but it is not necessary.  The Thoth Companion is a good read with good meanings of the cards but doesn't go into depth.  You have to do that. 

[EmpyreanKnight]

I have the Thoth Companion by Snuffin too, and it's very useful and practical. I'm curious about the reasons as to why some Thoth experts won't recommend the DuQuette book. I do not know any Thothie from the old AT who would dissuade beginners from reading it. And it hews faithfully to Crowley's teachings, so hmmmm. Maybe they don't like it because it's for novices?

[Magickjack]

Some say the duQuette book is missing something.  Sorry I don't have anything specific to share but DavidH701 (is that his name?) on Youtube does not recommend it and I personnally think he is a pretty good resource.  It must be good because many people get something out of it.  I have never read it so I'm only going on what I have heard. 

[EmpyreanKnight]

Ah, I remember now! Yup I'm a huge fan of DavidH071 too, and yeah I recall that he sort off dissed the DuQuette book. I must watch that again. Thanks, Magickjack.

[katrinka]

The quibble with the Arrien book is that she suggests totally ignoring Crowley and goes on to give made-up interpretations of the images on the cards. (Crowley’s pelican, according to her, is a “swan” and “the ugly duckling”, the venom is “tears of the spirit”.) There's an old thread about it here http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=98307 I'm in agreement with Scion and Aeon on this. Best to at the very least least familiarize yourself with what Crowley had to say about the deck.

[EmpyreanKnight]

Yeah, I think that's why some Thoth purists have an almost instinctive dislike not only for her writings, but for any of those who espouse a Jungian interp of the Thoth, a school that she was said to have started or at least heavily influenced.

 

Tbh tho I'm very curious about their ideas, but I'd most likely explore them only after I have deeply plumbed the Thoth as per Crowley's tenets. I reckon that it would be quite interesting to note the differences in their interpretations. :)

[katrinka]

I've never been one for Jungian Tarot, as I am not a psychiatrist and don't interpret things through that lens. But I'd think that someone who has studied Jung deeply could come up with something more incisive than “tears of the spirit”.  ;D

 

[EmpyreanKnight]

Noting for myself a list of books that I shall definitely buy (and hopefully read) before the year ends. I actually have copies of The Book of Thoth and The Qabalistic Tarot, but I would also like to have the new, premium, re-issued hardcovers by Weiser and USG.

 

1. The Book Of Thoth by Aleister Crowley

2. The Thoth Tarot, Astrology, & Other Selected Writings by Phyllis Seckler

3. Magick: Liber ABA, Book 4 by Aleister Crowley

4. The Qabalistic Tarot by Robert Wang

5. 777 And Other Qabalistic Writings of Aleister Crowley

 

These are going to be so delicious.

[Flaxen]

Good list EmpyreanKnight[/member]. Plenty of interesting material to work with.

 

Every time I dip into qabalah/thelema again, I start to notice all these odd little synchronicities. I was stuck in traffic once and the car in front had the letters VAU on the numberplate which made me think 'nail', 'hierophant', 'taurus' and then started a process of thinking about all these things in relation to my life.:)

[EmpyreanKnight]

Just adding these two very useful Thoth learning resources here:

 

1. Paul Hughes Barlow's YouTube channel and its highly informative companion website, SuperTarot

 

2. DavidH071's YouTube channel and its sister website Esoteric Meanings, which contains copious notes for each episode.

[Cobweb]

Just wanted to say to thank you to everyone for this thread.  I am just slowly dipping my toes into Thoth;  that is to say that I am halfway through Duquette's book and keep getting the cards out to admire them.  (It is such a beautiful deck and I am so in awe of Lady Frida's artwork).

 

I'm wondering what to read after Duquette.  I was wondering about Wang but can see that people are suggesting it's more of an intermediate level resource?

[Flaxen]

Qabalah: A Magical Primer - John Bonner is also very good. The writing is very clear and he makes it quite relevant to modern life.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[EmpyreanKnight]

Thanks for the book recommendation, Flaxen! I'm going to check it out.

 

Also, I noticed that Weiser has so many good books that focus on the more esoteric aspects of the Tarot.

[EmpyreanKnight]

I'm wondering what to read after Duquette.  I was wondering about Wang but can see that people are suggesting it's more of an intermediate level resource?

 

I also have Wang's The Qabalistic Tarot, and I think that if you handled DuQuette's book with no problem, you may be ready for Wang.

[pacificwaters]

I'm wondering what to read after Duquette.  I was wondering about Wang but can see that people are suggesting it's more of an intermediate level resource?

 

I also have Wang's The Qabalistic Tarot, and I think that if you handled DuQuette's book with no problem, you may be ready for Wang.

 

I second this. The Qabalistic Tarot is according to me, a must have. It is one of those books that I would need to read again and again for everything to sink in!

[Cobweb]

Thank you all very much.  I know what I’m reading next, then.  Hoping to find time to properly watch something of the recommended YouTube videos too (sadly, me sitting down to  watch something triggers an immediate response from the children who seem to think it’s their solemn duty to stop me watching tv at all costs!))

[EmpyreanKnight]

Just adding these two very useful Thoth learning resources here:

 

1. Paul Hughes Barlow's YouTube channel and its highly informative companion website, SuperTarot

 

2. DavidH071's YouTube channel and its sister website Esoteric Meanings, which contains copious notes for each episode.

 

I should also get a copy of Barlow's acclaimed Tarot and the Magus book. It's not exactly for beginners, but from the previews I've read it's exactly up my alley.

 

DavidH071 already finished his Thoth tutorial series last year, and he actually started a new one for the RWS. It seems that he's putting the latter on hold tho, since he's planning on releasing a revamped, much-improved version of his Thoth series. He already posted the first video, on the Ace of Wands, and yeah it's definitely better than the original version. I'm excited to see where he takes this, altho I hope that he makes em faster.

[reall]

This aren't books, but bookmarks that I've found helpful: ;D

 

The Royal Road

http://www.tryskelion.com/tarot_sign.html

thank you for this! ecxactly what I was looking for!:)

[Magickjack]

The Royal Road.  Nice place.  Could spend all day there.

[reall]

I've never been one for Jungian Tarot, as I am not a psychiatrist and don't interpret things through that lens. But I'd think that someone who has studied Jung deeply could come up with something more incisive than “tears of the spirit”.  ;D

he he I'm adding this one to my thoth library to read list!XD

 

p.s happy to see you here!^^ lolz ;)

[Anouk]

I have The Book of Thoth, which I've never fully read as it is mind bending.

 

And Keywords for the Crowley Tarot by Hajo Banzhaf which is very useful, but I don't think it always agrees with the Book of Thoth.

 

Has anyone read it?

[gregory]

Have read both. But if you are having trouble with BoT (which really needs reading, to be honest), Duquette is probably a good bet - and also Snuffin.

[Oink]

And Keywords for the Crowley Tarot by Hajo Banzhaf which is very useful, but I don't think it always agrees with the Book of Thoth.

 

The Book of Thoth doesn’t always agree with the Book of Thoth either, but don’t let that unnerve you too much...

 

But if you are having trouble with BoT (which really needs reading, to be honest), Duquette is probably a good bet - and also Snuffin.

I don’t have the revised version of Duquette’s book to compare, but the “Secrets of the Rose Cross Back” chapter in the old version is my favorite part of the book.  It’s not even that far off Crowley’s explanation of the Naples Arrangement, etc. from BoT, but it made all the difference in my understanding.

 

The Promethea series of comics by Alan Moore was also very enjoyable to read and helpful to me in conceptualizing various aspects of hermetic qabalah. 

 

 

[AJ-ish/Sharyn]

this book offer has been taken, thanks Cenzi!

 

Thoth Companion by Snuffin

Keywords to the Crowley Tarot, Banzhaf/Theler

Understand Crowley Tarot, DuQuette

Edited May 8, 2019 by AJ-ish/Sharyn