Understanding Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot

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I love this book - it's made the Thoth fun to learn - Rated
I bought the Thoth Tarot deck a while ago and loved the imagery and the colours. I could never quite get to grips with it as it seemed complex and deep. Well, that's because it is!

This book has been a real eye-opener for me and a joy to read. Lon Milo Duquette talks in plain, simple language and makes the journey fun. I never thought I would say that about discovering more about this deck or Crowley but it really is.

This is a book that is a favourite with myself and my Tarot colleagues - The Book of Thoth could have been written in Russian for the practical help it gave me. Maybe this is my "primer" to get me much more comfortable with the deck, improve my understanding of it and act as a bridge to further study in this area.

A big thank you to LMD - this is fun and fascinating!!

Highly recommended.

Disappointing but useful for beginners - Rated
I looked forward to the release of this book immensely, being a fan of LMD and of his simplistic, humourous and informative style. Although this book maintains the simplistic and humourous elements of LMD's works, it is sadly lacking in the more important area.

On the Thoth Tarot itself, Duquette makes a point of saying he is trying to keep as much of himself out of this work as possible, wishing only to portray Crowley's ideas. I really don't understand this as Crowley's already done that in his own work, 'The Book of Thoth'! 'Understanding Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot' offers NOTHING new on the subject! In fact, in trying to condense Crowley's ideas into manageable, easily read portions, this book offers a lot less than is available already.

DuQuette even comes up with sentences like, "I don't know what this symbol means because Crowley never said. I have my own ideas but I want to keep as much of myself out of this as possible." While I can understand his point of view I bought this book hoping for as much of DuQuette as possible. I think the audience would be intelligent enough to recognise the difference between DuQuette's theories and Crowley's intentions.

There are a few little extras which are quite useful, such as the discussion of the Rose Cross which appears on the reverse of the cards, and a short history of Crowley and the development of the cards, but I would imagine anyone wanting to buy this book would probably already be familiar with such subjects. Of most use are the Thelemic Glossary and the index, a concept Crowley seemed unfamiliar with. DuQuette also brings the Alchemical aspects to greater attention than Crowley did, though he only gives a small portion of the story and leaves out the most important cards altogether.

All in all this book is a good basic introduction for anyone new to the Thoth Tarot but it could have been so much better had LMD allowed himself to publish his own thoughts alongside what is already known of the subject.

PS... For anyone interested, DuQuette says of ATU XXI: "There are several elements in the card I don't understand at all. For instance, what is the black crescent-shaped object in the goddess's right hand? I don't have a clue. I can't find any reference to it in The Book of Thoth. If Crowley explains it in any other writings, I confess it has escaped me completely." -- It is to be found in the 'Old Comment' on verse II:51 in 'The Law is for All'. This comment explains all elements of the card which aren't immediately apparent.

AT LAST ! - Rated
If you have ever tried understanding the Book OF Thoth and like me became frustrated, this book is for you. This book explains in plain language the meaning behind the sometimes veiled unintellegable writings of Aliester Crowley. Unless you are well versed in the language of the Kabbalah, Geometra. Egyptian magick to the extream this book is a God send. You wont be dissapointed. Some Knowledge of Crowleyanity I would say is necessary for full enjoyment. Recommended.