Crowley, Aleister - Book Of Thoth.doc

LIBER LXXVIII

Publication in Class B.

[Extracted from the Electronic version of the "Equinox" V. I No. 8 and edited
by Fra.: A.'. A.'. , Ano. 88.]
 

A DESCRIPTION OF

THE CARDS OF THE TAROT

WITH THEIR ATTRIBUTIONS; INCLUDING A

METHOD OF DIVINATION BY THEIR USE

"All divination resembles an attempt by a man born blind to obtain sight by
getting blind drunk."
FRA. P.






 

{Illustration facing page 145 described:

This is a figure in the shape of an Ankh, with symbols about and upon the
form. The loop is a series of four concentric bands like the Rose cross,
about a central circle. The central circle is quartered by a vertical Greek
cross. This cross has a dot in the center and is marked "Red on white." The
ring just about this circle is divided by radial segments into three chambers,
with one centered at top; clockwise from top, the chambers are marked: "Bright
pale yellow", "Glowing orange scarlet", "Deep blue". The next ring outward is
divided into seven chambers, one to bottom, and marked clockwise from
1 o'clock: "Violet", "Indigo", "Blue", "Emerald Green", "Yellow", "Orange",
"Red". The next ring outward is divided into twelve chambers, division at
top and bottom with six to either side; clockwise from 1 o'clock: "Crimson",
"Violet", "Indigo", "Blue", "Green blue", "Emerald Green", "Green Yellowish",
"Yellow Greenish", "Amber", "Orange", "Red Orange", "Scarlet". The outer ring
is interrupted at the bottom by a segment to match the continuation of the
sloping lower sides of the lower upright, the base of this segment is defined
not by the ring but by the upper portion of two diagonals drawn from the inner
angles of the cross. This five-sided semi-regular figure is further divided
within by two crossed lines emanating from the upper corners and extending
across the center to the midpoints of the lower sides. In the four chambers
resulting are these color abbreviations, clockwise from top: "Blk" (for
black), "Russ" (for russet), "Cit'n" (for citrine), "Olive". To either side
of this section, on the band itself, is written "white merging into grey".
In the top of this outermost ring are these letters in the "Theban Alphabet":
u r h --- signifying the "Angel" or "God of Tarot", HRU.
The left arm of the Ankh has from left to right: the symbol of Scorpio (the
"M" style, not the Eagle as noted in text), a cup, the words "Deep Blue;
Symbols in yellow". The right arm of the Ankh has from left to right: "the
words "Red; symbols in Green", a lotus wand, the symbol of Leo.
The basal upright of the Ankh has these in the lower half only, from bottom
upward: the symbol of Aquarius, an upright sword in style of the Solomonic
Key, the words "Yellow; symbols in Violet.
There are markings and symbols outside the shape of the Ankh: Upper left
corner: "L-I-F-E-" above a large "T". Upper right corner: "V-I-T-A-" above a
large "A". To left of base: large "O". To right of base: large "P". Below
base: "B-I-O-S-" just above the caption "THE COMPLETE SYMBOL OF THE TAROT".
The large letters spell "TARO" in Greek capitals ( GR:Tau-Alpha-Rho-Omicron).
In the wedges defined by the lower sides of the cross-arms and the base
upright sides: to left an upright pentagram with the dot-in-circle Sun symbol
in its pentagonal center. To right the same, but with a crescent moon, horns
to right.
There is a very small semi-italic note at the lower right, below all else:
"["To face p." 145" }



 

A DESCRIPTION OF

THE CARDS OF THE TAROT

H R U

THE GREAT ANGEL

is
set over the operations of the Secret Wisdom

GR:Alpha chi-alpha-iota Omega

The First and the Last

"WHAT thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the Seven Abodes which
be in Aushiah."
"And I saw in the Right Hand of Him that Sate upon the Throne a Book,
sealed with Seven Seals."
"Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the Seals thereof?'

S.Y.M.B.O.L.A. Ankh

THE FRONTISPIECE

CONSISTS of a Crux Ansata, which is a form of the Rosy Cross. One arm is
scarlet, with the symbols of Leo and the Wand in emerald green.
Another is blue with Eagle and Cup in orange.
A third is yellow, with Aquarius and Dagger in violet.
The last is in the four colours of Malkuth, with Pentacle and Taurus in
black.<<NOTE: last mentioned is not shown in the illustration.>>
Ring is white, having at the top the Name of the Great Angel P Scorpio h
{Theban}<<NOTE: Probably a typo, for the Theban letters at top of Ankh,
but it might be intentional.>> H U A; below cross-bar are Pentagrams, one
enclosing Sol and the other enclosing Luna.
The whole space in the ring contains the Rose of 22 Petals bearing the
Names of the 22 Keys<<NOTE: Names not shown on the illustration.>>. In
the centre a white circle, and a red cross of four equal arms.
About the whole symbol are the words ---

L.I.F.E. B.I.O.S. V.I.T.A.,

and the letters ---

T. A. P. O., Tarot.















 

THE TITLES OF THE SYMBOLS

1. THE Ace of Wands is called the Root of the Powers of Fire.
2. The Ace of Cups is called the Root of the Powers of Water.
3. The Ace of Swords is called the Root of the Powers of Air.
4. The Ace of Pentacles is called the Root of the Powers of Earth.
5. The Knight of Wands is "The Lord of the Flame and Lighting: the King of
the Spirits of Fire."
6. The Queen of Wands is "The Queen of the Thrones of Flame."
7. The King of Wands is "The Prince of the Chariot of Fire."
8. The Knave of Wands is "The Princess of the Shining Flame: the Rose of
the Palace of Fire."
9. The Knight of Cups is "The Lord of the Waves and the Waters: the King
of the Hosts of the Sea."
10. The Queen of Cups is "The Queen of the Thrones of the Waters."
11. The King of Cups is "The Prince of the Chariot of the Waters."
12. The Knave of Cups is "The Princess of the Waters: the Lotus of the
Palace of the Floods."
13. The Knight of Swords is "The Lord of the Wind and the Breezes: the
King of the Spirits of Air."
14. The Queen of Swords is "The Queen of the Thrones of Air."
15. The King of Swords is "The Prince of the Chariot of the Winds."
16. The Knave of Swords is "The Princess of the Rushing Winds: the Lotus
of the Palace of Air."
17. The Knight of Pentacles is "The Lord of the Wide and Fertile Land: the
King of the Spirits of Earth."
18. The Queen of Pentacles is "The Queen of the Thrones of Earth."
19. The King of Pentacles is "The Prince of the Chariot of Earth."
20. The Knave of Pentacles is "The Princess of the Echoing Hills: the Rose
of the Palace of Earth."

NO. CARD LORD OF DECAN IN
21. 5 of Wands . . Strife . . . . Saturn Leo
22. 6 " " . . Victory . . . . Jupiter Leo
23. 7 " " . . Valour . . . . Mars Leo
24. 8 " Pentacles . Prudence . . . . Sun Virgo
25. 9 " " . . Material Gain . . . Venus Virgo
26. 10 " " . . Wealth . . . . Mercury Virgo
27. 2 " Swords . . Peace restored . . . Moon Libra
28. 3 " " . . Sorrow . . . . Saturn Libra
29. 4 " " . . Rest from Strife. . . Jupiter Libra
30. 5 " Cups . . Loss in Pleasure. . . Mars Scorpio
 

NO. CARD LORD OF DECAN IN
31. 6 " " . . Pleasure . . . . Sun Scorpio
32. 7 " " . . Illusionary Success . . Venus Scorpio
33. 8 " Wands . . Swiftness . . . . Mercury Sagittarius
34. 9 " " . . Great Strength . . . Moon Sagittarius
35. 10 " " . . Oppresion . . . . Saturn Sagittarius
36. 2 " Pentacles . Harmonious Change . . Jupiter Capricorn
37. 3 " " . . Material Works . . . Mars Capricorn
38. 4 " " . . Earthly Power . . . Sun Capricorn
39. 5 " Swords . . Defeat . . . . Venus Aquarius
40. 6 " " . . Earned Success . . . Mercury Aquarius
41. 7 " Swords . . Unstable Effort . . . Moon Aquarius
42. 8 " Cups . . Abandoned Success . . Saturn Pisces
43. 9 " Cups . . Material Happiness . . Jupiter Pisces
44. 10 " " . . Perfected Success . . Mars Pisces
45. 2 " Wands . . Dominion . . . . Mars Aries
46. 3 " " . . Established Strength . . Sun Aries
47. 4 " " . . Perfected Work . . . Venus Aries
48. 5 " Pentacles . Material Trouble. . . Mercury Taurus
49. 6 " " . . Material Success. . . Moon Taurus
50. 7 " " . . Success unfulfilled . . Saturn Taurus
51. 8 " Swords . . Shortened Force . . . Jupiter Gemini
52. 9 " " . . Despair and Cruelty . . Mars Gemini
53. 10 " " . . Ruin . . . . . Sun Gemini
54. 2 " Cups . . Love . . . . . Venus Cancer
55. 3 " " . . Abundance . . . . Mercury Cancer
56. 4 " " . . Blended Pleasure. . . Moon Cancer
 

THE TWENTY-TWO KEYS LETTER ATTRI-
OF THE BOOK BUTION

57. 0. The Foolish
Man . The Spirit of Aleph Air
GR:Alpha-iota-theta-eta-rho

58. 1. The Magi- The Magus of
cian . Power . . Bet Mercury

59. 2. The High The Priestess of the
Priestess. Silver Star. . Gimel Moon

60. 3. The Em- The Daughter of the
press . Mighty Ones . Dalet Venus

61. 4. The Em- Sun of the Morn-
peror . ing, chief among
the Mighty . Heh Aries

62. 5. The Hiero- The Magus of the
phant . Eternal . . Vau Taurus

63. 6. The Lovers . The Children of
the Voice; the
Oracles of the
Mighty Gods . Zain Gemini

64. 7. The Chariot The Child of the
Powers of the
Waters; the Lord
of the Triumph
of Light . . Chet Cancer

65. 11. Fortitude . The Daughter of
the Flaming
Sword . . Tet Leo
 

THE TWENTY-TWO KEYS LETTER ATTRI-
OF THE BOOK BUTION

66. 9. The Hermit . The Magus of the
Voice of Power,
the Prophet of
the Eternal. . Yod Virgo

67. 10. The Wheel The Lord of the
of Fate . Forces of Life . Koph Jupiter

68. 8. Justice. . The Daughter of the
Lords of Truth:
the Ruler of
the Balance . Lamed Libra

69. 12. The Hanged The Spirit of
Man . the Mighty
Waters . . Mem Water

70. 13. Death . . The Child of the
Great Trans-
formers: the Lord
of the Gates of
Death . . Nun Scorpio

71. 14. Temperance The Daughter of
the Reconcilers:
the Bringer-
Forth of life . Samekh Sagittarius

72. 15. The Devil . The Lord of the
Gates of Matter:
the Child of the
Forces of Time . Ayin Capricorn
 

THE TWENTY-TWO KEYS LETTER ATTRI-
OF THE BOOK BUTION

73. 16. The Blasted The Lord of the
Tower . Hosts of the
Mighty . . Peh Mars

74. 17. The Star . The Daughter of
the Firmament,
the dweller be-
tween the Waters Tzaddi Aquarius

75. 18. The Moon . The Ruler of Flux
and Reflux: the
Child of the
Sons of the
Mighty . . Qof Pisces

76. 19. The Sun . The Lord of the
Fire of the
World . . Resh Sun

77. 20. The Judg- The Spirit of the
ment . Primal Fire . Shin Spirit and Fire

78. 21. The Uni- The Great One of
verse . the Night of
Time. . . Taw Earth and Saturn

Such are the Titles of the
Abodes or Atouts of Thooth;
of the
Mansions of the House of
my
FATHER.


 

The Descriptions of the Seventy-eight Symbols
of this Book {"T" in a circle, composed of two white bars}; together with
their meanings.

OF THE ACES

FIRST in order and importance are the Four Aces, representing the Force of
the Spirit, acting in, and binding together, the Four Scales of each Element:
and answering to the Dominion of the Letters of the Name in the Kether of
each. They represent the Radical Forces.

The Four Aces are said to be placed on the North Pole of the Universe
wherein they revolve, governing its revolution; and ruling as the connecting
link between Yetzirah and the Material Plane or Universe.
 

I

THE ROOT OF THE POWERS OF FIRE

"Ace of Wands"

A WHITE Radiating Angelic Hand, issuing from clouds, and grasping a heavy
club, which has three branches in the colours, and with the sigils, of the
scales. The Right-and Left-hand branches end respectively in three Flames,
and the Centre one in four Flames: thus yielding Ten: the Number of the
Sephiroth. Two-and-twenty leaping Flames, or Yodh, surround it,
answering to the Paths; of these, three fall below the Right branch for Aleph,
Men, and Shin, seven above the Central branch for the double letters; and
between it and that of the Right twelve: six above and six below about the
Left-hand branch. The whole is a great and flaming Torch. It symbolizes
Force --- strength, rush, vigour, energy, and it governs, according to its
nature, various works and questions.
It implies Natural, as opposed to Invoked, Force.


 

I

THE ROOT OF THE POWERS OF THE WATERS

"Ace of Cups or Chalices"

A WHITE Radiant Angelic Hand, issuing from clouds, and supporting on the
palm thereof a cup, resembling that of the Stolistes.
From it rises a fountain of clear and glistening water: and sprays falling
on all sides into clear calm water below, in which grow Lotuses and Water-
lilies. The great Letter of the Supernal Mother is traced in the spray of
the Fountain.
It symbolizes Fertility --- productiveness, beauty, pleasure, happiness,
etc.


 

III

THE ROOT OF THE POWERS OF THE AIR

"Ace of Swords"

A WHITE Radiating Angelic Hand, issuing from clouds, and grasping the hilt
of a sword, which supports a White Radiant Celestial Crown; from which depend,
on the right, the olive branch of Peace; and on the left, the palm branch of
suffering.
Six Vaus fall from its point. It symbolizes "Invoked," as contrasted with
Natural Force: for it is the Invocation of the Sword. Raised upward, it
invokes the Divine crown of Spiritual Brightness, but reversed it is the
Invocation of Demonic Force; and becomes a fearfully evil symbol. It
represents, therefore, very great power for good or evil, but invoked; and
it also represents whirling Force, and strength through trouble. It is the
affirmation of Justice upholding Divine Authority; and it may become the Sword
of Wrath, Punishment, and Affliction.
 

IV

THE ROOT OF THE POWERS OF THE EARTH

"Ace of Pentacles"

A WHITE Radiant Angelic Hand, holding a branch of a Rose Tree, whereon is a
large Pentacle, formed of Five concentric circles. The Innermost Circle is
white, charged with a red Greek Cross. From this White Centre, Twelve
Rays, also white, issue: these terminate at the circumference, making the
whole something like an Astrological figure of the Heavens.
It is surmounted by a small circle, above which is a large white Maltese
Cross, and with two white wings.
Four Crosses and two buds are shewn. The Hand issueth from the Clouds as
in the other three cases.
It represents materiality in all senses, good and evil: and is, therefore,
in a sense, illusionary: it shows material gain, labour, power, wealth, etc.

 

THE SIXTEEN COURT, OR ROYAL CARDS

"The Four Kings"

THE Four Kings, or "Figures mounted on steeds," represent the Yodh forces
of the Name in each Suit: the Radix, Father and commencement of Material
Forces, a force in which all the others are implied, and of which they form
the development and completion. A force swift and violent in its action, but
whose effect soon passes away, and therefore symbolized by a Figure on a Steed
riding swiftly, and clothed in complete Armour.
Therefore is the knowledge of the scale of the King so necessary for the
commencement of all magical working.


 

"The Four Queens"

are seated upon Thrones; representing the Forces of the He of the Name in each
suit; the Mother and bringer-forth of Material Forces: a force which develops
and realizes that of the King: a force steady and unshaken, but not rapid,
though enduring. It is therefore symbolized by a Figure seated upon a Throne:
but also clothed in Armour.
 

"The Four Princes"

These Princes are Figures seated in Chariots, and thus borne forward. They
represent the Vau Forces of the Name in each suit: the Mighty Son of the King
and Queen, who realizes the influence of both scales of Force. A Prince, the
son of a King and Queen, yet a Prince of Princes, and a King of Kings: an
Emperor whose effect is at once rapid (though not so swift as that of the
Queen) and enduring. It is, therefore, symbolized by a Figure borne in a
Chariot, and clothed in Armour. Yet is his power vain and illusionary, unless
set in Motion by his Father and Mother.

 

"The Four Princesses"

are the Knaves of the Tarot Pack; The Four Princesses or figures of Amazons,
standing firmly of themselves: neither riding upon Horses, nor seated upon
Thrones, nor borne in Chariots. They represent the forces of the He
final of the Name in each suit, completing the Influences of the other scales:
The mighty and potent daughter of a King and Queen: a Princess powerful and
terrible: a Queen of Queens --- an Empress --- whose effect combines those of
the King, Queen, and Prince, at once violent and permanent; therefore
symbolized by a Figure standing firmly by itself, only partially draped,
and having but little Armour; yet her power existeth not, save by reason of
the others: and then indeed it is mighty and terrible materially, and is the
Throne of the Forces of the Spirit.
Woe unto whomsoever shall make war upon her, when thus established!

 

THE SPHERES OF INFLUENCE OF THE
COURT CARDS OF THE TAROT PACK

THE Princesses rule the Four Parts of the Celestial Heavens which lie
around the north Pole, and above the respective Cherubic Signs of the Zodiac,
and they form the Thrones of the Powers of the Four Aces.
The twelve cards, the Four Kings, Queens and Princes rule the dominion of
the Celestial Heavens, between the realm of the Four Princesses and the
Zodiac, as is hereafter shewn. And they, as it were, link together the signs.


 

V

THE LORD OF THE FLAME AND THE LIGHT-
NING; THE KING OF THE SPIRITS OF FIRE

"Knight"<<Note that the Kings are now called Knights, and the Princes are
now called Kings. This is unfortunate, and leads to confusion; the Princes
may be called Emperors without harm. Remember only that the horsed figures
refer to the Yod of Tetragrammaton, the charioted figures to the Vau.>> "of
Wands"

A WINGED Warrior riding upon a black horse with flaming mane and tail: the
horse itself is not winged. The rider wears a winged helmet (like the old
Scandinavian and Gaulish helmet) with a Rayed Crown, a corslet of scale-mail
and buskins of the same, and a flowing scarlet mantle. Above his helmet, upon
his curass, and on the shoulder-pieces and buskins, he wears as a crest a
winged black horse's head. He grasps a club with flaming ends, somewhat
similar to that in the symbol of the Ace of Wands, but not so heavy, and also
the sigil of his scale is shown; beneath the rushing feet of his steed are
waving flames and fire. He is active --- generous --- fierce --- sudden ---
impetuous.
If ill dignified, he is evil-minded --- cruel --- bigoted --- brutal. He
rules the celestial heavens from above the Twentieth Degree of Scorpio to the
First Two Decans of Sagittarius: and this includes a part of the Constellation
Hercules. (Hercules is always represented with a Club.)

Fire of Fire
King of the Salamanders.
 

VI

THE QUEEN OF THE THRONES OF FLAME

"Queen of Wands"

...