Abstract
Abstract Aleister Crowley’s The Book of Thoth makes four substantive changes to the traditional titles of the tarot trumps. Three of these relate to the cardinal virtues which had remained in the deck despite the almost complete esoteric revisioning of the tarot that had taken place over the preceding two centuries; the fourth is an integral part of the same topic. This article focuses on why Crowley felt impelled to make these changes as well as the significance of the new names (and associated iconography). The discussion centres around Crowley’s rejection of the cardinal virtues that underly Christian ethics in favour of the new system of morality laid out in The Book of the Law and subsequently encapsulated in Thelema. Consequently, the article first examines the development of the cardinal virtues in patristic and medieval theology and then shows how Crowley sought to overturn these values in his agenda of cultural reprogramming of which The Book of Thoth arguably constitutes the high-water mark.
Highlights
I do not find the names of the Cards in the Index you have sent at all illuminating it took me hours to sort which was which
Aleister Crowley’s The Book of Thoth makes four substantive changes to the traditional titles of the tarot trumps. Three of these relate to the cardinal virtues which had remained in the deck despite the almost complete esoteric revisioning of the tarot that had taken place over the preceding two centuries; the fourth is an integral part of the same topic
A simple comparison of the titles of the trumps as they appear in previous tarot decks—both esoteric and non-esoteric—with those which appear in The Book of Thoth reveals that where Crowley differs substantively from both tradi
Summary
The Book of Thoth was the last major work on magic Crowley published during his lifetime.[15]. Any natural anxiety in this regard was doubtless heightened by the bombs falling on London during the Blitz of 1940–1941 This likely led him to view the project as his final chance to set down for posterity the magical philosophy underlying the New Aeon whose arrival had been proclaimed in The Book of the Law. Crowley was at pains to emphasise the originality of his work on the tarot. 340–397 ce) that these moral qualities are named “Cardinal Virtues”, with the term virtutes cardinales (“cardinal virtues”) appearing in Ambrose’s (first) funeral oration for his brother, Satyrus.[26] Ambrose discusses these elsewhere in his writings In his commentary on Genesis, De paradiso De officiis ministrorum (On the Duties of the Clergy), Chapter xxiv–l in Selected Works and Letters, 49–85 In his discussion of Fortitude Ambrose claims that Cicero, Panaetius and Aristotle got their conception of the virtue of Fortitude from Job. Ibid., 67–68. Fletcher this point the cardinal virtues had become inextricably linked with Christian duty and Christian faith
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
