Customer Reviews

Keywords for the Crowley Tarot

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I have been using the Crowley deck for years-it was my first deck. I never had a "starter" deck like the Waite, and when I try to use other decks now my results aren't nearly as good. (Guess I'm spoiled.) Unfortunately, this means that I have had to pave my own way with the cards, because virtually all of the existing Tarot guides are for the standard types of decks. Thus, while they may be fine books, they miss the mark for the Crowley deck. While learning the cards for yourself does help you to interpret and bond with them better, it can be very difficult for someone who has had no prior Tarot experience. The small booklet included with the deck isn't nearly comprehensive enough, and Crowley's own book on the cards is far too dense for a beginner. That's where this book comes in.

The title is started with "Keywords," but this is a much more valuable tool than that word implies. It start with a simple history of the Tarot, and then discusses several basic questions about Tarot-reading that most beginners want to know but are too shy to ask. One word of warning here though-the authors make some of the answers sound too concrete. While most of them are, things like whether or not to focus on your question while shuffling are very much debatable. It has been my experience that each reader needs to find out what works best for them. Just keep an open mind while reading this section.

I was very pleased with the spreads offered by the book. They are easy to understand and logical in their arrangements, and I have had great success with them. (They also include one of the best interpretations of the Celtic Cross that I have ever seen.) The book is also very helpful in that it includes a nice section on the quintessence, which is (again) easy to understand. The book doesn't look down on its readers, but it doesn't bog you down with information that really isn't necessary to have a working knowledge of the deck.

The largest section of the book is dedicated to the individual interpretations of the cards. This book does this the best of any Tarot book I have seen-including those for other decks. Instead of just listing a whole bunch of words, it breaks them up based on what area of life they pertain to, the more "positive" and "negative" sides of the cards, etc. And while the book does provide a little more information on the major arcana, I was thrilled to find out how much detail was still given to the minor as well-an area that is sorely lacking in many books.

But there is one thing that really sets this book above and beyond all others to me, and that is the explanations of the imagery on the cards. The Crowley deck includes symbolism from many different areas. While this makes it accessible to a wide range of students, it also means that people may miss out on certain areas that they aren't as familiar with. For example, I know plenty about the numbers, elements and astrological symbols seen on the cards, but I am still learning about the Kabbalah. "Keywords . . ." fills in this hole for me. And I cannot imagine trying to use the cards without at least a basic working knowledge of the astrological symbols seen on the cards-for people who do not study astrology, this book is invaluable.

In addition, it picks out the most prominent general images from the cards and provides interpretations for them. Even if you think that you know the cards inside and out, this book might surprise you by pointing out an aspect that you've missed. I find that learning the meaning of the more important images on the cards has greatly increased my ability to remember the lesser-known aspects of each card during readings-allowing me to see meanings and interpretations that I before would not have considered.

This book does not pretend to be a treatise on the magickal theory behind the cards, as the title clearly states. If that it what you want, you should read Crowley's works. But it is an excellent tool for working with the cards on a daily basis, and for learning ever more about them. And for once, the quote on the back is true: ". . . for students of the Tarot, from absolute beginner to advanced practitioner." I wish it had been around when I started with the deck.

Any person who has studied the Tarot in depth will appreciate this book and the methods revealed between within. I have been reading the Tarot for over thirty years. My library of tarot references is vast, yet I gleaned much from reading Keywords for the Crowley Tarot. Don't be fooled by the name. The authors concentrate their descriptions and methods on the Crowley Tarot, but offer reams of information totally pertinent to any deck.

Anzhaf and Theler begin with a detailed introduction and history of the Tarot, discussing two approaches to the cards and the theories of coincidence and a random oracle. Between games and seers. They go deeply into the different versions of the Tarot, showing comparisons and contrast to the Crowley deck. Crowley's art is rich with symbolism and throughout the book, the authors use this symbolism to enhance the reader's understanding of the meanings Crowley developed through his deck art. Further into the book after detailed descriptions of layouts and reader/seeker relationships and questions, we are presented with a section describing each card and its symbols. Each card has the aspects of "general, profession, consciousness, partnership, encourages and warns against" laid out for the reader to develop meanings. "Card for the Day" is a chosen card meant to show you what may be in store for that day, what you might watch for and your energy focus.

The authors very obviously know their subject and Crowley, his methods, secrets and philosophy are further revealed. A difficult figure in esoteric history, Crowley left the world with two minds. Either one appreciates the genius in the eccentricity, or cannot see beyond the eccentricity. It is my understanding that the Tarot he designed held keys to his magic and methods. This book reveals much of what Mr. Crowley tried to impart to the world of mystical study.

Definitely not a book for the beginner, Keywords for the Crowley Tarot is must-have for the intermediate or advanced Tarot practitioner. Once the connection of unique symbolism and card placement/ position is made, the reader begins to understand the intricacies of this deck. The authors' easy manner and well-designed presentation of information makes that connection easy and painless for any reader of the Tarot. Armed with new insight, anyone reading this book would find the style and methods of interacting with the cards greatly enhanced. A highly recommended reference volume.

The first interpretation book of Crowley's Thoth Tarot that I read was written by Gerd Ziegler. I soon found what was wrong with it. Ziegler allways tried to find a positive aspect of every card, thus spoiling the deeper message of the card. The second that I read was Crowley's The Book of Thoth. It is quite difficult read. For a beginner finding an interpretation is usually difficult. What I especially like in this Keywords book written by Banzhaf & Theler is the straightforward method for interpretating card-layings, which you probably won't find elsewhere. At least I haven't. The method in Keywords is clear and the reader finds answers.

Keywords for the Crowley Tarot, is to my mind the best reference book for this rich and colourful, but sligthly enigmatic deck. The book has cleary laid out pages outlining a number of spreads, as well as a 2-page overview of each card.

The translation from German is sometimes not perfect; however, this is compensated for by the fact that the text is clear, informative and useful.

Choosing your favourite Tarot deck is a matter of personal taste, based on a number of factors. Starting from an attraction to a particular deck, people typically build up a rapport with particular decks and build up a case history of meanings. Having used other decks in the past I now regard the Crowley deck as my favourite. These cards have given me the deepest, and very personally meaningful responses.

However, to start using the Crowley deck, you defintely need a specialist reference book to help you, as much of the symbolism is quite different to other decks. In this respect Banzhaf's and Theler's book is to my mind the best I have seen.

This is a very useful book to have on-hand, near your Tarot collection. Sometimes, digging through Crowley's rants and digressions can be a bit time-consuming. It's nice to have a quick, easy reference guide to the Thoth deck. I have not yet compared the Crowley material to this book, but I have not noticed anything that seemed "off," while using "Keywords for the Crowley Tarot" as a reference, while doing readings.

I have noticed that most Newbies to the Thoth deck latch-onto this book, like a Prize ! Then, I return it to the shelf and tell them the ISBN #, so they can get their own copy.

I'll, do a more thorough review, in the future. For now, I just want to give the authors Kudos for their work.

One can easily feel overwhelmed by the Thoth deck, and that's where this little book comes in good use. For deep study and exposition, Crowley's The Book of Thoth is recommended, but for those who use the Tarot on a regular basis, this book is invaluable. There are no fluffy or pretentious dogmas weighing it down like so many Tarot books out there.

Whether or not users go by the `reversals' technique as opposed to the `ill-dignities', each card is given a caption: "encourages" and "warns against". Also helpful is the very clear and concise organization of each meaning. If one is divining questions about a relationship, a professional matter, etc... there is a meaning for each of these aspects.

As far as Keywords For The Crowley Tarot is concerned, my only complaints are the slight moral slant given to certain interpretations. For example, the exposition for The Devil seems deeply rooted in Christian dualism, while Crowley's (and my own) interpretation of The Devil card are more positive, likening more towards the god Pan and his attributes such as fertility, sensuality, independence and creativity. Each Tarot reader is always encouraged to find their own interpretation for each card, anyhow. The one thing I find distracting about the Crowley deck is the use of words for each of the Lesser Arcana, and this book gives the interpreter more diverse options, though some do come off as a bit one-sided.

What also makes this book worth buying are the numerous spreads given in the beginning. The High Priestess spread has become a favourite of mine as a fair alternative to the Keltic Cross. Some of the spreads are overly simple, and others seem impossibly complex... but that's just me. There are plenty to choose from and to get acquainted with.

If you're a fan of the Crowley deck and are looking for a VERY organized, clear and easy to read (though not dumbed-down in any way) companion, this book is highly recommended.

This very wonderful book is an excellent tool to work with in readings and the crucial task of integrating the symbols and the symbolized into your consciousness. The cards are the sum total of an enlightened genius who existed and wrote arcanely in the early part of the last century. For those and other reasons supplemental aids are necessary to unlock the keys that he left us in this deck. For my uses, Duquette's book is also critical because it clears off the clutter and orients the reader to the core of Crowley's work that pertain to the Deck, which is to say everything! With that context (and AC himself) the Banzhof book will help you internalize the core of the cards much quicker than without. Forget smarmy interpretations piled on top of the real thing. There is so much in the real thing that its truly not necessary. Not to mention it detracts from the "real" thing. The Banzhof book alone is worthwile alone for the excellent spreads it gives. They breathe new life into the casting of the cards. Thank you! Why didn't you come up with this sooner?!

This is a nifty little book as a refrence and a aid to learn some of the symbols, i would recomend Duquette's book along with this as it is awesome!!!! My only peeve is the lack of page color for the cards. I am sure this would have made it more expensive but i say it would be worth it.

I started with the book of Thoth and find it out of my league. It takes alot of time and study and i found it difficult to see what the cards were telling me. When i got this book i sat down and within a few minutes i was doing the blind spot spread and found it alot easier to interpret the messages. This book is great because it allows you to get to know the cards and doesn't make it overwhelming.

As long as you remember this book is about the THOTH deck and not a general get-to-know-tarot book I think you will be pleased with it. I have used the Thoth deck for years and find this book is great for a quick look up for the symbols that this particular deck uses. If you are looking for a general book of tarot symbolism then look elsewhere. This book clearly states it is about the Crowley/Harris Thoth deck.