The Crowley Tarot: The Handbook to the Cards (Paperback)

by Akron (Author), Hajo Banzhaf (Author), Aleister Crowley (Author), Frieda Harris (Author), Christine M. Grimm (Translator) "Tarot is a card game that has been passed down from an earlier time where it was probably in widespread use as an oracle, in..." (more)
Key Phrases: card embodies, growth card, personality card, Tree of Life, High Priestess, Analogous Correlations (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: U.S. Games Systems (August 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880797150
• ISBN-13: 978-0880797153
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #104,193 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fairly thorough material, but *not* a quick reference, January 11, 2004

By	"groovepoets" (Tulsa, OK) - See all my reviews

A great book for those interested in reading a bit further into the background behind the Crowlet-Thoth deck, I think the thing that kills most readers on this title is the expectation for it to be an instant interpretation tool....something it's poorly suited toward, since it was written as a bit of an intermediary study tool.

The meat and potatoes of this book focuses on giving you the impressions that the two co-authors have of each card in the Thoth deck. While definitely nothing to be taken as gospel, both authors give the impression of having spent some time studying the deck and correspondences, you'll find that there's also the admission of some indecision in a few areas. After the cards codex there's a historical perspective on the developers of the deck, an index of astro/cabbalistic terms with Trump orientation, and a few spread ideas for personal development.

Within you'll find a breakdown on the developmental history of the deck...an entry for each card with astro correspondences, significance, and a handful of different contextual divinatory meanings, imagery and applicable imagery history....and a brief history of Crowley and Harris.

What you will not find within this book is a quick interp chart for 'reading the tarot in two easy lessons'. If you're looking for that sort of reading tool, pick another book.

Designed for the intermediate to serious student of this particular deck, those reading to get a little further into the Thoth deck than the surface will be pleased with this book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you aren't familiar with Crowley, don't buy it, February 4, 2002

By	"firerizing" (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews

If you have never studied tarot or the other teachings and works of Crowley, I wouldn't suggest this book. If you have studied or are studying his teachings regarding Thoth, this is a must have. Thoth tarot is rather deep and involved, it works with the Kabbalah and many of the same principles outlined by the Golden Dawn. This is perfect for the advanced tarot student who wants to get more from their readings.
~Tia

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great text badly edited and poorly published, May 4, 2006

By	Peter FYFE (Erskineville, Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Akron and Banzhaf's text is insightful and oracular, giving diviners plenty of poetic and mythic depth to work with as they discern the meanings of the cards and their spreads. If you're prepared to do the work, this text will at least grant you entry into Crowley's symbolic universe, as it has for me. The rest is, of course, your own adventure.

The book's failing is the staggeringly low standard of editing and publication. Wrong card images on some pages, typos on many pages, uneven editing of the translation, and a cheap "exploding" binding (leaving pages falling out within weeks of purchase) really take the shine off an otherwise excellent book.