This blog post continues my Tarot journey, picking up from where I left off in the first part.

In June 2020, during the peak of the pandemic, I participated in an online class focused on the Thoth Tarot. The class tutor, Marco Visconti, focused explicitly on the deck's connections with Thelema—the spiritual and magical system popularised by Aleister Crowley (1875 - 1947)—and delved into dense material. It introduced me to deities with unfamiliar names, intricate correspondences, and a mysterious swap between two cards: Strength and Justice.

Strength and Justice

Rider Waite Smith deck

No mystical interventions were handing me the deck this time. I took the initiative and purchased it.

The deck underlies Crowley's "The Book of Thoth" and emerged from the collaborative efforts of his designs and the artwork of the talented Lady Frieda Harris (1877 - 1962). Harris was engaged in various mystical orders and supported the women's suffragette movement alongside her husband - a prominent politician. In crafting the cards, she infused modern interpretations into the Tarot's symbolism, drawing from contemporary art styles such as projected geometry. Throughout their partnership, two cards notably diverged from traditional portrayals. Strength transformed, becoming Lust, depicting the Whore of Babylon - the Thelemic Babalon - astride a composite beast. Similarly, the Justice card adopted a new identity as Adjustment, presenting a masked, youthful, slender woman wielding a sword.

The Tarot cards, particularly the 22 Major Arcana, hold immense significance within the Thelemic framework. These cards form intricate connections, serving as pillars for various correspondences, including their ties to the Holy Books of Thelema, also referred to as Class A Texts. It is advised that aspirants engage with these texts, aligning them with the corresponding Tarot Trump, as part of meditation or ritual practices during the annual Thelemic Holy Season, from March 20th to April 10th.

In 2022, inspired by this sacred observance, I embarked on a month-long artistic endeavour. Employing automatic drawing techniques, I crafted 22 paintings—one for each day—spanning the entire Holy Season.

Every day after work, I would sit down, take steady breaths, and spend some time clearing my mind from the day's worries before reading one of the Holy Texts. Immediately afterwards, I would grab my gouache and acrylic paints and allow the image to materialise on paper without striving for beauty or perfection, simply letting it be. The deck originated from what I initially considered a private exercise, and I had no intention of sharing these paintings.

I must confess I initially felt ashamed of their appearance. However, the few people I showed them to appreciated the paintings' raw quality and encouraged me to publish them.

What began as a visual meditation evolved into a unique Tarot deck in its regard. Many of its images deviate from the conventional representations found in the Major Arcana. This departure is influenced by the subtle or overt references within the Class A texts to particular magical formulae, proposing an alternative symbolism aligned with the principles of the New Aeon. While not designed for conventional Tarot readings, the deck could be regarded as a meditative instrument for harmonising with the Current.

For example, the Chariot card I've depicted bears a striking resemblance to a vulva, symbolising a gateway to a dark sea. This association arises from its connection to Liber Cheth, which is rich in symbolism associated with Babalon and the sphere of Binah on the Tree of Life.

The Chariot

card & original painting side by side

Having acquainted myself with the cards and delved into the depths of their imagery, I realised there was still one challenge: learning how to interpret them. Given the intricacies of Crowley's system, I recognised this would be a challenging task. It was then that Marco's course on the Thoth Tarot proved to be a saving grace. This online program offered guided pathworkings to initiate a more profound personal connection with the cards and introduced me to a revolutionary approach to understanding the cards' meaning, which didn't rely on keywords, colours or the images themselves.

Armed with this newfound knowledge, I decided to advance to the next level and begin reading cards for others. After all, Tarot reading is an art; like any art form, it requires practice to attain perfection.

The opportunity arose when I received an invitation to the Pipes of Pan market, an event showcasing occult and witchcraft paraphernalia, art, herbal remedies, memorabilia, records, books, and various curiosities. Held at Helgi's Bar on Mare Street in London, the market was organised by my friend La Strega, owner of The Moon Temple emporium.

Helgi's Bar not only stands as one of the few remaining treasures of underground London but also boasts connections to the city's occult history. Previously, the bar was a butcher's shop owned by Frederick Waters from 1874 to 1880. Frederick, his wife and daughter Ada would have resided in the flat above the shop. Ada had a fervent interest in the occult and was a member of the Golden Dawn, a secret society dedicated to the exploration of occult and esoteric traditions. Frederick's brother was engaged in the trade of second-hand books, which included works on occult texts and writings.

On the day of the market at Helgi's, I was greeted by the familiar scent of potent incense and alcohol that defined the atmosphere. The interior is predominantly painted in black and adorned with psychedelic, occult, and Egyptian symbols. Taking my designated seat at the desk, I spread out my paintings and set up a sign inviting people to join me for a tarot reading. Amidst melting candles, Bloody Marys, and the blaring of heavy metal music, I conducted around ten readings by the end of the day.

As I delve deeper into the realm of Tarot, I find myself increasingly captivated by the multitude of artists and visionaries from history who utilised the cards' symbolism to imbue the world with enchantment and wonder. Stay tuned for upcoming blog posts where I'll explore their fascinating stories.

And remember, if you're in London, UK, or anywhere else, I offer both in-person and online Tarot readings. Head over to the Tarot Readings section on my website and follow the instructions to book your session.

Until next time!

Tarot Tales: A Personal Journey (Part II)

Stepping into the Cabaret of Hell: My Contribution to an Occult Zine

Tarot Tales: A Personal Journey (Part I)