Aleister Crowley
Frater Perdurabo; The Great Beast 666
In their own terms: The prophet of Thelema — 'Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law'
As history sees them: The most controversial figure in Western esotericism — genius, provocateur, and self-mythologizer
Created the Thoth tarot deck (1938-1943) with Lady Frieda Harris — the most intellectually ambitious tarot deck ever made. Modified Golden Dawn correspondences with his Thelemic philosophy. Published The Book of Thoth (1944). Never saw the deck printed as cards.
Biography
Born Edward Alexander Crowley on October 12, 1875, in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, to a wealthy Plymouth Brethren family. His father died when he was 11. He was educated at Cambridge (where he changed his name to Aleister) and became interested in mountaineering and occultism. In 1898, he was initiated into the Golden Dawn at the Isis-Urania Temple in London, taking the motto 'Frater Perdurabo.' His controversial personality immediately generated friction.
In 1904, while in Cairo, he received (or composed) The Book of the Law, the foundational text of Thelema ('Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law'). He spent subsequent decades developing Thelemic philosophy, writing on magic, and leading the Ordo Templi Orientis. In 1937, he met Lady Frieda Harris and began what would become his last great project: the Thoth tarot deck. Over five years (1938-1943), Harris painted all 78 cards under Crowley's direction, creating the most intellectually ambitious tarot deck ever made — incorporating Golden Dawn correspondences (modified), Thelemic philosophy, quantum physics imagery, projective geometry, and alchemical symbolism.
The companion text, 'The Book of Thoth,' was published in 1944 in a limited edition of 200 copies. Crowley died December 1, 1947, at age 72, without ever seeing the deck printed as cards. It was finally published in 1969 by the OTO and became one of the three most influential decks in history.
Key Works
- The Book of the Law (1904) — Foundation of Thelema, influenced Thoth deck philosophy
- 777 (1909) — Tables of magical correspondences including tarot
- The Book of Thoth (1944) — Companion to the Thoth deck, 200-copy limited edition
Intellectual Lineage
Influenced by
- Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers initiated Mathers personally initiated Crowley into the Second Order
Influenced
- Lady Frieda Harris collaborated Crowley directed Harris's paintings for the Thoth deck over 5 years
Timeline
Aleister Crowley initiated into the Golden Dawn
Initiated 18 November 1898 at the Isis-Urania Temple, London. Takes motto 'Frater Perdurabo.' His controversial personality immediately generates friction within the order.
Golden Dawn schism
Crowley attempts to seize the Vault of the Adepts at 36 Blythe Road, London. The Isis-Urania lodge breaks from Mathers's authority. The Golden Dawn effectively ends as a unified order and splinters into competing successor groups.
Crowley meets Lady Frieda Harris
Meeting on 9 June 1937 through playwright Clifford Bax. Harris was a society figure and artist, wife of Liberal MP Sir Percy Harris. Beginning of the collaboration that would produce the Thoth deck.
Crowley and Harris create the Thoth deck
Five-year collaboration producing the most intellectually ambitious tarot deck ever created. Incorporates Golden Dawn correspondences (modified), Thelemic philosophy, quantum physics imagery, projective geometry, and alchemical symbolism. Many cards painted multiple times. Harris's art is modernist/abstract expressionist.
'The Book of Thoth' published
Crowley publishes the companion text in a limited edition of 200 copies. Dense, erudite, deliberately obscure. Covers correspondences, Kabbalistic attributions, and Crowley's modifications to Golden Dawn assignments (notably swapping Tzaddi/Star and He/Emperor).
Aleister Crowley dies
Dies 1 December 1947, age 72. Never saw the Thoth deck published as actual cards.