For everyone interested in the Crowley/Harris Thoth deck, there is an important article at Tero Hynynen’s blog Tarotpuu. He reproduces a 1942 lecture by Lady Harris at the Sesame Club in which she speaks in some detail about the artistic choices made in certain cards. The Sesame was one of the few fashionable clubs open to both men and women and had welcomed American poet Edith Sitwell only a few years earlier. According to Harris, Death “has to suggest the idea of reincarnation, as opposed to putrefaction, he is weaving with his scythe a geometrical web of new forms.” She explains that while Water and Cups “typifies compassionate, receptive soothing ideas, its plenty is an over-copious endowment which destroys effort and it leads to a luxuriousness in which creative self-consciousness is lost.” Finally, the Fool is supposed to be the Pierrot of the Commedia dell-Arte.
I mention these only to whet your appetite, for Tero’s post contains much much more, as well as a larger version of this rare portrait of Lady Harris. You can also find a short account of her 1945 lecture at the Tomorrow Club here.
Mary K. Greer has made tarot her life work. Check here for reports of goings-on in the world of tarot and cartomancy, articles on the history and practice of tarot, and materials on other cartomancy decks. Sorry, I no longer write reviews. Contact me
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June 17, 2011 at 1:02 pm
mkg
Tero Hynynen commented on Facebook: I noticed you mention Edith Sitwell. An interesting anecdote dealing with both FH and Sitwell can be found in “Memoirs of a Century” by Sir Jack Harris (son of FH). Concerning his Cambridge days Sir Jack writes: “Through my father I arranged some interesting literary speakers, including the poet Walter de la Mare, the historian and travel writer Philip Guedalla, and poet Edith Sitwell, a strange person. Later on both she and my mother lived for a time at the Ladies’ Club, and both were turned out: Sitwell for getting drunk and Frieda for waving her stick at the staff and insulting them.” Well, what can you expect from a true artist (with artist’s temperament), lol.
June 20, 2011 at 10:06 am
The Wild Hunt » Unleash the Hounds! (Link Roundup)
[…] who is best known for providing the artwork for Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot. Thanks to Mary K. Greer for the link.Mississippi Justice Court Judge Theresa Brown Dearman has been sanctioned […]