Crowley was an abusive dickhead that used occultism as a power trip. And not French but English, unfortunately, and early 1900s not 1800s. He was active in the 1920s and 30s before he met a well deserved fate. Maybe you’re thinking of the 18th century libertine movement, which also experimented with denying the power of organised christian religion, and did not quibble at doing transgressive behaviour. Eg the Marquis de Sade, and truth to tell, Voltaire.
On tarot cards, try reading up on Madame Blavatsky and how her shtick connected with the Theosophical movement so popular in the 1920s and 30s. The consonance with today’s CBT is sooo compelling. ‘Every day in every way I am getting better and better’ as a daily mantra. And this is where the whole power of positive thinking got started too. I’ve played tarrocco and enjoyed it - having the extra cards lends a whole new dimension to strategy. I’d call it as closer to classic whist or contract bridge - its not similar to poker at all as it’s trick based.
The actual cards in the current format have been around since late medieval times - mostly used for card playing. Using cards for divination (and a whole lot of other things too such as the flight of birds and entrails of sacrificial animals) has been popular since the roman empire, and possibly since humanity was invented. As a species we really do want to believe that we can get a cheat code on the future.
Yep, Crowley was a hagfish - everything he touched turned to slime.
For early 20th century occultism, try looking up Dion Fortune (pseudonym) who was actually quite positively focused. He/she wrote several novels, of which Psychic Self-Defence is probably the most famous. Gardnerian witchcraft is also tied into all this stuff, more or less positively depending on context. The short stories of Sylvia Townsend-Warner are a thinly disguised contemporary critique of the participants too. And very funny. This stuff is not at all fashionable, but sneaks up and bites where it matters. I recommend it as an antidote to practically all instagram occultism.
There’s a few clubs that play tarrocco around in the northern suburbs - if you like card evenings they’re quite fun. Only most of the people involved are eldery Italians, so if you are under 60, or just don’t yet use a walking frame, prepare to be flirted with.
Legacy of the hippie era - the books were re-issued then. Odd, of course, but some of the psychological insights still have value. Particularly the ones relating to credulity.
Crowley was an abusive dickhead that used occultism as a power trip. And not French but English, unfortunately, and early 1900s not 1800s. He was active in the 1920s and 30s before he met a well deserved fate. Maybe you’re thinking of the 18th century libertine movement, which also experimented with denying the power of organised christian religion, and did not quibble at doing transgressive behaviour. Eg the Marquis de Sade, and truth to tell, Voltaire.
On tarot cards, try reading up on Madame Blavatsky and how her shtick connected with the Theosophical movement so popular in the 1920s and 30s. The consonance with today’s CBT is sooo compelling. ‘Every day in every way I am getting better and better’ as a daily mantra. And this is where the whole power of positive thinking got started too. I’ve played tarrocco and enjoyed it - having the extra cards lends a whole new dimension to strategy. I’d call it as closer to classic whist or contract bridge - its not similar to poker at all as it’s trick based.
The actual cards in the current format have been around since late medieval times - mostly used for card playing. Using cards for divination (and a whole lot of other things too such as the flight of birds and entrails of sacrificial animals) has been popular since the roman empire, and possibly since humanity was invented. As a species we really do want to believe that we can get a cheat code on the future.
Thank you for the corrections! I read about it ages ago and forgot the pertinent details 😅
I didn’t want to get into Crowley because he’s gross AF.
I appreciate this, I have more to look into!!! 💜
Yep, Crowley was a hagfish - everything he touched turned to slime.
For early 20th century occultism, try looking up Dion Fortune (pseudonym) who was actually quite positively focused. He/she wrote several novels, of which Psychic Self-Defence is probably the most famous. Gardnerian witchcraft is also tied into all this stuff, more or less positively depending on context. The short stories of Sylvia Townsend-Warner are a thinly disguised contemporary critique of the participants too. And very funny. This stuff is not at all fashionable, but sneaks up and bites where it matters. I recommend it as an antidote to practically all instagram occultism.
There’s a few clubs that play tarrocco around in the northern suburbs - if you like card evenings they’re quite fun. Only most of the people involved are eldery Italians, so if you are under 60, or just don’t yet use a walking frame, prepare to be flirted with.
ooh, someone else who has read Dion Fortune.
All bunk of course.
Legacy of the hippie era - the books were re-issued then. Odd, of course, but some of the psychological insights still have value. Particularly the ones relating to credulity.