Drawn + Conceptualised by Jessica Ciucci
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
PREFACE
To fully understand the genesis of this Tarot, we must look at the genesis of Thelema itself.
March 20th marks not only the Spring Equinox but also the anniversary of the Equinox of the Gods: the day when Aleister Crowley performed the Invocation to Horus, which eventually led to the reception of Liber AL Vel Legis, and the ushering in of the Aeon of the Child.
While in recent years many have started to doubt that this reception ever happened, at least in the ways Crowley wrote about it, and while I admit I have several doubts about its historical validity, I am also one that values the power of myths. After all, we are talking about magick, not trying to write yet another academic paper.
By that, I mean that no matter if Crowley made up an “origin story” or not, Thelema exists as an egregore, and despite how mishandled it has been so far by those who fought to be its custodians – some examples of this can be read here – it still has a chance to grow and finally bring on the goods it promised on the tin.
That said, I have been on the fence for many years about the need to establish a Thelemic Holy Season: the idea, started by James A. Eshelman of the Temple of Thelema in the early 90s, it’s not devoid of value.
Aesthetically it’s rather pleasing to have 22 days attributed to the 22 Major Arcana and read a paragraph from the Holy Books of Thelema each day. This acquired even more value as the custodians mentioned above started to ban those not in the cult from even discussing anything related to these fundamental texts.
This Tarot is a glowing example of magick at work.
TAU MEITHRAS
INTRODUCTION
The Thelemic Holy Season is a recurrence from March 20th through April 10th yearly – the last three days celebrating the writing of the Book of the Law. These 22 days are attributed to a Hebrew Letter, Major Arcana, and Path on the Tree of Life. Each is also attributed to specific readings of the Holy Books of Thelema, also known as Class A Texts. It is recommended that the aspirant read these texts and display the corresponding Tarot Trump to conduct a meditation, ritual or other forms of recognition of the principle as they see fit.
In 2022 e.v., inspired by this month-long practice, I produced 22 paintings – one each day – for the entire duration of the Holy Season. What started as a visual meditation morphed into a Tarot in its own right. To understand its meaning, it’s important to say that most imageries differ from traditional depictions of the Major Arcana. That’s because the Class A texts hint – veiledly or explicitly – at specific magical formulas, thus suggesting a different symbolism in line with the New Aeon.
Differently from the traditional tarot decks, the Tarot of the Holy Season goes backwards from The Universe to The Fool, following the days of the Holy Season itself.
You can get your own copy here.
This Tarot was hand painted, which results in a raw texture.
For the originals, I have used gouache paint and acrylics on 90 gsm ivory parchment paper (A4) which I cut in half.
JESSICA CIUCCI
Love is the law, love under will.
THE TAROT
Liber VII, Prologue of the Unborn
As the title suggests, this card serves as a preface to the entire Tarot deck. It is inspired by the text Prologue of the Unborn, dedicated to Pan. The image depicts the seraphim, the terrifying biblical angels.
They evoke a sense of panic and awe:
The snows are eternal, above, above.
And their perfume smokes upward into the nostrils of the stars.
But what have I to do with these?
To me only the distant flute, the abiding vision of Pan.
TAU, The Universe
Liber VII, Cap. 2 (morning)
Liber LXV, Cap. 1 (evening)
The visuals displayed in this card are similar to other decks. The four corners represent the four elements, the four fixed signs and the four suits. In the centre, under a blue vault, an abstract figure (a snake? A bird? An explosion? Or maybe all of these at once) stretches in all directions as if dancing to a mysterious tune.
The association on the Tree of Life is with the letter Tau, the path that connects Malkuth (Earth) to Yesod (Moon). The Universe represents manifestation in its totality.
As the texts associated with this card suggest, It’s a celebration of the earthly experience, of Malkuth, of life and death – which are one and the same.
SHIN, The Aeon
Liber LXV, Cap. 4
The visuals displayed in this card differ significantly from other decks and are mostly inspired by the images suggested by the text.
We can see a serpent wrapping around a black seed adorned with golden sparks. Black circles revolve around it in sempiternal motion.
On the Tree of Life, the card is associated with the letter Shin, the path that connects Malkuth (Earth) to Hod (Mercury). The Aeon represents time – specifically the coming of a new time – the joys of its corruption and renewal.
RESH, The Sun
Liber VII, Cap. 4
The visuals in this card are similar to other decks, although more abstract. A golden sun sits in the centre, the white spots around it representing the twelve zodiac signs of the western astrological system.
On the Tree of Life, this card is associated with the letter Resh, the path that connects Yesod (Moon) to Hod (Mercury). The Sun is “altogether golden, the hair and the eyebrows and the brilliant face”. It represents the Lord of Light, Life, Love and Liberty.
QOPH, The Moon
Liber VII, Cap. 6
The visuals in this card are similar to other decks, although more abstract. The Moon rests high in the night sky. Its white rays send a silver light down the Earth, hinting at sexual bodily fluids.
On the Tree of Life, this card is associated with the letter Qoph, the path that connects Malkuth (Earth) to Netzach (Venus). The Moon represents the Gateway of Resurrection, the darkness from which the light is reborn.
TZADDI, The Emperor
Liber Tzaddi
The visuals displayed in this card differ significantly from other decks and are mostly inspired by the images suggested by the text.
The card is split in two, the black and red sides representing the abyss of height and the abyss of depth. The golden line that connects them refers to the need to unite yourself with both, to experience the Angel and the Demon.
On the Tree of Life, this card is associated with the letter Tzaddi, the path that connects Yesod (Moon) to Netzach (Venus). The Emperor represents Sulfur, the fiery energy of the Universe. It stands for activity, control and authority.
PEH, The Tower
Liber VII, Cap. 1
The visuals displayed in this card differ significantly from other decks and are mostly inspired by the images suggested by the text.
Under a black sky, a lightning bolt strikes the Earth, turning into a red fire plasma. Then, high above is a white being – the agent of destruction.
On the Tree of Life, this card is associated with the letter Peh, the path that connects Hod (Mercury) to Netzach (Venus). The Tower represents the shattering of the old Aeon by flames and engines of war: “From the lightning fall pearls; from the pearls black specks of nothing”.
A’AYIN, The Devil
Liber A’ash
The visuals displayed in this card differ significantly from other decks.
A giant Eye gazes over the scene. Two drops of blood falling down while on a table stand eight red candles. There is a sense of anticipation as if something is being prepared and it’s about to be revealed.
On the Tree of Life, this card is associated with the letter Ayin, the path that connects Hod (Mercury) to Tiphareth (Sun). The Devil stands for raw creativity. It transcends all limitations, finding ecstasy in every phenomenon, no matter how repugnant.
“All things are sacred to me, no thing is sacred from me”.
SAMEKH, Art
Liber ARARITA, Cap. 7
The visuals in this card are similar to other tarot decks, although more abstract.
From a fiery yellow centre exude two substances, one red, the other white. It is unclear whether the two are being absorbed or emitted. The motion is mutual. This card represents the consummation of the Royal Marriage, and it is sexual in nature.
On the Tree of Life, it is associated with the letter Samekh, the path that connects Yesod (Moon) to Tiphareth (Sun). Art represents transmutation, the mingling of the elements into one.
NUN, Death
Liber Arcanorum
The visuals displayed in this card differ significantly from other decks and are mostly inspired by the images suggested by the text.
The main protagonists of this card are the tentacles. They twirl around while specks of gold levitate like empty shells.
On the Tree of Life, this card is associated with the letter Nun, the path that connects Netzach (Venus) to Tiphareth (Sun). Death is connected to the Qliphoth. It represents putrefaction: the fertilising ground from which new beginnings are formed.
MEM, The Hanged Man
Liber LXV, Cap. 3
The visuals displayed in this card differ significantly from other decks and are mostly inspired by the images suggested by the text.
The blue background and white bubbles want to suggest an underwater setting. The Hanged Man is connected to the Element of Water.
On the Tree of Life, this card is associated with the letter Mem, the path that joins Tiphareth (Sun) to Chesed (Jupiter). The Hanged Man stands for stillness and silence.
LAMED, Adjustment
Liber Librae
The visuals in this card are somewhat similar to other tarot decks, although more abstract.
A black and a white sphere sit in the centre. A geometric pattern is repeated equally on either side of the painting. Adjustment speaks of achieving balance.
On the Tree of Life, this card is associated with the letter Lamed, the path that connects Tiphareth (Sun) to Geburah (Mars).
It stands for the equilibrium of the opposites and pushing forward on the path of initiation despite tribulations: “Rejoice therefore, O initiate, for the greater thy trial the greater thy Triumph”.
KAPH, Wheel of Fortune
Liber VII, Cap.3
The visuals in this card are similar to other decks, although more abstract.
A stylised wheel sits in the centre. The purple, rusty background is reminiscent of wine, richness and the finer things in life. This card is attributed to Baccus-Jupiter, “The Greater Fortune” in astrology.
On the Tree of Life, Fortune is associated with the letter Kaph, the path that connects Netzach (Venus) to Chesed (Jupiter).
It stands for continual change, a concept present in many philosophies: “The Gunas revolve”, or “panta rei” (πάντα ῥεῖ) – “everything flows”, to quote some famous aphorisms.
YOD, The Hermit
Liber VII, Cap. 5
The visuals in this card are similar to other tarot decks, although more abstract.
The main protagonist is the Lamp of knowledge, or the Inner Sun, radiating a golden light. It is wisdom, the Logos, the creator of all worlds.
On the Tree of Life, The Hermit is associated with the letter Yod, the path that connects Tiphareth (Sun) to Chesed (Jupiter). The Hermit stands for the fluidic essence of Light: the fertility of the spermatozoon.
TETH, Lust
Liber Stellae Rubeae
The visuals displayed in this card differ significantly from other decks and are mainly inspired by the images suggested by the text.
The primary colours are black, white and red. They are reminiscent of alchemy and sexuality. The central image, a penis, is self-explanatory:
“Then shall the master appear as he should appear – in His glory. He shall stretch himself upon the altar, and awake it into life, and into death.”
On the Tree of Life, Lust is associated with the letter Teth, the path that connects Geburah (Mars) to Chesed (Jupiter). So this card stands for vigour, rapture, divine drunkenness or ecstasy.
CHETH, The Chariot
Liber Cheth
The visuals displayed in this card differ significantly from other tarot decks and are mainly inspired by the images suggested by the text.
As for the previous card, the alchemical colours black, red and white dominate. The central image is a vagina: the gate, the holy cauldron where potentialities gestate, where they are born and where they shall return.
On the Tree of Life, The Chariot is associated with the letter Cheth, the path that connects Geburah (Mars) to Binah (Saturn). In addition, this card is strongly linked to Babalon, and the dark primordial sea:
“This is the secret of the Holy Graal, that is the sacred vessel of our Lady the Scarlet Woman, Babalon the Mother of Abominations”.
ZAYIN, The Lovers
Liber LXV, Cap. 2
The visuals displayed in this card differ significantly from other tarot decks and are more abstract.
The two alchemical colours, red and white, are dominant. This is because they are Twins – two of the same substance – dancing together. Gemini is also the astrological correspondence.
On the Tree of Life, this card is associated with the letter Zayin, the path that connects Tiphareth (Sun) to Binah (Saturn).
The Lovers represent the celebration of the hermetic marriage.
VAV, The Hierophant
Liber LXV, Cap. 5
The visuals displayed in this card differ significantly from other decks and are mainly inspired by the images suggested by the text.
The central image is a giant Vau – the nail – towering over a bright red background.
On the Tree of Life, this card is associated with the letter Vau, the path that connects Chesed (Jupiter) to Chokmah (Primum Mobile).
It symbolises the slaying of the “Dying God” and establishing the Law of the new Aeon.
HEH, The Star
Liber ARARITA, Cap. 6
The visuals displayed in this card differ significantly from other decks and are more abstract.
The central image represents a comet from deep space – the body of Nuit, Lady of the Stars.
On the Tree of Life, this card is associated with the letter Heh, the path that connects Tiphareth (Sun) to Chokmah (Primum Mobile). The Star represents the manifestation of the goddess, The Universe as a whole:
“The great goddess that bendeth over the Universe is my mistress”.
DALETH, The Empress
Liber VII, Cap. 7
The visuals displayed in this card differ significantly from other decks and are more abstract.
The central image represents a half moon or womb on a green background (Venus) and corn growing from it. It represents the most general manifestation of the Mother archetype.
On the Tree of Life, this card is associated with the letter Daleth, the path that connects Chokmah (Primum Mobile) to Binah (Saturn).
The Empress represents creation. It is Salt, the feminine, fluid element of Nature.
GIMEL, The High Priestess
Liber AL vel Legis, Cap 1
(Nuit)
The visuals displayed in this card differ significantly from other decks and are more abstract.
The image suggests an explosion, always in motion, an ever cascading waterfall of stars. This card represents the most mystical form of Isis – Infinite Stars in Infinite Space.
On the Tree of Life, The High Priestess is associated with the letter Gimel, the path that connects Tiphareth (Sun) to Kether.
“She is light and the body of light. She is the Truth behind the veil of light. She is the soul of light.”
BETH, The Magus
Liber AL vel Legis, Cap. 2
(Hadit)
The visuals in this card differ significantly from other decks and are mainly inspired by the text.
The image is a representation of Hadit, the winged disk – the centre in the circle.
On the Tree of Life, this card is associated with the letter Beth, the path that connects Kether to Binah (Saturn). It represents the Lingam, the Word of Creation whose Speech is Silence:
“In the sphere I am everywhere the centre, as she, the circumference, is nowhere found”.
Aleph, The Fool
Liber AL vel Legis, Cap. 3
(Ra-Hoor-Khuit)
The visuals in this card differ significantly from other decks and are mainly inspired by the text.
The image is inspired by Ra-Hoor-Khuit, God of War and Vengeance.
On the Tree of Life, this card is associated with the letter Aleph, the path that connects Kether to Chokmah (Primum Mobile).
The Fool represents the Negative above the Tree of Life, the source of all things: “Abrahadabra; the reward of Ra Hoor Khut “.