🎉 congratulations on your book Tom! Honestly, I’m shocked about the intermediate book bit - because I’m out here scouring all the time for interesting and intermediate/advanced books and studies. Your books have been such a great help and i really love your perspective. I also wanted to comment as someone else who is struggling with ADHD/hyper focus - it’s frustrating and incredibly draining at times so i can relate to what you’re saying. And finally, the talk about spirituality and where you stand… I’ve never resonated more to what you’ve said. I also don’t speak on my spirituality much for the same reason. Some type of shame or discourse within myself … I’ve also been incredibly drawn to and intrigued by hoodoo. I’ve learned so much about it and i find it so important. It’s confusing at times because there’s a very thin line depending on who you ask if it’s closed or not. So i tread with caution, but i know that my heart is in the right place. I don’t ever want to disrespect and it’s never my intention. It’s the only practice that’s really significant to the US. The practice is about liberation just like you pointed out, and as a queer cisgender male who grew up in a small cornfield town and was nearly killed just for existing or being who i am as a young teen- i can empathize with those who have been oppressed and it has always made me fight for the underdog. A lot of what you say resonates with me and its why i continue to watch your videos over and over. I really appreciate you and what you bring to the table. ❤
I have your books and want more- glad you keep at it. Not sure about “fortune telling” as a tarot tool. Like the idea of guidance/clarity and the client making their own decision. Will give it a try. .. look forward to it❣️
Firstly, that t-shirt. 😍 Congratulations on the book, very exciting news! Loved hearing about your Thoth girl summer, the art of Lady Frida Harris is what drew me to the deck too. I'm still really patchy on my Thoth knowledge, I'm sure I'll get another burst of hyper focus on it at some point. Thanks for sharing all you do. x
I really enjoyed this catch up, Tom! Have you considered making a video comparing/contrasting the three heavy hitters as far as "tarot systems" go? A side by side flip through of a Marseille Deck, RWS Deck, and Thoth deck with your thoughts would be so cool. Appreciate all of your thoughts and contributions to making witchcraft more liberation centric, can't wait for your book!
I love intermediate tarot books! Give them all to me! I’m so tired of reading just the same card by card guidebooks over and over. Have you read Red Tarot by Marmolejo? I also have the Angeles Arrien book but haven’t enjoyed it as much as it seems everyone else does.
This is one of the best videos you’ve ever done, especially the discussion about esotericism, disengagement from the real world, and privilege. Really good, thought provoking, and spot on. Congratulations on your book! Can’t wait to read it!
Hey Liz 👋, I was sitting here reading Tom Benjamin's introduction in Thoth on Earth (a free download from Tom's website, yet another gift to the community, thank you again Tom) and thought of you. I remember in a video of yours a while back (could've been yrs, I have no clue) where you were so visably and verbally disgusted with Crowley and his misogynist and racist ways that you were like, hell to the no. I totally agree with you, I also agree with your philosophy of being an active advocate within the context of your own personal spiritual practice. I also really appreciate seeing that. What's the point if you aren't trying to change the BS? However, Tom, in his introduction, poses a challenge or muses at least on the possibility of using the thoth deck, the oppressors' tool, to actively dismantle oppressive systems? At least it would piss off the white supremacists who are self pleasuring using Freida Harris' and Crowley's work. I wonder, what say you? Like taking something made by something toxic and very ill and purifying it through looking at it through an anti-oppressive lense. Could be a series, "fuc*ing with the thoth" . Those Crowley stans would piss themselves in their haste to keep the OG tenants as law. A lot like some other fundamentalists I can think of. I was just thinking of a potential funny and creative tarot protest, that was all. Take care ,Jo x 🇧🇧
@@Jo_-_-t.a well, I think it’s a great point! Interestingly it’s in juxtaposition to Audre Lorde saying we can’t use the masters tools to dismantle the masters house, which I have always agreed with! But maybe in this case we can use the Thoth deck in a way to overturn Crowley’s shortcomings, and to move beyond his ways of thinking and being. I just can’t use that deck, because of Crowley and also because I’m not that attracted to the art. But I have recently been working with the Marea Tarot a Thoth based deck. So far so good! But we shall see. So much food for thought in this post! It’s so important to keep an open mind about things. And Ben’s musings and your post challenge me to do just that. Which is a good thing!
@weststartarot-Liz hi 👋, thanks for replying ☺️ I hear you about the art, I also can not read anything written by Crowley. He was dangerously insane. I, too, have the Marea Tarot. It is a beautiful deck... it has the essence of Frieda Harris's work, so hey, close enough. I was wondering how the re-centring of the tarot and destabilising the creator would look like. Food for thought, at least. Take care
I enjoyed hearing your thoughts on Thoth Girl Summer. I started with the large US Games green box and no book. When I finally figured out UA-cam, there was one guy doing videos on Thoth, and he's excruciating. I agree that Suzie is the source. Her writing style (like yours) is welcoming and easier than a lot of it. I have never gotten through Crowley's stuff, I dip in occasionally, but why torture myself with a dead narcissist when I can look up and trip over so many live ones. I do like Gerd Z.'s book, and I recently got a beat-up copy of the one he wrote on relationship reading with Thoth. Also, a hyper-focus club member... I am going through a bunch of Golden Dawn shit... it's all really Christian, which I find funny (?).
I think when you find ideas or beliefs that resonate with you, you should be able to build on that connection without representing yourself as being from a certain culture. Shouldn't ideas be free? Love your books and look forward to a new one.
Congratulations on your new book! 🎉 I will look forward to it, and know based on your workshops on the fortune-telling theme that I'll be keen to pick it up when it releases. I'll be curious to see what your next class theme is.
Honestly, I think your conclusions is pretty much why I have such an issue with Thoth decks - or technically any sort of magic or form of divination WAY too insistent on esotericism as a necessity for empowerment and understanding. Like I'm currently learning the Thoth tarot after a good number of years using thoth inspired decks but ignoring like everything to do with Crowley/Thoth. I'm not super far in my journey, I'll admit that. But this isn't my first rodeo with Thoth and I can't shake the one conclusion I've come to: the esoteric elements only act as gatekeepers to what would otherwise be pretty relatable experiences, knowledge, and wisdom. It's needlessly complicated to reinforce the idea that spiritual enlightenment, self awareness, and understanding of self is a privileged individualistic journey for a select few vs a useful journey anyone should have access to for the betterment of all. And it just reinforces this hierarchical, hyperindividualistic, and pretty privileged mindset to spiritual knowledge in ways I don't think actually helps anyone but those with access to that knowledge and those who want to be at the top of that hierarchy. Also it feels insulting that Crowley traveled around the world to learn from many BIPOC spiritual belief systems THEN insisted HE should be the de facto head of this collection of wisdom once offered pretty freely to him. Regardless, I'm looking forward to your next book and appreciate your takes on Thoth! It's been validating!
I love all this for you! Celebrate 🍾 🎉. Congratulations on getting a publisher for your 3rd book. And your productivity has been colossal this summer 👀. I too was late dx with ADHD in Nov 22, after my Son was dx with it. The therapist "strongly" advised for me to get tested. Rude. Treatment has not gone that well, however self talk, anxiety and melt downs have lessened with the knowledge. As you were talking about your experience with your deep dive/rabbit hole of Thoth, made me laugh. Hyperfixation is a data crunching wild thang, when we can focus? Anything is literally possible. Anyhoo, my take on Crowley was intentionally offensive, racist, misogynistic and at least a sexual predator, swimming in waters that his behaviour and philosophy were actively encouraged and expected. If someone told me he butchered cats and plucked the wings off moths, I wouldn't be surprised. His appropriation of those very cultures he felt superior toward itches my brain. However, the bitch is dead. What is worse are those who are Crowley stan's and just shrug when those facts are presented about their lord and savior, the beast. Fuckries. I do not naturally gel with the Qabbalah, or GD/Thoth versions of it. However I have studied Hellenistic Astrology, and the shoe horn of the astrological associations into their decks, grinds my gears. Also the dead eyed acceptance and adherence by creators and readers ever since, is weird. So when you said you didnt agree with most of them I shouted Thank You. Justice or adjustment sensivity. It's a thing. And the Mundane is where the magic happens, baby. 🎉 bye 👋
What puts me off Thoth is the way to O.T.O and other Thelema groups in the UK behave towards women, lgbtqia folx, there's credible allegations of misogyny and predation of women/femme presenting members by older dudes within these groups and I am not interested in any religious order who have the same sort of house cleaning to do regarding consent and respect for women. Also, weird far right neo nazi stuff is big in the esoteric community here too. I love using the Thoth deck but that's as far as that goes for me.
I have your books and want more- glad you keep at it. Not sure about “fortune telling” as a tarot tool. Like the idea of guidance/clarity and the client making their own decision. Will give it a try. .. look forward to it❣️
It's wild that 'intermediate' books are not seen as in demand because your books are among my most used and recommended.
🎉 congratulations on your book Tom!
Honestly, I’m shocked about the intermediate book bit - because I’m out here scouring all the time for interesting and intermediate/advanced books and studies. Your books have been such a great help and i really love your perspective.
I also wanted to comment as someone else who is struggling with ADHD/hyper focus - it’s frustrating and incredibly draining at times so i can relate to what you’re saying.
And finally, the talk about spirituality and where you stand… I’ve never resonated more to what you’ve said. I also don’t speak on my spirituality much for the same reason. Some type of shame or discourse within myself … I’ve also been incredibly drawn to and intrigued by hoodoo. I’ve learned so much about it and i find it so important. It’s confusing at times because there’s a very thin line depending on who you ask if it’s closed or not. So i tread with caution, but i know that my heart is in the right place. I don’t ever want to disrespect and it’s never my intention. It’s the only practice that’s really significant to the US. The practice is about liberation just like you pointed out, and as a queer cisgender male who grew up in a small cornfield town and was nearly killed just for existing or being who i am as a young teen- i can empathize with those who have been oppressed and it has always made me fight for the underdog.
A lot of what you say resonates with me and its why i continue to watch your videos over and over. I really appreciate you and what you bring to the table. ❤
Ohhh thank you so much for sharing this with me. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I'm quite anti fortune telling, but you're the one fortune telling channel I listen to regularly. It's always important to learn from the other side.
Congratulations on the upcoming publication ❤
I have your books and want more- glad you keep at it. Not sure about “fortune telling” as a tarot tool. Like the idea of guidance/clarity and the client making their own decision.
Will give it a try. .. look forward to it❣️
Firstly, that t-shirt. 😍
Congratulations on the book, very exciting news!
Loved hearing about your Thoth girl summer, the art of Lady Frida Harris is what drew me to the deck too. I'm still really patchy on my Thoth knowledge, I'm sure I'll get another burst of hyper focus on it at some point.
Thanks for sharing all you do.
x
I really enjoyed this catch up, Tom! Have you considered making a video comparing/contrasting the three heavy hitters as far as "tarot systems" go? A side by side flip through of a Marseille Deck, RWS Deck, and Thoth deck with your thoughts would be so cool. Appreciate all of your thoughts and contributions to making witchcraft more liberation centric, can't wait for your book!
I love intermediate tarot books! Give them all to me! I’m so tired of reading just the same card by card guidebooks over and over. Have you read Red Tarot by Marmolejo? I also have the Angeles Arrien book but haven’t enjoyed it as much as it seems everyone else does.
I don't like the Angeles Arrien book either, the Tarot Handbook one
Best video ever
This is one of the best videos you’ve ever done, especially the discussion about esotericism, disengagement from the real world, and privilege. Really good, thought provoking, and spot on.
Congratulations on your book! Can’t wait to read it!
Hey Liz 👋, I was sitting here reading Tom Benjamin's introduction in Thoth on Earth (a free download from Tom's website, yet another gift to the community, thank you again Tom) and thought of you.
I remember in a video of yours a while back (could've been yrs, I have no clue) where you were so visably and verbally disgusted with Crowley and his misogynist and racist ways that you were like, hell to the no. I totally agree with you, I also agree with your philosophy of being an active advocate within the context of your own personal spiritual practice. I also really appreciate seeing that. What's the point if you aren't trying to change the BS?
However, Tom, in his introduction, poses a challenge or muses at least on the possibility of using the thoth deck, the oppressors' tool, to actively dismantle oppressive systems? At least it would piss off the white supremacists who are self pleasuring using Freida Harris' and Crowley's work. I wonder, what say you? Like taking something made by something toxic and very ill and purifying it through looking at it through an anti-oppressive lense.
Could be a series, "fuc*ing with the thoth" . Those Crowley stans would piss themselves in their haste to keep the OG tenants as law. A lot like some other fundamentalists I can think of.
I was just thinking of a potential funny and creative tarot protest, that was all.
Take care ,Jo x 🇧🇧
@@Jo_-_-t.a well, I think it’s a great point! Interestingly it’s in juxtaposition to Audre Lorde saying we can’t use the masters tools to dismantle the masters house, which I have always agreed with! But maybe in this case we can use the Thoth deck in a way to overturn Crowley’s shortcomings, and to move beyond his ways of thinking and being. I just can’t use that deck, because of Crowley and also because I’m not that attracted to the art. But I have recently been working with the Marea Tarot a Thoth based deck. So far so good! But we shall see. So much food for thought in this post! It’s so important to keep an open mind about things. And Ben’s musings and your post challenge me to do just that. Which is a good thing!
@weststartarot-Liz
hi 👋, thanks for replying ☺️
I hear you about the art, I also can not read anything written by Crowley. He was dangerously insane. I, too, have the Marea Tarot. It is a beautiful deck... it has the essence of Frieda Harris's work, so hey, close enough.
I was wondering how the re-centring of the tarot and destabilising the creator would look like. Food for thought, at least.
Take care
You are a godamn genius
I enjoyed hearing your thoughts on Thoth Girl Summer. I started with the large US Games green box and no book. When I finally figured out UA-cam, there was one guy doing videos on Thoth, and he's excruciating. I agree that Suzie is the source. Her writing style (like yours) is welcoming and easier than a lot of it. I have never gotten through Crowley's stuff, I dip in occasionally, but why torture myself with a dead narcissist when I can look up and trip over so many live ones. I do like Gerd Z.'s book, and I recently got a beat-up copy of the one he wrote on relationship reading with Thoth. Also, a hyper-focus club member... I am going through a bunch of Golden Dawn shit... it's all really Christian, which I find funny (?).
Hi! I bought your last book and it is great! I am looking forward for your new book! 💜
I think when you find ideas or beliefs that resonate with you, you should be able to build on that connection without representing yourself as being from a certain culture. Shouldn't ideas be free? Love your books and look forward to a new one.
You’re just brilliant! PERIODT 🙌🏾❤️🙌🏾❤️
Are you planning anymore classes before the end of the year?
Hoping to!!!
Congratulations on your new book! 🎉 I will look forward to it, and know based on your workshops on the fortune-telling theme that I'll be keen to pick it up when it releases. I'll be curious to see what your next class theme is.
Honestly, I think your conclusions is pretty much why I have such an issue with Thoth decks - or technically any sort of magic or form of divination WAY too insistent on esotericism as a necessity for empowerment and understanding.
Like I'm currently learning the Thoth tarot after a good number of years using thoth inspired decks but ignoring like everything to do with Crowley/Thoth. I'm not super far in my journey, I'll admit that. But this isn't my first rodeo with Thoth and I can't shake the one conclusion I've come to: the esoteric elements only act as gatekeepers to what would otherwise be pretty relatable experiences, knowledge, and wisdom. It's needlessly complicated to reinforce the idea that spiritual enlightenment, self awareness, and understanding of self is a privileged individualistic journey for a select few vs a useful journey anyone should have access to for the betterment of all. And it just reinforces this hierarchical, hyperindividualistic, and pretty privileged mindset to spiritual knowledge in ways I don't think actually helps anyone but those with access to that knowledge and those who want to be at the top of that hierarchy.
Also it feels insulting that Crowley traveled around the world to learn from many BIPOC spiritual belief systems THEN insisted HE should be the de facto head of this collection of wisdom once offered pretty freely to him.
Regardless, I'm looking forward to your next book and appreciate your takes on Thoth! It's been validating!
I love all this for you! Celebrate 🍾 🎉. Congratulations on getting a publisher for your 3rd book. And your productivity has been colossal this summer 👀.
I too was late dx with ADHD in Nov 22, after my Son was dx with it. The therapist "strongly" advised for me to get tested. Rude. Treatment has not gone that well, however self talk, anxiety and melt downs have lessened with the knowledge.
As you were talking about your experience with your deep dive/rabbit hole of Thoth, made me laugh. Hyperfixation is a data crunching wild thang, when we can focus? Anything is literally possible.
Anyhoo, my take on Crowley was intentionally offensive, racist, misogynistic and at least a sexual predator, swimming in waters that his behaviour and philosophy were actively encouraged and expected. If someone told me he butchered cats and plucked the wings off moths, I wouldn't be surprised. His appropriation of those very cultures he felt superior toward itches my brain. However, the bitch is dead. What is worse are those who are Crowley stan's and just shrug when those facts are presented about their lord and savior, the beast. Fuckries.
I do not naturally gel with the Qabbalah, or GD/Thoth versions of it. However I have studied Hellenistic Astrology, and the shoe horn of the astrological associations into their decks, grinds my gears. Also the dead eyed acceptance and adherence by creators and readers ever since, is weird. So when you said you didnt agree with most of them I shouted Thank You.
Justice or adjustment sensivity. It's a thing. And the Mundane is where the magic happens, baby.
🎉 bye 👋
What puts me off Thoth is the way to O.T.O and other Thelema groups in the UK behave towards women, lgbtqia folx, there's credible allegations of misogyny and predation of women/femme presenting members by older dudes within these groups and I am not interested in any religious order who have the same sort of house cleaning to do regarding consent and respect for women. Also, weird far right neo nazi stuff is big in the esoteric community here too. I love using the Thoth deck but that's as far as that goes for me.
I have your books and want more- glad you keep at it. Not sure about “fortune telling” as a tarot tool. Like the idea of guidance/clarity and the client making their own decision.
Will give it a try. .. look forward to it❣️