Hermetic Tarot by Godfrey Dowson, 78 Cards

Golden Dawn correspondences on every card. Each card prints its Golden Dawn esoteric title and astrological attribution, and the Major Arcana carry their Hebrew letters, so studying the system and reading with it become the same act.

Pen-and-ink art in black and white. Dowson's fine line work keeps the focus on symbol rather than color, which suits meditation and serious study, and some readers color their own copies over time.

Instructional booklet included. The booklet lays out the esoteric titles and the attributions the deck uses, which gives you a working key without a shelf of Golden Dawn texts.

• Cards: 78-card tarot deck, black and white
• Included: instructional booklet
• Creator: Godfrey Dowson
• Publisher: U.S. Games Systems
• ISBN: 9780913866924
• Weight: about 9.6 oz

The Hermetic Tarot is used for divination, meditation, and Kabbalistic study in the ceremonial magic tradition of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The Golden Dawn, founded in London in 1888, assigned every tarot card a place on the Tree of Life, a Hebrew letter or astrological rulership, and an esoteric title; those attributions were set out in the order's tarot paper known as Book T. Godfrey Dowson drew this deck directly from that material, and U.S. Games Systems first published it in the late 1970s.

You can use it as a study deck, laying the Majors along the paths of the Tree of Life and the Minors by decan, and letting the printed attributions teach you the system. You can use it as a divination deck once the titles feel familiar; readers who know the Rider-Waite will recognize the structure. And you can use it in ceremonial work, choosing a card by its attribution to sit on the altar as a focus. It rewards patience, and it asks for it.

1. Start with the booklet and the Major Arcana. Learn the Hebrew letter and attribution on each trump before you try a reading.
2. Cleanse the deck with frankincense or another resin incense, the traditional choice for ceremonial work, or by shuffling with your intention spoken aloud.
3. Lay the 22 Majors on a sketch of the Tree of Life, one card per path, and sit with it. This single exercise teaches more than a chapter of reading.
4. For divination, use the Golden Dawn's Opening of the Key or any standard spread; the printed titles will guide your interpretation.
5. Choose one card a week to meditate on, reading its title and attribution aloud before you begin.

The system is precise, but your intuition still reads the cards. Let both have a voice.

• The Golden Dawn: The Original Account of the Teachings, Rites, and Ceremonies of the Hermetic Order by Israel Regardie, John Michael Greer: Regardie's published Golden Dawn material, including the tarot attributions this deck is built on.
• Crowley Thoth Tarot Deck (Large Edition): 78-Card Thoth Tarot Deck (Large Edition) by Aleister Crowley, with Egyptian Symbolism, Qabalistic & Astrological Insights, Occult Knowledge, Painted by Lady Frieda Harris, Plus Booklet by Aleister Crowley: the other great Golden Dawn-descended deck, for comparing how Crowley reworked the same system.
• The Book of Thoth: A Short Essay on the Tarot of the Egyptians, Being the Equinox Volume III No. V by Aleister Crowley, The Master Therion, Frieda Harris: Crowley's commentary on the Golden Dawn tarot attributions, useful even if you never read with Thoth.
• Frankincense Incense Sticks by Escential Essences, 16 Sticks: the traditional resin for consecrating ceremonial tools and cleansing the deck.
• Occult Guide to the Tarot by Travis McHenry: a modern guide to tarot's esoteric side that bridges the booklet and the full Golden Dawn texts.

What is the difference between the Hermetic Tarot and the Thoth Tarot?

The Hermetic Tarot and the Thoth Tarot both descend from the Golden Dawn's system, but the Hermetic Tarot by Godfrey Dowson stays close to the order's original attributions in black-and-white line art, while Crowley's Thoth deck reinterprets the system in full color with his own changes. Choose Hermetic for Golden Dawn study, Thoth for Thelema.

Is the Hermetic Tarot good for beginners?

The Hermetic Tarot is better suited to readers who already know tarot basics. The black-and-white art and esoteric titles assume some familiarity with the Rider-Waite structure and an interest in Kabbalah or astrology. A curious beginner can absolutely learn with it, but the booklet is a key, not a full course.

How many cards are in the Hermetic Tarot deck?

There are 78 cards in the Hermetic Tarot deck: 22 Major Arcana with Hebrew letters and 56 Minor Arcana with Golden Dawn esoteric titles and astrological attributions. It follows the standard tarot count, so any spread works, including the Golden Dawn's own Opening of the Key method.

How do I cleanse and consecrate a ceremonial tarot deck?

Cleanse a ceremonial tarot deck by passing it through resin incense smoke such as frankincense, which is the traditional choice in Golden Dawn-influenced work, then consecrate it by stating its purpose aloud. Some practitioners wrap the deck in silk between uses; a plain cloth or velvet bag works just as well.

Do I need to be in the Golden Dawn to use this deck?

No, you do not need to belong to the Golden Dawn or any order to use this deck. The attributions are printed on the cards and explained in the booklet, and Israel Regardie's published Golden Dawn material fills in the rest. The deck is a study tool open to any solitary practitioner.

Is the Hermetic Tarot in color?

No, the Hermetic Tarot is printed in black and white pen-and-ink line art. Godfrey Dowson designed it that way so the symbols and attributions stay in focus. Some readers color their own copies as a study practice, which also happens to be an old Golden Dawn tradition with hand-drawn decks.