Gods & Goddesses
The Invocation of Thoth
May
Thoth is the Egyptian god of writing, magic, wisdom, and the moon.
He was one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt alternately said to be self-created or born of the seed of Horus from the forehead of Set. As the son of these two deities, who represented order and chaos respectively, he was also the god of equilibrium and balance and associated closely with both the principle of ma’at (divine balance) and the goddess Ma’at who personified this principle (and who was sometimes seen as his wife).(1)
Worship of Thoth began in Lower Egypt most likely in the Pre-Dynastic Period (c. 6000-3150 BCE) and continued through the Ptolemaic Period (323-30 BCE), the last dynastic era of Egyptian history, marking Thoth’s veneration as among the longest of the Egyptian gods or any deity from any civilization.(1)
Thoth was originally a moon god. The moon not only provides light at night, allowing time to still be measured without the sun, but its phases and prominence gave it a significant importance in early astrology/astronomy. The cycles of the moon also organized much of Egyptian society’s rituals and events, both civil and religious. Consequently, Thoth gradually became seen as a god of wisdom, magic, and the measurement and regulation of events and of time.(3)
As voice of the sun-god Ra, he carried the Wedjat (Eye of Horus or Ra). The Eye of Horus is an ancient Egyptian symbol of protection, royal power and good health. The eye is personified in the goddess Wadjet (also written as Wedjat, or Udjat”, Uadjet, Wedjoyet, Edjo or Uto).
Thoth was variously depicted wearing a crescent moon on his headdress, or wearing the atef crown, or sometimes, the crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.
Aleister Crowley named his Egyptian style Tarot deck “The Book of Thoth“, in reference to the theory that Tarot cards were the Egyptian book of Thoth.
Invocations of Thoth
Thoth is the scribe, the translator of dreams, and the spirit who turns scattered impressions into legible instruction. Use this invocation when you want clean ritual language, better recall, sharper divination, or to consecrate a Book of Records. Below you’ll find a short orientation, a plain-English paraphrase of the core voice, ritual notes (what to bring, when to do it, how to move), a modern speakable version you can use immediately, a brief chant for performance, and ethical cautions to keep your practice safe and durable.
Why call Thoth
Thoth is the patron of writing, measurement, memory, and liminal knowledge. He helps you translate images into action, hold long projects coherently, and sharpen the language you use in ritual and divination. If your practice feels messy, or you want your journals to become living maps instead of piles of fragments, Thoth is the right ally to work with.
Quick paraphrase — what the old ceremonial text is doing
That long ceremonial invocation is purposely theatrical. It does three things:
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It clears and claims the space by banishing profane or chaotic influences.
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It names the god with many epithets (Tahuti, Thoth, Hermes, Mercury) to bring multiple traditions into one office.
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It re-poses the speaker as a vessel of authority — “my word is accomplished” — so that writing and speech become creative acts rather than accidents.
Read it as ritual armor. It’s meant to reset posture, stabilize nerves, and create a field in which careful language will land and hold.
When to use this invocation
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Before consecrating a new Book of Records / grimoire
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Before major divination, dreamwork, or transcription work
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When you need to translate a recurring dream image into a practical next step
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At the start of a workshop or class where clear teaching and reliable notes matter
Best days / timing: Wednesday or Mercury hour. Waxing moon for growth in skill; dawn for clarity, dusk for liminal access.
Tools and setup (simple, repeatable)
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Clean surface and tidy altar or desk
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A trusted pen or quill and a fresh page in your Book of Records
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One indigo, white, or silver candle
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Small bowl of water and a coin or one drop of honey for offering
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Incense (frankincense, myrrh, lotus, or sandalwood) optional
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An image of an ibis or a small reed/quill if you like symbolic theater
Keep the space uncluttered. The work is about clarity, not spectacle.
Perform the invocation — a practical 10–20 minute rite
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Cleanse. Wash hands or smudge the space briefly. Arrange tools. Light candle and incense.
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Ground. Close your eyes, breathe three slow, full breaths. Feel your feet, center the chest. (20–30 seconds.)
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Boundary line. Say quietly: “Procul, let the profane depart.” Pause. Give the space a beat.
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Speak the call. Use the modernized invocation below (it’s shorter, focused, and speakable). Speak slowly, give each line a beat.
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Write immediately. Open the Book of Records and write one clear line: “Tonight I ask clarity on ___.” Then free-write for 5–10 minutes without editing. This anchors the voice into paper.
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Offer. Drop the coin or one drop of honey into the water bowl and say thanks aloud.
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Seal. Dip the pen tip in the water and mark a small sigil or dot on the page. Say: “I seal what I write and keep my life whole.” Snuff the candle.
Repeat weekly and keep the pages safe. Over time the ledger becomes a living archive.
Modern, speakable invocation (use this aloud)
Procul, let the profane depart.
Tahuti, Thoth, Lord of Wisdom and Utterance, I call you from the veil.
I invoke you, ibis-headed keeper of the double wand and the reed pen.
I stand as Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Teach my hand and steady my tongue.
Make my page clear and my records faithful. Come, Thoth, and lend your measure.
So I call. So it is.
Short performance chant (1–2 minutes)
Use to build momentum before the longer invocation.
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Say three slow times: “Tah-u-ti. Thoth. Hermes.”
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Chant once: “My tongue is the sanctuary of truth. My hand writes what must be done.”
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Finish with: “Thoth, come. Mark this hand. Mark this page.”
Aftercare: sealing and protection
Always close by visualizing a thin iron ring at your throat and a silver thread binding your written page to you. Say: “I seal what I write and hold my life whole.” This prevents stray currents and any accidental bleed of influence.
What to avoid — ethics and safety
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Do not ask Thoth to coerce or dominate another person’s will. Translation, clarity, and craft are proper requests; manipulation is not.
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Avoid blood-magical consecrations for tattoos or tools. Modern consecration with oil, words, and offerings is powerful and safer.
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Honor cultural context. If you publicly publish rituals that draw from Egyptian tradition, acknowledge your sources and use respectful language.
Micro-practices your readers can start with today
Seven-day scribe sprint
Day 1: Consecrate one pen and write one sentence of intent.
Days 2–7: Ten minutes free writing each morning. At the end of the week highlight two lines to act on.
Translation exercise
Pick one dream image. Produce three outputs: a single sentence meaning, a sketch, and three actionable steps. Repeat weekly.
Book of Records habit
Designate a single page as your “Thoth page.” Log each invocation, date, and one line that came through. After three months you’ll have patterns.
Did you know we sell beautiful tarot decks so you can work with THOTH
Sun And Moon Tarot Deck In A Tin By Vanessa Decort
Thoth Premier Tarot Deck By Crowley-harris
Thoth Tarot Deck By Crowley-harris
SOURCE:
- http://www.ancient.eu/Thoth/
- Other Qabalistic Writings By Aleister Crowley
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoth
