Artist, Illustrator, Student of Magic & Eastern Mysticism, Suffragette
Frieda Harris, photo by courtesy of Paul Ashford Harris (grandson of Lady Harris)
| Percy Harris from Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain |
Frieda Harris was born Marguerite Frieda Bloxam on 13th August 1877 in Pimlico, England. She was daughter to John and Jessie Bloxam. Her father John Astley Bloxam was a successful surgeon who made significant contributions in the medical profession. Her mother Jessie Findlay (née Porter), was an active suffragist. Frieda was the middle child of three children; she had an elder sister Florence Mary (who married a doctor in South Africa) and a ten year younger brother Owen Astley (who became an architect). Frieda went to art school (date unknown) something she was determined to do from a young-age. Later she married Percy Harris. He became a prominent Liberal M.P.for Bethnal Green, East London and represented a strong working-class area. He became Liberal Chief Whip and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Parliamentary Party. He then became Sir Percy Harris, first Baronet in 1932 and Frieda rightfully took the title of Lady Harris. She showed her independence by wanting to be known as Frieda, Lady Harris to indicate that she was a person in her own right and not just an appendage to her husband. Technically speaking she was only entitled to call herself Lady Frieda Harris if she had been born (for example) to a duke and then permitted to use a courtesy title through her father (DuQuette 2017:14) Sir Percy Harris and Lady Harris had two sons together, Jack was born in 1906 and Thomas Nicholas in 1908.
She was passionate about art, supported the women’s suffragist movement and was a member of the non-militant National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (N.U.W.S.S). Harris was also a collaborator and a very loyal friend to author and Ceremonial magician Aleister Crowley. She became famous in occult circles for painting the brilliant paintings of the Thoth Tarot deck which was designed by Crowley. The deck underlines his book The Book of Thoth and today the deck remains extremely popular. Harris was a Co-Mason and also a member of the mystical orders Argenteum Astrum and the Ordo Templi Orientis which she had been introduced to by Crowley. Her magical name whilst in the latter order was Sister Tzaba (which means ‘Hosts’). Harris was utterly committed to Crowley and the Tarot project upon which they collaborated (which lasted several years) and even after his death she continued with passion to ensure that a publishing contract for a general release for both the Thoth Tarot deck and The Book of Thoth was reached.
Harris also illustrated books, wrote poetry, designed book covers and exhibited her paintings at places such as the New English Art Club and the Berkeley Galleries. As well as that she designed stage sets. After her husband died in1952 she immigrated to India to pursue her spiritual quest, she remained there until she died in Srinagar in 1962 on 5thNovember.
Marguerite Frieda Harris’ natal chart and the transits to it on the day she died on the 5th November 1962
WHAT FRIEDA HARRIS’ NATAL CHART SHOWS
Marguerite Frieda Harris was born on the 13th August 1877, when the Sun was positioned at twenty degrees in Leo and the Moon was in Libra. As her time of birth is unknown one cannot be certain of the exact degree of the Moon’s position in Libra therefore we do not know for certain the ascendant sign and house cusps in her natal chart.
In her birth chart she had a preponderance of planets in the earth signs comprising of; Mercury and Venus in Virgo as well as Neptune and Pluto in Taurus. This indicates that she had a practical, organised and productive disposition. Each of the aforementioned planetary positions will be discussed further on in detail. There is also a distinct presence of the fire element in her natal chart which comprises of; Sun and Uranus in Leo and Jupiter in Sagittarius. This suggests that, Harris was optimistic and independent, as well as philosophical in her outlook; these positions will also be discussed further on in more detail.
There is a mutable T-Square (see glossary) in her natal chart with a focus point of twenty -three degrees in Gemini. This configuration involves planets which are in signs governed by the mutable mode (see glossary) which are: Mercury and Venus in Virgo, Mars and Saturn in Pisces and Jupiter in Sagittarius. These particular signs of the zodiac are restless in energy but can also be flexible and versatile although the mutability can also generate irritability and tetchiness. However, this type of energy, would have also helped her to be less adamant and obstinate which are some of the characteristics associated with the fixed (see glossary) signs in her natal chart. The planets in the fixed signs of her natal chart are; Sun and Uranus in Leo and Neptune and Pluto in Taurus and will be discussed further on.
The focus point of the T-Square reveals where there may have been tensions in her life and as the focus point is in Gemini, the areas which may have been challenging include; siblings and neighbours, as well as communication and education. We can see some contention, post her early education Harris was sent to a small private establishment in Broadstairs, Kent; there she was taught by a woman who had trained to be an artist, a Miss Osmond(www.brill.com/Aries/Whitehouse 2021:127). When Harris left school she had an above average standard of French and had already started to paint, but her lack of academic schooling “haunted her throughout her life” (ibid). In August 1940 a communication between Harris and Aleister Crowley talks about her early education, acknowledging that, there was ‘neither Latin or Greek…no classical education, indeed no education’ (www.brill.com/Aries/Whitehouse 2021 :132).
The dominant polarity in her natal chart is the feminine one, which means that the earth and water signs are more prevalent showing an artistic, imaginative and intuitive nature. Two planetary positions which are significant in her natal chart are Mercury in Virgo and Jupiter in Sagittarius. This is because the planets are in the sign which they rule, which means the planets are able to work at their optimum level in these signs. Interpretations for the planetary positions will be provided later. The hard aspects in her natal chart suggest that she faced many challenges and conflicts in her life. However, through her aptitude and determination we will see further on how she was able to achieve much in her life. Harris has four planets which are retrograde (see glossary) in her natal chart; just twelve per cent of the population have four planets retrograde in their natal chart(www.twixtearthandsky.com)which in itself makes her quite a unique human being. The retrograde planets in her chart are: Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune and asteroid Chiron is also retrograde.
CREATIVITY AND SOCIABILITY
Her Sun sign Leo shows that at heart she was: creative and playful, generous and optimistic and loyal and hospitable. Her Moon sign Libra shows she could be charming and kind. She would have enjoyed socialising and intellectual stimulation too; certainly she would have had this experience when she regularly dined with Aleister Crowley as they discussed their project of creating the Thoth Tarot deck. Examples of the restaurants where they dined include Queens Restaurant in Sloane Square and Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill in St. James (Churton 2021: 81/95).Harris also had an appreciation of the arts; a sense of the aesthetic and also beauty. These are all areas associated with Venus the ruler of her Moon sign Libra (Venus also rules Taurus). She was known for example, to frequently entertain and host parties at her homes in London, “she entertained, often with costume parties, the literary, artistic and theatrical glitterati of the day” (Booth,2000:473).
On one occasion “An unexpected caller to Harris’ home stood outside and heard piano music and the sweet tones of Debussy’s ‘Clair de Lune’ … when the front door was opened it was evident a party was in progress and a pianist was entertaining guests” (https://rwwgroupblog.com). Her eldest son Jack recalled that “When she was first married she was very social and did a lot of entertaining at her house in Sloane Square” (https://visualmelt.com /Memoirs of a Century).
This shows the enjoyment and warmth that she had for other people and wanted to ensure they had a cordial time when she was playing hostess. This is very much in keeping with her hospitable Leo nature; she has been described as “A well-known eccentric society hostess” (Booth, 2000: 473). Being appreciated and holding court as well as taking pleasure in seeing people enjoy themselves, is very much in keeping with the Sun Leo and Moon Libra characteristics.
Harris also socialised by meeting friends in clubs which existed for those in “High Society”. For example, she regularly frequented the Sesame and Pioneer Club enjoying drinks and lunch, with critic and poet Dame Edith Sitwell (Ashford Harris, 2018:19). She and Aleister Crowley were both friends of artist and bohemian Greta Valentine (http://www.artsmarket.co.uk) and the two women dined at the Café Royal together, as well as at The Royal Automobile Club (Bax, 1951:54).Harris also had a great friendship with the actress Dame Edith Evans (Ashford Harris, 2018:228); no doubt Harris experienced a meeting of minds with such artistic and intelligent women and would not have been short of conversation.
She also became friends with the famous Indian choreographer and classical dancer Ram Gopal, who described her as being “my dear friend”(Gopal, 1957:196). This description of Harris was given by him when she was in India. She helped him during a time when he was “disconsolate” (ibid), his nerves in a state of array as he was experiencing financial problems with his ballet production. She suggested that they go to the Taj Mahal “and speak to the spirit of Shah Jehan and Mumtaz Mahal, and tell them, ask them to help us” (ibid).
The ballet was successful so clearly their prayers were answered! Gopal had a huge influence on Harris which in part led her to emigrate to India. It has been said that she was infatuated with Gopal and she financially assisted him and followed him out to Ceylon (modern day Sri Lanka).There he was making a Hollywood film ‘The Elephant Walk’ (Ashford Harris, 2018:197) and was employed as choreographer for the film (https://www.imdb.com).The film was released in 1954 and starred Elizabeth Taylor, Dana Andrews and Peter Finch.
| Ram Gopal , Wikimedia Commons,Public Domain, author Carl Van Vechlen-Library of Congress Catalogue |
It was through Gopal that she met the famous Sinhalese painter and poet George Keyt, she said of him “His paintings are easily the equal of Picasso in vigour, and much deeper in emotion” (Ashford Harris, 2018:257). Keyt taught her much about the Lord Buddha and Hindu Gods, which must have appealed to her curiosity about different religions and spirituality. Clearly, Harris enjoyed socialising with artistic and creative people and would go to great lengths to be around kindred-spirits.
DISTINCTION,INDEPENDENCE AND LIBERTY
The Sun is conjunct Uranus in her natal chart (as previously noted) and this suggests that freedom and independence were important to Harris. At times she may have been construed by other people to be radical and unorthodox. Uranus is also associated with: idealism, humanity and truths and another association of Uranus is being involved in groups/kindred spirits and their activities.
It is possible that part of Harris’s strong wilful independent nature may have started to develop in her early years. For example, the 1891 Census shows that she was a student at a Boarding School, Valetta House in Broadstairs, Kent. This shows that from her young age, a distance and detachment (associations of Uranus) were created between her and her parents. This was because she was nurtured by professionals i.e. teachers in Boarding school. In doing so she must have harnessed a degree of self-sufficiency and learnt not to rely on her parents for comfort and emotional support. It is possible that Harris also developed her inner strength and autonomy from this young age. This would have helped to make her, the determined and strong-willed person that she was. It also illustrates one example of the Sun conjunct Uranus aspect at play. When she was at Boarding School, her father was shown as working as a successful lecturer and surgeon in Charing Cross Hospital in London (https://livesonline.rcseng.ac.uk) as shown by the 1891 Census.
The strong mutable mode in her natal chart shows that she will have coped well with adjustment and change. The close contact between the Sun and Uranus would have stimulated an energy which would have made her determined to be distinctive and original in her life. As noted earlier, the Sun conjunct Uranus aspect indicates thriving on freedom and liberty. Therefore, it is perhaps unsurprising to know that as an adult Harris was interested in women’s emancipation and in her early thirties, participated in the first suffrage march in London. This was the N.U.W.S.S. (National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies) ‘Mud March’ in February 1907.She also took part in another march of the N.U.W.S.S. in June 1908 (albeit for a short while). Kate Parry Frye, actress, diarist and suffragist recalled that when Harris carried a banner which was “fearfully heavy” …“It was a beauty nauge cloth(a soft and textured fabric hand woven on historic looms) brown and yellow silk and cloth of gold” (https://womanandhersphere.com/tag/suffrage-procession/). She continued…”Mrs Percy Harris was just behind. She had to fall out early as she went very strange and there were lots of people” (ibid).
Progress continued for the union, as in November 1908 Harris was reported as being in attendance at their A.G.M. Frieda Harris had married Percy Harris Liberal M.P. (It was later he became Sir Percy Harris).In 1901healso was a supporter of the Women’s Movement (Crawford, 2013:50), thus showing his liberal attitude towards women and equality, as well as their rights. Interestingly, in 1911, Harris’ mother Mrs Bloxam was on the first Provisional Committee for the Bourne End and District Women’s Suffrage Society. Harris’ parents moved to Buckinghamshire after her father retired from the medical profession (dates for Harris marching with Union from Elizabeth Crawford at https://womanandhersphere.com– information to author).
Kate Parry Frye recorded that on Tuesday October 3rd1911; Mrs Bloxam attended and was sworn in as one of the committee members(Crawford, 2013:72). Two months later on Saturday, December 9th 1911, Bloxam met with Parry Frye in the morning ,“She is full of fears about the Bourne End meeting-hears of gentleman supplying themselves with ‘sacks of rats’ etc.” (ibid: 83). Clearly the women’s group was gaining momentum and agitating the men in the village.
The union continued their campaign for all women to have the right to vote in the United Kingdom, having initially started their campaign as far back as the late eighteen-hundreds. The nature of Uranus is ground-breaking, liberating and progressive by nature. At this time Harris was part of a generation of women who determinedly campaigned for a better way of life for women. We know that her Moon sign is Libra which is also associated with: fairness, equality and justice which indicates that instinctively Harris would have been sensitive to such themes.
Other symbolism of the Sun conjunct Uranus also suggests that Harris greatly valued self-expression and living her life creatively. She enjoyed an audience of a kind and any artistic endeavours that she undertook she would have been proud of done to the best of her capability, such is the nature of many Leos. The Uranus in Leo position shows she was highly distinctive and unique. So much so, that she may have been regarded as eccentric, unconventional perhaps even peculiar by those outside of her circles. One example of her liberating self and individualism (and as noted earlier) was when her husband became Sir Percy Harris, 1st Baronet in 1932, this position made her ‘Lady Harris’. She rejected using this title and instead styled herself as Lady Frieda Harris which showed she was not a shadow of her husband and was an individual in her own right (as previously noted). Although possibly she would have enjoyed the recognition of being a Lady, as nobility is an association of her Sun sign Leo. There are other aspects in Harris’ natal chart which also indicate her need for freedom, independence and opportunities; these are Sun trine Jupiter and Jupiter trine Uranus. These aspects emphasise the message of her need for adventures and opportunities, as well as space, both mental and physical space. Also pivotal in her life was seeking spiritual truths and the aspect of Jupiter trine Uranus suggests that she sought and found meaning in life through unorthodox channels. This was certainly borne out by Crowley teaching her subjects such as astrology and mysticism as well as the philosophy of Thelema.
In the mid-1930s, Harris had coloured her hair bright red which back then must have been quite shocking and unconventional (http://www.parareligion.ch/). A member of the Cotswolds Chipping Camden community recalled Harris as regularly using the family dairy and Frieda was described as “eccentric and flamboyantly dressed with her hair, which was red, always wrapped up in a bright scarf” (Kaczynski,2017:11).Frieda’s grandson observed that “though she may have been eccentric she was not a fool”(Ashford Harris, 2018:197). He also recalled that when he was a child, a memory that he had of her from then, was that she was “a gnarled old lady dressed in volumes of some flimsy material, which I presume must have been silk”(Ashford Harris, 2018:11). This shows the distinct impression that she left on people including her own family. Her friend and sculptor Edward Bainbridge said of her “that she had ‘a most amusing sense of humour and a love of the bizarre” (Kaczynski 2010:497). These examples show how bizarre and entertaining she seemed to some people.
She may have caused offence to some religious followers, when she decided to use the pseudonym “Jesus Chutney” for some of her artwork which shows an anarchic and rebellious side to her nature. These characteristics are also in keeping with the unconventional nature of Uranus. In 1929 the New English Art Club exhibited a painting of hers in London which was titled “Tony Galloway” and it was signed by Jesus Chutney. Many artists have pseudonyms, but Harris may have wanted to remain anonymous so as not to be connected with her well known husband. In using an alias she hoped to achieve distinction and merits in her own right as an artist.This shows her independent and creative nature. She also used the pseudonym for other areas such as correspondence, poetry and apparently the telephone listing for her art studio in Richmond (www.Brill.com/Aries/Whitehouse 2021:141).This shows not only an alter ego that she created for herself but also how privacy was important to her. It has been suggested that her involvement in Surrealism possibly influences her using the name “Jesus Chutney” (ibid).
In 1942,Harris’ work was hung in an exhibition called “Imaginative Art since The War” alongside prolific surrealist artists such as Ithell Colquhoun and Henry Moore. This was at the Berkeley Galleries in London(https://hermetic.com).By this time “Jesus Chutney” had disappeared and Mrs Harris, the artist, was clearly less concerned about her husband’s political life and reputation, for she openly revealed herself as “Frieda, Lady Harris, wife of Sir Percy Harris M.P.’’ (www.Brill.com/Aries/Whitehouse:141).
Had her mother Jessica still been alive (she died in 1926) and known about the “Jesus Chutney” pseudonym, she may have been outraged as apparently she was very religious (Ashford Harris, 2018: 189). However, her father was a convinced atheist and would shout people down with “God damn rot bloody nonsense”(ibid) at their religious arguments. Harris’ Jewish father-in-law also died in 1926, perhaps he may also have been offended by the use of the pseudonym, because of his strong religious beliefs, but this is conjecture. Even if offense had been caused to family members, it seems unlikely that would have changed her mind about calling herself “Jesus Chutney” given her wilful nature.
Another example of Harris’ creative and unusual nature can be seen when, in 1911 when she and her husband moved into “The Little House”, Winchelsea in East Sussex and they became well known to the local community. She had been described by the locals as “unconventional and unpredictable”, she was known “for getting up in the night and drawing immensely curvaceous nudes, in charcoal, on the white walls of the drawing room” as well as waltzing round the town in long nightgowns (Marlow Museum/Winchelsea Court Museum). Perhaps she worked best at night without any interruptions and she may have suffered with insomnia or plain she did not need a lot of sleep.
Harris was inspired by the location for she illustrated and wrote a book called “Winchelsea, A Legend”, which was a short mythical fantasy and it was published in 1926 by Selwyn and Blount. The pictures are lithograms with four full page colour illustrations which have a limited palette and use of pastel shades. Percy Harris equally loved Winchelsea and described how he and Frieda “would never tire of sitting on the ramparts drinking in the sea air and the marvellous view” (Harris, 1947:51).
ART, COLLABORATION AND DESIGN
Harris illustrated and painted the Thoth Tarot deck of cards for Aleister Crowley and in her creation she modernised the Tarot’s symbolism and unafraid to use contemporary art styles such as Projective Geometry to help achieve her final vision. However, when The Book of Thoth was published, Harris was said to have been angry that her paintings appeared as poor reproductions and that they had been reduced to illustrative status in The Book of Thoth (Churton, 2011:406). John Symonds (Crowley’s literary executor) said of Crowley and Harris “They were an extraordinary middle-aged couple …she with her nose that reminded me of a parrot’s beak, protruding blue eyes, and unconventional views” (Ashford Harris, 2018:222). Note that Symonds chose not to give mention to the appearance of Crowley, showing how the female appearance was (and still is) a priority, rather than giving weight toher brilliant talents and personality.
In modernising the Tarot deck it demonstrates her fearless and revolutionary nature. It also shows how her art, although not particularly appreciated at the time of creation, was recognised by future generations (especially those involved in the Occult). This was progressive and is in keeping with the futuristic energy of Uranus.
| Frieda Harris (right), with Aleister Crowley and mutual friend Catherine Falconer (left) c.1940. Photo courtesy of the Warburg Institute, University of London and Ordo Templi Orientis |
Part of modernising the Tarot cards included changing (amongst others) the images which represent Strength and Justice. Interestingly these two cards, symbolise Leo and Libra which are the Sun signs of Harris (Leo) and Crowley (Libra). Traditionally, the Strength card was depicted by the image of a woman muzzling a lion (Leo) whilst the Justice card shows a crowned female figure holding a set of scales (Libra) in her left hand and in her right a sword pointing upwards.
Through the process of their collaboration these particular cards had changed “Strength” was renamed “Lust” and showed “a nude female riding on a composite beast”. The rider is The Whore of Babylon, whom Crowley called Babalon (Decker &Dummett, 2013:155).The Whore of Babylon is a symbolic figure and place of evil mentioned in the Book of Revelations in the Bible. The “Justice” card was renamed “Adjustment”. It depicts a standing masked, young and slim woman holding a sword pointing downwards and the scales of justice, above her head in the cosmos and encircling the upper part of her body. The two cards also show the respective glyphs for the sign of Leo and Libra, as well as the symbols for the Hebrew letters Teth and Lamed which correspond to the two zodiac signs respectively.
The colours used in the Lust and Adjustment card are; amber, gold, mauve and pale blue in the former card, and jade green, olive green, sky blue, pale green and pale blue in the latter one. Harris tried to capture the essence of the numeral cards (excluding the Aces) “in aesthetic forms: they are abstractly light, heavy, happy, oppressive etc. depending upon the use of shapes and colours” (Decker and Dummett 2013:154). The reverse of the Thoth Tarot cards show a Rose Cross (see glossary), the four points of the cross are: yellow, blue, white green and red with rose petals in the centre point of the cross.
Crowley recognised Harris’ commitment and skill in making his Tarot deck the best that it could be.This included getting Crowley to rethink some of his original ideas which can’t have been easy but nonetheless she succeeded. As time went on he wrote to Harris with affection and compliments, recognising her genius in the process of producing images for the cards and said “The result is that any given card is something immensely beyond anything that I have ever contemplated” ( Kaczynski 2010:501).
“Lust” card and “Adjustment” card from the Thoth Tarot deck, with permissions from the Ordo Templi Orients and the Warburg Institute, SAS, University of London.
Returning back to the astrology and to the aspects of the Sun in Harris’ natal chart. The Sun is square Pluto and this suggests that she was captivating and also had an intense self-awareness. She did not approach life with superficiality. This is because the energy of Pluto is deep and probing. Her determination and forcefulness is exacerbated by the Sun and Pluto both being in the fixed signs of Leo and Taurus respectively which are both indomitable and unwavering.
DETERMINATION,LOYALTY AND SELF-PRESERVATION
The Sun – Pluto contact indicates that she was a perceptive woman and subjects which gave depth and substance to existence would have appealed to her, for example, the mysteries and the occult. She was clairvoyant and “sighted” too. Her son Jack revealed that “She was very psychic” (Ashford Harris, 2018:1999) and she even prophesised correctly about the woman he would marry (ibid).Such insight is in keeping with the intuitive and perceptive nature of Pluto. Jack also had an experience of the afterlife (which is a theme also associated with Pluto), for his mother appeared to him after she died. After her funeral and on that same evening, Harris appeared vividly to him and thanked him for remembering her (Ashford Harris 2018:198).
Other correspondences of Pluto include betrayal and treachery. An example of this can be seen when Aleister Crowley felt that she had betrayed him. This was because in 1942 at the Berkeley Galleries (London) she held a secret exhibition of her paintings which had been created for Crowley’s Tarot cards “with a new and unapproved catalogue” (www.Brill.com,Aries, Whitehouse: 141). Not only was he deliberately uninvited by Harris but she also omitted “the source of her mystical knowledge” (ibid).She did not want Crowley there as his already public disreputable name may have had a damaging impact on her social standing as well as her husband’s political life. Clearly her loyalty to Percy’s political life was unwavering. Crowley felt deeply betrayed and hurt by Harris’ actions “which sent him into a black rage” (Churton 2011:390).Furthermore, Harris, for her own catalogue used the same editor (Robert Cecil) that Crowley had used for his own catalogue (for the Tarot paintings).She had him re-edit the publication without a mention of Aleister Crowley’s name. This incensed Crowley when he found out and he proclaimed “Frieda’s sneaking treachery bites deeper daily” (Churton 2011: 397).Whether he felt equally betrayed by Cecil is unclear. At one point Crowley had considered taking legal action against Harris (www.Brill.com,Aries, Whitehouse:141/2) although that thought never materialised. Harris’ tactics showed that although she was kind and generous (especially with her time for Crowley) at times she could be shrewd. The aspect of the Sun square Pluto is shown by this example of Harris’ motivation. It shows the crafty, determined and shrewd side of her nature when her own position was at risk. She took control of the aforementioned situation which potentially could have harmed her and Percy’s status in society. It also demonstrates the Plutonic characteristics of empowerment and secrecy and the unforeseen “sting in the tail”. The aspect between Sun and Pluto shows that not only was she determined and shrewd but also not to be underestimated.
Eventually, after a face-to-face meeting Crowley and Harris resolved their bitter conflict and were able to carry on their “Great Work” together. Unlike many of Crowley’s friendships, their relationship continued and she remained steadfast to Crowley right up until the end of his life. During her visits to see Crowley at his rest home at Netherwood in Hastings (in the summer of 1947), she found him to be not only ill and weak but also “dirty and neglected” (Kaczynski 2010:548). She tried to coax him into paying for a fully qualified nurse to care for him but he claimed that he could not afford to do so. Such was her care and loyalty to her friend, that in September of 1947 she hired a nurse herself to care for him, sadly after employing the nurse Crowley died in the December. It must have meant a lot to Harris knowing that she had done what she could for her friend, going well beyond the call of duty as he was close to death. Harris was Crowley’s unsung hero when many others had deserted him; she remained a constant and true friend.
She, along with another loyal friend Louis Wilkinson, played an integral role as executors for his will. Harris visited Crowley several times (as previously noted) before he died; and during the final times with him even produced sketches of Crowley, one included literally when he was on his death bed. (Churton, 2011, plate 54 opposite:227).After her collaborator, teacher and friend died, Harris arranged his funeral in Brighton and the service included a reading of one of his poems Ode to Pan (Decker and Dummett 2013:166).She produced a booklet commemorating Crowley’s funeral entitled The Last Ritual. She ensured that her name was displayed on the booklet and given as the owner to the original cover (Kaczynski 2010:554) and she asked for a contribution of $1(approximately one English pound) per copy to defray printing costs’ (ibid).) A year on after Crowley’s death, she undertook a wish of his by holding a curry party as a tribute to him (ibid), curry being one of Crowley’s favourite meals.
It has been said of Harris that she “was probably the strongest, longest lasting and most platonic relationship in his life” (https://paulhughesbarlow.com). This is an indication of the enduring qualities that she brought to their friendship. Astrologically, it is an example of how the aspect Venus opposing Saturn can manifest itself through duty, reliability and trust, even through challenging and testing times.
HER INFLUENTIAL AND POWERFUL FATHER
There is another pertinent example of how the Sun square Pluto manifested itself in Frieda, Lady Harris’ life. Traditionally, the Sun and the Moon were held to symbolise the Father and Mother respectively in astrology; but with the modern changes in parenting roles in Western Society over the current and last century many astrologers have modified their views on these simplistic associations. Having said that however, the Sun square Pluto aspect in Harris’ chart is extremely accurate in describing her father.
It has been observed that the square aspect between Sun and Pluto in a natal chart, can indicate the nature of the father’s work and it would have embodied the principles of Pluto (Tompkins, 1989:123). This is borne out in Harris’ case as her father John Astley Bloxam held positions of power; as well as his work being exposed to some of the taboos of society (ibid) which are areas associated with Pluto.
Harris’ father was a qualified general surgeon and held specific surgical qualifications of MRCS (Member of Royal College of Surgeons) and FRCS (Fellowship of The Royal College of Surgeons) and LSA (License of The Society of Apothecaries).He made a distinctive mark in his medical career when he decided to specialise in the treatment of venereal diseases rather than general surgery. He surpassed himself in the area of “plastic surgery necessary to repair the noses and lips of those who had been the subjects of syphilitic ulceration”(https://livesonline.rcseng.ac.uk).
He was educated at St.Bartholomew’s hospital in London where he became House Surgeon and Private Assistant to Sir James Paget (who became known for naming Paget’s disease) and afterwards he worked as a chloroformist at the same hospital. In the mid-1860s he worked in the Army and also the Royal Horse Guards Blue as an Assistant Surgeon (ibid).
Other positions of power in his life included being Commissioner of the Peace in his hometown of Buckinghamshire in 1908. Another example can be seen whereby in the same year, having donated money to the organisation The Order of St. John (an organisation that rewards humanitarian work) he became an Honorary Associate. Then in 1912 he was invested as a Knight of Grace in the organisation because of his contributions to the field of medicine. In becoming a Knight of Grace he had jumped two lower ranks in the process (The Museum of the Order of St.John). This shows the Order considered his medicinal work of tremendous influence to humanity and that he had influential and potent abilities particularly in the area of health.
After his retirement he became interested in community matters and was elected Chairman of Little Marlow Parish Council (ibid). All of the aforementioned positions and titles show that he was still driven to make a difference in society and that potentially he could use his status to make an effect, which is also in keeping with the empowering, healing and transforming nature of Pluto. These areas of Mr. Bloxam’s career provide evidence to the observation made that the Sun square Pluto aspect can indicate the nature of one’s father’s work in a natal chart and embrace the areas associated with Pluto; this was certainly the case for Frieda, Lady Harris.
HEALTH AND ILL-HEALTH
It is possible that she also had an interest in health like her father. This is broadly shown in her natal chart with Mercury positioned in Virgo, the sign which is associated with health and hygiene as well as work. Like most people Harris was not without health challenges. For example, when she was in her late sixties she had injured her back and was given a doctor’s certificate to say that she had injured her back and must not walk or carry heavy things (Whitehouse, 2018:17).Whilst staying with her friend Ram Gopal in India; he introduced her to a masseuse who was able to assist with some of her health problems. Harris said “I was English and it seemed a strange idea to let this dark strange man massage me”(Ashford Harris,1985:262). Nonetheless they went ahead and she described how “He pummelled my neck, my back, my knees, and worked the muscles scientifically all the time covering me with a blanket as if he were a Sunday School Teacher” (ibid). This shows a certain modesty and shyness on her part, but also a professional standard employed by the masseuse. The experience was obviously beneficial, as after that first experience she said “I was refreshed beyond measure” (ibid). She then decided to have daily treatment with the masseuse.
Her optimistic and pragmatic nature helped her to overcome any initial discernment about the masseuse and her reluctance about her body being touched by a stranger. Interestingly, in Medical Astrology the back is associated with the sign of Leo and many people of this Sun sign have experienced issues and weaknesses with their backs. Harris made a good decision in having massage treatments which would have helped her relax as well as tending to any physical ailments.
There is a quincunx aspect in her natal chart created between the Sun and Saturn, quincunxes often allude to health issues that can manifest in one’s life. Astrologer Robert Hand observed that with this particular aspect, people must learn to relax and that some could have poor circulation and digestion (Hand1974: 232). It seems that Harris did find it difficult to unwind as we can tell from her letters to Crowley regarding her role as mother and wife, whilst multitasking with the time-consuming task of painting the images for the Thoth Tarot deck.
Hand’s observation was also correct also about some people having poor circulation. This manifested for Harris in her suffering with chilblains, a condition that can arise from a combination of cold weather and poor circulation. Elderly people are particularly susceptible to this. It must have been irritating and painful when she was standing to paint (if she indeed she did stand when she painted) and possibly made it difficult to concentrate. Harris gave reference to chilblains in a letter to Crowley. He had asked her to paint a lady, in the style that artist Aubrey Beardsley would have painted, in the hope that it may inspire her work for one of the Tarot cards that she was working on. Harris was incensed by Crowley’s suggestion and on 29th December 1939, replied and wrote to him “Dear Aleister, Know what you won’t shall do shall be the whole of my Law! I can bear many things, chilblains included, but I will not draw a lady like Aubrey Beardsley” (Churton 2021:138). Her rage did not stop there and she went on to say that he (Beardsley) produced “lifeless ladies which make me vomit” (ibid), clearly she knew what art and artists she liked and didn’t like!
EXUBERANCE, OPTIMISM AND MYSTICISM
The Sun is trine Jupiter and the Moon (if she was born around noon) would have been sextile (see glossary) by sign to Jupiter. This indicates that Harris was naturally exuberant, flamboyant and found it easy to express herself. She was confident enough to deal with any stressful elements in her life (albeit with a strong nervous energy and restlessness). As previously stated, Jupiter is in its’ ruling sign Sagittarius and this shows that Harris was philosophical, enjoyed adventures and freedom, exploration and travel.
This position also shows that she was optimistic, as well as having the ability to see life from a broad perspective as well as being inspired by the higher principles which informed life. She had tremendous faith in life and pursued Eastern Mysticism and religion. For example, Buddhism, Hinduism and the Qabalah. Apparently, when she was approximately ten years old she had a “dhyana experience in a gorse field” (Churton2021:254). Dhyana is a Sanskrit word meaning “meditation”(https://www.yogapedia.com). Harris was also relatively adept at the divination practice of the I-Ching and had been introduced to the art by Aleister Crowley (although he referred to it as ‘Yi-King’). Her interest in such areas may have led her to explore subjects such as Eastern Astrology as well as concepts such as karma, past-lives and reincarnation. Her interest in learning about these subjects when she was an adult is pertinent to the Jupiter principle of Higher Education.
Harris may (or may not) have known that in one’s natal chart, there are symbolic points called the Moon’s Nodes. The North Node is known as the Dragon’s Head, and the South Node is known as The Dragon’s Tail. They are believed to be karmic points which provide insight as to why an individual has been born at a particular time and what qualities one should be developing in order to advance spiritual progress in their current life.
In her own natal chart Harris’ North Node is in Pisces and the South Node in the sign of Virgo. These positions advise that she should try and develop her artistic and intuitive abilities as well as developing qualities of compassion and understanding, whilst trying not to worry excessively and discriminate against others. The South Node (in this case Virgo) shows accumulated effects and residue of behaviour from a previous incarnation. Astrologer and author, Victor Olliver observed that with the aforementioned polarity of the North Node in Pisces and South Node in Virgo; that “often priorities are warped by excessive preoccupation with detail and practicalities… what is needed is also a higher perspective, one that sees the bigger picture” (Olliver 2022:44). We can see through the content of some of her letters to Crowley that she was concerned with the minutia involved in the process of painting the images of the Tarot deck, as well as the mundane activities of being a homemaker and wife to her politician husband.
Astrologer and author Martin Schulman observed that Pisces/Virgo Nodes “is the hardest position to deal with “as a result of many lifetimes, the individual starts to realize his own rigidity”(Schulman, 1977:60). He continues that the subject is confronted with “the realization that truth extends beyond what his finite senses can measure” (ibid). In other words, truths such as faith and spirituality will overcome any analytical and judgemental attitudes that Harris may have had. In doing so this would have helped her to progress in her (then) current life.
Chiron is an asteroid and is positioned (retrograde) in Taurus in her natal chart. It is also conjunct Neptune as well as being trine the South Node of Virgo. These positions suggest that she may have encountered situations where she had to be industrious and of service to others in a practical way. As she grew older this may have become more prominent in her life. This is certainly borne out with her relationship with her husband, as well as her collaborator and friend Aleister Crowley. Also attitudes and behaviour showing analytical behaviour may have become foremost in her life as she approached adulthood as these are characteristics associated with Virgo.
As previously discussed Chiron is in Taurus which is an earthy and practical sign. The contact made with Chiron and the South Node suggests possibly those previous incarnations and themes associated with it may have impacted on specific areas in her life. This may have manifested for example with areas such as; caution with money and materialism, clinging on to people and possessions and also insecurities about her body. This is because those areas are associated with Taurus and its ruler Venus. As Chiron is conjunct Neptune in her natal chart it suggests that Harris may also have had a receptiveness and natural inclination to areas such as artistry, healing and spirituality, which we know to have been true and prominent in her life.
CULTURE, HIGHER EDUCATION AND POLITICS
Returning now to Jupiter in her natal chart and its trine aspect created with Uranus. It suggests that she had radical ideas and had a belief in freedom and liberty. It also shows that she may have found her meaning in life through more seemingly unusual or unorthodox channels. This is borne out for example with her involvement and support of the Suffragist movement, (which was revolutionary at the time) as well as her membership in mystical orders as well as being a Co-Mason.
She also found herself on the fringe of politics in being a politician’s wife; she obligatory supported her husband and his extensive involvement with the Liberal Party. As previously noted, he became Liberal Chief Whip and then Deputy Leader of The Liberal Parliamentary Party. His political life started in 1906 and he died in 1952, Frieda died ten years later. Later when reflecting upon her earlier life, she wrote that she found mimicry of real life through stage as well as the House of Commons, both of which addressed human affairs (Ashford Harris,2018:249),but in them she claimed that she found “no religion and very little gaiety and I wanted both then” (ibid).
During her life Harris travelled to places such as India and New Zealand as well as visiting nearer places to England such as France, Italy and Spain. She had a strong interest in Egypt and Egyptology which no doubt furthered her passion for Crowley’s Tarot cards, which were also called ‘The Egyptian Tarot’. Different cultures, religion, and spirituality would have appealed to the explorative and questing side of her nature, which was part of the reason she emigrated to India in her perennial years. This is an example of her astrology in action, by way of the Sun trine Jupiter aspect in her natal chart.
Mars is square Jupiter in her natal chart and suggests that she could fight for her beliefs as well as attacking beliefs which she found incredible. It also shows that she had strong political and religious convictions. Although she had an interest in different cultures and religions, when it came to her own family there seems to have been differences between her and Percy Harris upon the subject of educating their sons, particularly on a specific religious issue. This can be seen from the following example: According to a family anecdote, one day a Rabbi called at the family home. Percy had sent him there to teach their young sons Hebrew. Harris refused to let him into their home and turned him away (information to author from Ashford Harris- grandson of Frieda and Percy Harris). It seems there had been no discussion between Mr and Mrs Harris about the faith into which their sons were to be raised and clearly Frieda was annoyed with her husband’s decision.
Percy and his family wanted the Jewish faith to be continued down the family line; it would seem that Frieda had other ideas and she did not convert to the faith. Certainly, her father-in-law wanted the faith to be continued down the family line and which is evident in his will (see detail of will further on). This example shows how Frieda Harris could have an assertive and defiant (associated with Mars) nature when it came to her beliefs (connected with Jupiter). Possibly, she found the patriarchal faith a conflict with her Suffragist politics as well as wanting her sons to choose a faith (if any) for themselves. This illustrates again how independent she was and how important freedom was to her as was the right to make choices for oneself.
When she and Percy married they had a Jewish ceremony at his father’s home. Gentiles are not permitted to marry in synagogues but can marry their Jewish partner in an alternative venue, where the service is conducted by a rabbi. The marriage certificate for Frieda and Percy shows that they were married at 197 Queen’s Gate, according to the Usages of the Jews by Certificate. The witnesses were, Henry Riseley, Alfred L Cohen, L C Sumley and the official was S Singer Minister & Secretary of Synagogue ( For Marriages) (marriage certificate :MXH 615256).
The aspect of Venus opposing Mars in her natal chart suggests that she was not averse to attracting arguments and conflicts in her life. This is because Venus is associated with allurement whilst Mars is related to battles and wilfulness. The opposition created between Venus and Mars shows antagonism and resistance and there is also a sense of ‘opposites’ attracting with this opposition.
Her father-in-law was born into a Jewish family in 1834,and born Wolf Hersh Schaglied in Poland. When he left there he changed his name to Harris which was an anglicised form of Hersch (Ashford Harris, 2018:133). Harris’ mother-in-law was Elizabeth Nathan whose Jewish family lived in the East End of London. Wolf Harris died in 1926 and in his Will he stipulated the following:
“I desire and sincerely hope that my sons and daughter will bring up their children in the Jewish faith, and that my grandchildren will remain in the Jewish faith, and will marry persons holding that faith, and I should like my two sons to keep up my subscriptions to Jewish charities, including schools” (EveningPost, London: 02/08/1926 –page number unknown). His estate was said to be valued at £263,393 which was an absolute fortune in those days.
One example of Frieda’s religious persuasion was being a devotee to the unconventional Christian Science Movement. This was established by the American, Mary Baker Eddy, who had ground-breaking ideas about health and spirituality. Harris’ eldest son Jack, when a small boy suffered terribly with tonsillitis and adenoids and had difficulty breathing (Ashford-Harris, 2018:193).
Instead of turning to conventional medicine, Harris turned to a Christian Science practitioner who prayed over Jack in the hope that his condition would be remedied. It failed. Eventually when Jack was sixteen he had his tonsils and adenoids removed (ibid). After that Jack apparently held resentment to what he called ‘medical quackery’ (ibid). Seemingly, his mother battled through with belief and conviction that the unorthodox practice would eventually heal her son.
As previously noted; law and politics, beliefs and religion are all areas associated with Jupiter/Sagittarius whilst assertion and drive, passion and vigour are all qualities associated with fiery Mars. Harris was described by one of her Anthroposophy teachers Olive Whicher, as being “a woman of liberal politics, and had a very free-living, spirited and strong personality”. (http://www.parareligion.ch/). This quote shows Harris’ charisma, exuberance and freedom-loving character. Anthroposophy was established by the artist, esoteric and philosopher Rudolph Steiner, it is a spiritual philosophy and science. Steiner defined anthroposophy as “a path of knowledge, which intends to lead what is spiritual in the human being to what is spiritual in the universe” (https://sydneyrudolfsteinercollege.com). Studying anthroposophy must have provided a sound philosophical and spiritual base for Harris, before she embarked upon her innovative collaboration with Aleister Crowley.
OBSERVATION, PERFECTION AND TECHNIQUE
The astrological data also reveals that whilst Harris could see the broader picture of life and could be philosophical, she could also be analytical and discriminating with an eye for detail, as well as being organised and pragmatic which is shown by the positions of Mercury and Venus in Virgo in her natal chart. Author and Crowley biographer Richard Kaczynski recognised Harris’s perfecting skills and said that she was able to meet Crowley’s high standards (Kaczynski 2010:501) during their working partnership of creating his Tarot deck. Apparently, sometimes she would create several versions of a card before it was accepted by Crowley (ibid) the Aeon card is a good example of this. She wrote to Crowley “I am insane with wiggling lines” (ibid) grumbling that she had “done about forty drawings” (ibid) of the Little Lady image in the Aeon card (Kaczynski 2010:502). This shows her commitment and dedication in her collaboration with Crowley to the Tarot deck project, as well as her own need for meticulousness and an accepted standard of work that satisfied both her and Crowley. She wrote to him stating that whilst working on the project, her “Guardian Angel shouts to do it the best you can” and “not second best in a hurry and you must hit a perfect structure to build the pictures on” (Kaczynski 2010:501). This also shows her intuitive nature and that she trusted her inner voice when creating art. The aspect Mercury trine Neptune in her natal chart indicates her discerning and innate gravitas in the process of creating art.
Mercury is the natural ruler of Virgo (as well as Gemini) and its’ energy manifests in a way that can make one restless and find it difficult to relax. Mercury in Virgo also shows that Harris had a bright and sharp mind, as well as being talented with analytical, meticulous and ritualistic work. All these areas are associated with Virgo and its ruler Mercury. Her friend (painter and sculptor), Edward Bainbridge, said of her that “She had an alive and virile brain” (Kaczynski 2010:497) and from this comment we can see reference to her smart and quick Mercury in Virgo mind. As well as having an agile mind, the position of Mercury in Virgo also shows that she could be critical as well as having sardonic observation skills. One small example of this can be seen, when she wrote to Crowley about premises that she had retreated to in Minehead, in order to do some painting. She described the place and the other occupants to him as “a vast & hideous edifice inhabited by dim beige ladies in ¾ skirts & splay feet”(www.Brill.com,Aries, Whitehouse: 140). Clearly she did not approve of either the place or the occupants!
One example of her other scrupulous work can be seen in her creation of three Freemason posters which were known as Tracing Boards. These works of art were produced when Harris was a Co-Mason. This organisation was a subsidiary of The Theosophical Society. As its’ title suggests, it permitted both men and women equally into the Co-Masonic Lodges.
Each of the posters represent the craft Freemasonry; First, Second and Third Degree boards. The three boards symbolically represent moral, intellectual and spiritual development (http://tarotconference.co.uk). Harris blended the modern and the traditional in designing these boards which acted as teaching aids in Masonry. She implemented the Projective Geometry in the design of the boards whilst maintaining the traditional symbolism of the Freemasonry craft.
This form of geometry would have involved studying Higher Mathematics (aided through her study of anthroposophy), and where configurations of lines and points had to be studied. During the process of painting the Tarot cards she had to produce factors and images which included; Hebrew letters, numbers, different scales of colour and illustrations and representations for each of the cards. Fortunately, letters between Crowley and Harris remain in existence, and one can see through their correspondence regarding the Tarot cards the level of detail that is discussed at great length during the process of their creation (www.hermetic.com).
This kind of detailed work and application of knowledge would have been satisfying and stimulating for Harris and is in keeping with the meticulous characteristic of Mercury in Virgo; it also paves the way for craft, specialism and technique. Harris has been described as “a skilled artist” (Crowley, 1985: xii). Some of the mediums that Harris used as an artist were charcoal, pastels and watercolours. The perfecting and scrupulous pulse of Mercury and Venus in Virgo would have given an energy, which would have helped Harris to produce the exact and precise result that she was working towards in her creative work. The spirited and visionary nature of her Sun Leo would have given her confidence and determination to help her achieve her aims.
Harris’s commitment in the process of creating the Tarot deck for Crowley was immense and it has been said that “Her success as his interpreter surpasses belief” (Crowley, 1985: xii). Apparently, she often painted ‘”The same card as many as eight times until it measured up to his Vanadium Steel yardstick” (ibid).It has also been said about her that her long collaboration with Crowley led to his Tarot pack being “executed with uncommon brilliance by Frieda to Crowley’s exacting design” (Churton, 2011:370). As we already know Crowley was a Sun Sign Libra and Harris a Moon sign Libra. That being it is unsurprising that they may have deliberated on areas such as colour, design and style for the cards as these areas are associated with Libra. It is known that this sign can be indecisive and hesitant at times. It is also known that Librans like a sense of fair-play and both Crowley and Harris would have been determined to have their say until they reached a just decision.
The Book of Thoth was written to assist in understanding the images and symbolism behind the Thoth Tarot deck. The limited editions were exquisitely “bound in Moroccan leather”, “native dyed from the Niger” and the “top pages were cut and gilt”(https://www.100thmonkeypress.com). No doubt the aesthetic and visual appearance of both the book and the Tarot deck would have been of immense importance and needed to be aesthetically satisfying to Crowley and Harris.
Perhaps their differences of opinion in part, contributed to the lengthy process of the collaboration between the two; as well as the need for perfection and of course the small matter of the Second World War. This sometimes got in the way of Crowley and Harris being able to meet regularly and safely to discuss the project. They did however, manage to partially overcome the latter point; by writing frequently to each other, although postal services were also affected by the war and so not as reliable as previously. Nonetheless their sheer determination and passion for the task was unwavering and they continued as best as they could with the creation and development of the Tarot cards.
The venture had begun in 1938 the year before the war broke out and before Harris had settled in the Cotswolds. Prior to this, Crowley had been a regular visitor to Mr and Mrs Harris home in Chiswick, London. This was mainly to see Frieda but also to see if he could gain any information from Percy, regarding what the government’s intentions were concerning the oncoming Second World War. However, her husband was concerned about his wife’s well-being for he wrote in his diary, “Found Frieda rather tired. I am inclined to think Crowley who has been to see her, an exhausting influence” (Whitehouse, 2018:16).
THEATRE PARTNERSHIPS
Her strive for perfection in her creative work is also seen not only in years of application and commitment to the Thoth Tarot cards, but also for the set-designs that she made for the modernist Ram Gapol’s dance production. He was progressive and was one of the first to showcase classical Indian dance in the West which started in the 1930s in London (although the production that Harris was involved with was performed in the mid-1950s). No doubt Harris would have enjoyed working with another man who was unique and visionary, just as Crowley was. This production outlined a large ballet incorporating the life of Shah Jahan and with a backdrop of the Taj Mahal (Ashford Harris, 22018:250). She made models of the set-design and wrote “It took me years before we were all satisfied and I was tired out. My husband had died; I was alone and without responsibilities” (Ashford Harris, 2018:251).
| Royal Opera House “Les Imaginaires” ballet programme, August 1934, showing scenery created by Blanch and Harris |
The time she undertook in creating the designs for Gopal’s show, not only reveals her perfecting nature but also how artistically she was willing to adapt for him, just as she had for Crowley’s work. This would have made her a great collaborator to work with and interestingly alliances and partnerships are associated to her Moon sign Libra the sign which particularly enjoys one to one projects.
Another example of her ability to work in a partnership can be seen where she worked with her great friend bohemian Lesley Blanch. She later became an author, historian, journalist and traveller. In August 1934 they were responsible for the set design of a two-act ballet at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London “Les Imaginaires” (Wearing, 2014:377).
The piece was described as a “Euclidian drama” and the plot, a sad story about a Circle’s love for an Isosceles Triangle. It followed a course by which “an evil Star and a tyrannical Blackboard, Chalk and Sponge do not allow to run smooth’” (Boston, 2010:37).
Les Imaginaires was directed by David Lichine and premiered in Paris (Blanch, 2015:11). His style of the ballet was described as “Euclidian” indicates, that in her design for the production Harris (along with Lesley Blanch) would have been creating a set design which involved using mathematical geometry.
HIGHER EDUCATION
This is pertinent to Harris since she was as has already been discussed, studying Projective Geometry (through anthroposophy) in the mid-thirties. Therefore, she was able to blend her mathematical education into her creativity, which is demonstrated not only in her set design for the ballet, but also her Masonic Tracing boards and of course in the paintings for the Tarot cards.
Little is known of Harris’ early formal art training although the Harris family believe it possible that she went to the Slade Art School in London. Unfortunately registers for the mid to late eighteen nineties are not in existence to clarify Harris’ duration and achievements there. Interestingly, Harris’ co-designer (Lesley Blanch of ‘Les Imaginaires’) in October 1921 had enrolled for a Fine Art Diploma at the Slade. However, she left after only two terms of drawing classes before she was eighteen (Boston, 2010:20). As previously noted Blanch and Harris were great friends and before the pair collaborated on the aforementioned ballet scenery together, Harris painted her friend which appeared in the Sketch in 1933.
| Reproduction of a ”Painting of Miss Lesley Blanch by Frieda Harris”, by permission of the Mary Evans Library. |
If Frieda Harris did attend the Slade Art School it is probable that she previously attended Heatherley’s School of Fine Art. This is because Heatherley’s was the only art school in the country that allowed women to do life drawing in mixed classes. It was the first choice of art school for virtually every female art student and classes were booked by the term. It would have enabled the students to prepare a portfolio of work before the admissions interview at The Slade. (Heatherley’s, archivist information to author).
Unfortunately, there are no registers before 1907 for Heatherley School (which was based in Newman Street, London) and registers post this year, show no name of Bloxam or Harris. So we don’t really know evidentially if Harris went to The Slade or Heatherley Art School. Interestingly and much later, other members of the Harris family did attend The Slade Art School, and one member worked in the area of stage design for a while following in Frieda’s footsteps.
Designing sets for the medium of ballet is quite interesting astrologically. This is because in Harris’ natal chart the positions of Mars and Saturn are in Pisces, the sign which is which is ruled by Neptune. Dance is associated with Neptune and in Medical Astrology the feet are ruled by Neptune/Pisces. The positions of Mars and Saturn in Pisces will be discussed further on in more detail.
KINDLINESS, VALUING ‘ME-TIME’ AND MONEY
Venus in Virgo suggests that Harris valued consideration and helpfulness and that in partnerships she could be kind and thoughtful. As Venus is retrograde, it also suggests that she may have needed respite breaks in her partnerships and relationships. This is born out with her husband for example, when they separated for a short while in the early nineteen forties. It is possible that at times, she may have had a tendency towards criticism and disapproval in her relationships since these characteristics are also associated with Virgo. This is borne out by the aspect in her natal chart of Mercury conjunct Venus. As Harris had an interest in reincarnation, she may have been interested in what the astrologer and homeopath, Mrs Alice D. Fowler, had to say about retrograde planets which was “Retrograde planets indicate the negative character traits that are carried over from past lifetimes” (Yott 1978:3)
One small example of her condemnation can be seen whereby she complained (and often), in letters to Crowley about when Percy used to come and visit her in the Cotswolds, where she had escaped to concentrate on her painting. She was critical because it usually meant that a social gathering would ensue, with her having to entertain other people and cook for them, when she would rather have spent her time painting, which was the whole purpose of her being in the Cotswolds. Crowley wrote to their mutual friend Louis Wilkinson on 6th February 1942 and he described Harris’ family as being “family vampires draining her of every ounce of energy”, he continued and scorned her many contacts as “her horde of Bloomsbury-minded parasites, satellites, and sycophants constantly poisoning her mind” (Churton 2021 :193). From these remarks it appears that Crowley was protective over Harris’ time and whom she spent her precious time with; especially when it was time that he felt could be better spent working on her paintings for his Tarot deck.
The symbol of Virgo is the Corn Maiden or Virgin. It is an independent sign and even when involved in relationships this sign prefers to remain whole unto themselves. Her husband wrote of how he appreciated her having her own interests and not emerging herself into his life alone. He said, “I have seen so many public men followed about by their spouses…To me it has always been a relief that I can find recreation in talking with her on subjects outside political life” (Harris, 1947:192). Fortunately, he was interested in similar subjects as his wife such as art, drama, and music (ibid).
Venus is associated with not only relationships but also finances and security. The position of Venus in Virgo shows that Harris could be thrifty with finances making them go a long way and also that she had respect for money. It also suggests that she had a strong work ethic and was not afraid of earning her own living.
One example of her kindliness and pragmatic nature can be seen when for a period of time Crowley was financially embarrassed. She suggested that she would pay him a stipend of two pounds a week, which was a fairly considerable amount then. In return he would teach her magic; this was to help her gain a better understand of the magical principles that were fundamental to his Tarot deck. This was acceptable to Crowley and so the arrangement ensued (https://rwwgroupblog.com). Towards the end of her life she wrote that she “had dabbled a bit in vague magic. I had designed a pack of Tarot cards and illustrated ‘The Chemical marriage of Christian Rosencrantz with academic symbols” (Ashford Harris, 2018:249). This is a humble and modest understatement to say the least, especially given the time invested in the project and the impact that it had in esoteric and occult circles, then and in the future.
Harris has been described as Crowley’s “treasurer” (Ashford Harris, 2018: 222) and on many occasions she paid for him when they dined out. They both loved gourmet food and enjoyed the experience of dining at different restaurants. However, Crowley could be assuming and ungrateful for in his annoyance he wrote in his diary about her caution with money. For example, “Frieda kicking about cost of supper” (ibid: 221) and “FH’s churlish hysteria …it is only her insane reactions about money that do harm” (ibid: 219). Clearly he did not appreciate her sensible attitude towards money and being questioned about it by her. He wrote in his diary that she was “insane, bullying and threatening” ‘(ibid 219).His management of money, his and other people’s, was clearly poles apart from Harris’ responsible attitude towards finances and disposable income.
During the Second World War when: clothing, food, petrol and use of the telephone was all rationed; she had to reprimand Crowley and wrote to him, “I am rationed for petrol so I can’t fetch and carry you” she continued “I am limited to 3 minutes on the telephone price 2/- any time“ (Whitehouse, 2018:16) .
Although Harris lived in relative luxury (with her family and servants for example), she was also able to adapt to living a frugal life; for example, in 1939 when she retreated to the Cotswolds countryside from London during the Second World War. This was to avoid the compulsory blackouts and threats of German air-raids and where she could devote herself to painting (Kaczynski, Signpost 6-2017:7).For a while she was forced to live in a caravan whilst essential works were being carried out in her adjacent country home Rolling Stone Orchard. When she first moved into her home she lived alone with no servant (which was a change) and there were no friends in the area. She lived in the top of the garage there, with no electric lighting (only gas), no drainage and no hot water and without telephone and wireless (ibid). She must have been desperate to get away from London and was prepared to sacrifice from her normal privileged city-life whatever the consequences.
This secluded and sparse existence suited her in that it meant she could paint without interruptions. She wrote to Crowley “I have more leisure time and have less disturbance by telephone & the nervous vibrations of a political life” (Kaczynski, Signpost 6-2017:8).
EMIGRATION, CHALLENGING RELATIONSHIPS AND SPIRITUAL FULFILLMENT
In her mid-seventies Harris followed Ram Gopal out to Ceylon and decided to emigrate in India, which was courageous at that age and although it was a huge cultural difference for her, she must have spiritually connected there. She bought a houseboat called ‘Starlight’ which was on Lake Srinagar beneath the Himalayas in Kashmir (Ashford Harris, 2018: 197). She had a houseboy servant who looked after her until she died there in 1962. He was called Shaban and her son Jack who had visited her there, recalls how Shaban had “learned to cook the awful milk puddings she liked in addition to the fruit and vegetables, which were grown on the floating island on the lake” (Ashford Harris, 2018:198). Clearly from this existence she was living a very frugal life and seemed she was satisfied spiritually, having found a way of life that was meaningful to her; sadly it was not until her perennial years that she found such inner contentment and peace.
Returning to the astrology again, Venus is opposite Saturn in her natal chart and suggests that she took art and relationships seriously and that love and discipline were important in her partnerships. However, Saturn is associated with fear and so she may have feared becoming a ‘shadow’ in close relationships, thus losing her freedom and independence. The aspect also suggests that she could endure relationships and any burdens that came with them. Perhaps she was also tested in her relationships as Saturn creates barriers, and defences, also in her closest partnerships there may have been times when she created such obstructions herself. For example, she and Percy separated for a while in the early 1940s (as discussed earlier) as their marriage had become strained. By Summer of 1944 they had managed to resolve their differences and were on better terms, although when she returned to London she did not stay in the family home at Chiswick but instead had taken rooms in Marylebone, London (Whitehouse, 2018, pt2:16).
Time is also a key principle of Saturn, and as it is opposing Venus suggests she may have imposed limits on her time spent with her husband, certainly when she retreated to the countryside to concentrate on her art and to escape being a supportive politician’s wife. Her husband observed her commitment and diligence as an artist whilst painting the Tarot cards, “She takes her art seriously, in fact works at her painting seven days a week and generally twelve hours out of the twenty-four”(Harris, 1947:192).He also wrote in his diary “the fact that my wife was so busy with her painting made it difficult for me to enjoy idleness” (ibid).Clearly, she had to divide her time between her passion of art and domestic obligations which must have been burdensome at times. From this example, we can see the aspect of Venus opposing Saturn at play. Percy Harris recognised that at crucial times in his political life, such as election times his wife was especially helpful. He claimed his wife “has been splendid at election time, when she has generally worked herself to the bone. She believes in my political star and could not bear to see it dimmed” (ibid). This shows how much she loved her husband and cared about his career and wanted him to flourish in politics.
SACRIFICE, ESCAPE AND SERVICE
The position of Venus in Virgo and Saturn in Pisces shows that Frieda could be a kind and helpful partner as well as compassionate and self-sacrificing. Mars is also positioned in Pisces which shows that she enjoyed working-behind-the scenes. This is borne out not only in her supportive role to her husband through his political career, but also through her own talents as an artist, designer and illustrator. She would have needed to escape from mundane areas of life, perhaps temporarily being reclusive in order to let her imagination create its’ magic. This can be seen, for example, when she deliberately organised time away from domesticity in order to concentrate on her painting and to escape from the demands of her husband’s political life (e.g. organising entertainment at home and cooking for his associates). This may have put a strain on their marriage and Frieda may have felt that she was sacrificing too many of her own needs.
Mars is conjunct Saturn in the natal chart and this aspect indicates that she had qualities of endurance and stamina. Because both planets are in Pisces (a sign belonging to the mutable mode), it indicates that Harris also had the capacity to make adjustments where necessary without too much difficulty. In 1939 she bought the aforementioned residence called Rolling Stone Orchard in Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds. This was specifically meant for her to be able to relax without any interruptions so that she could paint. She wrote to Crowley “my spiritual state has been sadly neglected, perhaps because I have been trying to paint and live Percy’s life at the same time” (Whitehouse, 2017:7); she continued “Now these circumstances are giving me a chance… I have had 3 day’s rest, the first in 2 years” (ibid).This shows how she was supportive to her husband and sacrificed her own needs in order to support him.
When her younger son and his father visited her at Chipping Campden she declared in a letter to Crowley that “Nick has come home on leave –I have been delighted but am quite unable to cope with maternal life, cooking & households & Percy & politics, so have been bewildered” (ibid). Clearly from this example, it seems that her own private space was invaded depriving her of the much needed space that she craved for. Despite her and her husband’s campaigning for equal rights and fairness for women, in their personal lives (and certainly in this particular situation), Frieda was expected to execute the ‘traditional’ roles of women in the home. Seemingly her husband and son were not expected to carry out, or perhaps even willing to undertake the cooking and domestic chores.
When Lord and Lady Harris were living together in Chiswick however, she at least had some respite from these duties as they had servants in that abode. This shows the duties and obligations (Saturn) she felt in her relationship (Venus) but recognised that her own emotional and spiritual needs were integral too. By purchasing her own retreat, it reveals not only her creative and independent Leo nature, but also that she could afford the time (Saturn) that she needed to pursue her art, and possibly felt duty bound towards Crowley.
Venus opposing Saturn also shows how hardworking, practical and trusting she could be, qualities that Crowley must have grown to recognise in her, as over several years she worked tirelessly on painting his designs for the Tarot cards. She was a perfectionist and would have wanted her paintings the best that they could be for herself as well as delivering the ultimate images for Crowley’s designs.
Saturn in Pisces indicates that Harris could be compassionate and self-sacrificing and would do anything to help the people close to her. The position also shows that she took spirituality seriously and that she needed to create boundaries in order to work at her optimum best. Her Moon in Libra also shows that peace and harmony were integral to her well-being and that she needed balance and calm for a sense of equilibrium. Jupiter is square Saturn in her natal chart and suggests that in her life she may have swung between optimistic and pessimistic moods. This is because these areas are associated with the aforementioned planets respectively: Jupiter is expansive by nature whilst Saturn restricts so are opposing polarities.
Mercury conjunct Venus shows she had a love of Venusian themes such as; beauty and love, design and style, colour and co-ordination and that she had skills in artistic and creative areas which we know to be true. Although she became most famous in esoterical circles for painting Aleister Crowley’s Tarot cards which accompanied his Book of Thoth, she also applied her artistic talents in other areas too. For example, in 1946 she designed the dust jacket for Crowley’s book Olla: an anthology of sixty years of song.
As we already know, she was friends with the famous classical choreographer dancer Ram Gopal and after the Second World War, she actually created the set design for his aforementioned dance company’s London ballet tour of ‘The Taj Mahal’, which featured the life of the fifth Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (Harris,2018:197/250). The set for the production was based on a lotus theme that Gopal had suggested (Ashford Harris, 2018:250). Each scene was blended with traditional Indian dancers and was dominated by a planet or a sign of the zodiac (Ashford Harris, 2018:251).
The celebrated ballet dancer and cast member of the aforementioned ballet, Kumundi Lakhia; reflected later in her life upon the Taj Mahal production; of the excitement of the Indian ballet being the production to open a new theatre in London (thought to be The Royal Festival Hall). She observed how productions and performances (as well as the audiences) of the West were more formal than those in the East. She also said when discussing the production “There was one lady, Frieda Harris a big painter in London. She did the sets” (https://www.sahapedia.org).
LEARNING QUICKLY AND SPEAKING FRANKLY
Mercury is opposing Mars in Harris’ natal chart and suggests that she could be assertive, direct and frank in her communications; such are the characteristics of Mars. Another example of her straightforwardness is that she believed that Aleister Crowley’s teachings and explanations were not accessible and far too convoluted. She told him this and virtually forced him “to reproduce the whole of his Magical Mind pictorially on the skeleton of the ancient Qabalistic tradition” (Crowley, 1985: xii) for the Tarot deck which he was designing. He accepted and enthusiastically agreed to her instruction. This demonstrates that she could put her thoughts into action and preferred communication to be clear and concise.
Harris was by no means a pushover and could defend herself against Crowley if necessary. One example of this can be seen whereby she wrote to Crowley in 1939 and in her letter she wrote “I have to write plainly to you because I enjoy our friendship and your instruction very much,” she continued, “it is entirely spoilt by your attempts to use me as your bank and financial adviser. I have frequently told you that I have nothing but a weekly allowance & that out of that I have given you all I can spare” (Ashford Harris:218, 2018). This shows her assertive nature and also that she did not appreciate her kindness and generosity being taken for granted. It also shows that she had a respect for money too and did not like it squandered. The letter also shows just how much Crowley was financially embarrassed, given his frequent requests for her for money.
One example of her learning quickly (as suggested by Mercury opposing Mars) can be seen when she first began work on the paintings for Crowley’s deck which illustrated his The Book of Thoth. The task started when she was in her sixties and although she had very scarce knowledge of the Tarot she, “possessed in her own right the Essential Spirit of the Book” (Crowley/Therion, 1985: xii). What was anticipated as several months work eventually turned into an endeavour of several years, albeit a labour of love. It has been said that she had to interpret Crowley’s meagre “rough sketches” and “mere descriptions” and that “With incredible rapidity she picked up the rhythm” (ibid).Not bad for somebody who had little knowledge of the Tarot!
Her candid communication style is also demonstrated, where at the end of the aforementioned letter she warned Crowley not to expect to make a fortune from the sales of his Tarot cards. She wrote “Your books are wonderful but you must not expect the reading or money-making world to buy them as they don’t want to think” (www.hermetic.com).This shows contempt for the money-making world, but also her plain speaking and pragmatic attitude towards Crowley’s unrealistic expectations.
Mercury opposing Mars also indicates that she may have spoken sharp and swiftly and at times may even have been impatient and impulsive. This is because these qualities are associated with hasty and straight talking Mars, whilst Mercury is connected with communication and the mind. The many surviving letters from her between her and Crowley illustrate this astrological aspect perfectly.
Here is another example of her communication, blunt and straight forward. Harris delivered a lecture on her Tarot card paintings at the Sesame Club in London (approx.1942). When addressing her audience she said to them towards the end of the lecture that “we should be standing here all day long and be bored, to give an adequate description of the Tarot cards” (http://www.tarokki.fi/tarotpuu/2011/03/18/). This shows that she was aware of the concentration span of her audience (perhaps even her own) and that she wanted to retain their interest and keep them engaged. All in all,the Mercury opposition to Mars aspect would have been a helpful aspect in helping her to be a direct and efficient speaker and writer.
In 1942 when she was living in the Cotswolds, she was invited to exhibit her paintings of the Tarot cards as part of Chipping Campden’s community Battleship Week (also known as Warship Week) and which was held to try and raise much needed funds for the Second World War efforts. She wrote to Crowley and told him of the assortment of visitors to her exhibition, “In the face of the Tarot, they look a bit ashamed and awed or else they want their silly fortunes told. I could cry sometimes”(Whitehouse,2018:17). She also informed him that some of the patrons were “Very stuffy old ladies & very ancient men” and …little boys who “ask intelligent questions & go solemnly round and stare” (ibid).
Venus is also opposite Mars in her natal chart and suggests that Harris may have had to fight (Mars) for her art (Venus). One example for this can be seen whereby she organised exhibitions and lectures of her paintings once they were finished hoping that a funder would propose to finance the printing of the Tarot cards (Kaczynski, 2017:11).Sir Percy Harris seemed proud of his wife’s diligence and artwork and said when the critics found out that ‘Frieda Harris’ (her signature on some of her work) was his wife, “she is immediately written down as an amateur and accordingly disparaged” (Harris, 1947:192). He wrote that she “had an immense output of pictures and painted attractive landscapes” (ibid). Another obvious example of Harris fighting for her art, is through her determination to achieve what she wanted to, in painting Crowley’s deck, where she had to argue her case for her paintings.
The aspect between Venus and Mars also suggests that she asserted herself in anything which was aesthetically pleasing and beautiful and where colour and design were necessary such as the Thoth Tarot cards and Rom Gapol’s theatre set which have already been discussed. There is another example pertaining to her Projective Geometry. Her teachers George Adams and Olive Whicher, whom she met whilst attending courses at The Rudolph Steiner House in London (in the mid-thirties) were teaching the subject there. Eventually, the three became friends and Harris inspired them to use “very hard coloured pencils as well as very soft pastel colours for work with plant pictures” (http://www.parareligion.ch). They obviously took to her suggestions for some of their work is still hung in the Rudolph Steiner House (ibid).
Whicher described Harris as a “Friendly and special person” (ibid). Harris also told them that she incorporated some of what she had learnt in their courses into the Tarot cards that she was painting for Crowley. She was described as the Artist Executant of the cards and “She devoted her genius to the Work” (Crowley, 1985xii).These examples above show that she was inspired and motivated and could take the initiative where her art was concerned which is in keeping with the Venus and Mars opposition.
OUTER PLANETS AND GENERATIONS
Moving on now to the outer planets of Neptune and Pluto which are slow moving planets, looking at the sign which they reside in provides an indication of a generation of people. Had the exact time of Harris’ birth been known, we could have seen from the house system (see glossary) in her natal chart, how the position of Neptune and Pluto would have impacted her at an even greater deeper level.
Neptune takes approximately one hundred and sixty-four years to make a complete cycle, spending approximately twelve years or so in each sign. The ecliptical nature of Neptune’s orbit means that at times it can spend longer in some signs and less in others. Harris was born when Neptune was retrograde in Taurus at seven degrees. Therefore, it could be said that she was born into a generation that would become engrossed with art, magic, poetry, religion and creative writing. This is because the nature of Taurus is fixed and Neptune alludes to the aforementioned subjects.
During the 1875-1888 cycle of Neptune in Taurus, it is interesting to note that The Theosophical Society was formally founded in 1875 in New York, U.S.A. and The Blavatsky Lodge of the Society in London was started in 1887 (Lachman 2014:245). The Society for Psychical Research was founded in 1882 in England, while The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was formed in 1888 with its Isis-Urania temple formed in London. It could be argued that Neptune’s magic and spirituality was being stabilised, in the sense, that the visionary ideals of the practitioners were given security with a headquarters for the aforementioned societies.
Self-sacrifice is also associated with Neptune, whilst finances and personal assets are associates of earthy and practical Taurus. The suffering, unseen, and the vulnerable are all associated with Neptune. We can see this in the wider context of English society at that time. For example, The National Society for Protection against Cruelty to Children (known today as the N.S.P.C.C.) was founded in 1884 by Benjamin Waugh.
Pluto was at twenty five degrees in Taurus in Harris’ natal chart and in the wider generational context, shows that British society was being transformed and there was a compulsion to unearth the taboos in society, using wealth and status to regenerate areas of society in a very practical and enduring way.
As previously noted, Neptune and Pluto are both outer planets and they take a long time to complete a cycle, the examples above show how the energy of Neptune and Pluto influenced a generation of people over a long period of time. This included the birth of the aforementioned organisations where people who needed the service of them could benefit, albeit for different reasons depending on the organisation involved.
THE END OF HER LIFETIME AND ASTROLOGICAL TRANSITS
Marguerite Frieda Harris died in India at the age of eighty-five on 5thNovember, 1962 and clearly she lived a long time which is in keeping with her paternal side of the family. She was a determined and unique individual; sometimes courageous and eccentric, and yet in other ways she could be quite customary. For example, her children (like other generations in her family and class) were sent to Boarding and Independent Schools. Therefore in the sense of motherhood she was not tied to the home as her children were educated and living elsewhere. She was devoted to her husband and supported him throughout his lengthy political career. They had a long-standing relationship and they knew each other since they were children, both families living in the same area. They remained married until Percy’s death in 1952 although in the nineteen forties there had been a short-separation.
John Symonds (Aleister Crowley’s literary executor) claimed that Frieda Harris upon answering his questioning about “How she had stuck with Percy for so long”, then “replied briefly in an undertone that she had a lover” (Ashford Harris, 2018:222). If this was true about her affair, perhaps Percy knew about it and did not object to it.
As seen from earlier observations, her passion from a young age was art and she enjoyed subjects around art such as philosophy and spirituality. In her lifetime she never saw the Tarot deck on which she worked, earnestly and passionately, published. One wonders what she would have made of its popularity today. Would she have given herself credit for her drive and motivation to get the task finished, especially in critical conditions i.e. the Second World War.
Harris was adaptable and versatile, enjoyed learning and could be of practical help and service to those she was very close to. Had she been alive today she may have put an end to some of the many myths about her dear friend Aleister Crowley. She may have hoped also that the Tarot Deck was not used for ‘fortune–telling’ but instead to help the individual on their spiritual path through meditation and visualisation.
When Harris died she was experiencing the following astrological transits (amongst others); transiting Neptune sextile natal Mercury and transiting Pluto conjunct natal Mercury. These are associated with communication, the mind and health, so we could expect the transiting planets to impact on any of these areas in her life. If we had known Harris’ time of birth, we would be able to see the specific parts of her life that the transits were impacting upon her from the House System.
Transiting Neptune sextile natal Mercury indicates that towards the end of her life she may have become even more creative especially in the areas of art, painting and writing. However, as Neptune is also associated with bewilderment and confusion, it is possible that she experienced dreams and voices of delusion which may have led to forgetfulness and perhaps even anxiety about her own mind.
Such insecurity may have made her elusive and even vulnerable. Her son Jack recalled how in her later years “Frieda was getting more and more eccentric and we were much embarrassed by her behaviour on a short visit to England” (Ashford Harris, 2018, 198). He continued that “On one occasion we lost her and I found her hanging onto a marine outside the American Embassy”. She returned to India and died shortly afterwards (ibid).
Transiting Pluto conjunct natal Mercury suggests that she her ideas and opinions may have changed drastically and that any communication with others would have taken on a greater significance and intensity such is the nature of Pluto’s energy. She may have reached a new understanding about life. Any ideas and subject that she may have been investigating may have become compulsive to her as other characteristics of Pluto include fixation and obsession.
Transformation and death are also associated with Pluto and so she may have been of mind that she would die in Singria her spiritual home, perhaps even wanting to die there for spiritual reasons. Perhaps that is why she made a hasty retreat from England back to India (as discussed previously).
It seems that she was thought of very fondly by her community and neighbours in Singria. Her son Jack and his wife visited Harris’s boat Starlight after her death and he described it as “Large and dank” (Ashford Harris, 2018:198). He said that “Frieda had become some sort of Saint and her portrait was in the sitting room surrounded by flowers”. She was buried in the Church of England cemetery (ibid), seemingly she had not ever converted to her late husband’s Jewish faith.
Acknowledgments, Credits & References
I am very grateful to Paul Ashford Harris, grandson of Frieda Harris for his kindness, time and generosity of spirit in sharing knowledge about his family and granting permission to use the photograph of Frieda Harris as a young woman.
Heatherley School of Fine Art / Archive Service: for information regarding its’ : history, women in mixed classes for life drawing /preparing a portfolio for interview for admission to Slade School of Fine Art.
I am very grateful to Elizabeth Crawford at https://womanandhersphere.com for detail and information about Frieda Harris’ membership of the N.U.W.S.S.
Mark Hetherington, Artist and illustrator- for art detail on ‘Winchelsea, A Legend’.
The Marlow Museum, Buckinghamshire, the Secretary for anecdotes on Frieda Harris.
The Museum Assistant at the Museum of the Order of St. John’s –for information about John Astley Bloxams’ membership of the organisation.
New English Art Club Membership Department for information about ‘Jesus Chutney’ exhibiting the work ‘Tony Galloway’ in 1929.
Curator at Winchelsea Court Museum for local anecdotes on Frieda Harris.
Rodden Rating ‘X’ –time of birth unknown.
Certificates:
Birth Certificate: Marguerite Frieda Bloxam: General Register, PR8 2JD, U.K. /Birth Certificate no BXCG 672416: 13th August 1877.
Marriage Certificate: Percy Alfred Harris &Marguerite Frieda Bloxam General Register, PR8 2JD, U.K /Marriage Certificate no. MXH 615256 on 02/04/1901.
Books
Bax, C. Some I Knew Well (1951), Published by Phoenix House Limited.
Blanch, L. On The Wilder Shores of Love, A Bohemian Life (2015), Published by Virago Press.
Booth, M. A Magickal Life-A Biography of Aleister Crowley (2000), Published by Coronet Books –Hodden & Stoughton.
Boston, A. Lesley Blanch Inner Landscapes, Wilder Shores (2010), Published by John Murray.
Churton, T. Aleister Crowley The Biography (2011), Published by Watkins Publishing.
Churton, T. Aleister Crowley in England, The Return of The Great Beast (2021) Published by Inner Traditions.
Crawford, E. Campaigning for the Vote: Kate Parry Frye’s Suffrage Diary’ (2013), edited by Elizabeth Crawford, Published by Francis Boutle Publishers.
Crowley, A.(The Master Therion)The Book of Thoth (Egyptian Tarot)’ (1985), eleventh printing Published by Samuel Weiser, Inc.
Decker R. and Dummett M.A History of The Occult Tarot (2013), Published by Duckworth Overlook.
DuQuette, L.M. (2017) Understanding Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot New Edition(2017)Published by Weiser Books.
Gopal, R. Rhythm in The Heavens(1957), Published by Martin Secker & Warburg Ltd.
Hand, R. Planets in Aspect, Understanding Your Inner Dynamics (1974), Published by Whitford Press.
Harris Ashford, P. Odd Boy Out (2018), Published by Ventura Press.
Harris, Sir Percy Forty Years in and out of Parliament (1947), Published by Andrew Melrose Limited.
Kaczynski, R. Perdurabo (2010), Published by North Atlantic Books.
Olliver, V. Chasing the DRAGONS, An Introduction to Draconic Astrology(2022) Published by The Wessex Astrologer Ltd.
Schulman, M. Karmic Astrology The Moon’s Nodes and Reincarnation Volume 1(1977), Published by The Aquarian Press.
Tompkins, S. Aspects in Astrology: A Comprehensive Guide To Interpretation (1989), Published by Element Books.
Wearing, P.J. The London Stage 1930-1939 (2014),Published by Roman &Littlefield.
Yott, D.H. Retrograde Planets and Reincarnation, Astrology and Reincarnation, Volume 1(1978) Published by Samuel Weiser, Inc.
Journals
‘Signpost’ The Journal of Chipping Camden History Society: ‘Cartomancy In The Cotswolds’ by Richard Kaczynski, Issue no. 6, Spring 2017.
‘Signpost’ The Journal of Chipping Camden History Society: Rolling Stone Orchard-the Artists’ Wartime Retreat’, part 1 by Deja Whitehouse , Re-Issue no.7 , Autumn 2017.
‘Signpost’ The Journal of Chipping Camden History Society: ‘Rolling Stone Orchard-the Artists’ Wartime Retreat’, part 2 by Deja Whitehouse, Issue no.8 , Spring 2018.
Newspaper Article
Evening Post (London Newspaper), 02/08/1926 –page number unknown –Editorial re: the death of Wolf Harris and his estate.
Websites
https://brill.com/view/journals/arie/21/1/article-p125_6.xml – accessed May 2022 – ‘Mercury is in a Very Ape-Like Mood’, Frieda Harris’ Perception of Thelema’ by Deja Whitehouse- Online publication date 14th December 2021).
https://hermetic.com/sabazius/frieda-lady-harris – accessed on 10/03/2019.
https://hermetic.com/crowley/crowley-harris/ Letter May 10th1939 -accessed on 19/03/2019.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046951/fullcredits – accessed on 26/03/2019 – Ram Gopal listed as choreographer.
https://livesonline.rcseng.ac.uk/client/en_GB/lives/search/detailnonmodal/accessed 27/01/2019.
https://www.100thmonkeypress.com/biblio/acrowley/books/book_of_thoth_1944/book_of_thoth_1944.htm -accessed on 21/03/2019.
http://www.parareligion.ch/dplanet/stephen/claas/olive_e.html – accessed on 24/01/2019
https://paulhughesbarlow.com/frieda-harris-artist-thoth-tarot/ – accessed on 24/03/2018
https://rwwgroupblog.com/2011/05/19/women-the-occult-lady-frieda-harris-artist-of-the-thoth-tarot/ -accessed on 25/01/2019.
https://www.sahapedia.org/looking-the-pulse-of-kathak – accessed on 10/03/2019.
http://www.tarokki.fi/tarotpuu/2011/03/18/lecture-on-the-tarot-by-frieda-lady-harris-sesame-club-1942/- accessed on 28/12/ 2018.
http://tarotconference.co.uk/lady-frieda-harris-rare-posters/ -accessed on 26/01/2019.
https://www.twixtearthandsky.com/Astrology/EAS_Astrology_Merc_Retro.htm – accessed on 24/04/2022– twelve per cent of population with four retrograde planets in their natal chart.
https://womanandhersphere.com/tag/suffrage-procession/-accessed on 07/02/2019 –about colour of banner and Mrs Percy Harris having to fall out.
https://rwwgroupblog.com/2011/05/19/women-the-occult-lady-frieda-harris-artist-of-the-thoth-tarot/ -accessed on 24/03/2018: Harris paying Crowley £2 stipend to be taught magic.
https://sydneyrudolfsteinercollege.com/resources/anthroposophy/ – accessed on 05/06/2022- definition of Anthroposophy.
https://visualmelt.com/Lady-Frieda-Harris – accessed on 25/01/2019.
https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5284/dhyana – accessed on 04/06/2022– definition of Dhyana.
Copyright © Andrea J. Miles 2022
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