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The Equinox
Gems from the Equinox: Instructions by Aleister Crowley for His Own Magical Order
A unique resource for students of occultism, mysticism, Thelema, and magick that draws on Aleister Crowley’s writings as published in the periodical the Equinox .
In the original ten volumes of the Equinox , Alesiter Crowley succeeded in synthesizing the aim of religion and the method of science. Equinox—a periodical first published in 1909—mainly featured articles about occultism and magick, while several issues also contained poetry, fiction, plays, artwork, and biographies.
Israel Regardie's selections from those ten original volumes are presented here in Gems of the Equinox . The book serves as a veritable textbook for the magickal orders A.A. and O.T.O. It includes material on Crowley's magical order, magical rituals, yoga, invocations, and sex magick, among many other topics. Although it is written for the advanced practitioner, beginners will gain much from its many pages of wisdom, including yoga postures and breathing techniques, ceremonial rituals and meditations, an Enochian magick primer, and The Book of the Law .
In the original ten volumes of the Equinox , Alesiter Crowley succeeded in synthesizing the aim of religion and the method of science. Equinox—a periodical first published in 1909—mainly featured articles about occultism and magick, while several issues also contained poetry, fiction, plays, artwork, and biographies.
Israel Regardie's selections from those ten original volumes are presented here in Gems of the Equinox . The book serves as a veritable textbook for the magickal orders A.A. and O.T.O. It includes material on Crowley's magical order, magical rituals, yoga, invocations, and sex magick, among many other topics. Although it is written for the advanced practitioner, beginners will gain much from its many pages of wisdom, including yoga postures and breathing techniques, ceremonial rituals and meditations, an Enochian magick primer, and The Book of the Law .
1134 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1974
54 people are currently reading
961 people want to read
About the author
Aleister Crowley
859 books1,867 followersAleister Crowley was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, novelist, mountaineer, and painter. He founded the religion of Thelema, proclaiming himself as the prophet destined to guide humanity into the Æon of Horus in the early 20th century. A prolific writer, Crowley published extensively throughout his life.
Born Edward Alexander Crowley in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, he was raised in a wealthy family adhering to the fundamentalist Christian Plymouth Brethren faith. Crowley rejected his religious upbringing, developing an interest in Western esotericism. He attended Trinity College, Cambridge, focusing on mountaineering and poetry, and published several works during this period. In 1898, he joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, receiving training in ceremonial magic from Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers and Allan Bennett. His travels took him to Mexico for mountaineering with Oscar Eckenstein and to India, where he studied Hindu and Buddhist practices.
In 1904, during a honeymoon in Cairo with his wife Rose Edith Kelly, Crowley claimed to have received "The Book of the Law" from a supernatural entity named Aiwass. This text became the foundation of Thelema, announcing the onset of the Æon of Horus and introducing the central tenet: "Do what thou wilt." Crowley emphasized that individuals should align with their True Will through ceremonial magic.
After an unsuccessful expedition to Kanchenjunga in 1905 and further travels in India and China, Crowley returned to Britain. There, he co-founded the esoteric order A∴A∴ with George Cecil Jones in 1907 to promote Thelema. In 1912, he joined the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), eventually leading its British branch and reformulating it according to Thelemic principles. Crowley spent World War I in the United States, engaging in painting and writing pro-German propaganda, which biographers later suggested was a cover for British intelligence activities.
In 1920, Crowley established the Abbey of Thelema, a religious commune in Cefalù, Sicily. His libertine lifestyle attracted negative attention from the British press, leading to his expulsion by the Italian government in 1923. He spent subsequent years in France, Germany, and England, continuing to promote Thelema until his death in 1947.
Crowley's notoriety stemmed from his recreational drug use, bisexuality, and criticism of societal norms. Despite controversy, he significantly influenced Western esotericism and the 1960s counterculture, and remains a central figure in Thelema.
Born Edward Alexander Crowley in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, he was raised in a wealthy family adhering to the fundamentalist Christian Plymouth Brethren faith. Crowley rejected his religious upbringing, developing an interest in Western esotericism. He attended Trinity College, Cambridge, focusing on mountaineering and poetry, and published several works during this period. In 1898, he joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, receiving training in ceremonial magic from Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers and Allan Bennett. His travels took him to Mexico for mountaineering with Oscar Eckenstein and to India, where he studied Hindu and Buddhist practices.
In 1904, during a honeymoon in Cairo with his wife Rose Edith Kelly, Crowley claimed to have received "The Book of the Law" from a supernatural entity named Aiwass. This text became the foundation of Thelema, announcing the onset of the Æon of Horus and introducing the central tenet: "Do what thou wilt." Crowley emphasized that individuals should align with their True Will through ceremonial magic.
After an unsuccessful expedition to Kanchenjunga in 1905 and further travels in India and China, Crowley returned to Britain. There, he co-founded the esoteric order A∴A∴ with George Cecil Jones in 1907 to promote Thelema. In 1912, he joined the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), eventually leading its British branch and reformulating it according to Thelemic principles. Crowley spent World War I in the United States, engaging in painting and writing pro-German propaganda, which biographers later suggested was a cover for British intelligence activities.
In 1920, Crowley established the Abbey of Thelema, a religious commune in Cefalù, Sicily. His libertine lifestyle attracted negative attention from the British press, leading to his expulsion by the Italian government in 1923. He spent subsequent years in France, Germany, and England, continuing to promote Thelema until his death in 1947.
Crowley's notoriety stemmed from his recreational drug use, bisexuality, and criticism of societal norms. Despite controversy, he significantly influenced Western esotericism and the 1960s counterculture, and remains a central figure in Thelema.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 25, 2014
Probably one of the finest collections of the Sacred Libers and other essays. I have recommended this to folks as an alternative to Big Blue (ABA), as it's full of base information to help you in the early stages of Thelemic practice. On top of that, it's a great refresher to revisit when you need to upgrade or feel more inspired. Great tome.
July 24, 2014
A very handy desktop reference-I am sure anyone else studying/practicing Thelema and/or it's rituals, on any level would agree (in OTO, A:.A:., independently) a must have for anyone's occult archives, in my opinion
August 23, 2013
Buying the Equinox complete is damn expensive guys, this is a great compromise.
November 20, 2022
An odd and slightly disjointed collection of material pertaining to the A A and Crowley's esoteric philosophy. No doubt the unabridged Equinox experience would be much richer, but as a dilettante in this subject I could not justify the expense.
The preface by Israel Regardie contextualises Gems from the Equinox well, and Section I gives a fascinating insight into the inner workings of the A A. Section II contains the infamous Book of the Law, which is probably the single most important thing Crowley wrote (or rather didn't write, so he claims). As a work of poetry and 20th century mythology, it's worth checking out.
Section III - on Yoga - was the most rewarding for me personally. Having never studied it independently, I can't say how much is Crowley's idiosyncratic interpretation, but I found it very compelling. Essentially formulae for a series of exercises, meditations, and thought experiments, I felt like I was really understanding something profound here. Much like Prometheus Rising, these 'rituals' are designed to break you out of your daily programming and see things from a new perspective. It seemed to me that Crowley acknowledged there are no gods or magic really, only the mind and the metaphors we can use to channel personal fulfillment (the Great Work). My understanding of his biography tells me this might be counter to his intentions, but nevertheless I took that interpretation.
Sections IV, V and most of VI (Magick, Sex Magick, and Miscellania) were lost on me. I found a lot of the content pretty impenetrable, and I concede that's down to my own lack of erudition. I will return to these again after reading more occult philosophy. One exception was The Master of the Temple - the published diary of an A A probationer undergoing his spiritual journey. This was very readable and illuminating; probably my favourite single chapter in Gems.
Section VII's overall relevance to the book, which is structured to be a manual for spiritual attainment, is questionable. Consisting of 250 pages of book reviews, it's certainly good fun to read Crowley et al ripping the shit out of other writers - he is what David Bowie would call a 'Queen Bitch' - but it sticks out like a sore thumb and can get tedious. I suppose Regardie wanted to give a flavour of the unabridged Equinox. In that case, why not include the short stories too?
Gems from the Equinox is not a book to be read from cover to cover. Its various sections will hold different appeal at different times. Some need be read only once, others can be endlessly revisited. A mixed bag, but one I'm glad to finally have on the shelf.
The preface by Israel Regardie contextualises Gems from the Equinox well, and Section I gives a fascinating insight into the inner workings of the A A. Section II contains the infamous Book of the Law, which is probably the single most important thing Crowley wrote (or rather didn't write, so he claims). As a work of poetry and 20th century mythology, it's worth checking out.
Section III - on Yoga - was the most rewarding for me personally. Having never studied it independently, I can't say how much is Crowley's idiosyncratic interpretation, but I found it very compelling. Essentially formulae for a series of exercises, meditations, and thought experiments, I felt like I was really understanding something profound here. Much like Prometheus Rising, these 'rituals' are designed to break you out of your daily programming and see things from a new perspective. It seemed to me that Crowley acknowledged there are no gods or magic really, only the mind and the metaphors we can use to channel personal fulfillment (the Great Work). My understanding of his biography tells me this might be counter to his intentions, but nevertheless I took that interpretation.
Sections IV, V and most of VI (Magick, Sex Magick, and Miscellania) were lost on me. I found a lot of the content pretty impenetrable, and I concede that's down to my own lack of erudition. I will return to these again after reading more occult philosophy. One exception was The Master of the Temple - the published diary of an A A probationer undergoing his spiritual journey. This was very readable and illuminating; probably my favourite single chapter in Gems.
Section VII's overall relevance to the book, which is structured to be a manual for spiritual attainment, is questionable. Consisting of 250 pages of book reviews, it's certainly good fun to read Crowley et al ripping the shit out of other writers - he is what David Bowie would call a 'Queen Bitch' - but it sticks out like a sore thumb and can get tedious. I suppose Regardie wanted to give a flavour of the unabridged Equinox. In that case, why not include the short stories too?
Gems from the Equinox is not a book to be read from cover to cover. Its various sections will hold different appeal at different times. Some need be read only once, others can be endlessly revisited. A mixed bag, but one I'm glad to finally have on the shelf.
January 27, 2011
Very useful collection.
February 21, 2013
I'm not the biggest fan of Thelema, anymore.
Read
January 15, 2015As always, Gems From the Equinox was great. A voluminous textbook of Magick and Mysticism.
November 12, 2016
Weiser Books, 2007. Hardcover. Book Condition: Fine. 1st Edition.
November 1, 2020
This is an excellent compromise for people like me who can’t afford the equinox complete. You need adept comprehension skills for this one. It was extremely fascinating.
July 19, 2021
I use this book to dry flowers
September 12, 2022
Much of Crowley's subsequent writing would largely re-order and rehash the material he penned in The Equinox, so if you want a one-stop look at his syncretic personal magical system this is as handy a reference volume as any, if not quite as systematic and complete as his "Book IV" (AKA Magick). I read this more out of curiosity than necessarily subscribing to Crowley's beliefs; the real gem here, as far as I'm concerned, is Crowley's deliciously funny book reviews, many of which are collected here, in which he takes pops at occult competitors and literary blowhards alike. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/201...
April 7, 2025
Aleister Crowley's books are always a very interesting read.
An insight into his very strange mind. I did like some of the ritual outlined and some of the information provided was new to me and things I would like to research further.
If you have a chance to read it, I would suggest taking it.
An insight into his very strange mind. I did like some of the ritual outlined and some of the information provided was new to me and things I would like to research further.
If you have a chance to read it, I would suggest taking it.
Currently reading
February 14, 2020good
December 8, 2023
Pretty great. More then acceptable until I can buy the full equinox set. Did have to burn my copy to avoid freezing to death. Seemed appropriate.
January 4, 2011
Considering that I had "Magick in Theory and Practice" AND "Magick" when I bought this (YEARS AGO), I considered this book a big waste of money. Most of the material in this could be found in the book(s) mentioned, including stuff from "Magick" that was never in The Equinox. Regardie's introduction was a waste of paper, those other libers included in the book weren't particularly valuable, especially not the book reviews. Much of the writings from the Equinox that I would really like were NOT included, although the worthless introduction promised some of them in the future. A promise Regardie did not keep. Such an example was "The Temple of Solomon the King". I am not a big fan of the editor; in fact, I don't like him at all. Not only did he continue his grudge against Crowley his whole life, he managed to capitalize on it for just as long. As far as this book goes, I think I am being generous with the 2 stars, and that's only because most of the writings by Crowley are decent, yet I repeat that they were easily found in other books.
September 14, 2021
Israel Regardie edited this book almost 50 years ago; selecting material from Crowley's encyclopedic ''Equinox Vol. I, Nos. 1-10. More of an overview of the set than a serious manual of instruction, one wonders why the Editor would include 250 pages of Crowley's snide reviews of works decades out-of-print.
The hardbound 1st Edition of this work, published by Lewellyn in 1973 is absolutely beautiful and eye-catching in its' cover and binding lettering, has a Smyth-sewn binding, and is *THE* one to have if you're a collector. Later editions are identical in content, but not as good in the binding.
A better and more inclusive edit/assembly of Crowley's essential Equinox material has been published as ''Diamonds From The Equinox'', edited by Joseph Marek. See my review of that volume.
The hardbound 1st Edition of this work, published by Lewellyn in 1973 is absolutely beautiful and eye-catching in its' cover and binding lettering, has a Smyth-sewn binding, and is *THE* one to have if you're a collector. Later editions are identical in content, but not as good in the binding.
A better and more inclusive edit/assembly of Crowley's essential Equinox material has been published as ''Diamonds From The Equinox'', edited by Joseph Marek. See my review of that volume.
Want to read
October 6, 2008I am not sure why I cannot get over my fascination with this jerk. This is sitting on my shelf waiting for me to get super bored.
Read
January 3, 2010Magick,Philosophy,Yoga
Read
January 21, 2019read
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews