The Aleister Crowley Collection (Mystic Archives).

by Aleister Crowley

Aleister Crowley's The Book of Lies is an important, complex work of occultism. Deciphering its many layers of hidden meaning requires a little patience and more than a beginner's knowledge of Thelema. For those interested in passing beyond the initiate stage, the reward offered by a deeper understanding of this challenging text is well worth the effort. Also included in The Aleister Crowley Collection: Crowley's seminal work The Book of the Law and his outrageous drug romp Diary of a Drug Fiend.

Genres: Poetry

304 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2024

About the author

Aleister 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.

Reviews

[Sarah Browe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clouds without water was difficult to understand at times but enjoyable to read. Moonchild was very strange and difficult to understand and was my least favorite of the three included in this book. The book of the law was probably my favorite and had a lot of good points that I agreed with for my own life.

[Adam G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had many incorrect notions of who he was, and this book was helpful. I am not a fan of his writing style, but his creative mind is impressive