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The Equinox #3.09
The Holy Books of Thelema
Crowley, Aleister (Ed. Israel Regardie )
322 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
27 people are currently reading
1067 people want to read
About the author
Aleister Crowley
866 books1,874 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 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 1, 2013
This will keep you going for ever.
It's very easy to dismiss this material after a superficial look at it. The thing is its just so densely layered you'll most likely never get to the bottom of it all.
Looking at it that way, its a great investment!
Obviously its %100 necessary for the OTO and AA student but no do doubt this material has had a massive impact on todays culture through its all encompassing messages and universal interest.
It's very easy to dismiss this material after a superficial look at it. The thing is its just so densely layered you'll most likely never get to the bottom of it all.
Looking at it that way, its a great investment!
Obviously its %100 necessary for the OTO and AA student but no do doubt this material has had a massive impact on todays culture through its all encompassing messages and universal interest.
June 15, 2019
Dodging social conflict 101
Just tagline "Do as thou wilt" to any of your problems!
Have a problem with your friends or family? Do as thou wilt!
Worrying about a partner or loved one? Do as thou wilt!
Have an issue of any kind and want to talk about it and process the logical course of action?
TO BAD! Do as thou wilt!
Wondering if you'll ever get back the time you spent reading this socially and emotionally underdeveloped book? Do as thou wilt! lol
I think Aleister Crowley was trying to do something positive to avoid conflict, but it just turned into his excuse for ignoring the pressing issues in his own life and others. At some point all the drugs he was taking just fried his brain! lol
Just tagline "Do as thou wilt" to any of your problems!
Have a problem with your friends or family? Do as thou wilt!
Worrying about a partner or loved one? Do as thou wilt!
Have an issue of any kind and want to talk about it and process the logical course of action?
TO BAD! Do as thou wilt!
Wondering if you'll ever get back the time you spent reading this socially and emotionally underdeveloped book? Do as thou wilt! lol
I think Aleister Crowley was trying to do something positive to avoid conflict, but it just turned into his excuse for ignoring the pressing issues in his own life and others. At some point all the drugs he was taking just fried his brain! lol
Read
March 31, 2023bitch i read this for jimmy page. i regret nothing.
July 20, 2022
It's hard to review "Scripture" you don't necessarily believe in yourself. I'd recommend it if you're banging around Western occultism because you can't really do that without understanding something about Crowley, and understanding (I use this term very loosely) Crowley involves understanding Thelema.
October 11, 2017
Written in poetic language, very hard for me to get into
January 3, 2021
CRAP! - just another way of saying "Satan Isreal.
January 22, 2024
do as thou wilt is the whole of the law? check please !
February 22, 2024
good book
December 31, 2016
A collection of Aleister Crowley writings ranging from densely metaphoric poetry to 'Liber Legis' (Book of the Law). This is the foundational text of Thelema. It defines the start of the Aeon of Horus, which is described as the next stage of human spiritual growth. Additionally, the Thelemic Law: "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of law" is put forth as the singular commandment.
Other important Thelemic concepts are discussed, usually through metaphor and allegory. In particular, the idea that each individual must determine their own interpretation of their 'True Will'. The lack of well defined dogma and normal religious tenets such as an afterlife, taboos, etc is explained as being in keeping with the law. This is an important concept, as the tendency for religions to become dogmatic, while separating the average practitioner from first hand experience, is seen as one of religion's largest faults by Crowley and company.
The introduction, along with Liber LXI, was particularly important for this book as it provided a lot of important historical information concerning the creation of A∴A∴. Crowley, normally referred to as Frater Perdurabo or Frater P., had been a member of the Golden Dawn Order. He and the leader of that order had a falling out that lead Crowley to go to Egypt where Aiwass, Crowley's HGA, dictated Liber Legis to him over the course of three days. Upon returning to England Crowley began the A∴A∴ using the lessons learned in the Golden Dawn. This is why each grade in the A∴A∴ has tests (Apparently in the GD promotion to higher grades was more of a good ole boys thing), why each member in theory only interacts with his direct superior and subordinate and so forth.
The appendices also contain some interesting information. A description of the different grades of texts is described. Liber Legis is described as a 'class A' publication, meaning it's source is divine/praeterhuman/mystical. These texts cannot be changed in any way, as supposedly their style, lettering, punctuation, etc are meaningful and themselves contain hidden messages. Class B publications are scholarly works, class C are texts deemed to be suggestive or important, D are official ritual instructions and Class E are public statements, manifestos, etc.
Overall, an important book for anyone interested in A∴A∴ and/or the occult.
Other important Thelemic concepts are discussed, usually through metaphor and allegory. In particular, the idea that each individual must determine their own interpretation of their 'True Will'. The lack of well defined dogma and normal religious tenets such as an afterlife, taboos, etc is explained as being in keeping with the law. This is an important concept, as the tendency for religions to become dogmatic, while separating the average practitioner from first hand experience, is seen as one of religion's largest faults by Crowley and company.
The introduction, along with Liber LXI, was particularly important for this book as it provided a lot of important historical information concerning the creation of A∴A∴. Crowley, normally referred to as Frater Perdurabo or Frater P., had been a member of the Golden Dawn Order. He and the leader of that order had a falling out that lead Crowley to go to Egypt where Aiwass, Crowley's HGA, dictated Liber Legis to him over the course of three days. Upon returning to England Crowley began the A∴A∴ using the lessons learned in the Golden Dawn. This is why each grade in the A∴A∴ has tests (Apparently in the GD promotion to higher grades was more of a good ole boys thing), why each member in theory only interacts with his direct superior and subordinate and so forth.
The appendices also contain some interesting information. A description of the different grades of texts is described. Liber Legis is described as a 'class A' publication, meaning it's source is divine/praeterhuman/mystical. These texts cannot be changed in any way, as supposedly their style, lettering, punctuation, etc are meaningful and themselves contain hidden messages. Class B publications are scholarly works, class C are texts deemed to be suggestive or important, D are official ritual instructions and Class E are public statements, manifestos, etc.
Overall, an important book for anyone interested in A∴A∴ and/or the occult.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2015
Was I reading the same book as everyone else? I didn't go into reading this without some background reading, but I felt like 99% of this was the ravings of a mad man. Or maybe it's pretty much written in code, and I just don't "get it".
I gave it 2 stars for the lulz. O My God, indeed.
I gave it 2 stars for the lulz. O My God, indeed.
February 21, 2013
Contains the core of Crowley's Thelemic writings.
September 12, 2016
Total bullshit.
October 30, 2016
Relevantti teos ainoastaan Crowley-maanikoille. Omaa mielenkiintoa lähinnä Thelemaan ja Crowleyn ajatteluun johdatusta etsivänä teos ei suuremmin palvellut.
January 27, 2011
Cannot be read enough. Layers and layers of profundity.
November 15, 2015
Challenging, beautiful and mysterious.
January 16, 2018
Great book. Very inforative
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews