Collected Poems 1946-1996

by Phyllis Seckler, David Shoemaker (Editor), Lauren Gardner (Editor)

Phyllis Seckler (aka Soror Meral, 1917-2004) was one of the most important 20th century teachers of Thelema—the philosophy and system of spiritual attainment developed by Aleister Crowley. While Seckler left behind many seminal writings on Thelema, astrology, Qabalah, Tarot, ceremonial magick, and mysticism, her poetry provides one of the most personal and intimate views into her spiritual mindset. The poems collected here span fifty years of her working life as a poet and teacher, primarily focusing on the overtly mystical themes of her spiritual path. Yet they occasionally touch on more secular topics as well, such as her marriage to Grady McMurtry and her yearning for human love. The poetic works presented here are an essential part of the library of any modern mystic—especially those with an interest in the work of Aleister Crowley and his followers.

136 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2017

Reviews

[Beatrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, passionate collection of devotional poetry from Soror Meral. Although the poetry itself isn’t strictly amazing, the poems themselves are full of such raw devotion and mysticism that it’s hard not to love it. They certainly feel more powerful and refined as the book progresses through the years, some of my personal favourites being the last few featured from the late 80s and 90s. Nonetheless, it is a powerful collection of poetry that gives an intimate look into Phyllis Seckler’s life, magical and otherwise, that really helps me to understand her a little bit more. Granted, this is only going to be interesting and perhaps even only relatable if you’re entrenched in the same or similar spiritual teaching system as Soror Meral was, with many of the poems speaking in allegorical reference to many aspects of Thelemic mysticism and Qabalistic initiation, using such Biblical overtones on occasion as Crowley himself might in his own writings. It is, regardless, a very worthwhile book to own.