What do you think?
Rate this book
The Law Is for All: The Authorized Popular Commentary of Liber Al Vel Legis Sub Figura Ccxx, the Book of the Law
Crowley's life and thought are inexorably linked with 'The Book of the Law.' He received this visionary work by direct-voice dictation in Cairo in 1904. As an intelligent sceptic, he first found this improbable means of communication difficult to accept. Yet he could not ignore it or its message. He worked for decades to interpret its meaning for initiates and the general public. Eventually he entrusted the task to his best friend, Louis Wilkinson who possessed impressive literary qualifications. The result of his work, completed and augmented by Frater Superior Hymenaeus Beta of the O.T.O., is this long-awaited authorized popular edition of Crowley's "new commentary" on 'The Book of the Law' and its first appearance as Crowley wished it.
302 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
23 people are currently reading
580 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 11, 2020
Earlier edition edited by Regardie is superior. This one expurgates certain passages that the current editors consider 'offensive'.
March 22, 2016
The book of the Law is a grimoire written in kabbalistic cypher that was dictated to Aliester Crowley through his then wife(the channeler) at the time during their honeymoon in Egypt. It was dictated over the course of 3 days. There are several things that much be learned before one can approach this book. It is an extremely hard book to grasp and definitely not recommended for new comers to occultism as it will be a waste of time and not make any sense. I gave this book a 3 start rating because at the time I read it, I was very new to occultism and did not understand it. I have yet to change it because I thought at the time that Regardie rambled on to much about lifestyle philosophy rather than helping reveal its secrets. I might attempt to reread in about 6 months. Who knows, maybe I will change my opinion because I have studied a lot more.
December 16, 2020
In this book, Crowley condones incest and pederasty (adult men having sex with adolescent boys). H also thinks that people develop herd immunity to disease by refusing vaccines.
June 16, 2025
2,5/5
Would've been much better if he didn't get carried away into talks about politics and trying to divine the future in regards of war. I obviously don't agree with some of the wildest takes here (save for those criticizing christianity). It's a bit *too* obscure when it comes to explaining numerology and some terms but definitely nowhere near Waite's level of obscurity.
Would've been much better if he didn't get carried away into talks about politics and trying to divine the future in regards of war. I obviously don't agree with some of the wildest takes here (save for those criticizing christianity). It's a bit *too* obscure when it comes to explaining numerology and some terms but definitely nowhere near Waite's level of obscurity.
Read
February 15, 2022"A flaming harlot, with red cap and sparkling eyes, her foot on the neck of a dead king, is just as much a star as her predecessor, simpering in his arms. But one must be a flaming harlot..."
"To nail geese to boards and stuff them makes foie gras, very true, but it does not improve the geese."
These commentaries present Crowley at his most lucid and amusing, though no less pompous and obscurant. His ridiculous string of alliteration in the commentary for 1:51 made me laugh out loud. He obviously had more than his fair share of Bad Takes, but he could be an incredibly entertaining writer.
93
"To nail geese to boards and stuff them makes foie gras, very true, but it does not improve the geese."
These commentaries present Crowley at his most lucid and amusing, though no less pompous and obscurant. His ridiculous string of alliteration in the commentary for 1:51 made me laugh out loud. He obviously had more than his fair share of Bad Takes, but he could be an incredibly entertaining writer.
93
October 6, 2020
Enigmatic book that looks like a mixture of Nostradamus writing and Edgar Alan Po poems. It sheds light on the views of the religious beliefs of the OTO templars. They are accompanied by personal interpretations of the author Aleister Crowley that justify his life style and his way of life. It is controversial because like any religious book it looks down upon all other religions such as Christianity or Islam and criticizes their beliefs. Some of the postulates from this book are reasonable and others look like insane. They are all derived from an alleged contact of Alister Crowley with a superhuman entity that he summoned in a ritual that he preformed with his wife - the scarlet woman.
March 22, 2019
An absolutely necessary read for any Thelmite or anyone interested at all in learning about what Crowley taught. Originally, as I feel many are, I was drawn to specifically the First Chapter of Liber AL but after reading the commentary, the Third Chapter which I always felt was harder to connect to, I feel like I understand and appreciate the most. If possible, I definitely reccomend taking notes along with reading so so to put Crowley's commentary into your own words to help better understand what is mostly, especially for Crowley, already put into plain words here. A definite must read.
Read
July 19, 2024No other book has made me feel more like I was courting madness. I got something out of this, but I’d be hard-pressed to tell you exactly what.
Parts meaningfully resonated with me, though a lot felt like a half-sensical monologue from an unwell street preacher.
I’m glad I read it, but perhaps even gladder that I’m done reading it. Do what thou wilt with this review.
Parts meaningfully resonated with me, though a lot felt like a half-sensical monologue from an unwell street preacher.
I’m glad I read it, but perhaps even gladder that I’m done reading it. Do what thou wilt with this review.
July 14, 2017
Great commentary in itself, but sadly this is not the complete commentary. Still a great resource!
December 23, 2017
Pretentious and boring. I was hoping for some substance, but it’s vague, written as a poor imitation of prophesy, with some threats thrown in.
February 14, 2022
Very helpful
Read
May 21, 2024Crowley at his Crowleyist, the good the bad and the ugly
February 9, 2019
This is a review of the 1975 1st Paperback Edition of Dr. Regardie's edit "The Law Is For All." (I have heard rumors that there was a hardback run of the 1st edition, but I've never seen one). This was one of three books in the mid-70's that published various edits of the 3 or 4 commentaries that Crowley wrote about Liber L/Liber al vel Legis/Liber AL, usually referred to as The Book of the Law. For beginning collectors, I'll explain the differences
The first book, "Magical and Philosophical Commentaries on The Book of the Law," was a beautiful and amazing hardback edition from 93 Publishing in Montreal. Although very expensive today ($500+ a copy) and somewhat more complete in the Old and New Comments due to less editing, it's been noted by sharp eyed readers over the last 30 odd years that this edition contains more typographical errors and inaccuracies than Regardie's edition.
The Regardie 1st edition from Llewellyn has a 3-page double-sided fold out of illustrations of the front and back of the Stele of Revealing on one side, and a miniature of the original manscript of Liber L/Liber al vel Legis/Liber AL with the pages "pasted from left to right" that is not included in later editions. (The the detail oriented will note that this "original reproduction" of the manuscript [like every other in the last 100 years] does not contain the cover sheet proclaiming the book's title to be "Liber L vel Legis".) It's a durable paperback: I still proudly own this edition, it's held up marvelously the last 38 years. VG or better copies of this book can be found for $30-50. Later editions from New Falcon can be even more affordable.
The third of those commentaries books, "The Commentaries of AL: Being the Equinox Vol. V, no. 1" is spurious, confusing and over-editorialized by its editor. Definitely NOT worth the $250-500 I see it go for these days.
A new, re-edited and expanded edition of the Commentaries of Liber Al has been more recently released by Hymaneaus Beta, "The Law Is for All: The Authorized Popular Commentary of Liber Al Vel Legis Sub Figura Ccxx, the Book of the Law." Again, there's a bit of controversy-- some people claim that this edition is "more edited" than Regardie's, however, those involved in the production of the book say that the Wilkinson edit used in this edition was composed under the direction of Crowley, and that this edition is much closer to Crowley's intended vision of the Commentaries than any other previously published.
(Those genuinely curious on the subject of edited material may find the various unexpurgated versions that are freely available on the Internet quite useful for comparative purposes-- I did so, and in the end, found that many of the inclusions or exclusions told more about the editor's affiliations and prejudices than it told about the actual mysteries of the Holy Books, and that most of the other edits were usually relatively minor.)
The verdict: Any student of Crowley's should find either Regardie's or Hymenaeus Beta's edition sufficient, however this newest edition has an introduction by the material's original editor, the late Louis Wilkinson, annotations, reading lists and indexes not found in Regardie's edition. These are instructive to any beginning student, and as such contribute a lot to the students understanding of the text.
The less "orthodox" Thelemites are also advised to seek out "The Genesis of the Book of the Law" by David Allan Hulse, and learn the sometimes bizzare coincidences and more bizzare discrepancies surrounding The Book Of The Law. Also indicated is Marlene Cornelius' "Liber AL: An Examination" that compares and contrasts differences between all manuscripts and editions of Liber AL /Liber L from 1904 to 1937. Both of these books beg points of order that make the "fill/kill" debate a tempest in a teapot.
The first book, "Magical and Philosophical Commentaries on The Book of the Law," was a beautiful and amazing hardback edition from 93 Publishing in Montreal. Although very expensive today ($500+ a copy) and somewhat more complete in the Old and New Comments due to less editing, it's been noted by sharp eyed readers over the last 30 odd years that this edition contains more typographical errors and inaccuracies than Regardie's edition.
The Regardie 1st edition from Llewellyn has a 3-page double-sided fold out of illustrations of the front and back of the Stele of Revealing on one side, and a miniature of the original manscript of Liber L/Liber al vel Legis/Liber AL with the pages "pasted from left to right" that is not included in later editions. (The the detail oriented will note that this "original reproduction" of the manuscript [like every other in the last 100 years] does not contain the cover sheet proclaiming the book's title to be "Liber L vel Legis".) It's a durable paperback: I still proudly own this edition, it's held up marvelously the last 38 years. VG or better copies of this book can be found for $30-50. Later editions from New Falcon can be even more affordable.
The third of those commentaries books, "The Commentaries of AL: Being the Equinox Vol. V, no. 1" is spurious, confusing and over-editorialized by its editor. Definitely NOT worth the $250-500 I see it go for these days.
A new, re-edited and expanded edition of the Commentaries of Liber Al has been more recently released by Hymaneaus Beta, "The Law Is for All: The Authorized Popular Commentary of Liber Al Vel Legis Sub Figura Ccxx, the Book of the Law." Again, there's a bit of controversy-- some people claim that this edition is "more edited" than Regardie's, however, those involved in the production of the book say that the Wilkinson edit used in this edition was composed under the direction of Crowley, and that this edition is much closer to Crowley's intended vision of the Commentaries than any other previously published.
(Those genuinely curious on the subject of edited material may find the various unexpurgated versions that are freely available on the Internet quite useful for comparative purposes-- I did so, and in the end, found that many of the inclusions or exclusions told more about the editor's affiliations and prejudices than it told about the actual mysteries of the Holy Books, and that most of the other edits were usually relatively minor.)
The verdict: Any student of Crowley's should find either Regardie's or Hymenaeus Beta's edition sufficient, however this newest edition has an introduction by the material's original editor, the late Louis Wilkinson, annotations, reading lists and indexes not found in Regardie's edition. These are instructive to any beginning student, and as such contribute a lot to the students understanding of the text.
The less "orthodox" Thelemites are also advised to seek out "The Genesis of the Book of the Law" by David Allan Hulse, and learn the sometimes bizzare coincidences and more bizzare discrepancies surrounding The Book Of The Law. Also indicated is Marlene Cornelius' "Liber AL: An Examination" that compares and contrasts differences between all manuscripts and editions of Liber AL /Liber L from 1904 to 1937. Both of these books beg points of order that make the "fill/kill" debate a tempest in a teapot.
January 22, 2011
This book one can never really finish, so I'll just tag it as finished since otherwise it will always stay open-tagged. One should really read it regularly. At least someone like me :)
January 10, 2014
What can one say, its the Book of the Law and an extensive commentary to it. Absolutely essential.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews