What do you think?
Rate this book
Aleister Crowley and Dion Fortune: The Logos of the Aeon and the Shakti of the Age
Aleister Crowley and Dion Fortune were two of the most controversial and powerful occultists of the 20th century. Crowley was regarded by many as a creature of the night, albeit one whose soul was streaked with brilliance; Fortune was viewed as one of the Shining Ones, who nevertheless wrestled with her own darkness. Between them they produced some of the best books on magick ever written, and their influence upon contemporary magicians has been profound.
Written by occult scholar Alan Richardson, this unusual and provocative book draws upon unpublished material to reveal little-known aspects of Crowley and Fortune’s relationship, and their role as harbingers of sweeping cultural changes―foreshadowing the women’s movement, the sexual revolution, and 1960s counterculture―as well as other surprising influences upon our present culture.
Written by occult scholar Alan Richardson, this unusual and provocative book draws upon unpublished material to reveal little-known aspects of Crowley and Fortune’s relationship, and their role as harbingers of sweeping cultural changes―foreshadowing the women’s movement, the sexual revolution, and 1960s counterculture―as well as other surprising influences upon our present culture.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2009
1 person is currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Alan Richardson
58 books14 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
(1951-)
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
(1951-)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 7, 2010
Very good, if superficial, comparative biography of two of the most influential mages of the 20th century. While most of their respective followers would consider them to be at opposite poles, the author does a credible job of showing that they were closer than most had suspected, with even a hint of collusion and alliance between the "Wickedest Man Alive" and the "Priestess of Light".
As with most books about people I am almost an authority on, most of the information was not new to me. Still, the author's approach of building a parallel biography of the two, and furthermore working backwards in time, from their death and advancing decade by decade back to their birth, the book was an interesting read. It also had the odd nugget or three of information I was not aware of previously, and which I'll have to research more fully to determine how true it might be. Some, if true, are almost of earthshattering impact. We'll see...
As with most books about people I am almost an authority on, most of the information was not new to me. Still, the author's approach of building a parallel biography of the two, and furthermore working backwards in time, from their death and advancing decade by decade back to their birth, the book was an interesting read. It also had the odd nugget or three of information I was not aware of previously, and which I'll have to research more fully to determine how true it might be. Some, if true, are almost of earthshattering impact. We'll see...
April 25, 2015
This book is amazing!
Richardson did a fantastic job at mixing trivia with bigger themes and biographical info.
I learned lots of stuff. Like how Aleister Crowley played a part in the sinking of the Lusitania and claimed he had four chest hairs which formed a perfect swastika. Also, he wrote a pornographic book called "White Stains." I found the book online. It rhymes and isn't dirty at all by today's standards, and I think if he was the Beast he would have written a dirtier book but who am I to judge?
Richardson did a fantastic job at mixing trivia with bigger themes and biographical info.
I learned lots of stuff. Like how Aleister Crowley played a part in the sinking of the Lusitania and claimed he had four chest hairs which formed a perfect swastika. Also, he wrote a pornographic book called "White Stains." I found the book online. It rhymes and isn't dirty at all by today's standards, and I think if he was the Beast he would have written a dirtier book but who am I to judge?
September 9, 2020
The author does have a bias toward Dion Fortune.
But so do I. (Also, he is very transparent about his bias and treats Crowley with respect and awe, as is justified.)
A very unusual dual-biography and the best dual-biography I have ever read. Fascinating, fun, and just the right length, too. So rare to find a book not overwritten! Easy five stars.
But so do I. (Also, he is very transparent about his bias and treats Crowley with respect and awe, as is justified.)
A very unusual dual-biography and the best dual-biography I have ever read. Fascinating, fun, and just the right length, too. So rare to find a book not overwritten! Easy five stars.
November 7, 2025
This is really just a compilation of ideas, opinions, and myths of Dion and Al. Not much is new here, and can be skipped if you have a familiarity with these two 'pioneers'. Richardson doesn't break new ground, or unearth new gems...it's really very benign in its delivery.
However, if you want a decent overview of the two on your shelf, its not all bad. But be forewarned that Richardson's opinions and views color much of what is presented.
Richardson's thesis is simple - Both were working Golden Dawn style Magick (which they both admit) whereas Dion worked for the benefit of all, Al worked for his ego. This of course is much to simplistic a view of either, but this is the whole of the books premise.
What is of interest is how a system of Magick, the Golden Dawn system, has infiltrated almost every aspect of modern Western practice, and how two very different Mages implemented it in drastically different ways. I wondered, during my read, if the system, the egregore of the GD, intentionally shaped these two in order to present divergent philosophies for future generations to either emulate or disregard.
However, if you want a decent overview of the two on your shelf, its not all bad. But be forewarned that Richardson's opinions and views color much of what is presented.
Richardson's thesis is simple - Both were working Golden Dawn style Magick (which they both admit) whereas Dion worked for the benefit of all, Al worked for his ego. This of course is much to simplistic a view of either, but this is the whole of the books premise.
What is of interest is how a system of Magick, the Golden Dawn system, has infiltrated almost every aspect of modern Western practice, and how two very different Mages implemented it in drastically different ways. I wondered, during my read, if the system, the egregore of the GD, intentionally shaped these two in order to present divergent philosophies for future generations to either emulate or disregard.
January 7, 2010
A comparative portrait of the two most significant magicians of the 20th century. Not so much a biography as a meditation on certain aspects of their lives. I think the author's sympathies lie more with Fortune, but he gives Crowley his due.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews