Thread: Aleister Crowley

I heard of Aleister two years ago incidently, as I got redirected to his Wiki page. I didn't read much, but I remember he made an enourmous impact on me. Two years later, which was virtually the begining of 2008, I decided to peek at him again since I heard about Ozzy Osbourn's 'Mr.Crowley'. Though I think I looked at his wiki page before the two years passed, but nothing of great interest, probably just looking around stuff for the Hellfire clubs.

I just love the character he is. I'm not really into his philosophical teachings, but he really did bring me into ocultism itself (Also since I started to form more of a rebeleous behaviour agaisnt my christian school since of a very unlucky incident). Continuing the 'Character' part, I just liked the life he had, which was very strange unlike other historic figures, and that cought my atention immediately. I really think there should be a professional movie dedicated to him, not one of those indies.

What do I think of him now? I still think his life is somwhat influential in me, since, in reality, I've just put a different perspective in life. I don't think he was atomically bad (Although, he didn't seem like the nicest man out there) but I do think he's revolutionized the way I think in a way; specially since once again I actually know ocultism and mysticism because of him.

I'm probably not exactly qualified to speak much on the subject of Crowley, since I really don't know much about him, but I'll say something anyway. From what I've read that others say about him, it seems that some students of the occult put him on a bit of a pedestal. I think that it is important to remember that he was human, and subject to the failings of humans. I don't know, maybe I'm a little biased to be sympathetic to his failings because I have my own history of drug abuse and excess. I would like to learn more about his work. When I do, I plan to give my attention to the particular subject in question, take what I find useful, and leave the rest.

Again, maybe I'm not informed enough for my opinion to carry much weight in this subject; this is just my two cents worth.

Originally Posted by soloqi

As for his actions well they speak for themself, what is good behavour other then a perception.

Certainly, a large part of any judgement, i.e. if something is good or bad, is perception. But, in my opinion, anyone that knowingly and willingly causes harm to another is acting in a "bad" way.

Originally Posted by Vir Sapiens

I've heard it said that in order to be truely effective in magical workings one must seek to become inhuman.

I don't see how it is possible for a human to be anything but human.

no ones actions can be justified whether good or bad, but should be left up to the person when committing what ever act that might be at the time be it in every day life just as a person or when practicing Magick

In his writings the man was brilliants and you can't tell me that there is not one Magician that is perfect in each and every act

I believe that Crowley states in his book " Magickal Diaries of Aleister Crowley " that why should he defend himself against the allegations people are going to believe what they want anyway.


Aleister must have had made a impression on the world of magick with some fortitude as we are still following him in the certain teachings as well as discussing him and his life today.

And myself will continue to read he works

Originally Posted by Vir Sapiens

It happens all the time. Some people are born that way, some people are traumatized into it. You have to discard the human mindset because you work with things that are not human and do not share our general mores and values and certainly not our emotions, which can be a liability in some situations. I suppose the ideal state would be close to anti-social personality disorder the trick is being able to put that magical persona on and take it off when necessary.

In my opinion our perception will always be limmited by our humaness. With that I mean that we are human, and will always be human. No matter what your personality is, no matter if sane or insane, the foundation of your understanding will always be human. There is no way of discarding of that aspect of your self. In that light, we will never fully understand the world/reality as it really is, only as we as humans see it. At least while living...who knows what happens after death.

93,

Crowley was an interesting, experienced, prolific, saintlike & devilish, cruel & compassionate, humorous & serious, etc.

I think he has much to offer in Thelema and his notions of Scientific Illuminism, etc. Check out the links in my signature.

IAO131

Old post, and kind of a bump, but I figured I'd add my two cents as a Thelemite and OTO member.

Crowley the man must be separated from Crowley the magician. Crowley the man was a terrible, self-destructive individual, not to mention a sexist pig. Crowley the magician, on the other hand, was a brilliant mind. He was very deep, intricate, and worked some of the most complex magick I've ever seen. I've onlu been an OTO member for 8 months, so I'm not the best source here, but some people I know who have been in it for years still get their minds blown at some of the deep, intricate Kabbalistic things he's worked.

Also, to those who say to stay away from the dark path, I ask you this: why work magick with one hand tied behind your back, when you can use both? I work Thelemic, Setian, Satanic, and Luciferian magick, and it's been one of the best experiences of my life. However, I also make it a point to use the light side of the Kabbalah and white magick as well, and consider myself Christian. Limiting yourself to LHP or RHP is futile, and only serves to weaken you.

He was racist and sexist in a time where that was expected of any British gentleman.

I'd say a work to begin with is Liber Al. I believe in the Aeon of Horus (though I'm not much on the Thelemic ritual, or Crowleys own interpertations.) Also, Magick is great, if you're interested in ritual fluff.

Spare is interesting in his critique on Crowley. You hear the same old nonsense from everyone about his views on women and people of other races, but nothing that really get's at the heart of the problem...which I believe is his over-reliance on ritual, though according to some things within his philosophy might not even be needed. The man was a traditionalist in many ways, and definitely interesting and to me at least slightly admirable.

I like people who are all about self-pleasure, because I feel they are honest. This coming from a guy who has taken Bodhisattva vows. Oh well.

In Crowley's own words (roughly, since I'm quoting from memory):

"The ordinary person says, 'You cannot kill him, he is just an innocent baby.'
'Ah,' Replies the knower, 'but that baby will grow up to be Nero.'
There is another stage above this that understands that Nero is just a crucial as Julius Ceasar."

Notwithstanding his rather Victorian view of the Emperors, this explains Crowley to me perfectly. He was necessary. Were it not for him, not a one of you would be on this forum because he led to Gardner and Gardner led to 'Witchcraft' (and the occult in general) being accepted. It was his work that Regardie stole (being frustrated at the lack of what he was learning) to publish and keep the GD alive when it almost died.

To say that Crowley was a cruel man and that therefore we should avoid him is, in my opinion, having a very narrow view of the world which does not suit a magician (or 'magickian' if you insist).

I don't really care what kind of a person he was really. his work is magnificent, speaks for itself.
just check out all the liberi at
The Libri of Aleister Crowley

I don't think this includes Knox Om Pax, my personal favorite book of his. and no casual mention of crowley's work deserves some kind of psychological character analysis, no this link is great, plenty of great stuff any magician should have .