Aleister Crowley

Edward Alexander Crowley decided to change his name in order to help on his road to fame. He wanted something with a bit of a ring to it which would cause people to take notice. Upon later reflection he was sure that he would have achieved fame (infamy) no matter what name he had chosen. Crowley joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn very early on and caused quite a stir with fellow members because of his boisterous ways. He used the Golden Dawn to make contacts and begin his study but he knew that this group was just a stepping stone on his way to true knowledge. He was introduced to Buddhism and Yoga through this sect and became fascinated by both disciplines which would continue to amaze him throughout his career. His time in this group also left him with a few lifetime enemies some of which accused him of stealing rituals and teachings. By the time he decided to further his studies on his own he had discovered the power of the word "Abrahadabra" and believed that anything imagined in the mind could be conjured by intensely focusing on the object in combination with strict ritual.

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Aleister Crowley - The Middle Years - Crowley met his wife and got married to Rose Edith Kelly in 1903. After visiting Egypt in 1904 after experiencing a major spiritual experience he founded his own Magickal belief system known as Thelema. Shortly afterward he performed a ritual to calm his tormented wife by summoning Horus through ritual causing his wife to utter revelations. This continued leading to "The book of the law" and Crowley being announced as the beast that would bring in the new age. The book warns that no attempt should be made to interpret the ciphers within and that even discussing them was forbidden. Being labeled "The Wickedest Man in the World" brought great amusement to him. From 1907 - 1910 he became active with A A (Silver Star) and Ordo Templi Orientis where he reached the Xth level as Grand Master of the British section of O.T.O.. He continued along his path while in America and the mixture of sexual magick in combination with drugs brought on further revelations. He is most famous for the oft misinterpreted quote "do what thou wilt".

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The Death Of Crowley - Aleister Crowley's death was as much shrouded in controversy and mystery as his life had been. He had been addicted to heroin because of his use of morphine to relieve asthma earlier on in his life. His doctor refused had refused to give him opiates and some believe that he was cursed because of his decision. Crowley dies and within 24 hours the disobedient doctor followed in his footsteps. Crowley died at Netherwood, a Hastings boarding house on 1 December 1947 at the age of 72. As with any legend Crowley is not without a few disputed tales. Some claim his last words were "I am perplexed" while others claim he said "Sometimes I hate myself". Some say he died pacing the floor without any final words and others claim that upon his death there was a big wind and a boom of thunder. Whatever the truth surrounding his death he will definitely remain one of the most famous if not controversial figures both within the world occult and religion as a whole.

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