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Aleister CrowleyEnglish Occultist/Poet - [1875-1947]Baby-BiographyEdward Alexander ('Aleister') Crowley is born in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire on 12th October 1875. His parents are members of a fanatical Christian sect, 'The Plymouth Brethren'. In 1895, he matriculates at Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1896, he claims his first mystical experience during a trip to Stockholm. In 1898, he leaves Cambridge and becomes initiated into the 'Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn'. In 1900, having been initiated into Adeptship in the Order, Crowley leaves Mexico. Whilst there he becomes a 33* Mason and devises a ritual of self-initiation, claiming the grade of 'Adeptus Major'. Subsequently, he travels Ceylon, India and Burma before returning to his home on Loch Ness via Paris. In 1903, Crowley marries and recommences his travels. In Cairo, between noon and 1p.m. on the 8th, 9th and 10th April 1904, Crowley is dictated 'The Book Of The Law' by Aiwass, the minister of Hoor-paar-kraat. During the next ten years, Crowley continues to travel extensively and publish many works, including poetry, novels and occult writings. In 1914, Crowley departs for America. The following year he claims the grade of Magus, Prophet of the New Aeon. In 1920, he founds the 'Abbey of Thelema' in Cefalu. One year later he claims the 'Supreme Grade of Ipsissimus' and, in 1924, undergoes 'The Supreme Ordeal' of the grade in Paris. In 1929, he remarries, having divorced his first wife after only two years. After yet more wanderings, publications and media controversies - including a libel suit which results in Crowley being made bankrupt - work begins on 'The Book of Thoth'. The book, and Crowley's Thoth Tarot Cards (painted by Lady Frieda Harris) are published in 1944. The following year, he retires to 'Netherwood', Hastings. Aleister Crowley dies on 1st December 1947. Phespirit's Hero
Aleister Crowley is Phespirit's hero for being the first to openly preach "Do What Thou Wilt".
His critics - the self-righteous guardians of society's morals - condemned what they perceived as charter for all manner of licentious behaviour and criminal activity. Preachers to a faceless mob could not acknowledge the relevance of a simple idea directed to the individual. Why is it that a society which believes itself to be inherently good cannot trust its individuals to follow their own will without lapsing into evil? Probably because most individuals either lack the inclination or have lost the facility for independent thought to determine the true path of their own will. They prefer the security of the masses, clinging to the coat-tails of a whimsicle elite. It's not Crowley's fault. Phespirit solves the apparent contradiction of at once applauding Crowley for advocating free will and then labelling him a 'hero' or 'role model' by stating that all such heroes are to be admired for the way in which they follow their own will and execute their art - they are not to be cast as templates for fashioning one's own will. Phespirit also gives Crowley great credit for the quality of his literary output and for the vision with which he re-invigorated the standard Tarot deck. Samples from his Thoth deck are provided below:
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