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The Spiritual Revolutionary Romantic Explorer Occult Master And Spy

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Aleister Crowley: The Biography: Spiritual Revolutionary, Romantic Explorer, Occult Master - and Spy

by Tobias Churton

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	497 pages

Aleister Crowley was a multifaceted figure who left a lasting legacy on the world of spirituality, occultism, and counterculture. He was a poet, writer, mountaineer, and sex magician who claimed to have been in contact with extraterrestrial beings. Crowley's life was filled with controversy and scandal, but he also had a profound impact on the development of modern occultism.

Early Life and Education

Aleister Crowley was born Edward Alexander Crowley on October 12, 1875, in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England. His father was a wealthy brewer and his mother was a devout Christian. Crowley had a troubled childhood and was often bullied by his peers. He was also deeply affected by the death of his father when he was 11 years old.

Crowley attended Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied mathematics and philosophy. He graduated with honors in 1898 and then traveled to Europe, where he met a number of influential occultists, including Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers and Arthur Edward Waite. Crowley was initiated into the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a secret society dedicated to the study of occultism, in 1899.

Thelema

In 1904, Crowley claimed to have received a message from a supernatural entity named Aiwass. This message, which Crowley called "The Book of the Law," formed the basis of his new religion, Thelema. Thelema is a philosophy of individual freedom and self-realization. It teaches that each person has a unique purpose in life and that they should strive to fulfill that purpose.

Crowley's teachings were controversial from the start. He advocated for sexual freedom, drug use, and other practices that were considered taboo by society at the time. He was also a vocal critic of organized religion and the British government.

Later Life and Death

Crowley spent the rest of his life traveling and writing. He lived in a number of countries, including the United States, France, and Italy. He also founded a number of occult organizations, including the Ordo Templi Orientis and the A∴A∴. Crowley died in Hastings, Sussex, England, on December 1, 1947.

Legacy

Aleister Crowley was a complex and controversial figure. He was a brilliant writer, a skilled mountaineer, and a master of the occult. He also had a profound impact on the development of modern occultism. Crowley's teachings continue to inspire and challenge people to this day.