Crowley's Achievements To be fair to Aleister Crowley we should look into what he achieved in his life time. Little has been written about his explorations as a mountaineer. He was an adept climber, and made many trips to the Himalayan mountains in his endeavours to be the first to conquer the top of the world. The story goes that he chose the hardest route to the summit and failed to make it some 400 metres from the top. It was also said it was due to the fact he was suffering from massive asthma attacks at the altitude, Crowley had been asthmatic since childhood, so with this in mind his achievement is huge. He also climbed mountains in the African continent, again just falling short of the worlds second highest mountain, again due to health issues. It was while he was climbing in the Himalayan's he met a man that would be his introduction into the Order known as The Golden Dawn. In 1898 Crowley was initiated into the order and quickly through diligence rose through the grades in due time, fulfilling his obligations to each of the grades. It was not to long before Crowley became aware of his unique magickal abilities, which he exercised at every possible opportunity. Crowley then took steps to take control of the Order in London, as he felt it was his right due to the fact he was more advanced than Macgregor Mathers and was actually fact. There then ensued a magickal war were both parties participated, not only did this war rage on the magickal level but also by actions such as having the locks changed on the temple doors and locking Mathers out. The whole incident was messy when it could have been worked out by simple tests. It was around the turn of the 20th century that Crowley began to publish regular issues of the Equinox an instruction in magickal principles and practices, such as the astrological signs, meditation methods and the like. It was through one publication he was bought to the attention of the OTO (Ordo Templi Orentis) in Germany who accused Crowley of publishing high initiate information and instruction. When Crowley was confronted about this he replied that he had received the information through Magickal practice. Upon proving this to be the Truth the heads of the OTO in Germany appointed Crowley head of the Order in the British Isles. which he remained until his death in 1947. The main achievement of Crowley's is without doubt The Book of the Law, on which I will dedicate an entire post to as it is by far the most important of all his work in this life. As far as being a magickian goes there are few equal to or better than himself. He openly challenged us all to follow in his footsteps and with the hope we would surpass even his high level of knowledge and ability. There are countless wonderful writings which I will share with you in this piece on Aleister Crowley. He was a poet Painter and an author also of a couple of fictional works one being Moonchild and the other Diary of a Drug Fiend. They are far from best seller standards but enjoying his writing the way I do, I found them to be adequate to hold my attention. Now to his published works on Magick, they are far too many to list here and I will supply a link to all his texts on line. He has also had numerous books published on the subject of Magick such as Gems from the Equinox a collection of his writings that are instructive as well as educational. The Law is for All as commentary to the Book of the Law, Though somewhat incomplete it is useful to unlocking the keys within the book itself and has a fine introduction by Israel Regardie. One of his last books he wrote is the Book of Thoth an instruction and description of his Tarot cards that he had Lady Freda Harris paint for him under his toughest scrutiny. The result of both the cards and the book to complement them are an amazing work of art. It was for me the first book by Crowley I owned and still today is a constant source of information for me. I will dedicate a page to his cards as they are truly magickal. Much I believe of his achievements have been lost in his infamy, a sad thing indeed when you truly look at the man, as a man, and indeed a Master Magickian and Prophet of our times. Copyright © AmoLuce January 2008 |