Crowley's Writings

[Eeviee]

I've been interested In reading Crowley's work ever since I heard of him. I am a relative beginner to Tarot, but have been fascinated with the Thoth deck(s) since I first looked into Tarot. While I feel that I am not ready to take on the Thoth Tarot, just yet, I couldn't help but browse through this section of Aeclectic. I see that there is a study group for The Book of the Law here... As such, I figure it is allowable to ask in this section of the forum which of Crowley's works would you reccomend to someone who is just beginning to look into his works. I know that the Law is certainly one of the most popular, but as I've already read it on SacredTexts, what else would you reccomend to start with?

 

[gregory]

The Book of Thoth.

 

[Richard]

Why not something more literary, such as Absinthe: The Green Goddess, or Moonchild? The following should be required reading in connection with The Book of the Law: Liber II.

 

[Grigori]

What is it about Crowley that make you want to read his writings? I guess it rather depends on what you're hoping to get out of it. The Book of Thoth is a good choice I think, for someone familiar with Tarot it may be more approachable and useful than others as a starting point. Magick Without Tears could be useful also. Or his fiction/poetry may be of interest. Or perhaps his autobiography would appeal?

 

[Aeon418]

Apart from the books already suggested by previous posters I would recommend, Little Essays Toward Truth. Unlike a lot of Crowley's writings it's not a specialist work and is geared towards a general audience. In it Crowley waxes philosophical on subjects such as Love, Silence, Truth, Laughter, Sorrow, Wonder and, believe it or not, Chastity!

 

[Aeon418]

Or his fiction/poetry may be of interest.

Another collection of Crowley's fiction was published earlier this year. Following on from last years, The Drug and Other Stories, Wordsworth Editions have recently released, The Simon Iff Stories & Other Works. At a penny under 3 quid it's a bargain!

Book description.

This volume brings together two series of short fiction by the poet, writer and religious philosopher Aleister Crowley (1875–1947). It includes the first complete publication of Simple Simon, the detective series featuring Crowley’s most memorable fictional creation, the mystic-magician-philosopher-psychoanalyst-detective Simon Iff.

The idealised Crowley in old age, Simon Iff is wise, knowing and unfailingly humorous as he applied psychoanalysis, Taoism and his own religious philosophy of Thelema to divine the depths of human nature and solve a wide array of crimes and mysteries. The six Scrutinies of Simon Iff stories are set in France and England, anchored by Iff’s beloved Hemlock Club. The twelve Simon Iff in America stories afford Crowley’s penetrating insights into America as he found it during his residence from 1914 to 1919. His three Simon Iff Abroad stories take the reader to tribal North Africa, inaccessible Central Africa and to the high seas. The two Simon Iff Psychoanalyst stories were among the earliest tales to use the new science of psychoanalysis to solve mysteries. Also included is Crowley’s other major short fiction series, the eight stories of his legendary Golden Twigs, which were inspired by Sir J.G. Frazer’s encyclopedic study of myth and religion in history, The Golden Bough.

This collection is a companion volume to Crowley’s previously uncollected short stories, The Drug and Other Stories, also published by Wordsworth. Extensive editorial end-notes give full details about the stories.

 

[Eeviee]

What is it about Crowley that make you want to read his writings?

The controvery thay surrounds his person and studies is what enthralls me the most. Some say he was a genius, some say he was "the Devil". I believe neither is 100% true. His reputation entrigues me, I guess. His sarcasm, apparent dislike for the uneducated/unenlightened, and extremist behaviour Is something I can identify with. I believe there is a lot more to the man than most would like to believe.
As a Pagan, I'm interested in his connection with the Golden Dawn and his creation of Thelma. As well as his beliefs and practices with magick, though I am not a Ceremonial Magician. And of course his own system of Tarot, which would include his correspondences on the Kabalah, astrology, etc.
After reading The Law, I realized that there is a lot in his writings I can take from to study and learn, both in life, and in the mystical/magickal realms.

Thank you all kindly for your responses, and any other responces and/or suggestions that have yet to come!

 

[Eeviee]

Has anyone read and/or would you reccomend Portable Darkness? It seems like a good place to start, if i can get my hands on a reasonably priced copy (as it is no longer in print).

 

[Aeon418]

The controvery thay surrounds his person and studies is what enthralls me the most.

In general that's the sort of stuff that appears in Crowley biographies, not in books written by Crowley himself. If you want a recommendation the latest bio written by Tobias Churton is very good.

 

[Aeon418]

Has anyone read and/or would you reccomend Portable Darkness? It seems like a good place to start, if i can get my hands on a reasonably priced copy (as it is no longer in print).

Portable Darkness is a nice little collection of Crowley's writtings, but there's nothing in it that's not already available online. In a way it's like a Crowley "sampler". It contains bits and pieces of Crowley's writings drawn from a variety of sources. It's the sort of thing you might read if you wanted to get a "flavour" of Crowley without getting too deep into the subject.