Commentaries on the Holy Books and Other Papers: The Equinox

The Equinox #4.1

by Aleister Crowley, J.F.C. Fuller, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky

This issue of The Equinox is a companion volume to The Holy Books of Thelema (also published by Samuel Weiser). It is, however, a coherent text book in it's own right. It covers the essentials of the A∴A∴ system of initiation, from the preliminary stage of Student to the attainment of the Knowledge and Conversion of the Holy Guardian Angel. For the first time it makes available practical details that will be of immense value to students of Thelema.

Beginning with Crowley's unpublished essay "Occultism," it offers several of the foundation papers of the A∴A∴, including Liber 185, Liber Collegii Sancti, which describes the oaths and tasks of each grade in its Outer College. A new paper presents the correct designs (with color illustrations) for the corresponding robes of each grade. This book's lengthy color section includes General J.F.C. Fuller's paintings for the Temple of A∴A∴ and Crowley's illuminated manuscript of an A∴A∴ Ritual for the Neophyte, Liber 671 vel Pyramidos.

The central feature of this book is the Master Therion's lengthy and penetrating commentary to the inspired writing, The Book of the Heart Girt with a Serpent (Liber LXV). While Liber LXV gives the best account available of the attainment of the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel, it is couched in the language of mystical poetry. Crowley's commentary gives a more easily understood exposition, and it is some of his most lucid writing on magick and mysticism. Crowley's shorter commentaries to seven others of The Holy Books of Thelema are also included.

This book also contains Madame Blavatsky's inspired text, The Voice of the Silence, with a commentary by Crowley that explores the various stages of consciousness in Mahayana Buddhist mysticism and their correspondences to Holy Qabalah.

Genres: Thelema, Occult, Spirituality, Magick, Religion, Esoterica

392 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Aleister Crowley was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, novelist, mountaineer, and painter. He founded the religion of Thelema, proclaiming himself as the prophet destined to guide humanity into the Æon of Horus in the early 20th century. A prolific writer, Crowley published extensively throughout his life.
Born Edward Alexander Crowley in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, he was raised in a wealthy family adhering to the fundamentalist Christian Plymouth Brethren faith. Crowley rejected his religious upbringing, developing an interest in Western esotericism. He attended Trinity College, Cambridge, focusing on mountaineering and poetry, and published several works during this period. In 1898, he joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, receiving training in ceremonial magic from Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers and Allan Bennett. His travels took him to Mexico for mountaineering with Oscar Eckenstein and to India, where he studied Hindu and Buddhist practices.
In 1904, during a honeymoon in Cairo with his wife Rose Edith Kelly, Crowley claimed to have received "The Book of the Law" from a supernatural entity named Aiwass. This text became the foundation of Thelema, announcing the onset of the Æon of Horus and introducing the central tenet: "Do what thou wilt." Crowley emphasized that individuals should align with their True Will through ceremonial magic.
After an unsuccessful expedition to Kanchenjunga in 1905 and further travels in India and China, Crowley returned to Britain. There, he co-founded the esoteric order A∴A∴ with George Cecil Jones in 1907 to promote Thelema. In 1912, he joined the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), eventually leading its British branch and reformulating it according to Thelemic principles. Crowley spent World War I in the United States, engaging in painting and writing pro-German propaganda, which biographers later suggested was a cover for British intelligence activities.
In 1920, Crowley established the Abbey of Thelema, a religious commune in Cefalù, Sicily. His libertine lifestyle attracted negative attention from the British press, leading to his expulsion by the Italian government in 1923. He spent subsequent years in France, Germany, and England, continuing to promote Thelema until his death in 1947.
Crowley's notoriety stemmed from his recreational drug use, bisexuality, and criticism of societal norms. Despite controversy, he significantly influenced Western esotericism and the 1960s counterculture, and remains a central figure in Thelema.

Reviews

[Woman Inside Water · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. As a Thelemite, I was originally drawn to the Book of the Law (Liber AL) because it deeply resonated with me. This book is no different, save that in some texts there are only the verses quoted that are commented upon. I think it is important for a Thelemite to get their own insight before reading Crowley's commentaries, or to compare both. But one could continue to get insight over time. Crowley's commentaries are based on not only his insight as a Thelemite but in relation to his previous experience as a Buddhist and yogi. The introductions are fitting and effectively quashes any notions of a secret society (i.e. The Illuminati). I also enjoyed the copies of the original artwork included.

[Walter Five · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first volume of the Equinox Vol. IV from author Aleister Crowley and editor Hymaneus Beta. A number of previously unpublished (in the Equinox series) pieces here, most importantly Liber LXV's commentary, and a beautiful color reproduction of Crowley's illumination of Liber Pyramidos. Prices for this volume are outrageously prohibitive for the student, even in paperback, one hopes it will see republication soon.

[Monkey C · Rating 3 out of 5]

informative and revealing -- a good place to start dissecting the often opaque world of crowley and occult mysticism.