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Aleister Crowley and the Practice of the Magical Diary
Edited and Introduced by James Wasserman
This book illustrates the theory and practice of the Magical Diary, and elaborates on its importance for the student of Scientific Illuminism (a term which Crowley designated for his teaching).
The collection presented here includes Crowley's two most important instructional writings on the design and purpose of the magical diary. John St. John, first published in The Equinox in 1909, chronicles his moment-to-moment progress during a 13-day Great Magical Retirement undertaken earlier that year. Crowley referred to John St. John as "...a perfect model of what a magical record should be..." A Master of the Temple is taken from the magical diary of Frater Achad (Charles Stansfeld Jones). It was included in Equinox III, 1 in 1919. Crowley edited the diary for publication and added his invaluable commentary on Achad's magical work, at a time when he felt Achad was his most successful student.
James Wasserman has been studying and practicing the Magical system of Aleister Crowley for over 20 years. Drawing on other primary Crowley texts as well as his own experience with the magical diary, he explores the purpose and necessity of the journal as an aid to the accomplishment of the Great Work.
This book illustrates the theory and practice of the Magical Diary, and elaborates on its importance for the student of Scientific Illuminism (a term which Crowley designated for his teaching).
The collection presented here includes Crowley's two most important instructional writings on the design and purpose of the magical diary. John St. John, first published in The Equinox in 1909, chronicles his moment-to-moment progress during a 13-day Great Magical Retirement undertaken earlier that year. Crowley referred to John St. John as "...a perfect model of what a magical record should be..." A Master of the Temple is taken from the magical diary of Frater Achad (Charles Stansfeld Jones). It was included in Equinox III, 1 in 1919. Crowley edited the diary for publication and added his invaluable commentary on Achad's magical work, at a time when he felt Achad was his most successful student.
James Wasserman has been studying and practicing the Magical system of Aleister Crowley for over 20 years. Drawing on other primary Crowley texts as well as his own experience with the magical diary, he explores the purpose and necessity of the journal as an aid to the accomplishment of the Great Work.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
About the author
James Wasserman
57 books56 followersJames Wasserman was an author and occultist, best known for his full color publication of the Papyrus of Ani, Book of the Dead. A member of Ordo Templi Orientis since 1976 and a book designer by trade, he has written extensively on spiritual and political liberty.
Wasserman began his career in 1973 at Weiser Books, then the world’s largest bookstore and publishing company specializing in esoteric literature. He worked with Brazilian occultist Marcelo Ramos Motta to publish the Commentaries of AL in 1975, for which he wrote the introduction. He supervised the 1976 Weiser edition of the Book of the Law in which the holograph manuscript was appended to the typeset text for the first time in a popular volume. In 1977, he arranged to professionally re-photograph the Frieda Harris Tarot paintings for an improved second edition of Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot deck, to which he contributed the booklet of instruction.[5][6] While still working at the bookstore, he met and befriended the legendary filmmakers and occultists Harry Smith and Alejandro Jodorowsky.
In 1977, he left Weisers to found Studio 31, where he produced the Simon Necronomicon, a volume purporting to be the mythological Necronomicon made famous by H.P. Lovecraft. In 2008, it was re-issued in a high quality 31st anniversary edition by Ibis Press. In 1994, Wasserman assembled a team of scholars, photographers and editorial staff to produce a full-color version of The Egyptian Book of the Dead, based on the Papyrus of Ani. The book was described as offering "much of value in presentation, layout and commentary" by John Baines, professor of Egyptology at the University of Oxford.
Wasserman began his career in 1973 at Weiser Books, then the world’s largest bookstore and publishing company specializing in esoteric literature. He worked with Brazilian occultist Marcelo Ramos Motta to publish the Commentaries of AL in 1975, for which he wrote the introduction. He supervised the 1976 Weiser edition of the Book of the Law in which the holograph manuscript was appended to the typeset text for the first time in a popular volume. In 1977, he arranged to professionally re-photograph the Frieda Harris Tarot paintings for an improved second edition of Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot deck, to which he contributed the booklet of instruction.[5][6] While still working at the bookstore, he met and befriended the legendary filmmakers and occultists Harry Smith and Alejandro Jodorowsky.
In 1977, he left Weisers to found Studio 31, where he produced the Simon Necronomicon, a volume purporting to be the mythological Necronomicon made famous by H.P. Lovecraft. In 2008, it was re-issued in a high quality 31st anniversary edition by Ibis Press. In 1994, Wasserman assembled a team of scholars, photographers and editorial staff to produce a full-color version of The Egyptian Book of the Dead, based on the Papyrus of Ani. The book was described as offering "much of value in presentation, layout and commentary" by John Baines, professor of Egyptology at the University of Oxford.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 17, 2020
The importance of keeping a Magical Record is stressed in so much of Crowley's writing and other occult guidings. It's nice to be presented with a book that bundles a couple of examples, "John St. John" and "A Master of the Temple," in a single volume. Wasserman's introduction is lengthy, and consists of a large number of quotations, mostly from Crowley, about the importance of said Magical Diary. It seems odd that such a lengthy introduction would use so much of someone else's work. Not to mention, a lot of the quoted material is from "John St. John," the piece that is the focal point of this whole book!
"John St. John" purports to be a record of a "Magical Retirement." Nowhere in this book is it clearly stated what exactly that means. I thought the whole point of this book was to help out beginners! Eventually, it becomes clear enough to the reader, but this is something that should be addressed in the introduction. Overall, this piece is quite useful to those looking to start their own record, even if they don't understand everything in it.
"A Master of the Temple" is less useful, largely because it's author is writing about his own journal in the third person, and there is so much missing. There are two things that make this useful. The first is seeing so many gaps that it reassures the reader that success is still possible if you lapse from regular writing. The second thing is that this piece includes commentary from Frater O.M. (Crowley) as originally noted in the actual journals, so there's a nice bit of guidance there.
The concept of this book is great, but it could really benefit from a better introduction.
"John St. John" purports to be a record of a "Magical Retirement." Nowhere in this book is it clearly stated what exactly that means. I thought the whole point of this book was to help out beginners! Eventually, it becomes clear enough to the reader, but this is something that should be addressed in the introduction. Overall, this piece is quite useful to those looking to start their own record, even if they don't understand everything in it.
"A Master of the Temple" is less useful, largely because it's author is writing about his own journal in the third person, and there is so much missing. There are two things that make this useful. The first is seeing so many gaps that it reassures the reader that success is still possible if you lapse from regular writing. The second thing is that this piece includes commentary from Frater O.M. (Crowley) as originally noted in the actual journals, so there's a nice bit of guidance there.
The concept of this book is great, but it could really benefit from a better introduction.
May 26, 2017
Excellent and fascinating read. Essential for anyone interested in the occult. The appendices also have a lot of succinct information in easy to read/reference format. The book would be valuable just for the appendices, so along with 'John St John' and 'A Master of the Temple' it becomes an excellent addition to any library.
December 7, 2018
A compilation of two key writings from AC’s publication The Equinox that refer to the practice of keeping a written record of the aspirant’s journey through the Great Work. The appendices also include other instructive writings to help students on their path into the Light. This is a book to keep on hand for frequently reference.
May 3, 2019
This note is about the kindle edition of the book: A Master of the Temple portion of the book is difficult to follow because Frater Achad’s diary is interspersed with notes from Crowley, but the text is not set off or differentiated in any way. I suspect (or, hope) the printed version is better.
January 19, 2022
From the introductions to the appendices, this is a fascinating, informative read. Personally, I find Crowley’s writing to be much more approachable and relatable when collected in this manner, with a general theme and plenty of supplemental materials to aid in its understanding.
July 12, 2007
This is inspiring but it kind of makes one think, 'Hey, I can do better than that with life.' You've got to admire his meticulous recording. This is his retirement.
July 23, 2015
Hm. Very much a detailed explanation into what goes into a Magical Diary. It goes into detail of things concerning the Magical Retirement, ala Adrian Mole.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews