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To truly understand the philosophy and practice of Thelema, you need to understand its charismatic and influential founder, Aleister Crowley. Thelema demystifies this enigmatic figure, providing a biography of Crowley and showing how his work evolved to become a paradigm-shifting system of magic. This book also explores the texts and writings that form the basis of Thelema, and it provides step-by-step instructions for practicing the basic rites and rituals of this misunderstood tradition. With this accessible guide, you will discover how Crowley and Thelema were influenced by Qabalah, the GoldenDawn, Egyptian deities, sex magic, tarot, Gnosticism, Eastern philosophy, yoga, and much more.

Reviews:

• This is a very interesting religion and this book is a strong introduction. It gives you an introduction to Crowley (say crow Lee) , his life and how this came into being. His background in Raja Hinduism and the occult inform Thelema. I would give this religion a spin if I wasn’t committed to my Buddhism and Catholicism. The law of Thelema makes a lot of sense once you know what it means. Strong enjoyable reading.

• Bought the book. Read the book. I enjoyed the book. I like what was done with it. The book flowed well so it made for quick and easy reading. I think it is an excellent starting point for people to be introduced to Thelema. It’s clear, very positive in attitude, and isn’t likely to be threatening to most people. For many people starting out – the beginning practices and ideas are challenging enough. They don’t need the philosophy and techniques being buried in a book that’s impossible to get through. I liked how the book introduced people to something -at times made it clear that it was beyond the scope of this particular work – but gave them a taste of what it was about (without talking down to a novice) – then told them where to go if they want to wade into the deeper waters of that particular topic. Then, I think importantly, it moves on without getting bogged down in the trenches of the single topic. It seemed like the right move if you want to give people the chance to see there is a bigger picture for Thelema. I think one more thing bears mentioning…while it is a good introduction for someone unfamiliar with Thelema – it also contains practices that could challenge anyone for a long time. The yoga section alone could take up decades of personal work. The practices are also not the type of thing only a beginner does. For many Thelemites these are lifelong daily practices. The fact that the practices are explained clearly and without being unnecessarily wordy doesn’t mean they aren’t challenging and rewarding.

Aleister Crowley (born Edward Alexander Crowley; 12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947) was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, novelist, mountaineer, and painter. He founded the religion of Thelema, identifying himself as the prophet entrusted with guiding humanity into the Æon of Horus in the early 20th century. As a prolific writer, he published widely over the course of his life. Born to a wealthy family in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, Crowley rejected his parents’ fundamentalist Christian Plymouth Brethren faith to pursue an interest in Western esotericism. He was educated at Trinity College at the University of Cambridge, where he focused his attention upon mountaineering and poetry, resulting in several publications. Some biographers allege that here he was recruited into a British intelligence agency, further suggesting that he remained a spy throughout his life. In 1898, he joined the esoteric Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, where he was trained in ceremonial magic by Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers and Allan Bennett. He went mountaineering in Mexico with Oscar Eckenstein, before studying Hindu and Buddhist practices in India. In 1904, he married Rose Edith Kelly, and they honeymooned in Cairo, Egypt, where Crowley wrote down The Book of the Law—a sacred text that serves as the basis for Thelema, which he said had been dictated to him by a supernatural entity named Aiwass. The Book announced the start of the Æon of Horus and declared that its followers should “Do what thou wilt”: seek to align themselves with their True Will via the practice of ceremonial magic. After the unsuccessful 1905 Kanchenjunga expedition and a visit to India and China, Crowley returned to Britain, where he attracted attention as a prolific author of poetry, novels, and occult literature. In 1907, he and George Cecil Jones co-founded an esoteric order—the A∴A∴, through which they propagated Thelema. After spending time in Algeria, in 1912 he was initiated into another esoteric order, the German-based Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.); he rose to become the leader of its British branch, which he reformulated in accordance with Thelema. Through O.T.O., Thelemite groups were established in Britain, Australia, and North America. Crowley spent the First World War in the United States, where he took up painting, and campaigned for the German war effort against Britain. His biographers later revealed that he had infiltrated the pro-German movement to assist the British intelligence services. In 1920, he established the Abbey of Thelema, a religious commune in Cefalù, Sicily, where he lived with various followers. His libertine lifestyle led to denunciations in the British press, and the Italian government evicted him in 1923. He divided the following two decades between France, Germany, and England, and continued to promote Thelema until his death. Crowley gained widespread notoriety during his lifetime, being a drug user, a bisexual, and an individualist social critic. Crowley has remained a highly influential figure over western esotericism and the counterculture of the 1960s, and he continues to be considered a prophet in Thelema. He is the subject of various biographies and academic studies.