Edward Alexander Crowley, who later adopted the name Aleister, moved from his birthplace in Leamington Spa to become a central figure in early 20th-century Western esotericism. As the founder of the religion of Thelema, he operated as a writer, painter, and ceremonial magician, challenging the conventional religious norms of his time through his extensive literary output.
Early Education and Influences
Born in 1875 to a wealthy family involved in the brewing industry, Crowley rejected his parents' strict Plymouth Brethren upbringing during his youth. He attended several institutions, including Tonbridge School, Malvern College, and Eastbourne College, before entering Trinity College, Cambridge. During his academic years, he focused on philosophy and English literature while developing a serious commitment to mountaineering, a pursuit that took him across the Alps and resulted in him joining the Scottish Mountaineering Club.
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In 1898, he joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, where he received training in ceremonial magic. His travels in India and Egypt marked a significant shift in his life. While in Cairo in 1904, he produced The Book of the Law, a text he attributed to a supernatural entity named Aiwass. This work became the foundation for Thelema, a movement centered on the principle of acting according to one's True Will. He later co-founded the A∴A∴ to propagate these teachings.
International Activity and Final Years
Crowley's involvement with the Ordo Templi Orientis began in 1912, leading him to establish the Abbey of Thelema in Cefalù, Sicily, in 1920. His residence there as a religious commune prompted public criticism and his subsequent eviction by the Italian government in 1923. He spent his later years residing in France, Germany, and England. He remained a prolific author throughout his life, publishing works such as Moonchild, Diary of a Drug Fiend, and Magick Without Tears, before his death in Hastings in 1947.
Fast facts
- Born: 1875, Leamington Spa
- Died: 1947, Hastings
- Religion: Thelema
- Key associations: Ordo Templi Orientis, Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, A∴A∴
- Major publications: The Book of the Law, Magick, Moonchild, Diary of a Drug Fiend
- Academic background: Trinity College, Cambridge
- Notable interests: Mountaineering, chess composition, painting
Questions readers ask
What is the primary belief of Thelema?
Thelema is based on the idea that followers should align themselves with their True Will by doing what they wish, guided by the principles in The Book of the Law.
Where is Aleister Crowley buried?
He is buried in Hampton.
Achievements
- Notable work: The Book of the Law
- Notable work: Abbey of Thelema
- Notable work: Snowdrops from a Curate's Garden
- Educated at Trinity College, Tonbridge School and Malvern College
- Worked as playwright, novelist and occultist
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