Aleister Crowley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aleister Crowley
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Crowley in 1925
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Edward Alexander Crowley
12 October 1875 Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England
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| Died | 1 December 1947 (aged 72) Hastings, East Sussex, England
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| Resting place | Ashes buried in Hampton, New Jersey |
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| Children | 5 |
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Aleister Crowley (born Edward Alexander Crowley; 12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947) was an English writer, poet, and adventurer. He was also known for his interest in magic and founded a spiritual path called Thelema. He wrote many books and poems during his life.
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Who Was Aleister Crowley?
Crowley was born into a wealthy family in Royal Leamington Spa, England. He went to Trinity College at the University of Cambridge. There, he spent a lot of time on mountaineering and writing poetry. He even published some of his works.
Early Life and Discoveries
After college, Crowley traveled to India. He studied different spiritual practices like Hindu and Buddhist traditions. In 1904, he married Rose Edith Kelly. They went on their honeymoon to Cairo, Egypt.
While in Cairo, Crowley said he was contacted by a spirit named Aiwass. This spirit supposedly gave him The Book of the Law. This book became the main text for Thelema, the spiritual path Crowley founded. The book announced a new era and told followers to "Do what thou wilt." This meant people should find and follow their own unique purpose, called their True Will. They could do this through a practice he called "magick."
Adventures and New Groups
After an unsuccessful mountain climbing trip in 1905, Crowley visited India and China. He then returned to Britain. He became well-known for writing many poems, novels, and books about magic.
In 1907, he and George Cecil Jones started a group called the A∴A∴. Through this group, they shared the ideas of Thelema. Later, in 1912, Crowley joined another group called the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.). He became the leader of its British branch. He changed the group to fit his Thelemite beliefs.
Through the O.T.O., Thelema groups were started in Britain, Australia, and North America.
Life During Wartime and Later Years
Crowley spent World War I in the United States. During this time, he started painting. He was also involved in activities that he later said were to help British intelligence services.
In 1920, he created a community called the Abbey of Thelema in Sicily, Italy. He lived there with some of his followers. His way of life at the Abbey caused some controversy. The Italian government asked him to leave in 1923.
For the next twenty years, he lived in France, Germany, and England. He continued to share the ideas of Thelema until he passed away.
Crowley died on 1 December 1947, at the age of 72. He passed away from a lung condition called chronic bronchitis.
Crowley remains a very influential person. Many people who follow Thelema still see him as a prophet. He is the subject of many books and studies.
What Did Aleister Crowley Believe?
Crowley's belief system, Thelema, is seen by experts as a religion. It is often described as a "new religious movement" or a "magico-religious" teaching.
Core Ideas of Thelema
In his own writings, Crowley said his goal was to "bring oriental wisdom to Europe." He also wanted to "restore paganism in a purer form." What he meant by "paganism" was not always clear.
Crowley's ideas were influenced by many different sources. These included:
- Eastern spiritual practices like Hindu yoga and Buddhism.
- Scientific ideas about nature.
- Various Western magic traditions. These included ceremonial magic, alchemy, astrology, Rosicrucianism, Kabbalah, and the Tarot.
Thelema is based on the idea that everyone has their own unique True Will. This is their true purpose in life. People should discover and follow this True Will. Thelema teaches that this individual purpose fits perfectly with the larger purpose of the universe. Crowley called this process of finding one's True Will "the Great Work."
See Also
Images for kids
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Aleister Crowley was born as Edward Alexander Crowley at 30 Clarendon Square in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, on 12 October 1875.
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Crowley in Golden Dawn clothing, 1910
