THE NEWS CHRONICLE

London, England

13 April 1934

(page 4)

STORY OF CAT SACRIFICE

Widow Says Man Drank Its Blood

MISS BETTY MAY SEDGWICK

A woman witness’s description of life at the “Abbey of Thelema,” Sicily, including the alleged sacrifice of a cat and the drinking of its blood, was a feature of the “black magic” libel action yesterday.

Mr. Aleister Crowley, otherwise “Beast 666,” the plaintiff, refused to accept a challenge by Counsel to try his magic in court.

Mr. Crowley, the author, claims damages in the King’s Bench Division against Miss Nina Hamnett, authoress of “Laughing Torso,” and Constable and Company, Limited, the publishers and Messrs Charles Whittingham and Briggs, the printers.

He complains that the book imputed that he practiced “black magic.” The defence is a plea of justification.

“NO BLOOD DRINKING”

Mr. Crowley denied that a cat was killed in a ceremony at his villa in Sicily and that part of the cat’s blood was drunk.

Carl [sic] Germer [Karl Germer], a German, said he knew many who admired Mr. Crowley very highly in Germany and also in America. Mr. Crowley had never practiced black magic. He had seen Mr. Crowley invoking spirits.

The first witness for the defence, Mrs. Betty May Sedgewickk, said she was formerly the wife of Frederick Loveday, referred to in the case as Raoul Loveday. They went to the “Abbey” in Sicily in 1922, and she was forced to sign a book of rules against her will.

One big ceremony lasted for 24 hours. Mr. Crowley wore a robe of bright colours and there was a scarlet woman, his spiritual wife, who wore a jeweled snake under her robe.

Everybody was excited when they had a “terrible sacrifice—the sacrifice of a cat which had scratched Mr. Crowley.”

FOUR HUSBANDS

“Finally they killed the cat and my young husband had to drink a cup of the cat’s blood.”

Mr. Eddy (cross-examining) I suggest you have given evidence which is untrue and which you know to be untrue?—No.

How many times have you been married?—I think four times.

How many times have you been divorced?—Three.

The hearing was adjourned until to-day.