THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

2 December 1947

(page 6)

 

MYSTIC WHO DRANK ELIXIR

OF LIFE DIES IN ENGLAND AT 72.

 

 

HASTINGS, England, Dec. 1.—Aleister Crowley, magician and mystic, claimed that when he was 40 he had distilled and drunk the true elixir of life supposed to prolong life forever. Tonight, at 72, he died.

     

Crowley, center of fantastic stories, once said of himself, "they have called me the 'worst man in the world.' They have accused me of doing everything from murdering women and throwing their bodies into the Seine to drug peddling. . . ."

     

"We magicians are misunderstood," he added.

     

Eighteen years ago, when he was refused the right to live in France, Crowley denied practicing black magic.