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Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to William Sturgis Bigelow
The Adams Cottage. No. Bristol, N.[ew] H.[ampshire]
July 26, 1916 E.V.
Dear Sir:
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
I am obliged by your letter of yesterday, and hasten to reply. I used (by the way) to know a very little about Science, having taken it at Cambridge, England. But the time was too short, and the phenomenon too startling, for me to claim perfect observation. I will, however, answer your questions[1] as best I can, seriatim.
1. The colour was violet and ultra-violet, like an arc light, but with much crimson in it. 2. It did not oscillate, but remained steady for a period which I dare hardly estimate, and then burst. 3. 4. The intensity of the radiance makes it hard to answer these two questions, but there seemed to be a nucleus. 5. The shape approximated closely to the spherical. 6. It apparently fell, but this may be a subjective or rationalized impression. 7. See 6, also comment, infra. 8. See above.
The conditions of the cottage and of the storm were peculiar. At the risk of being tedious, I subjoin a rough sketch.
A. Roofed Balcony B. B. Steps C. Brick chimney and fireplace D. Room where incident occurred. E. Kitchen F. Large iron stove G. G. Windows H. H. Notably tall trees I. Sitting-room J-J Slope to road K. Road L. Lake X. Position of Globe
The cottage is entirely of wood, except the chimney. There are many trees surrounding it, but they are rather small, except those marked.
The climate has been very damp this summer, and I have had large log fires every night in the quite quixotic attempt to combat the humidity. The storm broke without rain, and awoke me. I went to the balcony to watch the lightning, which kept the lake vividly illuminated. I then saw a squall travelling rapidly South, and rushed to the lake to put my canoe in safety. While doing this the squall struck me. I could not have been out in it for 30 seconds, but was wet through to the skin. I went into the room D., stripped, dried myself, and had just put on a flannel shirt when the phenomenon occurred. My hair was probably still fairly wet. I was directly between the chimney and the globe, which appeared close to my right foot. I was seated, bending, just reaching for some knickerbockers.
The above is a fairly complete account of those facts which appear to me suggestive. Now I am anxious to have an opinion on these two theories.
1. Could the lightning have struck the chimney and passed through me, forming the globe on issuing, or passed by me? 2. Could the globe have formed spontaneously in the room? The chimney and its vicinity being exceedingly dry and the rest of the cottage exceedingly wet, it seems to me as if that part might have been charged rather like a Leyden jar.
I should be extremely indebted to you if you would comment upon these points. I am already obliged to you for referring me to the authorities, but this lakeside is not well furnished with Text Books of Science, and I must wait till my return to New York.
Love is the Law, Love under Will.
Yours very sincerely,
Aleister Crowley.
Copy of Questions sent Mr. Aleister Crowley, July 25, 1916.
1. What was the color of the "globe of fire?"
2. Was it steady in the sense that a spherical, ground glass lampshade is steady, or did it oscillate like a large soap-bubble just detached from a pipe?
3. Was the surface uniform or were there any apparent differences in color or texture at different parts?
4. Did the surface show waves or ripples?
5. Was the top of the ball round or did it come up to a blunt point like a peach, or an onion before is sprouts?
6. Was the ball seen to move, or was it first seen at the place where it exploded?
7. If it moved, was it seen to enter the room through an open window or otherwise?
8. If it moved, did it seem to follow any draft of air that was in the room at the time?
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