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Correspondence from Charles Stansfeld Jones to Aleister Crowley
May 8, 1921
Most Beloved Father in the Lord,
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Since writing to you in answer to your letter I have been impressed to ask your advice on certain matters in connection with the Gnosis which is within the Sanctuary.
The Secret Gnosis dawned upon Parzival in June 1916 and he reported to Baphomet accordingly, later receiving the IX°. Meanwhile, before using this knowledge fully, he entered the Abyss and claimed grade of M.T. [Magister Templi] in the A∴A∴ This, as you are aware, involves a doing up of everything, though later he found the use of the Formula did not seem incompatible with the Grade Attained. He had been living with one woman, his wife, for a number of years and although this did not appear to have been a very good match his policy had been to stick to a bargain and endeavour to turn all experiences into good and useful lessons of the Great Work. However, at the time of receiving the knowledge of the IX he was violently attracted towards a young girl [Katherine Talbot] who he felt sure would have been an excellent "Partner," but this opportunity he "gave up" in taking the M.T. Degree and used instead the Cup with which he was already provided, even though that Cup were one of Poison. He felt that the Highest and best course was to accept as a result of any Operation whatsoever should seem best unto the Most High, although, on the advice of A.C., he made a series of experiments of a more definite and limited nature more or less as a scientific duty. These did not at first seem to have a very definite result. In 1917, 18 months later, the 91 experiments seemed to culminate all at once in another big stage of the M.T. Initiation which lasted for 15 days or more. All this time he had stayed with his one woman, somewhat against the advice of A.C.
Then came a period when the Gnosis did not seem to mean so much to him though every act was dedicated to the Highest. Then he left his wife for a month or so and joined A.C. in N.[ew] Y.[ork]. During this period the few relationships he had with other women were unsatisfactory, and he was glad when his old partner joined him. Then came a long period of quiet when nothing Occult seemed to be on the boards at all. He moved to Detroit. There he gave many lectures etc., and did a good deal of work but zest for IX˚ seemed lacking. Then he met a young girl [Leota Schneider] who aroused within him once more a rather intense love and he wondered if at last he had found a partner for IX. Almost immediately after this he fell in love with a young married woman and every other attraction seemed to fall away. This new love ripened in what appeared to be an ideal manner. There seemed perfect harmony and a strong sexual desire though this was not allowed to get the upper hand until the matter had been mentioned to the husband and his consent obtained. This he at first gave and all seemed well, when he gave back a little thus causing the lady to hesitate before any sexual intercourse had taken place. They decided in order that the conditions should be as perfect as possible, to wait till there was a perfect harmonious arrangement possible rather than spoil things by hurrying too much.
Shortly after this the husband and wife find it necessary to leave for Chicago with only a day's notice. Parzival remained in Detroit. He paid two brief visits to Chicago and the friendship continued to ripen. There was a continuous correspondence. All things seemed favourable though the delays were hard to bear, it was nearly a year since the beginning of their love until the time Parzival found himself in Chicago, his interests all transferred there, his wife away on a six months holiday in Europe, quite friendly still and ignorant of the love affair of Parzival with the other lady. It seemed at last there was a chance of a perfect IX˚ partner. They were alone on several occasions in Chicago and opportunities for the sexual side of the affair arose. Much to the chagrin of P.[arzival] he found after so long a period of desire he was unable to enter into a natural relationship. He, wither being too excited and quick, or also too nervous for the act. He realized at once that it would be necessary for them to be together for some little time in order to get their magnetism readjusted and conditions as they should be. He suggested some more or less permanent arrangement which the lady for a brief period seemed to consider, then, without warning, the current seemed to weaken, the lady refused to come to see him any more, was friendly, but firm in her decision to let things go no further. Finally stated she was in love with her own husband etc. The soul of Parzival seemed blank, the very foundations of his love nature seem to have been turned upside down. The one big incentive of months of work is suddenly taken away. Now he is strong enough to grit his teeth and possibly turn this love Current on to a more Universal Plane, but how about a partner for IX? He has not even got his old partner, and has no inclination to promiscuous relationships.
In your opinion is it well to accept an, kind of partner one can get, or was P. right in doing all in his power to find a perfect combination, even though the experiment has apparently failed?
Love is the law, love under will.
Thy son,
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