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Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Norman Mudd
Collegium ad Spiritum Sanctum, Cefalù, Sicily
Mar. 19, 1923 e.v.
Care Frater,
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
I find that I am not getting better in the straightforward way I could have hoped. It seems rather problematical whether I shall be able to travel within a week, which I should have to do (I think; I have not yet received definite information from Cook's) in order to be in or near Gibraltar by the appointed date.
Expect letter No. 3 (or telegram) at Gibraltar, to let you know whether I have been able to start or not.
I am writing on the assumption that I shall not have been able to travel. If letter No. 3 or telegram confirms this, please act on the following.
It is up to you to decide whether you will go on to England from Gibraltar or come directly here. If you feel absolutely obliged to go to England, please be very careful to comply with the following injunctions.
1. Let your visits be as brief as possible.
2. Refuse absolutely to discuss your plans, your spiritual position, your relations with me, or your financial affairs.
3. Be prepared for hostile cross-examination; and for every kind of pressure, direct or indirect, to prevent you carrying out our programme.
4. Let your first interview be with Miss Jane Wolfe, c/o Western Engraving Co. 18 Broad Street, Golden Sq. This is her postal address only.
5. On no account make any attempt to act on my behalf in any way. The above is absolutely necessary, but evidently it emasculates your journey hopelessly. In fact, it leaves you in the position of saying, "Well, here I am. Now you see me. Hope you feel better. Good-bye."
I am convinced that it will be very much better if you postpone your visit to England till August. You have taken an Oath to give up everything for the Great Work. "Crowley duce, et auspice Crowley," and you had better let the dead bury their dead. You can write from here explaining your delay in visiting England.
You should be able to get a refund from the Union Castle for the voyage from Gibraltar to London; but even if you should fail, it is only a matter of £5 or £10, I suppose, and more than that amount will be saved on my journey. To tell you the truth, I do not like the idea of spending your money on anything but absolute necessities for the Great Work.
The situation in England is so critical that your impulsive nature would be almost sure to induce you to take some rash action if you reached England unprepared by a thorough knowledge of the situation. It is hardly credible; but some people are sufficiently asinine to clamour for an exhumation of Loveday's [Raoul Loveday] body! And en even more distinguished class of the community is anxious to institute a prosecution for witchcraft, tho' whether I am to be 'swung', or simply burnt at the stake, has apparently not been settled. Please do not think that I am delirious. These mediaeval absurdities are actual facts.
On the whole, therefore, it seems much the best course for you to leave the ship at Gibraltar, whether I am in the neighbourhood or no. It is the right thing to do Magically, beyond doubt; and, as far as I can see, the practical aspect is identical. You should be able either to get a Fabre Line Steamer direct from Gibraltar to Palermo, or some other line to Naples. In any case, you can find out easily enough at Gibraltar. Even if I were able to get there, I now think it would be far better for you to come here before going to England. You can do much more there after three months in Cefalù, which will enable you to assimilate the atmosphere, and to mature definite plans for the essential campaign. I think, moreover, that it may be of some spiritual importance for you to make the Magical gesture that family, friends, interests, everything, no longer exist for you.
My idea of joining you at Gibraltar was really to kill two birds with one stone. The doctor strongly recommends a long sea voyage to build up my health. But if I find that I should have to go overland, there is not so much point in it; and anyhow, I am so weak with heavy sweats every night and other symptoms cachexia that a long journey might do more harm than good, even assuming that I were physically capable of starting. This is the best time of the year here—from now till the middle of July, and I have in this Abbey all that loving care (to say nothing of the convenience of having everything handy) which is the best aid to convalescence. When I wrote letter No. 1, I don't think I realized fully how ill I had been, or how long it would take me (even in the best conditions) to regain my normal health and energy.
Love is the law, love under will.
Yours fraternally,
The Beast 666.
ΛΟΓΟC ΑΙΩΝΟC Θελγμχ
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