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Correspondence from Leah Hirsig to Aleister Crowley
[EXTRACT]
E. A. Crowley, Esq.
[6 September 1930]
[written in the hand of Norman Mudd.]
Dear Sir,
At various times during my past intercourse with you, acting in part under your inspiration, I contracted various oaths or similar bonds.
I now notify you that all promises which I have ever made to you personally—whether called or described as oaths, vows, obligations, pledges or what not—whether sealed by my signature or by my spoken word or in any other way,—all bonds, enactions and instruments soever which, in their intendments, give you any formal claim on me—are now, defunct in my sight.
I define the symbol Ẍ to mean a certain Ceremony wherein you are to declare to me, in a form approved by me, that I have no obligations to you personally.
I define the symbol X to mean the duration which which commences on this present date—September 6, 1930—and continues until, but not after, I give you a formal Certificate stating that the Ceremony has been duly performed.
Throughout the duration Ẍ I shall ignore, at my pleasure, (1) any intimation that any communication from you to me is confidential or restricted in any other way, and (2) any written missive purporting to be from you which is not signed with your name—Crowley—in a handwriting which I can recognize as yours.
I define the symbol Ẋ to mean the moment of Greenwich Mean Noon on October 6, 1930.
I define the term Lyg to be a common noun meaning a proposition which I offer to the cognizance of another—some supposed intelligence other then myself—as if I believed the proposition whereas in fact I disbelieve it.
Lygs need not be communicated in words. I can utter and convey Lygs in any medium of communication: in gesture and action generally, pictures, odours, dress, music—positive signs, shows, seemings, cues and clues of innumerable kinds—as also, by significant silence and various other arts of refrainment . . .
[etc. etc.]
Leah Hirsig.
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