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Correspondence from Frieda Harris to Aleister Crowley
[Undated: circa 1940]
My dear Aleister,
I haven't written in as those Swords are plaguing the very devil with me. I can't get on—I've just finished the 8—now 10— 9— 2— 8 are done also nearly finished 3 but I keep on first with headache and frightful fatigue, then fall down and cut my leg then burn my thumb then your furniture aerial raid and the folk what fixes the gas stove so that I am constantly driven to brandy or lying on my bed. So I don't get on altho I feverishly wish to. Today I can't work—left eye hurts like mad, it will be all right tomorrow. I must have tried to finish the 8 in a bad light and did not notice—also fell off bicycle.
I am thinking a lot, at least I can attempt to think, but must you send me 2 copies of all your work which necessitates so much sorting. Perhaps this afternoon. I can deal with it. I have been thinking that the book would be lovely if it had opposite the different trumps and playing cards a place like a photo-album where the card could be slipped in instead of a separate pack. I find when I read the script to Ann Christie she understands much better if I give her the photograph of the card to look at all the time. perhaps that will make the book too big but what a de luxe? Yes I sympathize with your lethargy over the Tarot. I can scarcely bear these small cards, so difficult to do so niggley, and all the time such awful listening-in to the world conflict that I could scream. No I think I must go thro with it and get them all done. The Lord of Science isn't bad to do and interesting. The 3, the Binah dark sea, seems to me to be most unpleasant! What about her? Send a line. I am going to do the 6 and 7 at once—if I can stop getting sick and see too. Early blackening is such a bore they are fiercely nosey and war-interfering here having nothing to do and I am, as usual an object of suspicion to the Police and can't manage their changing regulations. Germany has won any way so there is no use in fighting. There is no freedom and the rule of smash-up all because of the feeling—don't—you—know—there's a war-on has come to stay while the Krugleys up about the streets in their helmets and truncheons and feed-the-children. I hear a woman was looking round the hotel for approbation, no sugar thank you. I have given up taking sugar, in my tea for the duration of the War! One must do one's bit! And feeling I have reversed into 1914 I mechanically put 6 lumps of sugar in my tea when I prefer it without! One must maintain Balance in this unnecessary World. The Ivory Tower is very thick.
How goes your pig stye?
Yours in some distress,
Frieda Harris
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