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Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Jack Parsons
[EXTRACT]
[Undated: circa January 1943]
My dear Jack,
. . . The A∴A∴ system is quiet and controlled. . . . You do write rather hysterically about this "dark and shining brother [Wilfred Talbot Smith]." His writing to me is sufficient condemnation. . . . I do not like the look of any of this. I should say that you were in danger of obsession. What you most need is the Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram. And be damned careful that you do it right! Asana and Pranayama might also be helpful. . . . You should also practice Liber Jugorum and get more control. This is very important.
Now, Wilfred. Of course Regina [Regina Kahl] was "never more than a coarse, bouncing, blatant, bellowing cow, and he's very very well rid of her." (This a verbatim report from one source!)
He is an 8º=3o only by the rule that makes you one if you choose to claim to be one. In his case, it was only a drunken freak; but so is jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge for a bet.
He has not gone through any of the grades that lead up to it; I think he was passed to Neophyte, but he certainly never went further. Where are his records? What has he accomplished? His position in the Order is accordingly that of a Busted Flush. . . . It was his trying to hamper you that drove me to writing to you about it. . . . Now I do wish you would tell me what you owe to him—your whole outlook is utterly wrong and futile.
What you don't know—as far as I can see—is History. I know of no precedent for a man with your ideas getting anywhere at all. You see, you think the whole thing is a swindle. You don't believe in the Masters. You don't trust The Book of the Law to look after itself. For it is the living faith, and not the blind belief, in your Truth that gives the genius to overthrow great cities. When you have got that, you won't have to ask me for a plan of campaign, or a way out of this or that, or anything else.
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