|
Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Eliza M. Butler
The Ridge Hastings
Professor E.M. Butler, Newnham College, Cambridge.
8.1.46
Dear Professor Butler.
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
It delighted me beyond measure to hear that you enjoyed your visit, I am only sorry that your time was so restricted because it has been very much on my conscience as to whether I have answered all your questions, and also because there are several points which I wish to make clear to you before you write your chapter.
I think that Captain Yorke [Gerald Yorke] has a copy of Liber Aleph, The Book of Wisdom or Folly, and if so I should like you to refer to chapters Bn to Bph [in Greek].
It is very important that you should understand the theory of the A∴A∴. People like St Germain, Rasputin, Eliphas Levi, and H.P.B. [Helena Petrovna Blavatsky] are not Magi, they are merely magicians with subsidiary functions, sometimes apparently disconnected from the main work of the Order, which is to send forth Magi from time to time uttering a certain Word, which must be a single word, and must be a magical formula which puts into the hands of mankind a new weapon.
The chapters referred to above in Liber Aleph give the names of such Magi, and the Words that they uttered.
If Captain Yorke has not a copy I will arrange to lend you one myself. I think that you will find the study of these chapters very useful indeed for your main purpose.
Let me say furthermore that if, when you come to draft your chapter, you find any further difficulties, you will not hesitate to take another day or so off to have a chat with me. I am afraid it is impossible for me to leave Hastings until the Dentist has finished his sublime task, which may be about the middle or end of April.
Love is the law, love under will.
Yours sincerely
Aleister Crowley.
P.S. You said that you admired Frieda Harris' work. I have some sketches by her, designs for a Punch and Judy show, that she asked me to destroy when I had glanced at them. They are much too good for that, yet I cannot use them to any good purpose.
So—would you care to accept them as a trifling souvenir of your too short visit?
A.C.
|