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Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to William Bernard Crow
The Ridge, HASTINGS.
18. 6. 46
Care Frater.
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Thanks very much for your letter of the 13th. I am very sorry indeed to hear of your recent illness and hope that it is now completely over.
I promised to give you an account of my Magical career, but on thinking it over, I find that you already possess it: everything important or unimportant is given in the greatest detail in The Equinox in the "Temple of Solomon the King". See also The Equinox of the Gods for the "Cairo Working".
Also a precise account of the form taken in my case by initiation to the grade of Master of the Temple is given in the 'Vision and the Voice'. The conditions of advancement to the grade of 9=2 are given in Liber B vel Magi and the date of advancement is October 1915 e.v.
I had at one time prepared a complete account of my intimate Magical history during the period which elapsed between these grades, but most of the manuscripts have either been lost or destroyed.
I suspect in this case that it was the intention of the Masters to prevent me from spilling the beans. I can however tell you that during practically the whole of my stay in the United States I was constantly challenged by pairs of women who took the form of certain Egyptian Goddesses. They were always in conflict with each other and my progress apparently depended on my choosing which of the pair would be victorious and guide me on the way.
I am also inclined to think that whether or no it was the Masters that have baulked my intentions, it would be a great mistake for me to publish all these details. For one thing a correct interpretation of them, or shall we say understanding of them, would undoubtedly be beyond the power of 999 of very 1000. If there were one such person in the 1000 competent, he would doubtless be able to gather sufficient information from the material that you did publish to induce him to apply to me for further information.
I had hoped to hear by this time that you had secured that appointment at Southampton. As soon as you can gladden my heart in this way I hope you will do so because various circumstances have transpired in the last month or two which put me in a position to make a proposal to you which depends on that appointment—a proposal which would, I think, be of the greatest benefit not only to the Order but to ourselves personally.
Before closing I ought to tell you that certain persons in London are proposing to form a Society for the study of my work; they are to deal rather with the poetic than with the Magical side of it. In this way it will be possible to get a much greater number of people interested, and it may be that "those who come to scoff remain to pray".
I make a point of telling you this to prepare you for the receipt of a letter from Mr. David Curwen, who is a member of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the O.T.O. He wishes, as I understand, to get into personal communication with the more intelligent and learned of your followers in London and district. I hope that you will treat any request that he should make to you with the greatest respect.
I sincerely trust that your restoration to good health may be permanent.
Love is the law, love under will.
Yours sincerely.
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