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Correspondence from Karl Germer to J. G. Raymond
HAMPTON N.J.
October 14, 1952
Lt. G. J. Raymond, USAF 3715 Alverta St. Houston 21, Texas
Dear Lt. Raymond,
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law!
This is the Greeting with which the late Aleister Crowley began all his letters, and closed then with the formula at the end. They are some of the fundamental instructions taken from The Book of the Law, of which I will send you a copy herewith. As time goes on you will hear a lot of this, and I advise that you get acquainted with it by first reading it.
Thank you for your personal data. They do not suffice, of course for the setting up of a horoscope. If you can get an approximation of the hour or, better, minute, let me know.
Can you let me have more information of what the Satanists, you mention, teach? There are conflicting systems. Satan is, of course, Saturn, the oldest and most distant of the planets in the traditional system, who is Chronos with the Greeks, the Lord of Time, with all the attributions that go with him. How did Aleister Crowley's name get in? There is a certain connection, but it requires a high degree of initiation to understand it.
John Symonds, to be frank from the start, is a pure newspaper man, who happened to meet A.C. shortly before his death and seemed suitable to write his biography for the outer public. He has amassed a wealth of data, but proved incapable to delve deeper and does not understand Crowley's teaching at all. But I'm glad he put you in touch with me.
There is a group in California with whom I could put you in touch and with whom you could discuss matters personally when you are there, which is, after all, a better approach than by correspondence alone. From there on we could proceed more quickly.
You will have seen what a vast Crowleian literature exists, and to get acquainted with it there is no other way but to begin to study some of them. Man in California have quite a large collection of Crowley's books, and occasionally you can pick them up in Los Angeles book stores. It is true, they are hard to get by, and the book dealers ask often very high prices. I have compiled a list of those items of which I could send you a copy, with the prices at which I would let you have them. However, the most important as a foundation for the study of Crowley's works and thought, would be for you to try and obtain a set of THE EQUINOX, Vol. I, Numbers 1-10 and Vol. III, No. 1, called "The Blue Equinox" in the trade. If you like, I would try to locate a set. They are rare and may cost $50 or more. But they are a good investment, and can easily be sold again. Sometimes one can get a set cheaper in London.
What you probably need first of all is an intense course of reading and study to round out your knowledge. Magick in Theory and Practice (which is my list, below) and The Blue Equinox, mentioned above, contain a list of books for general reading. Among them are such books as La Bas (Down There) and others by Huymans that have some bearing in the Black Mass, and the Satanists, I think.
The address in California, you could contact Miss Jane Wolfe, 5169 1/2 Fountain ave., Los Angeles 27, Cal., who can put you in touch with others.
Here is the list of books of which I have a few spares:—
The item marked * has just been published and I have given you the dealers' price. It is a reprint of one of the most important books by The Master Therion (Aleister Crowley) which was first published in 1911 but without the Introduction and the Commentary.
When I am next in New York I will give your address to one or two bookdealers who sometimes handle Crowley items, or able to get them if they have your name on their list. I could also, if you wish, mention your name to some London booksellers who often have Crowley books, or can get them. I shall always be glad to advise you on any book that should be offered to you.
Love is the law, love under will.
Sincerely yours,
Karl Germer
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