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Correspondence from Maurice Bruce to John Symonds
166 Yarm Road DARLINGTON Co: Durham
John Symonds Esq., c/o Frederick Muller Ltd., Ludgate House, Fleet Street, London, E.C.4.
18th March 1958. QUID EST VERITAS?
Dear Mr. Symonds,
I have just finished reading your latest book, "The Magic of Aleister Crowley," and I found it quite as fascinating as "The Great Beast." Both these books are welcome additions to my modest library.
As a follower of the Abra-Melin System I have often thought that many of A.C.'s occult "accidents" could be the result of his misuse of the Holy Oil (in Cakes of Light) and his adaptation of the Holy Instruments for illegitimate purposes (in the Magical sense).
My grandfather, at the grade 9º=2o always doubted whether Crowley had ever really completed the Abra-Melin System because, as I have been able to verify to my own satisfaction, the Demons tend to materialise and become disconcertingly active long before the Six Moons of the retirement are far advanced. They certainly don't wait to be invoked, nor can they be banished or dismissed by the Pentagram or Hexagram Rituals.
One passage in "The Magic of Aleister Crowley," has me puzzled. On page 153, paragraph two, you speak of Perdurabo kindling the incense of Abra-Melin "Made from myrrh, galangal, cinnamon and olive oil,". This is, of course, the Sacred Oil—the Incense consists of Olibanum, Stacte, and Lig. Aloes.
I know that some of Crowley's American followers use GALANGAL oil as fuel for the sanctuary lamp as well as for anointing but I have never heard of the actual Sacred Oil being used as lamp fuel—was this statement perhaps an oversight?
Thanking you again for some most enjoyable and enlightening reading.
Yours sincerely,
Maurice Bruce.
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