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Aleister Crowley Diary Entry Friday, 15 December 1916
Twice recently the Lord has showed me signal favour, by sending a sufficient sum of money when I was within a dollar or so of actual starvation. It is really very kind of Him, and I am aware that this is the usual practice in such cases, but I have had about ten years of it, and “I’m through.” I don’t care what the practice is; my faith is in perfect working order; I enjoy the Beatific Vision practically without cessation; I’m not complaining. I’m merely going on strike. For my power to work is being hampered exceedingly by the constant worries about things like stenographers and printers. The Book of the Law is quite clear; we are to have a good time in the ordinary sense of the word. And if the Book is wrong, then the whole question lapses. Georgie, the negro maid, came in this morning; I said I was annoyed because I had to go out to get a registered letter. She said that she didn’t have to go out if she didn’t want to; the madam could go out herself.
Am I to be taught the simplest elements by Georgie? Yea, verily, and Amen!
I therefore down tools until I have (1) a competent stenographer (2) money enough in hand to see me comfortably through until the Equinox of Spring, this to include payment of all American liabilities and clothes (3) a guarantee—by some signal sign or in some more practical manner—that all will be well in future. I intend to interpret this in the most liberal way; and shall add to it this fourth demand (4) means of publishing immediately all MSS. except those destined for Eq[uino]x III.
This strike is to include all work for O.T.O. as well as A∴A∴. I shall not inform the Brethren of my decision; if the Gods can keep silence, so can I. If I can’t, I’ll learn how.
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