Aleister Crowley Diary Entry

Thursday, 18 March 1920

12.30 circa. Opus^[1] XXIII, Beauty [Ninette Shumway]. Opus excellent. Elixir A1. Object: to get a new grip on the Great Work.

Last night I noted that Mohammed was right again: with two women you have to explain each to the other; with three, two of ‘em compare notes while you're with the third, but four make a crowd and can be neglected, as in the case of an orator.

Some days ago I received, I know not how, the word OCELLI which was connected in my mind with ‘Eyes,’ i.e. Sun and Moon, though I know no tongue in which this word exists as such. (P.S. See how I mistrust myself. The word is, as I thought, perfectly good Latin; but not finding it in my little dictionary, I safeguarded myself in this way! Worm!!) I ask therefore, is this the Word of the Equinox? [I Ching Hexagram] Lingam of Sun. Obviously, yes. I therefore proclaim it.

10.00 p.m. circa. Opus^[1] XXIV, Beauty, p.v.n.^[2] Opus most excellent—Om, very prolonged. Elixir rich, strong, aromatic. Object: fulfilment of the Magus.^[3]

1—[Crowley performs a magical sexual operation.]

2—[Per vas nefandum. By the unmentionable vessel, i.e. anal intercourse.]

3—[Crowley was at this time a Magus 9º = 2^o but he still had to fulfill that role, name by by establishing the word, Thelema, which he had uttered.]

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