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Aleister Crowley Diary Entry
Saturday, 23 June 1923
Die Saturn
. . . I knew (as I know my other inexpressible truths) that all variations would somehow or other turn out to be wins. I choose this position—simple as it is—for special study, as illustrating the nature of my chess genius: the idea of pawn play, either to establish a Restriction on the Sinner or to clear my path to Glory: that of smashing batteries while gaining time by a check with the camouflaging piece (the B in this case) etc. There is also interest in this fact, that I possess the power of seeing things in this way without consciousness of details. Also, I expect the average man not only to acquiesce in my Rightness-of-view, but to be able to explain why I am so bloody right although I cannot do so myself!
Love is the law, love under will.
1.42 a.m. Frater O.P.V. [Norman Mudd] has failed in Vigilance. He has allowed me to keep the light on after 1 a.m. He furthermore failed in Vigilance, not having observed that I put back my watch 30 minutes. I administer the severest penalty of the Tribunal—Unavailing Remorse!
As it is written: ‘Strike hard and low and to hell with them, master!’
All day in Tunis. Several [Heroin] on various special excuses: moral reaction from alarmed determination caused by some slight rheumatic pain last night to quit.
Every time I swear off I fall harder the next day! A fact useful to know. Won 2 games, both very long; one 70 odd moves, the other 63. The sturdy old salt refused to surrender, though he had lost a game in the thirties.
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