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Aleister Crowley That Makes Sense

Aleister Crowley That Makes Sense is a curated collection of Crowley’s writings, essays, and commentaries presented with clarity and context. Many readers find Crowley’s work dense, cryptic, or “impossible to read”—but beneath the archaic style and occult symbolism lies a coherent, profound philosophy. This project highlights the texts where his ideas are expressed most plainly or accessibly, offering gateways into Thelema without the jargon, mythic obscurity, or unnecessary difficulty.

The Basics of Thelema

  • Liber II: The Message of the Master Therion: “Explains the essence of the new Law in a very simple manner.”
  • Liber OZ: The Rights of Man: “The Thelemic declaration of rights of Man, in five sections comprised of one syllable words.”
  • Duty: “A note on the chief rules of practical conduct to be observed by those who accept the Law of Thelema.”
  • Liber DCCCXXXVII: The Law of Liberty: “This is a further explanation of the Book of the Law in reference to certain Ethical problems.”
  • Liber CL: De Lege Libellum: “A further explanation of the Book of the Law, with special reference to the Powers and Privileges conferred by its acceptance. The Law of Liberty Love Life and Light.”

The Beginning of the Path of the Great Work

  • Liber Librae sub figura XXX: Explains the basic attitude of equilibrium required when embarking on the path of the Great Work as well as other advice for beginners.
  • Liber LXI vel Causae: On the origins of the A∴A∴. “Explains the actual history and origin of the present movement… In other words, the collapse of the Order of the G∴D∴ and the founding of the A∴A∴.”
  • Postcards to Probationers: The essential unity of the methods of Magick and Yoga.
  • “Sorrow” from Little Essays Toward Truth: On the Trance of Sorrow that leads one to aspire to the Path of the Wise.
  • Liber O excerpt: A brief excerpt from the basic text on ceremonial magical work about the attitude toward the metaphysical ideas used.
  • Eight Lectures on Yoga, chapter 1: On Yoga as Union.

More Advanced Study on the Great Work

These two texts are Holy Books of Thelema and therefore contain some mysterious, symbolic language but they are nonetheless clear at points. They are both geared towards individuals toward the beginning of the Path of the Great Work and so should be points of study:

Thelemic Society

  • Liber CCC: Khabs Am Pekht: Regarding spreading the Law of Thelema, known as promulgation. “A special instruction for the Promulgation of the Law. This is the first and most important duty of every aspirant of whatever grade. It builds up in him the character and Karma which forms the Spine of Attainment.”
  • Liber CXXIV Of Eden and the Sacred Oak: A short essay on hospitality and the proper attitude toward fellow Thelemites. Though originally written for the Profess Houses of the O.T.O., its core principles of mutual respect, generosity, and fraternity remain timeless.

The Basics of Thelemic Organizations

A∴A∴

Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO)

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