Beginner's Reading
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I am individually motivated and don't require (nor can I stomach) swill like abrahadabra. However, I'm wondering if someone can provide me with an ordered list of books, preferably by Crowley himself, to get me started on the path. I've begun reading Magick in Theory and Practice and gotten quite far. However, I understand that it is to be read in conjunction with a number of other books, in addition to those that Crowley cited in the text itself, and much of it makes very little sense.
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Magick Without Tears is a very good starter. What you're reading, Magick in Theory and Practice is good read but you're right in that it's essentially part of a larger work - Liber ABA aka Book 4 aka the Big Blue Brick. You're right in that Crowley is hard to stomache for a beginner. Read Magick Without Tears, then the works in the Big Blue Brick, and then I would hop into the Equinox - Gems From the Equinox will suffice. Just fire away any questions that you have. Other recommended reading would be: Little Essays Towards Truth and Eight Lectures on Yoga.
I actually started with Israel Regardie's work and then moved into Crowley's. You may want to do the same as his work breaks down ceremonial magick more and the Golden Dawn tradition, of which Crowley expanded upon.
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@case said
"I am individually motivated and don't require (nor can I stomach) swill like abrahadabra."
Not sure what you mean here. You're calling the Word of the Aeon "swill"? (If so, what is it exactly to which you object?) Or am I missing your point.
"However, I'm wondering if someone can provide me with an ordered list of books, preferably by Crowley himself, to get me started on the path. I've begun reading Magick in Theory and Practice and gotten quite far. However, I understand that it is to be read in conjunction with a number of other books, in addition to those that Crowley cited in the text itself, and much of it makes very little sense."
You've started with what I consider his post-graduate work. I'd suggest Magick Without Tears and Crowley's published commentaries on Liber L. for starters. And, of course, the whole of Gems From the Equinox.
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@Jim Eshelman said
"Not sure what you mean here. You're calling the Word of the Aeon "swill"? "
I'm showing my vast amount of inexperience. My apologies. I was referring to this infantile book, which I picked up a while ago. I, in all honesty, have very little understanding of most thelemic tenets, the word of the aeon being among them. My position is a difficult one. I can't stomach the majority introductory books that have complete contempt for the reader, but what I've read of Crowley thus far goes, mostly, way over my head.
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Another great book is "The Magick of Thelema" by Brother Lon Duquette.
I take it the 'ABRAHADABRA' you are speaking of is Rodney's book?another good book is 'Modern Magick'. Although it is not 'Thelemic', it is a great starter book and is Golden Dawn based.
93 93/93.'.
Kohen ha-Gadhol
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Friend,
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.
@case said
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@Jim Eshelman said
"Not sure what you mean here. You're calling the Word of the Aeon "swill"? "I'm showing my vast amount of inexperience. My apologies. I was referring to this infantile book, which I picked up a while ago. I, in all honesty, have very little understanding of most thelemic tenets, the word of the aeon being among them. My position is a difficult one. I can't stomach the majority introductory books that have complete contempt for the reader, but what I've read of Crowley thus far goes, mostly, way over my head."
Have you read all of the recommended reading referred to in Rodney Orpheus' "Abrahadbra"? They're listed at the end of each chapter.
If not, those would be great places to start.
Love is the law, love under will.
L
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As for the works of Crowley you are asking for, I am trying to read them when I can in the order he wrote them as much possible to try (difficult as it sometimes is) to follow the development of his thought. This goes without saying it requires certain knowledge of Occult concepts outside of his own writing (Qabalah, Tarot, Ceremonial Magic, etc.).
Of course, I started with THE LAW IS FOR ALL
I have perused but passed on his GOETIA work at this point in my studies and will come back to it in the future.
Then I went in this order:KONX OM PAX
777
AHA!
THE UNIVERSE
TAROT DIVINATION
THE BOOK OF LIES
BOOK 4
LIBER ALEPH vel CXII have been reading MAGIC WITHOUT TEARS and MAGICK IN THEORY AND PRACTICE out of order. I'm not quite sure why the method but they seem to blend into all of his writings.
On another note, I've also read DIARY OF A DRUG FIEND and MOONCHILD for a welcome break.
Of course my list is missing several titles. But these are the only physical books I have. (I am not counting my numerous PDFs and Xeroxes. You just can't beat the actual books!)
Hope this helps.