When I think of Aleister Crowley, I think of The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s album cover, the album of which is still one of the best ever.
Speaking of which, I recommend listening to my podcast episode about The Beatles and the fascinating secret history behind their music and lyrics, which includes people like Phil Spector and session musicians known as the Wrecking Crew.
Jerm
If you want to entertain this conspiracy theory, Rubber Soul is the smoking gun album. Before you knee-jerk, which invariably happens, listen to the conversation.
Oh, and it’s not just The Beatles, by the way, it’s also The Monkees, The Beach Boys, and more.
Crowley’s Thelema is a cesspool of depravity—its do what thou wilt mantra excuses every vice from drugs to debauchery.
— John Symonds, Crowley biographer
Back to Aleister
Aleister Crowley (1875–1947) was a British writer, poet, and occultist.
He’s best known for founding Thelema, a spiritual philosophy based on the idea of "Do what thou wilt," meaning following your true purpose (whatever that means). The Church of Satan, inspired by him, applies a similar philosophy.
Jerm
His Abbey of Thelema in Sicily was a den of filth—sickness, addiction, and death followed his occult experiments.
— Betty May, former disciple
He was into magic (or magick, which he spelt with a "k"), mysticism, and exploring different beliefs because he hated anything and everything to do with Christianity.
He wrote many books, like The Book of the Law, and was part of secret societies like the Golden Dawn.
Crowley’s black magic was a fraud—his Egyptian visions were drug-fueled delusions, not divine truth.
— Israel Regardie, former Crowley secretary
Apparently.
Who knows?
It was a secret, after all. 😂
But here's the rub.
Some—especially those in the entertainment industry—saw him as a genius for reasons I can't fathom. Led Zeppelin's guitarist Jimmy Page bought his home. David Bowie sang about him. Ozzy Osbourne released a song called Mr Crowley. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were into Thelema. Iron Maiden sang about him.
It's bizarre.
He travelled widely, climbed mountains, and not only influenced modern occultism, but society as a whole.
And, like I said, not many people know.
I’ve been a member of the Mavericks Project for years, a global network founded by guys I know, buffering against central control. They don't accept all applications because they focus on quality, not quantity.
Crowley’s sex magick was perverse—exploiting women under spiritual guises, he left broken lives in his wake.
— Hugh Urban, professor of religious studies
🎙️ Podcast episode
William Ramsey is a lawyer, writer, and researcher with a History degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a law degree, making him a member of the State Bar of California.
Some of his books related to Crowley include:
- Prophet of Evil: Aleister Crowley
- 9/11 and the New World Order
- Children of the Beast: Aleister Crowley's Shadow Over Humanity
William has also made films about Crowley, such as Occult Hollywood and Prophet of Evil, although, as I type this, I can’t seem to find links to either film. They appear to be heavily censored.
