Aleister Crowley

Aleister Crowley is the author of Toth Tarot. He was an englishman born in 1875 and died in 1947.

Many have attempted to write about his life and pracices and I don't feel I have much to add. For a quick glimpse into his life and work there is a good article on Wikipedia which I recommend to start with.

When he was young he came into inheritance which lasted him a long time and he made the decision to pursue spiritual interests in the way which they appealed to him.

He was relentless in his pursuit and fearlessly acquired depths of knowledge, skill and insight, which few have been able to achieve. He seemed to like to shock people with many of his statements and activities, but perhaps he simply didn't about others opinions of him. Sometimes for example he referred to himself as "The Beast".

He was an avid mountaineer and climber in his freetime and as such ventured far to climb dangerous mountains and difficult passes. Sometimes in small groups or larger ones.

He fearlessly tried mystique practices and dissected and explored the occult in various ways and often quite innovatively. He wrote books about his discoveries and gave insight into his experiences which often where quite unique and tantalizing. In particular he discovered aspects which to some seem frightening and and unusual.

Many experts and laymen in the field of the occult and spirituality have written about his findings and discoveries, so I don't feel inclined to add much to that heap. One topic I feel thought which could be pointed out: He discovered a coherence in the eternal dance between good and evil whom few have been given the insight into.

It is probably because of his disregard for public opinion of his actions and exploits which has attributed to much of debate about him and his work. There are many who mention his occultism and practice of magick as pure evil - a reputation which he himself welcomed. Others feel he was more angelic and a genuine and good person. Whatever he was there is no question that he added greatly to our culture and that everyone's view is observed through each personal filter.

In the eyes of me, the creator of www.deepmystic.com, he is one of the big names and authors who have paved pathways and insight into the world of occultism and spirituality alike, regardless of his methods or intentions. Particularly I am fond of his famous version of the Tarot cards which are among the most widely uset tarot deck used in the world today.

Iceland 2012.
Guy Ellis