Comments
by
Aleister
Crowley: |
“The
Equinox” should have been, on its merits, a very successful
venture. Frank Harris had generously given me one of the best
stories he ever wrote, “The Magic Glasses”. Fuller had
contributed a gargantuan preface to
The
Temple of Solomon the King (the title of the
story of my magical career), a series of sublimely eloquent
rhapsodies descriptive of the various possible attitudes towards
existence. There were three important instructions in Magick;
the best poem of its kind that I had so far written, “The Wizard
Way”; “At the Fork of the Roads”, a true and fascinating story
of one of my early magical experiences;
The
Soldier and the Hunchback ! and ? which I still think
one of the subtlest analyses that has ever been written on
ontology, with its conclusion: that ecstatic affirmation and
sceptical negation are neither of them valid in themselves but
are alternate terms in an infinite series, a progression which
is in itself a sublime and delightful path to pursue.
Disappointment arises from the fear that every joy is transient.
If we accept it as such and delight to destroy our own ideals in
the faith that the very act of destruction will encourage us to
rebuild a nobler and loftier temple from the debris of the old,
each phase of our progress will be increasingly pleasant. “pi
alpha mu phi alpha gamma epsilon pi alpha gamma gamma epsilon nu
epsilon tau omega rho”, “All devouerer, all begetter”, is the
praise of Pan.
— The Confessions of Aleister Crowley.
New York, NY. Hill and Wang, 1969. Page 603.
______________________________
The
supplement to the first number of
The
Equinox is a plain reprint of my Magical Record
in Paris, mentioned above. I have omitted no detail of my
doings. My dinners, my dalliance and my other diversions are
described as minutely as my Magick, my mantras and my
meditations. Nothing of the sort had ever been published before.
It is a complete demonstration of the possibility of achieving
the most colossal results in conditions which had hitherto been
considered an absolute bar to carrying on even elementary work.
It proves my proposition that the efficacy of traditional
practices is independent of dogmatic and ethical considerations;
and, moreover, that my sceptical formulae based on a purely
agnostic viewpoint, and on the facts of physiology and
psychology, as understood by modern materialists, were entirely
efficacious.
In summary, let me add that
The
Equinox was the first serious attempt to put
before the public the facts of occult science, so-called, since
Blavatsky’s unscholarly hotch-poch of fact and fable, Isis
Unveiled. It was the first attempt in history to treat the
subject with scholarship and from the standpoint of science. No
previous book of its kind can compare with it for the perfection
of its poetry and prose; the dignity and sublimity of its style,
and the rigidity of its rule never to make any statement which
could not be proved as precisely as the mathematician exacts. I
confess to being entirely proud of having inaugurated an epoch.
From the moment of its appearance, it imposed its standards of
sincerity, scholarship, scientific seriousness and aristocracy
of all kinds, from the excellence of its English to the
perfection of its printing, upon everyone with ambition to enter
this field of literature.
It did not command a large public, but its influence has been
enormous. It is recognized as the standard publication of its
kind, as encyclopedia without “equal, son, or companion”. It has
been quoted, copied and imitated everywhere. Innumerable cults
have been founded by charlatans on its information. Its
influence has changed the whole current of thought of students
all over the world. Its inveterate enemies are not only unable
to ignore it, but submit themselves to its sovereignty. It was
thus entirely successful from my personal point of view. I had
put a pearl of great price in a shop window, whose other
exhibits were pasted diamonds and bits of coloured glass for the
most part, and at best, precious stones of the cheaper and
commoner kind. From the moment of its appearance, everyone had
to admit
— for the most part with hatred and envy in their
hearts
— that the sun had appeared in the slum and put to
shame the dips and kerosene lamps which had lighted it till
then. It was no longer possible to carry on hole-in-the-corner
charlatanism as heretofore.
I printed only one thousand and fifty copies, the odd fifty
being bound subscription copies at a guinea, and the rest in
boards at five shillings. Had I sold a complete edition straight
out without any discounts my return would thus have been three
hundred pounds. The cost of production was nearer four hundred.
Similar figures apply to the other nine numbers. In this way I
satisfied myself that no one could reproach me with trying to
make money out of Magick. As a matter of fact, it went utterly
against the grain to take money at all. When anyone showed
interest in my poetry or my magical writings, the attitude so
delighted me that I felt it utterly shameful to have any kind of
commercial transaction with so noble an individual, and I used,
as often as not, to beg him to accept the book as a present.
— The Confessions of Aleister
Crowley.
New York, NY. Hill and Wang, 1969. Pages 604-605.
______________________________
To
return to
The
Equinox, there was no question of selling even
that small edition even at that pitiful price. I have never had
any idea of how to do business. I can make plans, both sound and
brilliant; but I cannot force myself to take the necessary steps
to put them into practice. My greatest weakness is that as soon
as I am sure that I can attain any given object, from climbing a
mountain to exploiting a beauty spot, I lose interest. The only
things I complete are those of which (as for instance, poetry
and Magick) I am not the real author but an instrument impelled
by a mysterious power which sweeps me away in effortless
enthusiasm which leaves no room for my laziness, cynicism and
similar inhibiting qualities to interfere.
I did try to get a few booksellers to stock
The
Equinox but found myself immediately up against a
blank wall of what I must call Chinese conventionality. I
remember hearing of an engineer in the East who wanted to built
himself a house and employed a Chinese contractor. He pointed
out that the work would be much easier by using bricks of a
different size to that which the man was making. He obeyed, but
a day later went back to the old kind. The engineer protested,
but the man explained that his bricks were of a “heaven-sent”
size.
So I found that the format of
The
Equinox shocked the bookseller; worse still, it
was not a book, being issued periodically, nor a magazine, being
to big and well produced! I said, “What does it matter? All I
ask you to do is to show it and sell it.” Quite useless.
— The Confessions of Aleister Crowley.
New York, NY. Hill and Wang, 1969. Pages 605-606. |
|
Reviews: |
A
very mysterious volume with some mystical illustrations and
elegantly made up, made its appearance at our office some time
ago. It announces itself as a review published by the brothers
of the A\A\
and they declare their principle in a motto on the title page as
well as in the editorial introduction to be "The Method of
Science—the Aim of Religion." The book contains an account of
the A\A\
by the Councillor of Eckartshausen, and we learn that the A\A\
is "the society whose members form the republic of genius, the
regent mother of the whole world." Among other contributions to
this review we notice a poem entitled "The Magician" which has
been translated from Eliphas Levi's "well-known hymn." The
largest contribution is entitled "The Temple of Solomon the
King" and is headed by a quotation from Prof. William James. It
is surpassed in length only by "John St. John the Record of the
Magical Retirement of G. H. Frater O\M\"
Other smaller contributions of poetry, short essays and tales
form the remaining third of the volume. Most assuredly the
whole bears a very curious aspect.
The
Occult Review, which is more familiar with the subject and
literature of "scientific illuminism" than we, writes as follows
of this remarkable periodical: "The genius of this book, Mr.
Aleister Crowley, seems at the first blush to be the Panurge of
mysticism, and to those who have regarded with delight the
amazing adventures of the brilliant Rabelaisian figure, such a
modern prototype would appear in anything but an unamiable
light. At all events, Mr. Crowley is at once a mystic, a
sardonic mocker, an utterer of many languages, a writer of
magnificent prose interspersed with passages of coarse
persiflage, and also a philosopher of not a little penetration
and power of analysis. The expert alone will be able to judge
of the scope and meaning of the mystical doctrines and practices
contained in this volume, but to the uninformed lay reader the
main thesis would appear to be the necessary passage of the soul
through all experience, including the depths of iniquity, in
order to rise to the serene heights of balanced wisdom and
superior life."
This
reviewer speaks with enthusiasm of the literary style of the
volume: "Though the imaginative portion is not all on the same
level, it may be said that there is no one now writing in the
English language who can command a greater splendor of style."
We
agree with the reviewer in The Occult Review that this
unusual publication "may be recommended to any one who has a
spark of intellectual curiosity."
—The
Open Court, August 1912.
______________________________
The genius of this book, Mr. Aleister Crowley, seems at the
first blush to be the Panurge of mysticism, and to those who
have regarded with delight the amazing adventures of the
brilliant Rabelaisian figure, such a modern prototype would
appear in anything but an unamiable light. At all events, Mr.
Crowley in this new venture plays many parts, and is at once a
mystic, a sardonic mocker, an utterer of many languages, a
writer of magnificent prose interspersed with passages of coarse
persiflage, and also a philosopher of not a little penetration
and power of analysis. The expert alone will be able to judge
of the scope and meaning of the mystical doctrines and practices
contained in this volume, but to the uninformed lay-reader the
main thesis would appear to be the necessary passage of the soul
through al experience, including the depths of iniquity, in
order to rise to the serene heights of balanced wisdom and
superior life. It is almost impossible sometimes to avoid the
thought that we are the victims of an elaborate joke, but we put
aside the thought as laying us under a charge of lack of
subtlety. The most striking piece in the book, not excepting
Mr. Frank Harris; admirable short story “The Magic Glasses,” is
“The Temple of Solomon the King.” It is a mingling of acute
criticism and glowing imagination, shot through with strange
esoteric doctrine. Though the imaginative portion is not all on
the same level, it may be said that there is no one now writing
in the English language who can command a greater splendor of
style. Space does not allow comment upon all the unusual
features of this publication, which may be recommended to any
one who has a spark of intellectual curiosity.
—The
Occult Review, May 1909.
______________________________
A finely
unpopular magazine, just out, is “The Equinox.” It is a venture
of that philosopher-errant, Mr. Aleister Crowley. It appears
twice a year, at five shillings a time, and is large and
luxurious. It is a “review of scientific illuminism,” and also
“the official organ of the A. A.” I will not murmur on this too
exoteric page the secret significance of “A. A.” To discover it
you must spend a crown. For me, who am a mystic only in my
leisure hours, the chief interest of the first number of “The
Equinox” is a short story by Frank Harris, “The Magic Glasses.”
With a due sense of responsibility, I say that this is the
finest story that Frank Harris has written. It must be read.
It cannot be left unread. One of the characters in it is Dante
Gabriel Rossetti. When I tell you that this tale really is
something that errs from the common, you may believe me. It is
a morsel for persons of taste, for those do not accept the
statement that the short story perished with Guy de Maupassant.
If “The Equinox” can live up to this standard it will be bought
by the profane.
—The
New Age, 25 March, 1909.
______________________________
The Equinox is the title of a new occult periodical
published by Simpkin, Marshal and Co., which made its first
appearance last month. It is like no other magazine in the
world. It is a squat, square volume of 400 pages, costing 5s.,
and weighing a couple of pounds. On the cover, in red, green,
and gold, is the symbol of the Equinox, over which is written
“The Method of Science,” and below “The Aim of Religion.” On the
sides it is described as “The Official Organ of the A.A. and the
Review of Scientific Illuminism. It is edited by Alister [sic]
Crowley, under the direction of the Brothers of the A.A., of
whom a great deal is written which leaves the reader in a state
of great be-wilderment. The A.A. is the society whose members
form the Republic of Genius, the Regent Mother of the whole
world. Equilibrium is the basis of the work of this ancient
Order. Those who would enter it must practice exercises until
they can stand for a whole hour with a saucer filled to the brim
with water on their head without spilling a drop. They are then
submitted for examination, and should they pass they will be
instructed in more complex and difficult practices. At the end
of the number is a narrative of the magical retirement of John
St. John—which, frankly, I am not sufficient of an occultist to
make sense of. The rest of the Equinox is devoted to poetry and
fiction. Mr. Frank Harris publishes his excellent story, “The
Magic Glasses.” “The Temple of Solomon the King” is a work of
another order on which I, in all humility, recognize that it
would be presumption for me to pass an opinion. A strange,
weird, incomprehensible magazine is the Equinox, whose
publication is a curious sign of the times.
—Review of Reviews,
April 1909.
______________________________
The new
number of “The Equinox” continues to keep up the tradition of
the earlier numbers as to size, the mystical nature of its
contents, and the unintelligibility of many of its articles. . .
.
—Review of Reviews, date unknown.
______________________________
One of the
most extraordinary publications we have ever received is called
The Equinox, just issued by Simpkin, Marshall. It is the
“official organ of the A.A. review of scientific illuminism,”
and the first number consists of a quarto of nearly 400 pages
published at 5s. “With the publication of this review,” we are
told in an editorial note, “begins a completely new adventure in
the history of mankind,” and “some of the contents of the review
may be difficult or impossible to understand at first.”
Certainly the average reader will find himself in that
predicament, for we are unable to follow the outlook of “The
Brothers.” Their intention, we are told, is to “establish a
laboratory in which students may be able to carry out such
experiments as require too much time and toil to suit with their
ordinary life.” One of the contributors is Mr. Aleister Crowley,
whose remarkable treatise on the mystic path entitled Konx om
Pax puzzled reviewers some time ago. Mr. Frank Harris
contributes a sketch called “The Magic Glasses,” and a
supplement of 139 pages entitled “John St. John” is “a record of
the magical retirement of G. H. Frater, O.M.” The paper is
handsomely produced—some of the illustrations are quite
extraordinary. One wonders how many adherents the new creed
(whatever it is) possesses.
—The
Sphere, 5 June 1909.
______________________________
The Equinox: The Official Organ of the A. A. The Review Of
Scientific Illuminism. Vol. I. No. 1. 9 ¾, 255 + 139
pp. Simpkin. 5s.
We have not given above all the title page, for there are
certain strange signs and letters upon it which might be as
meaningless, if reproduced, to the initiated as the whole work
is to the uninitiated. We can only, is respectful silence,
commend the volume—as one which is certainly well printed—to
"Scientific Illuminists" and "Brothers of the A. A.," and those
who wish to understand their motto, "The method of science—The
aim of religion." There are contributions from Mr. Frank Harris
and Mr. Aleister Crowley, and a special supplement of 139 pp.
thus described, "John St. John: The Record of the Magical
Retirement of G. H. Frater, O\M\"
—Times Literary Supplement, 15 April 1909.
______________________________
Here is
the weirdest muddle that one could well stumble across in this
most muddled age. . . . Powerfully individualistic, descending
sometimes nearly to the level of the sordid, soaring sometimes
to the heights of genius, the matter could not be reviewed
properly in twenty times the space that we can give it. . . .
Those who are certain of their sanity and the breadth of their
viewpoint should read this magazine when they get the
opportunity. Theosophists will find the few references to
Theosophy anything but complimentary. . . .
—Theosophy in Scotland, date unknown.
______________________________
The
Equinox is permanent in its stately size and type, continuous in
its periodical character, permanent—in the value of its
contents.
—Vanity Fair, date unknown.
______________________________
Expensively printed lunacy, astrology, etc., in
oriental-occidental jargon.
—The Literary Guide, date unknown.
______________________________
It easily
takes rank as the most vigorous swearer and blasphemous in
respectable modern literature. Moreover its swearing and
blasphemy are splendidly done, with immense style and glorious
colouring. Its contributors certainly know how to write, though
occasionally they remind one of certain efforts that have
emanated from lunatic asylums where gorgeousness of imagination
and riotous language are by no means unknown. But underneath
all, there is a huge wealth of knowledge, a few indications of
serious feeling, and a big flow of occult thought. Yet with all
its “illuminism” it is so much of a mocker that we have before
us the figure of a Mephistopheles. . . . The Equinox is put
forth with a certain pomp, its writers are by no means
negligible in competence. All we can say is that they remind us
of Diakkas and Jingles, and occasionally of Colney Hatch. . . .
The reference to black mass and the chaotic mixture may possibly
help to explain the rumours of devil worship which were
persistent not long ago. Perhaps we have here the key to that
dark door. . . .
—The Light, date unknown.
______________________________
A
mysterious publication called “The Equinox,” the official organ
of the A\A\
has just been released upon a long-suffering world. . . . It is
a sort of thing no fellow can understand. One gathers vaguely
out of the confusion that it deals with such things as Magic,
wizardry, mysticism, and so on; but what the special line is,
remains a baffling mystery. . . . From frequent references to
some people called The Brothers of the
A\A\
one gathers that they have a lot to do with this weird venture;
but a grim perusal of an article purporting to explain the Order
. . . leaves one without any real clue as to their identity.
True, the Chief of the Brothers is definitely names, his name
being “V.V.V.V.V.” but five V’s, do not strike one as a name
likely to be well known at any local post office. . . . One gets
all kinds of entertainments in “The Equinox” . . . Poetry gets a
strong show, but it is uncomfortable reading. . . .
—The Morning Leader, date unknown.
______________________________
Special Correspondence THE NEW YORK TIMES.
LONDON, April
9.—Some months ago the publication was begun in this city of
perhaps the most extraordinary magazine ever published. It is
called The Equinox, the Review of Scientific Illuminism, and is
a thick quarto, with a cover design of “occult” symbols. The
price is 5s., and, so far as quantity of reading matter is
concerned, the reader gets a generous return for his investment,
unusually large though the price is, compared with the cost of
most other magazines.
As for
quality, opinions differ. There are some persons who would not
be willing to invest sixpence in the magazine, while others
declare that if the 5s. were 50s. the money would be well
invested. The latter are the persons who believe the
extraordinary claims made by the magazine. These, in brief, are
that in it are to be found “occult” secrets which have never
before been made public, formulae for ceremonial magic which
contain almost all the directions necessary for the evocation of
“elemental spirits,” etc.
The editor of
the magazine is Aleister Crowley, who, to the ordinary reader,
is best known as a poet. The Equinox was in the courts a few
days ago, when Mr. MacGregor Mathers, the well-known writer on
magic and witchcraft, applied for an injunction restraining Mr.
Crowley from publishing the ritual of an order which calls
itself the Rosicrucians. Mr. MacGregor Mathers, who is the
chief of the order, failed to obtain the injunction, so,
presumably, Mr. Crowley, who is also a Rosicrucian, will proceed
to print the ritual.
Here is a
specimen title of an Equinox article:
AHA! The
Sevenfold Mystery of the Ineffable Love: the Coming of the Lord
in the Air as King and Judge of this corrupted world; wherein
under the form of a discourse between Marsyas an adept and
Olympas his pupil the whole Secret of the Way of Initiation is
laid open from the beginning of the End; for the instruction of
the Little Children of the Light. Written in trembling and
humility for the Brethren of the A.A. by their very dutiful
servant, an Aspirant to their Sublime Order, Aleister Crowley.
The English
Rosicrucian Society was founded in 1888.
—The New York Times, 17 April 1910.
______________________________
“The
Equinox.” (Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent, & Co.
5s.)—Described as the review of scientific illuminism and the
official organ of the “A.A.,” this bulky volume is likely to try
the temper of the unenlightened Philistine into whose hand it
chances to fall. The editorial introduction, which claims that
“The Equinox” “begins a completely new adventure in the history
of mankind,” admits that, but argues that the contents are
difficult to understand “only in the sense that Homer is
unintelligible to a person ignorant of Greek.” The course of
training by which one may acquire the desired knowledge is
formidable enough in all conscience. The novice must learn to
sit perfectly still with every muscle tense for long periods,
and when he can hold a saucer filled to the brim with water
without spilling a drop during an hour, he is admitted for
examination, and may hope to grasp some of the mystical theories
explained at length in the volume. It would no doubt be
intensely exciting to attempt it, but a reviewer turning out his
tale of bricks against time must be excused, and the doctrines
of the “Brothers of the A.A.” remain perforce a closed book to
him. He can enjoy whole-heartedly, however, the short story by
Mr. Frank Harris, “The Magic Glasses,” a piece of work in every
respect worthy of the author of “The Bomb,” and Mr. Aleister
Crowley’s poem “The Wizard Way,” even though “asana,”
“pranayama,” and “Dharana” are to him no more than mysterious
and unpronounceable words.
—The Northern Whig, 17 April 1909. |
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