Foreword by Karl J. Germer
In 1943 Aleister Crowley met a
lady who, having heard of his wide knowledge and experience, asked his
advice on occult, spiritual, and practical matters.
This chance connection resulted
in a stimulating exchange of letters. Crowley then asked others to put
similar questions to him. The result was this collection of over eighty
letters which are now being issued over the title that he chose, "MAGICK
WITHOUT TEARS."
Crowley did not keep copies of
his early letters to the above-mentioned lady, so was unable to include
them in the collection that he planned to publish. Fortunately they
have been preserved and are now included in the introduction to this
book. Their original form has been retained with the opening and closing
formulae which Crowley used in all his letters.
Crowley at first intended to
call the book "ALEISTER EXPLAINS EVERYTHING", and sent the following
circular to his friends and disciples asking them to suggest subjects
for inclusion.
ALEISTER
EXPLAINS EVERYTHING.
"Much gratified was the
author of THE BOOK OF THOTH to have so many letters of appreciation,
mostly from women, thanking him for not 'putting it in
unintelligible language', for 'making it all so clear that even I
with my limited intelligence can understand it, or think I do.'
"Nevertheless and
notwithstanding! For many years the Master Therion has felt acutely
the need of some groundwork-teaching suited to those who have only
just begun the study of Magick and its subsidiary sciences, or are
merely curious about it, or interested in it with intent to study.
Always he has done his utmost to make his meaning clear to the
average intelligent educated person, but even those who understand
him perfectly and are most sympathetic to his work, agree that in
this respect he has often failed.
"So much for the
diagnosis—now for the remedy!
"One genius, inspired of
the gods, suggested recently that the riddle might be solved
somewhat on the old and well-tried lines of 'Dr. Brewer's Guide to
Science'; i.e., by having aspirants write to the Master
asking questions, the kind of problem that naturally comes into the
mind of any sensible enquirer, and getting his answer in the form of
a letter. 'What is it?' 'Why should I bother my head about it?'
'What are its principles?' 'What use is it?' 'How do I begin?',
and the like.
"This plan has been put
into action; the idea has been to cover the subjects from every
possible angle. The style has been colloquial and fluent; technical
terms have either been carefully avoided or most carefully
explained; and the letter has not been admitted to the series until
the querent has expressed satisfaction. Some seventy letters, up to
the present have been written, but still there seem to be certain
gaps in the demonstration, like those white patches on the map of
the World, which looked so tempting fifty years ago.
"This memorandum is to ask
for your collaboration and support. A list, indicating briefly the
subject of each letter already written, is appended. Should you
think that any of those will help you in your own problems, a typed
copy will be sent to you at once ... Should you want to know
anything outside the scope, send in your question (stated as fully
and clearly as possible) ... The answer should reach you, bar
accidents, in less than a month ... It is proposed ultimately to
issue the series in book form."
This has now been done.
Karl J. Germer
Frater Saturnus X°
Frater Superior, O.T.O.
January, 1954 e.v.
Hampton, N.J.
Go to Next Page
|