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Timeline - Chronology: An Aleister Crowley Timeline
lashtal - Jun 28, 2008 - 11:59 AM
Post subject: Chronology: An Aleister Crowley Timeline
My thanks to all those members of the Aleister Crowley Society that helped to develop the most thorough chronology of the events of Aleister Crowley's life currently available online. Additions, please, as replies to this post.
Chronology: An Aleister Crowley Timeline
1875
12 October: Born at Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England, between 2300 and 2400. Parents members of The Plymouth Brethren, a fundamentalist evangelical Christian sect.
1880
28 February: Birth (and death five hours later) of Crowley's only sibling, Grace Mary Elizabeth Crowley.
1881
11 June: Crowley family moves to The Grange, Redhill, Surrey.
1887
5 March: His father, Edward Crowley, dies.
1893
4 July: Starts to climb at Beachy Head with cousin Gregor Grant.
1895
???: Climbing in The Alps.
???: Matriculation at Trinity College, Cambridge.
1896
14 July: First guideless ascent of the Mönch (see A Descent Of The Moench).
31 December: First mystical experience on a visit to Stockholm. He writes: I was awakened to the knowledge that I possessed a magical means of becoming conscious of and satisfying a part of my nature which had up to that moment concealed itself from me. It was an experience of horror and pain, combined with a certain ghostly terror, yet at the same time it was the key to the purest and holiest spiritual ecstasy that exists.
1897
???: Travels to St. Petersburg to learn Russian for the Diplomatic Service. Returns via Berlin to attend the Chess Congress. Begins reading alchemical and mystical works and books on magic.
???: Meets Herbert Charles Jerome Pollitt (1872-1942).
1898
???: His first published poem, Aceldama: A Place to Bury Strangers In. Meets Gerald Kelly. Leaves Cambridge. Publishes White Stains.
???: Reads The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts by A.E. Waite and books on Alchemy
? April: Reads The Cloud Upon the Sanctuary by Karl von Eckarthausen
? July: In Zermatt, Switzerland. Reads Kabbalah Denudata; the Kabbalah Unveiled by Knorr von Rosenroth, translated by S.L. MacGregor Mathers
? August: Meets Julian L. Baker (Fr. D.A.) at Zermatt.
? October: Baker introduces Crowley to George Cecil Jones (Fr. Volo Noscere). G. C. Jones introduces Crowley to Mathers and is introduced to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
18 November: Admitted into the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn; 0o=0∀ Neophyte; Takes motto Perdurabo.
? December: 1o=10∀ Zelator; Begins Ceremonial Magic. Astral travelling carried out with G.C. Jones.
1899
? January: 2o=9∀ Theoricus; Meets Allan Bennett (Fr. Iehi Aour)and becomes his chela
? February: 3o=8∀ Practicus
? May: 4o=7∀ Philosophus
???: Portal Grade after compulsory wait of seven months
1900
16 January: In Paris, initiated by Mathers 5o=6∀ Adeptus Minor; takes motto Christeos Luciftas
6 July: Reaches New York. Stays in New York for two or three days then travels to Mexico City by train. Lies sick in the Hotel Iturbide for a period.
1901
6 August: Meets Allan Bennett in Colombo
17 August: AC and Bennett travel to Kandy
28 August: Commences three day silent meditation under Bennett's instruction
12 October: Signs agreement to join an expedition of Eckenstein
1902
14 February: Visits Allan Bennett - who became a Theravada Novice in December 1901 - in Burma. Practices yoga. Dhyana.
23 February: Departs from Bennett
28 April: Leaves Sringar to commence climb of Chogo Ri (K2) in the Himalayas. Second in command of the expedition. Bad weather prevents the party from attaining the summit, but sets record for length of time spent on a glacier.
1903
???: Marries Rose Kelly, the sister of Gerald Kelly.
???: Abramelin Operation is interrupted.
1904
8 February: AC and Rose arrive at Port Said.
9 February: AC and Rose arrive in Cairo.
14 March: AC and Rose move into a flat in Cairo.
20 March: Invocation of Horus.
8 April: Reception of Chapter One of The Book of the Law in Cairo.
9 April: Reception of Chapter Two of The Book of the Law in Cairo.
10 April: Reception of Chapter Three of The Book of the Law in Cairo.
26 April: AC and Rose meet Arnold Bennett in Paris.
28 July: Birth of Nuit Ma Ahathoor Hecate Sappho Jezebel Lilith Crowley at Boleskine.
1905
3 November: Final meeting with Bennett in Rangoon, Burma, for 3 days
6 November: Leaves Bennett - they do not meet again
1906
? January: 7o=4∀
29 July: "Sunday night. D.D.S. and P. discuss a new Order [A.'.A.'.]. D.D.S. wants Authority".
? October: Attains Nirvikalpa Samadhi
1907
???: 8o=3∀; Takes oath as Magister Templi; Takes motto Vi Veri Vniversum Vivus Vici
29 October: Receives Liber Liberi Vel Lapidis Lazuli, Adumbratio Kabbalæ Ægyptorium Sub Figurâ VII at about 2300; written in only 2.5 hours
30 October: Begins receiving Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente Sub Figurâ LXV a chapter or two at a time
3 November: Completes Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente Sub Fugurâ LXV
25 November: Receives Liber Stellæe Rubeæ Sub Figurâ LXVI
5 December: Receives portions of Liber Arcanorum τωn ATU τov TAHUTI QUAS VADIT ASAR IN AMENNTI Sub Figurâ CCXXXI Liber Carcerorum τωn QLIPHOTH cum suis Geniis
6 December: Receives additional portions of Liber Arcanorum τωn ATU τov TAHUTI QUAS VADIT ASAR IN AMENNTI Sub Figurâ CCXXXI Liber Carcerorum τωn QLIPHOTH cum suis Geniis; Textual portion is received several years later
12 December: Receives Liber Porta Lucis Sub Figurâ X
13 December: Receives Liber TAU Vel Kabbalæ Trium Literarum Sub Figurâ CD
14 December: Receives Liber Trigrammaton Sub Figurâ XXVII; Copied the Sigilla 22 portion of Liber Arcanorum τωn ATU τov TAHUTI QUAS VADIT ASAR IN AMENNTI Sub Figurâ CCXXXI Liber Carcerorum τωn QLIPHOTH cum suis Geniis
1908
???: W.Somerset Maugham's The Magician is published. The story's main character, Oliver Haddo, is a blatant caricature of Crowley and later he would write a critique of The Magician using this pen name. Crowley accused Maugham of plagiarism. “Though Aleister Crowley served, as I have said, as the model for Oliver Haddo, it is by no means a portrait of him. I made my character more striking in appearance, more sinister and more ruthless than Crowley ever was. I gave him magical powers that Crowley, though he claimed them, certainly never possessed. Crowley, however, recognized himself in the creature of my invention, for such it was, and wrote a full-page review of the novel in “Vanity Fair,” which he signed 'Oliver Haddo.' I did not read it, and wish now that I had. I daresay it was a pretty piece of vituperation, but probably, like his poems, intolerably verbose.” – W. Somerset Maugham
1909
???: Accepts the grade of Master of the Temple.
21 July: Rose leaves AC, moving to Warwick Road, following complaint that he had beaten her.
18 November: Lands in Algiers with Victor Neuberg
23 November: 28th Aethyr at Aumale 0800-0900
24 November: Rose Edith Crowley nee Skerrett nee Kelly divorces AC in uncontested complaint. Rose is granted custody of Lola Zaza.
25 November: 27th Aethyr 0800-0900 and 26th Aethyr 1310-1400 at Sidi-Assa
26 November: 24th Aethyr at Ain-El-Hadljel 1400-1525
28 November: 23rd Aethyr 0930-1015 and 22nd Aethyr 1600-1800 at Bou-Saada
29 November: 21st Aethyr 1330-1450 in desert
30 November: 20th Aethyr 0915-1050 and 19th Aethyr 2200-2400
1 December: 18th Aethyr 1430-1610
2 December: 17th Aethyr 0000-0200 and 16th Aethyr 1645-1810
3 December: 15th Aethyr 0915-1110 and 14th Aethyr 1450-1515
4 December: 13th Aethyr and 12th Aethyr 2400
5 December: 11th Aethyr
6 December: Choronzon; 10th Aethyr
7 December: 9th Aethyr
8 December: 8th Aethyr
9 December: 7th Aethyr
10 December: 6th Aethyr at Ben-S'Rour
12 December: 5th Aethyr
16 December: 4th Aethyr at Biskra
17 December: 3rd Aethyr at Biskra
18 December: 2nd Aethyr at Biskra and Hammam Salahine
19 December: 1st Aethyr
20 December: Finished 2nd Aethyr in evening
1910
???: The Rites of Eleusis performed at Caxton Hall.
1911
10 August: Crowley wrote “The Birthday” for Leila Waddell. Crowley said of it, ”…the poem describes the history of our liaison.”
1912
???: English translation of The Stéle of Revealing is completed by prominent British Egyptologists Sir Alan Gardiner and Battiscombe Gunn as commissioned by Crowley.
1914
24 October: Crowley departs for the United States aboard the S.S. Lusitania out of Liverpool. Ship's Manifest lists Crowley as a 'landed proprietor' of Irish descent with New York City as his final destination.
1916
26 May: Loses four games of chess in an evening match against local master Norman T. Whitaker at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, despite excellent playing on both sides.
1919
11 January: Leah Hirsig takes the Oath of the Scarlet Woman as composed by Crowley
1923
14 February: Death at 4.00pm of Raoul Loveday at Cefalu.
15 February: Funeral of Raoul Loveday.
1924
???: 'The Supreme Ordeal' of the Ipsissimus Grade in Paris.
1928
???: Marries Maria de Miramar in Germany.
1930
23 September: At 6:36pm AC fakes his own suicide at Boca de Inferno, Portugal.
1931
11 October: At the Nierendorff Gallery (Porza) in Berlin a huge exhibition of Crowley's paintings opens. On display are 73 works of art, amongst them some of hist most famous. He even sells one painting! The exhibition will be open until November 5.
1932
13 September: The death of Leila Ida Nerrissa Waddell from uterine cancer.
1934
10 April: The Black Magic Libel Case in London. Crowley v. Constable & Co.; Crowley asserts Nina Hamnett libeled him based on passages in her book Laughing Torso claiming he practiced “black magic”.
13 April: Case finishes, Crowley loses suit and gets reprimanded by Justice Swift. AC meets Deirdre Patricia O'Doherty.
14 May: Inscribed a copy of Mortadello to his chum Dennis Wheatley.
1936
18 November: Records 78 rpm, First Enochian Call.
19 November: Records Second Enochian Call.
23 November: Records the Anthem from The Ship and Hymn To Pan.
1 December: Records Hymn for July 4.
1937
11 August: Crowley reports that he picked up Sullivan's "Gallio" for 3d. and felt very exhausted & anxious as though death was in the air. He was afraid it might be Pearl (Brooksmith). The book concerned is "Gallio or the Tyranny of Science" by J W N Sullivan 90pp. Originally published in 1927. Contemporary reviews say of it "So packed with ideas it is not possible to give any adequate résumé of its contents." and "An attack on the values which science is so successfully imposing upon civilization."
12 August: At 6.30 AC read of J.W.N. Sullivan's death.
13 August: AC gives an obituary of Sullivan to Tom Driberg at dinner to place in his William Hickey column in the Daily Express.
14 August: Crowley's obituary of Sullivan published in the Daily Express on page 6 as “These Names Make News – Master of Maths”.
1939
14 May: Writes to Ian Fleming offering to interview Rudolf Hess.
1941
18 July: Names Karl Germer his “personal agent and representative in the United States of America” equivalent to a Power of Attorney. “All persons in authority under me in connection with the A.'.A.'. and O.T.O. are to recognize him as their chief.”; in Cliffords Inn, London; Appointment of Germer is confirmed in several other correspondence
1942
23 October: Writes letter to Roy Leffingwell regarding proper maintenance of the Magical Diary
1946
1-3 March: Jack Parsons, L. Ron Hubbard, and Marjorie Cameron undertake the Babalon Working. “I get fairly frantic,” Crowley commented morosely, “when I contemplate the idiocy of these louts [goats?].”
19 April: Shows his displeasure with Parsons in a letter to him regarding the Babalon Working.
1947
1 May: Meets Gerald Gardner for the first time
7 May: Second meeting with Gardner
14 May: Third meeting with Gardner
27 May: Fourth meeting with Gardner
1 December: Crowley dies in Hastings at 11.00am of myocardial degeneration and chronic bronchitis.
5 December: Funeral service and cremation at Brighton cemetery at 2.45pm. Among the persons present were Gilbert Bayley, who knew Mudd and Frater Achad, Sorors Tzaba and Ilyarun, Gerald Yorke, Kenneth Grant and his old friend Louis Wilkinson who read 'Hymn To Pan', the 'Collects and Anthems' from 'The Gnostic Mass' and selected passages from The Book of the Law. The Brighton Council afterwards delivered a protest in regards to the contents of the Last Ritual: “We shall take all necessary steps to prevent such an incident occurring again”.
the_real_simon_iff - Jun 28, 2008 - 12:23 PM
Post subject: RE: Chronology: An Aleister Crowley Timeline
1931
11 October: At the Nierendorff Gallery (Porza) in Berlin a huge exhibition of Crowley's paintings opens. On display are 73 works of art, amongst them some of hist most famous. He even sells one painting! The exhibition will be open until November 5.
lashtal - Jun 28, 2008 - 12:39 PM
Post subject: RE: Chronology: An Aleister Crowley Timeline
Thanks, Lutz - Timeline updated.
I should add that I'm using the information here to update some professional Timeline display software: the relevant outputs from this software will be made available free of charge through the downloads very soon.
newneubergOuch - Jun 28, 2008 - 01:20 PM
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Still thinking about making a (decent) graphic novel of crowleys life (or hoping someone else will 
)
lashtal - Jun 28, 2008 - 03:08 PM
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Go for it!
However, on-topic posts only on this thread, please...
seeyouintheentity - Jun 28, 2008 - 05:33 PM
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This is very welcome and very useful. Well done!
lashtal - Jun 28, 2008 - 05:38 PM
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seeyouintheentity wrote: › This is very welcome and very useful. Well done!
Thank you. Just you wait to see how this looks in the software I've purchased for the task!
Now, folks: accurate dates and brief details, please... The objective has to be a line for every day of Crowley's life, which I calculate to mean a Forum post of 26,000 lines - which, curiously, is approximately the number of posts that we've seen on the Forums to date!
This Timeline, by the way, is most definitely copyright 2008 by LAShTAL.COM...
OKontrair - Jun 28, 2008 - 05:50 PM
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May 14 1934. Inscribed a copy of Mortadello to his chum Dennis Wheatley.
Proteus - Jun 28, 2008 - 06:15 PM
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Quote: › using the information here to update some professional Timeline display software:
That's great news, Paul!
I would urge others that have access to unique Crowley items (e.g., letters) or other memorabilia of his time (e.g., newspapers, hotel records) to sift through them for any relevant details. That's where the most interesting material resides.
There's some conflicting information in previously published material regarding the dates Crowley attained various magickal grades. It would be great if these dates could be confirmed once and for all (with some type of definitive reference backing them up).
John
OKontrair - Jun 28, 2008 - 06:20 PM
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I second that last remark.
The info about Wheatley/Mortadello comes from a bookseller's ad currently on Abebooks.
MichaelStaley - Jun 28, 2008 - 07:27 PM
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I am surprised to see that four meetings with Gardner in 1947 are considered more worthy of note than his meetings with McMurtry and Grant, which are not mentioned at all However one may feel about either of these gentlemen, surely they are of more relevance to the legacy of Aleister Crowley than Gardner.
Proteus - Jun 28, 2008 - 07:53 PM
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Hi Michael,
If you know the proper dates for the meetings with Grant and McMurtry (or any other information), then post it. That information, and anything else you could provide, would be great and I'm sure your input will be invaluable to transform this preliminary timeline into what Paul envisions.
We've got a pretty wide open scope here. I don't think anyone attaches any particular significance to what is or is not currently on the timeline.
Quote: › The objective has to be a line for every day of Crowley's life
Good thing Crowley was a mountain climber, poet, etc.
Things could get fairly mundane...
John
[28 June 2008 - Falls out of bed, eats Motrin for breakfast, does pranayama and asana for 90 minutes, installs air conditioner, logs into LAShTAL.com to discuss AC timeline]
lashtal - Jun 28, 2008 - 08:06 PM
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MichaelStaley wrote: › I am surprised to see that four meetings with Gardner in 1947 are considered more worthy of note than his meetings with McMurtry and Grant, which are not mentioned at all However one may feel about either of these gentlemen, surely they are of more relevance to the legacy of Aleister Crowley than Gardner.
Come on, Michael, that's unworthy of you. This is just the first stage of a collaborative work in progress based on preparatory work by certain members of the Aleister Crowley Society.
Actually, now I come to think about it, weren't you one of those members? 
phthah - Jun 28, 2008 - 10:28 PM
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93 LAShTAL,
Great idea on the chronology and it's looking good so far! Good work! I had an idea for a possible addition, if you think it is chron-worthy . From A.C.'s diary of July 29, 2006 e.v. it reads "Sunday night. D.D.S. and P. discuss a new Order. D.D.S. wants Authority". This Order, would of course eventually become the A.'.A.'.. Perhaps a mention of this meeting? What do you think?
93 93/93
OKontrair - Jun 28, 2008 - 10:35 PM
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2006? sure that's not Elvis?
14th May 1939 AC writes to Ian Fleming offering to interview Rudolf Hess. Secret Agent 666 p.249
phthah - Jun 28, 2008 - 10:50 PM
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93,
OKontrair wrote: › 2006? sure that's not Elvis?
Ooops! Make that 1906 e.v. I've been out in the sun way too long today! 
93 93/93
jlcrow - Jun 28, 2008 - 11:43 PM
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Paul, here are a few that relate to Allan Bennett.
Crowley's first visit to Bennett was August 6, 1901. Bennett was in Colombo and Crowley came to see him there. Afterward they left Colombo and went to Kandy. This is about August 17. On August 28 Crowley performs a three day silent meditation under Bennett's instruction. Kaczynski writes, "After two weeks of this discipline, the ascetic's life proved too much and Crowley disappeared for a week, doubtlessly in search of women, alcohol, or some other diversion" (pg 78 ). He continued for weeks with Bennett. Kaczynski also writes of some success archived on October 3. Again, page 78. On October 12, he signed the agreement to join an expedition of Eckenstein. Lastly, R.K. writes they "parted ways" in mid-November.
The next meeting is in Akyab, Burma. I note above you have the reference "13 February: Visits Allan Bennett in Burma. Practices yoga. Dhyana. " I am not sure where the 13th comes from. Confessions states February 12 (pg 270) and Kaczynski states February 14 (pg 81). In either case by now Bennett is a Theravada Novice. He took that Ordination in December 1901. Crowley incorrectly calls him a monk at this point in Confessions. He only stays a few days with Ananda Metteyya. Kaczynski states Crowley departs on February 23.
The last meeting is in November 3, 1905. At this point Ananada Metteyya is a fully ordained monk. This means he has the full vinaya restrictions upon his behavior. This limits A.C.'s visit to three days. Thus Crowley departs on November 6. The meeting took place in Rangoon, Burma.
There are some other details to can add. In 1899 Crowley meets Bennett at his Theoricus initiation; the time period is January 1899 (as noted in your time line). Crowley invites Bennett to move into his Chancery Lane apartment which he does. Bennett and he work together until the fall. This is where things get less than solid. Crowley buys Boleskin in the Fall and moves in to the house in November 1899. This would mean he gives up his apartment. My guess is this is also the time period Bennett goes to Ceylon.
That is about it for time line overlaps between Bennett and Crowley. Their time together was relatively short, but highly important for A.C. If I come up with anything else of use I'll post it.
John
NOTE: For some reason I incorrectly wrote August for the second meeting. I have correct this. The the time line in corrected in stating February. I apologize for any confusion this caused.
lashtal - Jun 29, 2008 - 12:28 AM
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Great - many thanks, John.
SteveCranmer - Jun 29, 2008 - 02:14 AM
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There's an online resource that's chock full of individual dates in Crowley's life: Jerry Cornelius' blog. Of course, any individual fact should be checked with some independent source, but as a jumping-off point, it provides a lot of detail for someone willing to comb through it.
For example, today's entry has two interesting dates regarding Grady McMurtry:
28 June 1944: Crowley had vision of Fra. H.A. (McMurtry) standing at attention; this seems to be the beginnings of his thoughts about McMurtry as a successor in the OTO.
22 August 1944: The first "Caliphate letter" from Crowley to McMurtry.
There are other threads here on lashtal.com (like the Crowley Copyright thread) with much more on these letters, of course.
I should also recommend David Allen Hulse's three-part series of chapbooks called The Genesis of the Book of the Law as another possible source of dates. Despite some of Hulse's opinions and conclusions being a bit outside the mainstream, these books are written in a similar chronological format that should at least be useful for making sure nothing major is missed here.
Anyway, this is a great project, Paul!
Steve
jlcrow - Jun 29, 2008 - 07:51 AM
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SteveCranmer wrote: ›
28 June 1944: Crowley had vision of Fra. H.A. (McMurtry) standing at attention; this seems to be the beginnings of his thoughts about McMurtry as a successor in the OTO.
22 August 1944: The first "Caliphate letter" from Crowley to McMurtry.
It is true that Jerry has a vast amount of information, but he is very slack about documentation. Also his commentary is often wrapped up in the facts and one has to disentangle them. In your example, a better representation would be:
28 June 1944: Crowley claims to have had vision of Fra. H.A. (McMurtry) standing at attention (source: such_and_such).
It seems to me [Jerry] to be the beginnings of his thoughts about McMurtry as a successor in the OTO.
With this kind of presentation, we get the facts and the commentary and the difference is quite clear. I think Paul is looking to create as detailed a listing as possible. This means we all have to be a careful as possible. Errors have implications. Even my error in dates in my above post could have implications down the line if I had not caught it quickly. When accumulating data, we need to be especially careful about sources and individual commentaries.
SteveCranmer - Jun 29, 2008 - 09:59 AM
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jlcrow wrote: › When accumulating data, we need to be especially careful about sources and individual commentaries.
I couldn't agree more, John. In fact, I should have added that there is a wide range of opinion "out there" about both people I named as possible sources of information (Cornelius and Hulse); some of this opinion casts doubt on their accuracy. I tried to anticipate worries like this with my too-brief comment:
SteveCranmer wrote: › Of course, any individual fact should be checked with some independent source, but as a jumping-off point, it provides a lot of detail for someone willing to comb through it.
...and I wasn't volunteering to be the "comber!" 
kuniggety - Jun 29, 2008 - 10:12 AM
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Re: McMurtry information. In the blog, he gives general tid bits of information but he goes into much more detail in the actual biography that he wrote about McMurtry, citing letters from McMurtry and Crowley and diary entries.
OKontrair - Jun 29, 2008 - 01:03 PM
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From Crowley's 1937 diary - summarised in case of future copyright objections.
Wed 11/8/37 Crowley reports that he picked up Sullivan's "Gallio" for 3d. and felt very exhausted & anxious as though death was in the air. He was afraid it might be Pearl (Brooksmith).
The book concerned is "Gallio or the Tyranny of Science" by J W N Sullivan 90pp. Originally published in 1927. Contemporary reviews say of it "So packed with ideas it is not possible to give any adequate résumé of its contents." and "An attack on the values which science is so successfully imposing upon civilization."
Thurs 12/8/37 At 6.30 AC read of J.W.N. Sullivan's death.
Fri 13/08/37 AC gives an obituary of Sullivan to Tom Driberg at dinner to place in his William Hickey column in the Daily Express.
Sat 14/08/37 Crowley's obituary of Sullivan published in the Daily Express on page 6. as “These Names Make News – Master of Maths”.
h2h - Jul 01, 2008 - 06:03 PM
Post subject: Re: Chronology: An Aleister Crowley Timeline
The below strikes me as a biased and inaccurate view of a key point in AC's life.
lashtal wrote: › 1903
???: Marries Rose Kelly, the sister of Gerald Kelly. Abramelin Operation is interrupted for marriage to Rose.
Once the Abramelin Operation commenced, AC should not have stopped until completion and the cause for its interruption is thus highly significant. AC notes in Confessions that he started the Abramelin Operation as early as 1900 before his trip to NYC, but the interruption came from Mcgregor Mathers, not Rose Kelly.
As such AC's confessions below acquire a curious significance:
--
My actions continually testify that I naturally possessed what is after all the most essential asset for a Magician, in singular perfection. It came natural to me to despise and reject utterly, without a second's hesitation or regret, anything soever that stood in the way of my purpose. Equally, I could hold that purpose itself as nothing in comparison with the greater purpose of the Order to which I was pledged...
My own attitude was unhampered by any ethical considerations. I had seen a good deal of Mathers personally. He was unquestionably a Magician of extraordinary attainment. He was a scholar and a gentleman. He had that habit of authority which inspires confidence because it never doubts itself. A man who makes such claims as he did cannot be judged by conventional codes and canons. Ordinary morality is only for ordinary people. For example, assume a Prime Minister who has private information that somebody has discovered, and is cultivating, a new germ by means of which he intends to destroy the nation. To pass a "Short Act" would be to give the alarm and precipitate the disaster. It would be his duty to override the law and put his foot upon the mischief. Then again, the whole of Mathers' conduct might have been in the nature of a test. It might have been his way of asking the adepts whether they had the power of concentrating on the spiritual situation, of giving up for ever all their prejudices.
Anyhow, as far as I was concerned, Mathers was my only link with the Secret Chiefs to whom I was pledged. I wrote to him offering to place myself and my fortune unreservedly at his disposal; if that meant giving up the Abra-Melin Operation for the present, all right.
The result of this offer was recorded as follows:
D.D.C.F. accepts my services, therefore do I rejoice that my sacrifice is accepted. Therefore do I again postpone the Operation of Abra-Melin the Mage, having by God's Grace formulated even in this a new link with the Higher and gained a new weapon against the Great Princes of the Evil of the World. Amen.
-----
Confessions, Chapter 22
AC’s words “Therefore do I again postpone the Operation of Abra-Melin the Mage” indicates the offer of service to Mathers was the second postponement of the Operation, the cause of the first postponement being unknown, but the first interruption of the Operation after swearing his Oath.
lashtal - Jul 01, 2008 - 08:50 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: Chronology: An Aleister Crowley Timeline
Thanks for highlighting the interpretation - now amended.
Aleisterion - Jul 01, 2008 - 09:36 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: Chronology: An Aleister Crowley Timeline
On January 11th, 1919, Leah Hirsig took the Oath of the Scarlet Woman as composed by Crowley (see Symonds' King of the Shadow Realm...I lack the page number but it should be easy to find).
Perdurex - Aug 04, 2008 - 06:16 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: Chronology: An Aleister Crowley Timeline
The timeline states that AC wrote to Fleming offering to interview Rudolf Hess in 1939 (14 May), but Hess didn't arrive in Scotland until 10th May 1941. Can anyone clarify this?
Camlion - Aug 04, 2008 - 07:09 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: Chronology: An Aleister Crowley Timeline
Excellent endeavor, Paul! I hope to be able to contribute as well.
lashtal - Aug 04, 2008 - 08:29 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: Chronology: An Aleister Crowley Timeline
Just to confirm, it's my intention to move this across to a properly configured Wiki, in order to make it meaningfully interactive. The timeline has been met with general and genuine enthusiasm by a great many members.
OKontrair - Aug 04, 2008 - 09:09 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: Chronology: An Aleister Crowley Timeline
Perdurex is right about the date of Hess's flight. Also there is no mention of anything of the sort anywhere near any of the dates in AC's diaries for those years.
On May 9th 1941 he had the following vision:
". Above earth vast dull sphere-crust. Hard to pierce. Within, rich cream formed by dancing figures. Then immense crimson-&-cream robed Man-Angels; they seemed to be directing the War. Many land! & sea-scapes, vast scale, utmost beauty. I was concentrating badly, could not make much of it. But They wanted me among them robed as a Warrior."
In the surrounding days he was tripping over electric fires, dropping and breaking his syringes, spectacles etc.
On June the 2nd he mentions in another context Julius Streicher.
Throughout these diaries he mentions letters and phone calls in and out.
I think that entry needs revising. I have rechecked the year in secret Agent 666 p 249 it should be 1941. Spence gives his source as an undated booksellers catalogue offering and quoting letters for sale. He was shown that catalogue entry by Bill Breeze.
OK
adonia444 - Aug 04, 2008 - 11:03 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: Chronology: An Aleister Crowley Timeline
1910-Privately published "The Winged Beetle".
October 1910- Public preformance of the "Rites of Eleusis" at Londons Caxton Hall. (I note this is already on the timeline but am adding it here for the reference to October which is narrowing it down some.)
December 17, 1910-"Looking glass" reports Crowley left for Russia.
*Secret Agent 666* source. Pages 33-40
adonia444 - Aug 04, 2008 - 11:20 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: Chronology: An Aleister Crowley Timeline
And this...
June 1906- learns of daughter (Nuit Ma Ahathoor Hecate Sappho Jezebel Lilith Crowley) death from typhoid in Rangoon.
March 1910-Rosicrucian scandal.
*same source as above*
Kym
adonia444 - Aug 04, 2008 - 11:41 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: Chronology: An Aleister Crowley Timeline
November 1944- Kenneth Grant establishes contact with Aleister Crowley who was residing at the Bell Inn. He was staying in room 11...the number of Magick. *source OTCOT pg 1.
May 8th, 1945-Crowley gives Kenneth Grant his portait of Lam. AC diary entry: Aussik helped a whole lot; gave him "The Lama". *source "Remembering Aleister Crowley".
the_real_simon_iff - Aug 05, 2008 - 02:00 PM
Post subject:
93!
Here is something more profane, some days of "Big Game Hunting" and other adventures:
1902
1 January: At Calcutta, fever, indigestion, mental depression until the 10th
21 January: To Rangoon with one Edward Thornton, catches fever again. Sick until the 26th
29 January: Train to Prome [now: Pyay, Burma]. Engages Peter, a Madras Tamil boy at 1.8 rupees a day and warm clothes. Advance of 10 rupees. Also three carts at government rates plus "a little tip"
30 January: 6.45 starts for Natha. Shoots a parrot.
31 January: 7.15 starts for Leh-young. Shoots partridge, paddy-bird and two pigeons
1 February: 8.15 starts for Mendon. Shoots pigeon and woodpecker.
2 February: 6.40 starts for jungle. Shoots aureole, woodpecker and parrot. Back at 2.30, bathes and shoots "the big white paddy bird with infinite pains"
3 February: Thornton kills leopard.
4 February: Starts down the Mondon Chong and shoots many birds. Gets sick
5 February: Shoots deer. Night at Singoun
6 February: Eats the deer, shoots several birds, especially Brahman ducks which "are difficult to kill at all"
7 February: Shoots more ducks, a big stork and other birds. To Kama and steamboat back to Prome
8 February: Writes poem and rondel
10 February: Pays Peter, Thornton leaves. Gets sick
12 February: On board S.S. Camilla for Akyab
13 February: Boat to Sandoway. Meets Allan Bennett. Interesting: "If I wrote down regularly all dreams, would my waking memory of them improve?"
14 February: In temple with Allan and Lama Sayadaw Kyong
15 February: Reconstructs Book III of "Orpheus" and reworks it
16 February: Works on "Orpheus"
17 February: Works on "Orpheus"
21 February: Writes "Ahab 1-71"
23 February: Boards S.S. Kapurthala for Calcutta
26 February: Arrives at Calcutta. Works on proofs of "Tannhaeuser" and "Ahab"
2 March: Goes for snipe-shooting
6 March: Analyses "Ascension Day" and "Pentecoast"
8 March: Arrives at Benares, Hotel de Paris
9 March: Visits Sex Temple and others in Kashmir
12 March: To Agra
13 March: Writes "National Anthem for Ireland", "Ode to Hades" and "Rape of Persephone". Works on "Ahab"
15 March: To Delhi
18 March: Finishes Book III of "Orpheus", starts Book IV
20 March: Writes "Crowleymas Day"
21 March: Types essay all day
22 March: To Oakley, shoots mugger, loses a bigger one. Lectures 4 hours on Buddhism
23 March: Enters train to Rawal Pindi, Pakistan
24 March: Arrives in Pakistan, luggage does not
lashtal - Aug 05, 2008 - 02:56 PM
Post subject:
Wonderful work, Kym and Lutz!
I'll get on with incorporating the entries into the timeline on my return from Khem in a week or so.
amadan-De - Aug 07, 2008 - 03:39 PM
Post subject:
This is a fantastic undertaking.
Just had a thought while browsing the Galleries. Will the timeline software allow for links to relevant photographs? So you can have a "did x while looking like y" overview.
Also maybe pictures of the other players in particular incidents, covers of books as they were published, etc?
(I'll stop now - the idea is starting to run away with me)
lashtal - Aug 07, 2008 - 04:18 PM
Post subject:
It's a good idea. With the Wiki, I anticipate exactly what you're proposing...
Nodens66 - Sep 15, 2008 - 11:52 AM
Post subject:
April 19th 1900 - 'Battle of Blythe Road' Crowley in Highland dress confronts Yeats and Edmund Hunter at the climax of attempts to seize control of Golden Dawn premises in Hammersmith.
March 21st 1909 - Vol 1, Issue one of The Equinox published.
1909 ??? - Liber 777 published privately
Does anyone have a date for when in 1909 777 was published?
I am guessing it was sometime after March when Equinox no 1. came out as it had a subscription slip to Equinox inside.
phthah - Sep 18, 2008 - 01:18 AM
Post subject:
93,
Here are a few more ideas for the Chronology from A.C.'s diary of 1907 e.v.:
February 22 - Wrote "The Synagogue of Satan"
July 12 - Wrote "The Mask of Gilt"
July 13 - Wrote poem "There is no other God than He"
July 16 - Finished "The Devilled Earl"
July 21 - Wrote "La Gitana"
July 22 - Wrote "Return of Messalina"
Sept 11 - Wrote prologue for "Konx Om Pax"
Sept 13 - Revised dedication of "Konx Om Pax"
Sept 14 - Wrote odd things. "The Hermit", Empty-headed Athenians", "The Convert".
Oct 2 - Designed "Konx Om Pax" cover.
Oct 23 - Finished "Ercildoune"
Nov 16 - Rewrote Preliminary Lection (Liber LXI)
This is all for now. I will try to come up with more.
93 93/93
phthah - Sep 18, 2008 - 10:36 PM
Post subject:
93,
I noticed the first entry for 1907 e.v. has ??? for the date. In that regard, I have the following:
May 30 - Took Oath of 8°=3□ in presence of Tankerville.
93 93/93
Aleisterion - Sep 18, 2008 - 11:17 PM
Post subject:
93 all...
I just wanted to say that this is a wonderful and much-needed project. I've been thinking about just this very thing for over 20 years. As I've lost my precious library, which included several 1st editions, to the wrath of a woman scorned, I can hardly contribute much to it, but just wanted to extend a hefty thanks to the webmaster for undertaking this here, where so many people can do so much better a job than any one individual. Great job, by all means keep it up!
93 93/93
lashtal - Sep 18, 2008 - 11:23 PM
Post subject:
Thanks for the kind words. I'm busy copying the details into some rather impressive Mac Timeline creation software and will make the results freely available through this site, replicated in a Wiki that Ian Rons kindly created.
lashtal - Oct 13, 2008 - 09:56 PM
Post subject:
Work on the Timeline has moved to the altogether more suitable format of the Encyclopedia Thelemica:
http://www.lashtal.com/wiki/Aleister_Crowley_Timeline