An extraordinarily exciting new book from Teitan Press. A lesser publisher might have gone with an alternative title: Aleister Crowley: The Sex Magick Letters. Having had the opportunity to see this already, I consider it an essential purchase for anyone genuinely interested in Crowley…

Brother Curwen, Brother Crowley

By Aleister Crowley and David Curwen
Edited and with an Introduction by Henrik Bogdan and a Foreword by Tony Matthews



In September 1944, a fifty-one year old Londoner named David Curwen wrote to Aleister Crowley, initiating a correspondence that would last several years. While Curwen approached Crowley with deference, the relationship that evolved between them was a complex one that defied the accepted parameters of the student-teacher nexus. For David Curwen was no newcomer to the study of the occult, and Crowley soon discovered that the flow of knowledge would not be simply one way. In particular Crowley was tantalized by the deep understanding of the principals of tantra that Curwen had acquired during the course of many years study under a mysterious guru.

At Crowley's urging Curwen joined the O.T.O., but he remained skeptical of many of "the Beast's" claims, and the two ultimately parted company on strained terms. However, Curwen retained his interest in the occult, and in later life he devoted himself to the study of alchemy, publishing the results of his researches pseudonymously in the book In Pursuit of Gold, a work that many believe to be the most significant study ever published of practical alchemy.

In addition to reproducing all of the surviving correspondence between the pair, Brother Curwen, Brother Crowley includes an important biographical Foreword by David Curwen’s grandson, Tony Matthews. The letters themselves have been edited and annotated by the scholar of Crowley and Western esotericism, Henrik Bogdan, who has also contributed an illuminating Introduction that gives context to the relationship between Crowley and Curwen, as well as exploring the history of their interest in sexual occultism and tantra, and the influence that they had in Kenneth Grant.

Praise for Brother Curwen, Brother Crowley:

"A subtle, demanding spiritual teacher and a skeptical, literal-minded student -- what could possibly go wrong? A fascinating and often amusing correspondence, and a brilliant editorial debut by Henrik Bogdan."
Hymenaeus Beta, Frater Superior O.T.O.

"Brother Curwen, Brother Crowley illuminates a hitherto shadowy figure in Aleister Crowley's twilight years, David Curwen, a tantric and alchemist who was the last person to be initiated into the Ninth Degree of the O.T.O. by Crowley himself. Curwen emerges from this study Janus-faced, reflecting back on Crowley's life in magick while simultaneously looking ahead to the inspiration he himself would provide to one of Crowley's more prolific followers and interpreters, Kenneth Grant. Brother Curwen, Brother Crowley thus represents a fascinating nexus in the transmission and transmutation of esoteric traditions across the twentieth century."
Dr. Richard Kacznyski Author of Perdurabo.

"An important series of previously unpublished Crowley correspondence on the OTO and its secrets, with contemporary commentary which clarifies these esoteric teachings and their history."
Martin P. Starr Author of The Unknown God.

"A moving, funny and profound volume detailing the correspondence between an impecunious, querrulous and impatient Magus-Beast and a respectful, determined and stubborn Alchemist-Magus-in-waiting. Brother Curwen, Brother Crowley includes a Foreword as fascinating and revealing as its Introduction, and is beautifully presented and published—this is a perfect book!"
David Tibet / Current 93

The book is a hardcover, octavo sized (9 x 6 inches, approx 23.5 x 15.2cm), xlviii + 136pp. Sewn, printed on acid-free paper. Heavy dark green cloth binding, with gilt titling etc to the spine. Black and white frontispiece, and eight pages of black and white illustrations. Pictorial dustjacket. ISBN: 9780933429277. Edition limited to 777 numbered copies. Price: US $45.00

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hermeticlibrary: RT @mommadona: HA! Just realized~sent link '777' to 'der #beck ' bit back~LOW n beHOLD~what's he talkin'? > http://hermetic.com/crowl ...

hermeticlibrary: New section at http://hermetic.com/eidolons/ is an authorized mirror of Eidolons of Ash. http://fb.me/zrzG5RK3

Blazing Star OTO - San Francisco / Berkeley Thelema & Magick

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Celebration of Liber XV at the home of the Master of Blazing Star Oasis, to be followed by a pot-luck feast. ("Followed" implies eating after Mass; if you need to eat beforehand, please make sure you do prior to arriving.)

Open to Oasis Members and a limited number of their guests approved in advance. If in doubt, please RSVP at info@blazingstar-oto.org as soon as possible.

Set-up at 6 PM. Doors open at 7:00 PM. Mass to begin promptly at 8 PM. Please plan to leave by 10 PM (plenty of time to catch BART).

Love is the law, love under will.

Berkeley, CA 94701 - USA

Saturday, August 28 at 8:00 PM

Attending: 3

Details: http://www.meetup.com/BlazingStarOTO/calendar/14458252/

hermeticlibrary: RT @omerkunul: http://hermetic.com/bey/taz_cont.html - hakim bey den kara inciler. t.a.z.mania ömre bedel

hermeticlibrary: "Enter the temple in an aggressive and sexually aroused state ... Have a fire extinguisher handy in case of... http://fb.me/DPEXIkVP

hermeticlibrary: Austin Osman Spare exhibit and lectures at Cuming Museum, South London, UK from Sept 14-Nov 13, 2010... http://fb.me/FTWeXDcR

Blazing Star OTO - San Francisco / Berkeley Thelema & Magick

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Informal Tuesday night classes & discussions move to Blazing Star Oasis on a bi-weekly basis. Please RSVP to attend.

If you have not previously attended a BSO or Therion-Babalon Oasis event in Berkeley, please RSVP to info@blazingstar-oto.org well in advance so we can meet you publicly, or at a BSO event in San Francisco, before inviting you into a private home.

Love is the law, love under will.

Berkeley, CA 94701 - USA

Tuesday, August 17 at 7:30 PM

Attending: 1

Details: http://www.meetup.com/BlazingStarOTO/calendar/14428687/

oto_community: Aum. Ha. Lodge has a new temple space!: I'm excited to say that Aum. Ha. Lodge (damn that just rolls off the tongu... http://bit.ly/bOwRyR

hermeticlibrary: @FigaroLucowski I think you mean "liked to call himself 666" and he wrote a book called 777 http://hermetic.com/crowley/#dcclxxvii

hermeticlibrary: RT @FigaroLucowski: http://hermetic.com/crowley/ I read the book (Libre) of Aleisatar Crowley who like to call himself 777 REALLY

hermeticlibrary: Welcome to The Hermetic Library! Koran Bell and Remo Pizzin were the 3500th and 3555th fans of this page, respectively!

hermeticlibrary: "How can wine leavings be controversial?" http://hermetic.com/kimbell/essays/buzz-about-beeswing.html http://fb.me/FDh9sj2D

Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2010 - 6:00 pm

Altered Stages
212 W 29th St. 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10001

Directions: #1 subway to 28th Street & 7th Ave stop.

Website: http://www.meetup.com/Aiwass-Study-Group/calendar/14432075/

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Aiwass Study Group

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law

Welcome!

Please join us as our Brother Enrico will talk about this important one-page-book that has a message of liberty for all humanity. We will learn about its background, history and import and other aspects of it.
It will be informative, participatory and a great way to get familiar with a very important paper and its message.
If you are unfamiliar with it, you can read it here :
http://www.sacred-tex...
Come and join the discussion!

Love is the law, love under will
In L.V.X.,
~Juan

New York, NY 10001 - USA

Saturday, August 28 at 6:00 PM

Attending: 6

Details: http://www.meetup.com/Aiwass-Study-Group/calendar/14432075/

Venice Study Group

The subject we are continuing to take on is Alchemy!

Whether synthesizing the Philosopher's Stone or transmuting lead into gold, the art and science of spiritual alchemy is predominantly one of transformation. In this study group we will explore some fundamentals of alchemical symbolism and allegory, and their relations to Magick and Yoga, seeking for tools we can use to further our own evolution. A basic set of alchemical apparatus has already been provided. Zeph Bender will be our facilitator while we explore this mysterious and illuminating journey.

Newcomers are welcome. We will meet at the Pacific N3xus Gallery in Venice, every other week, until we are done with the topic and choose another. Remember to RSVP, as space can be an issue.

We will be asking for a $10 donation for this event, but no one is turned away for lack of funds.

Venice, CA 90291 - USA

Thursday, August 19 at 8:15 PM

Attending: 10

Fee: Price: USD 10.00 per person

Details: http://www.meetup.com/venice-thelema-study-group/calendar/14433975/

The Albany Magick Meetup Group

Come join the Pagan Alliance Church for our Full Moon Ritual
Our ritual will be held
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
from 7:30PM until 9:30PM
at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
(518) 463-7135
Join us as we celebrate the full Moon. This moon is known by many names. It is the Sturgeon, Fish, Corn, and Wyrt (green plant) moon. Its energies are put into harvesting, gathering, and appreciating all that we have, including ourselves.
For this moon, we will travel with Bear Woman and see what gifts of knowledge we can gather from her.
 

Feel free to call us at 866-650-3707 or to e-mail Council@PaganAllianceChurch.org with any questions you may have.
We try to make our events free to all, but donations are gratefully accepted to offset expenses.

Albany, NY 12206 - USA

Tuesday, August 24 at 7:30 PM

Attending: 2

Details: http://www.meetup.com/magickal-6/calendar/14430248/

Artist and musician Z'ev talks about making mojo bags for Jello Biafra, conjuring Elementals, and Rhythm Magick.

http://www.oto-usa.org/podcast.html

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hermeticlibrary: @DawnLouise666 If you're interested, you can read a bit of history for The Hermetic Library at http://hermetic.com/about/

hermeticlibrary: And thanks for the RT @TabRose82 @blacklodges @psilogix @chickgondbad @lilithsaintcrow @JeannieHolmes @widha @terilee007 @markjholmes