Aleister Crowley: podcast appearances and interviews

Aleister Crowley was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, novelist, mountaineer, and painter born on October 12, 1875. He founded the religion of Thelema in the early 20th century and regarded himself as its prophet, guiding humanity into the Æon of Horus. A prolific writer, Crowley composed the libri of Thelema and published extensively throughout his life. Born into a wealthy family in Royal Leamington Spa, he rejected his parents' fundamentalist Christian Plymouth Brethren faith to explore Western esotericism. He attended Trinity College at the University of Cambridge, focusing on mountaineering and poetry, and published several works. Crowley joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in 1898, where he trained in ceremonial magic. His interests included mountaineering in Mexico, studying Hindu and Buddhist practices in India, and he married Rose Edith Kelly in 1904. During their honeymoon in Cairo, Crowley wrote The Book of the Law, which became the sacred text of Thelema. The text announced the start of the Æon of Horus and emphasized seeking one's True Will through ceremonial magic. Crowley's involvement in esoteric orders such as the A∴A∴ and Ordo Templi Orientis allowed him to propagate Thelema internationally. He spent time in the United States during World War I and later established the Abbey of Thelema in Sicily. His lifestyle drew significant public attention and controversy. Crowley remained active in promoting Thelema until his death on December 1, 1947, influencing Western esotericism and countercultural movements. He is regarded as a highly influential and often provocative figure.