Guest guest Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 Sorry. Hate to disagree with you on this one. Crowley called himself " The Beast 666. " He was in for shock value, frankly. A very superficial person, actually, who loved getting attention, even if it was very negative attention. That part could possibly be blamed on his mother's parenting practices... Fact is, much has been played down to cover up the sheer negative hedonism this man was involved in, and just how ludicrious his lifestyle was. If you are under 50, you might not be aware, because most literature in the last 40+ years involving him has been greatly edited, so as not to scare people away from the cults that grew up around his writings, because there is such a rising interest in paganism. To be honest, Crowley was not pagan. He was a drug addict and a hedonist, and lived a very self-indulgent yet self-destructive lifestyle. The exact quotation in full is " Do what thou wilt is the whole of the law. Love is the law...Love under Will. " It fails to mention that the Will invoked is not the individuals.... it's Crowley's. He wanted everything to be all about him, and not anything or anyone else, actually. Crowley practiced what he termed Gray Magick, which involved sexual practices. He had a veritable stable of " priestesses " that participated in his " rituals. " The guy was a narcissic, vainglorious fruit, IMHO. Furthermore he was not the artist who did the paintings for those Tarot Cards bearing his name.They were done by one of the women who lived with him as one of his many " priestesses. " I forget her name because I haven't been involved in this since about 1980. I might be able to find it somewhere, though... but I don't have any of the books, anymore, due to a flood in 1987. Crowley's actual artistic capability was more on the level of a schoolchild's, and the works attributed to him were done by various women in his " harem. " I am not certain how much participation he did actually have in their design, and it did not come out until after his death that he was not the artist. I'm glad that you are aware that he did not do them himself, at least. Many aren't. He really was quite amoral. I don't know of any admirable traits he may have had and I think I've read about everything that was written by him or about him before 1970, which was mostly work by his followers, who actually lived with him and admired him, during his life. Sorry if I sound heated. I lost a dear friend to this cult, back in 1969-'70. I did read everything this person gave me to persuade me to join him, and yes there is much power in this group, but it's hedonistic and not used for the good of society as a whole, but is more focused on the corporeal. And yes I maintained contact with him and kept reading books by Crowley for years afterwards. Lots happened to him that was pretty astounding... but there is so much that showed the corruption of his chosen path, and it is sad where he ended. If you do have a genuine interest in Crowley, try finding some works that were published before 1970, at least... preferably in the '40s if you can find them. I don't mean republished and " re-released " editions, but the originals that are not re-released and not edited. It won't be easy but it will open your eyes, perhaps. - Sue > > Greebo: > > > I collect tarot cards too, not sure how many packs I've got, but > no > > where near as 200 though. I like Aleister Crowleys pack, have you > > heard of his (or perhaps got)? > > > > Something that I've been wondering about for quite a long time is; > doesn't > > it bother anyone that Crowley was a self-professed satanist and > claimed to > > be the most evil man in the world (not that I think he actually > wins that > > title, but just to aspire for it I find disturbing enough). > > > > Most people I have met in New Age circles (through friends with > such > > interests) I perceive as truly well-meaning souls, wanting only to > help and > > support the planet and all beings on it. Yet, many still don't seem > to have > > a problem with things explicitly connected with black magic rather > than > > white (I am personally not overly comfortable with either form). > Perhaps one > > of you guys can explain it to me? I know that Crowley did not > invent the > > tarot, he only designed that deck. But still; since symbols also > convey > > energies, is it only me who can feel the difference in energy > depending on > > the mindset of the designer? > > > > Inger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 Thanks for this info, Sue. Inger Mamasue: > Sorry. Hate to disagree with you on this one. > Crowley called himself " The Beast 666. " He was in for shock value, frankly. A very superficial person, actually, who loved getting attention, even if it was very negative attention. That part could possibly be blamed on his mother's parenting practices... > Fact is, much has been played down to cover up the sheer negative hedonism this man was involved in, and just how ludicrious his lifestyle was. If you are under 50, you might not be aware, because most literature in the last 40+ years involving him has been greatly edited, so as not to scare people away from the cults that grew up around his writings, because there is such a rising interest in paganism. > To be honest, Crowley was not pagan. He was a drug addict and a hedonist, and lived a very self-indulgent yet self-destructive lifestyle. > The exact quotation in full is " Do what thou wilt is the whole of the law. Love is the law...Love under Will. " It fails to mention that the Will invoked is not the individuals.... it's Crowley's. He wanted everything to be all about him, and not anything or anyone else, actually. > Crowley practiced what he termed Gray Magick, which involved sexual practices. He had a veritable stable of " priestesses " that participated in his " rituals. " > The guy was a narcissic, vainglorious fruit, IMHO. Furthermore he was not the artist who did the paintings for those Tarot Cards bearing his name.They were done by one of the women who lived with him as one of his many " priestesses. " I forget her name because I haven't been involved in this since about 1980. I might be able to find it somewhere, though... but I don't have any of the books, anymore, due to a flood in 1987. Crowley's actual artistic capability was more on the level of a schoolchild's, and the works attributed to him were done by various women in his " harem. " I am not certain how much participation he did actually have in their design, and it did not come out until after his death that he was not the artist. I'm glad that you are aware that he did not do them himself, at least. Many aren't. > He really was quite amoral. I don't know of any admirable traits he may have had and I think I've read about everything that was written by him or about him before 1970, which was mostly work by his followers, who actually lived with him and admired him, during his life. > Sorry if I sound heated. I lost a dear friend to this cult, back in 1969-'70. I did read everything this person gave me to persuade me to join him, and yes there is much power in this group, but it's hedonistic and not used for the good of society as a whole, but is more focused on the corporeal. And yes I maintained contact with him and kept reading books by Crowley for years afterwards. Lots happened to him that was pretty astounding... but there is so much that showed the corruption of his chosen path, and it is sad where he ended. > If you do have a genuine interest in Crowley, try finding some works that were published before 1970, at least... preferably in the '40s if you can find them. I don't mean republished and " re-released " editions, but the originals that are not re-released and not edited. It won't be easy but it will open your eyes, perhaps. - Sue > > Greebo: > > > I collect tarot cards too, not sure how many packs I've got, but > no > > where near as 200 though. I like Aleister Crowleys pack, have you > > heard of his (or perhaps got)? > > > > Something that I've been wondering about for quite a long time is; > doesn't > > it bother anyone that Crowley was a self-professed satanist and > claimed to > > be the most evil man in the world (not that I think he actually > wins that > > title, but just to aspire for it I find disturbing enough). > > > > Most people I have met in New Age circles (through friends with > such > > interests) I perceive as truly well-meaning souls, wanting only to > help and > > support the planet and all beings on it. Yet, many still don't seem > to have > > a problem with things explicitly connected with black magic rather > than > > white (I am personally not overly comfortable with either form). > Perhaps one > > of you guys can explain it to me? I know that Crowley did not > invent the > > tarot, he only designed that deck. But still; since symbols also > convey > > energies, is it only me who can feel the difference in energy > depending on > > the mindset of the designer? > > > > Inger FAM Secret Society is a community based on respect, friendship, support and acceptance. Everyone is valued. Always remember that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 Welcome, my good friend Sue! I’m glad to see you here. Thanks for the information. I am sorry to hear about your friend. “The Beast 666”, now I know who everyone is talking about – knew his name sounded familiar. In my senior year of high school (’83-‘84) I did a paper on black magik (and became lost in research several times at the library, so much so that my parents were frightened I would start worshiping the devil!) and probably came across his name there. Wendi Re: Tarot Sorry. Hate to disagree with you on this one. Crowley called himself " The Beast 666. " He was in for shock value, frankly. A very superficial person, actually, who loved getting attention, even if it was very negative attention. That part could possibly be blamed on his mother's parenting practices... Fact is, much has been played down to cover up the sheer negative hedonism this man was involved in, and just how ludicrious his lifestyle was. If you are under 50, you might not be aware, because most literature in the last 40+ years involving him has been greatly edited, so as not to scare people away from the cults that grew up around his writings, because there is such a rising interest in paganism. To be honest, Crowley was not pagan. He was a drug addict and a hedonist, and lived a very self-indulgent yet self-destructive lifestyle. The exact quotation in full is " Do what thou wilt is the whole of the law. Love is the law...Love under Will. " It fails to mention that the Will invoked is not the individuals.... it's Crowley's. He wanted everything to be all about him, and not anything or anyone else, actually. Crowley practiced what he termed Gray Magick, which involved sexual practices. He had a veritable stable of " priestesses " that participated in his " rituals. " The guy was a narcissic, vainglorious fruit, IMHO. Furthermore he was not the artist who did the paintings for those Tarot Cards bearing his name.They were done by one of the women who lived with him as one of his many " priestesses. " I forget her name because I haven't been involved in this since about 1980. I might be able to find it somewhere, though... but I don't have any of the books, anymore, due to a flood in 1987. Crowley's actual artistic capability was more on the level of a schoolchild's, and the works attributed to him were done by various women in his " harem. " I am not certain how much participation he did actually have in their design, and it did not come out until after his death that he was not the artist. I'm glad that you are aware that he did not do them himself, at least. Many aren't. He really was quite amoral. I don't know of any admirable traits he may have had and I think I've read about everything that was written by him or about him before 1970, which was mostly work by his followers, who actually lived with him and admired him, during his life. Sorry if I sound heated. I lost a dear friend to this cult, back in 1969-'70. I did read everything this person gave me to persuade me to join him, and yes there is much power in this group, but it's hedonistic and not used for the good of society as a whole, but is more focused on the corporeal. And yes I maintained contact with him and kept reading books by Crowley for years afterwards. Lots happened to him that was pretty astounding... but there is so much that showed the corruption of his chosen path, and it is sad where he ended. If you do have a genuine interest in Crowley, try finding some works that were published before 1970, at least... preferably in the '40s if you can find them. I don't mean republished and " re-released " editions, but the originals that are not re-released and not edited. It won't be easy but it will open your eyes, perhaps. - Sue > > Greebo: > > > I collect tarot cards too, not sure how many packs I've got, but > no > > where near as 200 though. I like Aleister Crowleys pack, have you > > heard of his (or perhaps got)? > > > > Something that I've been wondering about for quite a long time is; > doesn't > > it bother anyone that Crowley was a self-professed satanist and > claimed to > > be the most evil man in the world (not that I think he actually > wins that > > title, but just to aspire for it I find disturbing enough). > > > > Most people I have met in New Age circles (through friends with > such > > interests) I perceive as truly well-meaning souls, wanting only to > help and > > support the planet and all beings on it. Yet, many still don't seem > to have > > a problem with things explicitly connected with black magic rather > than > > white (I am personally not overly comfortable with either form). > Perhaps one > > of you guys can explain it to me? I know that Crowley did not > invent the > > tarot, he only designed that deck. But still; since symbols also > convey > > energies, is it only me who can feel the difference in energy > depending on > > the mindset of the designer? > > > > Inger FAM Secret Society is a community based on respect, friendship, support and acceptance. Everyone is valued. Always remember that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 Rosie, I forgot to comment on this post earlier, and then my phone line broke. > I feel the difference, too. Some decks I can't bear to be in the same room with, let alone touch. Cool. I have books that have such a bad vibe that I've had to throw them out. Also, anything that has a Rosicrucian symbol on it makes me so nauseaus that I sometimes have to throw up. I don't know why. If it is a personal subjective reaction to something unpleasant in a distant past, or if it is an objective reaction due to them being into shady rituals (I seem to be rather 'allergic' to black magick). I also tend to get a bad vibe in my solar plexus from music made by heroin-addicts. Pity since some of them have real talent. > I am that way about pretty much any kind of object, not just tarot decks. Always have been. I remember being a child at parties or gatherings and I would become very upset about where my coat was placed in whatever room of the house was being used for all the coats. I would become obsessed with revisiting the coat room, making sure a coat with a negative imprint would not be near or touching mine. Interesting! I am very careful how I place books on my shelf so as not to place an unpleasant or boring book next to a nice one (since the nice one might not like the company). :-) > Between that and my social " oddities " , as an adolescent I was generally delegated " cloakroom duty " when I had to go with my mother to these gatherings. Yech. Stuffed in a room with dozens of peoples' coats all talking loudly...rofl. :-) > It sounds like delusion or paranoia to most folks, I'm sure; Not to me! > however, when I was able to take a coat into a roomful of strangers and tell the room intimate details about its owner and physically describe that person, having never seen the person and the coat together (my mum was habitually late)...and to do this accurately fifteen times....well, I wasn't asked to do cloakroom duty anymore. :-) Cool. It's called psychometry, I belive? (Or clairaudience if you actually HEAR them.) That is a more advanced skill than what I have. I just feel energies (clairsentience) but usually not the consciousness content of those energies. Though I have been trying just for fun to see what I can figure out about people on a picture that I don't know anything about. I was surprised myself at how accurate my guesses were. Once I was on a mailing list and kept getting these very strong New Yorky vibes from the owners of it. I was floored when they said they lived in Oregon or something, and felt off for days as my brain was struggling to accept this fact. But then it turned out that they had only moved there a few years ago and had lived in New York all of their lives! :-) > It's an interesting topic of discussion, though: a commercially produced deck that one may purchase was never touched by the artist. Yet, the images convey the artist's energetic imprint. It's the same with books or with anything. Naturally the energy will be strongest from the original, but a reproduction will still convey something of the original intent. > Many people would say that so-called " psychic " skills are a matter of personal belief...but I dare to propose that some people have a greater sensitivity to or awareness of other dimensions. Precisely my view. We are not imagining things; we simply have extra developed perception. > I have slowly been reading some of Greene's materials (string theory > and M-theory in layman's terms), and it seems science is finally getting > close to quantifying what some sensitive people have felt over the > milleniae. Right. And about time too! :-) Inger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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