QUOTE(Velarius @ Sep 24 2008, 11:01 AM)
What would be a good book to get started on Crowley if one was already familiar a bit with Ceremonial Magick?
"Magick in Theory and Practice" is considered his Magnum Opus
It was my starting point to Occultism, and for the sake of the fact that I still come back to it 7 years later- for cross-referencing purposes, and am still learning from various little tidbits he scattered about within it: is the foremost reason I like to put this book in the hands of the more serious inquirer/Occultist.
Some will that Crowley spoke with the ego he did because he was addicted to cocaine, or some will say he did so knowing just a powerful magician he was: which seems to be, for many, a tribute to his legacy.
He, writing his words at the time he did (with the publicity he did) which was in no way as accelerated as it is now...
And when you go back to read what he says, or how he was saying what he said; and with what degree of certainty he was saying those things: you start saying to yourself, "this, is A Very Powerful: Intelligent Magician who I could learn a lot from"
If you are, as you "familiar a bit with Ceremonial Magick" this guy will make you refine your Craft in levels you perhaps did not think were possible.
While some are saying Crowley spoke with an aire of esteemed ego (as he was into the cocaine)
So there are some who are verifying his testiment to raise men to the Level of Godhood.
He is more alive today than when he was walking this earth, breathing as a living man.
I think that should be a testiment, or point to consider for any sincere student of Metaphysics.
So yes, if Ceremonial is your interest: and you wish to take to transcendental levels... I would highly recommend this book to you.
It will be the best 80 bucks that you have ever spent
in your entire life.