Scarlet Woman -- Babalon
As Crowley wrote in his The Book of Thoth, “She rides astride the Beast; in her left hand she holds the reins, representing the passion which
unites them. In her right she holds aloft the cup, the Holy Grail aflame with love and death. In this cup are mingled the elements of the sacrament
of the Aeon”.
Crowley believed that many of his lovers and magical companions were playing a cosmic role, even to the point of fulfilling prophesy.
This list of Crowley's lovers is in no way complete. He is known to have had dozens of lovers, more than are mentioned here, and doubtless
more children. Included with the names are their years of birth an death (when known), as well as their initiate names and their 'animal names'
that Crowley, with humor and affection, gave to them. Crowley's comments are in relation to his Scarlet Women only; 'SW' indicates Scarlet
Woman.
unites them. In her right she holds aloft the cup, the Holy Grail aflame with love and death. In this cup are mingled the elements of the sacrament
of the Aeon”.
Crowley believed that many of his lovers and magical companions were playing a cosmic role, even to the point of fulfilling prophesy.
This list of Crowley's lovers is in no way complete. He is known to have had dozens of lovers, more than are mentioned here, and doubtless
more children. Included with the names are their years of birth an death (when known), as well as their initiate names and their 'animal names'
that Crowley, with humor and affection, gave to them. Crowley's comments are in relation to his Scarlet Women only; 'SW' indicates Scarlet
Woman.
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Leah Hirsig, the "Ape of
Thoth". her portrait as a
'Dead Soul' behind her
Thoth". her portrait as a
'Dead Soul' behind her
Leah Hirsig
1925
1925
Leah Hirsig was born April 9, 1883 into a family of nine siblings in Trachselwald, Bern, Switzerland. Her family moved to America when she
was two, and she grew up in New York. She taught at a high school in the Bronx while growing up.
She and her older sister Alma were drawn to the occult, and this interest led them in the spring of 1918 to pay a visit to Aleister, who was
living at the time in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan. Aleister and Leah felt an immediate and instinctive connection. Leah
asked him to paint her as a "dead soul' and in Aleister painted several portraits of her.
In 1919 she was consecrated as his Babalon or, "Scarlet Woman", taking the name Alostrael, "the womb (or grail) of God."
Leah had been previously married to Edward Hammond, by whom she had a son, Hans Hammond.
Crowley's lover front January 1919 through August 1924. He called her 'The Ape of Thoth.' She presided over Crowley's 'Ipsissimus' grade
and was his Scarlet Woman during the Abbey of Thelema years (1920-1923) Leah was the best known of the 'Scarlet Women'. Together,
she and Aleister would indulge in drinking sessions, drugs and sexual magic. With Leah's help, Crowley began painting canvases with more
creativity and passion.
In February 1920 Aleister and Leah had a daughter, Anne Leah Crowley (nicknamed Poupee). They moved shortly after to Cefalu
(Palermo), Italy and helped Aleister found the Abbey of Thelema on April 14, 1920. Aleister and Leah signed the lease as Sir Alastor de
Kerval and Contessa Lea Harcourt. Poupee died nine months later in a hospital in Palermo on October 14, 1920. Hirsig was known as Soror
Alostrael, Crowley's Scarlet Woman, the name Crowley used for his female sex magick practitioners in reference to the consort of the Beast of
the Apocalypse whose number is 666.
By June 1924, while Hirsig—the Scarlet Woman—stayed loyal to Crowley during money troubles and painful surgeries for his asthma
symptoms, the two of them found their relationship was suffering. She wrote in her diary that his "rasping voice so jarred me that I wanted to
scream." After a few months Crowley broke it off, presenting her with a new "Scarlet Woman" by the name of Dorothy Olsen.
But this did not lead Hirsig to abandon her commitment to Thelema. Her diary from this period reveals her continuing devotion to the Great
Work, her renewal of her magical oaths, her ongoing invocations of Ra Hoor Khuit, and her consecration of herself as the bride of Chaos.
From her diary one sees how devoted she was. "I should have liked, as a human creature, to have died in the arms of the Beast 666 who, it
will be noted in my first diary (commencing March 21, 1919), was and is my lover, my mate, my Father, my child, and everything else that
Woman needs in Man. But I have never interfered with his Work, which was my Work, the Great Work, except in ignorance."
In 1925, when Crowley asked her to serve again for a period as his scribe and secretary, she readily accepted; she was ready to give her
assistance when it was necessary to the furtherance of his magical work and to the promulgation of the Law of Thelema.
Leah moved to Paris, France and lived as a prostitute on and off for some years. Ultimately she returned to America, settled back down to a
more normal life with a new husband with whom she bore a son, and returned to teaching.
Leah died at 6:15 am February 22, 1975.
was two, and she grew up in New York. She taught at a high school in the Bronx while growing up.
She and her older sister Alma were drawn to the occult, and this interest led them in the spring of 1918 to pay a visit to Aleister, who was
living at the time in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan. Aleister and Leah felt an immediate and instinctive connection. Leah
asked him to paint her as a "dead soul' and in Aleister painted several portraits of her.
In 1919 she was consecrated as his Babalon or, "Scarlet Woman", taking the name Alostrael, "the womb (or grail) of God."
Leah had been previously married to Edward Hammond, by whom she had a son, Hans Hammond.
Crowley's lover front January 1919 through August 1924. He called her 'The Ape of Thoth.' She presided over Crowley's 'Ipsissimus' grade
and was his Scarlet Woman during the Abbey of Thelema years (1920-1923) Leah was the best known of the 'Scarlet Women'. Together,
she and Aleister would indulge in drinking sessions, drugs and sexual magic. With Leah's help, Crowley began painting canvases with more
creativity and passion.
In February 1920 Aleister and Leah had a daughter, Anne Leah Crowley (nicknamed Poupee). They moved shortly after to Cefalu
(Palermo), Italy and helped Aleister found the Abbey of Thelema on April 14, 1920. Aleister and Leah signed the lease as Sir Alastor de
Kerval and Contessa Lea Harcourt. Poupee died nine months later in a hospital in Palermo on October 14, 1920. Hirsig was known as Soror
Alostrael, Crowley's Scarlet Woman, the name Crowley used for his female sex magick practitioners in reference to the consort of the Beast of
the Apocalypse whose number is 666.
By June 1924, while Hirsig—the Scarlet Woman—stayed loyal to Crowley during money troubles and painful surgeries for his asthma
symptoms, the two of them found their relationship was suffering. She wrote in her diary that his "rasping voice so jarred me that I wanted to
scream." After a few months Crowley broke it off, presenting her with a new "Scarlet Woman" by the name of Dorothy Olsen.
But this did not lead Hirsig to abandon her commitment to Thelema. Her diary from this period reveals her continuing devotion to the Great
Work, her renewal of her magical oaths, her ongoing invocations of Ra Hoor Khuit, and her consecration of herself as the bride of Chaos.
From her diary one sees how devoted she was. "I should have liked, as a human creature, to have died in the arms of the Beast 666 who, it
will be noted in my first diary (commencing March 21, 1919), was and is my lover, my mate, my Father, my child, and everything else that
Woman needs in Man. But I have never interfered with his Work, which was my Work, the Great Work, except in ignorance."
In 1925, when Crowley asked her to serve again for a period as his scribe and secretary, she readily accepted; she was ready to give her
assistance when it was necessary to the furtherance of his magical work and to the promulgation of the Law of Thelema.
Leah moved to Paris, France and lived as a prostitute on and off for some years. Ultimately she returned to America, settled back down to a
more normal life with a new husband with whom she bore a son, and returned to teaching.
Leah died at 6:15 am February 22, 1975.
Maria Theresa Ferrari de Miramar, Crowley's 2nd wife. He met her in England in 1929. the marriage took place in Leipzig, Germany.
Aleister was 53 at the time. He called her "The High Priestess of Voodoo." He wrote that under her influence, he had been able to start
serious magick with ritual precautions. They appeared to be a settled married couple, however, within a year Crowley had found a new lover
and wrote to Maria, "You should get a divorce -- find a man who will stand for your secret drinking and your scandalous behavior. Maria
wass admitted to Colney Hatch mental hospital suffering from the delusion that she was the daughter of the king and queen.
Aleister was 53 at the time. He called her "The High Priestess of Voodoo." He wrote that under her influence, he had been able to start
serious magick with ritual precautions. They appeared to be a settled married couple, however, within a year Crowley had found a new lover
and wrote to Maria, "You should get a divorce -- find a man who will stand for your secret drinking and your scandalous behavior. Maria
wass admitted to Colney Hatch mental hospital suffering from the delusion that she was the daughter of the king and queen.
Aleister's 1st wife, Edith Kelly (Rose). Rose was previously married to Major Frederick Thomas Skerrett, R.A.M.C. at Camberwell on 31st
August 1897. Crowley and Rose were married on August 12, 1903 in Dingwall, Scotland in a civil ceremony. Their union was passionate and
fruitful, both personally and magickally.
Rose and Crowley had a daughter, whom Crowley named Nuit Ma Ahathoor Hecate Sappho Jezebel Lilith Crowley, in July of 1904. This child
died in 1906 of typhoid. They had another daughter, Lola Zaza, in the summer of that year. The marriage began to suffer after the lose of
their first child. They eventually divorced due to Rose's struggle with dipsomania and other problems.
Following Crowley and Rose's divorce (1909), Rose married the Roman Catholic Dr. Joseph Andrew Gormley at Kensington in October 1912.
Rose Edith Gormley died in London in 1932.
As an adult, Lola Zaza disowned her father. She married Frank Hill in Paddington on Saturday June 9, 1934. They had a child named
Elizabeth Hill born in Paddington in 1935. Lola Zaza Hill died on Friday March 9, 1990 at Battle Hospital, Reading, Berkshire.
Quote -- 'My wife. Put me in touch with Aiwass. The Temple of Solomon the King. Failed as elsewhere is on record.'
August 1897. Crowley and Rose were married on August 12, 1903 in Dingwall, Scotland in a civil ceremony. Their union was passionate and
fruitful, both personally and magickally.
Rose and Crowley had a daughter, whom Crowley named Nuit Ma Ahathoor Hecate Sappho Jezebel Lilith Crowley, in July of 1904. This child
died in 1906 of typhoid. They had another daughter, Lola Zaza, in the summer of that year. The marriage began to suffer after the lose of
their first child. They eventually divorced due to Rose's struggle with dipsomania and other problems.
Following Crowley and Rose's divorce (1909), Rose married the Roman Catholic Dr. Joseph Andrew Gormley at Kensington in October 1912.
Rose Edith Gormley died in London in 1932.
As an adult, Lola Zaza disowned her father. She married Frank Hill in Paddington on Saturday June 9, 1934. They had a child named
Elizabeth Hill born in Paddington in 1935. Lola Zaza Hill died on Friday March 9, 1990 at Battle Hospital, Reading, Berkshire.
Quote -- 'My wife. Put me in touch with Aiwass. The Temple of Solomon the King. Failed as elsewhere is on record.'
Leah, Poupee (infant), and Aleister in
Italy. The two boys are Dionysus, Leah's
son, and Hermes, the son of Aleister and
Ninette Franus, his 2nd Concubine.
Italy. The two boys are Dionysus, Leah's
son, and Hermes, the son of Aleister and
Ninette Franus, his 2nd Concubine.
Jane Wolf and Leah
outside the Abbey,
circa 1921
outside the Abbey,
circa 1921
Mary d'Este Sturges nee Dempsey "Desti" (October 10,
1871-1931). A voluptuous, big-boned woman with curly black
hair and attractive Irish-Italian features. She was born in
Quebec and raised in Chicago. She became owner of Desti
Beauty Products, a cosmetics firm. She also owned a New
York City studio which sold art objects, perfumes, and
clothing. Authoress of The Life of Isadora Duncan. She
moved to Paris and adopted the habit of wearing only sandals
and a Greek tunic. She was a passionate, worldly woman,
and here personality and magnetism attracted Crowley
straight off. She felt the same profound emotion toward him.
He spent the evening sitting cross-legged on the floor,
"exchanging electricity with her." Mary was married four times
before meeting Crowley.
Desti was Crowley's lover from October 1911 through the
winter of 1912.
1871-1931). A voluptuous, big-boned woman with curly black
hair and attractive Irish-Italian features. She was born in
Quebec and raised in Chicago. She became owner of Desti
Beauty Products, a cosmetics firm. She also owned a New
York City studio which sold art objects, perfumes, and
clothing. Authoress of The Life of Isadora Duncan. She
moved to Paris and adopted the habit of wearing only sandals
and a Greek tunic. She was a passionate, worldly woman,
and here personality and magnetism attracted Crowley
straight off. She felt the same profound emotion toward him.
He spent the evening sitting cross-legged on the floor,
"exchanging electricity with her." Mary was married four times
before meeting Crowley.
Desti was Crowley's lover from October 1911 through the
winter of 1912.
Roddie Minor, born April 9, 1884 in Gwinnet Co., Georgia and died 1979 in Greenbackville,
Accomack, Virginia.
Crowley's lover from October 1917 through summer 1918, he called her 'The Camel' and wrote
"Brought me in touch with Amalantrah. Failed from indifference to the Work."
From Crowley's Confessions (abridged ed. 1969): Her name was Roddie Minor, a married
woman living apart from her husband, a near artist of German extraction. She was physically a
magnificent animal, with a man’s brain well stocked with general knowledge and a special
comprehension of chemistry and pharmacy. She was at this time employed in the pathological
laboratory of a famous doctor, but afterwards became managing chemist to a prominent firm of
perfumery manufactures. I have said that she had a man’s brain, but despite every effort,
there was still one dark corner in which her femininity had taken refuge and defied her to expel
it. From time to time the garrison made a desperate sortie. At such moments her womanhood
avenged itself savagely on her ambition. She was more frantically feminine than any avowed
woman could possibly be. She was ruthlessly irrational. Such attacks were fortunately as short
as they were severe, but unfortunately too often did irreparable damage." Coming from
Crowley, a description of a woman as having a "man's brain" is as profound a compliment as is
possible. Later he describes her again as a doctor of pharmacy, employed in pathological
analysis, and later in manufacturing perfumery."
Accomack, Virginia.
Crowley's lover from October 1917 through summer 1918, he called her 'The Camel' and wrote
"Brought me in touch with Amalantrah. Failed from indifference to the Work."
From Crowley's Confessions (abridged ed. 1969): Her name was Roddie Minor, a married
woman living apart from her husband, a near artist of German extraction. She was physically a
magnificent animal, with a man’s brain well stocked with general knowledge and a special
comprehension of chemistry and pharmacy. She was at this time employed in the pathological
laboratory of a famous doctor, but afterwards became managing chemist to a prominent firm of
perfumery manufactures. I have said that she had a man’s brain, but despite every effort,
there was still one dark corner in which her femininity had taken refuge and defied her to expel
it. From time to time the garrison made a desperate sortie. At such moments her womanhood
avenged itself savagely on her ambition. She was more frantically feminine than any avowed
woman could possibly be. She was ruthlessly irrational. Such attacks were fortunately as short
as they were severe, but unfortunately too often did irreparable damage." Coming from
Crowley, a description of a woman as having a "man's brain" is as profound a compliment as is
possible. Later he describes her again as a doctor of pharmacy, employed in pathological
analysis, and later in manufacturing perfumery."
Marie Rohling nee Lavroff — Crowley became involved with Marie during the composition of Liver aleph vel CXI.
Quote: ' A Doubtful case. Helped to inspire Liber CXI. Failed from indecision.'
Quote: ' A Doubtful case. Helped to inspire Liber CXI. Failed from indecision.'
Bertha Almira Prykryl nee Bruce — 'A Doubtful case. Delayed assumption of duties, hence made way for No. 7.' (Leah Hirsig)
Leila Ida Nerissa Bathurst Waddell, also known as Laylah, (1880 – 14 September 1932) was a daughter of Irish immigrants to
Australia, a famed Scarlet Woman of Aleister Crowley, and a powerful historical figure in magick and Thelema in her own right
Waddell was born in Bathurst, New South Wales. She was familiarly addressed by Aleister as "Laylah," and was immortalized in The
Book of Lies and The Confessions of Aleister Crowley. Waddell herself was an accomplished writer, magician, and musician, and a
founding member of the original company of the Rites of Eleusis.
In 1912 Waddell, and fellow Crowley students Mary Desti and Mary Butts, were given co-authorship credit on Aleister's Magick (Book 4)
as they wrote down his words, helped shape them by asking defining questions, and elicited Aleister's commentary on pertinent points.
She was Crowley's lover from March 1910 till October 1911. His relationship with Laylah was important in that she appeared to have a
measure of independence many of the others did not have. She resisted Crowley's wishes for her to commit more deeply to magick.
She was initiated info Crowley's A.*.A.*. Though Crowley was not monogamous with her, she seems to have been the one who
fascinated him the most. Laylah was, arguably, Aleister's most powerful muse, as she inspired numerous poems in addition to
numerous chapters in The Book of Lies.
Australia, a famed Scarlet Woman of Aleister Crowley, and a powerful historical figure in magick and Thelema in her own right
Waddell was born in Bathurst, New South Wales. She was familiarly addressed by Aleister as "Laylah," and was immortalized in The
Book of Lies and The Confessions of Aleister Crowley. Waddell herself was an accomplished writer, magician, and musician, and a
founding member of the original company of the Rites of Eleusis.
In 1912 Waddell, and fellow Crowley students Mary Desti and Mary Butts, were given co-authorship credit on Aleister's Magick (Book 4)
as they wrote down his words, helped shape them by asking defining questions, and elicited Aleister's commentary on pertinent points.
She was Crowley's lover from March 1910 till October 1911. His relationship with Laylah was important in that she appeared to have a
measure of independence many of the others did not have. She resisted Crowley's wishes for her to commit more deeply to magick.
She was initiated info Crowley's A.*.A.*. Though Crowley was not monogamous with her, she seems to have been the one who
fascinated him the most. Laylah was, arguably, Aleister's most powerful muse, as she inspired numerous poems in addition to
numerous chapters in The Book of Lies.
In 1916 she began to publish narrative verse about the Adirondacks. From this period she travelled in
Europe, met important figures of modernism, and co-operated with the collector John Quinn in building
up his contemporary art collection. After Quinn's death in 1924 Jeanne helped prepare the collection
of his letters that became the John Quinn Memorial Collection at the New York Public Library. The
collection includes an extensive correspondence with Joseph Conrad.
In 1932 she moved to Schenectady, where she worked as a social worker.
Jeanne's friends included many of the period's leading authors and artists. She was particularly close
to Ford Madox Ford, Ezra Pound, and William Butler Yeats. She also had a relationship with the
English author and occultist Aleister Crowley.
She is buried near her friend John Butler Yeats, the painter and father of William Butler Yeats, in the
Chestertown Rural Cemetery in the Adirondacks. Her own papers can be found in the Jeanne R.
Foster-William M. Murphy Collection at the New York Public Library and at Harvard University's
Houghton Library, which holds her correspondence with poet and author Ezra Pound.
Europe, met important figures of modernism, and co-operated with the collector John Quinn in building
up his contemporary art collection. After Quinn's death in 1924 Jeanne helped prepare the collection
of his letters that became the John Quinn Memorial Collection at the New York Public Library. The
collection includes an extensive correspondence with Joseph Conrad.
In 1932 she moved to Schenectady, where she worked as a social worker.
Jeanne's friends included many of the period's leading authors and artists. She was particularly close
to Ford Madox Ford, Ezra Pound, and William Butler Yeats. She also had a relationship with the
English author and occultist Aleister Crowley.
She is buried near her friend John Butler Yeats, the painter and father of William Butler Yeats, in the
Chestertown Rural Cemetery in the Adirondacks. Her own papers can be found in the Jeanne R.
Foster-William M. Murphy Collection at the New York Public Library and at Harvard University's
Houghton Library, which holds her correspondence with poet and author Ezra Pound.
Photo of Leila, (Laylah)
from Aleister's
"The Book of Lies."
from Aleister's
"The Book of Lies."
Waddell performing
during the Rites of
Eleusis
during the Rites of
Eleusis
Aleister Ataturk, 5-2-1937 --- 11-20-2002
Ninette Shumway (aka Isabella Fraux). (1895 - 1989) Crowley's second concubine at the Abbey of Thelema. Both Leah Hirsig and
Ninette (her magical name was Sister Cypris after Aphrodite), were carrying Crowley's un born children at the same time. Leah Hirsig had a
two-year old son named Hansi and Ninette had a three-year old boy named Howard; they were not Crowley's but he nicknamed them
Dionysus and Hermes respectively. After Leah's Poupée died, Leah had a miscarriage but Ninette gave birth to a daughter (11/12/20),
Astarte Lulu Panthea.
Astarte Lulu Panthea (b. November 25th, 1922 - d. 2005 (year uncertain, but it was reported by Bill Heidrick from the O.T.O. ) — daughter of
Ninette Shumway (aka Isabella Fraux). ("Cypris"). [Note: There are several disputed dates of her birth, but the correct one is found in
Crowley's 1923 Diaries.]
Astarte was raised in the USA from 1931 by Ninette's older sister Helene Fraux. Astarte has four children including jazz pianist Eric Muhler.
Leah Hirsig suspected Ninette's Black Magic foul play and what Aleister found when reading Ninette's magical diary (everybody had to keep
one while at the abbey for reasons explained in Liber E) appalled him. Ninette was banished from the abbey and the Beast lamented the
death of his children. However, Ninette was soon back in the abbey again to take care of her offspring.
Ninette (her magical name was Sister Cypris after Aphrodite), were carrying Crowley's un born children at the same time. Leah Hirsig had a
two-year old son named Hansi and Ninette had a three-year old boy named Howard; they were not Crowley's but he nicknamed them
Dionysus and Hermes respectively. After Leah's Poupée died, Leah had a miscarriage but Ninette gave birth to a daughter (11/12/20),
Astarte Lulu Panthea.
Astarte Lulu Panthea (b. November 25th, 1922 - d. 2005 (year uncertain, but it was reported by Bill Heidrick from the O.T.O. ) — daughter of
Ninette Shumway (aka Isabella Fraux). ("Cypris"). [Note: There are several disputed dates of her birth, but the correct one is found in
Crowley's 1923 Diaries.]
Astarte was raised in the USA from 1931 by Ninette's older sister Helene Fraux. Astarte has four children including jazz pianist Eric Muhler.
Leah Hirsig suspected Ninette's Black Magic foul play and what Aleister found when reading Ninette's magical diary (everybody had to keep
one while at the abbey for reasons explained in Liber E) appalled him. Ninette was banished from the abbey and the Beast lamented the
death of his children. However, Ninette was soon back in the abbey again to take care of her offspring.
Patricia Deirdre MacAlphine 1995
Marguerit Frieda, Lady Harris, nee Bloxham, (1877 – May 11, 1962) was commissioned by Aleister
Crowley to paint the Thoth Tarot. Although involved in the women's branch of Freemasonry – Co-
Freemasonry – her interest in the occult was not deep. Aleister had to initiate her into his Orders to
expand her knowledge and commence the spiritual training necessary to design a deck of such power.
By his own admission, the deck was intended to be traditional, but she encouraged him to commit his
occult, magical, spiritual and scientific knowledge to the project. Apart from his mother, Frieda Harris
was probably the strongest, longest lasting and most platonic relationship in his life. The extant letters
from Frieda Harris to Aleister show her fondness and compassion for him, despite his regular begging
for more money. Along with Louis Wilkinson, Frieda seems to be one of the few genuine friends in
Aleister's life.
There were three significant events in 1937 - she met Aleister Crowley; he initiated her into his own
Order, and she studied the teachings of Rudolf Steiner. Aleister was on the lookout for a talented artist
for the three month Tarot project. His headhunter was Clifford Bax, playwright, author, and co-editor of
an art & literature magazine entitled The Golden Hind between 1922-24, founded by Austin Osman
Spare. On June 9th, 1937 Bax had intended to introduce the artists Meum Stewart and Leslie Blanche
to Aleister, but they do not seem to have turned up, so he invited Frieda instead. Bax may have known
Harris through Masonic links. Clifford Bax was also instrumental in introducing John Symonds to Aleister.
Crowley to paint the Thoth Tarot. Although involved in the women's branch of Freemasonry – Co-
Freemasonry – her interest in the occult was not deep. Aleister had to initiate her into his Orders to
expand her knowledge and commence the spiritual training necessary to design a deck of such power.
By his own admission, the deck was intended to be traditional, but she encouraged him to commit his
occult, magical, spiritual and scientific knowledge to the project. Apart from his mother, Frieda Harris
was probably the strongest, longest lasting and most platonic relationship in his life. The extant letters
from Frieda Harris to Aleister show her fondness and compassion for him, despite his regular begging
for more money. Along with Louis Wilkinson, Frieda seems to be one of the few genuine friends in
Aleister's life.
There were three significant events in 1937 - she met Aleister Crowley; he initiated her into his own
Order, and she studied the teachings of Rudolf Steiner. Aleister was on the lookout for a talented artist
for the three month Tarot project. His headhunter was Clifford Bax, playwright, author, and co-editor of
an art & literature magazine entitled The Golden Hind between 1922-24, founded by Austin Osman
Spare. On June 9th, 1937 Bax had intended to introduce the artists Meum Stewart and Leslie Blanche
to Aleister, but they do not seem to have turned up, so he invited Frieda instead. Bax may have known
Harris through Masonic links. Clifford Bax was also instrumental in introducing John Symonds to Aleister.
Symonds takes up the Frieda Harris story:
"Aleister helped her through the portals of the mystical Order of the A.'. A.'. (Argenteum Astrum]])
She took the name of Tzaba “Hosts”, which adds up to 93; this is also the number of the thelema
current which she was trying to tap." John Symonds, The Great Beast.
Frieda Harris was no stranger to ritual through her membership of Co-Masonry, but her knowledge
was lacking. As well as reading books by Alesiter, her studies of Anthroposophy were to be a
critical aspect in the creation of the Tarot. It is quite possible that her studies of Steiner were
suggested by Aleister himself. Aleister is on the record as saying that his mission was to continue
the work of Blavatsky and Theosophy. Another avenue may have been Greta Valentine who
introduced Frieda to Aleister. Greta Valentine was a London socialite whom Aleister loved, but
probably never conquered.
"When they met in 1936 she was studying anthroposophy, the mystical teachings of Rudolf
Steiner, whose school she attended. Her own interests stopped short of traditional occultism."
"Aleister helped her through the portals of the mystical Order of the A.'. A.'. (Argenteum Astrum]])
She took the name of Tzaba “Hosts”, which adds up to 93; this is also the number of the thelema
current which she was trying to tap." John Symonds, The Great Beast.
Frieda Harris was no stranger to ritual through her membership of Co-Masonry, but her knowledge
was lacking. As well as reading books by Alesiter, her studies of Anthroposophy were to be a
critical aspect in the creation of the Tarot. It is quite possible that her studies of Steiner were
suggested by Aleister himself. Aleister is on the record as saying that his mission was to continue
the work of Blavatsky and Theosophy. Another avenue may have been Greta Valentine who
introduced Frieda to Aleister. Greta Valentine was a London socialite whom Aleister loved, but
probably never conquered.
"When they met in 1936 she was studying anthroposophy, the mystical teachings of Rudolf
Steiner, whose school she attended. Her own interests stopped short of traditional occultism."
Susan Strong. During March 1899 Crowley met, at one of the semi-public
performances of MacGregor Mathers' Rites of Isis, an American soprano by the
name of Susan Strong (August 3, 1870 - March 11, 1946). Susan was the
daughter of Dennis Strong, an American Congressman and mayor of Brooklyn.
She had gone to the UK at the age of 21 and had enrolled in the Royal College of
Music, London under the tutelage of the famous Hungarian musician Francis
Korbay. Crowley met up with her again in London when she sang the part of
Venus in Tannhäuser on June 22, 1899. A torrid romance followed during which
Susan swore to divorce her American husband and devote herself to Crowley.
However on her return to the US, around October 1899, she apparently cooled in
ardour. Crowley followed her to New York in June of the following year, but by then
she was already on her way back to the UK to appear in performances of the
Royal Opera House, Convent Garden. During 1900, while in Mexico City, Crowley
experienced an epiphany, during which he transcribed his play, titled Tannhauser.
He attributed the inspiration of this play to his romance with Susan Strong.
performances of MacGregor Mathers' Rites of Isis, an American soprano by the
name of Susan Strong (August 3, 1870 - March 11, 1946). Susan was the
daughter of Dennis Strong, an American Congressman and mayor of Brooklyn.
She had gone to the UK at the age of 21 and had enrolled in the Royal College of
Music, London under the tutelage of the famous Hungarian musician Francis
Korbay. Crowley met up with her again in London when she sang the part of
Venus in Tannhäuser on June 22, 1899. A torrid romance followed during which
Susan swore to divorce her American husband and devote herself to Crowley.
However on her return to the US, around October 1899, she apparently cooled in
ardour. Crowley followed her to New York in June of the following year, but by then
she was already on her way back to the UK to appear in performances of the
Royal Opera House, Convent Garden. During 1900, while in Mexico City, Crowley
experienced an epiphany, during which he transcribed his play, titled Tannhauser.
He attributed the inspiration of this play to his romance with Susan Strong.
The Times, August 19, 1929
Crowley : Ferrari -- on Aug. 16, 1929, at Leipzig, in the presence of H.B.M. Consul, Edward
Alexander (Aleister) Crowley and Maria Teresa Ferrari de Miramar.
ALEISTER CROWLEY MARRIED. CEREMONY IN LEIPZIG AFTER BEING BANNED FROM
FRANCE.
Mr. Edward Alexander (Aleister) Crowley, the English mystic writer, had been married at Leipzig
to Mlle. Maria Teresa Ferrari de Miramar, who is a native of Nicaragua.
The marriage ceremony, according to an announcement, was performed in the presdence of
the British Consul.
Mr. Aleister Crowley was recently refused the right to stay in France.
He stated that his fiancee had also been forced to leave France. Mr. Growley was born at
Leamington, 53 years ago, and was educated at Malvern and Trinity College, Cambridge. He
had been through China on foot, has been received by the sacred lamas at Tibet, and has
reached other remote places such as the Yucatan Peninsular in Mexico. He came into
prominence in London in 1911 when his picture was painted by Augustus John.
During the was he went to America and participated in German counter-espionage, declaring
that he did this at the request of the British Naval Intelligence Department.
Crowley : Ferrari -- on Aug. 16, 1929, at Leipzig, in the presence of H.B.M. Consul, Edward
Alexander (Aleister) Crowley and Maria Teresa Ferrari de Miramar.
ALEISTER CROWLEY MARRIED. CEREMONY IN LEIPZIG AFTER BEING BANNED FROM
FRANCE.
Mr. Edward Alexander (Aleister) Crowley, the English mystic writer, had been married at Leipzig
to Mlle. Maria Teresa Ferrari de Miramar, who is a native of Nicaragua.
The marriage ceremony, according to an announcement, was performed in the presdence of
the British Consul.
Mr. Aleister Crowley was recently refused the right to stay in France.
He stated that his fiancee had also been forced to leave France. Mr. Growley was born at
Leamington, 53 years ago, and was educated at Malvern and Trinity College, Cambridge. He
had been through China on foot, has been received by the sacred lamas at Tibet, and has
reached other remote places such as the Yucatan Peninsular in Mexico. He came into
prominence in London in 1911 when his picture was painted by Augustus John.
During the was he went to America and participated in German counter-espionage, declaring
that he did this at the request of the British Naval Intelligence Department.
Dorothy Olsen. (Sister Astrid) Lover from August 1924 though October 1926) Dorothy soon replaced Leah Hirsig as the 'Scarlet
Woman'. She had even bore Crowley an infant daughter that died.
Throughout September of 1924 Leah Hersig and Crowley were slowly drifting apart. On the Fall Equinox, September 21st, she decided to
act and sent a letter to Crowley stating, "I hereby renounce the title of Scarlet Woman and pass it on to the Scarlet Concubine of your
desire." Upon receiving her letter, Crowley wasted no time in appointing a new Scarlet Woman. He conferred the title on an American
woman named Dorothy Olsen, also known as Sister Astrid. Shortly afterwards they headed for Tunis, leaving Leah to roam the streets of
Paris. Crowley's relationship with Dorothy Olsen was like a roller coaster with its continual ups and downs right from the start, a pattern
that was typical to every relationship he embarked upon.
Dorothy Olsen was with Crowley when he met Gurdjieff at the Prieure. In 1926, she simply drifted away. Although we do know, according
to Crowley, that on October 8th 1926 "Astrid blew out of the South" and that she appeared for a few days of wild sex, followed by an entry
dated Oct.12th stating "Astrid blew out to the West" which meant that Dorthy Olsen left him and headed back to America. He never saw
her again.
Woman'. She had even bore Crowley an infant daughter that died.
Throughout September of 1924 Leah Hersig and Crowley were slowly drifting apart. On the Fall Equinox, September 21st, she decided to
act and sent a letter to Crowley stating, "I hereby renounce the title of Scarlet Woman and pass it on to the Scarlet Concubine of your
desire." Upon receiving her letter, Crowley wasted no time in appointing a new Scarlet Woman. He conferred the title on an American
woman named Dorothy Olsen, also known as Sister Astrid. Shortly afterwards they headed for Tunis, leaving Leah to roam the streets of
Paris. Crowley's relationship with Dorothy Olsen was like a roller coaster with its continual ups and downs right from the start, a pattern
that was typical to every relationship he embarked upon.
Dorothy Olsen was with Crowley when he met Gurdjieff at the Prieure. In 1926, she simply drifted away. Although we do know, according
to Crowley, that on October 8th 1926 "Astrid blew out of the South" and that she appeared for a few days of wild sex, followed by an entry
dated Oct.12th stating "Astrid blew out to the West" which meant that Dorthy Olsen left him and headed back to America. He never saw
her again.
The new year of 1927 began with Crowley recording in his diary that he had nine mistresses over the previous year. He even lists them:
Margaret Binetti, Kitty von Hansmester, Jane Cheron and six others. Over the next few years Crowley traveled between Germany and Tunis
quite often but spent most of his time in Paris. It was an extremely quiet period in Crowley's life. He had long sought a Scarlet Woman to
inspire his creativity but few qualified for the role.
Margaret Binetti, Kitty von Hansmester, Jane Cheron and six others. Over the next few years Crowley traveled between Germany and Tunis
quite often but spent most of his time in Paris. It was an extremely quiet period in Crowley's life. He had long sought a Scarlet Woman to
inspire his creativity but few qualified for the role.
References
Carroll, Robert Todd (2004). "Aleister Crowley (1875-1947)". The Skeptic's Dictionary. Retrieved 30 December 2004.
Crowley, Aleister(1990) "The Tao Teh King, Liber CLVII: THE EQUINOX Vol. III. No. VIII. ASCII VERSION". Retrieved 30 December 2004.
Free Encyclopedia of Thelema (2005).
The Equinox. Retrieved 24 March 2005.
A biography of Crowley by Lawrence Sutin, Do What Thou Wilt (2000) ISBN 0312288972.
Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley by Richard Kaczynski
The tree Dangerous Magi: Osho, Gurdjieff, Crowley by P T Mistlberger
Do what thou wilt: A Life of Aleister Crowley by Lawrence Sutin
Liber aleph vel CXI:
http://ghostblooms-van-asten.blogspot.com/2011/04/aleister-crowleys-family-tree.html
http://morticom.com/humansmagiciansaleistercrowley.htm
http://carnage.users2.50megs.com/AleisterCrowley/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Robert_Foster
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleister_Crowley
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babalon
http://www.tomegatherion.co.uk/images.htm
http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/ghosts/AbbeyofThelema.php
http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/DEMONS/AleisterCrowley.php
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/7928348/The-tumbledown-Italian-shed-that-will-sell-for-1.2-million.html
http://www.esoteric.msu.edu/VolumeV/Unleashing_the_Beast.htm
http://hermetic.com/crowley/
http://www.formbureauet.com/wordpress/?portfolio=portrait-crowley
http://thelema-and-faith.blogspot.com/2010/08/last-days-of-aleister-crowley.html
http://thelema-and-faith.blogspot.com/2010/08/birth-of-thelema-religion.html
http://voxx.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=41
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/c/crowley_aleister.html
http://www.cornelius93.com/Epistle-BeastlyLifeofAleisterCrowley.html
http://revelationawaitsanappointedtime.blogspot.com/2011/02/leah-hirsig.html
http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Minor-89
http://socialarchive.iath.virginia.edu/xtf/view?docId=Leverson+Ada-cr.xml
http://www.spokeo.com/Aleister+Crowley
http://www.goldendawnpedia.com/HistoryPages/Bios/AleisterCrowley.htm
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=48749419
http://www.magickalmind.com/crowleybio.htm
http://www.enotes.com/topic/Aleister_Crowley
Carroll, Robert Todd (2004). "Aleister Crowley (1875-1947)". The Skeptic's Dictionary. Retrieved 30 December 2004.
Crowley, Aleister(1990) "The Tao Teh King, Liber CLVII: THE EQUINOX Vol. III. No. VIII. ASCII VERSION". Retrieved 30 December 2004.
Free Encyclopedia of Thelema (2005).
The Equinox. Retrieved 24 March 2005.
A biography of Crowley by Lawrence Sutin, Do What Thou Wilt (2000) ISBN 0312288972.
Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley by Richard Kaczynski
The tree Dangerous Magi: Osho, Gurdjieff, Crowley by P T Mistlberger
Do what thou wilt: A Life of Aleister Crowley by Lawrence Sutin
Liber aleph vel CXI:
http://ghostblooms-van-asten.blogspot.com/2011/04/aleister-crowleys-family-tree.html
http://morticom.com/humansmagiciansaleistercrowley.htm
http://carnage.users2.50megs.com/AleisterCrowley/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Robert_Foster
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleister_Crowley
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babalon
http://www.tomegatherion.co.uk/images.htm
http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/ghosts/AbbeyofThelema.php
http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/DEMONS/AleisterCrowley.php
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/7928348/The-tumbledown-Italian-shed-that-will-sell-for-1.2-million.html
http://www.esoteric.msu.edu/VolumeV/Unleashing_the_Beast.htm
http://hermetic.com/crowley/
http://www.formbureauet.com/wordpress/?portfolio=portrait-crowley
http://thelema-and-faith.blogspot.com/2010/08/last-days-of-aleister-crowley.html
http://thelema-and-faith.blogspot.com/2010/08/birth-of-thelema-religion.html
http://voxx.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=41
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/c/crowley_aleister.html
http://www.cornelius93.com/Epistle-BeastlyLifeofAleisterCrowley.html
http://revelationawaitsanappointedtime.blogspot.com/2011/02/leah-hirsig.html
http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Minor-89
http://socialarchive.iath.virginia.edu/xtf/view?docId=Leverson+Ada-cr.xml
http://www.spokeo.com/Aleister+Crowley
http://www.goldendawnpedia.com/HistoryPages/Bios/AleisterCrowley.htm
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=48749419
http://www.magickalmind.com/crowleybio.htm
http://www.enotes.com/topic/Aleister_Crowley
Obituary: Accomac Eastern Shore News, Jan 25, 1979
Mrs. R. Warwick
Mrs. Roddie Minor Warwick, 93, widow of the late Robert Lee Warwick and a resident of Greenbackville, died at Bi-County Nursing Home,
January 17, 1979 after a long illness. Born in Georgia, her late parents were William Jackson Minor and Eliza Haughthorn [sic] Minor. She
was a graduate of Columbia University, New York, and a Cosmetic Technician. The Funeral was held at the graveside in Union
Greenbackville Cemetery, Saturday, January 20, at 11:00 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Herbert Seemann. Two nephews survive.
Arrangements were made by Watson and Melson Funeral Home, Pocomike, Md.
Mrs. R. Warwick
Mrs. Roddie Minor Warwick, 93, widow of the late Robert Lee Warwick and a resident of Greenbackville, died at Bi-County Nursing Home,
January 17, 1979 after a long illness. Born in Georgia, her late parents were William Jackson Minor and Eliza Haughthorn [sic] Minor. She
was a graduate of Columbia University, New York, and a Cosmetic Technician. The Funeral was held at the graveside in Union
Greenbackville Cemetery, Saturday, January 20, at 11:00 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Herbert Seemann. Two nephews survive.
Arrangements were made by Watson and Melson Funeral Home, Pocomike, Md.
Jeanne Robert Foster nee Olivier (1879–1970) was an American poet from the
Adirondack Mountains. She was born Julia Elizabeth Oliver in Johnsburg, New
York.
In 1896 she married Matlock Foster, and lived in Rochester, New York. She
studied drama at the Stanhope-Wheatcroft Dramatic School, and worked in
magazine journalism. She became a leading fashion model. The couple then
moved to Boston; she continued to work as a journalist there and in New York,
becoming literary editor of the American Review of Reviews.
In June 1915, Crowley met Jeanne in the company of her friend Hellen Hollis, a
journalist; Jeanne was thirty-six when they met. Crowley would have affairs with
both women, dubbing them with the theriomorphic names of The Cat and The
Snake, drawn from the Egyptian gods Pasht and Apophis.
Adirondack Mountains. She was born Julia Elizabeth Oliver in Johnsburg, New
York.
In 1896 she married Matlock Foster, and lived in Rochester, New York. She
studied drama at the Stanhope-Wheatcroft Dramatic School, and worked in
magazine journalism. She became a leading fashion model. The couple then
moved to Boston; she continued to work as a journalist there and in New York,
becoming literary editor of the American Review of Reviews.
In June 1915, Crowley met Jeanne in the company of her friend Hellen Hollis, a
journalist; Jeanne was thirty-six when they met. Crowley would have affairs with
both women, dubbing them with the theriomorphic names of The Cat and The
Snake, drawn from the Egyptian gods Pasht and Apophis.
Before Crowley's divorce from his first wife Rose, Crowley entered into a romantic and sexual affair with Ada.
"Too marry at hastings would be to repent at St. Leonard's," she often joked, and Crowley had to agree with
another of Oscar Wildes' characterizations: she was the wittiest person he had ever met. Reviewing her
works, Crowley called her "easily the daintiest and wittiest of our younger feminine writers."
This affair was brief and neither left much record of the affair; it appears to have been a brief and
convenient tryst for them both. In February 1908, Crowley was reunited with his wife as she had recovered
from her alcoholism, however the recovery was temporary as Rose experienced a relapse.
In her later years, Ada spent time abroad, particularly in Italy, where she passed the time in the company of
the Sitwells. By this time, she had grown distressingly deaf. In 1935 while returning to London from
Florence, she was struck down by illness. She died in 1936 at the age of 71.
"Too marry at hastings would be to repent at St. Leonard's," she often joked, and Crowley had to agree with
another of Oscar Wildes' characterizations: she was the wittiest person he had ever met. Reviewing her
works, Crowley called her "easily the daintiest and wittiest of our younger feminine writers."
This affair was brief and neither left much record of the affair; it appears to have been a brief and
convenient tryst for them both. In February 1908, Crowley was reunited with his wife as she had recovered
from her alcoholism, however the recovery was temporary as Rose experienced a relapse.
In her later years, Ada spent time abroad, particularly in Italy, where she passed the time in the company of
the Sitwells. By this time, she had grown distressingly deaf. In 1935 while returning to London from
Florence, she was struck down by illness. She died in 1936 at the age of 71.
Ada Leverson, 1859-1936, was an English novelist who belonged to London's world of wealth and fashion. Her six
novels were published between 1907 and 1916; they belong to Edwardian era.
She married early, becoming Mrs. Ernest Leverson. She had a son who died when a small boy. Her one daughter,
Violet, married Guy Windham and has written a biography of her mother, The Sphinx and Her Circle.
She was a friend of the artists and writers of her time from Oscar Wilde to the Sitwells. It was Wilde who gave her the
nickname "Sphinx". This is the title of one of Oscar Wilde's poems, "The Sphinx", that Ada parodied. From then on
Oscar always called her "Sphinx", and the name stuck.
novels were published between 1907 and 1916; they belong to Edwardian era.
She married early, becoming Mrs. Ernest Leverson. She had a son who died when a small boy. Her one daughter,
Violet, married Guy Windham and has written a biography of her mother, The Sphinx and Her Circle.
She was a friend of the artists and writers of her time from Oscar Wilde to the Sitwells. It was Wilde who gave her the
nickname "Sphinx". This is the title of one of Oscar Wilde's poems, "The Sphinx", that Ada parodied. From then on
Oscar always called her "Sphinx", and the name stuck.
Elaine Simpson. Born in 1875 in Kussowlie, West Bengal. She was the eldest daughter of two, of the Rev. William Simpson and Alice nee
Hall. Elaine's younger sister, Beatrice, moved to New York and established herself as an actress and poet under the stage name Beatrice
Irwin. Both were members of the Golden Dawn.
One of Crowley's first significant lovers; he found her charming. He had nothing nice to say about her mother, whom he described as 'a
horrible mother, a sixth-rate singer, a first-rate snob, with dewlaps and a paunch; a match-maker, mischief-maker, maudlin and
muddle-headed.' The hard feelings stem from a rumor spread by Mrs. Simpson that Crowley had visited her daughter's bedroom at night in
astral form.
She was a fellow Golden Dawn initiate (Semper Fidelis, meaning 'Always faithful') that Crowley met in 1899. On the 17th of April 1890,
Crowley and Elaine traveled to London to break into the Golden Dawn Temple. At the direction of Mathers, they were to attempt to remove
the contents and bring them to Mathers in Paris. In this attempt, Crowley dressed in full Scottish highland attire complete with plaid kilt, sash
with a gilded cross, and a hefty dagger at his side, in addition to this, he wore a black mask, though all of the Adepti at the London temple
would know his identity on sight. The attempt failed and Mathers was expelled from the Golden Dawn.
By 1900 Crowley and Elaine parted but he met up with her again briefly in 1906 in Shanghai, where they undertook some magickal work and
a brief study of The Book of the Law.
Hall. Elaine's younger sister, Beatrice, moved to New York and established herself as an actress and poet under the stage name Beatrice
Irwin. Both were members of the Golden Dawn.
One of Crowley's first significant lovers; he found her charming. He had nothing nice to say about her mother, whom he described as 'a
horrible mother, a sixth-rate singer, a first-rate snob, with dewlaps and a paunch; a match-maker, mischief-maker, maudlin and
muddle-headed.' The hard feelings stem from a rumor spread by Mrs. Simpson that Crowley had visited her daughter's bedroom at night in
astral form.
She was a fellow Golden Dawn initiate (Semper Fidelis, meaning 'Always faithful') that Crowley met in 1899. On the 17th of April 1890,
Crowley and Elaine traveled to London to break into the Golden Dawn Temple. At the direction of Mathers, they were to attempt to remove
the contents and bring them to Mathers in Paris. In this attempt, Crowley dressed in full Scottish highland attire complete with plaid kilt, sash
with a gilded cross, and a hefty dagger at his side, in addition to this, he wore a black mask, though all of the Adepti at the London temple
would know his identity on sight. The attempt failed and Mathers was expelled from the Golden Dawn.
By 1900 Crowley and Elaine parted but he met up with her again briefly in 1906 in Shanghai, where they undertook some magickal work and
a brief study of The Book of the Law.
'Quarda' SW
'Soror Agatha' SW
'Soror Virakam' SW
Desti was Crowley's second Scarlet Woman. She assisted Crowley in establishing the magical link with the
praeterhuman minds that inspired him with one of his greatest works, Magick, Liber ABA,book 4. Most
consider this as his magnum opus. Her ability as a seer was great; a record of her oracular talent can be
found in The Ab-ul-Diz Working. Her work also appears in Crowley's book, The Vision and the Voice. She
replaced Leila and was present with Crowley when they undertook the "Abuldiz Working," invoking a spirit
guide by that name.
Desti passed away in 1931 at her residence of leukemia after being seriously ill for two months.
Quote — 'A doubtful case. Put me in touch with Abuldiz; hence helped with Book 4. Failed from personal
jealousies.
praeterhuman minds that inspired him with one of his greatest works, Magick, Liber ABA,book 4. Most
consider this as his magnum opus. Her ability as a seer was great; a record of her oracular talent can be
found in The Ab-ul-Diz Working. Her work also appears in Crowley's book, The Vision and the Voice. She
replaced Leila and was present with Crowley when they undertook the "Abuldiz Working," invoking a spirit
guide by that name.
Desti passed away in 1931 at her residence of leukemia after being seriously ill for two months.
Quote — 'A doubtful case. Put me in touch with Abuldiz; hence helped with Book 4. Failed from personal
jealousies.
'the Snake'
Helen Hollis, A brief lover ca. 1915. Little is known about her other than she was a New York journalist.
'the Cat' SW
'the Owl'
Gerda Maria von Kothek. Crowley's lover ca. 1916. He called her 'a bright young Angel of Revolution". She was a German prostitute
and Crowley practised sex magick with here. Her real name was Gerda Schumann and she was around nineteen when she meet Crowley.
Gerda married another German immigrant, Dr. Rudolf Gebauer, and the pair took up residence in Passaic, New Jersey. Very little
information is available on her.
and Crowley practised sex magick with here. Her real name was Gerda Schumann and she was around nineteen when she meet Crowley.
Gerda married another German immigrant, Dr. Rudolf Gebauer, and the pair took up residence in Passaic, New Jersey. Very little
information is available on her.
'the Monkey'
Alice Ethel Coomaraswamy, nee Richardson. aka Ratan Devi. She was the English wife
of the famed Indian art historian Ananda Coomaraswamy. She meet him ca. 1910, most likely
at a recital of folk songs given by pupils of the collector of folk songs and cultural revivalist
Cecil Sharp. Alice accompanied Coomaraswamy on a trip to India in 1911 and became his
second wife. They lived on a houseboat in Srinagar, Kashmir, whilst she studied Indian music
with Abdul Rahim of Kapurthala, and Coomaraswamy researched Rajput paintings of northern
India.
Once back in London, Alice became noted for her recitals of Indian music which were often
introduced by an explanatory lecture given by her husband. The performed widely in the UK
under the name Ratan Devi and in Indian dress.
It is not known how Coomaraswamy and Crowley met, but they had a substantial relationship
while Crowley was living in New York in 1916.
of the famed Indian art historian Ananda Coomaraswamy. She meet him ca. 1910, most likely
at a recital of folk songs given by pupils of the collector of folk songs and cultural revivalist
Cecil Sharp. Alice accompanied Coomaraswamy on a trip to India in 1911 and became his
second wife. They lived on a houseboat in Srinagar, Kashmir, whilst she studied Indian music
with Abdul Rahim of Kapurthala, and Coomaraswamy researched Rajput paintings of northern
India.
Once back in London, Alice became noted for her recitals of Indian music which were often
introduced by an explanatory lecture given by her husband. The performed widely in the UK
under the name Ratan Devi and in Indian dress.
It is not known how Coomaraswamy and Crowley met, but they had a substantial relationship
while Crowley was living in New York in 1916.
'the Dog'
Anna Miller. In 1917 during World War One, Crowley, forty-two years of age, was living in New York City with Anna. Through her he met
Roddie Minor. At the time, Crowley practiced sex magick with both women, as well with Walter Grey, an African-American man. Anna
eventually left and Crowley deepened his involvement with Roddie.
Roddie Minor. At the time, Crowley practiced sex magick with both women, as well with Walter Grey, an African-American man. Anna
eventually left and Crowley deepened his involvement with Roddie.
'Soror Ahitha' SW
'Soror Alostrael' SW
'Soro Astrid' SW
Babalon—also known as The Scarlet Woman, The Great Mother, or the Mother of Abominations — is a
goddess found in the mystical system of Thelema, which was established in 1904 by Crowley's writing of The
Book of the Law. In her most abstract form, she represents the female sexual impulse and the liberated woman;
although she can also be identified with Mother Earth in her most fertile sense. At the same time, Crowley
believed that Babalon had an earthly aspect in the form of a spiritual office, which could be filled by actual
women — usually as a counterpart to his own identification as "To Mega Thereon" (The Great Beast) — whose
duty was then to help manifest the energies of the current Aeon of Horus.
Her consort is Chaos, the "Father of Life" and the male form of the Creative Principle. Babalon is often
described as being girt with a sword and riding the Beast. She is often referred to as a sacred whore, and her
primary symbol is the Chalice or Grail.
goddess found in the mystical system of Thelema, which was established in 1904 by Crowley's writing of The
Book of the Law. In her most abstract form, she represents the female sexual impulse and the liberated woman;
although she can also be identified with Mother Earth in her most fertile sense. At the same time, Crowley
believed that Babalon had an earthly aspect in the form of a spiritual office, which could be filled by actual
women — usually as a counterpart to his own identification as "To Mega Thereon" (The Great Beast) — whose
duty was then to help manifest the energies of the current Aeon of Horus.
Her consort is Chaos, the "Father of Life" and the male form of the Creative Principle. Babalon is often
described as being girt with a sword and riding the Beast. She is often referred to as a sacred whore, and her
primary symbol is the Chalice or Grail.
Aleister Crowley's The Book of the Law -- Sample
In 1934, Crowley was declared bankrupt after losing a court case in which he
sued the artist Nina Hamnett for calling him a black magician in her 1932
book, Laughing Torso.
Patricia "Deirdre" MacAlpine approached Crowley on the day of the verdict
and offered to bear him a child.
On March 26, 1937, Aleister wrote a poem simply titled 'To Deidre in labour.'
Just two months later their son was born, whom he named Aleister Ataturk.
She sought no mystical or religious role in Crowley's life and rarely saw him
after the birth, "an arrangement that suited them both."
sued the artist Nina Hamnett for calling him a black magician in her 1932
book, Laughing Torso.
Patricia "Deirdre" MacAlpine approached Crowley on the day of the verdict
and offered to bear him a child.
On March 26, 1937, Aleister wrote a poem simply titled 'To Deidre in labour.'
Just two months later their son was born, whom he named Aleister Ataturk.
She sought no mystical or religious role in Crowley's life and rarely saw him
after the birth, "an arrangement that suited them both."
in the summer of 1947, Pat came to Netherwood with her four children, including Aleister Ataturk, spent most of the final months with
Crowley, and was there beside him during his last days. According to MacAlphine, the 'Beast' remained in good spirits, enjoying the
comings and goings of Aleister Ataturk and the other children, who adored him in turn.
Crowley did, however, remain in bed. The day before he died, he talked calmly and at length with MacAlpine. The following day was a
still one, but at the moment of Crowley's death, which came quietly, the curtains of his room were caught by a gust of wind, and a peal
of thunder was hear. "It was the gods greeting him," said MacAlpine.
Crowley's son, later changed his name to Randall Gair and died in a car accident.
Crowley, and was there beside him during his last days. According to MacAlphine, the 'Beast' remained in good spirits, enjoying the
comings and goings of Aleister Ataturk and the other children, who adored him in turn.
Crowley did, however, remain in bed. The day before he died, he talked calmly and at length with MacAlpine. The following day was a
still one, but at the moment of Crowley's death, which came quietly, the curtains of his room were caught by a gust of wind, and a peal
of thunder was hear. "It was the gods greeting him," said MacAlpine.
Crowley's son, later changed his name to Randall Gair and died in a car accident.
In a letter to E.N. Fitzgerald, Crowley wrote: "A miracle has just happened. The girl
Pat and Aleister Ataturk, who I had long since given up for dead, are in London.
She phoned me last night. I am delirious with joy: they come here Thursday." Pat
and Ataturk, who just turned ten on May 2, 1947, came out from Cornwall to visit
Crowley for three days in the middle of May. The visit pleased Crowley, who, old
and lonely, missed his family. He was so happy to see them that on May 22
Crowley instructed members of OTO to ensure Ataturk's care and education after
his father died. He also seized the opportunity to write his son a fatherly letter
while he still had the chance. His advice provides great insight into Crowley's
mind, and is quoted in full:
Pat and Aleister Ataturk, who I had long since given up for dead, are in London.
She phoned me last night. I am delirious with joy: they come here Thursday." Pat
and Ataturk, who just turned ten on May 2, 1947, came out from Cornwall to visit
Crowley for three days in the middle of May. The visit pleased Crowley, who, old
and lonely, missed his family. He was so happy to see them that on May 22
Crowley instructed members of OTO to ensure Ataturk's care and education after
his father died. He also seized the opportunity to write his son a fatherly letter
while he still had the chance. His advice provides great insight into Crowley's
mind, and is quoted in full:
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
My dear son,
This is the first letter that your father has ever written to you, so you can imagine that it will be very important, and you
should keep it and lay it by your heart.
First of all, let me tell you how intensely happy your reappearance has made me. I feel that I must devote a great deal of
my time to watching over your career. I was very pleased to hear that you had decided to learn to read, and that, of
course, means learning to write. A word of warning about this. In these last years, children have been taught to write
script, as they call it, which is a very bad thing. You must write in such a way that it impresses your personality on the
reader.
On top of that, I wanted to tell you something about yourself. One of your Ancestors was Duke of a place called La
Querouaille in Brittany, and came over to England with the Duke of Richmond, who was the original heir to the English
throne, to help him turn out the usurper, known to history as Richard III. Since then, our family has made its mark on the
world on several occasions, though never anything very brilliant. Now, I want you to take this very seriously. I want you to
be very proud of yourself for belonging to such a family. Owing to the French Revolution and various other catastrophes,
the Dukedom is no longer in existence legally, but morally it is so, and I want you to learn to behave as a Duke would
behave. You must be high-minded, generous, noble, and, above all, without fear. For that last reason, you must never tell
a lie, for to do so shows that you are afraid of the person to whom you tell it, and I want you to be afraid of nobody. I think
that is all about now.
Now with regard to your education. I want particularly to insist on learning Latin, and I will give you my reasons. Firstly,
anyone who knows Latin gains a greater command of and understanding of the English language than he would otherwise
possess. He will be able to reason out for himself the meanings of words with which he is unfamiliar. Secondly, if you are
well-grounded in Latin, you are halfway to a knowledge of French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese, for all these languages,
as well as English, are derived from Latin. Thirdly, the most important of all, much of the unconscious part of your mind has
been formed by the writing of Latin and Greek authors. This implies that you should also learn a certain amount of Greek.
One of the wisest men of olden time gave this instruction to his pupils: "Know thyself," and learning Latin helps you to do
this for the reason I have already explained above. I regard this as very important indeed. There are a great many people
going about today who tell you that Latin is no use to you in the ordinary affairs of life, and that is quite true if you are going
to be some commonplace person like a tradesman or a bank clerk. But you are a gentleman, and if you want to be an
educated gentleman, you must know Latin.
There is another matter that I want to put before you. It will be a very good plan if you learn to play chess. For one thing, it
is a very good training for the mind, and, for another, it is the only game, of all the games worth playing, which lasts you
throughout your life. You can get as much pleasure out of it when you are 60 as when you are 20.
I think that is all I have to say to you today, and I shall expect you to manage somehow to write me an answer. you see,
much of the time we shall not be able to communicate face to face, and there will be a good many questions that you will
want to ask me, which you cannot do unless you write good English.
That reminds me. There is one more point that I want to impress to you. The best models of English writings are
Shakespeare and the Old Testament, especially the Book of Job, the Psalms and Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of
Solomon. it will be a very good thing for you to commit as much as you can both of these books and of the best plays of
Shakespeare to memory, so that they form the foundation of your style. In writing English, the most important quality that
you can acquire is style. That makes all the difference to anyone who reads what you write, whether you use the best
phrases in the best way. You will have to devote some time to grammar and syntax, and also to logic. Logic is the science
and the art of using words, and it teaches you to think correctly without making blunders in reasoning, which nowadays
everyone is liable to do just because they have not got the training which I am proposing to give you.
Now, my dear son, I will close this long letter in the eager hope you will follow my advice in all respects.
Love is the law, love under will.
Your affectionate father.
My dear son,
This is the first letter that your father has ever written to you, so you can imagine that it will be very important, and you
should keep it and lay it by your heart.
First of all, let me tell you how intensely happy your reappearance has made me. I feel that I must devote a great deal of
my time to watching over your career. I was very pleased to hear that you had decided to learn to read, and that, of
course, means learning to write. A word of warning about this. In these last years, children have been taught to write
script, as they call it, which is a very bad thing. You must write in such a way that it impresses your personality on the
reader.
On top of that, I wanted to tell you something about yourself. One of your Ancestors was Duke of a place called La
Querouaille in Brittany, and came over to England with the Duke of Richmond, who was the original heir to the English
throne, to help him turn out the usurper, known to history as Richard III. Since then, our family has made its mark on the
world on several occasions, though never anything very brilliant. Now, I want you to take this very seriously. I want you to
be very proud of yourself for belonging to such a family. Owing to the French Revolution and various other catastrophes,
the Dukedom is no longer in existence legally, but morally it is so, and I want you to learn to behave as a Duke would
behave. You must be high-minded, generous, noble, and, above all, without fear. For that last reason, you must never tell
a lie, for to do so shows that you are afraid of the person to whom you tell it, and I want you to be afraid of nobody. I think
that is all about now.
Now with regard to your education. I want particularly to insist on learning Latin, and I will give you my reasons. Firstly,
anyone who knows Latin gains a greater command of and understanding of the English language than he would otherwise
possess. He will be able to reason out for himself the meanings of words with which he is unfamiliar. Secondly, if you are
well-grounded in Latin, you are halfway to a knowledge of French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese, for all these languages,
as well as English, are derived from Latin. Thirdly, the most important of all, much of the unconscious part of your mind has
been formed by the writing of Latin and Greek authors. This implies that you should also learn a certain amount of Greek.
One of the wisest men of olden time gave this instruction to his pupils: "Know thyself," and learning Latin helps you to do
this for the reason I have already explained above. I regard this as very important indeed. There are a great many people
going about today who tell you that Latin is no use to you in the ordinary affairs of life, and that is quite true if you are going
to be some commonplace person like a tradesman or a bank clerk. But you are a gentleman, and if you want to be an
educated gentleman, you must know Latin.
There is another matter that I want to put before you. It will be a very good plan if you learn to play chess. For one thing, it
is a very good training for the mind, and, for another, it is the only game, of all the games worth playing, which lasts you
throughout your life. You can get as much pleasure out of it when you are 60 as when you are 20.
I think that is all I have to say to you today, and I shall expect you to manage somehow to write me an answer. you see,
much of the time we shall not be able to communicate face to face, and there will be a good many questions that you will
want to ask me, which you cannot do unless you write good English.
That reminds me. There is one more point that I want to impress to you. The best models of English writings are
Shakespeare and the Old Testament, especially the Book of Job, the Psalms and Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of
Solomon. it will be a very good thing for you to commit as much as you can both of these books and of the best plays of
Shakespeare to memory, so that they form the foundation of your style. In writing English, the most important quality that
you can acquire is style. That makes all the difference to anyone who reads what you write, whether you use the best
phrases in the best way. You will have to devote some time to grammar and syntax, and also to logic. Logic is the science
and the art of using words, and it teaches you to think correctly without making blunders in reasoning, which nowadays
everyone is liable to do just because they have not got the training which I am proposing to give you.
Now, my dear son, I will close this long letter in the eager hope you will follow my advice in all respects.
Love is the law, love under will.
Your affectionate father.
Coomaraswamy asked Crowley to help promote his wife's performances in 1916. Crowley wrote reviews of her in Vanity Fair and offered
letters of introduction for her. She and Crowley quickly became lovers and magical partners, engaging in sexual magic by April of 1916.
Alice became pregnant.
Crowley says that Coomaraswamy was quite aware of their affair and had even encouraged it, wanting Crowley to take on her living
expenses while in New York. Crowley, in exchange, introduced Ananda to Gerda Maria von Kothek, a prostitute and previous lover of
Crowley's. Coomaraswamy and von Kothek were soon living together.
When Alice's career began to take off, Coomaraswamy wanted her back. Alice loved Crowley, but, for whatever reason, decided to return
to England with Coomaraswamy. She had a miscarriage as a result of sea sickness on the voyage. Crowley blamed Coomaraswamy for
the death of his child and hated him for it.
Alice had two children (a boy, Narada, and a girl, Rohini) by Coomaraswamy before their divorce.
letters of introduction for her. She and Crowley quickly became lovers and magical partners, engaging in sexual magic by April of 1916.
Alice became pregnant.
Crowley says that Coomaraswamy was quite aware of their affair and had even encouraged it, wanting Crowley to take on her living
expenses while in New York. Crowley, in exchange, introduced Ananda to Gerda Maria von Kothek, a prostitute and previous lover of
Crowley's. Coomaraswamy and von Kothek were soon living together.
When Alice's career began to take off, Coomaraswamy wanted her back. Alice loved Crowley, but, for whatever reason, decided to return
to England with Coomaraswamy. She had a miscarriage as a result of sea sickness on the voyage. Crowley blamed Coomaraswamy for
the death of his child and hated him for it.
Alice had two children (a boy, Narada, and a girl, Rohini) by Coomaraswamy before their divorce.
'the Dragon' 'Soror Olun' SW
Jeanne was a famous New York fashion model, journalist, editor, poet, and she was married.
She was one of Crowley's great loves. It was love at first sight; Crowley wrote that "I saw my ideal incarnate ... I really loved her with a love
more exalted than aught in all my experience." She kept him waiting a month before consummating the liaison, probably something of a
record for Crowley, who wrote in his Confessions; "I endured the torture of absence, of doubt, of despair, with all the might of my
manhood."
It was indeed a serious relationship; they wrote love poetry to one another, and she considered divorcing her husband to marry Crowley.
Crowley's plan was to have a his first male offspring with Jeanne. Jeanne assumed the office of Scarlet Woman in his magical workings,
choosing Hilarion as her mystic name. I late September Crowley tried to beget a child by her and -- as evidenced in the final poems of The
Golden Rose (the unpublished sonnet cycle chronicling their affair) -- he believed he had succeeded, but, she did not get pregnant.
In early October Crowley set out for a tour of the West Coast, followed by Jeanne, who had 'decided to spice the romance and adventure
by taking her husband in tow.' They took a side trip to Vancouver, where Crowley visited Charles Stansfeld Jones, a member of the A.*.A.*.
and the Ordo Templi Orientis. They parted in California; on Crowley's return to New York he learned that she had dropped him. He felt the
loss acutely. He had been certain she had conceived his child, later writing that 'I did not know that I was attempting a physical impossibility.'
Crowley regained his emotional equilibrium, dismissing the affair as an illusion, and Jeanne Foster as deceitful. Five years later he wrote: "I
have not been in love since 1915... Did she really 'break my heart'?"
Quote: 'Failed from respectability.'
She was one of Crowley's great loves. It was love at first sight; Crowley wrote that "I saw my ideal incarnate ... I really loved her with a love
more exalted than aught in all my experience." She kept him waiting a month before consummating the liaison, probably something of a
record for Crowley, who wrote in his Confessions; "I endured the torture of absence, of doubt, of despair, with all the might of my
manhood."
It was indeed a serious relationship; they wrote love poetry to one another, and she considered divorcing her husband to marry Crowley.
Crowley's plan was to have a his first male offspring with Jeanne. Jeanne assumed the office of Scarlet Woman in his magical workings,
choosing Hilarion as her mystic name. I late September Crowley tried to beget a child by her and -- as evidenced in the final poems of The
Golden Rose (the unpublished sonnet cycle chronicling their affair) -- he believed he had succeeded, but, she did not get pregnant.
In early October Crowley set out for a tour of the West Coast, followed by Jeanne, who had 'decided to spice the romance and adventure
by taking her husband in tow.' They took a side trip to Vancouver, where Crowley visited Charles Stansfeld Jones, a member of the A.*.A.*.
and the Ordo Templi Orientis. They parted in California; on Crowley's return to New York he learned that she had dropped him. He felt the
loss acutely. He had been certain she had conceived his child, later writing that 'I did not know that I was attempting a physical impossibility.'
Crowley regained his emotional equilibrium, dismissing the affair as an illusion, and Jeanne Foster as deceitful. Five years later he wrote: "I
have not been in love since 1915... Did she really 'break my heart'?"
Quote: 'Failed from respectability.'
Semper Fidelis
Kassimira Bass Brief Polish lover from 1927-1928. Kassimira was with with Aleister in Paris when Israel Regardie arrived from America.
Crowley and Kasimira met Regardie at the train station in Paris and took him by taxi back to their hotel. After a nice supper, while the three
were sipping coffee and cognac, Crowley simply got up from the table and pounced on Kasimira, knocking her to the floor. Regardie
apparently was very shocked, got up and quietly staggered into the next room. Regardie later wrote that Crowley and Kasimira "fell down
on the floor and started fucking like a pair of animals right there in front of me."
By the end of the year, Kasimira was history and Crowley was in the market for a new Scarlet Woman.
Crowley and Kasimira met Regardie at the train station in Paris and took him by taxi back to their hotel. After a nice supper, while the three
were sipping coffee and cognac, Crowley simply got up from the table and pounced on Kasimira, knocking her to the floor. Regardie
apparently was very shocked, got up and quietly staggered into the next room. Regardie later wrote that Crowley and Kasimira "fell down
on the floor and started fucking like a pair of animals right there in front of me."
By the end of the year, Kasimira was history and Crowley was in the market for a new Scarlet Woman.
Hanni Jaeger, a 19-year old Germain Artist. Crowley meet her and she became his lover within a year of marrying Maria Teresa Ferrari.
Soon Hanni became pregnant. The affair was short lived as Hanni left Aleister.
Soon Hanni became pregnant. The affair was short lived as Hanni left Aleister.
Billy Busch. Shortly after Hanni Jaeger, Crowley meet his next scarlet woman, Billy Busch. The two moved into a flat with money that
was usually paid for by Carl Gerner and his wife. But the Gerners wrote to Crowley "The $15,000 I have given you, were spent not in real
constructive work but in expensive cigars, cognac, cocktails, taxis, dinners, wives and sweethearts and anything that you desired at the
moment, I am not trying to insult you but I think that you have a Me and God complex."
was usually paid for by Carl Gerner and his wife. But the Gerners wrote to Crowley "The $15,000 I have given you, were spent not in real
constructive work but in expensive cigars, cognac, cocktails, taxis, dinners, wives and sweethearts and anything that you desired at the
moment, I am not trying to insult you but I think that you have a Me and God complex."
Soror Tzaba
Greta was an artist friend of Frieda, and it was at her house in Hyde Park Crescent, London, that Frieda and Aleister worked on the Book of
Thoth.
Frieda lived the construction and design of the deck to the point that events in her life mirrored the cards she was working on. For example,
when she was working on the Eight and Nine of Swords, she experienced all sorts of accidents and delays.
Frieda was sending Aleister a regular stipend throughout the project. She was also using her society contacts to find financial backers for the
exhibition of the paintings, the catalogues, and for the publication of the Tarot. The mental, emotional and spiritual pressures took its toll on
Frieda, who became somewhat erratic. Aleister was sufficiently concerned to call in the lawyers to protect his 66% investment in the project.
Despite the legal hitches, Aleister gives Frieda fulsome praise in the Introduction to The Book of Thoth - this from a man who spent much of
his life creating enemies:
"She devoted her genius to the Work. With incredible rapidity she picked up the rhythm, and with inexhaustible patience submitted to the
correction of the fanatical slave-driver that she had invoked, often painting the same card as many as eight times until it measured up to has
Vanadium Steel yardstick!"
Throughout the project she insisted on her own anonymity, but she revelled in working for such a notorious man. Although the Book of Thoth
was published in a 200 limited edition, neither Aleister nor Frieda lived to see the deck printed.
Frieda Harris
Thoth.
Frieda lived the construction and design of the deck to the point that events in her life mirrored the cards she was working on. For example,
when she was working on the Eight and Nine of Swords, she experienced all sorts of accidents and delays.
Frieda was sending Aleister a regular stipend throughout the project. She was also using her society contacts to find financial backers for the
exhibition of the paintings, the catalogues, and for the publication of the Tarot. The mental, emotional and spiritual pressures took its toll on
Frieda, who became somewhat erratic. Aleister was sufficiently concerned to call in the lawyers to protect his 66% investment in the project.
Despite the legal hitches, Aleister gives Frieda fulsome praise in the Introduction to The Book of Thoth - this from a man who spent much of
his life creating enemies:
"She devoted her genius to the Work. With incredible rapidity she picked up the rhythm, and with inexhaustible patience submitted to the
correction of the fanatical slave-driver that she had invoked, often painting the same card as many as eight times until it measured up to has
Vanadium Steel yardstick!"
Throughout the project she insisted on her own anonymity, but she revelled in working for such a notorious man. Although the Book of Thoth
was published in a 200 limited edition, neither Aleister nor Frieda lived to see the deck printed.
Frieda Harris
"[The angel] carried my spirit away to the desert. I saw the scarlet woman sitting on the beast with seven heads and ten horns, covered with
blasphemous names. The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and gilded with gold and precious stones and pearls, with a golden cup in
her hand filled with the abominations and the unclean things of her fornication. On her forehead a name had been written, 'A Mystery: Babalon
the great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth.' I saw the woman was drunk from the blood of the saints, and from the
blood of the martyrs of Jesus. Seeing her, I wondered greatly."
Revelation 17:3-6
blasphemous names. The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and gilded with gold and precious stones and pearls, with a golden cup in
her hand filled with the abominations and the unclean things of her fornication. On her forehead a name had been written, 'A Mystery: Babalon
the great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth.' I saw the woman was drunk from the blood of the saints, and from the
blood of the martyrs of Jesus. Seeing her, I wondered greatly."
Revelation 17:3-6
Soror Estai
"The Red Flame"
Jane at the Abbey
Jane at the Abbey
Sarah Jane Wolfe (1875-1958) Born in St. Petersburg, PA on March 21, 1875. As a young girl she
went to New York City to pursue a career in the theatre but became involved in acting in the fledgling
motion picture industry. She made her film debut in 1910 at the age of 35. 1911 she was part of the
Kalem Company's crew in New York city who relocated to the company's new production facilities in
Los Angeles, CA. She went on to become one of the leading character actors of the decade,
appearing in more than one hundred films. . She had a nervous breakdown during the production of
the silent film "The Client".
In 1918 she began corresponding with Aleister Crowley. Two years later she gave up her career in
Hollywood to join the Abbey of Thelema. Jane was admitted as a A.'. A.'. Probationer on June 11,
1921, during her residence at the Abbey. At her admittance, she took the aspiration name Estai.
Jane was at the Abbey from 1920 until it closed in 1923. She kept a magickal diary while there, which
was later published by the College of Thelema of Northern California as "The Cefalu Diaries."
Jane is considered an important female figure in magick as, in addition to her friendship and work with
Crowley, she took part in the founding of the Agape Lodge of the O.T.O. in southern California as well
as being its lodge master. The "Soro Estai lineage of the A.'. A.'. derives from her.
Jane had a small role in 1937 in a B-Western named "Under Strange Flags", after not appearing on
screen for 17 years.
Jane used the Quija board, and credited some of her greatest spiritual communcations to the use of it.
Jane's student was Phyllis Seckler, Soro Meral. (June 18, 1917 - May 31, 2004) A lifelong educator, as
well as an accomplished painter, poet and gardener, her life was dedicated to spiritual regeneration,
and to preserving and teaching these traditions to her own students, thus carrying on the 'Soro Estai'
lineage.
Jane Wolfe died in Glendale, CA. on March 29, 1958, eight days after her 83rd birthday.
went to New York City to pursue a career in the theatre but became involved in acting in the fledgling
motion picture industry. She made her film debut in 1910 at the age of 35. 1911 she was part of the
Kalem Company's crew in New York city who relocated to the company's new production facilities in
Los Angeles, CA. She went on to become one of the leading character actors of the decade,
appearing in more than one hundred films. . She had a nervous breakdown during the production of
the silent film "The Client".
In 1918 she began corresponding with Aleister Crowley. Two years later she gave up her career in
Hollywood to join the Abbey of Thelema. Jane was admitted as a A.'. A.'. Probationer on June 11,
1921, during her residence at the Abbey. At her admittance, she took the aspiration name Estai.
Jane was at the Abbey from 1920 until it closed in 1923. She kept a magickal diary while there, which
was later published by the College of Thelema of Northern California as "The Cefalu Diaries."
Jane is considered an important female figure in magick as, in addition to her friendship and work with
Crowley, she took part in the founding of the Agape Lodge of the O.T.O. in southern California as well
as being its lodge master. The "Soro Estai lineage of the A.'. A.'. derives from her.
Jane had a small role in 1937 in a B-Western named "Under Strange Flags", after not appearing on
screen for 17 years.
Jane used the Quija board, and credited some of her greatest spiritual communcations to the use of it.
Jane's student was Phyllis Seckler, Soro Meral. (June 18, 1917 - May 31, 2004) A lifelong educator, as
well as an accomplished painter, poet and gardener, her life was dedicated to spiritual regeneration,
and to preserving and teaching these traditions to her own students, thus carrying on the 'Soro Estai'
lineage.
Jane Wolfe died in Glendale, CA. on March 29, 1958, eight days after her 83rd birthday.
Later years