Customer Reviews

The Holy Books of Thelema

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The Holy books of Thelema stand quite apart from the technical works Crowley wrote throughout his life. They were "received" or channeled if you will, rather than developed by Crowley's ego (by which I mean his mortal psyche). Every Liber is a gem, proving to anyone who reads them with an open mind that Crowley was a true prophet. Within you will find not only the Book of the Law, but the Liber Lapis Lazuli and the Book of the Heart Gird Round by the Serpent. The latter is a spiritual masterpiece equal to Liber AL. I reccomend that the Holy Books be read slowly, perhaps a passage at a time. That way, they'll sink in.

"The Holy Books of Thelema" contain some of the most beautiful, insightful prose I have ever read...comparable to the writings of the ancient gnostics or the poetry of William Blake. This Book, as well as the writings of Crowley in general are highly recommended, especially "The Book of the Law", "The Book of Lies", "The Confessions of Aleister Crowley", and "The Vision and the Voice. For comparable writings...see "The Nag Hammadi Library", Carl Jung's "Seven Sermons to the Dead", and "The Holy Fire of St. Michael" by Richard Michael Willoughby.

Despite some typographical errors and the fact that the editors chose the earliest instead of the latest rescensions of several books, this book is a worthy addition to the library of anyone truly interested in comparative Spirituality, even if they are not especially interested in Aleister Crowley's Thelemic cultus. Aleister Crowley never surpassed his own Thelemic "holy books," about which he was uncharacteristically silent, especially the Book of the Heart Girt about by the Serpent and the Book of the Freed or the Blue Stone, which are as beautiful and profound as the greatest Spiritual literature of any time or people. Many will find some sections, especially the Book of the Law, disturbing, but closer scrutiny will reveal a deep penetration of many difficult Spiritual questions which are not satisfactorily resolved in many other religions, and a keen and penetrating insight into the brutalities of the 21st century, which mark the necessary Next Step in a transition to a new and a greater civilization. Now the Holy Books need to be reissued in a truly critical edition, with alternative readings, footnotes, appendices explaining all of the allusions, and a comprehensive book, chapter, and verse index.

The Holy Books of Thelema are Aleister Crowley's legacy to his heirs; that is, all those who may call themselves Thelemites. Written in high trance upon exalted planes of spiritual experience, through Crowley rather than by him, the words have an uncanny way of taking the reader "along for the ride". As such, while they are valuable as literary works of art in their own right, these writings can awaken similar experiences in the intuitive, initiated reader upon each successive reading. Includes the quintessential Thelemic Holy Book, Liber AL vel Legis and the holotype ms. Liber L. A must for the Magickal library of all Thelemites.

I was disappointed recently to find this paperback edition of Holy Books in a bookshop, only to find it perfect-bound, on dubious paper. ah well - perhaps it was just a single bad printers' run. . .

A book such as this would be read and re-read again, if only for its sheer beauty of such marvelous pieces as Liber 65, Liber Seven, and Tzaddi. This would lead to the destruction of the book, bound as I had found it. At twenty-plus dollars, this is a tall price to pay.

Earlier, I had found this paperback Smyth-sewn, durable, on good paper. I hope somehow, it is back to being sold this way.

Still, it would be worth getting this book at Amazons' low price, whatever the binding and paper quality is right now. Of course, one can always read these on the 'net, and even print and bind your own copies. Hard to Smyth-sew your own copies on vellum, or other book-quality paper, however...

My salute with pleasure, by the way, to those who are coming to the beauty and pleasures of reading Liber 65 and such for the first time.

How these poetic gems manage to elude the readership of a populace tolerant of some fairly poetic, picturesque and even bizarre reading material, is beyond me. ACs Holy Books even manage to elude any kind of regular quotation by essentially eclectic, eccentric and marginalized writers, who affect to 'wow' us with out-of-the-way resources. How odd.

Aleister Crowley no doubt impacted spirituality and mysticism profoundly, and this ever-lasting mark upon culture is no more experienced than in the Holy Books. Written in his highest of trances and clearest moments of truth, the Holy books are very complex. I loved the prose and flowing style trademark of Crowley, but his profundity and command of all things Magickal make these infinitely more complete and multi-layered than any student can imagine. Practical in essence, enlightened in style, and valuable to any true thelemite or magician, the Holy books are a must-read for anyone serious about taking up the path of truth.

Here, collected in one volume, is the entire canon of class A papers of the Argentum Astrum (minus a small introductory note to be found in "Treasure-House of Images" and a passage from the 18th Aethyr of Liber 418) Yet, these 'books' were recieved and written by Crowley through another plane, and they have a tendency of unfolding within your subconscious, resonating arcane secrets still impenetrable from this side of the Abyss. The three primary books are The Book of Lapis Lazuli, the Book of the Heart Girt With the Serpent, and, of course, the Book of the Law.

These "Inspired" writings of Aleister Crowley--aka, Master Therion--are compiled into "The Holy Books of Thelema" for the studious Thelemite.

Most of this material will not make a lick of sense to anyone who is not a Thelemite, and doubtfully makes much sense to any Thelemite who hasn't read a stack or two of Crowley's other writings. However, once you have read a dozen or two Crowley books, "The Holy Books of Thelema" start to make some kind of sense.....

Fair warning, I have been informed that "The Uninitiated" won't "get it" until they have been Initiated into one of Crowley's various Magickal systems.

So, "The Holy Books of Thelema" is a great resource for Thelemites, but even Thelemites probably will not understand most of the material, until they have been "enlightened" by one of the Magickal groups (O.T.O., Thelemic Golden Dawn, etc.).

"The Holy Books of Thelema" contains all the "Inspired" (presumably by entities outside of Crowley's head) works of Thelema, and a break-down of the writings on "The Stele' of Revealing"--which is integral to the writing of "The Book of The Law").

"The Holy Books of Thelema" is a convenient resource, containing all the information prospective "Thelemites" need to get started on the Thelemic Path.

It has been suggested that a Thelemite should reread this material after each Initiation, to fully comprehend the material.

This book is the compelation of all the dictated books on the wonderous tradition of Thelema. For the Thelemite who just cannot collect every one of the books, this book is for you. With the exception of Liber Librea, this book gives great insight upon Thelema.

Excellent compilation of all the fundamental texts necessary to cover this area of esoteric enquiry. Convenient in content and presentation, provides easy reference between texts. Anyone seriously exploring Crowley and/or Thelema, this is a must buy.