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tao te ching: Liber Clvii: The Equinox (Vol. 3, No. 8) (Equinox, V. 3, No. 8)
 
 
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tao te ching: Liber Clvii: The Equinox (Vol. 3, No. 8) (Equinox, V. 3, No. 8) (Paperback)

by Aleister Crowley (Author) "1. The Tao-Path is not the All-Tao..." (more)
Key Phrases: magick powers, The Withdrawal, The Book of Wisdom
3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)


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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) was uniquely qualified to produce a translation of Lao-tzus Tao Te Ching. He was called the finest English metrical poet of his generation by some of his contemporaries, and his work is anthologized in the Oxford Book of Mystical Verse. He was also a profound and experienced magician, mystic, and philosopher, trained in western esotericism, Hermeticism, the Qabalah and more traditional western philosophy, but with a deep and abiding interest in the ancient philosophies of the Orient. Crowley traveled widely in the East, and he actually walked across Southern China in 1906. His first-hand experience of the Orient made him one of the first students in the West to grasp oriental philosophy on its own terms, without a Eurocentric or Judeo-Christian cultural bias. The Chinese scholar Hellmut WIlhelp acknowledged the primacy of Crowleys work in Taoist studies. Crowley had no Chinese, and his translation is that of a poet interpreting the dry and scholastic translation of James Legge, as Ezra Pound would later do with the Confucian Analects. He contributes and autobiographical and critical introduction that discusses his religious philosophy and his lifelong attraction to Taoism, and his extensive notes and commentary to his translation help to amplify the meaning of the Chinese classic. This edition includes Crowleys verse translation of the Ching-ching Ching (Liber XXI, The Classic of Purity) as an appendix. This edition includes an editorial forward by Hymenaeus Beta, Frater Superior of O.T.O., as well as bibliography and index.

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Chinese

Product Details

  • Paperback: 128 pages
  • Publisher: Red Wheel / Weiser (October 1, 1995)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0877288461
  • ISBN-13: 978-0877288466
  • Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #912,022 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews
5 star:
 (5)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:
 (3)
2 star:    (0)
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 (4)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.2 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A unique and profound version of the Taoist classic., December 14, 1998
By J. E. Strobhert Jr. "Joe Strobhert" (Stone Mountain, Georgia, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Although this volume is more of an interpretation than a translation, since by Crowley's own admission he was working from English texts, nevertheless it displays those multiple levels of spiritual wisdom and understanding which are typical of his best work. In addition, the book serves as an excellent introduction to his work for a broader audience, in that he has omitted his usual technique of shocking the unwary out of complaisancy through the use of humor.

He has somehow managed to synthesize the basic tenets of the Tao Te Ching with his own core doctrine as expressed in the Book of the Law. This resolution of seeming opposites goes to the heart of both systems, in that each teaches that the nature of Truth is Paradox. In this work the author appears (for him) incredibly restrained, as though in awe of the text he is working with. There are many levels of depth to be derived from each chapter, and the book deserves repeated reading and meditation. Those unfamiliar with Crowley's work will have a chance to encounter the depth of his wisdom without trepidation, and old fans will realize herein deeper profundities reserved for the initiated and the willing.

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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An Occult Masterwork, December 11, 2000
By A Customer
This unusual book, which many Crowley readers don't even know exists, highlights the author's unique genius. In many respects, Crowley's is a perfectly legitimate, sturdy translation of the ancient Chinese wisdom book. Yet Crowley is able to add just the right wrinkle to its words to subtly infuse it with his "do what thou wilt" philosophy. I wouldn't advise making this version the only Tao Te Ching translation on your shelf -- for that look to Jonathan Star and some of the other master translators. But alongside the existing Tao literature, this is a fascinating and masterful supplement. For Crowley readers, it is a must. And due to its accessibility, this work may even be a good introduction to the nature of Crowley himself. In any case, it shows his intellectual and artistic mastery, not only of occult and esoteric wisdom, but also of poetic form and interpretive art.
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26 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars Poor Understanding of Tao Te Ching, June 29, 2001
By A Customer
Aleister's understanding and interpretation of the Tao Te Ching is way out. Anyone who gives a good rating of this book is probably a "fan" of Aleister and doesn't really know about real Tao Te Ching. When one interprets Tao Te Ching from a "Thelemic" point, it just adds more inaccuracies. Admire this book as you wish, but this, to me is plain "Emperor's New Clothes".

Just Aleister's attempt to explain from "Thelemic" viewpoint. Nice try, but it is not right.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars eh.
As a daoist that can read the chinese directly, I don't find the book very worthwhile.

As a thelemite, I find that it struggles to unite thelemic concepts with... Read more
Published 12 months ago by H. L. Nguyen

5.0 out of 5 stars Thelemic Taoism
Okay, maybe I am going out on a limb to give this book five stars, as it will only appeal to Thelemites - chances are pretty good that it will offend an actual Taoist. Read more
Published on March 10, 2006 by Cicada

4.0 out of 5 stars I'm so excited about this translation!
I feel I could study this translation for years and still find new pearls of wisdom. Truly excellent work.
Published on November 3, 2005 by J. Bowen

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, original translation
I'm a big fan of Stephen Mitchell's translation. I have compared several others and haven't liked them because they often lack clarity. Read more
Published on August 16, 2005 by Steve Dunnagan

1.0 out of 5 stars Another Junk from Crowley
Anybody who gives positive reviews for this book doesn't really know what Tao Te Ching is about. In fact, they dunno the meaning of "Tao De" and yet give praises for... Read more
Published on December 14, 2001 by william_tks

1.0 out of 5 stars Thelemic Tao Te Ching
Fantastic imagination... and makes me wonder: "(...)"

Fancy reading about Tao Te Ching
from someone who couldn't even pronounce Chinese words correctly... Read more

Published on December 5, 2001 by Brian Cheong

1.0 out of 5 stars Thelemic Tao Te Ching
Crowley has done it again... Great work from the hallucionary one. He has come up with his own "version" of the Tao Te Ching and I am a practioner of the Tao for many... Read more
Published on November 19, 2001 by Frederick B F

3.0 out of 5 stars Dry, but worthwhile
Crowley's intepretation of the Taoist classic is very illuminating, showing if nothing else the flexibility of the Law of Thelema. Read more
Published on December 2, 2000 by J. French

5.0 out of 5 stars Crowley's adaptation of the Taoist classic
For any student of Thelema, this is A. Crowley's adaptation of the Tao Te Ching. It is notable particularly in the Thelemic slant in the translation/interpretation. Read more
Published on November 10, 2000 by snowcatguy

5.0 out of 5 stars Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Perseverando told me that the ultimate basis of the Tao is that it is the Reason: I laughed in his face. Read more
Published on May 17, 1999

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