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Magick: Liber ABA, Book 4 Hardcover – Illustrated, January 1, 1998
| Aleister Crowley (Author) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
| Hymenaeus Beta (Editor) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
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Aleister Crowley’s magnum opus, in which he systematically expounds on mystical and magical theories and techniques.
This profusely illustrated edition brings together the complete texts of all four parts of Liber ABA (Book 4) in one volume under the overall title Magick. This edition incorporates Crowley`s own additions, corrections, and annotations, and restores dozens of passages omitted from the first editions.
Magick is the fundamental textbook of modern magick in the New Aeon. It also has invaluable teachings for students of Yoga and meditation. Crowley mastered the practices of Yoga during his studies in the East, and writes about them lucidly, without recourse to the imprecise language of mysticism.
Beginning with a discussion of the universal origin of world religions in mystical revelation, Magick then explores the theory and practice of mysticism and magick in the light of modern scientific thought. Crowley`s own revelation, The Book of the Law, is then treated as a case study, with an autobiographical study of events leading to its reception.
Extensively cross-referenced and annotated, this edition features over 100 diagrams and photographs, as well as a glossary, bibliography, and detailed index. This second revised one-volume edition features revisions based on new typescripts for a more accurate text than all earlier editions, and it includes a revised AA curriculum, a new syllabus of the O.T.O. papers, and an important, previously-unpublished AA paper.
- Print length844 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherWeiser Books
- Publication dateJanuary 1, 1998
- Dimensions8 x 2.75 x 10.75 inches
- ISBN-100877289190
- ISBN-13978-0877289197
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) was the most widely read author in 20th-century occultism. He single-handedly redefined magic as a field of inquiry and endeavor through his books and the order that he led--the A.A. and the O.T.O. He is the author several books including The Book of the Law, 777 & Other Qabalistic Writings, and The Book of Thoth.
Product details
- Publisher : Weiser Books; 2nd Revised edition (January 1, 1998)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 844 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0877289190
- ISBN-13 : 978-0877289197
- Item Weight : 0.071 ounces
- Dimensions : 8 x 2.75 x 10.75 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #63,154 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #168 in Magic Studies (Books)
- #206 in Witchcraft Religion & Spirituality
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors

Aleister Crowley (/ˈkroʊli/; born Edward Alexander Crowley; 12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947) was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, painter, novelist, and mountaineer. He founded the religion and philosophy of Thelema, identifying himself as the prophet entrusted with guiding humanity into the Æon of Horus in the early 20th century.
Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by unknown [Public domain], via Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

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Step 1: Read the Prelimary Remarks found at the beginning of Book 4 Part 1 Mysticism. This is Crowley's major thesis for the book. His thesis is one of the most profound in the history of Religion.
Step 2: Read Liber E and Liber O found in Appendix 7. Immediately undertake the practices discussed in these two libers. At least begin doing the Diary and Asana sections from Liber E and the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram from Liber O. Also recommended is a practice called Resh, which is found in Liber Resh in Appendix 7. The Ritual of the Pentagram and Resh both involve memorization, of words and movement. It will take a couple of weeks to get comfortable. Be patient and don't be too hard on yourself.
Optional Step: Read the book from the beginning starting with the Editor's Introduction. If you get 5 pages in and are bored, skip it.
Step 3: After beginning to put Liber E and Liber O into practice begin reading Part 1 Mysticism. This section will give you insight into the meditation practices of Crowley's system. Take notes. It will elaborate on questions you may have concerning instructions found in Liber E, and also Liber RV and Liber Jugorum (two important books both found in Appendix 7).
Optional Step: There is a student reading list found at the end of Part 1 Mysticism. I suggest that you begin to get familiar with at least one or two of the works found here. They are all important. The hard work and study that you put into the works on this list will be repaid exponentially. A sufficient beginning would be The Equinox, 777, and the Eliphas Levi book.
Step 4: Read Part 2 Magick (Elementary Theory). By giving descriptions of the furniture found in the temple, Crowley gives you information on not only what is necessary for a physical temple; he also talks about what is necessary for your inner temple. This book is as much about the physical temple as it is about the mental and spiritual temple found within each of us. If this section becomes boring, just think of it as a kind of discourse on ethics and ontology, Crowley style. Take notes.
Step 5: Before going on to Part 3 Magick in Theory and Practice, you must read Liber AL aka the Book of the Law if you haven't already. This book is the cornerstone of Crowley's philosophy of Thelema. The Book of the Law can be found in Part 4. This section contains a photocopy of the original handwritten Book of the Law, Liber 31 or XXXI. This is the original document written down by Crowley in 1904. Also in this section is a typed print copy, Liber 220 or CCXX. I recommend reading the typed print copy Liber 220. Crowley's handwriting is very difficult to read. The handwritten copy becomes valuable once you begin to memorize the Book of the Law.
Step 6: At this stage before reading Magick in Theory and Practice, I also recommend reading One Star in Sight. This can be found in Appendix 2. It gives you an overview of the A.'.A.'. training system. The reason why Crowley will be important for hundreds of years in the future is because no teacher has amassed such a beautiful system of instruction, and that system is called A.'.A.'.. Luckily most of the fundamental A.'.A.'. instructions are found in this book and another book called Gems from the Equinox.
Step 7: Now you are ready to begin reading Part 3 Magick in Theory and Practice. It's a challenging read. But given time and study, it is an incredible book. Take notes. Write about insights in your diary. In my years of reading, and rereading, and studying different books, no other book presents such startling new insights for each reading. Be sure to record new insights in your diary each time you read it. It's truly a magical book.
Optional Step: Highly recommended for beginners is Bill Heidrick's Study Guide for Magick in Theory and Practice. Google it and it will come up. Heidrick gives you a brief outline of the contents of each chapter and some information on the rituals in the appendices.
Read Magick Book 4 at your own pace. Don't rush through it. When you are ready to expand your Crowley library, I recommend 3 books. First is Eight Lectures on Yoga. This book elaborates on Part 1 Mysticism. Secondly I recommend Magick Without Tears. This book fleshes out the system of magic that Crowley teaches. It's the last book written by Crowley, and it comments on nearly everything that came before. Third is Gems from the Equinox. This book is a compilation of material like Book 4. Gems from the Equinox is a good substitute for the Equinox set of books. It has most of the essential A.'.A.'. material that is left out of Book 4.
After you've tackled these books and you're farther along in the system, read Book of Thoth. In terms of A.'.A.'. philosophy/theory the Book of Thoth is just as important as Magick In Theory and Practice. Crowley hid his last remaining secrets (those that he hadn't yet published) inside the Book of Thoth i.e. the IX° and the XI° of OTO. Resist becoming obsessed by these secrets. You will end up wasting your time. Let the truth hit you like lightning.
True initiation is realization; being told an eternal truth directly is casting pearls before swine. Crowley thought his secret was important because of the shocking conflicts in history between true Christianity and the Christianity of the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Always remember that the Kingdom of God is within you. If you know the IX° then you know the XI°. They are just different recipes requiring specific ingredients. You'll find these recipes symbolically exposed in Liber 15 which is the Gnostic Mass (found in appendix 6 of Book 4). Just remember that the Gnostic Mass specifically concerns the IX°. The fully realized truth of these practices can change your life, but then again all of this stuff can. There's so much more to Crowley than the physical expression of these secrets.
Keep up your practices and your diary as you see fit. I particularly recommend doing Resh daily. Read Magick in Theory and Practice once every 3 or 4 years. The book and it's insights change as you change. Good luck!
The beautiful thing about the role play under the Crowley system is that you don't need any online participants to play with, and while the other "players" (primitively called "spirits" in the book) can't email back or otherwise work a keyboard, they do have a tendency to kick and squirm in your subconscious and dreams until you exercise them. Or exorcise them, if such is your bent.
Remember always that placebos are the one true cure, the summum bonum, but only work when there is absolute belief in their efficacy. How else could the world have seen such an amazing procession of contradictory religions, each which seems, within its own framework and terms, to work?
If you want to undertake a serious immersion in the fictional worlds embodied in the meme called "magick," you will need the following books:
1. This one, Magick: Liber ABA in the OTO edition as extensively annotated by Hymenaeus Beta;
2. Gems from the Equinox: Instructions by Aleister Crowley for His Own Magical Order ;
3. The Book of Thoth: A Short Essay on the Tarot of the Egyptians, Being the Equinox Volume III No. V ;
4. Aleister Crowley Thoth Tarot Deck ;
5. The Tree of Life: An Illustrated Study in Magic (or find an un-annotated, and hence easier to read, used Rider edition);
6. The Magick of Aleister Crowley: A Handbook of the Rituals of Thelema ; and
7. Mystical Qabalah .
Be aware, before you start, that this is a thankless, lonely, path, which will leave you toothless, threadbare, unloved, suffering from halitosis and flatulence, suffering dreams populated with minor imps and major demons. Or, married to a fat hippie chick who wishes you were Pagan instead. More practically, if you decide to carry Magick: Liber ABA around with you for light reading at your favorite cafe, you will probably need a larger daypack or messenger bag and/or a chiropractor, probably all three.
By coffee feind on August 21, 2022









