The Life and Death of Aleister Crowley: The ‘Wickedest Man in the World’
Aleister Crowley is one of the most enigmatic and controversial figures of the 20th century. Often referred to as the “Wickedest Man in the World,” Crowley’s life was marked by his deep interest in the occult, his unconventional lifestyle, and his unyielding rejection of societal norms.
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To understand why Crowley was both reviled and revered, it’s essential to explore the key events of his life, his philosophy, and the legacy he left behind.
Early Life and Influences
Aleister Crowley was born Edward Alexander Crowley into a wealthy family on October 12, 1875, in Leamington Spa, England. He was raised in a strict Christian household, with his parents being devout members of the Plymouth Brethren, a conservative evangelical sect.
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Crowley’s father, a preacher, died when Crowley was just 11 years old, a loss that profoundly impacted him and set the stage for his later rebellion against Christianity.
Crowley’s early education took place in religious institutions, where he quickly developed a disdain for the restrictive and dogmatic teachings he encountered. He was an intelligent and inquisitive child, and his questioning nature led him to explore literature, poetry, and mysticism at an early age. This curiosity eventually blossomed into a deep interest in the occult, a path that would define his life.
The Path to the Occult
Crowley’s first significant step into the world of the occult occurred when he enrolled at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1895. There, he began to study various esoteric subjects, including alchemy, mysticism, and the writings of occultists like Eliphas Levi. However, it was his encounter with the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in 1898 that truly set him on the path of magic and mysticism.
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The Golden Dawn was a secret society devoted to the study and practice of the occult, and it attracted many of the leading intellectuals and artists of the time. Crowley quickly rose through the ranks, but his unorthodox practices and confrontational attitude led to conflicts with other members, including renowned poet W.B. Yeats. Despite these conflicts, Crowley’s time with the Golden Dawn solidified his reputation as a powerful and knowledgeable occultist.
Thelema: Crowley’s Own Religion
In 1904, while on a trip to Cairo, Crowley experienced a series of visions that would lead to the creation of his own religious philosophy, known as Thelema.
According to Crowley, he was contacted by a spiritual entity named Aiwass, who dictated to him ‘The Book of the Law. This text became the foundation of Thelema, which is centred on the maxim: “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Love is the law, love under will.”
Thelema emphasised individualism, self-realisation, and the pursuit of one’s true will. Crowley saw himself as a prophet of this new religion, which he believed was the key to humanity’s spiritual evolution. He spent the rest of his life promoting Thelema through his writings, rituals, and teachings.
The Notoriety and Infamy
Crowley’s public image began to take a darker turn as his lifestyle became more openly hedonistic and controversial. He was a prolific writer, poet, and mountaineer, but it was his involvement in sex magic, drug use, and occult rituals that drew the most attention. Crowley was unapologetically unconventional, advocating for sexual liberation and the use of drugs as a means to achieve mystical states. These activities earned him a reputation as a debauchee and a libertine.
His notoriety reached its peak in the early 1920s when he established the Abbey of Thelema in Cefalù, Sicily. This commune was intended to be a spiritual retreat where Crowley and his followers could practice their beliefs free from societal constraints. However, stories of wild orgies, drug-fuelled rituals, and general depravity at the Abbey quickly spread, attracting negative attention from the press and authorities. The British press dubbed him “The Wickedest Man in the World,” a title that Crowley seemed to relish.
In 1923, the Italian government expelled Crowley from Sicily after the death of a disciple under mysterious circumstances, further cementing his infamous reputation. His association with the occult and his apparent disdain for conventional morality made him a figure of fear and fascination in equal measure.
Later Years and Death
Despite his notoriety, Crowley struggled financially in his later years. His extravagant lifestyle, combined with his diminishing popularity, led to a life of relative poverty. He continued to write and promote Thelema, but his influence waned as the years went on.
Aleister Crowley died on December 1, 1947, at the age of 72. He spent his final years in relative obscurity and poor health, living in a boarding house in Hastings, England. Crowley had been suffering from chronic bronchitis and severe asthma, conditions that were exacerbated by his lifelong habit of smoking. He was also dealing with the effects of heroin addiction, which he had developed over the years as a means of managing his asthma.
The official cause of death was chronic bronchitis aggravated by pleurisy and myocardial degeneration, a form of heart failure. His health had been in decline for some time, and he passed away peacefully in his sleep. Crowley’s death was not marked by any dramatic or occult-related circumstances, but rather by the physical decline common to aging and long-term illness.
His funeral was a small, private affair attended by a few close followers. According to reports, a eulogy was read from The Book of the Law, and some accounts suggest that those in attendance performed rituals in his honour, consistent with his teachings. Crowley was cremated, and his ashes were sent to one of his followers in the United States, where they were later buried.
Despite his death, his legacy lived on through his writings and the continued practice of Thelema by a devoted following.
Why Was He Called the ‘Wickedest Man in the World’?
The title of the “Wickedest Man in the World” was the result of a combination of factors, including Crowley’s deliberate provocation of societal norms, his unapologetic indulgence in what were considered vices, and his association with the occult. Crowley enjoyed shocking the public and took pride in his outsider status, often cultivating an image that played into the fears and prejudices of the time.
His open rejection of Christianity, advocacy for sexual freedom, and exploration of taboo subjects such as magic and drugs made him an easy target for sensationalist media. The label also reflected the moral panic of a society grappling with rapid changes in social and cultural norms during the early 20th century. Crowley became a convenient symbol of everything that was perceived as dangerous and immoral in the modern world.
Legacy and Influence
Despite—or perhaps because of—his controversial reputation, Aleister Crowley has had a lasting impact on modern culture.
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He has been referenced in literature, music, and popular culture, with figures like David Bowie, Jimmy Page, and Marilyn Manson citing him as an influence. Crowley’s writings on magic and mysticism continue to be studied by occultists and spiritual seekers, and Thelema remains a practiced religion.
In retrospect, Crowley can be seen as a pioneer in the exploration of personal freedom and spiritual autonomy. While his methods and beliefs were extreme, they challenged the status quo and opened the door for greater acceptance of alternative spiritualities and lifestyles.
Conclusion
Aleister Crowley was a man who lived on the edge of society, constantly pushing boundaries and defying conventions. His life was a testament to his belief in the pursuit of one’s true will, regardless of societal expectations. While he was vilified as the “Wickedest Man in the World,” his legacy is more complex, revealing a figure who was as much a product of his time as he was a provocateur ahead of it.
Whether seen as a madman, a genius, or a prophet, Aleister Crowley’s influence continues to resonate in the modern world.
There’s so much more to discover about the fascinating life of this man than what is written here, readers are encouraged to seek out more information and discover other facets of this extraordinary, undeniably twisted but most unique person.
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