Aleister Crowley

The Book of Lies Aleister Crowley

This present work has ninety-three chapters, it was first published in 1912 or 1913 by Aleister Crowley. Crowley describes: "This book deals with many matters on all planes of the very highest importance. It is an official publication for Babes of the Abyss, but is recommended even to beginners as highly suggestive." The subject of each chapter is generally determined by its number and its corresponding Qabalistic meaning. Also includes a question mark, poems, rituals, instructions, obscure allusions and cryptograms. Crowley discusses how this book was to lead to join Ordo Templi Orientis: "Theodor Reuss said that since I was acquainted with the supreme secret of the Order, I must be allowed the IX° and obligated in regard to it. I protested that I knew no such secret. He said, "But you have printed it in the plainest language." I said that I could not have done so because I did not know it. He went to the bookshelves and, taking out a copy of The Book of Lies, pointed to a passage in the despised chapter. It instantly flashed upon me. The entire symbolism, not only of freemasonry but of many other traditions, blazed upon my spiritual vision. From that moment the O. T. O. assumed its proper importance in my mind. I understood that I held in my hands the key to the future progress of humanity"