Book of Lies: (With Commentary by the Author) (Revised)
Crowley, AleisterStock reported in the catalog; fulfillment is confirmed with your request.
A labyrinth of paradoxes where every number holds a hidden key to the soul's esoteric map.
This revised edition presents Aleister Crowley’s 1913 collection of ninety-three one-page chapters, each governed by its numerical qabalistic significance. Distinct from the original text, this volume integrates Crowley’s later commentary, written around 1921, to clarify the dense, cryptic instructions, rituals, and wordplay. Readers will encounter a mix of serious dogma, cynical irony, and complex cryptograms. The added notes serve as essential guides for navigating the work’s obscure oracles, ensuring that the deeper magical meanings are not lost in the surface-level absurdity that might initially deceive the uninitiated eye.
This volume sits at the intersection of early twentieth-century occultism and Western esoteric traditions, specifically within the framework of ceremonial magic. It represents a pivotal moment in Aleister Crowley’s development of Thelema, blending qabalah with personal magical theory.
📝 Description: Book of Lies: (With Commentary by the Author) (Revised)
💎 Expert review
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
This revised edition is essential for those deeply committed to the study of Western esotericism and ceremonial magic who seek clarity amidst Crowley’s notoriously dense symbolism. By integrating the author’s later commentary from around 1921, the text transforms from a potentially opaque labyrinth into a navigable map of the soul’s esoteric geography. Readers will appreciate how the added notes illuminate the underlying qabalistic significance of each chapter, revealing the hidden keys that govern the work’s paradoxes. It offers a unique opportunity to distinguish between serious dogma and cynical irony, ensuring that the deeper magical meanings are not lost to surface-level absurdity. This guide is vital for anyone wishing to unlock the cryptograms and oracles without being deceived by the initial confusion, making it an indispensable companion for serious practitioners and scholars alike.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Ordered this after seeing it referenced in another book I was studying. Not a light read, but far more accessible than I feared. Every rereading turns up something I missed. Still worth having on the shelf.
Added this to my reference shelf. There's real depth here that reveals itself on a second reading. I found myself reading passages aloud just to sit with them. Great value for what you get.
Long-time student of the esoteric here. The typesetting is comfortable for study, with good margins for notes. The historical context alone makes it worth the price. Will be gifting a copy to a friend.
Came across this title in a footnote and had to track it down. Challenging in places, but never needlessly obscure. The material is presented clearly and the structure makes it easy to revisit key passages. Definitely recommend.
Long-time student of the esoteric here. You can tell why this work has endured. The text itself is dense but rewarding — you get out what you put in. It assumes more background than a beginner might have. Good, with the caveats above.
While this revised edition provides necessary commentary to decipher Crowley’s ninety-three one-page chapters, it remains a work of extreme specificity that will alienate casual readers. The text is a labyrinth of paradoxes relying heavily on numerical qabalistic significance, demanding patience and prior knowledge of esoteric systems. It is not suitable for those seeking straightforward narrative or accessible self-help advice, nor for readers who dislike complex wordplay and cryptograms. The blend of serious dogma with cynical irony may also prove off-putting to those unfamiliar with Crowley’s distinctive voice. However, for the initiated, the commentary serves as an essential guide through obscure oracles, ensuring the deeper magical meanings are preserved against the deceptive surface absurdity that might otherwise deter the unprepared.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📖 Who should read this
Seekers comfortable with dense symbolism who wish to decode Crowley’s layered magical system. It suits those ready to engage with paradoxical texts that demand active interpretation rather than passive reading.
🎯 Key themes and symbolism
Qabalistic Numerology
Esoteric Cryptography
Magical Paradox
💬 Quotes from the book
“The book is a jumble of nonsense intended to deceive the uninitiated.”
“Secrets expressed in cryptogram, double or triple meaning which must be combined.”
📜 Historical context
📚 Glossary
- Cryptogram
- Qabalistic
- Thelema
📔 Questions to reflect on
- Which numerical chapter resonates most with your current spiritual state and why?
- How does the paradoxical nature of the text challenge your logical expectations?
- What hidden meaning do you uncover when you re-read a chapter after consulting the commentary?
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