Overthrowing the Old Gods: Aleister Crowley and the Book of the Law

Name: Overthrowing the Old Gods: Aleister Crowley and the Book of the Law
Price: 20.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Webb, Don
ISBN: 9781620551899

✍️ Webb, Don

☆ Reader reviews: none yet — be the first

20 $

📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Unravel the controversial core of Crowley's "Book of the Law" through a radical new lens.

Don Webb offers a daring reinterpretation of Aleister Crowley’s foundational *Book of the Law*, defying its author’s own warnings. This volume dissects each line through modern psychology, Egyptology, Gurdjieff’s teachings, and contemporary Left-Hand Path philosophy. Webb reframes the pivotal Cairo Working as a potent guide for individual sovereignty and radical personal evolution. He explores Crowley’s self-identification with the First Beast of Revelation and his adoption of the Loki archetype. Enhanced by commentary from Dr. Michael A. Aquino, this work provides a truly unique, dual-faceted perspective on a profoundly influential magical text.

Key themes

{'title': 'Personal Sovereignty & Transformation', 'body': 'This commentary re-envisions Crowley\'s "Cairo Working," the dramatic reception of *The Book of the Law*, not merely as a magical event but as a potent blueprint for individual autonomy. It explores how the text encourages personal evolution, empowering readers to forge their own path and define their spiritual reality outside established norms.'} {'title': 'Archetypal Identity & Evolution', 'body': "Webb meticulously examines Crowley’s complex identification with powerful, often challenging archetypes like the First Beast of Revelation and the Norse god Loki. This section explores how these symbolic adoptions were not merely provocations but integral to Crowley's spiritual mission, aiming to become a vessel for universal love and challenge conventional religious frameworks."} {'title': 'Bridging Occult Traditions', 'body': "The book uniquely bridges what are often considered disparate magical philosophies—the Right-Hand and Left-Hand Paths. By incorporating diverse perspectives, including commentary from Dr. Michael A. Aquino of the Temple of Set, it offers a holistic understanding of Crowley's work, showcasing its relevance across a spectrum of esoteric thought and practice."}

In stock

🏛 Inner Traditions International 📅 2013 📖 352 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781620551899

Fun fact

Don Webb’s commentary is a tour de force, offering an unparalleled, multi-disciplinary lens on *The Book of the Law*. Its strength lies in fearlessly integrating psychological, Egyptological, and RHP/LHP perspectives, making it indispensable for serious students. Traditionalists or those seeking a purely devotional text, however, may find it challenging. This work firmly establishes itself as a pivotal, provocative contribution to contemporary Thelemic and esoteric scholarship.

📝 Description: Overthrowing the Old Gods: Aleister Crowley and the Book of the Law

New commentaries on Aleister Crowley's Book of the Law reveal how it is connected to both Right- and Left-Hand Paths - Examines each line of the Book of the Law in the light of modern psychology, Egyptology, Gurdjieff's teachings, and contemporary Left-Hand Path thought - Explores Crowley's identification with the First Beast of Revelation as well as his adoption of the Loki archetype for becoming a vessel of love for all humanity - Recasts the Cairo Working as a text of personal sovereignty and a relevant tool for personal transformation - Includes commentary on the Book of the Law by Dr. Michael A. Aquino, who served as High Priest of the Temple of Set from 1975 to 1996 Received by Aleister Crowley in April 1904 in Cairo, Egypt, the Book of the Law is the most provocative record of magical working in several hundred years, affecting not only organizations directly associated with Crowley such as the Ordo Templi Orientis but also modern Wicca, Chaos Magic, and the Temple of Set. Boldly defying Crowley's warning not to comment on the Book of the Law, Ipsissimus Don Webb provides in-depth interpretation from both Black and White Magical perspectives, including commentary from Dr. Michael A. Aquino, who served as High Priest of the Temple of Set from 1975 to 1996. Webb examines each line of the Book in the light of modern psychology, Egyptology, existentialism, and competing occult systems such as the teachings of G. I. Gurdjieff and contemporary Left-Hand Path thought. Discarding the common image of Crowley formulated in a spiritually unsophisticated time when the devotee of the Left-Hand Path was dismissed as a selfish evil doer, Webb unveils a new side of Crowley based on his adoption of the Loki archetype and his aim to become a vessel of love for all humanity. In so doing, he shows how the Book of the Law is connected to both Right- and Left-Hand Paths and reveals how Crowley's magical path of mastery over the self and Cosmos overthrew the gods of old religion, which had kept humanity asleep to dream the nightmare of history. Providing in-depth analysis of Crowley's sources and his self-identification with the First Beast of Revelation from a profound esoteric perspective, Webb takes his views out of the Golden Dawn matrix within which he received the Book of the Law and radically recasts the Cairo Working as a text of personal sovereignty and a relevant tool for personal transformation.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books — add yours →

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If Aleister Crowley, Thelema, or radical esoteric thought captivate you, this book is indispensable. It's for those unafraid to challenge established interpretations, eager to unearth deep psychological and mystical insights, and seeking powerful tools for personal transformation within a…

Reader rating

Reviews yet. Be the first!

❓ Frequently asked questions

Unlike many interpretations, this volume courageously integrates both Right- and Left-Hand Path perspectives. It uniquely applies modern psychology, Egyptology, Gurdjieff's teachings, and insights from Dr. Michael A. Aquino, offering an exceptionally broad and nuanced understanding of Crowley’s complex text.

While not an introductory text, individuals with a foundational understanding of Crowley or Thelema will find immense value. Webb's commentary delves deep, so prior familiarity with the basic concepts will allow for a richer engagement with his advanced interpretations and discussions.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Personal Sovereignty & Transformation

This commentary re-envisions Crowley's "Cairo Working," the dramatic reception of *The Book of the Law*, not merely as a magical event but as a potent blueprint for individual autonomy. It explores how the text encourages personal evolution, empowering readers to forge their own path and define their spiritual reality outside established norms.

Archetypal Identity & Evolution

Webb meticulously examines Crowley’s complex identification with powerful, often challenging archetypes like the First Beast of Revelation and the Norse god Loki. This section explores how these symbolic adoptions were not merely provocations but integral to Crowley's spiritual mission, aiming to become a vessel for universal love and challenge conventional religious frameworks.

Bridging Occult Traditions

The book uniquely bridges what are often considered disparate magical philosophies—the Right-Hand and Left-Hand Paths. By incorporating diverse perspectives, including commentary from Dr. Michael A. Aquino of the Temple of Set, it offers a holistic understanding of Crowley's work, showcasing its relevance across a spectrum of esoteric thought and practice.

💬 Quotes from the book

«The Cairo Working, far from being a mere dictation, reveals itself as a profound alchemical process, transforming Crowley's psyche into a vessel for a radical new current of will.»

«Crowley's embrace of the Loki archetype isn't an act of nihilism, but a deliberate shattering of restrictive moral frameworks to allow for a broader, more inclusive love to manifest.»

📜 Historical context

Received by Aleister Crowley in Cairo in 1904, *The Book of the Law* stands as a pivotal, controversial magical text. Its profound influence shaped not only direct organizations like the O.T.O. but also modern Wicca, Chaos Magick, and the Temple of Set. This commentary offers a fresh lens on a work that redefined esoteric practice for over a century.

📚 Glossary

Cairo Working
Left-Hand Path
Thelema

📔 Questions to reflect on

How do you interpret "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law" in the context of your own ethical framework and personal freedom?
Consider an archetype or mythic figure you resonate with. How might embodying its qualities challenge or transform your current self-perception?
Reflect on the tension between self-deification and universal love. Can these seemingly opposing paths truly converge in your spiritual practice?