Aleister Crowley was born October 12, 1875. He was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, painter, novelist, and mountaineer. He founded the religion of Thelema, identifying himself as the prophet entrusted with guiding humanity into the Æon of Horus in the early 20th century. A prolific writer, he published widely over the course of his life. Born to a wealthy family in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, Crowley rejected his parents' fundamentalist Christian faith to pursue an interest in Western esotericism. He was educated at Trinity College at the University of Cambridge, where he focused his attentions on mountaineering and poetry. Some biographers allege that here he was recruited into a British intelligence agency, further suggesting that he remained a spy throughout his life. In 1898 he joined the esoteric Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, where he was trained in ceremonial magic. Moving to Boleskine House by Loch Ness in Scotland, he went mountaineering in Mexico before studying Hindu and Buddhist practices in India. He married Rose Edith Kelly, and in 1904 they honeymooned in Cairo, Egypt. Crowley declared his followers should "Do what thou wilt" and seek to align themselves with their True Will through the practice of magick. Herein is a treasury of his long-lost writings.

Produced by Devin Lawerence

Edited by Macc Kay

Production Executive Avalon Giuliano

ICON Intern Eden Giuliano

Music by AudioNautix with their kind permission

Geoffrey Giuliano is the author of more than 30 internationally best-selling biographies, including the London Sunday Times best seller Blackbird: The Life and Times of Paul McCartney and Dark Horse: The Private Life of George Harrison. He can be heard on the Westwood One Radio Network and has written and produced more than 700 original spoken-word albums and video documentaries on various aspects of popular culture. He is also a well-known movie actor.