Aha - Softcover

Crowley, Aleister

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0941404293 ISBN 13: 9780941404297

Publisher: New Falcon Pubns, 1986

Synopsis

Crowley described AHA! as "An exposition in poetic language of the ways of attainment and the results obtained." This profoundly esoteric work particularly highlights the two central experiences of the Path, the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel and the Crossing of the Abyss. It also marks Crowley's final acceptance of the mysteries and teachings of The Book of the Law . This new edition features a previously unpublished and invaluable Commentary by Frater Achad, one of Crowley's most important early students, which indicates a method by which the mystic depths of AHA! may be further explored. It includes an elaborate Commentary by Israel Regardie, a primary Crowley biographer and spokesman. An Afterword by Crowley scholar James Wasserman places the work within the context of Crowley's overall life and teaching.

About this title

About the Author

Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), also known as The Great Beast and the Wickedest Man in the World, was one of the most profound students of Magick, Qabalah and yoga psychology. His vast influence reaches through all modern occultism. He is widely recognized as the first Western investigator to give initiation a truly scientific method. In reconciling occultism to physical science, mathematics and philosophy, Crowley achieved a lasting synthesis that remains unsurpassed for depth of insight and comprehensiveness.

Frater Achad, Charles Stansfeld Jones (1886 1950), admitted as a Probationer in 1909. Crowley at one point considered Achad his magical son before their estrangement. Jones magical diary was published with Crowley s comments in The Equinox III, 1, and republished in Aleister Crowley and the Practice of the Magical Diary. His most popular books were Q.B.L. or the Bride s Reception; The Egyptian Revival; The Anatomy of the Body of God; and his magnificent XXXI Hymns to the Star Goddess.

Israel Regardie (1907 1985) joined Crowley as his personal secretary in Paris in 1928. They had a falling out in 1932, but Regardie remained a loyal and devoted publicist of his teacher s work. Regardie wrote one of the first studies of Crowley s system in The Tree of Life (1932). He dedicated that book to Crowley as Marsyas. He later published a number of important books on Magick, Qabalah, and Healing including: The Middle Pillar; The Garden of Pomegranates; The Golden Dawn; and Healing Energy, Prayer, and Relaxation. Regardie was instrumental in arranging for the publication of Crowley s works and keeping his legacy alive, well before he became a household name. Regardie was also responsible for the reissue of AHA! in 1969 and his commentary herein is taken from that edition.

J. Daniel Gunther has long been identified with the work of A. . A. . . He is a well-known international teacher and lecturer on Aleister Crowley and the Great Work. He is the author of the Inward Journey series including: Initiation in the Aeon of the Child and The Angel and the Abyss; and the creator of a volume of alchemical drawings, Opus Alchymicum. He has also contributed to many other works in the esoteric field.

James Wasserman, a longtime Thelemite and member of O.T.O., is the author of In the Center of the Fire: A Memoir of the Occult. He edited and introduced Aleister Crowley and the Practice of the Magical Diary; and is the co-author of To Perfect This Feast: A Performance Commentary on the Gnostic Mass. He is responsible for restoring The Egyptian Book of the Dead, The Book of Going Forth by Day.

Review

To have chosen so unlikely a title as 'AHA!' for an almost epic poem about mysticism must require a strangely constituted mind. And this, of course, is supremely applicable to Aleister Crowley. --Dr. Israel Regardie

The poem ends with Blessing and worship to the Beast, the prophet of the Lovely Star. Henceforth I must be no more an aspirant, no more an adept, no more aught that I could think of as myself. I was the chosen prophet of the Masters, the instrument fit to interpret their idea and work their will. --Aleister Crowley

This poem is undoubtedly one of the most wonderful descriptions of the mystical path that has ever been written. --Frater Achad (Charles Stansfeld Jones)

The poem ends with Blessing and worship to the Beast, the prophet of the Lovely Star. Henceforth I must be no more an aspirant, no more an adept, no more aught that I could think of as myself. I was the chosen prophet of the Masters, the instrument fit to interpret their idea and work their will. --Aleister Crowley

This poem is undoubtedly one of the most wonderful descriptions of the mystical path that has ever been written. --Frater Achad (Charles Stansfeld Jones)

Edition details

• Publisher: New Falcon Pubns
• Publication date: 1986
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0941404293
• ISBN 13: 9780941404297
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 80