Childhood
Aleister Crowley was born as Edward Alexander Crowley on the 12th of October 1875 in Warwickshire, England. Crowley’s parents were Edward Crowley
and Emily Bertha Bishop, with whom Aleister had quite a poor relationship with. The Crowley family were upper-class and quite a devout Christian family. At age 8, Crowley attended H.T. Habershon's evangelical Christian boarding school in Hastings, and then a preparatory school in Cambridge run by the Reverend Henry d'Arcy Champney. After the death of Crowley’s father, at age 11, Crowley became increasingly sceptical of
Christianity and formed a sense of rebellion whether it was by sleeping around or misbehaving at school.
and Emily Bertha Bishop, with whom Aleister had quite a poor relationship with. The Crowley family were upper-class and quite a devout Christian family. At age 8, Crowley attended H.T. Habershon's evangelical Christian boarding school in Hastings, and then a preparatory school in Cambridge run by the Reverend Henry d'Arcy Champney. After the death of Crowley’s father, at age 11, Crowley became increasingly sceptical of
Christianity and formed a sense of rebellion whether it was by sleeping around or misbehaving at school.
Sexual Orientation
Crowley was considered to be somewhat of a sleaze in his younger days and would take the opportunity to sleep with any woman he could. It was only in his early 20’s, that he came out to be a bisexual. In 1897, Crowley engaged himself in a relationship with Charles Pollitt but broke up with him soon after. Throughout his life, Crowley would have several mistresses and a string of one night stands with men and women for both recreational and 'magical' purposes. However, on 16 August 1929, Crowley married Maria de Miramar, but they ended up separating the next year in July.
Drug Issues
Drug addiction was a major factor in Crowley’s life whether it was for magical or medical purposes. Crowley was addicted to opium, cocaine, hashish, cannabis, alcohol, ether, mescaline, morphine, and heroin. Allan Bennett is believed to have instructed Crowley in the ‘magical use of drugs’ and is a major reason that drugs were so prominent in Crowley’s life. Later in life, Crowley was prescribed heroin for his asthma and bronchitis and soon became addicted. During his addiction, Crowley wrote a fictional novel called ‘Diary of a Drug Friend’ based on overcoming addiction with a strong will and magical
techniques. Shortly after writing this novel, Crowley managed to overcome addiction and only used heroin again once for medical purposes.
techniques. Shortly after writing this novel, Crowley managed to overcome addiction and only used heroin again once for medical purposes.
Beliefs
Crowley had a number of conflicting spiritual and religious beliefs throughout his life. He was born a Christian but ended up despising what Christianity stood for. Crowley was once quoted saying 'If one were to take the bible seriously one would go mad. But to take the bible seriously, one must be already
mad.' showing his complete disregard for Christians and their beliefs. Once reaching adulthood, Crowley took the path to occultism and magic through the Ordo Templi Orientis and the Golden Dawn. Crowley's belief in magic led him to several drug addictions in order to 'enhace his magical ability' and ignore the religious consequences of his actions that were believed strongly at the time. Crowley has made several comments relating to his 'do what you want' philosophy' and has quite often referred to lucifer acting as inspiration for him. The religious beliefs of Crowley are quite difficult to understand and in the end, nobody truly understands what Crowley actually had faith in.
mad.' showing his complete disregard for Christians and their beliefs. Once reaching adulthood, Crowley took the path to occultism and magic through the Ordo Templi Orientis and the Golden Dawn. Crowley's belief in magic led him to several drug addictions in order to 'enhace his magical ability' and ignore the religious consequences of his actions that were believed strongly at the time. Crowley has made several comments relating to his 'do what you want' philosophy' and has quite often referred to lucifer acting as inspiration for him. The religious beliefs of Crowley are quite difficult to understand and in the end, nobody truly understands what Crowley actually had faith in.
