Tobias Churton

Born Edward Alexander Crowley in 1875 to a wealthy family, he rejected his religious upbringing to pursue Western esotericism. Educated at Cambridge, he developed interests in mountaineering and poetry, and later became involved in occult societies.

Crowley founded the religion of Thelema, based on a text he claimed was dictated to him by a supernatural entity. He identified himself as a prophet for a new era, the Æon of Horus, emphasizing the principle of "Do what thou wilt." He was a prolific author of poetry, novels, and esoteric literature, and established various occult orders.

Throughout his life, Crowley gained notoriety for his unconventional lifestyle and drug use. He spent time in the United States during World War I, was involved in espionage, and established a religious commune in Sicily. Despite controversy, he remained influential in Western esotericism and counterculture, and is still considered a prophet within Thelema.

Edward Alexander Crowley was born in 1875 into a prosperous family, but he turned away from his parents' strict Christian faith. His education included Cambridge University, where he pursued studies in philosophy and English literature, alongside his passions for mountaineering and poetry. During this period, he began to explore Western esotericism, influenced by texts on magic and alchemy. His early experiences included significant climbs in the Alps and a mystical encounter that contributed to his recognition of his bisexuality. Following a period of introspection prompted by his father's death and his own mortality, Crowley abandoned thoughts of a diplomatic career to fully dedicate himself to occult pursuits.

In 1898, Crowley joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, where he received training in ceremonial magic. He later co-founded the esoteric order A∴A∴ to propagate his own philosophical and religious system, Thelema. The foundational text for Thelema, The Book of the Law, was written by Crowley in Cairo in 1904, purportedly dictated by a supernatural entity named Aiwass. This book announced the start of the Æon of Horus and promoted the central tenet: "Do what thou wilt," interpreted as aligning oneself with one's True Will through magical practice. He also became a leader in the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), adapting its structure to align with Thelemic principles and establishing groups internationally.

Crowley's life was marked by extensive writing, travel, and public controversy. He established the Abbey of Thelema, a commune in Sicily, which was eventually closed by the Italian government due to his lifestyle. He spent his later years dividing his time between France, Germany, and England, continuing to promote Thelema. During World War I, he resided in the United States, engaged in painting, and was involved in activities that biographers suggest were part of espionage efforts. He gained widespread notoriety as a drug user, bisexual, and social critic. Despite this, Crowley's influence on Western esotericism and the 1960s counterculture remains significant, and he is revered as a prophet within Thelema.