Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #121009 in Books
• Published on: 1989-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Customer Reviews

Holy Books Presage New and Greater Civilization
Despite some typographical errors and the fact that the editors chose the earliest instead of the latest rescensions of several books, this book is a worthy addition to the library of anyone truly interested in comparative Spirituality, even if they are not especially interested in Aleister Crowley's Thelemic cultus. Aleister Crowley never surpassed his own Thelemic "holy books," about which he was uncharacteristically silent, especially the Book of the Heart Girt about by the Serpent and the Book of the Freed or the Blue Stone, which are as beautiful and profound as the greatest Spiritual literature of any time or people. Many will find some sections, especially the Book of the Law, disturbing, but closer scrutiny will reveal a deep penetration of many difficult Spiritual questions which are not satisfactorily resolved in many other religions, and a keen and penetrating insight into the brutalities of the 21st century, which mark the necessary Next Step in a transition to a new and a greater civilization. Now the Holy Books need to be reissued in a truly critical edition, with alternative readings, footnotes, appendices explaining all of the allusions, and a comprehensive book, chapter, and verse index.

Crowley's Legacy
The Holy books of Thelema stand quite apart from the technical works Crowley wrote throughout his life. They were "received" or channeled if you will, rather than developed by Crowley's ego (by which I mean his mortal psyche). Every Liber is a gem, proving to anyone who reads them with an open mind that Crowley was a true prophet. Within you will find not only the Book of the Law, but the Liber Lapis Lazuli and the Book of the Heart Gird Round by the Serpent. The latter is a spiritual masterpiece equal to Liber AL. I reccomend that the Holy Books be read slowly, perhaps a passage at a time. That way, they'll sink in.

Modern Gnostic Writings
"The Holy Books of Thelema" contain some of the most beautiful, insightful prose I have ever read...comparable to the writings of the ancient gnostics or the poetry of William Blake. This Book, as well as the writings of Crowley in general are highly recommended, especially "The Book of the Law", "The Book of Lies", "The Confessions of Aleister Crowley", and "The Vision and the Voice. For comparable writings...see "The Nag Hammadi Library", Carl Jung's "Seven Sermons to the Dead", and "The Holy Fire of St. Michael" by Richard Michael Willoughby.