Thelema: Books & Primary Texts
“Do what thou wilt” — the philosophy and magick of Aleister Crowley.
Thelema is a spiritual philosophy founded by Aleister Crowley in 1904, following his reception of The Book of the Law (Liber AL vel Legis). Its central tenet, “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law,” expresses the discovery and fulfilment of one’s True Will as the purpose of life.
Drawing on ceremonial magic, yoga, Kabbalah, and Egyptian symbolism, Thelema developed an extensive system of ritual and mystical practice through Crowley’s orders, the A∴A∴ and the O.T.O. Its literature ranges from terse holy books to detailed technical manuals.
Essential Texts
Albohali Arabis Astrologi Antiqvissimi, Ac Clarissimi De Ivdicijs Natiuitatum liber unus : antehac non editus
Ḫaiyāṭ, Abū-ʿAlī Yaḥyā Ibn-Ġālib al-
Albohali Arabis Astrologi Antiqvissimi, Ac Clarissimi De Ivdicijs Natiuitatum liber unus : antehac non editus
Ḫaiyāṭ, Abū-ʿAlī Yaḥyā Ibn-Ġālib al-
Latin · Astrology
Start Here
The Book of the Law is the founding revelation, though it rewards later re-reading. For practice and theory, Magick in Theory and Practice and the essay “Liber O” are the classic technical starting points.