It's based on Crowley's own experiences. He was an early pioneer whith using drugs to explore new areas of consciousness. He experimented with mescaline, hashish, cocaine. heroin, and ether. He invented a system of 'magick' where the 'k' signified sex magic-- or a form of tantra. He esperimented with yoga, varoius forms of Eastern mysticism as well as the Western tradition of magic, through the Golden Dawn. He wrote many books about the Kaballah amd magick. He condsidered himself as the prophet of a new post-Christian aeon. He received "The Book of the Law" (Liber AL) in a ceremony in Egypt, form an entity maned Aiwas, which he believed contained the secrets of the new aeon. He still has many followers. He was also an able mountaineer, making an early (unsucessful) attempt on K2.
A fomous line is:
Quote:
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To worship me take wine and strange drugs whereof I will tell my prophet, & be drunk thereof! They shall not harm ye at all.
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Crowley appeared to have had an obnoxious personality and was highy charismatic.
He did die impoverished in Hastings. His last meal was a boiled egg and a shot of heroin. His True Will never really did triumph over his addictions.