Item #66313 "Ode to Holy Ghost?" The original holograph manuscript, of an apparently unpublished poem, written under the influence of opium following a sex-magick ritual with Victor Neuburg on the final day of "the Paris Working" Aleister CROWLEY.

"Ode to Holy Ghost?" The original holograph manuscript, of an apparently unpublished poem, written under the influence of opium following a sex-magick ritual with Victor Neuburg on the final day of "the Paris Working"

NP, 1914. Written in ink on the rectos only of three sheets of quarto (10 x 8 inch) ruled note paper, probably torn from a large "exercise book." The poem is 50 lines, and appears to be a first draft, as there are numerous corrections and additions throughout. It begins "Seed of the Stars! / Thou life of space, soul of the universe" and ends "When they would shudder most and kindle most / the Holy Ghost." The phrase "Seed of the Stars" is used in the Zelator ritual of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and by Crowley in a commentary on "The Book of the Law", but this poem overall appears devotional, addressed to some largely ineffable Deity. It is dated Thursday, 12 February 1914 e.v. which was the final day of "The Paris Working" during which Crowley famously engaged in sexual magick with his disciple Victor Neuburg. This is referenced underneath the date by the presence of two "male symbols" or "spears of Mars" (that is a circle with an arrow at the upper right) symbolising a homosexual union. Beside these Crowley has written "and opium", a reference to the drug that fueled the ritual. The verso of the third page is covered with geomantic and numerological notations in Crowley's hand (for the most part in pencil). Like all our material the authenticity of this manuscript item is 100% guaranteed, and it comes with a certificate of authenticity. There is some light creasing and a few pin-holes, the left edges of the pages are rather jagged where they've been torn from a note-book. Still, overall an extraordinarily rare artifact of the most famous of Crowley's early sex magick workings. Item #66313

Sold

See all items by