Item #67530 The original holograph manuscript, in the handwriting of Aleister Crowley, of a humorous poem entitled "Renunciation" . To the left of the poem are three columns with (respectively) astrological symbols, Tarot correspondences and corresponding glyphs also in Crowley's handwriting. Aleister CROWLEY.

The original holograph manuscript, in the handwriting of Aleister Crowley, of a humorous poem entitled "Renunciation" . To the left of the poem are three columns with (respectively) astrological symbols, Tarot correspondences and corresponding glyphs also in Crowley's handwriting.

ND ( ca. 1910 ). A sixteen-line poem, written in black ink on the recto only of a single sheet of plain quarto (10 x 7 3/4 inch) watermarked note paper (the water mark is partial, with only the letters " ... can Extra Strong" visible. There is a significant manuscript alteration to the second line, with "What shall my life give up?" changed to "What should a saint give up?"
The left third of the page is taken up with three vertical columns comprising (respectively) the twelves signs of the zodiac, the names of the related tarot cards, and corresponding occult glyphs. As far as we can tell the columns are unrelated to the actual poem, which is a humorous reflection on practices of self-renunciation that were required of Christians during the Lenten fast. The poem is headed "Renunciation" and reads:
Lent—and what shall I bar?
What should a saint give up?
Jam in a jasper jar,
Cake in a crystal cup,
Soup in a sapphire spoon,
Beef in a beryl box,
Millicent, Madge, the moon,
Openwork silken socks,
Chapbooks, Chippendale chairs,
Alcohol, hope, hilarity,
Crimes, chiropodists, cares,
Contributions to charity:—
I will live apart from my wife
And be on my best behaviour,
Seeking the simple life
All for the sake of the Saviour!
The poem is undated but probably from "The Equinox" period (ca. 1909 - 1913). It is certainly not much later than that, as Crowley included the poem (without the astrological symbols etc.) in his collection "The Giant's Thumb" which reached proof stage in 1915, but remained unpublished in his lifetime. An edition of "The Giant's Thumb," taken from the proofs, was finally published by "First Impressions" (UK) in a limited edition in 1992, where "Renunciation" appears on pp. 240. The astrological / tarot attributions are very interesting and it is most unusual to find any tarot related material by Crowley that pre-dates "The Book of Thoth" (1944) and most of the little material that does survive is is held in institutional collections. The page is a little darkened on the right margin, and has a few light marks. Still VG+ and truly rare, combining both an manuscript poem and occult interest. Item #67530

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