By (author) Ian Rees
An exploration of the art of magic and qabalistic psychology as practiced by Aleister Crowley, through the lens of the authors W E Butler and Tom Oloman.
Aleister Crowley is one of the best known figures in Western Occultism, but books about him tend to focus on his life and personality, either idealising or demonising him.
In this groundbreaking book, established author of the occult Ian Rees focuses instead on Crowley’s practice of magick, tracing its roots back to ancient Egypt, and considering his radical simplification of the Qabalah, called the Naples Arrangement. Rees also explores the ways in which Crowley brought teaching from Buddhism, Taoism and Advaita Vedanta into western practice.
Particular attention is given to Crowley’s novel Moonchild, which is at its core a guide to the practice of deep magick and introduces readers to the figure of Simon Iff, who is Crowley’s image of the Master Magickian.
The Way of Deep Magick explores Crowley’s inspirational works The Book of the Law and The Holy Books, unearthing the magical formulae found within them. It also looks at Crowley’s central practice of the Mass of the Holy Ghost. These works are linked to the traditions of the Divine Name and the ancient tradition of the Tree and the Fountain, the Moon and the Mountain.
Central to the book is the communion with the mysterious presence of the Holy Guardian Angel which leads us through the reactive and restrictive patterns of the past; establishes us in pure presence; and enables us to bridge between dualistic existence and the experience of non-dual states of consciousness which unite Love, Will and the simple and direct experience of Being.
The book concludes by considering the mystery of embodying the generative star of will and uniting with and being upheld by the serpent of deep imagination; or in other words becoming the Servant of the Star and Snake.
By (author) Ian Rees
Ian Rees is a psycho-spiritual psychotherapist practicing in Glastonbury, Somerset, UK. He has been a therapist for twenty years and spent ten years before that working in probation work and social work. He designed MA programs and taught at the Karuna Institute in Devon from 1999 to 2009. Since 2009 he has concentrated on developing and presenting workshops for the Annwn Foundation.
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“Ian Rees has accomplished a remarkable feat in this book, transforming the uneven occult teachings of Aleister Crowley into a clear, thoughtful, and practical guide to the path of adeptship in the Western esoteric tradition. If alchemy is the art of turning base metal into gold, Rees is an alchemist of considerable ability.”
John Michael Greer, author of Paths of Wisdom and The Way of the Golden Section
“What a joy to discover Ian Rees's new book, aimed at serious students of the Western Mysteries and destined to become another classic. Erudite and compassionate, Ian Rees unfolds and clarifies difficult concepts through a threefold approach, those finding the convolution of Mr. Crowley's way to the Mysteries will find the sections on Advaita Vedanta and the Way of Tao illuminating, and vice versa. Speaking from a lifetime's experience and that of his own teachers, Ian Rees leads the reader into deeper understanding while encouraging the seeker to make their own connections and to follow their individual path. Very, very highly recommended.”
A Librarian of the Society of the Inner Light
“Another excellent book from Ian Rees. Drawing on his considerable knowledge of Kabbalah, Egyptian myths, and Aleister Crowley, he weaves a wonderful web of mystery and magick, and made me go back to the less familiar writings of the Great Beast – which are themselves very different from the received view of Crowley himself. Ian Rees opens the doors into a wonderfully rich cavern of wisdom. Highly recommended.”
John Matthews, author of Temples of the Grail and The Fool’s New Journey Tarot
“This valuable book gets right to the heart of Crowley’s work, providing an induction into his magick as a living, breathing relationship with the world. For those frustrated by Crowley’s opaque, florid prose, this is the book for you. The text is clarified and made more accessible with quotations from the two magicians Crowley describes in his novel Moonchild and the book is enlivened by personal anecdote and recollections of Rees’ teachers, Ernest Butler and Tom Oloman. The author’s lifetime of occult study has equipped him to guide us ably through the myriad influences which shaped Crowley’s path.”
Penny Billington, author of The Keys to the Temple
“Ian Rees has given us the best exposition of the essence of the Qabalistic Tree of Life since Dion Fortune’s Mystical Qabalah. The Way of Deep Magick leads us to explore the profound mysticism beneath the magick of the much misunderstood Aleister Crowley. Restoring and revealing this within the wider sphere of the Western Mystery Tradition, and its cross-overs with Eastern spiritualities, this work serves as a point where we can ‘step into the role of being the magician in the midst of the magick’ in its ever evolving unveiling.”
Caroline Wise, author and Publisher of Kenneth Grant
This book is a ‘must have’ for all fans of Aleister Crowley. It explains the system of magic that Crowley created and used. It reveals the sources from which it was drawn – principally ancient Egypt, Qabalah and Taoism – but all adjusted by Crowley. The author has gone to enormous effort to trace, and to explain, the roots of Crowley’s own hybrid system. This book should earn a place upon the bookshelves of all those interested in the so-called ‘Great Beast’.
David Goddard, author of Tree of Sapphires
“The Way of Deep Magick provides readers with key observations about how real magick is a deeper aspect of our humanity. In this important book, Ian Rees provides readers with insights into the magical, poetic, and philosophical genius of Aleister Crowley and revises the limiting ideas about Crowley’s intentions and contribution to the Western esoteric tradition. The book also provides readers with biographical, theoretical and practical teaching about working with genuine magick in deeper ways. I recommend this book to all those interested in practical theurgic or thaumaturgical work as a path of therapeutic transformation.”
Dr Steven Critchley, Director of Studies, Servants of the Light
