HOLIDATES: 01 December (Great Feast of Aleister Crowley) *full notes* and video summary

Feast for Death of Aleister Crowley a.k.a. The Greater Feast of Aleister Crowley

December 1, the anniversary of Aleister Crowley's death in 1947 at the age of 72 in Hastings, England. 

Primarily observed by Thelemites, members of Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), and other occult or spiritual communities influenced by Crowley’s teachings.

Aleister Crowley (born Oct. 12, 1875), was an English mystic, poet, and occultist who founded the philosophy of Thelema. 

He grew up in a strict religious household but soon rebelled, becoming a prolific author of a completely different kind of religion.

His most famous work, The Book of the Law, forms the backbone of Thelema, proclaiming, “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.” 

The Greater Feast for Death is a Thelemic tradition rooted in the teachings of The Book of the Law. 

In Thelema, death is considered a joyous event and a liberation of the soul; the crowning achievement of life and a reunion with the divine. 

Thelema emphasizes the avoidance of fear or sorrow surrounding death. Mourning is discouraged, replaced by joyous celebration of the individual’s life and legacy.

Common Traditional Celebrations and Rituals:

Celebratory meals are common. "Greater feast" is right there on the tin.

Readings, meditations,  or rituals from Thelemic texts, such as Liber XV (The Gnostic Mass).

More Thematic Ideas:

Showcasing symbols of Nuit (the starry goddess).

Wearing any Blue Goldstone (a.k.a., Blue Monkstone) jewelry you might happen to have, since it resembles the skin of the goddess of the starry sky.

Interactive Activities:

Dive into Crowley’s Thoth Tarot Deck.

Crowley co-designed this iconic tarot deck with artist Lady Frieda Harris, which remains a cornerstone of esoteric art.

Draw a card and explore its meaning as Crowley envisioned.

Media Recommendations:

Books:

The Book of Lies by Aleister Crowley, his wit and esotericism distilled.

Promethea by Alan Moore, channels Crowleyan concepts of magical reality and the interplay between art, spirituality, and consciousness.

Authors:

Works of W.B. Yeats: Though rivals, Yeats’s poetry reflects a shared exploration of mysticism, with both men participating in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.

Works of Robert Anton Wilson

Film and TV:

Kenneth Anger: The avant-garde filmmaker and Crowley devotee included Thelemic symbolism in works like Lucifer Rising.

Doctor Who: Crowley inspired the character of the Master, with his intellect, charm, and penchant for chaos.

Supernatural: Crowley's name and aura of dark sophistication were directly borrowed for the show's demon king.

Documentaries:

Aleister Crowley: The Wickedest Man in the World

In Search of the Great Beast 666

Popular Music for a Crowleyan Atmosphere:

Black Sabbath’s Mr. Crowley: Ozzy Osbourne, The Prince of Darkness, immortalized Crowley with his 1980 song Mr. Crowley, capturing his enigmatic allure and controversial mystique.

David Bowie’s Station to Station: Bowie's fascination with mysticism and the occult, especially during his "Station to Station" era, reflects Crowleyan themes of transcendence and personal transformation.

Led Zeppelin: Jimmy Page, the band’s guitarist, was a devout admirer of Crowley, even owning Crowley’s former residence, Boleskine House, near Loch Ness.

Coil’s esoteric soundscapes (inspired by Crowley and other occult themes)

Art: 

Marjorie Cameron: A central figure in Crowley-influenced occult art circles in postwar Los Angeles.

Use these ideas to celebrate Crowley’s Greater Feast like a media deep dive of his legacy, and maybe get inspired in unexpected ways...

...if that's what you wilt.