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Aleister Crowley (1875–1947) became involved with
Theodor Reuss and Ordo Templi Orientis following the publication of
The Book of Lies between 1912 and 1913. According to Crowley's account, Reuss approached him and accused him of having revealed the innermost (sexual) secret of O.T.O. in one of the cryptic chapters of this book. When it became clear to Reuss that Crowley had done so unintentionally, he initiated Crowley into the IX° (ninth degree) of O.T.O. and appointed him "Sovereign Grand Master General of Ireland, Iona and all the Britains."{{efn|: "Shortly after publication [of the
Book of Lies], the O.H.O. (Outer Head of the O.T.O.) came to me... He said that since I was acquainted with the supreme secret of the Order, I must be allowed the IX {degree} and obligated in regard to it. I protested that I knew no such secret. He said 'But you have printed it in the plainest language'. I said that I could not have done so because I did not know it. He went to the bookshelves; taking out a copy of
The Book of Lies, he pointed to a passage... It instantly flashed upon me. The entire symbolism not only of Free Masonry but of many other traditions blazed upon my spiritual vision. From that moment the O.T.O. assumed its proper importance in my mind. I understood that I held in my hands the key to the future progress of humanity..."}} While the O.T.O. included, from its inception, the teaching of sex
magick in the highest degrees of the Order, when Crowley became head of the Order, he expanded on these teachings and associated them with different degrees as follows: • VIII°:
masturbatory or autosexual magical techniques were taught, referred as the
Lesser Work of Sol • IX°:
heterosexual magical techniques were taught • XI°:
anal intercourse magical techniques were taught. Hugh Urban, professor of Comparative Religion at
Ohio State University, noted Crowley's emphasis on sex as "the supreme magical power." According to Crowley: Crowley wrote extensively on the topic of sex magick. Some of these works were published and made available to the general public, others were secret and could only be obtained by initiates of
Ordo Templi Orientis. •
Liber IAO – IAO. Sexual Magick. Gives three methods of attainment through a willed series of thoughts. The active form of Liber CCCXLV. •
De Nuptis Secretis Deorum Cum Hominibus – Sexual magick •
Liber Stellae Rubeae – According to Crowley, a secret ritual of Apep, the heart of IAO-OAI, delivered unto V.V.V.V.V. for his use in a certain matter of The Book of the Law (
Liber AL vel Legis). Sexual Magick veiled in symbolism. •
Liber Agape vel C vel Azoth –
The Book of the Unveiling of the Sangraal wherein it is spoken of the Wine of the Sabbath of the Adepts. Secret instructions of the ninth degree of the O.T.O. (Sex Magick) •
Liber Cheth vel Vallum Abiegni – A perfect account of the task of the Exempt Adept considered under the symbols of a particular plane, not the intellectual. Sexual magick veiled in symbolism. • ''
Liber A'ash vel Capricorni Pneumatici'' – Analyzes the nature of the creative magical force in man, explains how to awaken it, how to use it and indicates the general as well as the particular objects to be gained thereby. Sexual magick heavily veiled in symbolism. •
The Book of Lies – includes some techniques in symbolic language, including extended mutual
oral sex (Chapter 69) while intoxicated on
hashish. •
The Paris Working – A record of homosexual magick operations. •
Energized Enthusiasm – An essay developing the idea of creativity as a sexual phenomenon. Specially adapted to the task of attainment of control of the
Body of Light, development of intuition, and
Hatha yoga. == Maria de Naglowska ==