Aiwass

What it is

Aiwass is the name assigned to a voice heard by Aleister Crowley. He reported hearing it on three days in April 1904 while in Cairo. The voice dictated a text called The Book of the Law. Crowley considered this entity a non-corporeal being. He described it as a tall, dark man with a savage king's face. The voice spoke in pure English without an accent. It seemed to come from a corner of the room. Crowley later identified it as his Holy Guardian Angel. He also linked it to Lucifer and the god Hadit. The entity serves as a minister for Hoor-paar-kraat, known as Harpocrates.

Where it comes from

The encounter occurred during Crowley's honeymoon in Egypt. He recorded the event in his book The Equinox of the Gods. He claimed the voice dictated Liber AL vel Legis. This text became central to Thelemic cosmology. Crowley argued the being possessed superior knowledge. He cited complex puzzles in the text as proof of its alien origin. Later writings link the voice to the 8th Aethyr. Crowley saw it as a bridge between humanity and divine forces. He believed it proved the existence of discarnate intelligence.

How it is done

Crowley received the dictation over three consecutive days. He described the voice as having a deep, musical timbre. It echoed in his physical heart. He felt the speaker was present in fine matter. The voice conveyed secrets of truth. Crowley used gematria to analyze the name. He calculated numerical values for different spellings. He found links to the number 93 and 418. These numbers held significance in Thelema and Freemasonry. He interpreted these calculations as evidence of the entity's nature.

Tools and materials

The primary tool was the voice itself. It communicated through speech and internal resonance. Crowley used Qabalah and gematria to decode the name. He explored Hebrew and Greek spellings. The number 93 represented Thelema. The number 418 represented the magical formula. These numerical systems served as keys to understanding the entity. Crowley relied on his own esoteric training to interpret the messages.

What it is for

The entity dictated a new religious law. It aimed to establish a new aeon of Horus. It sought to prove the existence of discarnate intelligence. Crowley believed it offered a path to initiation. It revealed secrets about the Higher Self. The message challenged traditional religious concepts. It redefined the Devil as a liberating force. The purpose was spiritual transformation and knowledge.

Who does it

Aleister Crowley was the sole recipient. He was an English occultist and ceremonial magician. He trained extensively in Western esotericism. He interpreted the voice through his own lens. Scholars study his accounts critically. They analyze the text and his psychological state. No other practitioners claim direct contact with Aiwass. The experience remains unique to Crowley's biography.

Peoples and places

The subject is tied to Crowley and his followers. It originates in the context of Western magic. The events took place in Egypt. Crowley drew on Egyptian mythology. He referenced Sumerian gods and Celtic legends. The entity appears in Thelemic literature. It is studied by historians of religion. Skeptics view it as a product of Crowley's mind.

What people believe

Crowley believed Aiwass was an objective individual. He rejected the idea that it was merely a Higher Self. He saw it as a solar-phallic-hermetic figure. It represents the Great Fool archetype. It is linked to Osiris and Baphomet. The entity embodies arcane perfection. Believers see it as a guide to self-knowledge. It teaches that the Devil is not an enemy. It promotes the principle of knowing oneself.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Authors like Israel Regardie and Joshua Gunn offer skeptical views. They argue Aiwass was an unconscious manifestation. They cite stylistic similarities to Crowley's other works. They suggest The Book of the Law was wish fulfillment. Regardie noted Crowley's rebellion against his upbringing. Cammell described the text as an emanation of Crowley's personality. These views contrast with Crowley's claims of external intelligence.

Questions people ask about Aiwass

Good reading and sources

• Library of Congress CatalogLibrary of Congress, Article

• Aiwass on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data