The ‘Worst Man in the World’ Tells the Astounding Story of His Life in Articles by Aleister Crowley.

“But the first call: 1896. In a Bierhalle under the shadow of the Matterhorn I met an alchemist.

He is one of the best-known technical chemists in London. One of his scientific feats was the ‘fixing’ of mercury (i.e. the making of it solid at ordinary temperatures) and he had done this by the despised alchemical processes of the Middle Ages.” [via, also]

Consider also:

  1. “Then one of the first principles of magic was revealed to me. It is sufficient to will with all one’s might that which one wills. You who read this–whatever you will you can do. It is only a question of commanding the means.”
  2. In Space, There Might Be North
  3. A Book of the Offices of Spirits
  4. “At school I had passions for poetry and chemistry. I had an instinct for chess; experience rapidly proved my ability. I never lost to anyone until–at Cambridge–I met H. E. Atkins, seven years running amateur champion of Britain.”
  5. “One book told me of a secret community of saints in possession of every spiritual grace, of the keys of the treasure of Nature. The members of this church lived their secret life of sanctuary in the world, radiating light and love on all those that came within their scope.”