20-02-2010, 06:27 PM
Thanks Austin. Rudolf Hess was, of course, a deep disciple of the occult, especially the peculiar German variant named Thule Gesellschaft, which leads into the whole Shamballa morass. James Bond author Ian Fleming also had an interest in matters occult, hence his friendship with Crowley. And Crowley's O.T.O derived from a German Order.
However, I don't think Crowley ever interviewed or interrogated Hess. Crowley had a reputation for engaging in tricks and deceits. It was his amusement to encourage readers of his books to undertake potentially dangerous occult operations. His writing on, for example, Jack the Ripper, was simple old-fashioned tosh and deflected attention away from what actually was behind the Ripper deaths. Deflection was probably his aim.
Having said all that I am not knowledgeable on Crowley. I've read some of his books, and several by those of his secretary, Israel Regardie, who is far more wholesome. But the O T O and Thelema do not trigger my interest or sympathies.
However, I don't think Crowley ever interviewed or interrogated Hess. Crowley had a reputation for engaging in tricks and deceits. It was his amusement to encourage readers of his books to undertake potentially dangerous occult operations. His writing on, for example, Jack the Ripper, was simple old-fashioned tosh and deflected attention away from what actually was behind the Ripper deaths. Deflection was probably his aim.
Having said all that I am not knowledgeable on Crowley. I've read some of his books, and several by those of his secretary, Israel Regardie, who is far more wholesome. But the O T O and Thelema do not trigger my interest or sympathies.
The shadow is a moral problem that challenges the whole ego-personality, for no one can become conscious of the shadow without considerable moral effort. To become conscious of it involves recognizing the dark aspects of the personality as present and real. This act is the essential condition for any kind of self-knowledge.
Carl Jung - Aion (1951). CW 9, Part II: P.14