❧ Appendix 2
Key documents
Letter from Aleister Crowley to Fernando Pessoa, Warburg Institute, YC/NS, 13. Carbon copy of typescript.
Fernando Pessoa, Esq., Ivy Cottage,
Apartado 147, Knockholt, Kent
Lisboa, Portugal Dec. 11th. 1929.
Care Frater:
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
The Mandrake Press have forwarded to me your letter to them of the 4th instant, so that I may answer the last paragraph.
The time of my birth is not quite certain. In no. 10 of the first volume of the Equinox, I took 0.3 of Leo as rising. But subsequently, I thought that the time might be a little later as I suspect that Herschell [sic, i.e. Uranus] and Saturn are within the first and seventh houses, respectively.
I dare say your guess is accurate enough. I don’t bother with directions. I do very little astrology, except pure genethliacal and transits. I should be very glad if you would let me have some information about my present situation.
Love is the law, love under will.
Yours fraternally [Aleister Crowley]
* * *
Letter from A. C. to Fernando Pessoa, Warburg Institute, YC/NS, 13. Carbon copy of typescript. The postscript at the bottom, which is handwritten, does not appear in this version (which is a carbon copy of the original sent to Pessoa), since it was evidently added after the letter had been typed. It does appear, however, in the original received by Pessoa, reproduced in Miguel Roza (ed.), Encontro “Magick” de Fernando Pessoa e Aleister Crowley (Lisbon: Hugin, 2001), p. 78.
Ivy Cottage, Knockholt, Kent, Dec. 22nd, 1929.
Care Frater:
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Thank you very much for the three little books. I think they are really very remarkable for excellence.
In the Sonnets, or rather Quatorzaines, you seem to have recaptured the origi-nal Eliza bethan impulse – which is magnificent.
I like the other poems, too, very much indeed.
Love is the law, love under will.
Yours fraternally, [Aleister Crowley]
[I have, indeed, taken the arrival of your poetry as a definite Message, which I should like to explain in person. Will you be in Lisboa for the next three months?
If so, I should like to come and see you: but without telling any one. Please let me know by return of post. 666]
* * *
Letter from Fernando Pessoa to A. C. First published in John Symonds, The King of the Shadow Realm, pp. 446–7. Original preserved at the Warburg Institute, YC/OS, E21. Ms.
Apartado 147 Lisboa
6th. January, 1930.
Carissime Frater:
I thank you very much indeed for your letters of the 11th. and the 22nd.
December, parti cularly so for the second one, and especially for the written addendum to it.
I have just returned to Lisbon, so my “return of post” is inevitably somewhat late, though I am writing immediately.
I shall be in Lisbon, for all practical purposes, during the next three months.
Even when I am absent from here, it is only to stay in Evora, which is only four hours away, by train. I can therefore always return to Lisbon at very short notice.
The point is that I have that notice in good advance, and even then, that it do not reach Lisbon just when I have left, so I find it only on my return, which may mean anything up to a fortnight, the purpose of an advance notice being thus nullified.
If, however, any month of these first three of the year will serve your time and intention, I should very much prefer to meet you here in March – at any time within March. I shall not leave Lisbon at all in that month, and I have both the present month and February taken up by matters, of no importance in them-selves – either absolutely, or relatively to the present one –, which deliver me over to an extraneous attention which I should not like to be clogged with when listening to you.
Apart from this, astrological reasons would counsel me to suggest March; and it is indeed the very lapsing of the direction, which makes January and February impeding months, that will make March a propitious one, especially to meet you, the underlying solar direction (pro. [Sun] [Sextile] [Neptune]) being remarkably attuned to the circumstance.
Furthermore, there is a vague possibility that I may have to go to England in the end of February. If so, I would inform you in full advance and (unless there be some reason I cannot foresee for the place of meeting to be Lisbon) you would be spared the trouble of coming to Portugal.
By the middle of February I shall be able fully to inform you about all this.
I shall, of course, tell no one at all about your visit. Was your warning connected with the receipt of a booklet (in French) by Raul Leal. He is a friend of mine (so to speak, for I am altogether apart from any sort of intimacy); I translated to
him some pages, here and there, of the first volume of your “Confessions”, and he asked me for the address of the publisher, so as to send you his book to their postal care. He now tells me, on my return to Lisbon, that he has received a letter from you, and is going to write to you a long one “on occult matters”. With this, of course, I have no connection, as I have no connection with anything. Please do not take this as a reflection of any kind on Leal, whom I really like and whose spendidly intense metaphysical ability I appreciate. This is a mere statement of fact and, so to speak, a non-juror’s note.
I hope to send you in the course of the present month the rectified nativity and the direc tions reckoned from it for the present time. When away from Lisbon I had no ephemerides or data.
I am registering the letter only that I may be the surer that it will not be likely to go astray.
Yours fraternally, Fernando Pessoa
* * *
Letter from A. C. to Fernando Pessoa, first reproduced as a plate in França (1987). Now also in Pessoa and Crowley (2010: 314). Ms.
Ivy Cottage die ♂
Knockholt in 24° g
Kent An I 4
Care Frater
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
I was very pleased of your letter dated Jan 6.
I quite agree with you about March. I have many matters to put in order.
But it would be still better should you be in London in February. Our meeting there should elucidate some points in dispute in my mind about the Message*, so that proper plans may be made. I shall expect to hear from you as soon as you know your own plans.
Love is the law, love under will yrs fraternally 666.
* I did not say, or mean “warning”.
* * *
Letter from Fernando Pessoa to A. C. Warburg Institute, YC/OS, E21. Ms.
Apartado 147,
Lisboa, 25th. February 1930.
Care Frater:
My writing you so late implies only that not till the very verge of yesterday was it certain to me that I would not go to England.
I shall not leave Lisbon – unless for an occasional short voyage to Evora, from which four hours can recall me – until the middle of the year, and even then I may not leave.
If, therefore, you wish to come over, or think it within Fate to do so, you have but to give me a slight advance notice and I shall be here to see and hear you.
My astrology is in slight means, but I hope to have your nativity rectified in no more than a few days.
Yours fraternally, Fernando Pessoa
The “Crowley Alistair Edward A.” file
File preserved at the Central State Archives (Archivio Centrale dello Stato) in Rome (ACS, PS, AAGR, 1903–49, RG, b. 1, fasc. 20). Here I reproduce the entire contents of the file, with the exception of the Italian translation of the three letters from M. (Gertrude M.
Godden). It should also be noted that the three letters are not present in the file in their original version, but are typewritten copies, probably made by their addressee, i.e. Father Joseph Ledit.
The three letters from M. to Father Joseph Ledit Sept. 25 1935
Did you follow at all the very remarkable English group calling itself New Europe and New Britain and connected with a certain Dr Adler – the Adler Society, – the International Society for Individual Psychology. I had to investigate them a year or two ago. Lately I came on some startling European connections which might be of very grave import politically but not with any “psychological” refer-ence. There is a connexion [sic] with a Mittel-Europaische Press dienst in Vienna.
There is an intimate connexion with a serbian [sic] whose name I can give you if necessary. “Dr Adler” is I believe now in America. I think those responsible for the safety of prominent individuals and European peace might investigate the whole group. There is Paris contact through the Serb. I add 3 of their notice papers. The Colonel Delahaye was in the English War Office (!!).
* * * April 20 1936
Enclosed copy speaks for itself – coming from that very practical worker Mr.
Baker White I attach great importance to it.
Have you any information re Dim Mitrinovic (? the key man of a very large organization) or Ernest Beernink, O [sic] Köllerström, – Chelomsky, Philippe
Mairet, Mittel-Europaische Pressdienst, Opera ring Vienna, Dr Alfred Adler, founder of the “International Society for Individual Psychology”, Vienna. – Dr Victor Bauer, Babenberger str. 9. Vienna.
[The following is the text of the enclosure referred to in the letter, which reproduces a letter from J. Baker White to G. M. Godden]
The Economic League April 16 1936 Dear M.
I would be glad if you would take on a special commission for me, which is to investigate the present activities of the New Britain Group in general and of Mitranovic [sic] in particular. I am also anxious to know what part Valerie Cooper and Vivian Slade are at present playing in the movement.
I have of course a great deal of information that you have collected for me in the past, but what I want is a really up to date picture of the situation, and as soon as possible. I would like to know who is leading the Movement, besides the above-mentioned, and what appears to be the present scope of its influence. I would be pleased to pay for the work done on the usual basis.
Yours sincerely, J. Baker White
* * * May 28 / 36
I have been very occupied and latterly with the special urgent investigation into the group calling itself
XI Hour / New Britain / New Europe / New Order
In France, l’Ordre Nouveau: M. Emile Pillias. Can you throw any international light on this? I am inclined to link it up with “OTO” – Ordo Templi Orientis – which makes it quite dangerous stuff to handle! I expect you have the OTO – in its esoteric and exoteric name, C.C. fully documented?
Can you tell me anything of the last ten years, and especially the 1935–1936 movements of the world famous Abister (or maybe Aleister) [the text between parentheses is clearly added by Ledit, or by the person who typed this copy of M.’s letter on Ledit’s behalf ] Crowley – and his many alias names? This is urgent.
He has published verses in Paris under the name of H.D. Carr. He deluded Burns and Oates into publishing anonymous Marian Verse. One of his publications is the “Equinox”. He writes as Frater Perdurabo of the A\A\. He has run occult schools. He has been in Sing Sing (pro German). His “temple” (as of course you know) is or was at Cefalu, Sicily. Can you give me a description of him recently?
Or a drawing? Especially his head? I rather hesitate putting this through the post, but how else can I ask you these very necessary queries?
The “illustrative notes”
Italian original:
Note illustrative
I fogli notizie di cui è fatto cenno nella 1° lettera sono conferenze sul Marxismo e sulla psicologia, ed in questi fogli viene nominato il Colonnello Delahaye.
Nel foglio 2° viene riprodotta una lettera del Sig. Baker White, indirizzata all’informatrice.
Il Sig. Baker White è il Segretario della Lega Economica di Londra, potente organizzazione contro il comunismo. P[adre] L[edit] conosce personalmente detto Signore e lo stima come un orga nizzatore di primissimo ordine.
L’informatrice alla quale il Segretario della Lega Economica di Londra si rivolge è pure personalmente conosciuta da P[adre] L[edit] che la stima come persona di valore e coraggio. Ha scritto, detta informatrice, un libro su Mussolini molto apprezzato ed è attualmente in sospetto per le sue idee filofasciste.
P[adre] L[edit] desidera che su detto nominativo venga mantenuto l’incognito temendo che la rivela zione del suo nome possa procurarle dei seri fastidi.
P[adre] L[edit] è meravigliato dell’indirizzo segnalato nei riguardi del Dr.
Vittorio Bauer che è il noto Capo del Partito Social-Democratico in Vienna.
Nel foglio 3° è giustificata la richiesta della fotografia del famoso Abister [sic].
P[adre] L[edit] ignora se detta persona sia oggi a Cefalù in Sicilia, ma prega di avere, se possibile, indicazioni ed anche una fotografia.
Roma, 2 giugno 1936–XIV°
[Added in pencil:] Colloquio P[adre] L[edit] ambasciatore inglese presso la S.
Sede.
Reazione cattolica inglese al discorso del Papa.
English translation:
Illustrative notes
The pages of notes that are referred to in the 1st letter are lectures on Marxism and psychology, and in these pages Colonel Delahaye is mentioned.
On the 2nd page a letter from Mr Baker White is reproduced, directed to the [female] informant.
Mr Baker White is the Secretary of the Economic League of London, a power-ful anti-communist organization. P.L. [Father Ledit] knows the aforesaid gentle-man personally and esteems him as an organizer of the highest degree.
The informant to whom the Secretary of the Economic League of London addresses himself is likewise personally known to P.L. who esteems her as a per-son of valour and courage. Said informant has written a much-appreciated book on Mussolini and is currently under suspicion for her pro-fascist ideas.
P.L. wishes her to remain incognito, fearing that the revelation of her name might lead to serious inconvenience.
P.L. is astonished at the address given with reference to Dr Vittorio Bauer, who is known as the head of the Social-Democratic Party in Vienna.
On the 3rd page the request for the photograph of the famous Abister [sic] is justified.
P.L. ignores whether said person is in Cefalù in Sicily today, but asks, if pos-sible, to be given information and also a photograph.
Rome, 2 June 1936–XIV°
[Added in pencil:] Interview of P.L. [Father Ledit] with the English ambassador to the Holy See.
English Catholic reaction to the Pope’s address.
Letter from the Police Commissioner of Palermo to Police Chief Arturo Bocchini Italian original:
Il Questore di Palermo Palermo, 6 Giugno 1936–XIV.
A S.E. il Senatore
Cav. Gr. Croce Dr. Arturo Bocchini Capo della Polizia
Ministero dell’Interno Roma
Eccellenza,
l’individuo del quale è cenno nell’appunto da V.E. consegnatomi brevi manu è il suddito inglese Crowley Alistair Eduard Alexander di Emily Bishop, nato a Lemingtoer [sic] Warwihstire [sic] il 12-10-1875, il quale dimorò per circa cinque anni in una villa, nelle vicinanze di Cefalù, e fu espulso dal Regno giusta ordi-nanza Ministeriale in data 13 aprile 1923, essendosi accertato che nella sua villa si svolgevano riti basati su pratiche di oscenità e pervertimento sessuale, alle quali partecipavano tre straniere con lui conviventi more-uxorio, nonché altri stranieri che di tanto in tanto si recavano a trovarlo.
In proposito richiamo i rapporti di questa Prefettura: N° 2815 in data 25 Luglio 1922, re sponsivo al telespresso N° 17011 del 23 Giugno precedente; N° 1260 del 26 Marzo 1923, responsivo della nota N° 6782 del 5 stesso mese; N° 2150 del 1°
Maggio 1923, responsivo alla nota N° 9626 del 16 Aprile precedente.
Successivamente all’espulsione del Crowley, codesta Div. Pol. Politica, con nota N° 500/5883 del 27 Giugno 1927, segnalò che dalla casa del Crowley in Cefalù si irradiavano notizie diffamatorie sulle condizioni dell’Italia Fascista, notizie che venivano raccolte dal servizio speciale di spionaggio del Ministero degli Esteri d’Inghilterra e fatte pubblicare da alcuni giornali. Con lettera N° 14278 del 18 Settembre successivo questa Prefettura rispose che la cennata segnalazione era insussistente poiché dopo la partenza del Crowley, era rimasta a Cefalù solo una delle sue donne – suddita francese – la quale viveva di stenti e non aveva rapporti con alcuno.
Nell’Aprile del 1934 i giornali pubblicarono corrispondenze da Londra circa una causa per diffamazione intentata dal Crowley alla scrittrice Nina Hannet [sic], la quale in un suo libro “Il torso che ride” lo aveva presentato come cultore di magia nera, mentre egli aveva dedi cato “tutta la sua fatica e la notevole fortuna lasciatagli dal padre – due o tre milioni di lire – allo studio della magia bianca”.
Negli atti non esiste la fotografia del Crowley, ma vi sono i connotati, che tra-scrivo: alto, robusto, colorito roseo, occhi castani, calvizie centrale con piccolo ciuffo mediano sulla linea di inserzione dei capelli, barba e baffi rasi, piccola cica-trice sulla guancia sinistra, sotto lo zigoma [sic].
Voglia gradire, Eccellenza, i miei deferenti ossequi e credermi Dell’E.V. Devotissimo
[illegible signature]
English translation:
Police Commissioner of Palermo Palermo, 6 June 1936–XIV.
To His Excellency the Senator
Dr Arturo Bocchini, Knight Grand Cross Chief of Police
Ministry of the Interior Rome
Excellency,
The individual to whom reference is made in the note from Your Excellency that was personally handed to me is the English subject Crowley Alistair Eduard Alexander, son of Emily Bishop, born in Lemingtoer [sic] Warwihstire [sic] on 12-10-1875, who lived for about five years in a villa in the vicinity of Cefalù, and was expelled from the Kingdom following Ministerial order on 13 April 1923, it having been confirmed that rites were taking place in his villa based on obscene and perverse sexual practices, in which three female foreigners participated who were living with him as if married, besides other foreigners who came there from time to time to meet him.
In this regard I will list the reports of this Prefecture: No. 2815 dated 25 July 1922, responding to telegram No. 17011 from 23 June preceding; No. 1260 of 26 March 1923, responding to note No. 6782 of the 5th of the same month; No. 2150 of 1 May 1923, responding to note No. 9626 of 16 April preceding.
Subsequent to Crowley’s expulsion, the Political Police Division, in note No.
500/5883 of 27 June 1927, indicated that defamatory statements regarding condi-tions in fascist Italy were being distributed from Crowley’s house in Cefalù, state-ments that were being collected by the special espionage service of the British Foreign Ministry and were published by some newspapers. In letter No. 14278 on 18 September following, this Prefecture responded that the aforementioned allegation was unfounded because after Crowley’s departure, only one of his two women remained in Cefalù – a French citizen – who lived in poverty and had no relations with anybody.
In April 1934 the newspapers published reports from London about a defama-tion suit brought by Crowley against the writer Nina Hannet [sic], who in her book “Laughing Torso” presented him as a follower of black magic, whereas he had dedicated “all his effort and the considerable fortune left to him by his father – two or three million lire – to the study of white magic”.
In the documents in our archive there is no photograph of Crowley, but his features are described as follows: tall, robust, rosy complexion, brown eyes, bald-ing on top with small lock of hair at the middle near the hairline, beard and moustache shaved, small scar on the left cheek, under the cheekbone.
Please accept, Excellency, my humble respects and consider me Your Excellency’s most devoted
[illegible signature]
Introduction
1. Scholem (1995: 2, 353, n. 3). Scholem offers similar judgements, also extending to other French and English
1. Scholem (1995: 2, 353, n. 3). Scholem offers similar judgements, also extending to other French and English