Aleister Crowley invokes Horus in Egypt and declares the start of the New Aeon

On March 20, 1904, a significant event took place in Egypt that forever changed the world of occultism and spiritual practices. Aleister Crowley, a renowned British occultist, poet, and ceremonial magician, performed a ritual in which he invoked the ancient Egyptian god Horus. This ritual marked the beginning of a new era known as the Aeon of the Crowned and Conquering Child. Let’s delve into the details of this historic event and its impact on both Crowley and the wider occult community.

Aleister Crowley, often referred to as “The Great Beast 666,” was a complex and controversial figure who sought spiritual enlightenment through various mystical practices and rituals. In 1904, Crowley was staying in Cairo with his wife Rose Edith Kelly, who was known to possess mediumistic abilities. During their visit, Rose began to exhibit signs of communication with a higher entity. Intrigued, Crowley decided to embark on a series of occult experiments and rituals.

It was on March 20, 1904, that Crowley and his wife performed a ritual known as the “Ritual of the Bornless One” in their Cairo apartment. According to Crowley’s own account, this ritual led to a profound spiritual experience. He claimed that a voice, later identified as that of Horus, an ancient Egyptian Falcon God, spoke to him and revealed esoteric knowledge and guidance.

Inspired and driven by this otherworldly encounter, Crowley decided to fully embrace and dedicate himself to the teachings of Horus. He believed that this marked the transition from the previous Aeon of Osiris, characterized by patriarchal dominance, to the Aeon of Horus, symbolizing spiritual liberation and individualism. Crowley saw himself as the prophet and messenger of this new Aeon, tasked with disseminating its principles and teachings to the world.

The Aeon of the Crowned and Conquering Child, as proclaimed by Crowley, emphasized the importance of personal will and the liberation of one’s individuality. It rejected the restraints and moral codes imposed by religious and societal institutions, encouraging individuals to seek their own spiritual paths. The new Aeon also embraced concepts such as “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law” and “Love is the law, love under will.”

Following the ritual, Crowley immediately began writing and publishing numerous texts, including “The Book of the Law,” which he claimed to have received from the god Horus during the ritual. This book became the cornerstone of Thelema, Crowley’s spiritual philosophy, which blended elements of Western occultism, Eastern mysticism, and personal spiritual exploration.

Crowley’s declaration of the New Aeon had a profound impact on occultism and alternative spiritual traditions. Thelema gained a significant following, and many individuals who sought liberation from traditional religious and societal norms found solace and guidance in its teachings. Crowley himself became a highly influential figure, attracting both admirers and critics due to his unconventional lifestyle and the controversial content of his writings.

Today, the legacy of Aleister Crowley and his invocation of Horus in Egypt continues to resonate within occult circles and alternative spiritual communities. Thelema, as a spiritual path, remains a source of inspiration and self-discovery for those who seek a more personal and individualistic approach to spirituality.

the invocation of Horus by Aleister Crowley on March 20, 1904, stands as a monumental event in the history of occultism. It marked the beginning of the Aeon of the Crowned and Conquering Child, a new era focused on personal will and spiritual liberation. Crowley’s proclamation and subsequent teachings continue to influence individuals seeking alternative paths to transcendence and self-discovery.