Most of this material will not make a lick of sense to anyone who is not a Thelemite, and doubtfully makes much sense to any Thelemite who hasn't read a stack or two of Crowley's other writings. However, once you have read a dozen or two Crowley books, "The Holy Books of Thelema" start to make some kind of sense.....

Fair warning, I have been informed that "The Uninitiated" won't "get it" until they have been Initiated into one of Crowley's various Magickal systems.

So, "The Holy Books of Thelema" is a great resource for Thelemites, but even Thelemites probably will not understand most of the material, until they have been "enlightened" by one of the Magickal groups (O.T.O., Thelemic Golden Dawn, etc.).

"The Holy Books of Thelema" contains all the "Inspired" (presumably by entities outside of Crowley's head) works of Thelema, and a break-down of the writings on "The Stele' of Revealing"--which is integral to the writing of "The Book of The Law").

"The Holy Books of Thelema" is a convenient resource, containing all the information prospective "Thelemites" need to get started on the Thelemic Path.

It has been suggested that a Thelemite should reread this material after each Initiation, to fully comprehend the material.


Crowley's Legacy   December 24, 2000
 17 out of 19 found this review helpful

The Holy books of Thelema stand quite apart from the technical works Crowley wrote throughout his life. They were "received" or channeled if you will, rather than developed by Crowley's ego (by which I mean his mortal psyche). Every Liber is a gem, proving to anyone who reads them with an open mind that Crowley was a true prophet. Within you will find not only the Book of the Law, but the Liber Lapis Lazuli and the Book of the Heart Gird Round by the Serpent. The latter is a spiritual masterpiece equal to Liber AL. I reccomend that the Holy Books be read slowly, perhaps a passage at a time. That way, they'll sink in.


Holy Books Presage New and Greater Civilization   August 22, 1998
 11 out of 11 found this review helpful

Despite some typographical errors and the fact that the editors chose the earliest instead of the latest rescensions of several books, this book is a worthy addition to the library of anyone truly interested in comparative Spirituality, even if they are not especially interested in Aleister Crowley's Thelemic cultus. Aleister Crowley never surpassed his own Thelemic "holy books," about which he was uncharacteristically silent, especially the Book of the Heart Girt about by the Serpent and the Book of the Freed or the Blue Stone, which are as beautiful and profound as the greatest Spiritual literature of any time or people. Many will find some sections, especially the Book of the Law, disturbing, but closer scrutiny will reveal a deep penetration of many difficult Spiritual questions which are not satisfactorily resolved in many other religions, and a keen and penetrating insight into the brutalities of the 21st century, which mark the necessary Next Step in a transition to a new and a greater civilization. Now the Holy Books need to be reissued in a truly critical edition, with alternative readings, footnotes, appendices explaining all of the allusions, and a comprehensive book, chapter, and verse index.


The Canon of Thelema   July 17, 2002
 8 out of 9 found this review helpful

These essays are simply beyond rational criticism. They are Holy Books, which means (to those unfamiliar with Thelema) they are written through the Prophet (Crowley) by the Gods. They are written from Beyond the Abyss. They cannot be rationally understood.

The poetry, especially in Liber Cordis, is unbelievably brilliant. There is nothing in the whole of occult literature that matches it, except for Liber AL itself (which is of course included). The introduction by the late Frater Superior of the OTO gives those new to Thelema a detailed description of the history of the writing of the various compilations dubbed "The Holy Books", and a description of the circumstances surrounding the reception of "The Book of the Law". The book includes Liber Causae (which is not a Holy Book), describing the foundation story of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and its subsequent dissolution (it is, however, reincarnated in various forms these days).

If you have money to spend on a religious or mystical book, this is definately THE one to buy.


The Holy Books: Keystone to the Magick of Thelema   August 24, 1998
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

The Holy Books of Thelema are Aleister Crowley's legacy to his heirs; that is, all those who may call themselves Thelemites. Written in high trance upon exalted planes of spiritual experience, through Crowley rather than by him, the words have an uncanny way of taking the reader "along for the ride". As such, while they are valuable as literary works of art in their own right, these writings can awaken similar experiences in the intuitive, initiated reader upon each successive reading. Includes the quintessential Thelemic Holy Book, Liber AL vel Legis and the holotype ms. Liber L. A must for the Magickal library of all Thelemites.