At first sight there may seem to be few similarities between occultist Aleister Crowley and psychologist Carl Jung.Crowley experimented with drugs, sex and magic, had a strong desire to shock people, and lived a very controversial life. Jung, on the other hand, was a respectable member of society and had a far more stable personality. However, both had a revelatory experience that affected them profoundly and had far reaching consequences on the course of their lives.I would like to explore those areas in which a number of striking similarities occur.
Occult interests
Crowley joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in 1898 when he was 23. He was a very keen student of the occult, and he made quick progress through the lower grades.In 1900 there was a schism in the Golden Dawn, and he left to pursue his own studies, including Buddhism and yoga in Ceylon.In 1904 in Cairo, he was contacted by a spirit guide called Aiwass (he said it was his Holy Guardian Angel). Aiwass dictated the Liber AL Legis or The Book of the Law over a period of three days, between noon and 1.00pm.This book announced a new aeon, the Age of Horus (The Crowned and Conquering Child), and its basic teachings. Crowley was to be the avatar of the new aeon.He said it was the most important experience in his whole life.It is significant that this personal crisis took place when Crowley was 29.This is the Saturn return, when the planet transits its natal position, and many people experience upheavals in their lives at this stage.For many years Crowley kept a diary of his magical workings.
Jung attended seances with his cousin Helene Preiswerk and wrote his dissertation on her psychic experiences, "On Psychology and Pathology of So-Called Occult Phenomena" (1902). Beginning in 1913 he conversed with spirit guides, in particular Philemon, whom he called his guru. One afternoon in the summer of 1916 Jung experienced spirits in his house. They gave him what was to be the first sentence, and under inspiration he wrote Seven Sermons to the Dead in three evenings. Jung felt that he was expressing the ideas of Philemon.He distributed it privately under the pseudonym Basilides. Jung said:" All my works,all my creative activity, has come from those initial fantasies and dreams which began in 1912" (MDR, p.217). He recorded these fantasies and dreams in the Black Book and the Red Book.Jung was experiencing a classic mid-life crisis.He was 41 and Uranus was in opposition to its natal position, with Neptune square to its natal position.Quite a number of men experience an outbreak of unconscious forces at this time of life, though not many to the same extent as Jung did.Jung visited India in 1938, and he wrote about yoga and various aspects of Eastern thought. However , he maintained that Eastern practices were unsuitable for Westerners, being part of a different culture and heritage.
Most likely the voice in each case was from their own subconscious mind.In both cases the messages are in accord with the beliefs of each man.Crowley was beguiled by ancient Egypt, and Jung had been studying gnosticism.Both men knew enough about mythology to know that three days has initiatory significance.Jonah spent three days in the belly of a whale, Gilgamesh three days in a cave, and Christ rose after three days.The possible origin is in the fact that the moon is not visible for this period from the old moon to the new one: see, for example, Ancient Egypt, the Light of the World by Gerald Massey.
Prolific writers
Both Jung and Crowley wrote many books expounding their views.Crowley wrote dozens of books,including poetry, novels,on occult practice, and an autobiography. Jung was also a prolific writer, his collected works amounting to twenty volumes, plus other works. He also wrote part of his autobiography, which was completed by Aniela Jaffe.Both men read widely in mythology, hermeticism and related areas, and referred to them, though on a selective basis, in their respective works.
Forming groups
In 1907 Crowley formed an occult group called the A:.A:. (Astrum Argenteum : Silver Star). Training of the aspirant was usually on a one to one basis.In 1912 Theodor Reuss, head of the German occult group Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO) appointed Crowley head of the British branch. It served as a vehicle whereby members could get together and perform ceremonial magic.Exact numbers of members are debatable, but many fell away when Crowley received adverse publicity in the 1920's and 1930's.Different people, in England and the USA, have claimed to be the rightful heirs of the Crowley legacy. Interest in the sensational side of Crowley's life was kindled in the late 1960's by sections of the counter-culture and some rock bands.Over the last few years there has been a growing interest in the occult, and all his major works are now in print.There are Crowley inspired sites on the Internet, and many of his writings are available on-line.
In 1915 Jung's long term mistress, Antonia Wolff, founded the Analytical Psychology Club, and a number of Jungian organisations developed in Zurich (Brome, p.186).The Jungian movement grew rapidly in the 1930's, displaying a cult-like nature (Noll, p.285). In 1939 Jung asked Jolande Jacobi to research the possibility of establishing a Jungian university, an idea eventually not proceeded with (ibid.,p.289). Followers founded the C.G.Jung Institute in Zurich in 1948, originally to research his ideas, but it soon became the training vehicle for Jungian analysts.There are a number of Jungian societies around the globe today, and there is a strong presence on the Internet.
New religions
Crowley made no bones about it : he was starting a new religion and he was the prophet.His "Book of the Law" was the bible, and his other writings were the official canon, to be studied most diligently by followers. Drawing on occult practices, he devised a number of rituals, including a "Gnostic Mass". He called his work "magick", "the Science and Art of causing change to occur in conformity with Will" .He utilised Yoga and various occult techniques to effect personal transformation for the realisation of one's "true will". One of his aims was to re-establish the Mysteries of ancient Egypt and Greece. John Symonds, the major biographer of Crowley, said that he tried to make a religion out of his personal weaknesses (Francis X. King in Suster, p.6).
Some claim that Jung's system forms the basis of a personal religion (e.g. Noll, p.291).Noll says that Jungian analysis resembles an ancient Hellenistic mystery cult.There may be superficial resemblances, but today we do not have the spiritual understanding necessary to support a genuine Mystery tradition.However, in contrast to religious thought, Jung said he couldn't know about the transcendent, because he was an empiricist, not a metaphysician or theologian. It seems that "Jungianism" could operate as a substitute for religion. It offers a world view, and various practices to achieve "redemption" (i.e. wholeness). But it is all based on the individual, there is no intention to build a real community, as religions normally do. With cult-like activities ,there is the danger of guru worship, adoration of the great man who ostensibly leads one from darkness to light, but can just as easily enslave.
Famous past lives claimed
Any messiah worth his salt has an impressive pedigree.Crowley claimed to be the reincarnation of French occultist Eliphas Levi (1810-1875), and in past lives to have been various famous people, including Count Cagliostro, Edward Kelley, John Dee's partner in magic, and Pope Alexander VI. There was a legend in the Jung family that Carl's grandfather was an illegitimate son of Goethe. Apparently there is no proof of this, and with "a certain gratified amusement" Jung used to often tell people that the legend was "annoying" and in "bad taste" (MDR, p.52).Jung claimed that he had been the Christian mystic Meister Eckhardt in a past life.(Noll,1997,p.21)Isn't it funny that these sort people are always someone famous in a past life: never a goatherd in Turkey or stable cleaner in Albania?
Reactionary politics
Both Crowley and Jung took an elitist view of society ( similar to the views of Nietzsche).They saw ordinary people as being the "mass" or "herd", to be ruled over by superior men, the leaders. In Jung's view, there was no such thing as society, only individuals, so when people came together in any sort of numbers they formed an irrational mass. He didn't see that this was the way of patriarchy, i.e. the destruction of true community. "Politically, he [Crowley] was a staunch Tory and his stance was vividly coloured by right-wing romanticism" (Suster, p. 23). In Magick Without Tears Crowley likened ordinary people to cattle, simply to be kept content by their masters. He wrote: "The patriarchal system is better for all classes than any other" (The Law is for Alll, p.225).During World War I he wrote pro- German propaganda, which he later claimed to be a joke, having the aim to discredit the Germans with his ironic tone.
Jung's political views were also reactionary. In 1936 he said:" The dictatorships of Germany, Russia and Italy may not be the best form of government, but they are the only possible form of government at the moment" (Jung Speaking, p.92). He continued: "After the dictators? Oligarchy in some form. A decent oligarchy - call it aristocracy if you like - is the most ideal form of government.It depends on the quality of a nation whether they evolve a decent oligarchy or not.I am not sure that Russia will, but Germany and Italy have a chance.Without the aristocratic ideal there is no stability.You in England owe it to the 'gentleman' that you possess the world" (ibid.,p.93). Such elitist views are designed to suppress and manipulate the people by vested interests.
Individualistic systems
When Christianity became a political organisation it lost its Mystery component.It intensified the patriarchal tendencies and the feminine aspects of existence were devalued and relegated to the unconscious. This caused a massive split in the Western psyche, which can no longer be ignored.Patriarchal society wants to supress the whole person, so there are no appropriate outlets for many human energies."Occult" practices which try and develop the whole person have been forced underground, and they get distorted in the process. The methods of Crowley and Jung may appear to be attempts to achieve enlightenment, which is so difficult in a society that does not understand theconcept. Their systems are individualistic and contain elements of their personal biases which limit their effectiveness. Any number of men have tried to create systems, but only those teachings that go beyond patriarchy can offer real hope for the future of humankind and the planet.
There are a number of similarities between Crowley and Jung.There was an early interest in the paranormal, followed by contact with a spirit guide resulting in a "sacred" book.This experience profoundly affected their subsequent lives, during which they wrote many works expounding their views. Followers were attracted, and organisations set up to promote the message.To-day, their respective ideas are more widely known than ever before, and are being promoted by their disciples. The lives of both followed what could be called a (typically patriarchal) archetypal pattern, the guru/messiah syndrome.
More similarities between Crowley and Jung
More similarities between Crowley and Jung:
1.Born in the same year
Both were born in 1875.Theodore Roszak has pointed out that towards the end of the 19th century a number of "ugly ideologies" surfaced, in part a backlash against a rising tide of feminism."By the end of the century one finds militarism, imperialism and racism inflated to the dimensions of secular religions."(Roszak,p.90)Crowley and Jung were part of this macho, chest thumping, sabre rattling climate.Both were fans of Nietzsche, the arch elitist.
2.Fathers
Both fathers were involved in religion.Crowley's was a member of the fundamentalist Plymouth Bretheren and a lay preacher.He died when Crowley was eleven.He said his father had "humanity and commonsense".
Jung's father was a pastor but he lost his faith.He found him to be weak and he couldn't help Carl with his religious questions.He died when Carl was nineteen.
3.Mothers
Each mother had a strong and negative impact on her son.Crowley said of his that she was a "bigot of the worst kind".She was narrow-minded and repressive.She called little Aleister "The Beast", and he spent his life living up to this name.
Mrs Jung spent some time in a mental institution when Carl was three.She was very domineering and he feared her all his life.The evidence suggests that both sets of parents had poor sex lives.Crowley said that according to Jung,"the history of humanity is the struggle of the child to free itself from the mother." This is Jung's theory in a nutshell.(The Revival of Magick,p.81)
4.Childhood
Both had health breakdowns in their young years, and they were loners.They received beatings and punishment at school for things they said they did not do.Crowley bullied other boys.When Jung's mother said he was not well-behaved like the nice boy next door, Carl bashed him up.Once a group of boys picked on Carl, and he grabbed one by the legs and swung him into the others.This put a stop to their picking on him.
5.Women
Both were sexist in their ideas and in practice.Crowley had a number of marriages and many mistresses.He believed that a woman's role was to help the man to achieve his "true will".When he was in Italy (1920-23) Ninette Shumway, a mistress, threatened him with a revolver.(Wilson,p.122)
Jung married once, but he had many mistresses, and he believed in polygamy.One mistress, Sabina Spielerin, attacked him with a knife in 1909.(McLynn,p.125)
6.Break-up of friendships
Both men had a string of broken relationships with friends and associates.Crowley split with W.B.Yeats (he never got along with him) and most members of the Golden Dawn.He fell out with followers such as Captain J.F.C.Fuller,George Cecil Jones,Victor Neuberg, Norman Mudd and Israel Regardie.
Jung split with his proteges Otto Gross, Johann Honneger and Sabina Spielrin.(McLynn,p.160).Then, of course, there was the split with Sigmund Freud.He broke with Alphonse Maeder, Peter Baynes and Hermann Keyserling.(Ibid.,p.322)Jung persuaded Edith McCormick to stop subsidizing James Joyce, much to the latter's chagrin.(Ibid.,p.324)(Jung did this to a number of people, claiming that it would be good for them.)
7.Death around them
It is uncanny as to how many people died in tragic circumstances who came into contact with these men.During a climbing accident in the Himalayas in 1905, four of Crowley's party died.He heard a commotion, but did not investigate or help, claiming they had been making a noise all day and he did not know anything was wrong..Crowley just left the scene.Later in Calcutta he shot dead two of a group of robbers who had bailed him up.His infant daughter died in 1906, and another one in 1920.In 1923 Raoul Loveday died in Cefalu,Italy.Some say it was because of the cat's blood he drank during a ritual(Wilson,p.133), others that it was due to contaminated water.(Suster)(If it was the water, why didn't the others warn him or get sick too?)
Many of Crowley's mistresses ended up in a sorry state: either in mental homes, and as alcoholics and/or prostitutes.Soon after leaving him, Hanni Jaegar committed suicide.(Wilson,p.149).In 1912, Joan Hayes, mistress of Victor Neuberg,shot herself.Crowley later claimed that he had put a curse on her two days previously.Norman Mudd committed suicide in 1934.(Wilson,p.139)Wilson has written:"it is not difficult to feel that Crowley went through life trailing some cloak of death and insanity behind him."(p.149)
McLynn says :"Some of the men who were close to him Jung simply alienated;but an alarming number died young in tragic or unexpected circumstances, giving rise to a rumour that he was a Jonah or an angel of death."(p.319)Johann Honneger and Otto Gross committed suicide.Hermann Sigg,George Beckwith and Richard Wilhelm died tragically.
8.Pyschic powers and influences
On various occasions "spooks" were active, and uncanny things happened, in the vicinity of both men.In Poltergeist, Colin Wilson points out that persons in a state of mental disturbance can activate poltergeists (low level entities on the astral plane who like causing havoc by breaking objects and tossing things around).This could explain some of the "occult" experiences both men had.Crowley was a deep student of the occult, and Jung practised hypnotism and knew much about the workings of the mind.Using their knowledge they were able to strongly influence and impress some people, especially those with a weak will.
9.Zodiacal sign Leo
Jung's Sun was in Leo, and Crowley had this sign on the Ascendant.Leo is the sign of the self or Self.To quote Isabel M. Hickey in Astrology a Cosmic Science: "One of Leo's keywords is dominion.This does not mean dominion over others (a trap Leo needs to learn to avoid) but dominion over their own unsubjugated forces.Leo is the most vital of the signs and has tremendous energy...All energy and power comes from the Sun which rules Leo, but Light and Power can warm or scorch, create or destroy."
10.Advocation of self will
Genuine religion and spiritual teachings advocate the overcoming of self will and obedience to the will of God or the Creator, e.g. "Thy will be done."Both gentlemen under discussion put their own self will centre stage.They did not want to relinquish self will.The will of the lower self is very cunning and obstinate, and gets up to all sorts of tricks to preserve itself.A well known slogan of Crowley's is "Do what thou will is the whole of the law", which he explains as finding one's true will.But when all is said and done, it is the will of the lower self.Only the higher self can know the will of God and obey it.In Magick Without Tears Crowley arbitrarily dimisses the concept of the higher self.
Jung makes only passing reference to the concept of the higher self.At times he makes it appear that his term "the self" is the higher self, but this doesn't stand up to close scrutiny.His "self" is a separate, unique personality or individual. The higher self, however, transcends the personality and feels a oneness with the deeper levels of creation.In his Collected Works v.9,ii he denies that there is such a thing as higher consciousness.Various sages,seers and visionaries have attested to the fact that higher consciousness does exist.
11.Other similarities
They could be very sarcastic about people.Crowley's writings are peppered with vitriolic remarks about people he knew, and some he didn't, e.g.racial remarks about Krishnamurti(inMagic Without Tears).McLynn gives some examples where Jung made derogatory remarks about friends and associates in their absence.Both men were "good grubbers", liking fine food.Crowley was apparently a very good cook.Jung could pore over a menu for half an hour before ordering.At Eranos meetings he would have extra meals.(McLynn)
Both men can be summed up by saying they tried to start a new religion,
with themself as the messiah.
Needless to say that they both are false messiahs.They used pseudo
religious terminology to disguise their efforts at self aggrandizement.
Some References: