Imposters

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Could you simply be mad? It is a remote possibility, but difficult to disprove. If we met, you would not doubt my sanity. I have no glaring personality defects and I show no symptom of mental instability. I followed a successful career, wrote many books, and enjoyed good health all my life. There is no psychosis, mania or senile decay and, apart from a wicked sense of humour, I conduct myself like a civilised gentleman. My language is restrained, my attitude composed. I do not froth at the mouth, have hysterics, or hurl abuse in the streets.

Now compare me with other figures on the Occult scene. Look at my stance and then examine their spluttering hyperbole, their pretentious posturing, and their frequent recourse to litigation. Weigh my membership fees against theirs. Read their contracts, bonds, and pacts and note that mine is just a simple handclasp. I do not amass personal wealth. I do not seek title over any of my father's estate. My teachings are original, not even based on his. I am genuine. I am a Master, not a parrot. Lurking overseas or in shady London streets, there are cracked pots calling the kettle black to divert your attention.

Is it important that I believe you? Not to me. I do not care, I am indifferent. Decide for yourself. I never banged a drum or blew a trumpet. I stayed in the background for over half of my life, and I only 'came out', as our gay friends say, when new kids on the block were about to slander my father again. Please, let us stop tethering our conversation to this one issue. We ought rather to discuss my teachings. I am not running the family shop, and my paternity is not an issue. I said that a certain reprobate was my dad ... I did not claim the Holy Ghost fathered me on a virgin. Although, come to think of it, life was not easy for that Master either.

What is your motive? What sort of people are impostors? Is there a typical personality or special motives? To accuse me of going to such lengths, you would need to show what I stood to gain. You have read about Aleister Crowley. You know what kind of man he was. They called him 'the wickedest man in the world' and 'the most evil man who ever lived'. If I set out deliberately to be an impostor, I would have chosen a target that was rich, with star status and an unblemished reputation. Being Aleister Crowley's son has not brought me wealth or any worldly reward. Apart from looks and sense of humour, I worked for everything I own, and I have never once exploited my name. I am not an impostor.

But surely, there are cheats in Occultism? As there are in every religion. Nothing is too holy that someone will not use it to gull the innocent. It is not my job to judge them. I have other matters to attend to. Is the young woman cheating when she reads the tarot cards? Are shops dishonest for selling magic crystals and amulets? What can we say about two-week training courses in Reiki, or mediums that offer to put the bereaved in touch with the dead? Where is the dividing line between piety and sharp practice? Are they rogues or entertainers? Are they con men or actors? It all depends on one's point of view. All I can say is that a few of them are criminal, but most do no harm at all.

Why do you stress your link with Crowley? Is that what I do? I do not claim my father's reputation or standing for myself. I show no particular reverence; neither do I claim that anything special came to me through his blood. Authorities who never met him make more fuss than I do. I was taught, initiated, and sponsored by him. I can hardly accept them as experts.

My teachings are not built on any others. Masters make their original contribution to the treasure house of wisdom and knowledge. I have explained, but not excused, my father's conduct. While I do not boast, I can hardly deny my relationship just to ease the anxiety of certain occult groups.

Any imposture would have magical implications. I might be clever enough to fool the world, but not Aleister Crowley's spirit. He would not let me get away with it-and he will not allow others to use his name as an excuse for attacking me. Blood is thicker than water and, like the Mafia, the Crowley clan can close ranks when need be.

Is that a threat? No. In any quarrel, the ones who strike first are the cause, and defensive action is justified. The severity of one is governed by the gravity of the other. For example, in trying to swat a gnat, a magician must not cause the sky to fall on it. Aleister was badly served by many of his former friends. After his death, they denounced him, while all the time collecting their thirty pieces of silver for their disloyalty. That was bad and I would not be surprised at whatever fate befell them. In this respect, I acknowledge the integrity of someone like Kenneth Grant.

Were Aleister alive today, he would be writing still and his teachings would have developed further. His philosophy would have been elaborated and, who can tell, his position might have been close to mine. I stand where he would have stood if he had survived. Therefore, in a sense, he lives on in me and his spirit informs my own. I have his approval, his authority, and his blessing. If this causes problems, tough luck! He was not the first; I am not the last. Whatever the name or the title, all must look to the one who wears the mantle.

Do people's reactions anger you? There are many different reactions. Some people drop their jaw and totter out of the room. Others accost me and try to pick a fight. One or two even invite me to read their minds, though I always excuse myself on the grounds that there are too many misprints! When they learn that I am Amado Crowley, some folk can get boorish. I am used to it now. On a good day, such behaviour pours off me like water off a duck's back. On bad days, I am more easily provoked and then I am afraid I react. Beyond certain limits, I forget that I am a gentleman and wade in like an Occult Rambo.

Do they vex you deliberately? Some do it for a dare, a bit like children ringing your doorbell and running away. Others are motivated by malice. A few hope to see a psychic firework display. I am an Occult Master, after all. I am the son of Aleister Crowley. Therefore, people challenge me. 'Prove it' they taunt. 'Go on, do some magic.' This is why I do not drink to avoid the risk of ever losing control. So why do I behave like a reluctant bridegroom who is too shy to go upstairs? The answer is that displays of power are forbidden to a white magician at least. The reasons are: (1) they take away the freedom to disbelieve, (2) they tell the enemy how you would fight a war, and (3) they drain the power that is better kept for other matters. I protect myself with humour. Laughter lets you win by just not losing.

Does Occultism have saints and sacred relics? It has its share. Crowley is a famous name, for example, and people do like to get their hands on articles owned by him, as they do with Eliphas Levi, John Dee, and other well-known figures. Mediaeval towns were jealous of sacred shrines since holy relics could mean an economic boom and miracles could help recovery. The Church gave sanction for cults to develop here and there. To help Spain, Pope Pius IX sent the body of Saint Felix as a birthday present to Queen Isabel II. Does anyone know how Buddha's sacred tooth arrived at Candy, in Sri Lanka? As a centre for three world religions, Jerusalem is one hell of a market place for religious baubles of every kind, and that city has not known peace since it was founded.

On his deathbed, W. C. Fields said, 'On the whole, I would rather be in Philadelphia!' It may have been a last joke, since Philadelphia means 'the city of brotherly love'?

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