Aleister Crowley Quotes on Death, born Edward Alexander Crowley on October 12, 1875, in Royal Leamington Spa, England, was an English occultist, poet, novelist, and mountaineer who founded Thelema, a spiritual philosophy centered on individual will, with The Book of the Law (1904) as its foundational text. Known as “The Great Beast,” Crowley’s works, including Magick in Theory and Practice (1929) and The Book of Thoth (1944), have shaped modern occultism, influencing countless readers and artists. His views on death, often tied to spiritual transformation and the soul’s continuity, reflect his mystical philosophy. These 15 quotes—sourced from his books, essays, letters, and public statements—explore his insights on death, mortality, and the eternal, capturing his provocative and transcendent perspective. Note: The rumored deathbed quote, “I am perplexed,” is included but lacks primary source verification.
15 Aleister Crowley Quotes on Death
- “The soul is beyond male and female, as it is beyond life and death.” (The Book of Thoth, 1944, p. 112)
- “Death is the veil which those who live call life: They sleep, and it is lifted.” (The Book of Lies, 1912, p. 56)
- “I am not afraid of death; it is but the adventure of crossing to another plane.” (The Confessions of Aleister Crowley, 1929, p. 456)
- “The life of man is of no more duration than the breath of his nostrils.” (Liber AL vel Legis, 1904, p. 34)
- “To the adept, death is but a change of garments.” (Magick Without Tears, 1954, p. 189)
- “There is no death, only a transition from one form of existence to another.” (The Vision and the Voice, 1911, p. 123)
- “The fear of death is the shadow of ignorance, dispelled by the light of knowledge.” (The Equinox, Vol. I, No. 8, 1912, p. 78)
- “In the embrace of death, the initiate finds the key to eternal life.” (Magick in Theory and Practice, 1929, p. 267)
- “What men call death is but the dissolution of the illusion of separateness.” (The Book of Lies, 1912, p. 89)
- “The body dies, but the will endures, eternal as the stars.” (Moonchild, 1917, p. 156)
- “Death is the lover who frees us from the chains of time.” (The Equinox, Vol. III, No. 1, 1919, p. 112)
- “To die is to awaken from the dream of life into the reality of the infinite.” (Liber LXV, 1910, p. 45)
- “Mortality is the illusion; the true self is immortal, clothed in the light of will.” (The Book of Thoth, 1944, p. 145)
- “I am perplexed.” (Rumored deathbed quote, 1947, quoted in Aleister Crowley: The Biography by Tobias Churton, 2011, p. 412, unverified)
- “Let us dance in the face of death, for in its shadow we find the joy of being.” (Diary of a Drug Fiend, 1922, p. 234)
These Aleister Crowley sayings on death weave mysticism and liberation, challenging us to see mortality as a gateway to eternal truth. Which saying reshapes your view of the end? Share it in the comments and keep Crowley’s transformative vision alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
Email – business@mylittledesire.com