Magick Without Tears

xxviii PREFACE must have been endowed with some divine quality and must not be tampered with-so runs their belief. It is quite irrational. Crowley himself would have been the first to admit this, though he has often admitted that he was altogether incapable of editing his own material. The only thing ever to issue from his pen which he demanded must never be edited was a group of select writings called The Holy Books. and above all, The Book of the Law. "Change not so much as the style of a letter .... " What I have deleted is mostly rambling or repetitious statements, a few quotations from Robert Browning-none of which in any case interfere with the meaning of any particular passage. This is then the cardinal rule that has applied at all times during the surgical intervention to the text of these letters. Nothing has been changed that might alter his free flow of ideas or the intrinsic meaning of the communication. Thus the bulk of the volume has been reduced, but it has been tightened up considerably, thus making for easier reading. There were a few letters so complete and firmly written that no editing was required in the least. Stray bits of revealing insight without parallel elsewhere shine here and there. For example, he is almost at his best in letter 20 on the significance of Lamens and Talismans and Pantacles. It is worth comparing his clarity here with some earlier elucidations, notably the delightful Part II of Book 4 or in Magick in Theory and Practice. Invariably it turns out that no real comparison can be made, though in these letters there is a maturity and clarity that is not found in either of the books just mentioned . Again, when he discusses Gods and Angels, he is so direct and matter of fact as to be altogether impressive. He makes no attempt to be sanctimonious, other-worldly or guru-like, but deals with abstruse problems easily, without being afraid to say occasionally "I don't know." One is impressed by his honesty and forthrightness. There is no other writer on this subject today who can hold a candle to him.