www.Agape-Thelema.de

Crowley / Frieda Harris

Morton House,
The Mall,
Chiswick

May 10th, 1939

Dear Aleister,

Your secretary forgot to send the letter you wrote to me & she
has rung me up to read it to me. I am, also, sorry that I have to
write plainly to you, because I enjoy our friendship & your
instruction very much, but it is entirely spoilt by your attempts
to use me as your bank & financial adviser. I have frequently told
you that I have nothing, but a weekly allowance, & that out of it I
have given you all I can spare.
If you are expecting the Tarot to be a means of getting money,
or my position as useful for pushing it--I am sorry I am not the
right vehicle for such an enterprise as I intend to remain
anonymous when the cards are shown as I dislike any notoriety.
Your books are wonderful but you must not expect the reading or
money making world to buy them as they don't want to think & ...

[remainder missing, possibly not copied from collection]








Monday, Sept. 18th [1939]

Dear Aleister,

Will you go to Le Chatier Sarve in St James Street and ask them
if they can mount my drawings in the same way as the ones you have
as a sample. If it would not bother you perhaps you could take one
with you. Also please ask the price. I have thought of Green &
Stone but they haven't any good assistants now & can't be trusted.
There was a very good man on the left going down Pelham Street,
small shop with a few frames hanging up & if he still exists he did
some fine framing & mounting for Nick & was not too dear, but I
don't remember his name. The Rowley Gallery in Church Street,
Notting Hill Gate can do the work but they are fussy & very
opinionated. I am particularly anxious to get the drawings covered
with a non inflammable talc of which the departed assistant at
Gates had the name. I wonder if you could extort from Blow-Bubbles
what it was called.
I do not find the names of the Cards in the Index you have sent
at all illuminating in fact it took me hours to sort which was
which. They are much too flamboyant, & I prefer the old names don't
you. I hate all those rushing words & feel I've alighted in
Taliesom. What am I to print in the surrounds, because I won't do
them wrong, it is very hard work.
I have done the 10 of Swords & promptly Russia takes up arms.
Where are we going! You haven't sent me the notes on the Fool. Did
you no-tice.
Have you seen that all the Sephiroths in the Index are spelled
wrong, at least nearly all--an awful bother if they get printed
like that. Also I don't feel you have made it clear about Tzaddi--
The Emperor. Can't you have a diagram? I have been reading your
book to Ann Christie in the evenings & altho she is very interested
she could not understand your book and I am not sure I did in the
end. It will be a point about which there will be the most argument.
Is there any reason for the 2 loops except secrecy? Surely! & if not
why not undo the loop & is the Emperor to be numbered 17 or IV or 4
or 17 ditto Star also Strength XI and Justice VIII. I expect I have
still got it all wrong but if I have, you must be clearer because I
am only just below sub-normal intelligence. A bientot

Frieda Harris

[P.S.] I can't go & see Fox owing to petrol ban, neither can he
come & see me & who is Miss ?Beddulph anyhow & where is she. I will
try & make you a beautiful diagram if you could make a rough

[manuscript diagram]

& I think we could have 4 & 17 on a swivel to twist 'round. Quite
amusing also the Sun could have the Zodiac pushed round.








Rolling Stone Orchard
Chipping Campden
Glos

Nov. 3rd, 1939

Dear Aleister,

The picture did not arrive because my friends at Woolstaplers
Hall were away & the house shut up & you know I have never lived
there, & when your letters don't arrive it is because they are away
& there is no one to take in letters. It would be much better to
write to the above address. The picture has arrived safely now. I
have written to Michael Juste. Steptoe must have finished more
photographs as he sent me the account.
I think I have found someone to continue stretching the pictures
& mounting them at Leamington & am going to see him on Sunday I
hope. There is a lot of work to be done on those mounts.
I think it would be a good plan if you could arrange to come
here one day next week & see the Swords. I have a superstitious
horror of bringing them all unbalanced to London.
As it is, we are driven mad with soldiers here & if I don't get
on with the Pantacles this will be a garrisson town (I know that is
incorrectly spelt but I have no dictionary & the longer I look at
it the more peculiar it looks).
I find the pub "The Noel Arms" is quite nice. Would next
Tuesday suit you. There is a good train from Paddington 1.45
arriving Chipping Campden 4.24 & a station bus to bring you from
the station. You might like to stay Wednesday & return Thursday as
they tell me, the rooms are not available at the week-end. Please
let me know at once if this is possible for you--I shall hope you
will come as my guest. I will send ticket if I can.
I only hope the Swords are alright for I can't do them again.
I have followed your instructions with meticulous care.
About yr curtains. The ones at Whiteleys are much too small.
Those windows are enormous. If you need them Mr Blanche tells me
she has seen some blankets which will look alright. I have used
them here instead of curtains & find them most cozy & look quite
nice. I do not want to buy curtains for that flat as I want to give
it up.
I am doing the King of Pantacles. I didn't like what I had
done. Someone has lent me a genuine flail--it is like this

[manuscript drawing of flail]

a lovely instrument of solid wood. Most difficult to manage.
Why don't you like my egg question. Is it because you don't
know the answer? I think it is interesting because the living egg
must be charged with, let us call it, electric current to make it
move. To me it is a magical feat. I thought it would be to you.
There is no trick and it is the country people's method of testing
eggs here.

Yours ever

F. H.









Dear Aleister Mohammed,

Princess & Child doing well.
I will try to answer your letter clearly.

I. I have a diagram of the Twist of the Zodiac. Would you like
me to make a conventional diagram of your rough?

II. Would you send your notes with a paper fastener {drawing]
not a clip [drawing] as the thing comes undone & I can't put the
papers in right order & get eyestrain?

III. Alright about Hylton, have attended to it.

IV. I sent that heading of the border as I was not certain it
was right. I am not sure what to do. I shall have to try again. Of
course I can devide Wands & Disks so that they look dqually & I
don't want a crowd of printing at the bottom but I will try out
what you suggest. "More work for the undertaker" says I.

V. In reference to your books--I suppose you know that most of
them would be easier for a Beginner written in Sanscrit & that
anyone reading them would go off their heads. Therefore the Wise
("like myself") take them in snappy bits & only when they are
feeling strong. Also they are very exciting & I can't live on hot
curry tho you can--I can't even remember what I meant by that Nanny
Nanny [?]. I'm glad I was unintelligible, such a change round for
you, & anyhow I don't care for just look at the stucco work you
have planned out for me--"Push the Cups deeper! Twist the whole
card round" Oh! but these things are all on 1 plane &, unless I
start applique or sculpture, it can't be begun.

However I knew we should have to do something, & as far as the
paper, the texture, the design, will endure I will do as you say. I
will also do a new Justice, damn her. Do you think there was ever
"a woman satisfied"? With what a smirk she would greet the dawn.
But, all the same, I want to finish all the experimental work
first, tho Mercury is yelling to re-enter the Womb & Incarnate with
his Companions. I mean to plod thro the Pantacles & the Universe, &
by that time, you'll be able to alter all the Cards & have them in
& out of costly frames & we will finish like Alice through the
Looking Glass by having the whole pack on our heads. Goodnight.


F. H.









57, Petersham Road,
Richmond, Surrey.

19th December, 1939.

Dear Frieda,

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.

Benediction arrived this morning arrived from Father Jackson. I
am very happy and grateful.
I was going to send you a classic of purity, but I have not yet
been able to get the special copy that I had intended for you. I have
been terrifically worried. I have not had a word from Germer since
his letter of November 30th, and this is very unusual. Normally, I
hear at least once, more often twice a week. This has meant
continuous anxiety and frustration.
My characteristic idiocy has just been giving another
demonstration. I have been wondering for a week why it hurt to
carry coal upstairs, and it only dawned upon me last night that it
was lumbago, so I then turned on the infra-red and it was all right
in half an hour. This is a very strange thing about me; something
goes wrong, which is perfectly familiar, and I know the remedy
quite well, and I am simply unable to put two and two together. I
don't know why that is. A very queer psychological kink.
Now your letters received yesterday. Your paragraph 1. Yes,
please make a conventional diagram.
Your paragraph 2. I cannot accept your terminology for either
of the unsatisfactory instruments occasionally employed for keeping
papers together. I have acted however, on the indications afforded
by your sketches. Freud would deduce a great deal from your
preference.
Your paragraph 3. Thanks very much about Hylton.
Your paragraph 4. The word "divide" has for many years been
years been used by myself in preference to what is no doubt the
correct expression "devide". I know of course that division can be
done in this lop-sided fashion, but I do not like the spoiling of
the winged globe in any case, an an even more serious objection is
that you are making particularly shadowy the one thing that should,
by rights, be the most clear.
Your paragraph 5. You can't get out of it like that. I believe
the basis of the feeling is that there should be a special
prerogative to understand spiritual matters, a feeling of
heirship. The fact remains that you do not employ such arrogant
impertinence with regard to such subjects as logic and mathematics.
Bertrand Russell is certainly a thousand times more difficult than
ever I am, but you understand him better because you accept the
postulate, that subjects like these must be worked at, as with me
you are annoyed.
My experience of satisfied women is that they do greet the dawn
with a smirk; if not the dawn, any time up to five o'clock in the
afternoon, and only when it wears off does one have to start all
over again.
I have long foreseen the "Alice in Wonderland" conclusion of
our labours, but that if you remember was the signal for the
awakening to the beauty of life.
I got the photographs with great joy. I do not remember the
colours of the Three of Swords, but the centre of the rose should
be deep crimson, and the veins of the petals black and very wavy.
Ten of Cups. This is admirable, but I can't tell much about the
background; it ought to look menacing. There is something very
sinister about this card. It suggests the morbid hunger which
springs from surfeit. The craving of a drug addict is the idea. At
the same time, of course, it is this final agony of descent into
illusion which renders necessary the completion of the circle by
awakening the Eld of the All-Father.
These notes on Justice, or as we have preferred to call her
'Adjustment'. Please note this title. In reading through my
description of the card, I noticed a correction to be made, Phalax
should be Phallic. There are several mistakes in spelling and
punctuation, but no doubt you can put these right by your own
ingenium. I suppose I was in a very bad temper when I made my
criticism, but I do feel strongly that the plumes of Maat are too
insignificant, and the Dove and Raven look simply stuck on; nor do
I think that the tessellated pavement is quite right. The general
criticism is that the card is a little too cold; Liber is the sign
of autumn, season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, close-bosomed
friend of the maturing sun. In your card you have got the idea of
balance static, whereas it ought to be dynamic. Nature is not the
grocer weighing out a pound of sugar; it is the compensation of
complicated rhythms. I should like you to feel that every
adjustment was a grande passion; compensation should be a festival,
not a clerk smugly pleased that his accounts are correct. It seems
to me that this doctrine is very important as a commentary on the
text "Existence is pure joy", and I feel sure that the connection
of Venus and Saturn with the sign is significant in this respect.
The compensation is surely the awakening of the Eld of the All-
Father, the constant reproduction of the original purity from the
last stage of illusion. (Compare what I said above about the number
Ten).
What an extraordinary thing to say! To retain one card may be
different from all the other cards. The great difficulty of this
whole work is to make a completely harmonious pack; that is why I
wrote so strongly about the private Private View.
Your feeling about having no forms and faces is merely
symptomatic of modern soul-sickness. It is lack of confidence in
one's creative powers. It is the root of homo-sexuality as
understood in this country and of all these crazy movements, the
Neo-Thomists, and the Buchmanites and the Dadaists and the
Surrealists. Picasso took it far enough; he tried to paint a chair
which could not be any particular chair, and must therefore have no
colour and no form, but as every chair, in order to be a chair,
must have a support for the human frame, he did a horizontal line.
But this is metaphysics and not art; all these half-sexed, half-
witted people, sicklied o'er with the pale caste of thought, I
cannot believe that any of them will ever command either the
Exeter, the Ajax or the Achilles, and any man who is not
potentially capable of doing that, is not a man at all; he may be
some kind of pudding, and I hold no brief against puddings, but all
these people who resent simplicity resent manhood, they weave their
own onanistic web of nastiness; these are the shells cast off from
the Tree of Life, these are the larvea of abomination. It has been
your evil fortune to have far too much to do with such people
without a proper clinical training, such as would have enabled you
to diagnose their malady; they have small orts of cleverness
without any breadth of vision or balance, without the sense of
space, of nature, of fresh air. Their fiddling little ingenuities
appeal to you rather as a chess problem or a jig-saw puzzle appeals
to some of us in moments of idleness, but you did not have the
psychological and pathological knowledge to keep you from making
the fatal false step over the precipice of common sense; you have
taken these abortive insects seriously. It is perfectly true in one
sense to say that the only thing to be done is to fill up some
stupid official paper correctly, but that is only true within the
universe of discord of that paper, and the belief in thee
artificial ingenuities is liable to become a nightmare, and that is
when you do have to say "It's nothing but a pack of cards."
The whole world as I see it is at present lost in constipations
of this kind; the real needs of humanity are what they have always
been, food, shelter, love and freedom. That, roughly speaking, is
the general true will of the species, and all devices, which are
not subservient to this will, are errors.
To return to `Adjustment'; those birds bother me very much. I
don't think they belong. I think they come from Noah's Ark. It
would be better to simplify this card by leaving them out
altogether. I feel sure that when you get the Venus and Saturn
dancing motive firmly in your mind, you will produce a lady whom
you will like better.
I must emphasise that this fear of faces is an appalling
symptom of cowardice. It is surely a natural instinct to connect
expression with moral ideas, and it is moral ideas, or more
correctly magical ideas, that you are out to illustrate. It did not
matter so much in this particular card because of the tradition of
Justice being blind, but on the other hand, the masking of the face
suggests deceit which is the absolute opposite of the intention of
the card; it was the familiars of the Inquisition, it was the
Vehngericht that administered what they called Justice, hooded.
Impartiality is a lovely idea, but it doesn't get you very far; if
the impartial person may be impersonated by a demon of malignant
darkness.
I will now try to do you something about Mohammed.

Love is the law, love under will,

Yours fraternally,

[Aleister Crowley]

Rolling Stone Orchard.
Chipping Campden.

Jan. 7, 1940


Dear Aleister,

The 26 cards have gone to be mounted, so we are beginning to be
terrifyingly finished. There are several I should like to try again,
but none of them are what I have hoped to be able to do. Therefore
tonight I am the victim of the most profound hump, and I think in
future I had better stick to mechanical typing. Also I have been
reading your truly magical Liber L.X.V. Oh no, I do not pretend to
apprehend it, only it is like music, and the only kind of writing I
want to read, only it makes me feel as if I lived in a desert and I
am mighty thirsty. Shall I never get on a bit? Yoga practices I
never seem to advance in. I cannot live more quietly, but even then
the business of living takes time. I am positively alarmed at the
prospect of the end of this work, as if I do not get any more handed
to me, I shall have to return to the awful life I have escaped from
in my conscience during the last 2 years, and I doubt if I can. I do
not think the ritual of Magic is much good to me, I seem to have to
draw everything I want to understand. Thank you beyond words for all
your help patience and understanding. At any rate, thanks to that,
you have penetrated a slight amount and in the far distance I can
see a bit what the Wisdom of the past and the present might mean. I
do wish I could do better, I feel like a lump of undigested suet.
No. 2 Disks is on the stocks, is the serpent's eye to be red? It
is a bit awkward, as there are several colours introduced in that
card which do not belong to Jupiter and Capricorn, I mean the 4
element colours and they make inharmonious patches. Did you say
anything about jewels on the serpent? I think you will like him. The
vile lettering will have to start again, it makes me cross and ache
all over.
I am longing to have a go at Mercury, but I am determined to do
the Universe first. I have told the man not [to] fasten any cards in
the frames, so we can look at them very carefully, it will be awful,
but I must get them as nearly right as I can, tho the bother is that
watercolours are the devil to alter, even if I were sure that the
addition was going to fit in with the design, and altho I can redo,
it is not possible to regain the memory of the emotion and one tends
to produce a bad copy.

Yours ever Frieda

[P.S.] What happened in 1547 because I woke up today saying "Don't
forget 1547". Has it any sense?






Rolling Stone Orchard

Jan. 28, 1940



Dear Aleister,

Thank you for your letter.
The No. 5 is also done.
About the Stafford Galleries. I think the best way of handling
Ala Story will be for me to invite her for the weekend, show her the
cards & let the suggestion that she should show them come from her.
Percy has offered to drive her down & it was all fixed up, when she
developed a cold & could not come. She is an erratic cove & from
long experience of her I am sure she is more likely to function if
she is allowed to think she is the originator of any business
scheme. In spite of her alluring manners she is fundamentally a very
capable business woman & she won't be persuaded to do anything that
will not mean publicity or money.
There is one more thing--I do not think those cards will sell
if you include any sort of ritual. People generally are afraid of
being made fools of, getting bad luck by associating with black
magic, especially at these times, when all the world is crossing
itself to avert the evil eye, & the secular business man, whose
money you need if the cards are to be reproduced, simply will not
touch anything in the nature of a stunt for fear of offending his
general public.
I humbly suggest that we let Ala advertise it in her own way,
keeping very much in the background, for my part anonymously & so
stimulate the curiousity of the public & the critics. The whole
production will be unusual enough to make a mark, that is if I have
done my part well enough, & I have observed that a well staged
mystery is a magic of great value in attracting attention. I would
even like to suggest that you do not sign your work either. To
those, who know your lucid prose & classic style, it will be
unmistakable, to the general public, it will be taken as a shock,
but, without the suspicion that you, Aleister Crowley, are either
attempting to pull their leg or poisoning them with some dangerous
new creed in the attempt to raise funds or the wind. In my case I
should be acused of trying to learn them, & anyhow why should we
respect this insane art when "Percy Harris ought to have the poor
thing locked up, he can afford it, only he is too mean."
THE WEATHER. I don't find it too bad. It is really lovely to
look at. The trees are incased in ice, I have never seen anything
like it, & living & walking, everything ordinary has assumed a rare
& dignified aspect with the elements completely out of control.
Also, the howling wind, & this new invention "icisny" which is
neither raining or snowing, keeps everyone away, so I can read,
paint, or cook to my entire satisfaction, also slither up & down the
ladder to my studio which provides the necessary exercise & danger
to stimulate me & keep me warm.
But it is much too cold for you to brave the train, also I am
not quite ready to show enough work I should like to have the
Universe done first, so I shall stop & take another brood on it.
The still life I sent you is the favorite "eat" of the
Cotswold. I ate mine after posting some to you & I must confess,
though tasty & strong meat for us babes, it did seem a bit tough,
but I hoped your genius would lead you to discover how to cook them,
I only baked mine in butter.

Goodnight

Yours fraternally

Frieda Harris

[P.S] I should like hours of brain-picking with you. I have 1000 of
things I want to ask you, I shall never remember when I see you!
Qaballa, Chinese, Eddington medley & questions & demands for your
sage & onion explanations pierce the ether all round me.

Have you by any chance heard G.P. Wodehouse's masterpiece on the
wireless [...]! Saturday afternoons.





[first portion of letter apparently missing]


Do not forget those pictures are set now & difficult to alter.
I have no stimulus from you about the Princes--but I am doing
an oil when I can extract a few minutes, so they can wait your
Breath.
A few pointers seem to indicate a journey to Devonshire in
early December or November. Liman North Devonshire Aleister Torquay
& Raufman at Minehead. If I can I want to take the short course of
geometry 3 weeks in Dec. under Raufman at Minehead. It will clarify
some of my geometrical conceptions. He has sent me very good notes
on the cone.
So I hope to see you soon. Don't, Aleister, say "like me a
little". If I may aspire to such a position, your are my friend &
when my friends are rude to me I cannot remember it. They remain the
cone, the eye, the node, from which is generated all the pleasure I
have in life.

Love is the law, love under will.

Au revoir

Frieda Harris

93 93/93

[P.S.] I don't know. I think this little a bit savvy don't you--it
is late. I feel as flat as the sole I ate for supper. Carelessly
cooked it was & so, so, dull. [small drawing of a flat sole]

Rolling Stone Orchard
Chipping Campden

Sunday May 11th 1941

My dear Aleister,

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

In reply to yours.
Ala's address is
Mrs. Ala Storey
c/o Miss Elizabeth Hudson
120 East 39th Street
New York
I will telegraph to her. Will you write to Germer.
I return your letter.
The Winged Beetle is at Felix Cross'. I will ask him to post it
on first thing on Monday.
Now about the Exhibition.
Mercury is evidently wishing to hold it--
Nicholson, Venn High Street Oxford have offered me their
Gallery. I have taken it & am going there on Monday to see them.
I found a most superb leaflet advertising an illuminated book
called the Haggadah selling at [L]100 & brought out by the
Beaconsfield Press. I was so impressed by it that I went to London
to see them & found the work was done by the Sun Engraving Co. who
were able & wishful to print the cards and the book, but at a
price!!!!
Since then I have received many suggestions, impossible to
write to you such vague ideas, but the Exhibition may help the cards
to sell or subscribers may be found to finance the publication.
Now then, I must come & see you, there are matters that I must
discuss with you, not write them.
I have had an invitation printed for the General Public, just a
card which is at the printers (I have put no name for the artist, I
don't want to, something informs me that I am lost if I take credit
or publicity in designing the cards as an artist). Please understand
this, no one else can.
The catalogue will be sent direct to you but it will be
expensive & if we make more than 10% alterations in the proof, it
will have to be paid for again.
I have had a wrapper for the catalogue made by the Sun
Engraving Co. This will be beautifully printed with the Magician
reproduced perfectly as a card, the right size & engraved on it.
This will be on the catalogues to be sent out to anyone likely to
[be] & charged 2/6 for at the Show. The block for this was so dear
that I had to have the Catalogue done more cleaply elsewhere.
I have seen Houghton & I will tell you what he said.
Please stay at Torquay. I shall be in London & Oxford till I
come on to you & I can't stay with you, as I must come back & get on
as you will see--I will telegraph but I expect to get to you on
Wednesday evening, if I can collect the Catalogue proof & the 4
princes by then.
The alteration of Abracadabra (Charioteer) & the Taurus Disk
card are complete.
Please forgive this brief statement, it is because I know you
are so lucid and logical that I can write & tell you I have taken
such arbitrary action without consulting you as you will realize
this was a moment to say "Snap!"
Love is the law, love under will.

Yours ever,

Frieda Harris

P.S. I have written to Michael to tell him the drawings are in the
dug-out in the orchard & should anything happen to me, he has, in
collaboration with you--the right to remove the drawings for the
purpose of publishing them. The same applies to you as witness my
name here.

Frieda Harris

Rolling Stone Orchard

May 21st [1941]

My dear Aleister,

Love is the law, love under will.

I am so sorry for all your troubles. We are both getting too
excited & it attacks one in ones particular weakness, so I lose my
head & you your breath. I am sending you [L]6: I don't know how but
I will also try to wire it tomorrow.
I have only just got your letters returned today after
travelling from 11 A.M. to 7.30 P.M. Sitting in stations & huddling
with savage soldiers & children in stuffy railway carriages. Nick
was worth it & I had a view of a destroyer.
But I called in at Oxford on the way home & wrote 20 letters
with Ettinghausen. He is splendid and makes new suggestions every
minute. Only we must tread very cautiously. It makes me nervous but
I mean to do what I can to pull this off & how we will sit back if
only we can interest a few people who will put up some money. That
is the object of this show & we must act entirely for this so do
trust me, I feel this is an election & I have my hand on the popular
pulse & Horus is the candidate. I am working 16 hours a day,
writing, & thinking & I go to Oxford on Monday to meet the Vogue
representatives & I hope a few of the Press & try to rope some in.
Please forgive me if I do not write as often as you expect. I
am really working at high pressure, there is a lot of social smiling
to be done & keeping people in a good temper, the travelling to &
fro is difficult & I write all the time I am in the train if I have
time.
It is now 11 P.M. Goodnight.
Probably will be able to send you picture reproduction in a few
days.
Catalogue not come through yet.

Love is the law, love under will.

Frieda

[P.S.] Thank you so much for saying the last three years have been
good. I thank you too, you know I do. Have you got enough cards? I
sent you some more but I shall have to get more printed if you do.
They are disappearing [...] good!





Rolling Stone Orchard
Chipping Campden

May 26th 1941

My Dear Aleister--

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

I have just received your letter. It is a bit of a bomb that
you are evicted. So difficult & tiring for you.
Now then--you have always asked me to tell you the truth & I am
writing a truth to you which I find difficult to convey delicately
but I must do so.
The opposition against you in Oxford is very strong. My
business is to get money to publish these cards if possible & this
is nearly impossible in the present war-condition. I have been
successful thro using what influence I possess in getting at people
with money to come & see the Exhibition. This is using my social
position foully. If they suspected that the cards were inspired by
the Arch Magician of Black Magic (what do they mean?) they would
withdraw their patronage. I have had this conveyed to me politely &
impolitely. Therefore if you come to the Private View or show up in
any prominence this attempt to launch the cards is doomed & all the
work & money lost. Can you be so large-minded & detached as to keep
away until the thing is launched--If you court notoriety, it is sure
to appear ultimately that you are the source because so many people
know it & I am really afraid of the avalanche which will fall on me.
I am trying to keep out too because I am bored by occult
people, loathe commercialism, do not want fame or notoriety, do not
want money, but yearn, long, desire for solitude. Any financial
success will be yours. I have had my reward in the work.
Now my honoured, esteemed colleague, reply to me & trust me--

Love is the law, love under will.

Yours really troubled

Frieda Harris

[P.S.] The proofs have not turned up yet in spite of telegrams &
letters. I enclose a letter from Gunn. Not propitious also.

[At head of letter]: It was a lovely day today, are you better &
could you get out?

Rolling Stone Orchard
Campden

March 25th [1942]


My dear Aleister,

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

I hastily return your sample sheet as I don't trust papers a
minute, it would get away I am sure.
1. It's lovely paper.
2. The type looks very nice.
3. The price is not outrageous but surely the size, if you mean
to put the book in with the cards, is too big. Perhaps you mean to
publish without, in which case I think you should at least have the
photographs of the cards reproduced don't you think?
I enclose a cutting from the Evesham Journal. Written by Gosse
& quite good I think.
I am having a funny time with the Show, very stuffy old ladies
& very ancient men. But the children! I don't understand, they crowd
in after school. I must have had at least 8 little boys today & they
ask intelligent questions & go solemnly round & stare. I have amused
myself with asking them which one they liked. Oh yes! they know at
once & generally I find it is the picture which fits with the month
in which they have been born. But one little boy aged 6, a little
gnome-like person obstinately declared for the Aeon. I tried to move
him but he clung to it--. What chord did it strike in him? Those
clear eyes looked so gravely at me.

"I walked home with a gold dark boy
And never a word I'd say
Chimborazo, Cotopaxi
Had taken my speech away

I gazed entranced upon his face
Fairer than any flower
O shining Popocatapetl
It was thy magic hour

The houses, people, traffic seemed
Thin fading dreams by day,
Chimborazo, Cotopaxi
Had stolen my soul away."

Also a little person aged 2, scuttling & crawling, was asked
which picture: Straight she went to No 2. Cups, Love. I though she
would forget & asked her again 10 minutes later & she toddled off
to the same picture. "That" she said again.
Then they asked me "What is the meaning of `Lust'." That's a
knockout blow for a poor adult.
So somewhat timorously I said "Well you must understand the
feeling of it. Now how do you feel if you see nice chocolates &
there, you get them & how good they taste. That is a picture of how
you feel about those chocolates." And then we had a lovely
conversation about our favorite sweets & yum yum over sticky toffee
& the sweets that took longest to suck. But such concentration, how
I envied them.
I will try to send you Sol in Aries picture. [?] Mercury is
photographed but do I know I like him. We shall tell when we see the
photographs but all these reproducers are constipated. Where are the
2 new cards from the Sun--Oh dear!
I hope Pussy has sent you the poems by now. It is my fault I
have been supine. My rib is better but stops sleep.

Love is the law, love under will.

Yours ever,

Frieda




Rolling Stone Orchard
Campden

May 9th [1942]

Dear Aleister,

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

I have written to Pearson to ask him to send you a copy of an
estimate which I have been trying to get from the Sun Engraving.
This, it was agreed, should cover all possible expences & give us
1000 packs of cards at [L]1/10 each instead [of] [L]10 a pack & only
a 100 packs. This includes boxes & any additional expence not tax
which must be left to the Sun Engraving to arrange with their usual
agent.
I am concerned at this part payment & buying single blocks. It
is not a good proposition because the question arises is the new
block the property of Hylton, yours or mine or whose?
I foresee great complications & would suggest we should have a
3rd party to whom all subscriptions should be paid, even if it means
forming a limited Tarot Co. with a treasurer.
How would Madge Porter do if I could get her to take it on?
If you don't like that idea--would Hylton do it or Cecil. You &
I with the possible chance of profits (I don't think) should not be
recipients of casual cheques or we shall soon be accused of
embezzling same. So far I have paid for everything & the question
has not arisen.

Love is the law, love under will

Yours

Frieda Harris

[P.S.] I am very feeble. I can't do a day's job & everyone seems to
lean on me & hope I will do it for them--I feel nothing is worth
troubling about except leisure.






Rolling Stone Orchard
Campden

May 14, 1942

My dear Aleister,

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

I am sorry I cannot allow my pictures to be reproduced as a
pack of cards unless I know who the person is who is putting down
the money, the exact details of your plan and how you propose to
raise so large a sum and am satisfied that the securities are real
business proposition and the scheme is a sound one.
As all this fuss and worry is too much for me will you kindly
write fully to my bank manager and not to me, as in future I want to
leave these complicated business agreements to experts.
I shall not reply to you again about them or discuss them with
you.

Love is the law, love under will.

Yours,

Frieda Harris.

[P.S.] The Sun Engraving have enough cardboard to do 1000 packs.
Address The Bank Manager Midland Bank Chipping Campden Glos.

[Crowley to Pearson, the photoengraver]



STRICTLY PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL WITHOUT PREJUDICE


140 Picadilly,
W.1.

May 29th, 1942.

Dear Mr. Pearson,

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Thank you for your letter received this morning. In view of
future relations I think it of the utmost importance that I should
make the situation clear to you. I should have preferred to do this
by word of mouth; and yet perhaps a letter may, in the long run,
serve the purpose better.
As you know, odd cards have been reproduced by you as funds
became available.
My very old and very dear friend Mr. Hylton was good enough to
send me [L]15.-.- for the purpose of producing one more trump, but
on discovering that two could be done for an extra [L]5.-.- or a
little less, I sent you the additional amount out of my own pocket.
Lady Harris, naturally, accepted this enthusiastically, and
sent you the originals necessary.
Let me say in parenthesis that one of the principal points in
wishing this to be done was that a friend of mine, who is proposing
to finance the entire production, wanted to see one of the smaller
cards, so that he might feel sure that they would stand up to the
trumps.
The next thing is that, to my amazement, I received a letter
from Lady Harris, including the following passage:--

"I am concerned at this part payment and buying single blocks. It
is not a good proposition because the question arises is the new
block the property of Hylton, yours or mine or whose?
I foresee great complications & would suggest we should have a
third party to whom all subscriptions should be paid,
even if it means forming a limited Tarot Co. with a treasurer.
How would Madge Porter do if I could get her to take it on?
If you don't like that idea--would Hylton do it or Cecil. You
and I with the possible chance of profits (I don't think) should not
be recipients of casual cheques or we shall soon be accused of
embezzling same."

Lady Harris never reads my letters carefully. I had told here
that these blocks were a present to us.
Madge Porter is a dear little old lady, who lives in a remote
cottage in a wood some distance from Newbury. She is only
approachable by a cart-track through the wood, and has no telephone.
I wrote to Lady Harris explaining the situation and then
received the following letter:

"May 14, 1942

"My dear Aleister,

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

I am sorry I cannot allow my pictures to be reproduced as a
pack of cards unless I know who the person is who is putting down
the money, the exact details of your plan and how you propose to
raise so large a sum and am satisfied that the securities are real
business proposition and the scheme is a sound one.
As all this fuss and worry is too much for me will you kindly
write fully to my bank manager and not to me, as in future I want to
leave these complicated business agreements to experts.
I shall not reply to you again about them or discuss them with
you.

Love is the law, love under will.

Yours,

Frieda Harris"

If only she would have stuck to that! But instead of leaving
things to her Manager, she takes away the originals from you. I
suppose that you had already started work on the two cards. I can
well understand your annoyance.
I should like to emphasise that I am absolutely devoted to Lady
Harris, and have the evidence of countless acts of kindness on her
part, indicating that her feelings toward me are similar.
But from time to time she is subject to fits of panic in which
she does the most incomprehensible things. For instance, she writes
to people who are perfect strangers to her with the object of
interfering with their relations with me. I do not wish to quote
incidents, but I assure you that the facts are astounding.
To recur to the present situation. In the first place, I have a
two-thirds interest in this work on the Tarot. As to the cards
themselves, in nearly every case she has done her painting from
sketches made by me, and in every case the design and meaning of the
card and the particular colours to be used have been entirely my
work. There has been no cause of dispute. In fact, she has been most
docile in adapting herself to my requirements; in some cases I have
made her do the card over again as many as six or seven times.
There is no reason whatever why she should go back on the
proposition to reproduce these two cards. You told me that her
reason was that she though four should have been reproduced at once.
But in that case why not tell me? I should gladly have put up the
additional money required.
I am sorry to have had to write to you at such length, about
what is, after all, nothing at all; and I daresay that you were
quite right in suggesting to me over the telephone that if she were
left alone she would come to her senses.
But the point at issue is this: I cannot possibly ask my friend
to put up [L]1600 if at any moment she is liable to dash in on an
impulse and whisk the originals away!
For this reason, I am going to ask my solicitors, Messrs.
Gisborne & Lewis, 10 Ely Place, W.1., to draw up a proper business
Contract, which will make it impossible for her to interfere with
the work, once the financial arrangements with my friend are
completed.

Love is the law, love under will.

Yours sincerely

Aleister Crowley

[P.S.] It seems important that you should understand my motive. To
me this Work on the Tarot is an Encyclopoedia of all serious
"occult" philosophy. It is a standard Book of Reference, which will
determine the entire course of mystical and magical thought for the
next 2000 years. My one anxiety is that it should be saved from
danger of destruction, by being reproduced in permanent form, and
distributed in as many distant places as may be. I am not anxious to
profit financially; if I had the capital available in this country,
I should send (say) 200 copies to State Libraries in all parts of
the world, and as many more to my principal representatives.

A.C.

Saturday, July 12th [n.y.]

Dear Aleister,

I am quite unable to find the O.T.O. papers. I saw them at
Richmond, I think, in London at Morton House. But I have repeatedlly
looked there for them, it is useless to ask anyone else to look for
me.
Today I have had an exhaustive & exhausting search in all my
papers here.
Can I have a fresh copy!
I enclose [L]4-4.
I think I am not sufficiently instructed to take such a
responsible job in U.S.A. I will do some work on it & you will
judge.
The Adjustment is being queer with me. She has, after all,
insisted on being Beardsley! Also Harlequin comes in & out of it so
I must have to submit. But why Harlequin? Is there any connection?
Also she won't sit down but stands on her toes just balanced. The
design-result is good. That blue is cobalt I take it. The
instruction says Blue-Blue green. Pale green Emerald. That Emerald
is a vile pigment in poster paints.
I like the idea of a weekly letter on the Chinese Yi. Also as
told to an idiot appeals to me & is frightfully good for you.
I feel I am on the move. The back of the Card will be done next
& the re-printing of mount.
What about the enlarged set of replicas. A big work but it can
be done.
I have sent you only 1 throw-out in order that you should not
become parcel-bound. You can have more.
I am so glad you are a bit better but I do think those bouts of
asthma must exhaust you.
The dentist at Stroud writes "Please let me have a pack of
those cards of which you show me the photographs. I can't get them
out of my mind." Which shows him!

Yours somewhat anxious about O.T.O. Papers

Frieda Harris





Dec. 11th [n.y.]

Dear Aleister,

Thank you for your letter I will reply later to that.
I am sending you a sample of the top of the surround of the
card as I have written "Swords" at the top. I find people cannot
tell Trumps from Swords or Cups from Disks so I propose to write
Swords, Cups, Disks, Wands, Trumps at the top. Owing to the black
out I think this particular sample Swords is too dark it should be
the same colour as the mount not to show so much. I may be able to
wash it down but I have to horde [sic] this mount as I can't get
any more--please return this one.
I have done as you suggested to the Swords. Thank you "Mr
Crowley". You were quite right.

Ever yours--

Frieda Harris

[P.S.] Tried again got it right by sponging only not quite the
texture I want--others will be better!





[n.d.]

Dear Aleister,

I have been struggling with a bad cold & the Lovers--the latter
begins to cheer up. I haven't decided whether I'll come back & brood
on the Fool or stay here. It depends on the crisis, the Austrian
Servants but I'd rather stay here.
Can you tell me where there are 92 elements according to the
Russian Mendelkeef (is it)? Also what do you know about Lilith. I
can't find out anything & believe I asked you before & you would not
attend to me. I can't make anything of the no 92. That is why I ask
you.
I hope you are all right.

Yours sincerely,

Frieda Harris

Cotswold House Hotel
Chipping Campden
Glos






Woolstaplers Hall
Chipping Campden
[n.d.]

Dear Aleister,

Please--I am working on the Fool & I've done the Lovers so do
not tartly say I am having a long holiday!
The caravan is a great success. Most cosey & so much easier
than a house. Your explanation of Lilith is not enough. She is a
piebald wench & not to be trusted but in some ways Eve is a Krugley
[?] Queen when compared with her.
I am glad the Falconer has caught your Hawk & that you are
happier.
I will struggle with the Fool. He does writhe about. I can't
see him. Has he got any children with him & is not his bag a
jester's balloon? That innocent gaiety asks for the brush of a saint
& my lines come out like treacle. I wish I could paint in crystals.

Yours sincerely,

Frieda Harris





[n.p., n.d.]

Dear Aleister,

I hope you are alright. I don't think you were at all lucid
about Lilith or the 100 years dead Russian however I hope you were
preoccupied with writing. I have been looking at Tao Teh King. Yes
it is an excellent book & like everything you write, only could have
been done by you & a most profound & lucid bit of thought. No
wonder you function so vilely on the living plane?
I am grappling with the Fool which continues to give me a gad
foot so that I can't walk except in a club-footed heavy way. Also
the caravan is fiercely cold & presents many obstacles. I have a
studio also fiercely cold & without any furniture except packing
cases, but that is a help. Directly the Fool is in a form to be
submitted to the Right Worshipable Master, I will return to the
Petrolitis in which we all endure.

Yours sincerely,

Frieda Harris






[n.p., n.d., mid-winter]

Dear Aleister,

I do hope it is going to come out, I am simply sweating. That
Fool won't stand still & I do hope it is going to be alright &
you'll be satisfied. I can't do it well enough--every sort of
obstacles, damp weather, intense cold, an impossible situation of
living in a caravan in mid-winter. I am more than duty [sic] but I
dare not leave as I must do this as well as I can without
interruption & I can hear the rumblings of a tumultuous world
through the apple trees. If only it is alright. It has got all the
symbols only I've never seen any traditional card like it & it has
gone so far from the little bearded man which it never was for it
appears to me as Christ & Budha [sic] & Harpo & Pierot [sic] &
Harlequin & the giant Pandah & every other foolish & adorable person
& or course I can't make a pastiche of all those tho I try & indeed
now I have forgotten how to spell.
Why haven't I got living fire which could weave musically
these beauties. I can't do it with pigment I want poetry & music &
light, not coloured chalks.
I do hope you're serious about this. You must be, you couldn't
have written Tao Teh King with yr. tongue in yr. cheek even with
your beastly cleverness & adroit subtlety.

Yours sincerely,

Frieda Harris

140 Picadilly
W.1.July 9 [1942]

Dear Kerman,

The Tarot is an Atlas of, and Guide Book to, the Universe. It
has been my daily study since Feb. '99, and my researches have cost
me several thousand pounds.
I have long determined to construct a pack embodying all the
new knowledge gained from Anthropology, Comparative Religion, & so
forth.
Lady Harris offered to execute the cards from my designs. It
was agreed that I should have a 2/3 share in the venture.
From my rough sketches & descriptions, under my continual
inspection, subject to my constant correction--I made her do some
cards over again 5, 6 even 8 times in one case--she made the set now
on show at the Berkeley Galleries. (There is one exception: the card
numbered I was not shown to, or authorized by, me. I suspect a trick
in this.)
She has damaged the property by offering it for sale at cost
price, thus alienating the libraries & booksellers, and reducing my
2/3 interest to nil.
I value the copyright at something like [L]20000. (A crude,
vilely drawn & coloured, ignorant, inferior pack, published in 1902
or thereabouts, has sold over 1000 copies every year since then at
15/- a copy. I am quite sure that these admirable cards, with my
book on the subject, which was to go with them in an ornamental box,
would bring in far more annual receipts. I have a large following in
U.S.A.--they send me [L]50 a month or more--which is growing
rapidly. Especially now my "Hymn for Independence Day" has been set
to music, and will be broadcast by the Cultural Garden League of
Cleveland, Ohio, on Aug. 9. There is also my Free French song (proof
enclosed). And the invention of the V-sign will ultimately benefit
my work.
I want first to establish my 2/3 claim in the copyright.
Secondly, my controlling interest in the cards themselves. If
necessary, damages for her sly, underhand, sneaking, dishonourable
and dishonest action in giving this show without my approval, and
destroying the whole value of the copyright.
N.B. The property right is actually vested in the O.T.O. (Mr.
Karl Germer 1007 Lexington Avenue New York City is my Grand
Treasurer General, and we had perhaps better sue in his name.
N.B. Lady H's real motive is to conceal her 4 years' close
association with me! Rather silly, then, to provoke a lawsuit!
I shall ring up Saturday A.M. early: perhaps you could lunch
with me.

Yours sincerely,

Aleister Crowley

P.S. A friendly settlement is being tried; don't do anything until I
see you again. A.C.




Thursday, May 5th [1943]

In reply to [yours of] Sept. 2nd received 2nd post today

Dear Aleister,

I think we should find it easier & prevent any friction for us
all, if this Miss Lopham, Lopham, Backett, Gill Chancery, Staple Inn
Holborn acts for me. I have written to her to communicate with you
at once & I think you will find it a great assistance to you as you
are not well, if she consults with you & puts us all wise on the
legal aspect & can interview Houghton for you. You can always
telephone to her. She is very sensible & knows my wishes & has
already met Houghton & been to Museum Street.
I hope you will find this satisfactory & will help you with the
responsibility.
I can always come up to London but as I am not a business-
woman, I am more likely to be obstinate in the wrong place than an
indifferent outsider, & if the contract is not carefully watched,
one of us will be accused of unfairness, so I think you will agree
this will protect us both.
I do wish you were better.
You say "I propose to arrange the terms of the contract with
Mike (you don't mention this at all, by the way, tho you should have
got my letter last Friday by the first post) so that (a) you are
relieved from the curse of the stipend (b) that I am enabled to see
the job thru myself--I feel sure that London is the place."
1. I never received a letter saying you proposed to arrange the
terms of the contract.
2. I have never complained of the stipend as you have always given
me so much in return.
3. I don't know what you mean about "London is the place."

[remainder of letter apparently missing]





[n.p., n.d.]

Dear Aleister,

I am sorry I have disgruntled you. If you mean the experience
of moving furniture I have a very varied one!
I am working hard, have done No 10 & No 9 Swords & nearly No 6.
I get frightfully stiff what a bore. Also I'm reading hard books
I've had no time for. This is a blessed relief, I hope I'll be able
to stay here & catch up a bit.
Now about Locke. Shall I write to him?
There is this curious old Rabbi, a student of the Kabala &
Numbers, a distinguished old scholar. I am guarantee for his
evacuation of Vienna & he is living at Staines.
Dr Muller
Melrose
Seacroft Staines
He wants to get a little work.
"He is a deep student of Hebrew."
He is in touch with Dr Saxl of the Warburg Institute.
Is he any use to you or to me & can you help him?
I believe he is rather remarkable. If you can do anything will
you write to him? I can't do much from here. I wonder is he any use
on the book as he's turned up several times in my path lately.
Have you finished Mercury? I read your notes yesterday, the new
ones. There's a lot from the original script that you gave me which
is missing. Can it be compressed in?
I'm worried about Mercury. I am only see him as I've drawn him
not so tricksey as you seem to know him. However I'll try. The Fool
[?...] up with him more than I want.

Yours ever,

Frieda





[n.p., n.d.]

My dear Aleister,

I haven't written in as those Swords are plaguing the very
devil with me. I can't get on--I've just finished the 8--now 10-9-2-
8 are done also nearly finished 3 but I keep on first with headache
& frightful fatigue, then fall down & cut my leg then burn my thumb
then your furniture aerial raid & the folk what fixes the gas stove
so that I am constantly driven to brandy or lying on my bed. So I
don't get on altho I feverishly wish to. Today I can't work--left
eye hurts like mad, it will be all right tomorrow. I must have tried
to finish the 8 in a bad light & did not notice--also [?...]
I am thinking a lot, at least I can attempt to think, but must
you send me 2 copies of all your work which necessitates so much
sorting. {?...] this afternoon. I can deal with it. I have been
thinking that the book would be lovely if it had opposite the
different trumps & playing cards a place like a photo-album where
the card could be slipped in instead of a separate pack. I find when
I read the script to Ann Christie she understands much better if I
give her the photograph of the card to look at all the time. perhaps
that will make the book too big but what a de luxe? Yes I sympathize
with your lethargy over the Tarot. I can scarcely bear these small
cards, so difficult to do so {?...], & all the time such awful
listening-in to the world conflict that I could scream. No I think I
must go thro with it & get them all done. The Lord of Science isn't
bad to do & interesting. The 3, the Briah dark sea, seems to me to
be most unpleasant! What about her? Send a line. I am going to do
the 6 & 7 at once--if I can stop getting sick & see too. Early
blackening is such a bore they are fiercely nosey & war-[?...]
here having nothing to do & I am, as usual an object of suspicion to
the Police & can't manage their changing regulations. Germany has
won any way so there is no {?one in my Wing]. There is no freedom &
the [...] smash-up all because of the feeling--don't-you-know--
there's a war-on has come to stay while the [...] up about the
streets in their helmets & truncheons & [...]-the-children. I hear a
woman was looking round the hotel for [...], no sugar thank you. I
have given up taking sugar, in my tea for the duration of the War!
One must do one's bit! And feeling I have reversed into 1914 I
mechanically put 6 lumps of sugar in my tea when I prefer it
without! One must maintain Balance in this unnecessary World. The
Ivory Tower is very thick. How goes your pigstye?

Yours in some distress,

Frieda Harris




[n.p., n.d.]

Dear Aleister,

I have been trying to sort the various typed papers I have
received from you on the Tarot.
The Trumps descriptions are complete.
The 9 Wands are separately described.
The 9 Cups " " "
The 9 Swords " " "
The 9 Disks " " "
The 4 Sword Court Cards are separately described.
The 4 Wand Court Cards not
The 4 Water " " not
The 4 Pantacles " " not
The 4 Aces are separately described.
________________________________________________________

Probably you have the missing ones but if not ought we not to
have a complete list?
________________________________________________________

I think I sent you the original notes you made on the Fool
asking you if you could incorporate some of it in the new notes
which I have. If you don't agree, anyhow let me have the original as
I like it best.
________________________________________________________

The Prince of Disks is a devil. I've been a whole week on him &
he is engendering a nervous breakdown in me coupled with starvation
as he gives me no time to eat. He is a bastard.
However I hope I have caught him today. He swells & swells & I
can't get him in the picture with all the farm produce & bulls you
suggest. Re the curtains--I have had some promised to me, have a bit
more patience I am on their track.
I like Sullivan better than the American Bum. Did you write the
latter? He is quite a nice person, but rather lopsided & has only
one means of approach & so do his chums. Pen won't write so I can't
think. I do hope you are better.

F. H.




Rolling Stone Orchard
Chipping Campden
Wednesday

[n.d.]

Dear Aleister

Got back Tuesday instead of Monday.
I am sending you the notes on the aces.
I haven't got them quite clearly in my head.
You say in your note on the Disc Ace.
Inside 0-10.
" 10 heptagrams
" 7 [drawing of mark of beast]
That is not clear to me. I know that the form is to be

[drawing]

About the Sword Ace
You mention an inscription to be done on the blade. Arabic
Damascened work. What is it? I have your weather chart-design.
________________________________________________________

I shall go on with the Fire Princess but please answer by
return as I feel I want to do the Aces.

F. H.






[n.p., n.d.]

My dear Aleister

1. I can't find Magick, Cap 0, on mathematics & philosophy of
0=2.
2. Is Vesica-piscis really the womb?
3. Why are there 72 decanates--72 names of God. I can
understand 36--3 houses for each zodiacal sign & anyhow am I to
divide the Universe into 72 parts? You say stars of the Zodiac--are
the stars to be the signs or the actual constellations?
4. Phallus & sun I understand. Kteis=? Moon--what is Kteis?
5. Which (of any particular form) is the Uraeus Serpent?
6. "The general meaning etc. Hence it is [ZOP in Greek]" does
that mean Azoth.
7. What is [HVAI in Hebrew]?
8. Can you get me any book which is simple on geomancy &
Watkins will send me the book if you would order it.
Keyte met me yesterday. He described you as "wonderful" so his
estimate of you was well-balanced.
I have been stodging up the remaining cards. The fortress or 4
Pantacles is well on the way.
Mercury is fussing dreadfully. How I should like to do them all
again. I am faintly beginning to understand what you are driving at.
Those 4 aces are going to be a riot.
It is so cold that I'm quite warm. (That is real A.C.)

Yours

Frieda Harris





[n.p., n.d.]

My dear Aleister,

I am a bit worried. The princess is behaving most queer! She
won't have any nice tidy lines & I really don't know if she will be
alright. She is certainly no relation of the first sample submitted.
I think when I have smacked her, I shall have to post her to you, &
you can tear her up or retain her as she strikes you. Oh dear I am
tired. I have battled with her blaring wriggles till the eye falls
out & she has burnt my throat & I can't swallow.
Now then.
No 2. Miss Bach has unearthed some form of Raven for the
Writing Desk to sit at & I think if I remember rightly it is a solid
feathered type but not a polished scion of old family. But perhaps
thrusting the knee in the aperture between the phalanx of drawers
you can! No! this is getting like the Princess, out of control.
I hope anyhow your honorable self will be satisfied.
Chang!
(Chinese note of inquiry)

[remainder of letter possibly missing]




[n.p., n.d.]

My dear Aleister

How difficult you are, so hopelessly muddling your finance is
unbearable & so is mine. Please do not explain & try to make matters
clear. They are not.
But for your magical retirement--bon voyage. I enclose the
coming week stipend & [L]3 & hope that will & should pay off the
hotel where you have stayed with your incorrigible grand manner &
perhaps you will be able to sink down in peace. I cannot spare any
more so don't worry me any more please. I do hope you are going to
have a lovely time. I envy you--I hope you will be able to bear it.
I can't redo the princes just now, I can only think about
painting a hen. I may try later but I'm stale on the Tarot & please
send me only notes on the Yi King not a volume of efforts to save my
historical sense or alter me because I am just going to find my own
way with questions to you, but on certain arguments with you it is
no good battering me with oaths & reasons.

Yours

F. H.

[P.S.] Please tell me if you wish to be left in silence for some
time.





[fragment from same period as previous letter, n.p., n.d.]

[Frieda Harris to Aleister Crowley]:

I have got the rejected copy of Atu XX.
Now would you like it as a present? I have meant to give it to
you for it is your Stele and you though it satisfactory enough to be
undecided whether to use it or the one we decided on. But now I
don't know whether it will be an additional burden to have any
possession?
I can't do anything about [?Murran] at present, because Pucy is
trying to arrange for me to go & spend a week-end with Liman (who is
at his country-house) & take the cards to show him before I go any
further with C & H.
Can you tell me a bit about the cone & the parabola.
Yes! I've looked in the dictionary.
Page 342 Magic Lection 4.
But I would like some more.
[...]

[end of fragment]





[n.p., n.d.]

My dear Aleister

All the Swords are finished & the 10 of Cups nearly, but I have
difficulty in getting the cards stretched. The picture from Michael
Just has not arrived so I can't show a sample to anyone. Will you
send on the enclosed letter to him as I have not got the correct
address here. I tried to insure the cards, but the valuation I put
on them ([L]1500), they wish to have some assurance that that is the
price for which I am selling them. They asked for Mr Just's address
& I could not remember it.
I find all this a bit up-hill. I am in solitary confinement,
doing my own house-work etc., not too bad only when I emerge from
this concentrated effort to do the cards & feel very peculiar.
Now for the pantacles.
Do try & answer me about the Aces. I feel broody about them. I
keep on thinking about those 4 elements & their mightiness & I fell
drowned in water, burnt with fire, cut by the air & dug into the
earth. The air feels to be the most solid & dead of them all, which
is odd, as it is supposed to be so light. No blood I suppose.
I can't make out the Tree of Life

Kether

Binah Chokmah
(F.) (M.)

then it seems to jump round & have below the Abyss the position of
the m[asculine] & f[eminine] altered, they swing over. Am I wrong? I
want to put on the left the receptive side & the power on the right.
I can't classify anything. More time here to think, but reading
tires my eyes. I suppose this will be done soon. At it again
tomorrow. Have you ever realized how much I have given up for this
work? Everything I possess & now I am become a nothing in a
wilderness.

Yours very tired

F. H.





Morton House
The Mall
Chiswick

[n.d.]

My dear Aleister

I have left at Morton House all my notes for the end of the
work. They are all together & were on my painting table. The Lord
knows where they are now. The geometrical designs all worked out &
all your notes & everything in order. I had them in a pink cover &
must have combined them with some spare copies. Please ring up &
insist that they find them. They may have been put in my cupboard as
I know they have been tidying up. They must be registered I can't
get on now, it is frantic.

Yours ever

Frieda





Morton House
The Mall
Chiswick

[n.d.]

Dear Aleister

No one can find my notes. Can you have typed & sent by return
all the swords except 3 swords, all the pantacles & the notes on
Queen, Princess Prince Pantacles with any of your remarks. Please
look carefully. Also 10 Cups missing & the notes on the Universe.

(These "notes" were dictated by A.C. to F.H. mostly in the
garden of Morton House. [Note by A.C.])

I do hope you have duplicates. Someone must have taken them out
of my case & they are so war-minded at Morton that notes &
manuscripts don't seem important & they are not able to understand.
I feel very ill.

Frieda

[P.S.] Steptoe must send me another photograph of the 2 of swords
also lost with notes.





Morton House
The Mall
Chiswick

[n.d.]

Dear Aleister

In enclose week stipend & also the 3-3 for the book. O.K. on
you as they don't say in literature.

Yours sincerely

Frieda Harris





Morton House
The Mall
Chiswick

Tuesday [n.d.]

My dear Aleister

I have been haunted all night by your complicated mind. You
really ought to have a [...] & if I may humbly draw you attention to
the fact that paper is only a surface & can't be made to hold things
behind & before, altho you, wrapt in the Spirit, can walk all round
them. Temperance is a kettle of fish, & listening to Beethoven last
night I realized what a fiasco he made when he tried to convey all
he knew in the last movement of the 9th & thereby giving up a
glimpse of the transformation scene in the Pantomime, instead of the
Pure Light of Heaven, having already led us thro the many coloured
lands. But forgive me, only I feel nervous. I think, looking at the
finished cards you will remember all the sequences you have
forgotten & I shall be crushed by alterations which will confuse the
structural design & any spectator without your knowledge & so suffer
little children to come unto thee & confuse them not by too much
symbolish & stay thy hand from poor Frieda's tormented visions.
About your Yoga book, another please forgive me.
Would it not (if you are publishing yourself all these already
beautiful books) be an idea if youy didn't have an edition de luxe
for the moment--as it would save expense. I believe if you give away
these books to friends. They are quite lovely enough to ornament any
library & be treasured & we are in such a state of transit that we
can't take heavy luggage in our aeroplanes.

Yours ever

Frieda Harris





Morton House
The Mall
Chiswick

Dear Aleister

I have just been reading your Tao Teh King. For goodness sake,
do try with those Trumps. There is no-one who thinks in the lucid
way you do, my little paltry cards are lost unless you illumine them
by your Art & for the sake of those poor little struggling chickens
squealing like Alice in the Looking Glass jury at the Grand Trial
Scene. For their sakes con you not have the courage to do another
masterpiece. But you feel ill. I know how feeble that makes one
because one doesn't make a plan. However I'm relentless, I'll go on
till you drop because it is worth it. The Poem, the preface are
magnificent.

Yours in admiration

Frieda Harris





The Golden Cockerel
Chipping Campden,
Glos.

Dear Aleister

Just got your letter. You will know I have the notes, but how
you got them out & sent them & none of those chuckle-heads at Morton
House know yet that you have done so, is indeed a mystery.
I am better, I know you are quite right, my spiritual state has
been sadly neglected, perhaps because I have been trying to paint &
live Percy's life at the same time.
Now these circumstances are giving me a chance. I have had 3
days rest, the first in 2 years & I've even had time to read a bit
of Magic & try to assimilate yr. book. How satisfying to ones inside
hunger. That old doctor told me I looked spiritually half starved &
you son't believe until the last 2 days I have not had time to feed
myself.
Now my reputation as a coward & shirker will protect me I hope
& I have had an opportunity while I have tried to cut the jungle
round my caravan to look at these glorious apples & pears on my
trees. They are so miraculous & so beautiful.
______________________________________________________________

I understand you & [Justy?] are juggling the furniture. Good.
Please I would like my own bed & pillows, eider-down & blankets, 2
arm-chairs a table to use in the back dressing room as it was Mothers,
a writing desk, the green dressing table in the bath dressing room
will do--a wardrobe from the maids room green & lined with giraffes
& any cupboard that can be spared & also if possible the carpet in
[,,,]

[remainder of letter missing]






Rolling Stone Orchard
Dec. 11th

Dear Aleister

I have made several attempts to write to you, but have been the
victim of uphjeavals in the domestic surroundings, & even now,
having assembled a warm fire, or chair, a cup of tea, I simply can't
climb down my ladder & fetch writing-paper, so please forgive this.
I am sorry you are so seedy. I have been thinking you were, but
today you seem better again; are you? I rather wish you would not
stare at the sword photographs in the middle of the night.
I have done, as you suggested, & it looks better but it is
exceedingly difficult to alter these cards, as I can't match the
colours without great effor, I think it is alright now.
Just imagine what happened (Mercury is in a very ape-like
mood). I found the waste-pipe from the fixed basin leaked. "Aha"
I sead in the words of a well-known poet, "I'll fix it by giving the
nut a tap with the hammer!" And so I did & the whole porcelain basin
cracked & has had to be wrenched from the wall by a horde of
plumber-demons & I have spent a day of discomfort & displacement.
However the Princess is now on the stocks. I wish she would not
insist on being pregnant. She just will, so now I have let her get
on with it. She chatters to me about being mixed up with the Virgin
Mary. Anyhow I am having a good time with the trees & if you don't
like the design I am, at least, [...] it myself.
I can't, can't fine the 93. You say Equinox of the Gods page
138. There is not one in the edition you gave me. Hullo! just turned
the page & see unnumbered extra page & there is 93, but it is almost
as indecipherable as your letter. What is III[deg] ++++ oh dear! it
is awfully obscure. [ABTz in Hebrew] The Fool. The Wheel of
Fortune--the Devil in the Tarot. Then you say leaving aleph to join
path of [He] I take it you mean "He" the Priestess [sic]. Do you or
don't you--I really do understand all this better, if I am
unconscious!
All the same, apparently I prescribed correctly for Pussy,
because I wrote & said all I gathered from thinking into her, was
that she was awfully tired, & please would she come & stay a few
days and not talk, only sleep.
But you misjudge her, she is really a generous brave person, a
magnificent friend, and not a sentimentalist when she is not trying
to think. So please respect her, in spite of her conversational
perversity. I am going to stop & do some of that boring printing.
The man-to-frame is now waiting, but it is so difficult to see at
night, & I want to paint by day.

Yours obediently

F. H.

[P.S.] Just one thing more. I have been working at a life of
Mahomet. He does seem a strange Hitler-like person. Can you be
bothered to write a few words about him?







Morton House,
The Mall,
Chiswick.

[n.d.]

Dear Aleister,

I am very sorry but I am unable to protect you from yourself.
Out of the inextricable confusion of your real & bugus financial
affairs I find only one thing--that you will always be in a muddle &
that to attempt to help you is like filling a leaking cistern & I do
not propose to begin to do so. I have told you, always, I have a
weekly allowance & that my lessons from you are saved out of that &
I cannot draw from the Bank more than I have, & if I can't pay for a
thing I do not buy it.
Anything in the nature of a speculation is quite foreign to my
nature or my pocket. Your campaign of giving people too much to eat
& drink in order to placate them in the Great Work is all wrong, & I
expect you know it. If only you could be simple & dignified, people
would flock round you to get what they really want in these hard
times--that is the help of a colossal brain but, instead you cook
for them because you are bored by them, & incidentally would like
them to produce the wherewithal to stock your fantastic restaurant &
cellar. Can't you stop--I suppose you can't. I think partly Peggy
was bewildered by you eloquence, & ordered for you kitchen a great
deal more than any one can afford. This is not my affair, but please
do not try to get me to help. You prevent me from doing what I would
like to do &, that is work on the Tarot Book with you, as I
absolutely refuse to be entangled by your efforts to boost an
absurdity. What a pity. I fear even now the work will be unfruitful.
The House of God appears to me as vortex not a mouth, or is it
yours which can't be filled by mortal effort try as you may.

Yours sincerely,

Frieda Harris

[P.S.] I can only spare you the subscription as I will not ask for
money for myself or anyone else but I will send it registered
tomorrow with Thursday's stipend.





Morton House,
The Mall,
Chiswick.

Dear Aleister,

I wrote to you last night in a bit of a hurry. All my papers &
books are still a bit mixed up tho I have the Tarot in safety, but
my hand is still stiff & not good for work.
Thank you so much for your Tarot writings. They are so good &
so dynamic that I got quite elated as I read them & found muself in
a whirl, in fact I had to put them away. In particular I find the
general character of the cards...most illuminating. I do
congratulate you. The Great Work is indeed in progress. I do wish I
had fire & air & water & earth to draw with.
Directly I have put up these fussy black blinds for which I am
haunted by the Police & got rid of some jungles of grass I am going
to work like mad, the Aces won't do, & what I am to do with Mercury
after your description I can't think. Leave it like Michael Angelo
did the face of Christ. But I wonder if those heavy arms are hearly
right. He is a powerful god. Surely the Ape should move, not the
Eternal Figure. What do you think? I am so grateful to have a change
to try & help yr. labours.
__________________________________________________________

Would you go & see Michael & ask him to send to Yates at once
the sizes of those pictures he has from the edge of the mount. Yates
is bothering me to give him the exact size as he can't get on with
the albums. I have no mounted pictures here. If you don't require
the blankets in Miss Falconer's room, may I have them. I am cold
here.
Please don't come down yet--I am not ready & I should only get
fussed & nervous. Not the week-end too for everywhere is crowded &
Pucy is about perhaps.
I am rationed for petrol so I can't fetch & carry you. Some of
these privations like petrol & night-lights are lovely. The sky here
at night is glorious & one's eyes are rested by the absence of
trumpets of illumination also no-one can come & see one after dark--
what a chance reading & solitude. Ye Gods what treasures!! I am
limited to 3 minutes on the telephone price 2/ any time. I don't
think we can buy 2/ of conversation in that time?
How is the asthma? What a mess the flat must be in. Could you
not rope in someone to wash the floors & the bath & the sink & the
stove? In despair perhaps Mrs Blanch could speak to Hughes who works
once a week for her & he might come up after he has done her work.
He is only slightly dirty.

Yours ever

Frieda

[P.S.] I do agree about Miss Falconer & her like, they are my curse!





[beginning of letter missing]

Can you tell me why this happens if you hold 3 eggs in your
hand, 2 fresh for sure, & you pat the lowest egg in the palm of your
hand thus

[drawing of procedure]

If the middle egg is bad it won't move, if it is fresh, it will turn
round. I can't see why. It does it alright, even I can make it do
it, but why?
This place is full of interesting people & things I like.
Except rats which apparently infest this farm building.

Yours

F. H.





[fragmentary letter, no opening or closing]

Do clear up the Tree of Life for me & don't be satyrical or
funny. I am all alone & I get worried.

Kether

Binah Chokmah


Geburah Chesed
Water? Fire


Tiphereth


Hod Netzach
Earth Air


Yesod


Malkuth

Now have I assigned the elements correctly or don't they go on
the Tree? I can't find them in the book on Magic.
I may have Yorke's No 8 but in that case you may have mine. Do
you remember we had 2 copies at Morton. Now I have only 1 & I
believe you took the other with you to work from at Charlie's flat.
Will you please look. Also Mrs Ashment has my 777. Which I want
here. You will not confuse it with yours as when I lent it to her I
red pencilled the things she had to copy for the index. I'd be glad,
like Yorke, to have my Crowley Collection Complete.
The 10 is coming out very well. I do realize had I had the
strength to isolate myself entirely I could have done it better only
the eye-sight is a great trial. I could scream with looking & after
it is done, shall take a long course of black-out. Are you suffering
as much as I am? Really the obstruction to laying this wizard's egg
is remarkable. I feel like going to bed & dying. No I'm well & very
very vegetarian, Is I find I may not guzzle & work but oh! I am
weary of work.
Had a week's absolute solidary confinement, waiting on myself.
That'll learn you Frieda Harris No I prig.
___________

[another fragment, possibly follows here]

I am very glad the Tao book is coming out at last. I do hope it
will have a great reception which it needs. Good luck to the Work.
What a work too!
__________________________________________________

The flail I have is like this


[drawing of flail]

In wood. It is rather lovely. I should prefer to use it. But anyhow
the Knight must stand as he is for rejection or acceptance as he
won't be any other way. I can't make out if he is alright or not.
Please don't frighten me with the Sword suit. I have obeyed in
every way. I can't see how they can be wrong. The 3 was a fair
horror & great suffering. I am glad to be seated on a pantacle but
there are streets of work to do. I ought to be printing the names &
not writing letters at all.
I find the cooking of my food a great relief. When I have tried
till my legs ache, to go down & toy with a legume is great
recreation. I find just now no alcohol & no meat keeps the headache
awau & walking when I can leave this nigger-driving labour.
Now, please stop being so peevish & see the other chap's end of
the stick. Yes! I know yours. I've done all I can, but I wish you
wouldn't believe that you need not be sincere to me. For pity's sake
Aleister, stop being so clever, your man of the world side, I can't
understand it is no use--oh! philosopher & master lost!

Yours fraternally

Frieda





[fragment, no opening or closing]

I think I had better have some new notes on Justice. There are
the Dove, Raven, Lamed, Sword, balances, anything extra, headdress
of Isis?
____________________________

Do you remember Fox & the others liked this best also Jameson &
so do I!
I should have liked to returned one card in the pack which
incorporates what I felt about the Deities of the Tarot--they have
no individual forms & faces in my conception & vision of them. Those
appendages are stuck on afterward to please you, but are not part of
the design as it presents itself-- & I could easily take them out of
all the pictures without spoiling them.
In justice to me as `The Woman Satisfied' perhaps it might
remain [...]

[end of fragment]





[fragment with no opening or closing]

I say, what about the Fool's colours--Air won't do.
You are [?partly right] with your vacuum.
I have marked out in my colour scheme--
Bright Pale Yellow Sky Blue Blue Emerald green, Emerald flecked
gold but surely I can use the purple dark blue, pale blue green,
yellow, orange, red of the rainbow.
At the top of the chart are 10 colour sequences which we don't
seem to have used much. We did combine them in the 1st plain card of
wands & then what with the governing planet & zodiacal sign we
stopped. Anyhow I can't paint brilliance, white brilliance, can you?
The telephone is 3/ for 3 minutes. Can you get [?] worth out of
1 minute? No we cry being Scotch.

[end of fragment]





[isolated fragment]

I made the curry tonight not quite right & rather painful
inside.
Please address letters to Rolling Stone Orchard Chipping
Campden

[end of fragment]






[undated postscript separated from relevant letter]

Added to my letter last night

I have just been looking at your manuscript part of Mercury.
You mention 8 fold star--composed of 4 fleur de lys with rays
like antlers bulrushes in shape between them. The central core has
the cupher of the G.M. but not the one you know.
Upon the cross (what cross?) are the Dove the Hawk the Serpent
& the Lion.
Would you like me to try the Star, it has a pictorial
fascination for me but could you be more explicit?
Your vision is truly grand. I begin to understand it slightly.
Also you say 6-fold Star in the Vision. Now which is it you
want represented or both.
I had 6 in the last picture.

[end of fragment]

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