Aleister Crowley

Aleister Crowley was a controversial British occultist, mystic, and writer who significantly influenced modern Neopaganism and other spiritual movements.

Born Edward Alexander Crowley, he was a mountaineer, philosopher, and poet who joined several occult organizations.

Crowley is best known for "The Book of the Law," the central text of Thelema.

Notorious in his lifetime, he was dubbed "the wickedest man in the World." Crowley's interests included chess, painting, drug experimentation, social criticism, astrology, and hedonism.

He claimed to be a Freemason, though his initiations are disputed.

Crowley's writings on occult practices continue to influence various religious and spiritual movements today.