Aleister Crowley

Liber VII (Liberi Vel Lapidis Lazvli) and Liber IX (Liber e Vel Exercitiorum) Aleister Crowley

Liber VII: Liberi Vel Lapidis Lazvili and Liber IX: E Vel Exercitiorum, Two Short Works by Aleister Crowley. Liber VII - Child (or birth) of the Blue Stone, is a free-verse poem or hymn composed of a prologue and seven parts, (for a total of 394 stanzas). According to the author; "Its seven chapters are referred to the seven planets in the following order: Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, Sol, Mercury, Luna, Venus. Given in magical language (it is) an account of the Initiation of a Master of the Temple." It is a beautifully written work and an exceptional example of the Poet's craft. Liber IX, (Exercises), first published in The Equinox Volume 1, number 1, is a series of exercises designed to develop the necessary qualities, such as physical endurance and psychic abilities, in the aspirant to self-development. This short work is an important piece in the puzzle of understanding Crowley's approach towards self-development and preparation for becoming a master Magician.