Rosslyn Sanctuary

The following letters recently surfaced in a boarding house where Aleister Crowley spent the last few years of his life. Luckily they were sold to us at an exorbitant price which we promise someday to pay. What we find really amazing about these letters is that they had survived at all. They had remained hidden or stuffed behind a waist high cabinet in the kitchen directly under a portrait of Winston Churchill. It is presumed they were placed there by the Great Beast himself since they included unpaid bills, some torn in half or crumpled. Regarding the letters found - they are often brief but very informative and shed light on the dealings that Aleister Crowley had with his milkman, Mr. Michael Rae, who sometimes went by the name of George. We have decided not to reproduce the numerous bills which were included with the letters but it is safe to say that the total owed by Aleister Crowley was quite substantial.

You have not made a payment on your bill in almost four months even with repeated attempts on my part to request that you to do such. My services with the delivery of cream and eggs which I have been leaving at your room at the boarding house are not free! Unless I received some immediate payment I'll be forced to deal with this matter in court.

Right glad I am to see you mentioning the sacred cream or Amrita. Of course there are those who believe using a virgin goat's essence might be more appropriate. My old love, Leah, might agree. But I simply believe it must be a virgin something. I can sell you a vile of this Elixir which I have carefully prepared if you are interested. It also contains the 'eggs' you mentioned. Now that you have been coming around my apartment for awhile and are beginning to understand the nature of these mysteries you might wish to take initiation into my order. Of course I can not discuss any details until you have actually joined my fraternity. The cost is minimal and can be paid in monthly installments. Let me know your decision.

Regrettably your last letter got soaked by the recent storm which drenched our area. I can just barely make out some of the words. You've written something about wanting to get laid really bad. A three times emphasis of the word implies to me that your having a difficult time of it. I might be able to help if your willing to pay a special fee. Anyway its a good start when you want to talk about sex. I can only say one thing - yes, my boy I believe you've finally gotten it! Its all sex! sex! sex! But I can't reveal anything more about this form of magick in this letter because secrecy warrants caution when writing about ...

Regarding yours of the 11th. I'm at my wits end trying to understand your letters. Why can't you simply make arrangements to pay off the debt which you owe me? I do not want to stop delivery but will be forced to do such unless we can reach an amicable agreement. Please see bills attached. signed Michael P. Rae

I am glad to see that you are asking about the Eleventh Degree. I knew from your previous letter about sex that this was the direction you really wanted to go. Trying to understand these mysteries is always difficult my boy but you obviously understand much more than you have been letting on. I don't know what it has to do with you, but some how this reminds me of a letter I recently received from a woman whom I briefly meet in Brussels in late 29, possibly early 1930. Boy, I'm hopping mad! This idiot claims her child is actually mine, rubbish, we never had sex! We simply sat together one afternoon, she sipping her clam juice and I a cold glass of tomato with vodka. Now she says her son whom she named Clamado after our brief encounter is actually my child! Bullshit! I know for a fact it was some damn vacationing milkman who knocked her up! But I'm getting side tracked. Is it you who told me that he likes farm animals? Anyway, I have enclosed a Charter which makes you a full Fourth Degree with the Right to Initiate into the Minerval degree of my Fraternity. Of course we can make arrangements to pay in

I'm beginning to believe we don't speak the same tongue. I'm a happily married man, I don't like farm animals. All I want is the money you owe me. It's that simple. I believe your taking me for granted and are trying to stiff me. In fact, after our last meeting you got me so upset that I drove over the rose bushes that your landlady planted down the driveway. She's totally furious and wants me to find a gardener who will tie them back up. This is going to cost plenty! You're going to get my bill for this unfortunate occurrence because in a way it's your fault! I think I'm starting to lose my marbles, you're such an ass, I can't believe it. What was that woman's name whom you meet in Brussels in 1929 was it Stella? Did she have dark hair?

Your mentioning of tongues inspires me to tell you a story about me and my old friend Victor Neuburg when next we meet. I had a great time with him and this little arab boy in the desert of North Africa. Since you claim to be a happily married man, I shudder, is there such a thing? I'll be discreet for now on when discussing the nature of the Eleventh Degree so that your wife doesn't accidentally pick up one of these letters and reads that you're a homosexual. But I am truly shocked, you don't like farm animals? Why do you keep asking about goats and chickens? I am further confused when you mentioned taking something to Mr. Grant. I had no idea that you knew the young lad. I'm curious, when did you two meet? Is he giving you money too?

I can not stress the dangers of discussing anything homosexual regarding the Eleventh Degree especially using the term 'stiffing' of which yes, I'd like to do it to you, but let's not discuss this in writing. Have I ever told you that I think you're kind of cute with dreamy blue eyes?

So you've heard of my first wife, Rose? Don't get me started talking about her bush. She was a true red head you know? She liked to be tied up and hung in the closet which is why I presume your looking for Gardener. When I see Gerald next week I'll tell him you were inquiring as to his whereabouts. As I've always said, if you want to tie up a bush then he's the man you're looking for, but I believe you'll find its he who likes to be disciplined. Still, your wife can negotiate this with Gerald himself. Also, have you memorized your chapter of Heart Girt with the Serpent yet? Now, regarding losing your gerbils up the sacred canal, have you tried using a tiny little string tied gently around their little fury necks? It works very well. Not that I've tried it! I believe I've read it somewhere. Looking forward to your reply and until then,

I can only say thanks a lot and that I can not believe you! You gave out my home address to some crazy bearded lunatic who shows up at my door unannounced with whips and chains! He begged my wife to tie him up and discipline him in the name of some witchcraft goddess crap! I came home late only to hear "Beat me, beat me, I've been a naughty little boy!" coming from the kitchen. My wife was crying and hysterical, curled up in a fetal position! If that isn't enough, the final straw came when my wife found our letters on Christmas morning and now has got this idea that I'm having a homosexual love affair with you! I am not a homosexual! She wants a divorce and is seeing a lawyer. All thanks to you Mr. Crowley! I'll be needing a lot of money soon to pay for my defense, so please, if it is possible, might you find it in your heart to finally pay

So you're a notty homosexual? Aren't we all deep down inside? I'm sorry for this brief letter but I've been very busy. Your comments regarding your wife wanting us to begin an affair are quite flattering. I'm amazed that she doesn't mind. She must be truly a marvelous woman. So much for the need of hiding your homosexuality! I'll have to drop her a line tomorrow in the mail thanking her for such understanding & consideration. That should make her happy, what do you think?

I haven't heard from you since late December and was very lucky to run into Gerald the other morning. He gave me your new address. I hope everything is ok? Gerald told me truly wonderful tales about your ex-wife. I am so glad to see that he and her are getting along so well. They have become quite an item I am told! I bet you never knew the old woman liked those whips and chains? Who could figure! So, I'm told you've moved out of your house and are living in a single filthy attic room with no heat. But remember, no matter how dusty and dirty the place is it can be a definite plus when doing a magical retirement. Good work, my boy. And what's this I hear - your children won't see you anymore and want nothing to do with a homosexual father! To hell with them, the ungrateful little brats! Who needs children? And is it true what Gerald says? That you're a bit upset about your wife getting your precious car? My boy, let material possessions go! Walking is good for you! I'm also sorry to hear that you lost your job, what is it that you did? I know you've told me but it seems to have slipped my mind. Anyway, you'll be hearing from me soon as I will be in your neighborhood early next month and plan to drop in for a visit. It will be like old times, just you and me. You can recite your chapter of Heart Girt with the Serpent for me.

It is with much regret that I must inform you of the recent heart attack which took the frail life of dear Mr. Michael Rae. At the time he was going under the name of George. I can only tell you that he suffered very little. I was with him when the end came. He opened your letter, screamed, "He found me!" with what I believe was a joyous expression on his face. Truly bliss. You two must have been very close. But, unfortunately, the shock was too much for him. He simply collapsed onto the floor holding your letter tightly to his chest as if it were some sacred artifact. He never regained consciousness. I am so sorry to have to inform you of this rather sad affair.

Note: The following letter is from the Alexandria Fulton collection found at the University of Massachusetts. We are indebted to them for the right to publish it. We felt this letter might shed some further light regarding this period of Crowley's life since it is obviously a reply to Miss Fulton's letter dated February 1st 1946. - Editor.

Right glad am I to see that you would like to have an affair with the Great Beast himself! Every woman does. I'll be in town on Tuesday and will look you up then. I can personally guarantee that you will not be disappointed. Have you ever wanted to join a magical fraternity? What is your financial status? We'll talk more when we meet and until then,

We do not know if Aleister Crowley ever kept his appointment with Miss Mabel Fulton, there are no surviving records to substantiate any claims that they every meet. We do know that Miss Fulton (although unmarried) had a daughter who was born in the fall of 1946. It is reported that the child grew up and moved to America where she married a rather important US Senator from Massachusetts. Anyway, we hope you enjoyed these letters as much as we did presenting them to you. Our next issue will contain a rather interesting correspondence between Aleister Crowley and his butcher down on Jermyn Street where he once lived. We are negotiationg to purchase these letters from another collector, of course on credit. They are truly enlightening and will shed much light on the Great Beast's eating habits.