GVP #102 - William Ramsey - Aleister Crowley

No figure seems to have had more of an influence on the popular music icons of the past 50 years than the notorious British occultist Aleister Crowley, and the teachings he espoused through organisations such as The Golden Dawn, AA, and Ordo Templi Orientis, (OTO.) Why should there be any link at all between magick rituals, and the world of entertainment? Guesting to consider the question is American author, researcher and film-maker William Ramsey, who has written three books on Crowley. We discuss the myths, apparent contradictions and hidden aspects of Crowley’s life, and examine the effect that his work seems to have on a few specific names in the music world. The chat also touches on the appeal of the OTO towards celebrities, Crowley’s links to the world of military-intelligence, and who one of his illegitimate children might just be.