Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) was a British writer, occultist, and mystic, known for his major contributions to modern occultism and the founding of the religious movement known as Thelema. Often nicknamed "the Great Beast 666," he is the author of many influential works, including The Book of the Law, which lays the foundations of his Thelemic philosophy with the maxim "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." Crowley was also an active member of several secret societies, such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO), where he developed and practiced complex esoteric rituals. His life, marked by controversy and experimentation with various magical practices, continues to inspire and divide occult followers around the world.
