RedHanded – DAY 11: Aleister Crowley: The Beast 666

ShortHand’s 13 Days of Halloween
Released: October 29, 2025
Hosts: Hannah McGuire & Josephine

Episode Overview

This Halloween special dives into the life and lore of Aleister Crowley, dubbed "The Beast 666" and "the most wicked man in the world." With RedHanded’s signature wit and irreverence, Hannah and Josephine recount Crowley's bizarre childhood, infamous magical exploits, scandalous relationships, and ultimate rise from outcast to countercultural icon. Expect a wild ride through sex magic, curses, cults, and occult misadventures.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The End Before the Beginning – Crowley’s Final Days

• Crowley’s death & infamous last words:
  Died in Hastings (1947), in obscure Netherwood House, hooked on heroin, with son Ataturk and partner Patricia McAlpine at his side.

  • Notable Quote: “His final words were, ‘I am perplexed.’” (04:46 – Josephine)
  • A dramatic legend claims there was a thunderclap as he died.

• Denial of cremation and the “Crowley Curse”:
  Hastings refused his cremation, so his ashes were shipped to New Jersey, allegedly cursing the town.

  • “Legend has it…the only way to circumvent this Crowley curse is to carry a hagstone…from Hastings beach with you wherever you go.” (05:56 – Hannah)

• Cursed doctor:
  His doctor, who denied Crowley heroin on his deathbed, died the next day—allegedly from a Crowley curse.

  • “As a result of being refused his heroin, Crowley, with the last of his strength, laid a deadly curse upon this doctor…the day after...his doctor was found dead in his bath, allegedly of natural causes.” (07:26–07:47 – Josephine)

Early Life: Strict Religion, Early Rebellion

• Strict upbringing:
  Born Edward Alexander Crowley to devout Plymouth Brethren parents; no makeup, no haircuts, no vices allowed.

  • “They’re basically the pilgrims who didn’t leave.” (08:45 – Josephine)

• The loss of faith:
  Devoted as a child, but turned to Satanism after his beloved, pious father died early.

  • “All of that changed when Crowley’s father died quite suddenly…Crowley simply went over to Satan’s side.” (09:17 – Josephine)

• Origin of “The Beast”:
  As a teen, slept with the maid on his mother’s bed in rebellion; his mother called him “The Beast.”

  • “That led Crowley’s mother to give him the name that he would make his own. The Beast.” (09:58 – Josephine)

Schooling, Cambridge, and Scandalous Relationships

• Expelled from school:
  Contracted gonorrhea at boarding school.

  • “An adolescent Aleister Crowley was expelled from Malvern for contracting gonorrhoea from a sex worker.” (10:23 – Hannah)

• University antics:
  Let into Cambridge without finishing school, mostly indulged in “fucking bitches and reading Arabian Nights” (11:02 – Hannah).

• Relationship with Jerome Pollitt (“Diane de Ruggy”):

  • First great love, a drag queen; “introduced Crowley…to the decadent movement.” (12:11 – Josephine)
  • Wrote scandalous, graphic poetry (12:25–12:56).

The Occult: The Golden Dawn and Magical Mayhem

• Joins the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn:
  • Meets famed mystics and artists, including W.B. Yeats and A.E. Waite.
  • “The golden dawn…were like the Illuminati of their day. They…truly believed in magic and in powerful spiritual entities.” (15:17–16:12 – Hannah)
  • Crowley’s obsession with black magic splits the group. Dramatic “astral siege” gets him expelled. (17:13–18:01)

Marriage, Egypt, and the Birth of Thelema

• Marries Rose Edith Kelly:
  Takes her to the Pyramids for magical rituals.

  • “He cast many incantations and attempted to communicate with the ancient Egyptian deities…” (18:18 – Hannah)

• Rose’s trance & the number 666:

  • Rose, in a trance, says, “they are waiting for you.” Later, picks out Horus and artifact number 666 in a museum.
    • “Crowley was stunned…it was artifact number 666, the number of the beast that he had claimed as his own.” (19:35–20:28 – Josephine)

• The Book of the Law:

  • Under “celestial guidance,” writes his magnum opus, establishing the law: “Do as thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.” (21:06 – Hannah)

Mountains, Magic with a K, and the OTO

• Failed mountaineering heroics:

  • Nearly first to summit K2; disaster on Kanchenjunga, where he abandoned some climbers (22:12–23:07).

• Founds the O.T.O.:
  “Used the method of science with the aim of religion.” Recruits Jack Parsons (inventor of rocket fuel), silent film stars, and more. (23:34–24:15)

• Boleskine House and abuse of Victor Neuberg:

  • “He was talented, but Victor was lazy, and Crowley handled this by abusing him.” (24:37 – Josephine)
  • Attempted to summon “Twelve Kings and Dukes of Hell,” with much sadism involved (25:42–26:41).

Sex Magick in the Desert

• Neuberg and Crowley undertake a bizarre sex magic ritual in the Algerian desert—complete with horned haircuts and mystical ego death.
  • “Neuberg actually became the God Pan…”
    “They performed many rituals out there in the wilderness, just as Christ had done for 40 days and 40 nights.” (28:35–28:44 – Josephine)
  • “We’re only going to tell you about one of these rituals…Crowley and Neuberg, deep in the desert, drew…a triangle of invocation. Then they had sex. Neuberg was the giver and Crowley was the receiver.” (28:44 – Josephine)
  • “Crowley had crossed the abyss, something he’d always wanted to do, but…had no knowledge of the consequence that came with it.” (29:47 – Josephine)

Decline, Infamy, and Posthumous Fame

• Faked his own death:
  Wrote a dramatic suicide note (“The other mouth of hell that will catch me won’t be as hot as yours”) and “reappeared three weeks later at an art gallery.” (31:08–31:11 – Hannah)

• The Abbey of Thelema (Sicily):

  • Bought a monastery for orgiastic, drug-fueled rituals (“college towards the Holy Spirit”), including the infamous “Chamber of Nightmares.”
  • The death of follower Raoul Loveday (allegedly forced to drink cat’s blood) leads to Crowley being branded “the wickedest man in the world.” (33:19 – Hannah)
  • Mussolini expels him; Abbey abandoned (34:02–34:14).

Crowley’s Enduring Legacy

• Crowley “bopped around” Europe, indulging in drugs and debauchery. Found a “real love” for son Ataturk in his twilight years.

• Posthumously idolized by the 1960s-70s counterculture.

  • “He was seen…as an icon of counterculture, a symbol of rebellion and ancient wisdom. He’s on the cover of Dr. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band…” (34:45–35:29 – Hannah)

• British R&B musician Graham Bond claimed to be Crowley’s son; met a tragic end.

• The phrase “Do what thou wilt” is immortalized, and Boleskine House continues to draw stories of occult mystery.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “The beast 666, the magician, the poet, the perpetual catcher of STDs and the inventor of magic with a K.” (04:46 – Josephine)
• “He’s such a fucking… I don’t even know.” (26:24 – Hannah, on Crowley’s behavior)
• “Can you imagine if Aleister Crowley had a YouTube channel?” (34:23 – Hannah)
• “We’re stuck with Joe Rogan.” (34:34 – Josephine)
• “All that is left of the great beast is legend… and of course the immortal phrase: do what thou wilt.” (36:02 – Josephine)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Crowley’s death and curses: 04:46–07:52
• Childhood, “The Beast,” and schooling: 07:56–10:57
• Cambridge, Pollitt, and decadent movement: 10:57–13:03
• Occultism & Golden Dawn: 15:09–18:01
• Rose Kelly, Egypt, Book of the Law: 18:01–21:58
• Mountaineering & OTO: 22:12–24:37
• Boleskine abuse and ritual fails: 24:37–27:44
• Sex magick in the desert: 27:44–30:28
• Fake death, Abbey of Thelema: 31:08–34:02
• Decline and legacy: 34:14–36:05

Memorable Segment – Crowley’s Name as a Dick Joke

• Visual joke (“giant dick”) with Crowley’s stylized signature:
  “As this is an audio format and you don’t know what we’re laughing at…Aleister is just a giant dick, you can follow us on all the socials…” (36:45 – Josephine/Hannah)

Tone & Closing Thoughts

The episode balances macabre storytelling and irreverent humor, poking fun at Crowley’s eccentricities and legacy. The hosts express both fascination and mockery throughout, making the dark subject matter accessible and engaging.

Overall:
A rapid-fire, scandal-laced jaunt through Crowley’s life—equal parts informative, hilarious, and bonkers. Whether you’re a seasoned occultist, a history buff, or just here for wild tales and witty banter, this RedHanded ShortHand delivers.