Patrick,
In light of Valiente's stated objections to material from Crowley, it
is interesting that she left so much of his work in.
Though the following was published in the Thelema Lodge Calendar in
July, 1992 and has been on the web for years,
it remains a surprise to many:
"This poem was changed in small part ("Tyche" to "Aradia") and used in
the original Gardnarian [sic] Wicca rituals. Crowley wrote it as part
of a commission for Auguste Rodin. The object was to commemorate each
of Rodin's sculptures. Published in French and English in Rodin in
Rime, later published in 1907 e.v. in The Works of Aleister Crowley,
Vol. III, p. 120. For background on this, see Crowley's Confessions,
Part II, Ch. 42, p. 340 & before - Ed."
LA FORTUNE
by Aleister Crowley
"HAIL, Tyche! From the Amalthean horn
Pour forth the store of love! I lowly bend
Before thee: I invoke thee at the end
When other gods are fallen and put to scorn.
Thy foot is to my lips; my sighs unborn
Rise, touch and curl about thy heart; they spend
Pitiful love. Lovelier pity, descend
And bring me luck who am lonely and forlorn."
Fortune sits idle on her throne. The scent
Of honeyed incense wreathes her lips with pleasure
For pure delight of luxury she turns,
Smooth in her goddess rapture. So she spurns
And crushes the pale suppliant. Softly bent,
Her body laughs in ecstasy of leisure.
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