People claim the famed occultist Aleister Crowley left the mortal plane with some interesting choice words, but it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s fake about the magician’s life. Were Aleister Crowley’s last words profane or profound? Were they an admission of guilt or repentance for his witchy ways? Well, that really depends on who you ask. Let’s get into it.
Crowley died in 1947 due to heart issues complicated by chronic bronchitis, according to Do What Thou Wilt: A Life of Aleister Crowley by Lawrence Sutin. He was famous within the occult community long before he died. Many claim he lost everything before his death due to his addictions. Regardless, he remained involved with at least two notable occult orders all the way to the end.
A lot of myth surrounds the time leading up to Aleister Crowley’s death. The media reported many of the rumors themselves. Add that to Crowley’s persona growing into a legend within popular culture, and we may never be able to separate fact from fiction. In the case of this magician’s death, however, we can at least give you all the options.
The Many Options for Aleister Crowley’s Last Words
Most often, you’ll see Aleister Crowley’s last words written as such: “I am perplexed!” But it’s impossible to know if those were his actual last words. Why? Because different authors have opposing claims. Likewise, those who supposedly recorded his last words wrote down at least two different phrases — Maybe three.
Another possible option, as occult scholar Alan Richardson mentions in his book, Aleister Crowley and Dion Fortune, is that Crowley’s final words were: “Sometimes I hate myself!” It’s a depressing sentiment, but also one that most of us have felt from time to time. It would even make sense for someone to feel this way at the time of their death. But, this could also be someone’s rumor living on and trying to give Crowley regrets he didn’t have.
A lot of people also claim Crowley exclaimed, “Satan get out!” with his final breath. You’ll see this quote appearing as either “I am perplexed! Satan get out!” or “Sometimes I hate myself! Satan get out!” You won’t usually find it on its own, however.
Truthfully, we have a problem with that final quote. It’s likely a myth, perpetuated by those who decided Crowley was an evil man. We’re not saying Crowley was a good guy. We’re simply saying “Satan get out!” doesn’t fit the facts.
Some Versions of His Last Words Seem Counterintuitive
As a man who practiced a spiritual tradition far removed from Christianity, some versions of Aleister Crowley’s last words appear counterintuitive. He didn’t seem to believe in the Christian God or Satan. To be fair, Crowley provoked people into thinking he was associated with the Devil. He’d claim to be the “mark of the beast” and other such things during public appearances. His writings, however, had nothing to do with Satanism.
When the religious talk about Crowley’s death, they use the “Satan get out!” quote as a way of illustrating that the magician was in league with the devil. As such, myth says the devil appeared in Crowley’s room as he died or that he envisioned Satan coming for his soul. Both of these are highly unlikely. That applies to the “Satan get out!” phrase, which some people believe Crowley uttered, too.
Disclaimer: Obscurix is skeptical by nature. We’re as skeptical of Aleister Crowley as we are of Christianity, and as such, we want to clear up rumors. Take that how you will.
