Crowley Started a Commune for His Lovers
It was clear that Crowley did not intend to lead a traditional lifestyle with a single wife and their own children. In April of 1920, Crowley had decided to open a commune in Sicily. The commune was religious, named after the religion he created. The Abbey of Thelema was a sanctuary to all those who believed in Thelema, a sanctuary for his myriad of lovers, and a sanctuary to all of their children.
The commune began as a rented villa. Crowley and his two lovers, Leah Hirsig and Ninette Shumway and their three children were the first members of Crowley’s special commune. It was not long before others longed to join the idealistic community Crowley had set up. Adult members were required to attend mass and wear specially designed robes. Children were largely unattended and left to their own devices as the adults socialized and performed the many rituals required of the religion.
A notable member and his wife are the sources where most knowledge of this curious cult is obtained. Raoul Loveday and his wife, Betty May, became members of the commune not long after its inception. While Raoul thoroughly enjoyed life in the Thelemite commune, his wife Betty was very vocal about her distaste for it. Raoul passed away in 1923, and his wife Betty returned to England shortly after.
Upon Betty’s return, she provided many shocking reports of life at the Abbey of Thelema. According to her, life in the commune was not picturesque or ideal. She recounts blood sacrifices, including one specific instance of a cat being drained of its blood so members could consume the red liquid for a ritual. Other heinous accusations were those of violence against members themselves. Members were cut with razor blades any time the word “I” was used; all individuality was to be stripped away. Once Crowley heard of Betty’s accusations, he vehemently denied them, but Italian officials were already wary of the hedonistic values the commune had brought to Sicily, and deported Crowley and his followers anyway.
