Crowley Worked for the Allies During WWI
Crowley’s involvement with the British government sounds both tumultuous and heroic. Given his libertine natures and adverse reactions to rigid protocols and conservative attitudes, he did not rub shoulders well any government, let alone his own. But could such a provocative and divisive figure become a useful tool in our greatest wars? It had already been speculated that Crowley infiltrated secret societies to take down known members who were threats to British national security; could Crowley have the same effect on the Axis powers of the early and mid-1900s?
It is interesting to note that Crowley did tear up his passport, denounce Great Britain, and declare himself an Irishman. His fondness and adulation was no secret to anyone he came across. He called himself an Irishman in his book, The Book of Lies, and created his own Declaration of Independence of the Irish Republic. In a July 21st, 1915 letter to the editor of the New York Times, Crowley wrote: “The true flag of Ireland is a red sunblaze on a green ground. This is symbolical not only of Ireland’s geographical position as the sentinel of the western gate of Europe, but of her traditional history.” Such outward distaste for his country of origin begs the question if he was ever involved with the British government in the first place, yet many reputable sources appear to confirm his direct involvement with the first and second World Wars on behalf of the Allied Powers.
Beginning during the first World War, Crowley had made his way to America. It appeared as though his allegiance with the Irish way of life suited him well; he acted as an Irish spy for the British government. It was the perfect cover. Ardent Irish nationalists were naturally anti-British and pro-German. He distributed what, at first glance, seemed to be German propaganda, however, upon closer inspection, it was obvious he was distributing farcical materials mocking the Germans. Historians have even advocated the fact that Crowley had a direct link to the Lusitania sinking. The United States was largely neutral during the first World War. It was not until the Germans sank the Lusitania that the United States sprang into action. It is speculated that Crowley had direct contact with German forces, encouraging them to sink the Lusitania, insisting this attack would intimidate the United States forces and discourage them from any future attacks. Crowley knew a direct attack would have the opposite effect. Many of Crowley’s biographers have noted several curios trips to Russia, and are in agreement these trips were also covert missions assigned by the British government.
World War II saw its own involvement with Crowley, as well, though in this instance, there was no infiltration but a propagation of the occult in the public sphere. It all originates with “V for Victory”, Winston Churchill’s infamous use of two fingers pointed in the air to indicate a powerful idea of victorious battles over the Nazi regime. Crowley claimed to be the originator of Churchill’s use of the “v” signal. Crowley is said to have passed this idea through the BBC, MI5, and British Naval Intelligence, making it’s way to Churchill himself. The “v” symbol comes from the story of Isis, Apophis, and Osiris. Crowley wrote and illustrated a book titled The Equinox I. In it, the swastika symbolizes the mourning of Isis, and the “v” symbolizes Apophis, the destroyer. The symbolic use of the “v” in this legendary story destroys Osirus, causing Isis (the swastika) to mourn. The “v’ also symbolizes Crowley’s beloved Horus, who is symbolically represented by an upside down “v”.
