Musicians and Magick

"A true poet cannot help revealing himself and the truth of things in his art, whether he be aware of what he is writing, or no." - Aleister Crowley in Magick in Theory and Practice (p. 69, footnote.)

    This essay is a study of musicians involved with magick, mysticism, metaphysics, philosophy and the occult.  It is written by a mystic/magician who has been involved in serious study and practice of a personal form of eclectic Golden Dawn/O.T.O. style ritual magick, as well as many other systems, for over two decades.  It's purpose is to demonstrate the influence of the magical current in the arts and to trace the influences of the Qabalah, Golden Dawn, and Thelemic currents, addressing where possible,  systems indirectly supportive of the Thelemic aeonic current, such as Wicca, Taoism, Buddhism, Zen, Yoga, Tantra, Shamanism, Gnosis, Freemasonry, Philosophy (its primary theories of the universe - Nihilism(0), Monism(1) [including Existentialism], and Dualism(2) [including Materialism, Satanism, black magick]).  The essay is a work in progress, and will be expanded as time permits. 

    Where possible I will try to offer some speculation as to what I feel the grade of each individual magician/musician might be.  Musician's that have reached the grade of Magus,  are expounders or fathers of a particular genre or style of music such as - classical, blues, rock, jazz, heavy metal. It is possible that they act in this capacity without being fully conscious of the implications of magick in it's fullest sense however, it cannot be denied, that they are the originators of a genre or style of music, in the same manner that their contemporaries in philosophy, politics and religion, may be considered to be proponents of a specific school of thought

    The degree of distinction between styles, will be taken into account when judging the degree of a style's or genre's originality. For example, the difference between classical baroque music and jazz is considerable or radical, while that of blues to modern rock nearly inconsequential (especially in the case of blues-based rock artists such Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, etc.) 

.

List of Musician and Bands

Mozart

Responsible for composing a famous Masonic composition entitled - "The Magic Flute".

Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page is one of the few musicians who has actually admitted to practicing Thelemic magick having, at one time, purchased one of Crowley's old mansions in Boleskine.  He is usually the first musician cited as being influenced by the occult and especially Aleister Crowley.  He is a Magus because he is one of the original expounders or fathers of a new genre of rock or heavy metal music.

Twa's in the darkest depths
Of Mordor

I met a girl so fair

But Golem
The evil one

Crept up and
Slipped away with her

-Led Zeppelin

    Ever wonder why it's a girl and not the ring? That's because the ring represents the goddess of infinite space Nuit. Infinite space with which the magician (the one) melds during mystical practice. The shape of the ring is of course Zero. The finger inside Zero (her) is obviously symbolic of sex but, on a spiritual level.  There are of course too many examples.  A magician of Page's caliber, was probably acting as Magister Templi, interpreting every event as an aspect of his magical work, and this was reflected in the lyrics.  This is why I think that all of the Led Zeppelin songs contain magical, mystical innuendo, although they also embody several meanings applicable in more than one context, or plane of existence, in accordance with the Work ascribed to the Exempt Adept.

Robert Plant

Now and Zen...He is a Magus because he is one of the original expounders or fathers of a new genre of rock or heavy metal music.

The Beetles

Crowley is featured on the Beetles Sargent Pepper album.  Each of the Beetles is a Magus because they are one of the original expounders or fathers of modern rock music. Crowley writes in Magick in Theory and Practice:

    "the Winged Beetle or Midnight Sun in his Bark travelling through the Nadir"

U2

The rock band U2 may or may not be involved with mysticism and or/ magick but, with lyrics like the following, I would be hardly surprised if they weren't.

On the road
But, you've got NO destination

...In the maze of Her imagination
Loving Star

Even if that doesn't Ring true
You've been All over

And It's been All over You

- U2 - "Beautiful Day"

Interpretation of the Lyrics

NO = 0; No-Thing; also destination implies destiny, while no destiny implies freedom from causation of each individual Star in Space.  For this see Aleister Crowley's Commentaries on the Book of the Law (pg. 140) and the Holy Books:

"The Goal is ineffable worth all our pains, as we say to ourselves at first; but in a little while are ware that even that Going itself is our gladness."

Also the Holy One came upon me, and I
beheld a white swan floating in the blue.

Between its wing I sate, and the aeons fled away.

Then the swan flew and dived and soared, yet
no whither we went.

A little crazy boy that rode with me spake unto the swan, and said:

Who art thou that dost float and fly and dive and soar in the inane? Behold, these many aeons have passed; whence camest thou? Wither wilt thou go?

And laughing I chid him, saying: No whence! No whither!

The swan being silent, he answered: Then, if with no goal, why this eternal journey?

And I laid my head against the Head of the Swan, and laughed, saying: Is there not joy ineffable in this aimless winging? Is there not weariness and impatience for who would attain to some goal?

And the swan was ever silent. Ah! but we floated in the infinite Abyss. Joy! Joy!

White swan, bear thou ever me up between thy wings!

    Further, I offer the following as my interpretation of the lyrics.  Crowley himself suggests a similar method for analyzing nursery rhymes, in Part II of Book 4.  In any event there can only be several possibilities.  1) The lyrics intentional convey meaning. 2) The lyrics hold a meaning that the artist was unconscious at the moment of inspiration (they may or may not become aware of this meaning at a future time). 3)  The lyrics convey no meaning 4) The lyrics convey meaning in the sense that there is meaning in everything and if you look deeply enough you can find it. 5) The individual is deluding himself.  In long run it may irrelevant as the lyrics may be appropriated as a Zen koan in order to transcend thought.  If it works, use it.  Crowley writes in Magick in Theory and Practice (p. 69):

"It is therefore not quite certain in what the efficacy of conjurations really lies.  The peculiar mental excitement required may even be aroused  by the perception of the absurdity of the process, and the persistence in it, as when once Frater Perdurabo (at the end of His magical resources) recited "From Greenlands' Icy Mountains", and obtained His result."

maze = refers to the limitation of the Formless into Form.
her imagination = the Star Goddess Nuit, this also implies Indian concept of maya found in Yoga.
star = sun; individual consciousness, also the Star Goddess Nuit.   Union of the Magician, the One, the Point of View;Male Principle with Zero, Nuit, Space;Female Principle.
Ring = 0, another symbol of Nuit. Crowley writes the following in Magick in Theory and Practice (p. 61, footnote 3):

"The Ring has not been described in Part II of this book for reasons which may be or may not be apparent to the reader.  It is the symbol of Nuit, the totality of the possible ways in which he may represent himself and fulfil himself."

Even if that doesn't Ring true = everything in Duality is true only relative speaking; there is no absolute truth in dualistic perception therefore, everything is relatively a lie (see Crowley's Book of Lies).
All = Mystical Gnosis, Samadhi, Union w/ the Universe, Nuit and Zero.   This is also another way of saying - "Everywhere you go, there you are.".   The Existential dilemma.  This should be studied in conjunction with the three primary theories of the universe - Nihilism(0), Monism(1) [including Existentialism], and Dualism(2) in Magick in Theory and Practice, Magick Without Tears, Liber Aleph, The Holy Books of Thelema, and The Law is for All - The Commentaries on the Book of the Law.

    We can of course analyzes the lyrics even more deeply, like a Zen koan, until a species of samadhi begins to set in.   Whether the author of the lyrics had any idea of what he was writing, was intent on a different meaning, or whether the author will later discover a level of meaning that he himself had not suspected, is uncertain.  However, what is certain, is that everything in the universe may be conceived as being inspired by the divine in some fashion.  Artists and poets have always had the reputation for being more sensitive than their peers, as Crowley writes in his book Magick in Theory and Practice (pg. 69, footnote):

    "A true poet cannot help revealing himself and the truth of things in his art, whether he be aware of what he is writing, or no."

    The Gnosis or Samadhi and the symbols associated with them are universal in nature therefore, I concede that it is inevitable that an artist or poet stumble upon them in the course of his work.  The most obvious examples of artists that consciously used lyrics related, not only the increasingly popular systems of consciousness, but, more specifically Thelemic in nature.

David Bowie

Lyrics containing references to "Kether to Malkuth" and "Crowley and the Golden Dawn".  He is a Magus because he is one of the original expounders or fathers of modern rock music.

Richie Blackmoore

There is a plethora of evidence (whether intentional or not on the part of the authors) to suggest that rock/heavy metal musicians Richie Blackmoore (Rainbow).  He is a Magus because he is one of the original expounders or fathers of a new genre of rock or heavy metal music.

Ronnie James Dio, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, DIO

Thought by many to be the best singer in Heavy Metal (my personal favorite). Dio's lyrics scattered with magic, heros, and grail symbology (sun/moon), attest to a synthesis of opposites reflective of the work of the Exempt Adept.   Dio once hinted, during an interview, in his interests in Taoist teachings, while denying his involvement with black magick, claiming that the darker aspects of his presentation were only a part of an act, having no basis in reality.  We all know that Aleister Crowley had the deepest respect for Taoist Teachings using the I Ching as an oracle, and a system for solving philosophical riddles [Nihilism (0), Monism(1), Dualism(2)], much more frequently than the Tarot, or any other system of divination.  "Rainbow in the Dark", "Holy Diver", "Last in Line", etc. He is a Magus because he is one of the original expounders or fathers of a new genre of rock or heavy metal music.

Black Sabbath, Ozzie Osbourne

"Mr. Crowley", and numerous others have references to the occult, 'Mark of the Beast', symbolism of the grail sun/moon.  He is a Magus because he is one of the original expounders or fathers of a new genre of rock or heavy metal music.

Ygwie Malmsteen

Songs such as - "Golden Dawn", "Babylon", "As Above, So Below", "Never Die", "Black Star", "Far Beyond the Sun" suggest a sympathy with Golden Dawn/Thelemic traditions, while "Rising Force" implies the Indian concept of Kundalini.  Yngwie is my favorite guitarist.  He is a Magus because he is one of the original expounders or fathers of a new genre of neo-classical heavy metal music.

Iron Maiden

"The Number of the Beast 666" as well as many others, are in some way either involved with the magick or occult, although I have no evidence that this is not just part of the heavy metal act.

Al Di Meola

In the jazz world there is Al Di Meola with songs like - "Golden Dawn", "The Wizard", "Land of the Midnight Sun".  He is a Magus because he is one of the original expounders or fathers of a new genre of jazz-fusion. Crowley writes in Magick in Theory and Practice:

     "the Winged Beetle or Midnight Sun in his Bark travelling through the Nadir".

Another song by Al Di Meola on the "Land of the Midnight Sun" album is "Short Tales of the Black Forest".   Crowley writes again in Magick in Theory and Practice (p.58):

"It would be childish to cling to the belief that Marius de Aquila actually existed; it matters no more than it matter s to the mathematician whether the use of the sybol X^22 involves the 'reality' of 22 dimensions of space.   The Master Therion does not care a scrap of yesterday's newspaper whether he was Marius de Aquila, or whether there ever was such a person, or whether the Universe itself is anything more than a nightmare created by his own imprudence in the matter of rum and water.  His memory of Marius de Aquila, of the adventures of that person in Rome and the Black Forest, matters nothing, wither to him or to anybody else."

The lyrics from "Love Theme from "Pictures of the Sea":

Can you see the Sun
Can you see it glowing

Can you see the rain
Turn into snow

Can you see the clouds
They ought to show

Pictures of the sea.

    Notice the play on Duality (combining the opposites is the work of the Exempt Adept).  Rain, a liquid, female, receptive (which can be hot), becomes snow, a solid, male, outgoing (which is cold). During condensation, initiated by the light of the Sun, the water in the sea below transforms into the clouds above, which in turn produce rain, which falls back into the sea completing the cycle (or circle).  This depicts the dualistic process of the self manifesting itself as a means of experiencing, and explaining itself to itself.  This process is overseen and effected, officiating Sun, consciousness, Point of View, the Observer.  Next reflection is implied, the extension of nothing into something, as the sea mirrors the clouds. The conclusion of the song contends that the clouds should likewise reflect the sea, giving homage to the old adage ascribed to Hermes -  "As Above, So Below". Croowley writes in The Law is for All - the Commentaries on the Book of the Law:

"See "The Book of the Great Auk" for the demonstration that each "star" is the Center of the Universe to itself, and that a star, simple, original, absolute, can add to its omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence without ceasing to be itself, and that therefore it enters into combinations in which its true Nature is for a while disguised, even from itself." (25)

The Police, Sting

There is are references in song such a "ring around your finger", by artists such as Sting, Police and the song "Invisible Sun".  Sting has claimed an interest in Yoga.

"There Has to Be
An Invisible Sun..."

-Sting

Abba

The Magic of Abba; "Abba" is of course a reference to the supernal father or Chokmah on the Qabalistic Tree of Life. 

Neil Young

"I went to the desert on a Horse with No name"

Horse = Action
No name = No-Thing
No Action = No Thought;Tao

Grateful Dead

"She could be an illusion but, I might as well try..."

Tom Petty

"You aint' seen No-Thing yet..."

Phish

A very mystical band. Trey Anastasio equates the Egyptian "Sun Ra" with consciousness in an interview in one guitar magazine (I will have to get the supporting documentation for the material here at some point I suppose.).   Out = Nothing.

Donovan

"Season of the Witch" (w/ Jimmy Page)

Jimmie Hendrix

"Axis". Psychedelics obviously opened the door to spontaneous mind expansion.

The Doors

Named after Huxley's The Doors of Perception.  Psychedelics played a large role in this bands illumination.  It's questionable how involved Morrison was with practical systems of magick.

Mick Jagger

There is word that Mick has been involved in the Qabalah and the teachings of Ravi Berg.

Madonna

Qabalistic symbols appear in Madonna's videos.  There are rumors of her involvement with The Kabbalah Center and the teachings of Ravi Berg.

Peter Gabriel

Too numerous to mention.  I will try to expand the information for each of these bands as I go along

Joan Osbourne

And more recently Joan Osbourne with:

    "What if God were one of us?"; "No-body calling on the phone, except the fault might be his own."

Simple Minds

Tibetan Buddhism?

Rush

Too numerous to mention.  I will try to expand the information for each of these bands as I go along.  "Rush" is ascribed to the path Samekh, the path on the Tree of Life leading to the H.G.A. (Holy Guardian Angel).

Pink Floyd

Too numerous to mention.  I will try to expand the information for each of these bands as I go along.

The Cult

"Sun King"

The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Songs like "Sex Magic" and others, leaves little doubt in the mind of the practicing magician that these guys definitely know their stuff.  Tantra anyone?

"No words, I know what to express, this emptiness. I love all of you hurt by the cold. So hard and lonely too, when you don't know your-self". "I heard a little girl and what she said was something beautiful. To give your love no matter what is what she said." - The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Concluding Remarks

    The fact is its hard not to find evidence of inspiration in the work of many artists.  I believe this to be one of the indications that an artist will be enduring.  It's often possible for a magician or mystic to perceive the potential of a musician or poet, long before they are capable of seeing it themselves.  A Master of the Temple must interpret all events in relation to the Great Work of enlightenment.  The list of artists is endless and  I could probably prove that hundreds of artists are either directly involved in the Thelemic current (and other systems of enlightenment; it remains to be seen which shall assert as dominant), or are being used as unconscious instruments, to communicate the message of the new aeon.

    Crowley once wrote that a reading of his poetry often spoiled individuals to any other type of poetry.  This is because any form of art is only worth its capacity to reflect the divine in nature.

I charge you earnestly to come before me in a single robe, and covered with a rich headdress. I love you! I yearn to you! Pale or purple, veiled or voluptuous, I who am all pleasure and purple, and drunkenness of the innermost sense, desire you. Put on the wings, and arouse the coiled spendour within you: come unto me! At all my meetings with you shall the priestess say - and her eyes shall burn with desire as she stands bare and rejoicing in my secret temple - To me! To me! calling forth the flame of the hearts of all in her love-chant.

- Aleister Crowley

Bibliography

Crowley, Aleister. The Law is for All - the Commentaries on the Book of the Law. Tempe Arizona: New Falcon, 1998.

Crowley, Aleister. Magick Without Tears. Tempe, Arizona: New Falcon, 1991.

Crowley, Aleister. Magick in Theory and Practice. Secaucus, New Jersey: Castle Books, 1991.

Crowley, Aleister. 777 and Other Qabalistic Writings of Aleister Crowley.York Beach, Maine: Samuel Weiser, 1997.

Crowley, Aleister. Gems from the Equinox.  Tempe, Arizona: New Falcon, 1997.

Crowley, Aleister. The Equinox of the Gods.   Tempe, Arizona: New Falcon, 1997.

Crowley, Aleister. The Confessions of Aleister Crowley. England.  Penguin Books,  1989

Crowley, Aleister. The Book of Lies.   York Beach, Maine: Samuel Weiser, 2000.

Crowley, Aleister. Liber Aleph. York Beach, Maine: Samuel Weiser, 1997.

Crowley, Aleister. The Book of Thoth.   York Beach, Maine: Samuel Weiser, 1996.

Crowley, Aleister. The Vision and the Voice with Commentaries and Other Papers.  York Beach, Maine: Samuel Weiser, 1998.

Crowley, Aleister. The Holy Books of Thelema.    York Beach, Maine: Samuel Weiser, 1988.

Crowley, Aleister. Commentaries on the Holy Books.   York Beach, Maine: Samuel Weiser, 1996.

�2004 Ian Axir.  All Rights Reseved.