Aleister Crowley, the Thelemic Tradition, and the Creative Arts (original) (raw)

The paper discusses the intersection of esotericism and the creative arts, emphasizing how esoteric beliefs and practices have significantly influenced modern art and literature. It highlights the importance of various esoteric traditions—including Thelema, a philosophical system developed by Aleister Crowley—and their impact on artists and art movements such as Symbolism and Surrealism. By examining both historical and contemporary examples, the paper argues for the recognition of esotericism not as a fringe element but as a crucial, transformative force in the development of modern artistic expression.