23                                      
(el)d2(el)u2(el)nSYN-1(el)u80.5ic(el)i2li2rThis Synopsis has been compiled from Aleister Crowley's writings; sources are referenced at the end of the Synopsis. Crowley's explanation of the meaning of the title and(ss))or number ascribed to each book follows each description. Publishing histories and full bibliographic information for the books described may be found in Appendices B and C.  ED.





(el)icp12.5l12.59INTRODUCTIONxe



L(el)u2IBER LXI

   Liber Causae.  The Preliminary Lection, including the History Lection.

   Explains the actual history of the origin of the present movement. Its statements are accurate in the ordinary sense of the word.  The object of the book is to discount mythopoeia.21[QX]   A manuscript giving an account of the history of the A...(el)A... in recent times.[QX]   This history contains no mythology; it is a statement of facts susceptible of rational proof.22[QX]   LXI      (el)itlf36See Sepher Sephiroth(el)f36.  The allusion is to the fact that this book forms an introduction to the series.3[QX](el)ic[QX]9THE  HOLY  BOOKSxe[QX][QX]icLIBER I[QX]   Liber B Vel Magi[QX]   This is an account of the Grade of Magus, the highest grade which it is ever possible to manifest in any way whatever upon this plane. Or so it is said by the Masters of the Temple.21[QX]   The Book of the Magus[QX]   This is an inspired writing.  It describes the conditions of that exalted Grade.  I had at this time no idea that I should ever attain to it; in fact, I thought it utterly beyond possibility.  This book was given to me that I might avoid mistakes when the time came for me to become a Magus.  It is impossible to give any idea of the terror and sublimity of this book, while the accuracy of its predictions and of its description of the state of being, at that time wholly beyond my imagination to conceive, make it a most astonishing document.24[QX]   I      (el)itlf36I is the number of the Magus in the Tarot.3[QX](el)ic[QX]LIBER(bl) VII[QX]   Liber Liberi Vel Lapidis Lazuli, Adumbratio Kabbalae gyptiorum Sub Figura(ss)e VII, being the Voluntary Emancipation of a certain Exempt Adept from his Adeptship.  These are the Birth Words of a Master of the Temple.[QX]   The nature of this book is sufficiently explained by its title.  Its seven chapters are referred to the seven planets in the following order: Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, Sol, Mercury, Luna, Venus.21[QX]   The Book of Lapis Lazuli[QX]   Gives in magical language an account of the Initiation of a Master of the Temple.  This is the only parallel, for Beauty of Ecstasy, to Liber LXV.2[QX]   The full knowledge of the interpretation of this book is concealed from all save only the Sixfold Star.[QX]   The Neophyte must nevertheless acquire a copy and thoroughly acquaint himself with the contents.  He must commit one chapter to memory.25[QX]   VII      (el)itlf36Refers to the 7 chapters, and to the fact that the number 7 is peculiarly suitable to the subject of the Book.3[QX](el)ic[QX]LIBER X[QX]   Liber Porta Lucis[QX]   This book is an account of the sending forth of the Master by the A...(el)A... and an explanation of his mission.21[QX]   This book is called The Gate of Light.  It explains how those who have attained initiation, taking pity upon the darkness and minuteness of the earth, send forth a messenger to men.  The message follows. It is an appeal to those who, being developed beyond the average of their fellows, see fit to take up the Great Work.  This work is then described in general terms with a few hints of its conditions.24[QX]7   X      (el)itlf36Porta Lucis, the Gate of Light, is one of the titles of Malkuth, whose number is X.3[QX](el)ic[QX]LIBER XXVII[QX]   Liber Trigrammaton, being a book of Trigrams of the Mutations of the T with the YIN and the YG account of the cosmic process: corresponding to the Stanzas of DZYAN in another system.21[QX]   Vel Trigrammaton[QX]   It describes the Course of Creation under the Figure of the Interplay of Three Principles.  The book corresponding to the Stanzas of Dzyan.24[QX]   The full knowledge of the interpretation of this book is concealed from all.[QX]   The Practicus must nevertheless acquire a copy, thoroughly acquaint himself with the contents, and commit them to memory.25[QX]   XXVII      (el)itlf36The number of permutations of 3 things taken 3 at a time, and (of course) the cube of 3.3[QX](el)ic[QX]