ABSTRACT
Crowley observes a more abstract connection between chess and magic in that both potentially involve elaborate imaginary visualizations. As he observes in his autobiography, “On the surface, there seems little relation between Magick and chess, but my ability to play three games simultaneously blindfold was now very useful. I had no diculty in visualizing the astral temple by an eort of will, and of course I was perfectly able to watch the results of the invocations with my astral eyes” (Confessions 517). Crowley’s observations predate digital virtual worlds, but his remarks suggest that games and magic both entail complex operations that take place in imaginary spaces requiring the active mental participation of players.
