ABSTRACT
The neo-gnostic churches of the episcopi vagantes discussed in Chapter 3 played upon the accusations of sexual licentiousness and/or deviance levelled against earlier gnostic sects by orthodox Christianity. They accepted the claims as true but, contrary to orthodoxy, perceived sexual practices to be spiritually benefi cial. This was to be taken further by the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO) and, in particular, Aleister Crowley (1875-1947). Given the latter’s infl uence on Wicca’s sex-magical practices, it makes sense to begin this chapter with an assessment of Crowley, sex magic and Thelema.
