We discuss Crowley’s version of Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching. He regarded it as among his greatest works. However, critics and biographers have reacted with ridicule and dismissal, largely because Crowley didn’t know Chinese. Yet when Crowley’s rendition is read alongside the English translation by James Legge that he was working from, suddenly the significance of Crowley’s version becomes clear.
Crowley’s Tao Teh King (his preferred spelling) remains in copyright and an authorised version has not appeared in print since the early 1990s. If you want to read a paper copy, it’s going to cost you! The best, most accessible online version I’ve found is: Aleister Crowley, Tao Teh King (Liber CLVII), https://tinyurl.com/2fnmfvzf (invisiblehouse.org). Accessed August 2026.
In contrast, Legge’s translation of The Tâo Teh King (his spelling), is long out of copyright and is included in his collection of translations, The Sacred Books of the East, vol. 39 (Oxford: Clarendon, 1891), pp. 47ff, available online at: https://tinyurl.com/43vrbyss (archive.org). Accessed August 2026.
Duncan Barford, “Commentary on the Vimuttimagga”, https://tinyurl.com/ypru3hjs (firekasina.org). Accessed August 2026.
The Simon Iff story mentioned is “The Monkey and the Buzz-Saw”, in: The Simon Iff Stories & Other Works (Ware, UK: Wordsworth), p. 203.
A very helpful and freely available character-by-character breakdown of the Tao Teh King is Bradford Hatcher, Lao Tzu—Tao Te Ching: Word by Word, https://tinyurl.com/mrdh6wa5 (hermetica.info). Accessed August 2026.
Music: (Intro) "For Her Demon Lover" by OEITH; "Ambertide" by OEITH; (Outro) "Another World" by Shedding Feathers.
Alan is offering an in-person retreat (the first in seven years), 21-28 September, in Kilfane, County Kilkenny, Ireland. Details: https://barbarouswords.com/retreat
Duncan has made a zine. Minor Arcana issues #1, #2 and #3 are available now. Issue #3 includes the essay discussed in the podcast. Further titles and issues are planned. Copies can be ordered from: https://barbarousbooks.bigcartel.com/
Curl up with Duncan's novel, The Going Down, published by Sul Books, or peek beneath the veil through Occult Experiments in the Home: The Podcast Transcripts, published by Heptarchia. Available from the usual places.
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