Introduction by the Editors

Summary

Leah Hirsig, a Swiss-American schoolteacher, became the lover and follower of British occultist Aleister Crowley in the 1920s and was appointed the Scarlet Woman, the human avatar of the Thelemic goddess Babalon and Crowley's feminine counterpart. Her involvement in Thelema, from 1918–1919 until her departure in 1927–1930, is traced and situated within the changing roles of women in the early twentieth century, relating to the literary trope of the "New Woman." Esoteric movements of the time often offered heightened opportunities for women's leadership, but Hirsig's occult involvement was also shaped by gendered inequalities in work and reproductive rights.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract This editorial introduction provides a biographical overview of the life of Leah Hirsig, a Swiss-American schoolteacher, occultist and, during the 1920s, lover and follower of the prominent British occultist Aleister Crowley. Hirsig’s involvement in Crowley’s religion, Thelema, is traced, from her initial meeting with Crowley in 1918–1919 until her departure from the movement in 1927–1930. This includes Hirsig’s appointment to, and eventual removal from, the office of Scarlet Woman, identifying her as the human avatar of the Thelemic goddess Babalon and Crowley’s feminine counterpart. Hirsig’s involvement in Thelema is situated within the changing roles of women in the early twentieth century and related to the literary and journalistic trope of the “New Woman.” The introduction highlights how esoteric and occult movements of the time often offered heightened opportunities for women’s leadership. At the same time, Hirsig’s involvement in occultism was also shaped by gendered inequalities, pertaining both to work and reproductive rights, and the introduction takes these conditions into account.