It would be all too easy to dismiss Aleister Crowley as a gleefully evil libertine with a penchant for tantric sex, mind-altering substances, and funny hats, but the truth is that without his influence, we'd be living in a very different world right now...quite probably one without Scientology, Wicca, or any number of other New Age belief systems involving self-discovery, ritual magic(k) and highly-evolved clams.

Crowley's philosophies penetrated deep into the subconscious of the Sixties counterculture, and were a big influence on acid-guru Timothy Leary, along with a multitude of rock luminaries, most notably guitarist Jimmy Page. The Great Beast also casts his shadow on the world of literature: author Robert Anton Wilson, of Illuminatus fame, was an initiate of Crowley's Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.).

Where will Crowley's influence turn up next? Can we find a way to blame him for the proliferation of home-remodeling shows on television? I'll let you know if I uncover any incontrovertible evidence.