Well, for one, Drs. Timothy Leary and John Lilly were both avid readers of his methods, and it helped shape their take on what in large part can be seen (and is

Well, for one, Drs. Timothy Leary and John Lilly were both avid readers of his methods, and it helped shape their take on what in large part can be seen (and is sometimes explicitly referred to) as "programming the human mind." Ritual can be seen as a routine designed as an input that brings about a desired output, much like code being put into a machine. For people who like the intersection of programming and the brain as a computer analogy, this scratches an itch. And when it comes to really initiating at least a semi-scientific approach to rituals of antiquity, Crowley was right in the middle of it. William James would be another good place to look if you ask me -- though honestly, Crowley mentions this in his reading lists, among quite a few good other sources. I agree that he also has a lot of baggage -- the man enjoyed manipulating people, gaining power, and of course, gaining money to feed his cocaine and heroin habits. He was also a spy for MI-6. In some of his better moments he actively sought NOT to be some sort of messiah, but in many of his more mischievous times he reveled in it. Tread carefully -- but yes, there's a lot to be curious about.