Choronzon

Choronzon is a significant demonic entity originating in the 16th-century occult system of Enochian magic, as documented by Edward Kelley and John Dee. This entity gained further prominence in the 20th century through the mystical teachings of Aleister Crowley, where Choronzon became a cornerstone of his system of Thelema.

Role in Thelema

Within Thelema, Choronzon is famously known as the "dweller in the abyss." This abyss is conceived as a vast, chaotic space in occult cosmology, representing the ultimate obstacle that an adept must overcome on the path to spiritual enlightenment. Thelemites believe that if an adept is sufficiently prepared, encountering Choronzon can lead to the destruction of the ego, a process often referred to as "ego death." This dissolution of the self is seen as essential for transcending the limitations of the abyss and achieving a higher state of being.

Crowley himself described Choronzon as the "demon of dispersion" and a temporary personification of the "raving and inconsistent forces" that inhabit the abyss. He viewed Choronzon not as a fixed individual but as a manifestation of the chaotic, meaningless forms that crave existence within the void. The purpose of evoking Choronzon, according to this view, is not to worship but to confront and master these dispersive forces, thereby integrating them and moving beyond them.

Noteworthy Evocation and Controversies

Aleister Crowley recounted an event in December 1909, in Bou Saâda, Algeria, where he and Victor Benjamin Neuburg claimed to have evoked Choronzon. The details of this evocation are complex and have been subject to scrutiny. Crowley's account, appearing in his writings and in the "Book of the Law" (Liber 418), describes the demon manifesting and attacking Neuburg. However, the reliability of these original pages has been questioned due to their missing sections, leading to speculation that Crowley may have embellished the event to support his beliefs. Furthermore, Victor Neuburg's recollection of the event, as reported by Arthur Calder-Marshall, differs significantly, suggesting they may have evoked a different entity or experienced the event subjectively.

Associations and Variations

Choronzon is symbolically held in check by the goddess Babalon, who resides in Binah, the third sephirah on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. The name itself has seen variations in spelling, including "Coronzon" and "Coronzom," appearing in different historical occult texts. Beyond its primary occult associations, Choronzon has made appearances in popular culture, including an episode of "Hammer House of Horror" and Neil Gaiman's "Sandman" comic series, solidifying its presence in modern esoteric and artistic discourse.