[3] This text, initially published as a leaflet or broadside, delineates the fundamental rights of individuals as viewed through the lens of Thelema, the spiritual and social movement which Crowley founded in the early 20th century.
It remains an essential document within Thelemic practice, continuing to influence contemporary interpretations of Crowley's work and the broader neopagan and New Age movements.
The war influenced Crowley's emphasis on individual rights and freedoms, as he objected to the violations of human liberties under totalitarian regimes, most notably those led by Adolf Hitler.
[10] Hitler also banned Thelema in Germany, and Crowley's close student and eventual successor Karl Germer (1885–1962) was arrested by the Gestapo on 13 February 1935 in Leipzig and incarcerated.
[11] He was first held at the Columbia-Haus prison in Berlin before being transferred to the Esterwegen concentration camp on the Dutch Frontier where thousands of political dissidents were imprisoned by the Nazis,[12] where he remained for seven months and was subjected to solitary confinement.
[12] The impact of World War II on personal freedoms and the oppressive nature of many wartime governments inspired Crowley to create a text that explicitly delineated the rights he believed were fundamental to every individual.
During this time, Crowley was actively involved in promoting his philosophical and spiritual ideas, making Liber OZ a critical document in his later work.
[6] Crowley's involvement with Ordo Templi Orientis, a fraternal organization dedicated to the study and practice of esotericism and Thelema, was instrumental in the formulation of Liber OZ.
The principles articulated in this text draw heavily from earlier initiation lectures and teachings within O.T.O., reflecting Crowley's long-standing commitment to these ideals.
Crowley viewed these rights as integral to the pursuit of one's True Will, allowing individuals to seek environments and experiences that facilitate their spiritual and personal development.
[19] Crowley then enumerates mental and expressive rights, including the freedom to think, speak, write, draw, paint, carve, etch, mold, build, and dress as one wills.
[7] Scholars have explored the philosophical underpinnings of Liber OZ, its historical context, and its implications for contemporary issues of freedom and human rights.