Jimmy Page’s interest in the occult is nearly as famous as his guitar solo on Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.” And, just like the exact notes that seem to confuse most guitarists trying out the song for record store attendees, the myths surrounding Page and the occult confuse the general audience.
This is why today I am looking at the famous musician’s interest in esoteric philosophy, Aleister Crowley and alchemical symbols. Let’s call this an introduction to hard-rock magik.
Late 60s rockers and their passion for the occult
In Peter Bebergal’s excellent book “Season of the Witch: How the Occult Saved Rock n’ Roll,” the author argues that 1960s musicians took an interest in esoteric philosophy as a way to find new means of artistic expression.
Their hippie predecessors had also shown a desire to experiment with different philosophies. The Beatles had travelled to Rishikesh and introduced meditation and Indian mysticism into pop culture. The Grateful Dead carried out the Beatnik vision aided by acid. And, The Band and Bob Dylan sought old-fashioned values.
Meanwhile, this idyllic vision was starting to be challenged by potential villains. Horror elements would soon enter rock by way of Alice Cooper or Black Sabbath. David Bowie would talk of androgyne aliens and Nietzschean supermen. And many bands would take on the image of outlaws.
Arguably, none of these famous musicians was as genuinely dedicated to the occult as Jimmy Page. The former session man and Yarbyrds’ guitarist started Led Zeppelin in 1969. From the beginning, his vision for the sound and look of the band made room for some of these interests.
Aleister Crowley: The Occultist Who Influenced Jimmy Page
According to Dave Lewis’s “Jimmy Page: The Definitive Biography,” Aleister Crowley, the notorious English occultist, was a major influence on Jimmy Page’s life and work. Crowley, a self-proclaimed magus, founded the religion of Thelema, which emphasized personal freedom, self-empowerment, and the pursuit of one’s own desires. He was also a rich kid who lost his fortune and spent his life seeking adventure and, for a while, narcotics.
Yes, in popular culture, Crowley has often been shown as a notorious villain. His comedic self-proclamation as “the wickedest man alive” is often cited. However, in the culture of modern magik, he is highly regarded. Others also view him as a serious writer and a very serious practicant of magic. Crowley is briefly mentioned in Ernest Hemingway’s memoir “A Moveable Feast.”
Page was fascinated by Crowley’s writings and ideology. At one time, it was said that it owned the biggest collection of first-edition books by the author. Page incorporated elements of Thelema into his music and stage persona. For example, according to Stephen Davis’ “Hammer of the Gods: The Led Zeppelin Saga,” the phrase “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law,” which is central to Aleister Crowley’s philosophy, appears on the back cover of the album “Led Zeppelin IV.“
Boleskine House: A Haunted Scottish Castle and Jimmy Page’s Occult Retreat
In 1973, Page purchased Boleskine House, a crumbling mansion in the Scottish Highlands that had once been owned by Aleister Crowley. This went a long way toward helping the musician’s reputation as the biggest Crowley collector.
According to Gerald Yorke’s “The Occult World of Aleister Crowley: His Life, Magic, and Influence,” the house was said to be haunted, and Page reportedly conducted occult rituals there. However, Page’s relationship with Crowley’s Boleskine House was short-lived, and he sold it in 1992.
There are several myths related to this. First, it’s been said that David Bowie once met Page but left spooked, believing that the guitarist was trying to curse him. Another myth states that Robert Plant, Led Zeppelin’s singer, felt at odds with his bandmate’s interests, considering himself something of a hippie.
The Death of John Bonham and Conspiracy Theories
On September 25, 1980, Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham died after a night of heavy drinking at Page’s rented mansion in Los Angeles, which was not Boleskine House. According to Dave Lewis’s “Jimmy Page: The Definitive Biography,” some have speculated that Bonham’s death was linked to Page’s occult interests. Additionally, some have claimed that Page was using Bonham in a black magic ritual at the time of his death.
Of course, this theory is ridiculous. While it fulfils fans’ curiosity, the fact is that Page bitterly regretted his bandmate’s passing and the dissolution of the band he had created. Still, his image as a Dark Prince involuntarily associated him with the tragic event.
Zoso and the Symbols of Led Zeppelin IV
“Led Zeppelin IV”, the band’s fourth studio album, released in 1971, is widely regarded as one of the greatest rock albums of all time. Its iconic cover, featuring four symbols, has been the subject of much speculation and debate. While the meaning of the symbols remains shrouded in mystery, they are believed to be a reflection of Jimmy Page’s interest in alchemy.
Some think that the four symbols on Led Zeppelin IV, each representing a specific element, are believed to represent the four stages of the alchemical process: nigredo (blackness), albedo (whiteness), citrinitas (yellowness), and rubedo (redness).
Each is likely a sort of sigil or logo representing each band member. The musicians designed those themselves. Page’s symbol came to be known colloquially as “Zoso.” John Bonham’s sigil was created by placing a beer bottle on a table to form concentric circles.
Page is said to have amassed a vast collection of occult literature, including books on alchemy, astrology, and demonology. During the 1970s, he was the owner of an occult bookstore in London called Equinox.
Jimmy Page’s fascination with the occult has been a source of fascination and speculation for years. While some have dismissed his interests as mere curiosity, others believe that they played a significant role in the band’s music and his personal life.
This may or may not be true. But it shouldn’t be used as a simple explanation for Led Zeppelin’s glorious success. Managing to form a band with Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham, the greatest of casting, should be viewed as the main reason for Jimmy Page and the band’s triumphs.
