Thank you so much for all you have brought the world. I will continue to cherish Chaos Magick for the rest of my life. And thank you for your voice acting, making you into characters continues to be a pleasure. Animating your voice acting now feels especially warm for me, because in this time – you are still preforming. Cheers, Molly or Wolly
I remember reading a review of Liber Null in Prediction magazine, which basically advised avoiding it at all costs.
A few weeks later my copy arrived from Sorcerers Apprentice, and that was the beginning of a long journey. Travel well Pete.
A few weeks later my copy arrived from Sorcerers Apprentice, and that was the beginning of a long journey. Travel well Pete.
By now everyone who recognises his name will know that he has left this plane of existence. It was sudden, quite a shock to everyone who knew him, even just from his writings.
With that in mind, I offer my deepest condolences to his wife and daughters, who will be feeling this most of all.
What was Pete Carroll to me... Inspiration, publishing contact, colleague, chancellor, co-writer... friend.
In many ways, I hardly knew Pete, but I hardly knew him for thirty-eight years. He had become a presence in my extended circle, though mostly on email and the Arcanorium forum in its original guise.
I first wrote to him around 1988 to ask about history of chaos magic for an article I had been asked to write. He actually asked Charlie Brewster to provide the information to me at the time, which resulted in a five page letter that I had occasion to revisit in a recent project.
Years later, Pete wrote to me to ask if I was still in touch with Charlie as they had lost track of each other. I wasn't, but I did some Internet stalking and found Charlie on Facebook. Putting them back in contact felt good, because by then I considered Pete a friend and I knew his much closer friendship with Charlie had a lot of history behind it.
In between there had been occasional email correspondence, and eventually in the early 2000s, he opened Arcanorium College and invited me to join the staff. I accepted of course, though I've never had a calling to teach. It was an interesting set-up and it's where I got to know Pete a little on a personal level, learning about his family, to whom he was very devoted, and his love of surfing.
I met him in person only once; at an AGM meeting for Arcanorium. It was the first time I met several other staff members in person as well and Pete was giving out signed copies of his most recent book at the time, which had grown largely through Arcanorium student input.
There was nothing 'Diva' or self-important about the man. He was pleasant, polite, had shown himself to be diplomatic behind the scenes at the college and if anything, gave me the impression of a somewhat shy academic.
He was also very intelligent and no-nonsense. He spoke to me fairly openly about his feelings about what had become of his Order, about certain people who came up in conversation, and the sort of things one might discuss with a trusted friend. Despite being primarily correspondents, we had developed a mutual respect and a certain level of trust.
When he was asked to spearhead an anthology of chaos magic articles, I was on the list of those invited to contribute. I accepted, and also co-wrote an article about the inception of his chaos magic group back in the 1970s, which ironically gave me license to question him extensively about that history, and also brought Charlie's old letter out of my files, as it included events that led up to the Speedwell House group that has been written about elsewhere.
Then the publisher asked for a follow up anthology around the same time Mandrake Publishing took an interest in reviving the old magazine, Chaos International. I was on the advance list for a call for articles for these as well. I had sent my submission for the anthology, which Pete approved, and was just about to send my article for Chaos International, when the news came out. Pete had died suddenly.
It was like running smack into a brick wall. It's bad enough to lose a friend, but in the middle of a project with shared interest has an immediacy to it that amplifies that sense of sudden loss.
Pete had been working with a co-editor this time. They already had enough material for both projects. At least one and likely both will go ahead and include some form of memoriam to Pete.
But mourning the loss of a friend and colleague is a process that has hardly begun. Even though I hardly knew him, the world feels like a darker place with his loss.
R.I.P. Peter J. Carroll.
With that in mind, I offer my deepest condolences to his wife and daughters, who will be feeling this most of all.
What was Pete Carroll to me... Inspiration, publishing contact, colleague, chancellor, co-writer... friend.
In many ways, I hardly knew Pete, but I hardly knew him for thirty-eight years. He had become a presence in my extended circle, though mostly on email and the Arcanorium forum in its original guise.
I first wrote to him around 1988 to ask about history of chaos magic for an article I had been asked to write. He actually asked Charlie Brewster to provide the information to me at the time, which resulted in a five page letter that I had occasion to revisit in a recent project.
Years later, Pete wrote to me to ask if I was still in touch with Charlie as they had lost track of each other. I wasn't, but I did some Internet stalking and found Charlie on Facebook. Putting them back in contact felt good, because by then I considered Pete a friend and I knew his much closer friendship with Charlie had a lot of history behind it.
In between there had been occasional email correspondence, and eventually in the early 2000s, he opened Arcanorium College and invited me to join the staff. I accepted of course, though I've never had a calling to teach. It was an interesting set-up and it's where I got to know Pete a little on a personal level, learning about his family, to whom he was very devoted, and his love of surfing.
I met him in person only once; at an AGM meeting for Arcanorium. It was the first time I met several other staff members in person as well and Pete was giving out signed copies of his most recent book at the time, which had grown largely through Arcanorium student input.
There was nothing 'Diva' or self-important about the man. He was pleasant, polite, had shown himself to be diplomatic behind the scenes at the college and if anything, gave me the impression of a somewhat shy academic.
He was also very intelligent and no-nonsense. He spoke to me fairly openly about his feelings about what had become of his Order, about certain people who came up in conversation, and the sort of things one might discuss with a trusted friend. Despite being primarily correspondents, we had developed a mutual respect and a certain level of trust.
When he was asked to spearhead an anthology of chaos magic articles, I was on the list of those invited to contribute. I accepted, and also co-wrote an article about the inception of his chaos magic group back in the 1970s, which ironically gave me license to question him extensively about that history, and also brought Charlie's old letter out of my files, as it included events that led up to the Speedwell House group that has been written about elsewhere.
Then the publisher asked for a follow up anthology around the same time Mandrake Publishing took an interest in reviving the old magazine, Chaos International. I was on the advance list for a call for articles for these as well. I had sent my submission for the anthology, which Pete approved, and was just about to send my article for Chaos International, when the news came out. Pete had died suddenly.
It was like running smack into a brick wall. It's bad enough to lose a friend, but in the middle of a project with shared interest has an immediacy to it that amplifies that sense of sudden loss.
Pete had been working with a co-editor this time. They already had enough material for both projects. At least one and likely both will go ahead and include some form of memoriam to Pete.
But mourning the loss of a friend and colleague is a process that has hardly begun. Even though I hardly knew him, the world feels like a darker place with his loss.
R.I.P. Peter J. Carroll.
While Pete was only personally a part of my life for the better half of the past year through his Arcanorium College, his work has penetrated my life for many years. I cannot fully express my gratitude to him, it is more than words can tell. His words, however, even when brief, held immense power, and luckily he has left behind a life of work that will continue to bring inspiration and wonder to many generations to come. He gave this world more than most do in multiple lifetimes. Some called him the most influential magician since Crowley, some called him Merlin, and I, unable to fully disagree, called him Chancellor.
Pete was more than just a mentor to me; I considered him a friend. Over the past 3.5 years we exchanged hundreds of emails and met in person several times. He offered me not only his magickal guidance but also honest, grounded life and business advice that made me think and shaped my path both as a human and as a magician. I am deeply grateful for everything he has done for me, and I will miss the burger times with him.
Pete's works were extremely important to my formative years in magic. So long and thanks for all the chaos.
Utmost Condolences 💐 for Pete’s family. I enjoyed learning and reading his books and participating in his online discussions. May his journey amongst the Great Cosmos and knowledge go beyond all constructions!
Not so much words to say; I always wrote vast emails full of questions...and he, with a great genius answered me in few words, so, this time is my time: Thanks, thanks, and again thanks friend, great magus Stokastikos, Pete. Your Great Work was done, so I wish you a good travel. Wish you can do your Will.
Azath
Azath
Peter J Carroll (1953-2026)
The Wizard has gone.
The celebrated occultural author, teacher and innovator Peter J Carroll passed away unexpectedly in the early hours of Wednesday 22nd April 2026. He was a star whose books and ideas changed the lives of millions. He was instrumental in the birth of Chaos Magick, one the most significant new magical/philosophical streams of thought of our times.
He is survived by a wife and two daughters. Pete will be cremated in a simple private ceremony for close friends and family. He leaves a great legacy which will be the subject of a longer eulogy and memorial in due course.
An online memorial page will be hosted on this site in coming days.
THE END
The Wizard has gone.
The celebrated occultural author, teacher and innovator Peter J Carroll passed away unexpectedly in the early hours of Wednesday 22nd April 2026. He was a star whose books and ideas changed the lives of millions. He was instrumental in the birth of Chaos Magick, one the most significant new magical/philosophical streams of thought of our times.
He is survived by a wife and two daughters. Pete will be cremated in a simple private ceremony for close friends and family. He leaves a great legacy which will be the subject of a longer eulogy and memorial in due course.
An online memorial page will be hosted on this site in coming days.
THE END