"I was not content to believe in a personal devil and serve him, in the ordinary sense of the word. I wanted to get hold of him personally and become his chief of staff"

Aleister Crowley's quote shows his intriguing and frequently questionable approach to spirituality, belief systems, and the exploration of personal desires and power. Crowley, a popular figure in the early 20th century known for his participation in the occult and his founding of the religion of Thelema, often challenged standard spiritual and ethical norms. This quote encapsulates his desire to move beyond conventional religious analyses and engage more deeply with what he saw as the essential forces of the universe.

The phrase "not content to believe in an individual devil and serve him" recommends a dissatisfaction with passive acceptance of traditional spiritual teachings, particularly the concept of a devil as simply an abstract or symbolic representation of evil. Rather of adhering to the common view of the devil as an entity to be feared or avoided, Crowley reveals a desire for a more direct and individual interaction. Here, the "personal devil" can be interpreted as a sign of untapped capacity, prohibited knowledge, or the darker elements of humanity that he wished to understand and harness.

By stating "I wished to get hold of him personally and become his chief of personnel", Crowley suggests a wish to go beyond shallow or surface-level engagement with the idea of wicked or rebellion. This shows his broader quest for mastery over his own life and fate. Becoming the "chief of staff" to the devil can be seen as a metaphor for seeking leadership or a commanding role within the realm of his own spiritual and existential exploration.

In general, the quote can be comprehended as Crowley's allegorical way of expressing his intent to actively confront and incorporate the complexities and dualities within himself and the world, instead of just adhering to received wisdom or passive belief. It underscores a theme widespread in Crowley's work: the pursuit of specific knowledge and power through the expedition of both light and dark aspects of presence.