Showing posts with label Thelema. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thelema. Show all posts

02 August 2022

[Script] Channel Introduction, Mini-Bio, & Plans (new Rumble channel)

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Welcome to the latest iteration of “Frater O+X Speaks”. I’d been thinking about starting a Rumble channel, but YouTube forced my hand by spuriously suspending my channel because “Spam, scams or commercially deceptive content are not allowed on YouTube,” despite the fact that I’ve never engaged in any of these practices.

When I pointed out that I did not sell anything, try to sell anything, or respond except to the comment or video in question (& that sparingly), and further, I haven’t been posting much of anything over the past year as I was deployed, courtesy of the US Military, they (to paraphrase a bit) told me, “So What?”

Anyway, enough of the duplicitous inquisition of Silicon Valley.

I am Frater O+X. I have gone by various other names, both online and in Occult circles. Prior names have included Nexist, Nexist Xenda’ths, 31Seel, Gaeryth, Vividus Propter Deperire, IAO SABAO, and Eli Lith.

I have studied a wide variety of Occultic and Religious practice##s. I am demitted from both the Freemasons and the Ordo Templi Orientis. I am a Master Mason, I went through the degrees of the Scottish Rite, but did not work them. In the OTO, I am a Sovereign Prince Rose-Croix, and Knight of the Pelican & Eagle (or V*). I am an ordained priest of the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica. I also spent a few years practicing Alexandrian Wicca prior to joining the OTO. All in all, I have spent 35 years practicing various forms of Occultism, three decades of which were specifically Thelemic. I hold a degree in Asian Studies, with a focus on Japanese Religion and Art.

This is nowhere near complete, but I hate people who tell you how great they are — it should be self-evident. I am currently unaffiliated with any organized group and the thoughts expressed are my own. They are derived from the materials referenced and through a logical extension of those ideas. I start with the radical idea that Crowley might have known what he was talking about when it comes to Thelema.

So, where to from here. My goal is to discuss various topics of interest to the aspiring Thelemite. I will discuss Thelema, Primordial Tradition, various Religions, and Philosophy. I will discuss the occasional book, song, or other media. I plan on trying to put out one video a month to start.

Since I am not pretty, you won’t be looking at me.

Truth is found in the rubble of falsehood.

Love is the law, love under will.

12 March 2021

Lilith: Some Personal Reflections (Script)

Lilith

Personal Reflections

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

This is the base script for the videos which can be found at LBRY, Odysee, BitChute, and YouTube.

A Prayer to Lilith

Lady Lilith,
First Mother, Mother of Night
You who stood for what you thought was right.
You who uttered the words of magick before the races of man.
May I be as strong as you, may you be my aspiration and my root. May I dance with you in the eternal pleasures of Night.
May I have health and wealth and strength and joy and peace, and that fulfillment of Will and Love Under Will that is perpetual happiness.
AUGMN

This is a Prayer to Lilith which I wrote. It undergoes minor revisions periodically as my recitation changes. This was last revised on the 14th of July, 2020. It breaks down as follows.

  • Lady Lilith,
  • First Mother: Lilith was the first Wife of Adam. After fleeing him, she beget children via other spiritual entities (and through succubus style visits to Adam and his descendants).
  • Mother of Night: She is Queen of Succubi/Incubi, Vampires, and other Creatures of the Night.
  • You who stood for what you thought was right: She felt no need for subservience to Adam, so she refused. This destroyed her marriage.
  • You who uttered the words of magick before the races of man.: She fled Adam by use of the Tetragrammaton (which she Spoke). Later she gave her daughter Qalmana to Cain (Qayin) to be his Wife, thus bringing us civilization.
  • May I be as strong as you, may you be my aspiration and my root. May I dance with you in the eternal pleasures of Night.: Identification of the self with the divine, a reference to the Muladhara and Svanisthana chakras, and the reward as promised in Chapter I of AL as well as a rather obvious benefit of involving oneself with “sex demons”.
  • May I have health and wealth and strength and joy and peace, and that fulfillment of Will and Love Under Will that is perpetual happiness: Lifted from Liber XV, The Gnostic Mass
  • AUGMN: Thelemic Closure. Similar in purpose to Amen, but instead references the great recurrence/birth-death-rebirth cycle. It is built off the Sanskrit “OM” but spelled out so as to equal 93 in gematria.

Lilith is the Mother of the Night, Queen of Succubi, Incubi and all other Denizens of the Night. She is wild, passionate and independent. When humanity feared the Night, she was cast in a negative light. Now that we have grown up (or at least reached puberty), we can see that the frightening shadows gather their power from our projected fears.

The Legend of Lilith

Lilith was once the wife of Sammael, who is incorrectly known as Lucifer. This marriage did not last long for She is a wild, passionate, and heroic soul, quite incompatible with the cold demeanor of Sammael. After leaving Sammael, She joined with Adam.

Her time with Adam did not go well. Adam would insist and rail upon Her. "I am your lord and master," claimed Adam. However, Lilith would say, "We are both equal, for we are both issued from the dust, and I will not be your slave." This went on, Adam claiming he was superior and Lilith stating that they were equal. Eventually, Lilith became tired of Adam's self-perceived superiority and flew away.

Adam decided that this was too much and beseeched three angels -- whose names were Senoi, Sansenoi, and Sammengelof, to fetch Lilith back to him. They caught Lilith above what is now known as the Red Sea, and a great battle took place.

During the battle they realized that Lilith's powers were too great for them to force Her into obedience, and they attempted to drown Her. She fought them off but, during the battle, drops of Her blood fell into the sea, thus giving the Red Sea its name.

When the angels returned to report their failure, Adam went to Yahweh and said, "Oh, Almighty Lord, the creature that was my wife has left me, claiming that since we both came from the dust, we were equal and she refused to be my servant."

So the Almighty in his wisdom, caused a sleep to fall upon Adam, and in his slumber removed a rib. This He fashioned into a woman. As She had come from man, She was a part of man and, thus, belonged to man.

This is pretty much a literal retelling of the story found in Angelo S. Rappoport's Ancient Israel - Myths & Legends (3 Volumes in one). I changed the bias to positive and took poetic license with the naming of the Red Sea (though that is where the battle took place).

Originally this was found in Liber Atri Matris, a book I wrote back when I was set on forming my own Magickal Order. It is Amazing what one will do when one doesn't know how much one doesn’t know.


On Lilith

The following is also from Liber Atri Matris, circa 1994. It was meant to be a description for use in devotional practices. A kind of “This is what Lilith is and means to the Temple.” Some of it may still feel a bit dated, though I have done some editing to try and correct that.

Lilith has undergone some serious changes: Angel, Consort of the Devil, Consort of the First Man, Defier of Yahweh and Adam, Seducer of Men, Seducer of Women, Queen of Vampires, Queen of Demons, etc.

In recent years, she has been recognized as the first feminist and utilized as a role model for women searching for an archetype to lead them to freedom. Her existence as a pre-Hebraic goddess was thought proven by a translation of the prologue of "Gilgamesh, Enkidu and the Underworld" and by an Assyrian or Sumerian relief depicting a taloned women with various symbols of godhood and royalty. The carving however is not labeled and it turns out that Dr. Kramer may have taken some liberties when translating the poem. Synchronicity did not care.

The thought that she might be a deity struck fertile soil. Books of various levels of scholarship and sympathy were penned. The possibility that she was of Sumerian/Hebrew origin[I.e., the Sumarian word for a female spirit is Lili, however the Hebrews recorded this divinity as Lilith.] became plausible as more evidence showed that the Hebrews either had Goddesses and other Gods in the original indigenous religion, or that they adopted foreign gods and goddesses to supplement their War God Yahweh.

Regardless of Her origins in antiquity, today we have a name of power, and that name is Lilith. In 1988 through 1989, I happened through a string of synchronicities that continuously brought the name Lilith to the forefront of my mind. In the Autumn of 1989, I went to the Beth Israel Synagogue in NW Portland at about 2am. There, on the walkway between the great double doors of the synagogue and what I assumed to be administrative buildings, I performed an impromptu Evocation of Lilith. The energy amassed during this rite, of which I planned nothing[Unfortunately, I wrote down nothing at that time either. It occurred to me that the first chronicle was written down 24 January 1999 in the rough draft for this section.], was phenomenal and culminated in Lilith revealing Herself to me as a missing archetype, a forgotten Goddess of a type which so confounded society that She and her kin were denied, obfuscated, or restricted, almost universally.

Lilith was denied Her status as a goddess, demoted to a mere demoness -- which in Hebrew cosmology is less than human. Hecate was obfuscated by dividing Her into three finite parts so as to inhibit Her as a unified whole. The list continues. Nearly all goddesses who represented the Warrior-Lover, the feminine All-Devourer, All-Begetter (Panphage, Pangenitor), the missing Baubolic Archetype were dismissed, as much as possible, in the interests of society, during the Osirian Æon (q.v., II.6). We are now in a new Æon, the pendulum has swung from the Æon of Isis (Hunter-Gatherer, "Matriarchy") through the Æon of Osiris (Hierarchical Structures, "Patriarchy"). Now, in the Æon of Horus, we need to harmonize these two extremes, the Baubolic and the Priapic, by recognizing that each is as important as the other and exalting them both as the divine source of All that Is.

Lilith has stated clearly that she exists for Her Children and that the myths of the previous Æon were attempts to deprive Her of Her beloved Children by those who live in fear of the dark. The chains that used to bind us are cracking.

Lilith is a lithe, beautiful woman with pale skin, black hair and blood-red lips. Her eyes are the black of a starless sky, a black that fills the entirety of the eye. She is the governess of the Moon and Mistress of Death. Her animals are the Cat, the Owl, the Serpent, and the Horse. She is wild, headstrong, and passionate. She feels little sympathy but is nearly consumed with empathy. She doesn't pretend to care, she either shares your pain or she sends you on your way. She is a loving mother, but she is not one to coddle. If you can handle it, don't bother asking for pity or aid. She is quite likely to make things so bad that you can no longer handle it, and then wait until the last minute to lend a helping hand. However, if you really do need Her help, She will assist you without reservation. She desires equals, not servants. She was appalled by Yahweh's treatment of us in the Garden of Eden and worked with Zagreus to free us from our gilded cage.

She loves those whom She respects. She governs all sexual activity and cares not who one sleeps with or how, so long as all consent and all feel pleasure. This is Her preferred sacrament. Any joining together in love or lust are giving worship to Lilith.


More Discussion

Let’s wrap up with a few more notes in this brief introduction to Lilith.

When I started to become aware of Lilith, I was also assaulted with various other goddesses and characters of a similar stripe. While skimming through Jung (because every occultist should have at least a passing familiarity with Jung — if for no other reason than to call out others when they misuse him), I came across the concept of the Fourth aspect. We all know of the Maiden-Mother-Crone classification, from Wicca, if no where else. These correspond to the Virgin Youth, the Sexual Initiate Creating the Next Generation, and the Wisdom-bearer. These were tied to the Spring, the Summer, and the Autumn. However, there is a Goddess type that combines the Beauty of the Youth, the Sexual Initiation of the Mother, and the Wisdom (often Transgressive) of the Crone. This is the Fourth Aspect, the Virgin-Whore, the Mistress, and/or the Dark Mother. In Christianity this is represented by the Scarlet Woman/Babylon. This manifested in Thelema as Babalon. Elsewhere, we have various goddesses of magick, war, love, and destruction. Goddesses such as Kali, Astarte, Hecate, Morrigan, etc.

The fourth aspect is a synthesis of the other three. This is not to imply that the others are aspects of the fourth. Neither should any sense of superiority be attributed to this. Each aspect serves an important function in a functional society. Rather, if we made a triangle where each side was a base for another triangle, each triangle would be an aspect and the center of the triangles’ center would be the fourth aspect (qv. Illustration 1). Lilith in particular is a Dark Mother. She has sex with men to give birth to demons (it should be noted that demon is a classification of being, not a denotation of “evil”). She is powerful, seductive, and feminine. She is also outside the standard societal norms and thus represents a Tantric and Iconoclastic current (A male equivalent would be Dionysus or Odin/Loki). Like Babalon, all acts of pleasure are her sacred rites.

Center of the Triangle's Center

In the Thelemic Canon, Crowley makes repeated references to his beloved Laylah, night, who was his lover and Scarlet Woman. The imagery is strongly aligned to Lilith. Further, in The Vision and the Voice, in the third Aethyr (which corresponds to Binah, the great Mother and Initiate) Lilith is directly referenced. Readings of ZON should bear in mind the traditional equation of Lilith with Night Terrors, the Luciferian/Satanic Inversion of the symbolism of Revelations, the Alchemical transformation of Poison to Sustenance, and the traditional unfolding of revelation and understanding transforming that which is feared. The whole vision is filled with Tantric and Luciferian symbolism. It’s study is recommended.

“And Satan is worshipped by men under the name of Jesus; and Lucifer is worshipped by men under the name of Brahma; and Leviathan is worshipped by men under the name of Allah; and Belial is worshipped by men under the name of Buddha.” - ZON

Truth is found in the rubble of falsehood.

Love is the law, love under will.


References

Liber XV Ecclesiæ Gnosticæ Catholicæ Canon Missæ

ANCIENT ISREAL : Myths and Legends ; Three Volumes in One. RAPPOPORT, Angelo S.

Book of Lies (LAYLAH)

Vision and the Voice: Third Aethyr: ZON

Most of the links I am finding for Jung’s Fourth Aspect seem to be post-Jungian Feminist exclusionary jargon which is limited in utility for this topic.

18 September 2020

Section I.3: A Brief Description of Lilith.

 

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
– William Shakespeare (1564-1616), Romeo and Juliet Act II, scene ii

Lilith is the Mother of the Night, Queen of Succubi, Incubi and all other Denizens of the Night. She is wild, passionate and independent. When humanity feared the Night, she was cast in a negative light. Now that we have grown up (or at least reached puberty), we can see that the frightening shadows gather their power from our projected fears.

The Legend of Lilith

Lilith was once the wife of Sammael, who is incorrectly known as Lucifer. This marriage did not last long for She is a wild, passionate and heroic soul, quite incompatible with the cold demeanor of Sammael. After leaving Sammael, She joined with Adam.

Her time with Adam did not go well. Adam would insist and rail upon Her. “I am your lord and master,” claimed Adam. However, Lilith would say, “We are both equal, for we are both issued from the dust, and I will not be your slave.” This went on, Adam claiming he was superior and Lilith stating that they were equal. Eventually, Lilith became tired of Adam’s self-perceived superiority and flew away.

Adam decided that this was too much and beseeched three angels – whose names were Senoi, Sansenoi and Sammengelof, to fetch Lilith back to him. They caught Lilith above what is now known as the Red Sea, and a great battle took place.

During the battle they realized that Lilith’s powers were too great for them to force Her into obedience, and they attempted to drown Her. She fought them off but, during the battle, drops of Her blood fell into the sea, thus giving the Red Sea its name.

When the angels returned to report their failure, Adam went to Yahweh and said, “Oh, Almighty Lord, the creature that was my wife has left me, claiming that since we both came from the dust, we were equal and she refused to be my servant.”

So the Almighty in his wisdom, caused a sleep to fall upon Adam, and in his slumber removed a rib. This He fashioned into a woman. As She had come from man, She was a part of man and, thus, belonged to man.

This is pretty much a literal retelling of the story found in Angelo S. Rappoport’s Ancient Israel - Myths & Legends (3 Volumes in one). I changed the bias to positive and took poetic license with the naming of the Red Sea (though that is where the battle took place).

Originally found in Liber Atri Matris, a book I wrote back when I was set on forming my own Magickal Order. Amazing what one will do when one doesn’t know how much they don’t know.

20 May 2020

Leadership and Followership

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

The following derives from some readings on Chinese philosophy (Confucian) and a discussion thread on Facebook with a senior member of the OTO. While these criticisms started as specific to the OTO, they are applicable to any leadership and follower-ship situation. In other words, do not take this as a criticism of the OTO, but of a dynamic at play with multiple organizations operating within the modern world.

Mengzi

I would like to start with a selection from Mengzi, or Mencius, Book 1, Part B, Chapter 6 — or Mengzi 1B6. I apologize in advance for any butchering I do with the pronunciation of transliterated Chinese.

Mengzi spoke to King Xuan of Qi, saying, “If, among Your Majesty’s ministers, there was one who entrusted his wife and children to a friend, and traveled to the state of Chu, and when he returned, he discovered that his friend had let his wife and children become cold and hungry – how should he deal with this?”

The King said, “Abandon him.”

Mengzi said, “If the Sergeant-at-Arms is not able to keep order among the scholars, how should one deal with this?”

The King said, “Discharge him.”

Mengzi said, “If the reign within the four borders is not well ordered, then how should one deal with this?”

The King turned toward his attendants and changed the topic.

Facebook Thread

OTO: Leadership and How the Lack Thereof Impacts the Unfolding of One’s Will (Excerpt from Thelemic Discussion Group)

I apologize in advance for using “They” as a gender neutral singular pronoun. However, I do not have permission to use the other parties name & decided to use it to preserve anonymity

On the Thelemic Discussion Group, as often occurs, a discussion came around to the leadership of the OTO. The usual participants were present and the discussion came down to a comparison of strong leaders or independent sovereign Thelemites. Since “or” is typically interpreted in such cases as being exclusive (XOR), I asked why it needed to be so. [A Senior member of the OTO], whom I have known for many years, clarified that the XOR was inferred by myself. They didn’t quite deny that it was an XOR. They then asked “How does having any leaders of whatever caliber interfere with us doing our work?” Below is my edited and slightly expanded response.

Thank you for answering rather than going straight to asking me for my opinion. It is a refreshing change.

Being in the military, I have been taught leadership principles. I’ve also read up on the subject, both titles recommended by the military and those recommended by friends. The essential point I feel that is relevant is that, no matter what modern ideology claims, we exist in a framework. That framework can be either overtly hierarchical (as in the military) or covertly hierarchical (as in society), or both. As such, any leader is also a follower. A primary principle of good leadership is that one must also be a good follower. This is a classic example of leading by example. If I do not follow the instructions of those above me, how can I logically expect those under me to follow my instruction (this is also explained in “Duty”). It is a basic magickal principle.

As to your question, we joined the OTO. The OTO is an overtly hierarchical organization. The OTO is meant to be a force for manifesting the Law of Thelema within society. It is described as being militant in nature. This means we need a plan of attack, a way of coordinating the battle so that our forces are not dissipated. While I don’t claim that corporations are people, it is logical to extend certain principles to any organization. The OTO has a “Will” (which I described above). If one’s will is not focused, then, as Crowley explains for the individual aspirant, one works at cross-purpose and fails to manifest one’s will. This is the case for organizations as well.

Our magickal work is our own. The exact details of our work as a vehicle for manifesting our will is our own as well. However, by virtue of our being drawn to and having joined the OTO, the “will” of the OTO is necessarily a component of our will. The purpose of initiation into a body is to align ourselves with that body, to incorporate that body’s goals into our own will.

If the leaders fail to unify our strategy (if I may extend the analogy, if they fail to play the part of the HGA for the OTO) then that component of our will is frustrated.

Any argument regarding leadership, organizations, and the individual’s will that fails to take into consideration that we are not isolate individuals is inherently flawed. Other people’s actions do act upon and modify the expression of our will. If the brain ceases to perform its job, the hands and feet will be hampered. The body may not die, autonomous systems will continue to perform, but effective action is stymied. The hand will still be a hand and may still develop in strength and “Hand-ness,” but the body will be ineffective. Likewise, if the leadership of an organization fails to lead, the members of that body will, by extension, be hampered in their will which was to, at least in part, manifest the will of the organization they joined. One could argue that the failure of the leadership to lead is, in fact, a betrayal of the membership.

Truth is found in the rubble of falsehood.
Love is the law, love under will.

Bibliography

Ivanhoe, Philip J. And Bryan W. Van Norden, ed. Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy. Indianapolis/Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 2005.

Video Locations:


12 April 2020

The Confession of St. Judas McCabbage

I believe in Charles Darwin Almighty, maker of Evolution; and in Ernst Haeckel, his only son our Lord Who for us men and for our salvation came down from Germany: who was conceived of Weissmann, born of Büchner, suffered under du Bois-Raymond, was printed, bound, and shelved: who was raised again into English (of sorts), ascended into the Pantheon of the Literary Guide and sitteth on the right hand of Edward Clodd: whence he shall come to judge the thick in the head.

I believe in Charles Watts; the Rationalist Press Association; the annual dinner at the Trocadero Restaurant; the regularity of subscriptions, the resurrection in a sixpenny edition, and the Book-stall everlasting.

AMEN.


Originally published in The Equinox Vol. I:1, special supplement “John St. John”
NX: I attempted to link the names mentioned as best I could. The ones with only a last name could be in error. Charles Watts could refer to the linked person, or his father. I chose the one who founded the Rationalist Press Association.

Invocation of (the Spirit of) Coffee

O coffee! By the mighty Name of Power do I invoke thee, consecrating thee to the Service of the Magic of Light. Let the pulsations of my heart be strong and regular and slow! Let my brain be wakeful and active in its supreme task of self-control! That my desired end may be effected through Thy strength, Adonai, unto Whom be the Glory for ever! Amen without lie, and Amen, and Amen of Amen.

From The Equinox supplement “John St. John”, The Third Day 10.40



11 April 2020

Shaving With Two Razors: On Truth and the Apprehension of Truth


Introduction

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Truth is repeatedly referenced in Occult literature. The quest for Truth, the pursuit of Truth, or otherwise understanding Reality (or the Truth about Reality) is a common theme in Occultism. Wisdom is derived from the application of truth. Affecting desired change on a thing necessitates knowing the Truth of a thing. Scientific Illuminism attempts to understand Truth via the scientific method. Thelemites are Scientific Illuminists.

As Liber AL tells us, ”Also reason is a lie; for there is a factor infinite & unknown; & all their words are skew-wise.” (AL II:32). In other words, reality is fundamentally irrational, it is important to learn how to identify the Truth, in as much as we can grasp it, so as to avoid Delusion. The current of Mysticism is always present within Magick. A siren’s lure leading us to destruction through self-delusion (q.v. Dangers of Mysticism). The Magician acts, the Mystic receives.

What is Truth?

To begin we must ask, “What is Truth?” This is a rather difficult question. Certainty has oft led mankind astray. History is littered with various mistakes. As Chantel Delsol tells us in Icarus Fallen, modernity is the traumatized remnants of failed certainties of the past. Given that “unknown factor”, it is far easier to highlight the truth by shading out that which is not truth.

Innocence, another unprovable condition, is defined as the absence of guilt. Merriam-Webster tells us that Innocence is defined as (a) “freedom from legal guilt of a particular crime or offense” or (b) “freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil : blamelessness”. This is why American courts have to prove guilt, rather than forcing the defendant to prove their innocence. In a sense, one could argue that innocence is the baseline and that guilt is the failure to meet that baseline.

In a similar manner, Truth is the absence of falsehood. This is a scientific way of pursuing Truth. One falsifies premises until one can no longer falsify a premise. That premise is then held as true until it is falsified. Further, one never ceases in their attempts to falsify a premise. As we are told in Terrier-Work, “Doubt all. Doubt even if thou doubtest all.” Only in this way do we persist in truth rather than falling into the pit of dogma as have other attempts at ascertaining the truth, both sacred and secular.

Obviously, one must know and understand the basic principles of logic (& its limitations). One should endeavor to be clear and concise with one’s speech and actions. However, there are some useful tools one can use in the search for truth. Some of the more helpful ones are the Scientific Method, Occam’s Razor, Hanlon’s Razor, and a knowledge of logical fallacies, both their use and misuse.

Tools for Finding the Truth

The Scientific Method is a constantly evolving doctrine. In reading Crowley, I feel that he was thinking of a more Humean version, however the modern version is more than enough to assist one in the pursuit of truth. I’ve linked a beginner’s description below. One thing to point out is the concept of the Null Hypothesis. The null hypothesis proves that your hypothesis is wrong. If I believe that heavier objects fall faster than lighter objects, a simple example of a null hypothesis would be that objects fall at the same rate regardless of their mass. The use of a diary and the setting of concrete goals is integral to the Thelemic system so that an analysis of the record would confirm or deny our hypotheses. Another important concept is Falsifiability. There must be a way to say ’This is true’, or ‘this is false’. A statement such as “all is Buddha nature” is not falsifiable. Anything not falsifiable is logically irrelevant. 

It should be mentioned that not everything is testable. Given the factor infinite and unknown, this should not be surprising. However, the scientific method will let us properly identify and account for these. As they are untestable, we can just accept them provisionally until something better comes along. After all, the fact that I cannot prove the efficacy of logic (proving logic would be a self-referential fallacy) does not mean that I am unwilling to utilize logic and accept its validity on a provisional basis. The utility of a provisional axiom lay in whether the conclusions drawn from that axiom match with what is known, observable, and testable.

Now, in day to day life, there are some handy tools for determining the probable validity of any hypothesis or chain of events. The first of these is the more commonly known Occam’s Razor. Officially, it states “entities should not be multiplied without necessity”. More simply, “the simplest solution is most likely the right one”. Ensure that every item is necessary in your hypothesis. While it is possible that the plant was knocked off the shelf by trespassers sneaking into your home, it is more likely that the cat (who is already known to be present) did so.

The second is known as Hanlon’s Razor. For some reason, the occult community is rife with conspiracy theorists and shadowy secret cabals. To counter this, we have Hanlon’s Razor, which states “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity”. Large chunks of convoluted arguments can be dismissed by virtue of these two razors. Keep them sharp.

Finally, we get to Logical Fallacies. Knowing logical fallacies is a poor substitute for knowing logic, but it quickly becomes apparent that many people have done just that. Some fallacies to keep in mind are equivocation (especially in its Motte and Bailey form), Appeal to Authority (whether popular or elite), and ad hominem.

Equivocation is the switching of a term’s definition mid argument. An example I recall was on the word “accept”. While it was being used in the sense of “agree with”, someone switched it to mean “received”. They claimed that because Liber AL had been physically handed to them, they had “accepted” the Book of the Law. Another form of the equivocation fallacy is termed Motte and Bailey. This is used quite often in political discussions where people will push for some radical policy but pretend that the opposition is attacking the non-radical core. A current example would be someone questioning the need to stockpile a month of supplies being told that they are dismissing the seriousness of the corona virus.

The Appeal to Authority is where someone perceived as an authority basically says “because I said so”. Now, this appeal should not always be discounted. If a medical doctor gives his assessment on a medical condition within their field of authority, it should be considered seriously. This is actually a common form of its misuse, to discredit the knowledgeable because it does not pander to one’s prejudice. It should be noted that the “Authority” does not have to be a single person or thing. “Everyone agrees” postulates that “everyone” is an authority and that the claim is true for no other reason than that agreement. Likewise, referencing an elite group sets that group as an Authority. These last two variations are commonly misused. Just because “everyone agrees” or “the cool kids like it” does not mean that the claim is automatically false, either. Egalitarians like to dismiss inconvenient claims by pointing out their appeal to the snobs and elites do so by pointing out their appeal to the vulgar masses.

Next is ad hominem. Attacking the person rather than their arguments does nothing to discredit the validity of their arguments. Hakim Bey’s (support for) pedophilia does not discredit his commentary on Cop Culture. Neither does Marx’s inability to handle money discredit Communism. It probably explains their motivations, but the truth or falsity of the arguments stand on its own. Ad hominem is commonly misused by people over-identifying with their argument. This is especially a problem if you analyze their logic. Another misuse is due to insults. If someone says “My god, you are so stupid,” that is not an ad hominem. It is an insult. It is totally separate from the argument. If they provide nothing else, the proper response is “and?” or “that’s nice, can you actually address the argument.”

Conclusion

To lay this out as a train of thought : Innocence is the absence of guilt. Likewise, Truth is the absence of Falsehood. By learning to identify the false, the invalid, the lie, one is able to remove that falsehood. If one were to remove all falsehoods, what remains would be truth. Therefore, what one holds to be true must be tested and tried. Ultimate Reality is likely irrational, or at the very least, vast enough that we will never encompass it all. However, where we live is governed by the Ruach (or if you prefer, the Mind). Thus, Logic, Data, and Facts allow us to strike down the falsehoods. Like a sculptor chipping away at a block of granite, the true shape of reality will eventually be brought forth. Truth is found in the rubble of falsehood.

By ascertaining the Truth, we can then progress along the path of perfection. The path of perfection, or, as I think of it, the accomplishment of one’s will, is an ongoing process. By conceiving of one’s perfected self, one creates a goal. When one achieves this goal, the imperfections in one’s prior conception of the Perfect become readily apparent. Thus, one formulates a new conception of perfection and the process repeats. Perhaps, one will achieve an objective manifestation of perfection. Perhaps, we will become mired in Zeno’s paradox. Though I feel that overcoming this paradox is a suitable target for perfecting the self.

Truth is found in the rubble of falsehood.
Love is the law, love under will.

Citations, References, and For Further Information

AL II:32
M-W “Innocence” (04 APR 2020)
Book of Lies, ΚΕΦΑΛΗ ΝΑ “Terrier-Work” p112
Six Steps of the Scientific Method (04 APR 2020)
Occam’s Razor (04 APR 2020)
Hanlon’s Razor (04 APR 2020)
Common logical fallacies (04 APR 2020)
Motte and Bailey (04 APR 2020)
Zeno’s paradox (04 APR 2020)

06 December 2019

Review of '93: An Aleister Crowley Primer' by Jerry and Erica Cornelius

93 Book Cover

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Jerry Cornelius, IX* and head of the Grady McMurtry A∴A∴, with Erica M. Cornelius, has given us another work sharing their insights into Thelema, titled 93: An Aleister Crowley Primer (2019). Reminiscent of Crowley’s Magick Without Tears, it covers a wide range of material suitable to variable levels of experience and exposure to Thelema.

Generally speaking, I dislike “Beginner Books”. By calling itself a primer, 93 places itself in that category. However, this book is closer to what I want to see.

Let me start with what I dislike about the book. First, its presentation is lacking. The book itself is visually unimpressive. I got it at the same time as another book which was double stitched and had all the other bells and whistles that I have come to expect from a limited edition book. I realize that 93 was priced as a standard book (i.e., $31) so this is a quibble. However, my initial impression was not favorable.

Next is the font. The font on the cover and elsewhere in the book reminds me of the font I used in my Anarcho-punk zines in the 1980s. This also detracts, in my opinion, from the impact of the book. Even though I acknowledge that these are rather piddly concerns, I feel it makes the book look a bit sad and dated.

As always, I find the lack of an index to be disappointing. While it is less of a concern given the question and answer format of this book, an index would still be beneficial.

A final complaint, if you are going to put a word in over-sized font, make sure it is spelled correctly. I have been unable to find a definition for the word “Aherant”. I can only infer that it is a misspelling of the word “Adherent”, which is discussed in some detail earlier in the book. Perhaps I missed this word, “Aherant”, being defined elsewhere in the text, but I do not recall it, nor did I find it anywhere near the text in question. Having complained about this, I will no doubt introduce a glaring typographical error in this essay.
page 207, Typo?

So, what do I like about the book? First off, it isn’t another beginner book where the author just gives us a simplified version of what Crowley wrote. DuQuette’s The Magick of Thelema is useful because it actually puts the god-names for the Hexagram ritual as a footnote to the Hexagram ritual. For some reason, Crowley did not. Useful, yes. Ground breaking, no. Even Shoemaker’s Living Thelema engages in some of this. That is not the case for 93. The book is a discussion of Thelemic thought, not a collection of recipes with the chef’s notes in the margins.

Being more akin to Magick Without Tears than Liber O, we get several questions with their answers. As it explicitly points out, this is from the Grady McMurtry school of the A∴A∴. Jerry has a rather fascinating history of his own in the Thelemic community. I will not claim I agree with him on everything, but I will give him a fair hearing. If I agreed with someone on everything, I would need to assume they were lying to me.

There are 116 questions (assuming I can still count), and six non-questions (including the preface et al). As I have been a Thelemite for three decades or so, I already had answers for some of the more basic questions — “What are the Secret Chiefs?” or “What is a Kaaba?” — though it is important to read these as one needs to know how the author is using the term. Various A∴A∴ lineages can have divergent meanings for the same terms. This doesn’t mean any of them are wrong, per se. It does mean that you can get tripped up when you assume they mean X but they actually mean Y.

I really enjoyed where they start discussing the Tunis commentary and various trends within the present day Thelemic community. They also discussed some of the flaws of the prophet. While I may not agree with all of their assessments, or the ramifications deriving from those assessments, it is refreshing to hear something a bit deeper than “he fails to meet up with the modern western moral values, so he is bad and wrong”. Objectively speaking, Crowley failed some of his charges as the prophet of the new aeon. Denying this will lead one into falsity and error.

So, all in all, this book is worth the money I spent on it. It is also worth the time I spent reading it — this being a more significant evaluation these days. I look forward to re-reading portions of this book and seeing if any other insights arise. I do plan on discussing a couple of portions of the book, so look forward to those videos.

Truth is found in the rubble of falsehood. 
Love is the law, love under will.


https://www.bitchute.com/video/n5k5gxEQ09wT/

13 September 2019

Thelemic Ritual of the Hexagram

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law

The hexagram ritual is required for any serious working. The Great Work happens in the space consecrated by the Hexagram. Work done under the auspices of the Pentagram may be supportive, but it is ultimately the realm of man and the material world. The hexagram is the realm of god and the spirit.

To put it another way, The pentagram raises one to the cross of the elements to allow one to exert force over Netzach, Hod, and Yesod. These, in turn, influence Malkuth. The hexagram rite places you in Tiphareth which is a far more stable location, being a sephira, for influencing these sephiroth.
The pentagram ritual is below the Veil of Parkoreth. The hexagram ritual is performed from the place of Knowledge and Conversation with one’s Holy Guardian Angel.

The importance of the hexagram ritual is shown by its inclusion in Liber O[0], the primary introductory text for Thelemic magick. Essentially, the hexagram ritual is in the same tier as learning how to assume a god-form, vibrate a holy name, perform the pentagram ritual, and of learning the basics of Astral Projection.

Crowley’s primary source for Hermetica was the Golden Dawn, and the Golden Dawn does have a hexagram ritual. In my copy of Regardie’s The Golden Dawn, it can be found on page 287–299.[1] As David Cherubim points out in his commentary on his version of the ritual. The original, Golden Dawn, hexagram ritual began and ended with a Qabalistic Cross identical to that of the Pentagram Ritual. Crowley changed this to the “Analysis of the Key Word”. This text is lifted from the Golden Dawn’s Adeptus Minor ritual[2] (i.e., Tiphareth). The text, from Liber O, reads:
    I, N, R, I
    Yod, Nun, Resh, Yod
    Virgo, Isis, Mighty Mother
    Scorpio, Apophis, Destroyer
    Sol, Osiris, Slain and Risen.
    Isis, Apophis, Osiris
    IAO
    The sign of Osiris Slain
    The Sign of the Mourning of Isis
    The Sign of Apophis and Typhon
    The Sign of Osiris Risen.
    LVX Lux Light of the Cross
This formulation is, despite its Egyptian trappings, pure Christian symbolism. The old Aeonic Christ dies, is lamented by Mary, Satan celebrates, and victory is snatched away by Christ’s resurrection. As Liber AL II:5 says, “ Behold! the rituals of the old time are black. Let the evil ones be cast away; let the good ones be purged by the prophet! Then shall this Knowledge go aright.”

To this end, I present a Thelemic Hexagram Ritual. I use a variation of the form published by David Cherubim, and recommended to me by Gerald del Campo, many years ago.

While more substantive in content than the changes made to the Thelemic Pentagram ritual, they are still rather minor.
    I, N, R, I
    Yod, Nun, Resh, Yod
    Virgo, Iacchus, Holy Father
    Scorpio, Asi, Holy Mother
    Sol, Orus, Holy Child
    Iacchus, Asi, Orus
    IAO
    The Sign of Orus
    The Sign of the Dance of Asi
    The Sign of the Joy of Iacchus
    The Sign of the Blazing Star
    LVX Lux Light of the Cross
Note that the sign order is the same: +, L, V, X. However, this formulation of the ritual gives us the IAO/OAI formula (q.v. The Vision & the Voice, 2nd Aethyr, ARN). I am providing a link to the various signs in the description[3]. I recommend the serious student learn all of them.

David Jones[4] explained to me that the Hexagram ritual’s elemental attributions corresponds to the Enochian system, so I use the Elemental colors of Enochian (White=Fire, Black=Earth, Red=Air, and Green=Water).

Since this ritual is mostly in English, little translation is needed. Only INRI and ARARITA need explanation. INRI is a formula that was adapted from Christianity. An Acronym for Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum, or Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews, the Latin alphabet is mapped to the Hebrew (as given on the second line), which corresponds to the Tarot cards of The Hermit, Death, and The Sun. Their study is recommended in understanding this term.

ARARITA is another acronym (or, more accurately, Notariqon). It is a latinization of the Hebrew phrase “Achad Rosh Achdotho Rosh Ichudo Temurato Achad”, or, as commonly translated, “One is His Beginning; One is His Individuality; His Permutation is One.”

I am including a link to the text of this variant in the description[5]. As with the standard Lesser Ritual of the Hexagram, the Greater is crafted by adding the Planetary Hexagram to the Elemental performed after the Analysis of the Key Word.

If you enjoyed this video, please like and subscribe.

Truth is found in the Rubble of Falsehood 
Love is the law, love under will 

[0]: Liber O: http://www.sacred-texts.com/oto/libero.htm
  1. Regardie, Israel. The Golden Dawn. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn, 1990.  ↩
  2. The Adeptus Minor Ritual Can be found on page 225.  ↩
  3. http://www.thelemapedia.org/index.php/Ritual_signs  ↩
  4. https://hermetic.com/jones/index  ↩
  5. https://dar205.blogspot.com/2017/03/thelemic-lesser-ritual-of-hexagram.html  ↩

26 May 2018

The Magical and Philosophical Commentaries on the Book of the Law

This essay came about from a discussion on another forum. It dates from about a year and a half ago. Some Edits have been made to (hopefully) clarify the text.

All questions of the Law are to be decided only by appeal to my writings, each for himself. (AL: Comment)

In the Tunis Comment, which is often used by the OTO and other self-identified Thelemites to stifle/avoid open discussion on what it means to be a Thelemite, we are instructed to look to Crowley’s writings. It strikes me as strange that his full commentaries are not in print. We were promised them back in the 1990s, but they have not materialized.

While the commentaries, which I understand to be abridged, are available online, the only published commentaries are out of print. This includes the “new” version of The Law is for All (1996) [Priced 26 May 2018 at $118 used]. The gold standard for commentaries has always been the Magical and Philosophical Commentaries on the Book of the Law (1974). This book has been out of print for some time. I almost had a heart attack when I realized that replacing it would cost about a $1000  [Priced 26 May 2018 at $765 used].

This book contains the Old and New Commentaries interspersed with the verses, and the Djeridensis Comment at the end. The old and new comments are differently edited than those of the original Law is for All (1983) [26 May Only $75 used]. Reading them all is probably the best option available to us. I will continue to wish for a complete, faithful edition of Crowley’s commentary, preferably with footnotes explaining any references, people, or places alluded to by the text.

Anyway, the commentary is important. It elaborates on the metaphysics underpinning the new Æon as understood by Crowley--who is enjoined in the text to do this. Accepting the Law means accepting the spiritual authority of Crowley as the prophet of the new Æon, and this text tells you what that means.

The text must be read carefully and repeatedly. There are many things that will upset modern readers, entrenched as they are in the modern worldview. Then again, I am very amused by how long passages of the most objectionable type (e.g. on women) are then followed by a “but we of Thelema reverse all of this”.

While writing this, I noticed that The Hermetic Library has a Magical & Philosophical Commentaries on the Book of the Law section under Liber AL vel Legis. I do not know if this is an actual transcription of the book or merely the old and new comments combined. I also spied the Djeridensis Comment, but the formatting of Chapter I is odd (it is in two columns in the book). (While checking to see if it is a faithful reproduction, I found that it is incomplete) [Note: As of 26 May 2018, it seems to be complete].

Further reading can be found at the bottom of The Hermetic Library’s Liber AL vel Legis page (Additional Reading is at the bottom).

#thelema #liberal #crowley #outofprintbookspissmeoff

21 December 2017

A seasonal prayer and ancient drama


Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law

About a decade and a half ago, I got into a spot of trouble for a seasonal prayer. I had posted it to a Thelemic Community Forum under a title like “Sol Invictus Benediction”. This being the solstice, I thought I would share it with you.

First we begin with the 

Dedication
For The Fatherland, cradle of civilization.
For the ancestors and their indomitable spirit
For the elders from whom we can learn much.
For our youth who represent the promise for tomorrow.
For our people, the original people.
For our struggle and in remembrance of those who have struggled on our behalf.
For Gott the principle of unity which should guide us in all that we do.
For the creator who provides all things great and small.

An Aside: “Gott” is German for “God” and has been chosen to symbolize the principle of striving for & maintaining unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

To this we add:

The Seven Principles:

  1. Unity - to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
  2. Self-Determination - to define ourselves, name ourselves, create ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
  3. Collective Work and Responsibility - to build and maintain our community together and make fellow European-American's problems our problems and to solve them together.
  4. Cooperative Economics - to build and maintain European-American stores, shops and other businesses together.
  5. Purpose - to make our collective vocation the building of our European-American community to restore our traditional greatness.
  6. Creativity - making the world around us clean and beautiful and better than we inherited it.
  7. Faith - to believe in ourselves, our family, our communities and our leaders and to believe the righteousness and victory of our struggle.


Now, before telling you the inspiration for this little piece, I will share what I recall of the drama.

I wrote it up and shared it to a Thelemic Community Forum. Initial reaction was slightly positive, with one girl saying how great it was. Then someone questioned some of the word choices. Then it was branded as racist. The girl who had waxed poetic quickly back-pedaled and condemned it.

This condemnation did not change when I revealed that it was the Kwanzaa dedication and their seven principles with only three changes.

  1. I changed the word Motherland to Fatherland
  2. I replaced the phrase “African-American” with “European-American”, and
  3. I changed the African word “Umoja” to “Gott” while defining it in exactly the same way.


In fairness, the version I found at 123holiday.net does not use any racial language. Though the phrases can still be read in such a manner.

To be honest, I knew that I would get this reaction. Racist behavior is only deemed racist if a white person is doing it. Innocuous behavior is viewed as being racist if a white person does it.

When I first started publishing this kind of thing, I would take Christian screeds against pagans and invert the language. Mostly reversing the two phrases. The key was to keep as much intact as possible. The goal was to show hypocrisy. These works were applauded. Showing the “others” hypocrisy is always applauded. However, when I broadened the scope to include other sacred cows, the applause slowed. When I hit their sacred cows, they got out the pitchforks.

As it is said in Ecclesiastes 1:9 “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.”

May the Blessings of Gott be upon you this Season.

And remember, if you're at a social function and a benediction is said and the God invoked is not your own, it's a good idea to mutter, roll your eyes, and smirk, so your God will know that you're not taken in by some false God.

Truth is found in the Rubble of Falsehood
Love is the law, love under will

Citations and Notes
Kwanzaa Dedication
Kwanzaa Principles

Ecclesiastes 1:9

Opening:
Kai Engel
Chant Of Night Blades
Deathless: The Renaissance
Download
License

Ending:
Coil
The Hellbound Heart
Hellraiser Themes [CD]

09 November 2017

de Naglowska: Open Letter to Pius XI & Initiatic Eroticism


Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law

This video will include two chapters of Maria de Naglowska’s Initiatic Eroticism.

  • This book is a compilation of articles by de Naglowska from her paper “La Fleche” (The Arrow)
  • I found her because she is said to be a source for Evola
  • She also translated Randolph’s Sexual Magic.
    • The only version of this work is from her translation
    • According to Donald Traxler, the translator of her works, She added significantly to that work.
  • Randolph is said to be one of the sources for Thelemic Sexual Magick.
    • I have been reading Eulis! But it is hard going.
    • When I read his statements of “I am a doctor” combined with he assertions that abortion is unnecessary because the woman can push out the zygote by biting her thumb and blowing, it causes me to lack confidence…
    • Rather than reading it with an eye out for the false, I am now reading in hopes of gleaning something worthwhile.
  • The first article  will be from Page 139, titled “Open Letter to Pius XI”
  • The second will be from Page 146, titled “Initiatic Eroticism”
  • Overall, I found the book interesting and well worth my while, despite its overt religious and mystical slant.


So, a quick Video Log update and then on to the meat of the video.

I Spent some time writing another grab bag, but I just wasn’t feeling it when I was done, so instead, I’ll just mention them here and link them below.


  • First, there was the video “Why Do The Cult Of SJWs Hate Anti SJWs More Than Anyone [Super Collaboration Mirror]”
    • Answers range, but I think that the primary reasons are ressentiment and the uncanny valley/cognitive dissonance
    • The closer things are, the more likely we are to wonder if WE made a wrong turn in judgement
  • Second, That Japanese Man Yuta has a channel where he goes out and interviews Japanese people on the street.
    • The first video I want to highlight is “What Japanese Think of Feminism”
    • Next would be the more recent “Do Japanese Want Multiculturalism in Japan?”
    • Both are worthwhile, as are many other videos in his archive.
  • Thirdly, I highly recommend Zarathrustra’s Serpent’s recent Video “Zarathrustra’s Whip”
    • I think it summarizes quite clearly one of the points of intersection between Nietzsche and Thelema
    • There is a reason why Nietzsche is esteemed as a prophet/forerunner of Thelema
    • This helps explain why Nietzsche is in the list of Saints
  • Fourth are some articles
    • From the American Conservative, “Burning Man Staves Off Nihilism, If Only Temporarily”
    • And from Medium, “Micro-Religions” which looks at current social movements critically.


And in recent news, yes, it IS OK to be white.
I don’t know why everyone hates albinos so much.

Readings:

  • Page 139,  “Open Letter to Pius XI”
  • Page 146,  “Initiatic Eroticism”

So, I think it is quite apparent that de Naglowska was tapped into the early stirrings of the 93rd Current, another antecedent of Thelema. From this one work, I see strong correlations between Naglowska and Crowley. This may change as I read the other works, but for now I find it very compelling. I hope you enjoyed these excerpts.

Truth is found in the Rubble of Falsehood
Love is the law, love under will

---
Citations and references.
Why Do The Cult Of SJWs Hate Anti SJWs More Than Anyone [Super Collaboration Mirror]

What Japanese Think of Feminism (Interview)

Do Japanese Want Multiculturalism in Japan? (Interview)

Burning Man Staves Off Nihilism, If Only Temporarily

Micro-Religions

Zarathustra's Whip

Initiatic Eroticism and Other Occult Writings from La Fleche

12 October 2017

Theism: A Thelemic Perspective


Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law
First, a Quick Update
  • I apologize for the delay, I had a medical emergency
  • Then work got hectic
  • And now my parents are getting ready for their migration to Arizona. They are “snowbirds”.
Let’s start with some quick opinions and comments:
  • Rest in Peace, Tom Petty.
  • Also, Raymond Buckland is dead. The man responsible (imo) for turning Wicca from a Spiritual Tradition & Religion to merely a religion.
  • Take a Knee is just like other forms of “Activism” such as Free The Nipple.
    • It doesn’t impact their lives, but allows them to feel morally superior.
    • And like I care what a bunch of guys in tight pants, who roll around on a field with other guys in tight pants, think.
    • Though to be honest, I don’t really care what the Legends Football League thinks either, though I do prefer seeing photos of the LFL over those of the NFL.
  • I still think the original slogan was better: “No War, No KKK, No Fascist USA”
  • I am amused that the Alternative for Deutschland party has a higher percentage of immigrant MPs than the “pro-immigration” party of Merkel.
    • It kind of shows how they think, unfettered immigration is great for the “lower classes”
    • Reading the article reminded me of how the most diverse presidential cabinet was that of the “Racist” Republican George “W” Bush.
On the reading front, I just finished reading Maria Naglowska’s Initiatic Eroticism.
  • She is said to be a primary source for Evola’s works on sexuality and sexual magick.
  • I am surprised I hadn’t heard of her before since she ran in Surrealist and Occult circles and I am familiar with several of the people with whom she was in contact.
  • As I understand it, Randolph’s better know work Sexual Magic only exists in her “translation”, to which she seems to have added a third or more of the material. 
  • The works are translated from the French and published by Inner Traditions.
  • So far the works are easy to read and quite interesting.
So on with the video. Wherein I discuss Atheism, Agnosticism, and Theism within a Thelemic context. I’ll wrap up with my own personal opinions and experiences.
First some working definitions.
Theism is the belief in God, Gods, or some other type of spiritual beings.
Atheism is the belief that there is nothing more than the material, observable realm.
Agnosticism is the lack of belief in either position. Sadly, it is all too often used by non-committal Atheists to hedge their bets.
Certain spiritual beliefs are not normally considered theistic. Early Buddhism (Nikaya), some forms of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism , and Doctrinal Taoism, rather than folk Taoism, fall into this realm.
However, strictly speaking these are not Atheistic, since they postulate the existence of the non-material. The Western term religion has problems with spiritual traditions that fall outside the Abrahamic religions. Are traditions which tell one to honor the gods as metaphor or for social cohesion theistic? How about those that postulate something other than a King-Serf relationship?
These are some of the reasons why Crowley stated in Magick Without Tears: “Call it a new religion, …; but I confess that I fail to see what you will have gained by so doing, and I feel bound to add that you might easily cause a great deal of misunderstanding, and work a rather stupid kind of mischief”.
Spiritual Tradition is more cumbersome, but far less restrictive.
Thelema contains references to several gods and goddesses. Nuit, Hadit, Heru-Ra-Ha, Pan, Babalon, Therion, etc. are all referenced. The rituals we use refer to YHVH, Adonai, Ehieh (Asher Ehieh), and various angels, such as Aiwass, Gabriel, Raphiel, Michael, and Uriel. We can continue, the list is legion.
However, we must remember Crowley’s words in Liber O, where he states “It is immaterial whether these exist or not. By doing certain things certain results will follow; students are most earnestly warned against attributing objective reality or philosophic validity to any of them”.
Back to Magick Without Tears, we are told that Thelema is “an enthusiastic putting-together of a series of doctrines, no one of which must in any way clash with Science or Magick.” Thelema seems to postulate the “Gods” as an operational jargon. When I refer to “Yahweh” it conjures an energy/symbol/archetype/being defined by the Tetragrammaton, whose qualities are known and defined through various techniques — since it is a Hebrew term, these are mostly via Qabalistic methods.
We are skeptical, which means we doubt both the Theist and the Atheist. The proper Thelemic view would be agnosticism, neither denying nor believing in the existence of the Gods. Even the Creed of Liber XV: The Gnostic Catholic Mass can be read in a strictly atheistic manner. I plan on doing a video on the creed at a later date.
Properly speaking, Thelema tells us to find out on our own. Crowley, who had practiced Theravāda Buddhism prior to his revelation, came to feel “My observation of the Universe convinces me that there are beings of intelligence and power of a far higher quality than anything we can conceive of as human; that they are not necessarily based on the cerebral and nervous structures that we know; and that the one and only chance for mankind to advance as a whole is for individuals to make contact with such Beings.” It should be noted that Theravāda is a form of Nikaya Buddhism.
Likewise, I progressed from a virulent anti-Christian atheism (thanks to my parents having been born again while I was a child) to where I am today, which is a theistic leaning agnostic. I have had direct, personal, revelatory experiences with gods, goddesses, and the divine. However, this is subjective. They are my experiences and I cannot prove them to anyone else, nor do I try. Anecdotal experience is not proof. Neither can I prove that my personal subjective experiences were not delusion or misinterpretation. However, I felt pretty silly referring to myself as an atheist after I had met god.
I have found that many atheists are as committed to swaying others to their belief system as fundamentalist Christians are.
The closest I have for “proof” of the divine are the Principle of Grandeur and the fact that the Whole is Greater than Its Parts. These are actually related which may or may not be obvious from their descriptions.
The first is an animistic viewpoint. In fact, it is a principle behind the Japanese Shinto tradition. In the land of infinite gods, anything that imbues a sense of awe or wonder is considered a god. The spirits of place can inhabit a valley, a river, a stone, or a tree. Anything that creates a response in the minds of the viewer is a god. Nor is it restricted to natural items. The beauty of a gothic cathedral, the ubiquitousness of the Compact Disk, these are also gods. Gods also go away when that which created them goes away. The CD god is weakening. When a river is paved over, it’s god is diminished (this was the origin of Haku in the anime Spirited Away). The death or diminishment of a god isn’t always simple. The negative impacts can be seen in Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke.
The second revolves around the simple fact that, for example, we know the composition of the Human body. However, if we take all of these elements and mix them together, we would not have a human. When we take various colors and apply them to canvas, a thing of beauty emerges. This isn’t a call for intelligent design per se, it in no way attempts to deny the reality of evolution. However, there is, as Liber AL: II:32 puts it, “a factor infinite & unknown”.
So, to put it simply, Thelema is skeptical of the claims put forth by both Atheism and Theism. However, we do hold that there is something “plus” to the material realm. Having said that, there are Thelemites who hold either position, but (for the most part) they seem to be rather conflicted in their opinions and specious in their arguments.
Again, I apologize for the break in schedule.
Truth is found in the Rubble of Falsehood
Love is the law, love under will
Citations & Notes
Germany's far-right AfD has more immigrant MPs than Merkel's conservatives
Legends Football League
Maria de NaglowskaInitiatic Eroticism 
Chapter XXXI: Religion–Is Thelema a "New Religion"?
Liber O vel Manus et Sagittae sub figurâ VI
Liber XV: Ecclesiæ Gnosticæ Catholicæ Canon Missæ
Chapter XXX: Do you believe in God?
Haku
Princess Mononoke
Liber AL vel Legis sub figurâ CCXX as Delivered By XCIII = 418 to DCLXVI

26 August 2017

Thelemic Ethics and Rights (Video + Script)


Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Update
  • I believe I mentioned this last video, but
  • I am changing my ending track. I am tired of getting an automated copyright flag, disputing it with the Creative Commons license, and then having them approve some and disapprove others. Annoying.
    • The New Track is “The Charon” by Keosz from the “Entity EP”.
    • My Opening is still “Chant of Night Blades” by Kai Engel form the “Deathless: The Renaissance” album.
    • Links are below.
    • My use should not be taken as endorsement of my content by either artist.
  • I went to Enoshima yesterday
    • Honored Benzaiten and The Dragon God. I also stopped by a Shingon Temple, but there was no fire so I didn’t stay long.
    • It was hot and muggy, but the discomfort will fade away and I will treasure the memory.
  • My favorite Japanese gods are Inari, Benzaiten, Kannon, Jizo, and Tenjin.
So on with the video
  • Thelema is an individualistic philosophy.
  • Thelema borrows heavily from Nietzsche.
  • Thelema also borrows heavily from various spiritual and religious practices from around the world
  • Finally, it also borrows from Science, both Soft and Hard.
    • Please see my video on Thelema and the Scientific Method.
  • Thelema positions itself as the inheritor of the past ages of mankind.
    • Rather than being post-modern, it attempts to inject a meaning and purpose back into life.
    • The influence of the Christian/Modern age cannot be undone, nor should it.
    • Those who seek to undo time are delusional
    • Also, those who seek to continue on the path of modernity to post-modernity are lost, directionless, and adrift.
    • This can be seen in the fractious and unrealistic behaviors of the more extreme elements of society
    • The seeds of modernity sown by Christianity have their natural culmination in behaviors of the SJW crowd.
    • Water flows downhill. Going back would merely return us to where we are today. This is the path of least resistance.
    • Thelema is resistance. A fight against the Spirit of Gravity. An upheaval which will divert the river onto a new path.
  • Which brings us to the topic of this video.
    • The highest state of Overcoming is knowing one’s will. This typically involves work, discipline, and time.
    • One’s Will is the summation of one’s being. So how should one act until one achieves knowledge of their will?
    • Also, what if it is not one’s will to seek one’s will. Not everyone is meant to be a magician, hermit, or priest.
    • How should the Baker and the Banker act?
  • Crowley penned three documents which are helpful in this regard.
    • Liber OZ sub figura LXXVII
    • Liber Libræ sub figura XXX
    • And an essay titled “Duty”
    • These documents form a basis for a Thelemic Society
Liber OZ sub figura LXXVII was written by Crowley to explain the “Rights of Man” in simple words of one syllable.
  • It should be born in mind that this was written back when Man was still commonly used to refer to all humans of both sexes
  • I’ve actually had some morons try to tell me that they didn’t apply to women (usually feminists)
Liber OZ is divided into 5 sections
  1. Moral
  2. Bodily
  3. Mental
  4. Sexual
  5. And the right to Resist Tyranny
The title contains the mark of the beast in the seven pointed star (associated with Babalon) & several quotes from Liber AL.
  • The symbolism of the graphic is rather obvious and outside the scope of this video. 
  • Also, the I will also set aside discussion of the verses. 
    • I’ll include a link to the commentary of Liber AL for those interested.
So let us move on to the enumerated Rights. They are pretty straightforward, so comment will be minimal.
  • 1) Man has the right to live by his own law—to live in the way that he wills to do: to work as he will: to play as he will: to rest as he will: to die when and how he will.
  • 2) Man has the right to eat what he will: to drink what he will: to dwell where he will: to move as he will on the face of the earth.
  • 3) Man has the right to think what he will: to speak what he will: to write what he will: to draw, paint, carve, etch, mould, build as he will: to dress as he will.
  • These first three points pretty much cover all the basics for the life of a true Anarch or Autarch. Note that this is specific to the individual. No one else has to like it. And except for the last two items of section two, no one else is necessarily involved. If I choose to dwell in another persons house, or choose to move through another persons property, this may cause conflict. We will deal with that in section five.
  • 4) Man has the right to love as he will:—“take your fill and will of love as ye will, when, where, and with whom ye will.” —AL. I. 51
  • This often involves another person. As indicated, will tends to have a special meaning in Thelema (which itself is a word indicating Will). 
  • I will quote a small portion of Crowley’s commentary on this verse: “But he should not injure himself and his right aforesaid; acts invasive of another individual's equal rights are implicitly self-aggressions. A thief can hardly complain on theoretical grounds if he is himself robbed. Such acts as rape, and the assault or seduction of infants, may therefore be justly regarded as offences against the Law of Liberty, and repressed in the interests of that Law.” (New Comment)
  • I recommend reading the whole thing.
  • 5) Man has the right to kill those who would thwart these rights.
  • This is the most controversial of our rights. This is where the Will is so important. Is what you are trying to do important enough to kill? If I deem it is my will to dwell in your house, and you seek to stop me, then by section five, I have the right to kill you. However, in section one, you have the right to die when and how you will. Thus, you have the right to kill me. It can get complicated. Crowley added some more considerations in “Duty”. 
  • However, we can also look at this as a form of the “Mandate of Heaven” (ala Confucius). The fact of there being a conflict is indicative of having lost the “Mandate of Heaven”, or, in Thelema, of one party not being in accord with their Will.
  • This can easily go down a Theological rabbit hole, so suffice to say, no one wants to live where we are in constant danger of being killed, so this should probably be viewed as something to be reserved for an extreme case.
Liber Libræ sub figura XXX is an official instruction of the A.’.A.’.
  • As such, it has a much more spiritual and occult tone.
  • I will skip over much of it and only point out parts that would be of use to the layman
  • The full text can be found in the link provided in the comments.
The title gives an indication of the tone of the work.
  • Libræ refers to the astrological sign of Libra, the Scales
  • XXX is the number for the Hebrew letter Lamed, which refers to an “Ox Goad”
    • The Goad is used to keep the beast moving in the proper direction, that is to guide it in the proper direction
    • Lamed is also attributed, in the Hermetic Qabalah, to Libra
  • Thus the book (Liber means “book”) is meant to guide the aspirant in the proper path, that of balance.
  • Liber Libræ is also referred to as “The Book of Balance”.
So, some of the relevant portions
  • 0. Learn first — Oh thou who aspirest unto our ancient Order! — that Equilibrium is the basis of the Work. If thou thyself hast not a sure foundation, whereon wilt thou stand to direct the forces of Nature?
  • 5. Yet, oh aspirant, let thy victories bring thee not Vanity, for with increase of Knowledge should come increase of Wisdom. He who knoweth little, thinketh he knoweth much; but he who knoweth much hath learned his own ignorance. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool, than of him.
  • 6. Be not hasty to condemn others; how knowest thou that in their place, thou couldest have resisted the temptation? And even were it so, why shouldst thou despise one who is weaker than thyself?
  • 9. A man is what he maketh himself within the limits fixed by his inherited destiny; he is a part of mankind; his actions affect not only what he calleth himself, but also the whole universe.
  • 10. Worship and neglect not, the physical body which is thy temporary connection with the outer and material world. Therefore let thy mental Equilibrium be above disturbance by material events; strengthen and control the animal passions, discipline the emotions and the reason, nourish the Higher Aspirations.
  • 11. Do good unto others for its own sake, not for reward, not for gratitude from them, not for sympathy. If thou art generous, thou wilt not long for thine ears to be tickled by expressions of gratitude.
  • 12. Remember that unbalanced force is evil; that unbalanced severity is but cruelty and oppression; but that also unbalanced mercy is but weakness which would allow and abet Evil. Act passionately; think rationally; be Thyself.
  • 15. Nevertheless have the greatest self-respect, and to that end sin not against thyself. The sin which is unpardonable is knowingly and wilfully to reject truth, to fear knowledge lest that knowledge pander not to thy prejudices.
So, the target for this is for “newbies” — people who are joining the group. Just in case it isn’t obvious, these are people who are not yet aware (or fully aware) of their Will. This is a general instruction meant to guide people along the path to become Thelemites.
  • The general themes are toward restraint, to avoid false vanity, to respect and honor oneself, to do things for their own sake.
  • I want to bring special attention to items 12 & 15.
    • We can see these in modern politics. Calls for unbalanced mercy are routinely made in Identity Politics, Migration Policy, etc
    • Failure to practice unbalanced mercy are met with equally unbalanced severity, as can be seen by anti-fa, BAMN, etc
    • As an aside, the terms mercy and severity refer to the right and left pillars of the Hermetic Qabalah (I am unsure if they are also in the original Jewish Qabalah).
    • Thelema, being a Middle Path tradition (as is the original Buddhism), exhorts us to follow the Middle Pillar (aka Aaron’s Rod).
    • 15 makes an allusion to the unpardonable sin of Christianity (there is only one). Which is to sin against the Holy Spirit. As we are all gods, we are holy spirits, thus the only unpardonable sin is to sin against one’s self.
    • Obviously, any harm to ourselves cannot be forgiven, as that harms effects are everlasting, but we can overcome by ceasing to sin against ourselves.
    • The nature of this sin against ourselves? “Knowingly and wilfully to reject truth, to fear knowledge lest that knowledge pander not to thy prejudices”.
    • If only the entire world ran on that principle.
  • Again, this work is pretty straightforward, and I think most of my commentary would be redundant repetition of the obvious.
With this we have pretty much covered the individual. We will move into the final work, “Duty”.
The best I can find for dating “Duty” is circa 1921. The manuscript is not dated and it was not printed during his lifetime. However, it does show Crowley’s thoughts on how Thelema would be applied to a broader context.
While several unofficial versions appeared from 1978 through 1994, the OTO published an official version in 1998.
  • The linked version below is to the OTO website.
  • Duty is divided into four parts.
  • Part A covers one’s Duty to oneself. This holds a theme similar to the prior two works.
  • Part B covers one’s Duty to other individual men and women. These are:
    • To seek union/interaction with others for mutual development
    • To avoid interfering with another’s will
    • If two wills do come into conflict, to battle as brothers. Conflict of this type is a form of Dialectic.
    • To, if it is one’s Will, instruct others who ask or to instruct those who are about to infringe on one’s will.
    • To recognize the divinity in others, just as one recognizes it in oneself.
  • Part C covers one’s Duty to mankind.
    • This is to establish the law of Thelema.
    • This Law being a Law of Liberty, the aim of the legislature must be to secure the amplest freedom for each individual in the state, eschewing the presumptuous assumption that any given positive ideal is worthy to be obtained.
    • Crime is also viewed as interference with the Will of another.
    • And here is my guiding principle: “The rule is quite simple. He who violated any right declares magically that it does not exist; therefore it no longer does so, for him.
    • Those who kill declare that they have no right to live. Those who steal declare that they have no right to private property. Those who interfere with another’s Freedom of Speech declare that they have no right to speak.
  • Part D covers one’s Duty to all other beings and things.
    • This is summed up by applying the Law of Thelema to everything.
    • For those who want something a little more concrete, “It is a violation of the Law of Thelema to abuse the natural qualities of any animal or object by diverting it from its proper function, as determined by consideration of its history and structure.
    • Essentially, treat yourself and the world with respect.
    • Clear-cutting the forest violates the integrity of the forest and its biodiversity. Logging does not, so long as what is taken is necessary and sustainable. Coercive behavior towards your fellow man is unacceptable. Really, most of the sane aspects of conservative and liberal practical ideology are all predicated on this simple principle.
Duty delineates a Thelemic Society.
  • The purpose of a Thelemic Society is to enable its members to accomplish their wills
  • The individual is paramount.
  • However, the individual does not exist in isolation.
  • The individual belongs to a network of relations which, if properly established, serve to enhance and define the individual.
  • Since we define our universe via our perceptions, when we deny another some right, we are declaring its invalidity.
  • We cannot demand a right that we have declared invalid by virtue of denying it to another.
  • If you attempt to deny me a right, e.g. my right to physical integrity, you exclude yourself from my consideration of you on that right.
  • E.g. if you try to hit me, I can hit you back.
Alright, so what does all this mean? I’ll attempt to synthesize these works. This is my interpretation. I will undoubtedly integrate knowledge from other works, both Thelemic and non, into this. I will endeavor to attribute them all appropriately.
It is important to remember that Thelema is about the will. Its purpose is to assist you in manifesting your will. However, it may very well be that it is some people’s will to not explicitly know their will — and this is fine. Existence is pure joy, so as long as what you are doing is filling you with joy, we can infer that you are doing your will. Librae and Duty are geared toward people who have not yet attained knowledge of their will.
My key take-away for interpersonal relations is that you deny yourself any right that you deny to another. The murderer has no right to life. The Thief has no right to enjoy the fruits of their labor — especially property. The person who would remove another’s right to speak has no right to free speech. It is actually very simple. I know I have been harping on this theme, but it is something that I believe in passionately.
Now, what about OZ? What about those who have come to understand their own wills. This is a common enough concept, rife throughout religion and philosophy. The Stoic Sage, the Taoist Sage, the Confucian Superior Man, the Christian “Saved” (at least in some conceptions), and (I would argue) Nietzsche’s Ubermensch exist in an exalted state where the common rules do not apply. They are not, however, free from physics or its spiritual equivalent. OZ specifically exists for these people, and it can be summed up as “You have the right to do your will and destroy those who would prevent it”.
Now, it may be your will to travel a path that will result in conflict. That does not mean that it is your will to win that conflict. Your will may be to conflict with another will and from that dialectical conflict, a proper path will emerge. Crowley does advise caution. He tells us that, while it may be our will to descend a cliff, it may not be our will to do so by stepping over the edge and plummeting to our death.
Many of these topics are elaborated in Magick Without Tears, a work Crowley completed just prior to his death.
  • It generally represents his final thoughts on a topic
  • In some cases, this represents a contradiction of earlier positions
  • A classic example argued in Thelemic Circles is whether Thelema is a religion.
    • To sum up, our system is a religion just so far as a religion means an enthusiastic putting-together of a series of doctrines, no one of which must in any way clash with Science or Magick.
    • Call it a new religion, then, if it so please your Gracious Majesty; but I confess that I fail to see what you will have gained by so doing, and I feel bound to add that you might easily cause a great deal of misunderstanding, and work a rather stupid kind of mischief.
    • The word does not occur in The Book of the Law.
    • MWT: XXXI: Religion–Is Thelema a "New Religion"?
So, yeah, I hope this was informativeTruth is found in the rubble of falsehood
Love is the law, love under will.