I tend to describe myself as a Thelemic Traditionalist, with the caveat that this is more of a descriptor of what I aspire toward. I generally believe in the theories of René Guénon as interpreted by Julius Evola. To put a subset of their theories in simplistic terms, they posit a divine force from which all valid metaphysical values derive (q.v., 20150502). These manifest in various cultures as valid initiatory paths (Tradition). It is also referred to as “Perennial Philosophy” and “Primordial Tradition.”
Another element is the division of history into Yugas, which are meta-historical time periods. Given that the Hindu worldview is cyclical, it is difficult to determine whether the mapping of cyclic time as represented with the Yugas correlates accurately to the modern lineal conception of time. Yugas are commonly described as being 24,000 years. We have writings that date to about 24,000 BC. Given that I tend to side with facts provided from science, I will have to assume that the number of years provided in the Writings of Manu are in error. Given that both Buddhism and Hinduism have cycles of time that vaguely refer to billions of years, I do not feel that this is too much of a stretch.
Another important element of Tradition is its adherence to the conception of caste and to the hierarchy of humanity. I was raised in the modern west, so I feel that the caste system of Hinduism was ossified and no longer served its purpose. This may just be reactionary bias on my part, but I cannot dispute the fact that people of certain castes (or classes, as we prefer to say in the muddled west) view the world differently. In a way similar to how cultures interpret the eternal values in a specific manner, so do the members of a culture tend to interpret their cultural capital in diverse ways. Even in more homogeneous societies, the way that the peasant views the world differs greatly from that of the priest or the warrior-aristocrat. We see this in the class distinctions of the modern west, and in how they remain even if the modern indicator of class (i.e., wealth) changes.
Thelema, as delivered by the prophet, Aleister Crowley, is a form of the Primordial Tradition. It is a revelation of forged links to the divine which provide a valid form of initiation into a world in the latter stages of the Kali Yuga where the counter-initiatory forces of the anti-Tradition prevail. In addition, and by injunction of the revelation, Crowley also endeavored to rescue those elements of prior systems of initiation that had been perverted by forces of the anti-Tradition (in particular, Masonry, which was identified by Guénon as a valid initiatory path, and apostolic succession, which was also identified as valid by Guénon). It should be noted that he did not do this because of Guénon, but on his own.
Thelema’s Aeonic system sounds similar to the Traditional system of Yugas, but inverted. This could be explained by the fact that both are referring to spiritual cycles and the Thelemic Aeon seems to be 2000 years (tied to Zodiacal progression) rather than being fully ahistoric like the Yugas. I believe that the Thelemic Aeons are nestled within the Traditional Yugas. I dislike attempts to “sciencify” spiritual concepts as it tends to reduce the spiritual to material conceptions and quickly become dated as human knowledge progresses. Similarities and discrepancies between spiritual models and material ones should be noted, but one need not worry about forcing a reconciliation unless there is an actual discordance.
Thelema also posits a difference between people, in direct statements, that can relate to individuals, and in broad systems, that seem to correlate with the castes of old. There are trials of “fire,” “intellect,” and “the highest” as well as the standard division of Earth, Lovers, and Hermits. If we drop the “merchant” caste, which is not universal, we can map the Traditional castes to the Thelemic categories.
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