ALEISTER CROWLEY

Aleister Crowley (12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947)

Thelema is a spiritual philosophy and system of magick that was developed by Aleister Crowley, an influential English occultist, in the early 20th century. The word "Thelema" comes from the Greek word θέλημα, meaning "will" or "intention." It is centered around the idea that each individual has a True Will—a unique, divine purpose or path in life—and the primary goal of Thelema is to discover and align oneself with that True Will.

Aleister Crowley is often seen as one of the most controversial figures in modern occultism. His work, particularly the establishment of Thelema, had a profound influence on later spiritual movements, including the Church of Thelema, Wicca, and modern Chaos Magick.

Due to the immense influence that Thelema has, potentially being able to destabilize human society, especially religion, Aleister Crowley was demonized as "The Most Wicked Man In The World", and Thelema was often erroneously associated with Satanism.

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

At the core of Thelema is "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law".

"Do what thou wilt " does not mean that you can do according to selfish indulgence, acting irresponsibly, and disregarding consequences. It is often misunderstood, or intentionally misrepresented to be advocating hedonism, which is utterly incorrect.

"Thou wilt" here means to live by one's own True Will. True Will is a foundational concept in Thelema. It represents the intrinsic and divine purpose unique to each individual, transcending mere personal desires and societal expectations.

True Will

In Thelema, True Will is understood as being in harmony with the cosmic order. This alignment signifies that an individual's purpose is not isolated but interconnected with the universe's grand design. Crowley posited that each person's True Will functions as a unique and essential component of the larger framework of existence, contributing to the harmony and balance of the cosmos.

The axiom "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law", emphasizing personal freedom and the pursuit of one's true path, guided by love. This principle asserts not a license for unchecked indulgence, but rather a mandate for individuals to align their actions with their truest spiritual calling. By adhering to their True Will, practitioners of Thelema seek to fulfill their spiritual destiny by harmonising with the cosmic order.

Thelemites strive to ascend to higher states of existence, uniting oneself with higher powers, and understanding and embracing one's True Will, their ultimate purpose, and place in life.

In the broader context of contemporary spirituality, the concept of True Will resonates with themes of self-discovery, authenticity, and alignment with a higher purpose. It has contributed to a growing emphasis on personal spiritual growth and the exploration of individual paths to enlightenment. The enduring legacy of True Will is evident in its continued relevance and application across diverse spiritual and philosophical contexts, reflecting its profound impact on the quest for meaning and purpose in modern life.

Duty is one of the chief rules of practical conduct to be observed by those who accept the Law of Thelema.

Your Duty to Self: Describes the self as the center of the universe, with a call to learn about one's inner nature. Admonishes the reader to develop every faculty in a balanced way, establish one's autonomy, and devote oneself to the service of one's own True Will.
Your Duty to Others: An admonishment to eliminate the illusion of separateness between oneself and all others, to fight when necessary, to avoid interfering with the Will of others, to enlighten others when needed, and to worship the divine nature of all other beings.
Your Duty to Mankind: States that the Law of Thelema should be the sole basis of conduct and that the laws of the land should aim to secure the greatest liberty for all individuals. Crime is described as being a violation of one's True Will.
Your Duty to All Other Beings and Things: States that the Law of Thelema should be applied to all problems and used to decide every ethical question. It violates the Law of Thelema to use any animal or object for a purpose for which it is unfit or to ruin things that are useless for their purpose. Man can use natural resources, but this should not be done wantonly, or the breach of the law will be avenged.

'Love Is the Law. Law Under Will.'

The nature of the Law of Thelema is love. Each person is united with his True Will through Love. "Love" here is not to be confused with passion, romance, or attachment. Love should not be dominating based on fear, rather it should be based on freedom and mutual respect.

Crowley wrote should be understood in the same sense as the Greek word "agape". Discovering is a process of understanding and unity, not by force or coercion.

'Every Man and Every Woman Is a Star.'

Each person possesses unique talents, abilities, and potentials, and none should be impeded in seeking out their True Self.

Magick

Thelemic magick is a system of physical, mental, and spiritual exercises which practitioners believe are of benefit. Magick is defined as "the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will", and spelled it with a 'k' to distinguish it from stage magic. Generally, magick in Thelema are designed to assist in finding and manifesting the True Will.

The Great Work

The spiritual quest to find what one is meant to do and to do it is known in Thelema as the Great Work.

The philosophical implications of True Will suggest that when individuals act in accordance with their True Will, they contribute positively to the universal order, creating a ripple effect of balance and harmony.

This perspective aligns with various Western esoteric traditions that emphasize the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of aligning personal actions with higher principles.

Thelemic Deities

The three most commonly discussed deities in Thelema are Nuit, Hadit, and Ra Hoor Khuit, commonly equated to the Egyptian deities Isis, Osiris, and Horus. These may be considered literal beings, or they may be archetypes.

Thelemic Texts

Several key Thelemic texts provide in-depth discussions on the concept of True Will, including The Book of the Law (also known as Liber AL vel Legis) and other writings by Aleister Crowley. These texts serve as foundational sources for understanding and practicing True Will in Thelema.

The Book of the Law (Liber AL vel Legis)

This seminal text, received by Crowley in 1904, outlines the core principles of Thelema, including the concept of True Will. The central tenet, "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law," emphasizes the importance of discovering and following one's True Will as the path to spiritual fulfillment and harmony with the cosmic order.

Liber II: The Message of the Master Therion

In this text, Crowley elaborates on the meaning and implications of True Will, providing practical guidance for its discovery and application in daily life. He stresses the distinction between True Will and personal desires, highlighting the importance of aligning with one's higher purpose.

Magick Without Tears

This collection of letters written by Crowley offers insights into various aspects of Thelemic philosophy, including the concept of True Will. Crowley addresses common questions and challenges faced by practitioners, providing practical advice and encouragement for pursuing True Will.

*Link To The Book of the Law (Liber AL vel Legis) PDF

*Link To Liber II: The Message of the Master Therion PDF

*Link To Magick Without Tears PDF

Thelemic Magick

Magick, Liber ABA, Book 4 is a book by 20th-century occultist Aleister Crowley with Mary Desti and Leila Waddell. It is widely considered to be Crowley's magnum opus.

Magick is a lengthy treatise on ceremonial magic (which he anachronistically refers to as 'magick', to distinguish it from stage magic), synthesised from many sources including yoga, Hermeticism, medieval grimoires, contemporary magical theories from writers like Eliphas Levi and Helena Blavatsky, and his own original contributions. It consists of four parts: Mysticism, Magick (Elementary Theory), Magick in Theory and Practice, and ΘΕΛΗΜΑ—the Law (The Equinox of The Gods). It also includes numerous appendices presenting many rituals and explicatory papers.

Liber ABA refers to this work being a part of Crowley's system of magical works known as libri (Latin for 'books'). In most systems such as gematria where letters are given numerical value, ABA adds up to 4, a number which represents the Four Elements, Stability and so on (thus the name Book 4).

Part I: Mysticism

Part I is titled "Mysticism" with the sub-title "Meditation: The way of attainment of genius or Godhead considered as a development of the human brain." The section is essentially Crowley's system of yoga, which is designed to still the mind and enable single-pointed concentration. When developing his basic yogic program, Crowley borrowed heavily from many other yogis, such as Patanjali and Yajnavalkya, keeping their fundamental techniques while jettisoning much of the attendant moral dogma.

Yoga, as Crowley interprets it in this section, involves several key components. The first is asana, which is the assumption (after eventual success) of any easy, steady and comfortable posture. Next is pranayama, which is the control of breath, and mantra yoga, which is the use of mantras. Yama and niyama are the adopted moral or behavioural codes (of the adept's choosing) that will be least likely to excite the mind. Pratyahara is the stilling of the thoughts so that the mind becomes quiet. Dharana is the beginning of concentration, usually on a single shape, like a triangle, which eventually leads to dhyana, the loss of distinction between object and subject, which can be described as the annihilation of the ego (or sense of a separate self). The final stage is samādhi—union with the All.

Part II: Magick (Elementary Theory)

Part II, "Magick (Elemental Theory)", deals with the accessories of ceremonial magick in detail. Subjects include: the temple, the magick circle, the altar, the scourge, dagger, and chain, the holy oil, the wand, cup, sword, pentacle, lamp, crown, robe, book, bell, lamen, and the Magick Fire (including the crucible and incense). This section also includes an "Interlude", which is a humorous exposition on the magical interpretations of popular nursery rhymes, such as Old Mother Hubbard and Little Bo Peep.

Part III: Magick in Theory and Practice

"Magick in Theory and Practice" is perhaps the most influential section within Book 4. In this part, Magick (with the terminal -k) is defined in Crowley's now famous "Introduction", which is the source of many well-known statements, such as

"Magick is the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will."
"Every intentional act is a Magical Act."
"Magick is the Science of understanding oneself and one's conditions. It is the Art of applying that understanding in action."
"Magick is merely to be and to do."

It contains many influential essays on various magical formulae, such as Tetragrammaton, Thelema, agape, AUMGN, and IAO. The section also addresses fundamental magical theorems, essential components of ritual, and general practices (e.g. banishing, consecration, invocation, and divination).

Part IV: ΘΕΛΗΜΑ—The Law

Part IV is titled "ΘΕΛΗΜΑ (Thelema)—the Law." This section deals with The Book of the Law, including the book itself, a brief biography of Crowley, the events leading up to its reception, and the conditions of the three days of its writing. This part is Crowley's 1936 book The Equinox of the Gods only edited under a different name.

Appendices

The appendices include many rituals and practical essays on magical practice. The most recent volume includes a reading list, One Star in Sight (which lays out the program of his teaching order A∴A∴), an essay on the astral plane, some key correspondences from Liber 777 (his work on the tree of life), many of the basic rituals of A∴A∴, and another exposition on the reception of The Book of the Law (Liber Legis).

*Link to Magick, Liber ABA, Book 4