THE OTO NEWSLETTER Vol. I. numbers 1, 2, 3 & 4 ASCII VERSION November 26, 1991 e.v. key entry and 10/2/92 e.v. first proof reading by Bill Heidrick, T.G. of O.T.O. ASCII conversion 10/2/92 e.v. by Bill Heidrick Copyright (c) O.T.O. Complete on one disk (volume 1 only, Vols. 2-3 separate) O.T.O. P.O.Box 430 Fairfax, CA 94978 USA (415) 454-5176 ---- Messages only. Pages in the original are marked thus at the bottom: {page number} Comments and descriptions are also set off by curly brackets {} Comments and notes not in the original are identified with the initials of the source and enclosed in double angle brackets: e.g. <>, etc. Notes of entries in Crowley's diaries concerning visits by Grady McMurtry and some correspondence have been added in this fashion. Descriptions of illustrations are not so identified, but are simply in curly brackets. Spelling has been corrected by the original editor, without notation in the text. Greek has been rendered into the names of the Greek Letters, preceded by "GR:". Hebrew has been rendered into transliteration, with the groups of letters preceded by "HB:" according to the following transliteration table: A = Aleph ------- not correct for pronunciation. B = Bet G = Gemel D = Dalet H = Heh V = Vau Z = Zain Ch = Chet ------- not correct for pronunciation. T = Tet Y = Yod K = Koph L = Lamed M = Mem N = Nun S = Samekh a'a = Ayin P = Peh Tz = Tzaddi Q = Qof R = Resh Sh = Shin Th = Taw -------- not correct for pronunciation. (Addresses, offers and prices/charges below are not current but copied from the original text. The O.T.O. Newsletter is no longer published, but other Grand Lodge and Local O.T.O. periodicals exist. Thelema Lodge continues, but is no longer the Grand Lodge of O.T.O. For current status of publications, membership, etc. contact O.T.O. at the address provided above.) The O.T.O. NEWSLETTER was published by Ordo Templi Orientis from mid 1977 e.v. to 1980 e.v. The editor and printer was Bill Heidrick. The original edition was profusely illustrated after No. 1, but these illustrations are not reproduced here. The O.T.O. NEWSLETTER was replaced as the Grand Lodge periodical in January 1981 e.v. by THE MAGIC(K)AL LINK, which continues in publication at the time of this transcription. LIMITED LICENSE Except for notations added to the history of modification, the text in this file down to the next row of asterisks must accompany all copies made of this file. In particular, this paragraph and the copyright notice are not to be deleted or changed on any copies or print-outs of this file. With these provisos, anyone may copy this file for personal use or research. Copies may be made for others at reasonable cost of copying and mailing only, no additional charges may be added. ************************************************************************ O.T.O. Newsletter, Volume I, No. 1 P.O. Box 2303 Volume I, No. 1 Berkeley, CA An. LXXIII e.n. 94702 May 1977 e.v. U.S.A. "reprint 1978 e.v." Ordo Templi Orientis O.T.O. NEWSLETTER Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. "-- LIBER AL: 1,40" Dawn Invocation: At Dawn, facing East: Hail unto Thee who art Ra in Thy rising, even unto Thee who art Ra in Thy strength. who travelest over the Heavens in Thy bark at the Uprising of the Sun. Tahuti standeth in His splendour at the prow. and Ra-Hoor abideth at the Helm. Hail unto Thee from the Abodes of Night! "from" LIBER RESH (There are four invocations Thelemites can use daily. The above is the first, to be said at dawn. The others will appear in later issues of this Newsletter.) All Content Copyright (c) 1977 by Caliph Hymenaeus Alpha. *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* "This initial copy of the O.T.O. Newsletter is free to interested parties. Later issues are available by subscription:" $3.00 North American; $5.00 International Issued quarterly.<> {1} INTRODUCTION The O.T.O NEWSLETTER is intended to fill a communication gap between the Caliphate in Berkeley and Thelemites throughout the world. Over the past several years, correspondence with the Ordo Templi Orientis in Dublin and later in Berkeley has grown greatly. Efforts to answer most of these letters have met with considerable difficulty. We are in the process of catching up on our back-log. Those of you who are still waiting for a response, thanks for your patience. In the meantime, many of your questions will be answered in this "Newsletter". We believe it offers a unique insight into the current state of the Order, and a glimpse of what it means to be involved in an active Lodge. Future issues will be larger and will continue to keep you informed on the progress of the O.T.O. BACKGROUND According to Aleister Crowley, ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS is "The first of the Great Orders of antiquity to accept the Law of the New Aeon emanating from the A.'.A.'., which is 'Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law' reorganizing in accordance therewith," ("The Proclamation of the O.T.O."). That by this he meant the ORDER OF THE TEMPLE, or KNIGHTS TEMPLAR, founded during the Crusades and suppressed in the 13th Century, is made explicit on page 197 of the BLUE EQUINOX. This gives us a continuous history of at least 850 years.<> Hymenaeus Alpha was initiated into the Agape Lodge of ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS in Hollywood in the late 1930's and, due to his involvement with the armed forces, was the only member of the American O.T.O. to be with A.C. in England during World War II. As a result of Fr. H.A.'s time with Aleister Crowley he was advanced by A.C. to the rank of IXth Degree, ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS, informed concerning the Caliphate, and given articles of broad authorization with specific emergency power to be use for the benefit of the Order in case of need. These Articles are contained in two documents: The first document, dated March 22, 1946, reads as follows:<> Ex Castro nemoris inferioris Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. This is to authorize Frater Hymenaeus Alpha (Capt. Grady L. McMurtry) to take charge of the whole work of the Order in California to reform the Organization in pursuance of his report of Jan 25, '46 e.v. subject to the approval of Frater Saturnus (Karl J. Germer). This authorization is to be used only in emergency. Love is the law, love under will. Baphomet O.H.O. The second document, dated April 11, 1946, reads as follows:<> {2} Ex Castro Nemoris Inferioris Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. These presents are to appoint -- Frater Hymenaeus Alpha -- -- Grady Louis McMurtry IX Degree O.T.O. -- as Our representative in the United States of America, and his authority is to be considered as Ours, subject to the approval, revision, or veto of Our Viceroy Karl Johannes Germer IX Degree O.T.O. of 260 West 72nd St., New York City, N.Y.<> Love is the law, love under will. Witness Our Hand and Seal. Baphomet Xth Degree O.H.O. With the death of Frater Saturnus (Karl J. Germer) in 1962, these articles of authorization automatically went into effect. -- The above is adapted from an article printed in the October 1974 e.v. issue of GNOSTICA NEWS. CURRENT STATUS OF THE ORDER On April 19, 1977, we initiated eight people into the Minerval Degree of Aleister Crowley's ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS in Berkeley, California, and on May 21, 1977, we initiated six more people into the Minerval Degree, also in Berkeley. Included in these Minerval Initiates were people from Upper New York State, and Los Angeles areas, thus providing a basis for eventually having operative Lodges in these areas. One person has already signed up for initiation into the Order in June. We anticipate other initiations throughout the summer, infusing new blood into Aleister Crowley's ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS and bringing brothers and sisters together under the Aegis of the Caliphate -- thus bringing us to the fulfillment of Aleister Crowley's dream of a single place where all Thelemites can come together in harmony. This Newsletter includes a special page of activities and interests, which you are encouraged to fill out and return. RAP WITH THE CALIPH While trying to work out a plan to catch up on O.T.O. correspondence at one of our regular Tuesday-night meetings, we read a letter asking for instruction. The point raised dealt with a verse in THE BOOK OF THE LAW. In as much as this was rather a sizable problem of interpretation, we went into a discussion. The following is a verbatim {"almost") transcript of the tape of the discussion. Editing has been kept to a necessary minimum in order to better share the fraternal experience. {3} "All these old letters of my Book are aright; but Tzaddi is not the Star." --- LIBER AL: I, 57<> "Arden:" "... (Tzaddi) doesn`t correspond to the Star. Am I right?" "Caliph:" "Who knows who's right? All we know for sure, is that Crowley found this statement in THE BOOK OF THE LAW to be a puzzle. In meditating upon it, thinking about it -- whatever other trips he did about it, he came to the conclusion that the Hay card and the Tzaddi card should be transposed, at least as established in the Golden Dawn Tree of Life. That meant transposing the Aries card, which was on the Hay path, and the Aquarius card, which was on the Tzaddi path. Now, the next question is: 'Should the two paths be transposed?' If you take a look at the final arrangements in THE BOOK OF THOTH, that's what it looks like. ... He was the guy who supposedly knew what he was doing..." "Arden:" "Crowley?" "Caliph:" "Yes, therefore I at least respect his right to do so ...""Bill:" "I think that there is something there worthy of study. If you want to change the paths on the Tree ... This would not change the primary quality of the paths, but it would change the manner in which they are observed, or seen to act. If the Star is the outer visible form of the path between Chokmah and Tiphereth in the Dawn Tree, instead of energy from Chokmah being imposed on the structure of life in Tiphereth through Order, it would form -- emerge in life without evident order. Under that view, one would not talk about the Laws of the Universe, one would talk about the Nature of the Universe -- without being iron-clad and legalistic." "Kathy:" "So this is some indication toward the changing into the Age of Aquarius." "Bill:" "Presumably that is why this distinction has to be made. There are many ways of signaling the World-Age ... Sometimes a correspondence is shifted. One thing that the Golden Dawn did back in the Age of Pisces was to assign color associations to Pisces. The change involving Aquarius and Aries (traditional starting sign of the Zodiac) can be made to signal the Aquarian Age. It's interesting and bears a lot of thinking." "Another insight -- into Ancient Egypt: There is a picture on a papyrus ... of Nuit in the sky over Geb (Hadit?). Geb has a colossal erection. On the side there is a Ram and a Bird. The Star is like Nuit, but the Ram is nearest Nuit. Geb is like the Emperor; but the bird like the one on the Star Trump is near Geb. Something was represented or studied with these things back in Ancient Egypt. There may be a current of energy that re-manifests every so often, maybe once every half of the Great Age of the Universe in either the time of Aquarius or Leo. Maybe this is the gate that opens whenever a World-Age begins. Here is something that should be looked into with metaphysical study and speculation, study of historical documents relating these two things (Aries and Aquarius). That's a good area for somebody to work in." "Steve:" "I got the THOTH DECK from Grady (Caliph) last week. I went home, sat down, and started transposing the two cards. It just completely opened up a door in my head. I got so many insights out of it that the next night I called both Grady and Bill and said 'What does it all mean?' And they both said, 'Figure it out for yourself.' So I spent the week figuring it out as best I could for myself. The whole thing became, I found, much more logical again -- down at the bottom you are changing from the Tower, ... It seemed much more likely that the next step after that extreme experience would be ..." {4} "Arden:" "To impose control." "Steve:" "To impose control rather than go into meditation. They always say in the teachings, that you go from seeing that there is more to it, to meditating on it. It sounded logical, but it sounds more logical to me the other way around. I did some reading then, and for what it's worth, the Tarot readings confirmed this pretty definitely. I found that after a week of studying this, I like it a lot better with Tzaddi in the 4th position and the Emperor below." "Arden:" "Is it Tzaddi or is it the Star in the 4th position?" "Steve:" "The Star, pardon me." "Bill:" "This in itself must be settled." "Steve:" "As you said, it must be worked out ... Crowley numbers his deck in the traditional manner with Strength as XI and Justice as VIII. It seems logical to me from a couple of years of study that you should switch those. Well, he makes the point on that whole wheel that he's drawn in THE BOOK OF THOTH that has the two things on the end (THE BOOK OF THOTH, "page 11. Diagram of the double loop in the Zodiac"). If you switch these two, why not switch the other two, which just happened to be Hay and Tzaddi? When you do that, you switch two of the traditional middle cards, and it gives you an entirely different picture on the way the Universe is structured." "Arden:" "It would seem to me that you should leave Hebrew letters where they occur and simply switch the cards." "Steve:" "... It seemed to me that the current running from Chokmah, which is above the Abyss, down to Tiphereth is much more likely to be meditation than reason, because one supersedes the other. Whereas, down below ..." "Kathy:" "Knowledge would be the result of reasoning." "Bill:" "One part of knowledge." "Kathy:" "Let's put it this way: (If) reason is the stage before knowledge -- I'm coming from above like on your pillar -- when you are switching it from the Emperor to the Star, you have gone from reason and judgment to a conscious knowledge." "Bill:" "Here's a hypothesis, just to see what it does: (what) if this is not just the characteristic of the whole World Age, but the way that any World Age opens. When a World Age closes, its philosophy should be pretty tight ... you can speak meaningfully of the great Emperor up in the sky that brings things down in an orderly fashion, and of the Laws of the Universe. When a World Age changes, it's as though there is no ruler in the sky ..." "Arden:" "When it begins, you mean?" "Bill:" "Yes ... and there must be that openness that we see in the Star card. You must be able to see just how the stars are moving and re-aligning. For those who are really weird and Qabbalistic, these two letters, Hay and Tzaddi, are one of the 231 gates -- a thing that could be studied -- but it also signals one of the 24 methods of Temurah ("the particular one called AThBaSh"). Temurah is a type of alphabet substitution code. There are 24 of these codes. If you know a pair of letters, in this case Hay and Tzaddi, that are associated, you can take anything that is written in Hebrew and find one of these 24 Temurah codes that will be keyed in by that pair of letters. You can substitute the given letters in that code and see if it makes sense in the OLD TESTAMENT or any thing that can be written in Hebrew. If you find that the substitution code yields something that makes sense, that should be interpreted as something that is valid in this Era." {5} "Arden:" "Have you done it?" "Bill:" "God, no!" "Kathy:" "It sounds like a large project." "Bill:" "It's a life-time project. Even something as big as the OLD Testament ... it would take the better part of a life-time just to diddle your way through the first five books of that." "Kathy:" "It sounds like a good code during war-time." "Erin:" "What's the pass-word? 'Tzaddi is not the Star...'" "Arden:" "I once saw an advertisement in the classified section of the BERKELEY BARB that said something like: 'This month the universe ends -- This month the skin sheds its snake -- head for the center of the Universe' -- excuse me, 'the serpent sheds its skin'". "Bill:" "I like it better the other way." "Caliph:" "Head for the center of the serpent?" "Well, somebody mentioned this business of ending a World-Age, beginning a World-Age. Of course in THE BOOK OF THE LAW, the primary function is in terms of establishing the Aeon of Horus, the transition from an old Aeon to a new Aeon. In an article I wrote for IN THE CONTINUUM, a newsletter for the Order, the basic premise came down to the idea of the Tree of Life and the Psychic Body in terms of this very concept -- of the switching of the Aquarius card and the Aries card. The reason was as follows: Crowley's primary claim to fame, other than being the world's greatest poet in the English language, was that he had in his life-time activated the Leo card of the Tarot deck. That is to say -- in terms of the psychic body in the cosmic sense, viewed whether as the Yogic Chakra system or as the Qabbalah or whatever system you want to use -- in that system he had, by his incarnation as Aleister Crowley, activated the Leo card. If so, this is of extreme importance in terms of the psychic body in the Universal or Cosmic Sense: because, if this is true, then -- in other words, this is his claim as the Great Wild Beast of the Aeon and so forth -- he has activated a path in the Tree of Life which is above the Anahata Chakra -- or to put it another way, it is above the Sun. If that is the case, then the path between Mars and Jupiter is now open and active, whereas before it was passive. It was there, but it was passive. Why would that be significant? Just take a look at it from the point of view of any particular individual, a yogin, a qabbalist, an alchemist -- anyone who is operating in terms of an activation of a psychic body -- if you were to activate a psychic body, your own individual one, before this came down, before this universal trip was laid on the Universal Psychic Body, well then, you would simply activate a psychic body. But you wouldn't necessarily run into any particular form of energy at that particular path because that particular path hadn't been activated. Therefore, you would go ahead and do your trip and go 'choggying' out on whatever plane of existence you have been `choggying' out on; but now, Aleister Crowley has lived, has had his incarnation, has activated the path on the cosmic level. OK, now you come along and activate your psychic body; and you run into the fact that this path is now active. It's like before it was a wire that somebody had forgotten to throw the switch -- it was there, simply not active ... Now let's say that you have activated your psychic centers at this time, on this level of the psychic body, with the Leo path activated. What kind of energy is the Leo energy? Usually, it is considered to be a heavily masculine trip ... Let's say from the point of view of the ordinary {6} person turning on to the psychic body, it is a heavy masculine vibration. Alright now, Crowley has activated it -- 'The Big Red Lion' as he called himself at Cefalu. 'The Great Wild Beast of the Aeon' -- whatever you want to call it, now that Leo trip is just buzzing with energy. That being the case, you come along with an Old Aeon psychic body and you turn on the Aries vibration from the Ajna Chakra down to the Anahata Chakra, you've got now, all of a sudden, Aries is a fiery energy, Leo is a fiery energy. You have two fire energies crossing each other -- you will blow a fuse. From the point of view of the psychic body, it is the best possible sense that Nuit should point out for our benefit (THE BOOK OF THE LAW, "Ch. I, v. 57") that Crowley is in the process -- of course it's 1904 -- and will in his incarnation activate the Leo path in the Cosmic Psychic Body: therefore, you are going to have to take the inner fiery energy of the Aries card from here and put it down below the Abyss, down there at the Tzaddi level, and put the Aquarius, female, feminine type of energy, The Star, up here, coming from the Adjna Chakra down to the Anahata Chakra ("Note: hand gestures at this point to the different chakras"), so that when you have activated your psychic body, you will be in harmony; and you won't be blown in pieces ..." "Kathy:" "He's initiating a path like the Christianized versions of the Qabbalah indicate -- that Christ activated the sixth Sephiroth on the Tree?" "Caliph:" "Tiphereth? Well, yes. Now of course you are speaking in terms of Sephiroth, and I was speaking in terms of the paths. Possibly, the paths have more energy than we are used to thinking of because paths tend to be positive and Sephiroth are considered to be negative. Basically you are right." ( ... "here ends this segment of the tape, as our energies were directed back to this Newsletter" ...) ************************************************************************** Poem by Shirine Meditation: Shhhh! Listen to Silence Speaking softly wordless wisdom, Eyes Closed; mind at rest All in the Nothing, Nothing in the All {7} ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP In the past, Ordo Templi Orientis has only opened its ranks to Full Membership, requiring a person to be physically present at his or her initiation. A number of groups or individuals have offered "astral initiation" into what they have represented as O.T.O., but the genuine Order does not do this. Full Initiation must be "grounded" by physical presence. Still, there are many who are unable to travel to Berkeley ("Note in reprint: Initiation is now available at intervals in the Los Angeles Area in California, in New York State and at several other Chapter and Lodge locations about the U.S. Further new chapters and initiations are announced in later issues of this Newsletter") or to arrange for the visit of an initiation team. For such worthy aspirants to the Law of Thelema, something must be done. O.T.O. now offers Associate Membership -- with the understanding that this is not Full Initiated Membership. Being an Associate of the Order is being a recognized Friend and Communicant of O.T.O. Highest priority will be given to answering the letters of our Associates. Special instruction will be provided, both in the form of organized instruction and answer to inquiry. Every effort will be made to provide the opportunity for Full Initiation into the various Degrees of O.T.O. Associate Membership in Aleister Crowley's Ordo Templi Orientis -- under the Caliphate -- is obtained by sending $10.00 per year to the Order at the Berkeley address on the front of the Newsletter. The annual dues will be used to finance the Newsletter, establish a Publication Fund for publishing the works of Aleister Crowley, print Correspondence Courses, meet mailing expenses, and provide for the general operating expenses of the Order. Those submitting for Associate Membership should include a brief summary of their interests and experiences in Magick, study of the works of Aleister Crowley and similar matters -- this is optional, but it will provide the Order with a better means of improving services to Associate Members. Also be sure to include Name and Address. The Newsletter is included in the dues of Associate Membership, but correspondence courses will be offered at an additional fee. The Caliph is planing incorporation of the Order under the laws of the State and Federal Governments. When Non-profit status is achieved, fees and donations will become partly tax-deductable. ADDENDA Articles will bee accepted for consideration in future Newsletters. Questions may be sent in for discussion in the Newsletter or for private answer ("Note in reprint: Private responses may be delayed near issue date of the Newsletter, owing to limitations on available time"). Return postage or International Postage Certificates will hasten your answer. You may obtain the O.T.O. NEWSLETTER either through Associate Membership (see above) or by separate subscription (see front page). A more specialized journal for Members only is in the planning stages.<> __________________________________________________________________________ Works of Aleister Crowley and authors writing on similar themes are available from the O.T.O. in Berkeley. For a list of available titles send a legal size self addressed and stamped envelope with your request to O.T.T KAABA CLERKHOUSE, P.O. Box 2303, Berkeley, CA 94702 U.S.A. A $2.00 donation is invited for the book list, but not required. Delivery of books and other supplies cannot be promised in six weeks at present.<> {8} INTEREST AND ACTIVITIES SHEET Name __________________________ Address __________________________ I am interested in: __________________________ 1. Dramatic Ritual / Costuming / Heraldry / Initiation Section / Gnostic Mass ________ 2. History Section ________ 3. Secretarial / Correspondence / Memberships -------- 4. Business / Finance / Mail Order -------- 5. Publications -------- 6. Great Wild Beast Furtherment Society -------- 7. Writing Correspondence Courses on: -------- A. Qabalah B. Astrology C. Psychic Body D. Yoga E. Tarot F. Tree of Life G. Other (specify) ________________ (e.g. intro to AC., Intro. to Thelema, Dramatic Ritual, Gnostic Mass, A.C. on A.'.A.'., O.T.O., Incarnations, etc.) 8. Teaching courses in the Bay Area (or other location) -------- A. Qabalah B. Astrology C. Psychic Body D. Yoga E. Tarot F. Tree of Life G. Other (specify) ________________ 9. Library ________ 10. Files ________ 11. School Administration ________ 12. Periodicals ________ 13. Karma Yoga / Volunteer Assignments ________ 14. Organization / Incorporation ________ 15. A. C. Incarnations / Manifestations ________ 16. Book Reviews ________ 17. Angelic Instruction -------- 18. If interested in being placed on a list of people in your area for forming local group ________ 19. Other. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ (Please copy, fill out and return this form to: HYMENAEUS ALPHA, CALIPH O.T.O., P.O. Box 2303, Berkeley, CA 94702 U.S.A. {9} Addenda to the reprint of Vol. I, #1. "Since the publication of the first edition of this Newsletter, the Order has grown rapidly. As evidence of our growth, this reprint has been printed on our own press, a Chief 15. We have gone from a handful of active members to nearly 200 Initiates and Associates in more than 9 countries. Our numbers are still few, and our material means still limited, but we are now initiating at a rate more than 40 times that of the last decade." "The first volume of the O.T.O. Newsletter is now complete. Here is a brief break-down on the content of the issues published after Vol. I, # 1:" Volume I, # 2. Autumnal Equinox. An. LXXIII e.n. 22 pages. Liber Resh continued; Magus, a poem by C. Gate, Continuity in the Order, by the Caliph (historical); What happened to Aleister Crowley's Ashes, by the Caliph; Crowley's Last Will and Testament (type copy); Corn Beef Hash (from Liber 333); A Study Guide for Magick in Theory and Practice; a facsimile diary entry from Crowley's hand; The Thelemic Salutations (an article); Errata in Liber 777; News; Progress report comment on membership and general policy; Poem "Alien Star" by the Caliph. Volume I, #3. Winter Solstice. An. LXXXIII e.n. 30 pages illustrated. Liber Resh continued + related material including poetical ritual by Sharon Walker; Democracy Dodders article; Liber OZ; facsimile letter and article on the Motto of the Caliph (given by Crowley); Book reviews; The I Ching by C. Gate (includes fax of page from Crowley's hand of notes in his Legge edition); An Article by a Thelemite in Prison (Angel Goodrick); Notes on 777 (Magical Images of the Decans -- examples for 2nd Decan Capricorn); The English Qabalah by J. E. Cornelius; more News and announcements; Poem "The Redeemer that is in the Waters" by Caliph; Minerval Degree O.T.O. Study Program, photo of Hymenaeus Alpha. Volume I, #4. Spring Equinox. An. LXXIII e.n. 50 pages illustrated. Liber Resh concluded; poem "Secret of the Great Sea" by Sr. Ishtar & drawing by Sr. Rachael; On the Pentagram (from the manuscripts and notes of Crowley) -- includes two previously unpublished MSS, marginal notes by AC on the Pentagram ritual in fax., all 24 Pentagram's used including adverse, pronunciation guide for Hebrew used; article by the Caliph "The Prophet and His Caliph"; three of the Caliphate letters or documents in Fax (from Crowley); The Stele of Revealing in fax, with article and interlinear translation by L. Dan Caldwell; Doing Liber AL by B. Heidrick, On useful Herbs by Sr. Racheal; Book reviews, News & notices; poem "The Unicorn" by the Caliph. The Above issues may be purchased at $1.00 each. A copy of Liber AL may be purchased for $1.00. A reprinting of the first edition of Liber 777 will be available for $2.00 after July 1978 e.v. Please add an amount adequate to cover mailing expense for the above, should you wish to purchase via direct mail.<> Love is the law, love under will. {10} ************************************************************************ P.O. Box 2303 Volume I, No. 2 Berkeley, CA Atumnal Equinox 94702 An. LXXIII e.n. U.S.A. Sept., 1977 e.v. "reprint 1978 e.v." Ordo Templi Orientis O.T.O. NEWSLETTER Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. "-- LIBER AL: 1,40" At Noon facing South: Hail unto Thee who art Ahathoor in Thy triumphing, even unto Thee who art Ahathoor in Thy beauty, who travellest over the heavens in Thy bark at the Mid-course of the Sun. Tahuti standeth in His splendour at the prow, and Ra-Hoor abideth at the Helm. Hail unto Thee from the Abodes of Morning! -- "from" LIBER RESH (This is the second of the four daily Thelemic Invocations. The above is the adoration to be said at Mid-day. The first of these rituals appeared in Issue number 1; the rest will follow in the next two issues.) All Content Copyright (c) 1977 by Caliph Hymenaeus Alpha. ************************************************************************* Back issues of this Newsletter will be available at $1 + mailing. Single copies of Vol. I, # 1 free on request. One year's subscription includes mailing expense and follows the rate below: $3.00 North American; $5.00 International (RATES RISE 1/4+ after April '79 e.v.) Issued quarterly.<> {1} M A G U S One is the Great Man three his ways eight his powers many his followers. One is true. His robe is the night his creed to fight the will his armor and the mind his sword The trace of his steps lies below the moon The gem of his triumph is an empty throne Pursue this riddle when resolved it is many when dissolved it is one Nothing is done every child is a sun ......... by Christopher Gait {2} TALES FROM THE CALIPH: * Continuity in the Order * It just so happens that I am perhaps the only person who knows the exact story on this. Aleister Crowley's Number Two man in the O.T.O. in the 40's - 50's<> was Karl Johannes Germer, otherwise known as Frater Saturnus. Karl was a Prussian and a veteran of 5 years service in the German army in War I. He was the typical Dutch Uncle and nobody, except Crowley could ever tell Uncle Karl anything. His position in the Order was that of Grand Treasurer General, as I said, the Number two position to A.C. as Outer head of the Order. There is no doubt to his sincerity as a Thelemite. In fact, he was a hero, perhaps a martyr of Thelema in a way, because as a Thelemite and associate of the notorious Aleister Crowley, he was thrown into a concentration camp by the Nazis. (Many of us have forgotten that before Hitler started liquidating the Jews and others, the Nazis had to first eliminate their native German opposition.) Indeed Karl had the sublime experience of the "Knowledge and Conversation of his Holy Guardian Angel" while in a Nazi concentration camp. The fact that due to his "anality" (a fact confirmed by F.R. who, as Crowley's secretary in Paris in the 20's, had of necessity to read Germer's diaries as they were mailed in.) his "Angel" turned out to be somewhat of a faggot (his advice to myself and others as a result of his experience was, and I quote, "one must allow oneself to be the boy to one's Angel!" ... surely a specious application on a universal level to a special situation.) But anyway ... His primary claim to fame as Aleister Crowley and the O.T.O. are concerned, is that for many years while living in New York in the 40's and 50's<> (where I met him once on my way overseas to England in 1943 and once on my way back in 1945) he was able to transmit -- this was known as the monthly transfer -- $200 a month every month for several years to Aleister Crowley who by then was living in England. This money was not, strictly speaking, considered to be A.C.'s living expenses. In fact, there is a rather poignant record that when Crowley was dying in Hastings in 1947, in abject penury so far as earthly goods were concerned, that he had to be reminded that he had several hundred Pounds's in a box under the bed. This was the Aleister Crowley Publication Fund. (To relieve your anxiety, yes, he did use some of it out of necessity for medical expenses at or near the end.) The way it came into being was this: There had been a number of O.T.O. Lodges under Crowley's jurisdiction in various English speaking countries in the 20's and 30's -- in Canada, the United States, Australia etc.; but these had somehow disappeared -- I remember seeing a file of letters from those days and one of the curious things that struck me at the time was their way of addressing each other; "From the valley of Vancouver to the valley of Los Angeles" -- anyhow by the late 30's these had all died out and the only Lodge under Crowley's control was Agape Lodge in Hollywood-Pasadena. I myself was initiated into Agape Lodge when it was still on Winona Blvd. in Hollywood in the late 30's -- but that's another story. I must sometime tell you about Ray Bradbury and the Los Angeles Science Fiction Club. Also about Wilfred Smith and Liber 132 ... Anyway. The way the Aleister Crowley Publication Fund came into being was that a small number of dedicated Thelemites ... Jane Wolfe, Wilfred Smith, Regina Kahl, Ray and Mildred Burlingame, Roy Leffingwell ... we really must get the list together some day ... were mostly living in the Los Angeles area at the time. Jane Wolfe had been a feature player. Wilfred was an accountant until his association with Crowley became known, whereupon he was demoted to bookkeeper. Roy was a bartender. Mildred was a waitress. Lew<> was a sometime bit player in Hollywood. Regina taught Drama at U.C.L.A. -- These people literally went without (passed up "that better house" or that "better car") during the Depression to contribute a few dollars a month. This money was given to Wilfred Smith as the head of Agape Lodge. He would transmit it to Germer, who would {3} put it together with whatever other money he could and to see to it that Crowley got $200 every month. As I said, this went on for years. Obviously Karl Germer was a dedicated man. Crowley died in 1947 e.v. According to the constitution of the O.T.O. (See the "Blue Equinox"); the O.T.O. is an international body and the O.H.O. (Outer Head of the Order) is elected by a convocation of National Heads, i.e. Xth Degree members. However, as there was only one operative Lodge at the time, one here in the United States, special provision had to be made. This was done by Crowley himself who instructed Karl that "a year and a day" following his i.e. Crowley's death, Karl as Grand Treasurer General of the Order, was call a convocation of the IXth Degree members of O.T.O. -- of which I would certainly have been included -- having been elevated to the IXth Degree of O.T.O. by Aleister Crowley himself in London in the 1940's -- and this convocation of IXth Degree members would choose a new Outer Head of the Order. I still have my copy of the notice.<> Now there is no doubt that Karl Germer would have been elected O.H.O. There was simply no one of stature to oppose him. I was living in San Francisco, using my War II GI Bill at the University of California across the bay in Berkeley, and certainly had no such ambitions. I was much too involved with my own affairs to worry about it. Wilfred Smith had been removed by the strictures of Liber 132. Jack Parsons was out of it due to the investigation -- of which I had been a part -- into his Babalon Operation. Roy Leffingwell? Ray Burlingame? Wonderful people and dedicated Thelemites; but no one thought of them in terms of Outer Head of the Order. Lou Culling? A joke. That left only Germer. So we went on doing our trip and waited for Karl to call the convocation. You can imagine how surprised we were one day to receive a letter from Karl saying that he was now Outer Head of the Order! What to do? Obviously there was nothing we could do. Karl Germer was the highest ranking member of the Order, short of revolt (no one could imagine that) there was no recourse. I remember that we wrote and talked to each other and wondered why Karl would disobey Crowley's instructions, but it was his Karma -- we had to let it go at that. True, it was unfortunate that Karl was only "de facto" O.H.O. instead of "de juri" O.H.O. as Crowley had meant him to be; but it was no matter. Karl was obviously O.H.O. either way. Sometime in here, '47 or '48 e.v., Karl got Crowley's library from England and decided he needed larger quarters; so he bought a substantial house with grounds outside Hampton, N.J. Whether he used any of the money from the Aleister Crowley Publication Fund for this no one could ever prove. Anyway, I visited him there several times in '51 e.v. Later he and his wife Sascha would come to California, and ultimately he bought a two story house outside West Point, which is up in Calaveras County in the gold rush country. By then I was back from the Korean War living in Berkeley, and doing the graduate student trip in political theory at U.C. Later I moved to Sacramento. Anyway, about this time -- the mid '50's -- I came to realize that the Order was dying because Germer wasn't initiating people. So I brought this up in one of my periodic visits up to West Point to see him. His reply, which I have in writing, was that, and I quote: "I consider all that to be the lower magick." Well, lower or not, and human mortality being what it is, you still have to have a supply of new members if an Order is to survive. Besides, to deny true Thelemites the opportunity in their incarnation to become a part of Aleister Crowley's Ordo Templi Orientis is in my opinion a crime. (See the description of grades of the O.T.O. on page 246 of the "Blue Equinox" where the indefeasible right of initiation up to and including the IIIrd Degree is emphatically stated.) So I decided to do something about it. I was just another IXth Degree Indian running around the old O.T.O. reservation; but there was the old problem -- I had no money. I had used up my War II GI Bill taking my B.A. in Philosophy, and the only thing I got out of the Korean GI Bill was that {4} they would pay my tuition and buy my books. Stated simply, I was flat broke. Something had to be done. Now at that time, there were still enough survivors of old Agape Lodge living in S. California that, I thought, it was just possible we could get together and say to Uncle Karl: "Look Karl, we love you; we just don't understand you." At least that is what I had in mind. So, by hook or crook I was able to make four trips to S. California -- Once to Barstow to see Jean Sihvonen (widow of Max Schneider) -- Twice to see Helen Parsons Smith, who was living in Malibu at the time -- and finally I got them all together in the Burlingame's place in Lakewood one night. Brother Montenegro came in and I pulled a chair out into the middle of the room and said something to the effect; "Well, now that we are all here, let's get started." Whereupon Brother Monty completely blew my mind by grabbing another chair, planting it in front of me and saying; "Grady, you must stop what you are doing and promise never to do anything like it again!" Since what I was trying to do was get the O.T.O. back together again, my agreement was unlikely. Even more unlikely was that nobody had said anything. So I looked around to see what was happening. Jean Sihvonen and Aleister Ataturk MacAlpin and Rhea Leffingwell -- the Barstow contingent -- were standing behind me over against the wall looking as if they had been frozen in time. On my left, Ray Burlingame was sitting there smoking a cigarette -- he would die of emphysema a few years later -- with Mildred sitting next to him and their daughter Layla standing behind them. Were it not for Ray's cigarette smoke, you would have thought they were sculptured in wax! What I was looking for was some recognition that they understood what had just been said. For what Monty had just said to me was that he knew better than I did what my Will was, and no Thelemite can say that to another Thelemite. At that point I had a choice ... I could wake them up, point out the impossibility of what Monty had said, and demand backing in my attempt to get Germer to reconsider his policy of 'no initiation,' or I could recognize that some things have to die before they can be reborn. I chose the latter. I turned back to Monty and said, "Not under any circumstances!" The group broke up in a smattering of small conviviality, and that was the end of that. In later years I would think that perhaps I had made a mistake; that maybe I should have argued it out with them and gotten their backing against Karl. But to what odds? It would have been like winning a battle only to lose the war. I also have correspondence from Germer at the same time telling me about how he knows about my visits to the South and how he knows about the 'conspiracies' against him. If I had gotten the S. California people together, Karl would have expelled me from the Order as the head of a conspiracy -- just as he expelled Kenneth Grant at about the same time. True, he was not "de jura" Outer Head of the Order; but, like it or not, he was functioning as Outer Head of the Order. So I took a job in Washington D.C. in 1961 and disappeared for about 10 years. Karl Johannes Germer died in 1962 e.v. without having made provision for a successor as O.H.O. In his Will he left Aleister Crowley's library in the hands of his wife, Sascha, who was not and had never been a member of the O.T.O. A few years after, the house at West Point was raided by an outlaw gang from Los Angeles calling itself the 'Solar Lodge of O.T.O.' and much of Aleister Crowley's library was gutted and dispersed. Karl Germer's policy of not initiating new members into the O.T.O. had yielded a bitter harvest. That's why there has been a seeming discontinuity in the Order -- why people haven't been able to find viable Lodges of the O.T.O. Karl Germer willed that it be so. With the publication of the Thoth Deck, however, I came to realize the necessity of activating the documents of authorization Crowley had given me, and of acceding to his plan. Laid out in his letters to me, Crowley said that I would be his Caliph following the death of Karl Germer. Thus, like the Phoenix the O.T.O. rises again. This time the Order is under the aegis of the Caliphate. The criterion of legitimacy is continuity, and this is supplied by the Caliphate letters, and my documents of authorization from Aleister Crowley. Despite silence and suppression, Aleister Crowley's Ordo Templi Orientis remains alive and well and initiating in Berkeley. 93 "Hymenaeus Alpha, Caliph *777*" {5} A Question from an Associate: Christopher Gait, whose poetry introduces this issue, recently asked the following in his correspondence with the Order: "...Do you know who has the ashes of Crowley? I read that they were taken to America after the funeral in England. It seems to me that they, along with the Stele of Revealing and its sundry instruments should be kept in a central temple around which the power of the Order could be based. Ideally this would be at Boleskine, although if this is not possible, California would seem the next likely place." Chris has an unusual ability to reach into the heart of a matter by divination. This inquiry of his came just as the Newsletter entered the final stages of editing. It relates to the theme of "Continuity in the Order," so we have decided to answer this matter in print. A copy of Crowley's L.W.T.; and a related portion of "Liber CCCXXXIII" have also been added to the present selection at the suggestion of the Caliph, and the prompting of several of our San Francisco Initiates. -- B.H. The Caliph's answer: *What happened to Aleister Crowley's ashes?* We know from Crowley's Last Will and Testament that he instructed his executors to preserve his ashes and give them to Karl Germer (Frater Saturnus), Grand Treasurer General of the Order. Fr. Saturnus was to preserve them for posterity (and certain operations suggested in Crowley's comment to my poem, NADIR). A.C. also placed considerable emphasis in his Will upon the fact that his Seal Ring should be preserved. His Seal Ring was preserved -- though under the most unlikely of circumstances -- it was found by the Coroner of Calaveras County in Sascha Germer's purse. Apparently it never occurred to the "Solar Lodge" outlaw gang while they were gutting Crowley's library at West Point and walking all over her in the process, to ask about the only thing of real value in the library -- namely Crowley's Seal Ring. Probably they didn't even know that it existed... Anyway, we know from several sources that Crowley's body was cremated in Brighton, England, in 1947. So what happened to the ashes? Why have they not also survived? The answer is rather simple and completely stupid. In 1951 I was called back to active duty as a Captain in the American Army during the Korean "crisis" ... we did not call it a war in those days, although it obviously was ... at least those of us who got to Korea quickly discovered that it was a real live shooting war. My particular piece of the action was that of Ammunition Supply Officer for the Central Front -- that would be from Chunchon north to Whacon, Kumwa and the Iron Triangle -- the Main line of Resistance being held by 9 Corps American on the left, 2nd ROK in the center, and 10 Corps American on the right, which we damn near lost when the Chinese hit the Khumwa Ridges with a human wave offensive that went on for a solid week in October of 1952 ... we never thought about North Koreans then ... we were fighting the Chinese as far as we knew ... Anyway, in 1951 I was assigned as Training Officer for a bunch of Reserve Units in Baltimore, Maryland, which is not far from Hampton, New Jersey. So I found occasion to visit Karl at his Hampton address. Now, as I have said in my rap about "Continuity in the Order," Karl's place outside Hampton was a house with grounds. That means that it was a good sized residence, not a mansion, but still a good sized house, sitting on several acres of grounds. Anyhow I remember on one of the visits, Karl and I taking a walk down the driveway and into the front yard. {6} I remember it had rained -- one of those sudden New Jersey thunder squalls that are heralded by hot, muggy winds and high white cumulus, and followed by heavy downpour. I was walking on the right. Naturally I was in uniform. It seemed like I always was in those days. While we were walking along -- as usual I had lighted my pipe -- Karl suddenly pointed to a scroungy tree and said; "And that is the Aleister Crowley tree!" Being a little slow on the uptake, I said: "What?," and he repeated with somewhat more emphasis: "That is the Aleister Crowley tree!" I still didn't get it and said something like: "What do you mean," and he said (obviously I am paraphrasing as I have no tape recording of the conversation): "Well one day Sascha and I were discussing what to do with Crowley's ashes (which completely blew my mind, because what was there to do with them other than to comply with his Last Will and Testament and keep them) and suddenly she took the urn in which they were kept and dashed them at the foot of this tree and said, "This is the Aleister Crowley tree!" So I looked at the stupid tree and I looked at the muddy ground at the base of it. Obviously there was no sign of the ashes and obviously there was no way they could be recovered, and I was sick in the stomach. But what the hell could I do about it? Nothing was possible but to remember the incident. Years later I would write to Gerald Yorke, and he would write back saying that I must be mistaken, because Karl had written to him saying that the reason Crowley's ashes could not be recovered when he left the Hampton address was that he had buried them in a wooden box at the base of a pine tree -- when he went to dig them up the box had disintegrated and the ashes were unrecoverable. Personally I consider this story to be a crock of horse-shit. Apparently it had occurred to Karl some time after he told me the true story that letting Sascha strew Aleister Crowley's ashes in the mud at the base of any tree was not the brightest of all possible things to do; so he invented a story to cover his actions. In any case, to the best of my knowledge, that is the true story of what happened to Aleister Crowley's ashes; and why they have not been preserved today as it was specified in his Last Will and Testament they should be. 93 Hymenaeus Alpha *777* The following text is Crowley's Last Will and Testament -- as preserved in a typed copy in the archives of the Order here in California. This is not a holographic copy, but we have every reason to believe that it is correct in verbo. "THIS IS THE LAST WILL of me EDWARD ALEXANDER CROWLEY commonly known as Aleister Crowley of "Netherwood" The Ridge Hastings Sussex England I HEREBY REVOKE all wills and testamentary dispositions at any time heretofore made by me I DIRECT that my executors shall ascertain as they may think fit beyond all possibility of error the fact of my death I DESIRE that on my decease my body shall be cremated and that my ashes should be preserved in a casket together with my seal ring and entrusted to the Grand Treasurer of the Ordo Templi Orientis I APPOINT Karl Johannes Germer of 260 West 72nd Street New York City Lady Frieda Harris the wife of Sir Percy Harris of 3 Devonshire Terrace Marylebone High Street London W.1. and Louis Umfraville Wilkinson, Doctor of letters whose address is care of Westminster Bank Limited Shaftebury Avenue London W.C.1. to be the Executors of this my will (hereinafter referred to as my Executors) except for the purposes property and effect (including copyrights) of and in connection with my profession of an author for which purposes property and effects I APPOINT the said Louis Unfraville Wilkinson and John Symonds of 121 delside Road London W.C.3. the executors hereof (hereinafter referred to as "my literary executors") I DIRECT my literary Executors to collect as soon as practicable after my death all my books writings and effect of a literary nature whatsoever and wheresoever {7} including all such effects over which I may at the date of my death have any power of disposition or appointment and I GIVE AND BEQUEATH my books and writings and literary effects so collected to my literary Executors free of all death duties ON TRUST that they shall hand the same to the Grand Treasurer General of the Ordo Templi Orientis (Order of the Temple of the East) at 260 West 72nd Street New York City with a request that the collection shall be for the absolute use and benefit of said Order and I DECLARE that the receipt of the Grand Treasurer General of the said Order shall be a sufficient discharge to my literary Executors subject to the payment of my debts and funerary and testamentary expenses I GIVE DEVISE BEQUEATH AND APPOINT all the rest residue and remainder of my property estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever unto such of the said Karl Johannes Germer Lady Frieda Harris and Louis Unfraville Wilkinson as shall be living at the date of my death and if more than one equally between them for their or his or her absolute benefit but with a request that they he or she will dispose of the same amongst my faithful friends in accordance with any wishes expressed by me during my lifetime or set out in any memorandum written or signed by me or left amongst my papers at my death but I declare that no such memorandum shall be deemed to form part of my Will nor shall the foregoing expression of my wishes create any trust or legal obligation. IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of June one thousand nine hundred and forty-seven. SIGNED by the Testator in the joint presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto set our names as witnesses - ("N.B. This copy is unsigned. - B.H.") OBSEQUIES 1. No religious service. I should like either Capt. Gerald York of 5 Montague Square, W.1., or Dr. Louis Wilkinson to read at an appropriate moment, first the Hymn to Pan, secondly the Book of the Law, thirdly the Collects from the Gnostic Mass (pp. 353 and 354). Finally, the Anthem from bottom of p. 357 to top of p. 359. 2. Duties of Executors. L. Pay any local debts either from the cash found among my possessions, or from funds to be supplied by the Order. B. Attend to the welfare of the O.T.O. Y. Assure, so far as in their lives, the welfare of the natural son of my body, Aleister Ataturk, at present residing in charge of his mother Patricia Deirdre MacAlpine, at "Weal", Betsy Newlyn, Cornwall. {8} "An Item from" THE BOOK OF LIES, LIBER 333 "by Aleister Crowley" 41 GR:Kappa-Epsilon-Phi-Alpha-Lambda-Eta GR:Mu-Alpha CORN BEEF HASH (i.e., food suitable for Americans.) In V.V.V.V.V is the Great Work made perfect. Therefore none is that pertaineth not to V.V.V.V.V. In any may he manifest; yet in one hath he chosen to manifest; and this one hath given his ring as a Seal of Authority to the Work of the A.'.A.'. through the colleagues of Frater Perdurabo. But this concerns themselves and their administration; it concerneth none below the grade of Exempt Adept, and such an one only by command. Also, since below the Abyss Reason is Lord, let men seek by experiment, and not by Questionings. * * * Be it known that the ring mentioned in this passage, elsewhere in this Newsletter and elsewhere in other writings, including those of Frater Paragranus, came into existence through the craftsmanship of Brother Max Schneider. It is of red and yellow gold, a figure of Nuit as the band, the name of Ankh-f-n-Khonsu after the Egyptian manner upon the signet. This ring passed from Crowley in the manner described above to the hand of Hymenaeus Alpha, where it now remains. This passage came in accord with the forces at work with the ring and those at law in the State of California. ============================================================================== A Study Guide for MAGICK IN THEORY AND PRACTICE by Bill Heidrick<> Many Thelemites are a bit appalled by the evident complexity of this work. Crowley wrote it in obedience to the injunction in "The Book of the Law:" I, 35-37: "35: This that thou writest is the threefold book of Law. 36: My scribe Ankh-af-na-khonsu, the priest of the princes, shall not in one letter change this book; but lest there be folly, he shall comment thereupon by the wisdom of Ra-Hoor-Khu-it. 37: Also the mantras and spells; the obeah and the wanga; the work of the wand and the work of the sword; these he shall learn and teach." It is the last of these verses that prompted Crowley to write "Book Four"<> -- the fourth book to "The Book of the Law," but not the fourth Chapter of the same; for verse 35 clearly declares that there are only three parts to "Liber AL." The closing verses of "Liber AL" also leave no possible doubt that the Book itself is ended. There is no Fourth Book or Chapter to "Liber AL," and there never will be; efforts by such as James Beck and this "Book of Codes" published in the recent "Book of Perfection" are misguided in claiming this. Such works can be of considerable value, but cannot rest on a par with "The Book of the Law" -- more on this subject in another place. {9} In addition to several other aids, the reader of "Magick in Theory and Practice" will be better armed for the fray with a copy of "Magick Without Tears" (letters written by Crowley to explain M in T and P) and a slender volume sometimes published separately from M in T and P titled "Book Four". This latter is an introduction to the technical aspects of Magick. Actually "Magick in Theory and Practice," taken together with this little book,<> form "Book Four".<> "Magick in Theory an Practice" is roughly divided into two parts: Theory and Practice -- hence the title. This Study Guide will chiefly concern itself with the Theory part. Notes will be added on some of the Rituals, but they require a more extensive discussion than is possible here. Membership in the Order makes possible further instruction. Obviously the first thing to do with the book is to have a good look at it. Mark especially the diagrams of the signs given at the beginning and the list of recommended reading found in the middle. These two short items are doors to understanding the rest. INTRODUCTION -- intended to perform several functions. For a person already able to confront Magick without undue skepticism, it may be unnecessary. For the beginner, it includes a pseudo-rational exposition of the Magical world-view. Actually, this introduction is a series of images and tropes -- it is intended to begin an opening of the more closed minded readers and to trap the minds of those who should not study this work -- so that they will not enter into danger. Chapter 0 -- basic philosophy and method. The real introduction to the Work. Chapter 1 -- Definition of terms and fundamental advice. Learn this before going further. The material is relatively light. Any difficult point may be returned to later -- such difficulty will be more a matter of trying to find problems that aren't there, than it will be of confronting real obstacles. Chapter 2 -- through Chapter 7 -- Magick formulas. These are mental ways of organizing thought and ritual. The reader will not be able to understand them perfectly at first. They must be firmly understood before any of the Rituals can be consciously mastered. Each of these chapters should be studied and learned in succession before any but light reading of the rest is undertaken. Chapter 8 -- This sets the method for the whole of the Work. It must be studied well. It may be studied along with Chapters 2 through 7. Chapter 9 -- Basics of use of sound and general notes on working. Necessary for ritual, but not absolutely necessary of understanding of general theory. Some valuable points of philosophy are to be found here, none-the-less. Chapter 10 -- Method of physical action in ritual. Necessary for the rituals. Chapter 11 -- The critical work of performing Magick rests in development of the Body of Light. This chapter introduces the method and concept. Study this before reading further. Chapter 12 -- Technical instruction. Not all of this material is to be taken literally. Those who wish to become involved in this level of working should proceed cautiously and with instruction from those they can accept as teachers.<> Chapters 13 and 14 --- This must be studied closely. The material here is of very wide application in all workings. Chapter 16 part I -- The main point is not to take a magical Oath until you are ready to set the pattern for your life's work. Chapter 15 -- Read and reread this material until it become an integral part of your thought. This is absolutely basic technical and attitudinal orientation. Chapters 16 part II and 17 -- Not generally important unless it is desired to take on specialized work of this kind. Chapter 18 -- Very important. Study closely. This material is essential to successful working and control. Without the knowledge presented here, your body of light will be effectively blind and blundering. Chapter 19 -- Specialized work again. Study if it appeals to your interest. {10} Chapter 20 -- This will appear obscure at first. It is the advanced theory of ritual design. Without this material, one cannot understand some of the shorter rituals given in the rest of the book. Some of the ideas presented here are misleading if looked at lightly. Study of this chapter should come after work with the earlier part of the book. Chapter 21 -- The material here is mostly advanced philosophy of Magick. Some parts will appear clear on first reading. This chapter may be read chiefly for entertainment until one has read "The Book of the Law." While the theory chapters of "Magick in Theory and Practice" are being studied one should practice several rituals. Study of Appendix III on pages 245 and 246 of the shorter edition of the book is advised. Rituals for special attention include Liber E (general exercises), Liber O (especially the Lesser Pentagram Banishment),<> Liber Resh (daily). The student is advised against Liber III in instruction #2 -- the basic method is excellent, but this particular technique is not for most people (or necessarily the most promising students). In the process of reading "Magick in Theory and Practice", one comes across many references to the "Equinox" and other writings. In most instances, the point to be found in the reference is unnecessary for the average student. When unusual difficulty arises, Associates and Initiates of the Order may apply for specific instruction. Inquires by others will be handled as time permits. Here is a brief note on some of the rituals in the "Practice" section of the text: Liber Samekh -- excellent for gathering magical force. Should be performed only in conjunction with banishing rituals. The injunction that no names be used unless understood perfectly may be considered as a trope. Appendix VI "Grimorium Sanctissimum" -- The Latin portion beginning this section. This material may be interpreted as a method for securing the fluids of the sex-act for magical application. It is unwise to attempt this work without instruction and an effective body of light under control. Liber XXV -- advance form of the Pentagram Banishment. Should only be undertaken after study of "The Book of the Law." Another version is to be found in "The Book of Lies." Liber V -- difficult. Successful performance of this ritual may be a goal to set in testing your own comprehension of this book. Liber XV -- the principal group ritual of the Order in the Outer. Appendix VII, Liber HHH. This material is in the line of the Order of the Golden Dawn to some extent. Alteration and adaptation to circumstance is valid. Liber E -- Very important to take up with the study of the theory sections. Liber O -- Basic Golden Dawn rituals for practical working. This material should be relatively easy to understand. It is assumed knowledge for the more elaborate workings presented before and after it in the text. Liber Astarte -- Very useful. It may be undertaken without reading the rest of the book. Liber RV -- Yoga instruction. Should be taken up as an independent practice throughout one's working and study. It furthers all efforts. Liber Yod -- another item that may be considered a sort of self-proficiency test. Very good mental yoga when attained. It furthers all efforts. Liber Thisharb -- for very advanced working only. Do not attempt it until skilled in all other workings and experienced by several years of magical practice. It may be studied, if the temptation to practice it can be mastered, at any level. Liber B -- Its value is wasted on those who are not ready for it. Liber Resh -- For daily use by all. Liber III -- Excellent discipline, if the part about the razor is not taken rashly. {11} The facsimile on the facing page was taken from a flyleaf in Crowley's personal copy of his play "Mortadello." It combines an entry from a specialized Magical Diary with an entry intended for a mundane-magical journal. Those who may be having some difficulty with the keeping of such records should consider this one. Crowley was without his "Oath-Book", so he took the nearest bit of paper and wrote anyway. Such an entry should be transferred to one's proper book when time permits. The idea is to maintain the practice regardless of circumstance. The Oath has a simple structure: the four elements and spirit are woven into free-verse in a pattern that strikes to the heart of the intent. That intent is a continuing renewal of the link with the Angel. Such links must be forged anew often. The second entry provides some candid glimpses of Crowley the man -- subject to all mortal complaints despite his attainment -- yet when any energy passes to him, no matter what kind, he is caught up into the labor of Will and union with the Angel. "**Transcription**" An Oath written during the Dawn Meditation ("vide Liber Resh -- Ed.") An XXI Sun in 26 degrees Libra Moon in 28 degrees Scorpio (Oct. 20, '28e.v.) Aiwaz! confirm my troth with Thee! my will inspire With secret sperm of subtle force, creating fire! Mould thou my very flesh as Thine, renew my birth In childhood merry as divine, enchanted Earth! Dissolve my rapture in Thine own, a Sacred Slaughter Whereby to capture and atone the Soul of Water! Fill Thou my mind with gleaming Thought intense and rare To One refined, outflung to Naught, the Word of Air! Most, bridal bound, my quintessential form thus freeing From self, be found One Selfhood blent in Spirit-Being! --------------- [The previous day & night I nearly died from ptomaine poisoning; or, lack of the secret of Jupiter; or both. This was in Cassis; I got into Marseille by a miracle of will-power. I came slowly round, went to the Am. Exp. Co. & found a letter promising Pounds70. I found myself flooded with energy, creative, & wrote 52 pp of letters! I then went to sleep, in aspiration to Aiwaz; & woke at 3 A.M. to find myself in sherasana, but with my finger-tips touching on my breast. I instantly fell into meditation on the meaning of this Mudra: will to perfect union with Him in Each of the Five Elements. Then I could not refrain from putting this into verse; having left my Oath-Book in Casis, I used this fly leaf. 666] ============================= This particular copy of "Mortadello" contains other curiosities in Crowley's hand and in the hand of others. It is one of the many volumes which survived the raid on the library in the last decade. Crowley's copy of "Mortadello" and other books and documents are being committed to micro-film. This film archive will act as insurance against further loss. In time, selected reels of film will be made available to Lodges and other places of learning -- for the further dissemination of this primary material. The order is aware of the location of some of the stolen material (Longitude 105W17, Latitude 40N02). We caution those who may wish to recover it to take no violent action -- much has been lost in fire through improper handling on the part of J. We wish to advise the holders that a distinct change has taken place in the Magical balance which enabled them to obtain the material. This change will make the material very dangerous beginning Oct. 12, 1977 e.v. to any but the lawful owner. We have not set any trap or proposed any form of attack; but we advise an immediate effort at microfilming or other duplication of the material -- unless it is returned to the proper hand. {12} {WEH NOTE: Page 13 holds the fascimile of the diary entry in Crowley's hand, as noted and transcribed above. This cannot be reproduced here.} THE THELEMIC SALUTATIONS "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." -- "Liber AL," I:40 "Love is the law, love under will." -- "Liber AL," I:57 These are the salutations of Thelemite to Thelemite. They begin and close letters. They are given in greeting and return. Many have pondered their meaning; and some, in open defiance of "The Book of the Law," have seen fit to change them. The following is a consideration of the meaning of these statements from the view of one person. No authority is claimed, and none can be claimed. "Every man and every woman is a star." It is the stand taken by the Order under the Caliphate that no change be made in the text of "The Book of the Law." Those who are initiated into O.T.O. are required to affirm this. Acceptance of "Liber AL" in whole or in part is another thing entirely; yet without the tradition of the veridical text, such an acceptance is impossible. To preserve the form of our Sacred Book, we must guard it against decay. Many abuses have arisen of late, especially in the use of the salutations. A particularly common change is current among our kindred of the Wicca: "An it harm none, do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." A sound qualification in ordinary opinion, surely. Is this a case of common observation? No, this versicle is not a vague "hello, have care and be at ease". It's every bit as poignant as the greeting of the Christian monastics; "Remember, Brother, that thou must die!" -- and far more positive. The "what" is the "why" you are alive. Even if doing that "what" in accord with your True Will threatens a nation, do it. There is nothing to fear. When you do what you have incarnated to do, no harm will come to any acting in their own Great Work. Another alteration long in vogue is "Do as thou wilt ..." Crowley himself objected to this. It's merely libertine slithering. To do as you please is not Thelema. Such a philosophy accomplishes nothing (small 'n' at that). There is no practical merit in it. "What" means some definite thing. That definite thing can be a deed, a role in life, a work of art or any tangible accomplishment. It may change its appearance from time to time, but it will remain true to its essence. That is the Law, the order of life in the Aeon of Horus. It is the whole of the Law; there are no vague exceptions or vague "outs". So, what do we do? Declare that the pet project of the day takes precedence over the needs of others? Nope. First find the nature of your True Will. The versicle doesn't say "... is the whole of the Law." It says " .. shall be the whole of the Law." This passage cannot actively apply until you know what your True Will is in a given situation. Once you have caught the essence of your Will, the deed will take no more than an instant. "This is my Will," says the waster of time. "It was done quickly and in silence," is the thought of an observer of Thelema in action. What do you do until the Angel comes? "Love is the law, love under will." Follow the leanings of your heart; Agape and Thelema are both 93. Too many would-be-Thelemites feel bound to be on top of their Wills all the time. It's far better to be a loving mortal half of the time than to be half divine king and half-ass. If you don't know what to do, always take the path of love. Love is the gentle sleep of Thelema, even as doing the Great Work is the wakeful labor. The most common change in "Liber AL" is the alteration of Capital and small letters in the text. Changes of punctuation are also frequent. Some of this is understandable. Many parts of the manuscript are ambiguous. Crowley's handwriting was not his most shining perfection by any means. However, with regard to the salutations there is little doubt as to the correct form. These passages are relatively clear in the MS. Where a capital letter begins a sentence, that may be considered simple grammar {14} (in other words, the essential mystery may be the common one of the language). Where a capital letter appears in an unlikely place, look for a special meaning. "Law" is capitalized in the first versicle of the salutation, but not in the second. Active in the first and passive in the second, or emphatic in the first and then subtle -- the gist of possible interpretation should be obvious. To sprinkle capitals about at random is to muddy the water. Occasionally one may make a simple typo in using these salutations. Such errors may generally be ignored, but they can be revealing. In the first issue of this Newsletter, the opening salutation came out, "Do what thou will ..." May one suppose an earnest grammarian at work? Could be, but I've noticed something about my own typo's. When I have a lover in the house, I have to fight against typing: "Love is the law, lover under will" on letters. Doubtless, a tendency to brag; but that's show biz, not Thelema. "So what if there's a little looseness, that won't change the spelling of a book already printed." -- True up to a point, but books wear out and get reset and reprinted. For a Thelemite in O.T.O., it's not valid to let things take care of themselves and "Do as thou jolly well might," about "The Book of the Law." For some Thelemites, this is not a major concern. They are into their Wills and don't really read "Liber AL" anyway. For those of use who pursue Thelema through Aleister Crowley's Ordo Templi Orientis, the instructive nature of the Order requires safeguarding of the "Book." Any Thelemite with the Will to do a book knows that nothing can stop the appearance of that book in print. Some have rewritten or augmented "Liber AL" with their own writings. Such things are fine for those people and their followers; but we have Crowley's version, and we are going to make sure that it remains accessible throughout the Aeon of Horus. That's simple. Writing this article is part of making it work. Calling attention to slips, slides, typos and deliberate changes is also part of making it work. Carelessness in using these salutations sometimes stems from something in the understanding of the meaning. Those who substitute "Do as thou wilt" for "Do what thou wilt..." generally tend to understand that this passage means freedom from all restraint. That's true as far as it goes, but it doesn't even go as far as the skull. When you are linked to your True Will consciously, you are indeed totally free to do your Will. The way you do it is not generally free at all. If you will to act as president of the country, you may be able to shoot the incumbent and take his place; but if you think you have a right to do that, you are sick. Circumstances may justify such an action, but very rarely. At times, there may seem to be several ways to do your Will. Actually, there is only one -- and "success is your proof". If you don't met with success, you have tried to force the wrong way to your goal. The theory is infinitely complex, but the manifestation is always sublimely simple. The worst possible use of these salutations comes dangerously close to their best outward use. Many of us are teachers. We are often in a place of power to dictate to others. When this power is used to tell someone what their Will is, that is Restriction and the Word of Sin. When this power is used to tell willing people what to do, that's all part of normal living. If they do it, fine. If they don't do it, it's not their Will. All this can be frustrating to someone who is trying to get a commune together. Periodically, some test must be made to separate the subhuman sluggard from the Thelemite who doesn't do things the way the rest do. The basic trick is not to bluster and shout, but to simply tell the person to do something interestingly stupid. If this suggestion is ignored, fine. If the suggestion is followed, serious doubt is thrown on the Thelemic convictions of the person tested. For an example, consult "Liber Jugorum," Section I, paragraph 2. A second test may well consist of warning the person against a particular thing that is obviously pleasurable but probably harmful. If the thing is done anyway, with harmful result, evidence is strong against active awareness of the True Will. Generally speaking, such tests are only rarely necessary. Their extensive use is cause to suspect the teacher of having a mildly sadistic sense of humor. The salutations of Thelma have curious parallels in other traditions. {15} Consider the four injunctions of the Sphinx: "Do what --------------------------- to know thou wilt ------------------------- to will shall be the whole of the Law." "Love ------------------------------ to dare is the law, and love under will." ----------------- to keep silent. When you know your Will, that knowledge is essentially of "what" to do. It is not a vague inclination that doesn't come to any active release. Neither is it a sense of the presence of the Angel. It's as pure and simple as a mechanic knowing what wrench to use to tighten a particular bolt. A magician in practice knows exactly what energy or entity is needed. The active Will you possess is not desire alone, for that may be frustrated in a number of ways. It is the mysterious force that moves the arm on command from the brain. Will is a pressure and a direction -- very much like the concept of a single vector of force as used in physics. The only difference is that the force is drawn, not from a discrete cause, but from the field of power that is your Genius. The presence of this Genius is not in itself the active Will, but that essence is prior to the manifestation of the Will. Love is an ultimate act of daring. Love cannot effectively act within a person. It must be directed toward another. Inactive love, like the presence of Genius, is prior to outward love. Unless you love yourself, you cannot love another in any way. Once the inner love is established, it may be projected outward. This active form is a giving of energy without fear of loss or abuse. You simply add without condition to the life force of another in any way that can work. There is no forcing. The transfer of the life energy must flow according to the True Will of the Other -- which is ultimately in harmony with your own. Sexual love making may be involved, or it may not. The injunction to keep silent is quite profound. This means nothing so obvious as the deliberate concealment of one's secrets. This silence is the ultimate respect for Truth. If a thing is spoken or "written," it is half a lie. Make no attempt to explain an act performed according to True Will. Inform if you will, should such information be a part of the act; but do not try to play at "because" when the source of your deed is the outpouring of your Will. There are other forms of legitimate silence, but this one is particularly important to Thelemites. At some time or another, every Thelemite has to face the familiar question: "If you are so smart, why ain't you rich?" If such a question or its kindred troubles you, take a little time to meditate on the Thelemic salutations. If you are doing your Will and loving under will, you are rich. The perfection of these things is known only to one doing them. All Thelemites display imperfection. At its best this is a defense mechanism to avoid the local equivalent of crucifixion. At worst this is only the part of the self that is not fully functioning. Let those who would take the Oath of the Abyss beware, for the entire mortal self cannot attain to perfect knowledge and remain alive in the lower world. Such an atunement to Will means an end to doing -- there is no "what" left undone. In the main flow of life expect confusion. Hide it only from the more stupid of your enemies. When a student asks for something that you cannot give, follow the manner of the fellow who said: "Expect an occasional snort; but I'm an addict, not a peddler." Leave room for the other's doing and loving under will. by Bill Heidrick {16} Some Errata in LIBER 777 Many editions of "Liber 777" contain a few slips in the typesetting on some Hebrew entries in Columns. Here is a brief list of the more common errata: Column LVI, #23, first letter is Gimel, not Vau. HB:G not HB:V Column XCIX, #1, second and third letters are Teth's, not Mem's. HB:T not HB:M. Column XCVII, #1, second letter is Heh, not Cheth. HB:H not HB:Ch. Column XCVII, #2, first letter is Heh, not Cheth. HB:H not HB:Ch. Column CXXXII, #9, The two Hebrew words in this entry should be switched around, left word exchanged for the word on the right. Also, the word beginning "Aleph- Lamed" should instead be "Heh-Lamed". Column CXL, there is some reason to believe that #20 and #29 should be switched (in all editions). This exchange is suggested via analysis by mathematical group theory based on cyclic permutation. "N.B. In making these text corrections, remember that Hebrew is written from right to left -- the words begin with the right-most letter." Other notes on "777" will continue to appear in future Newsletters. Some of these will include further errata as they are discovered, some will be studies and explanations of columns, some will be additional columns." -- B.H. ============================================================================== ooooooo NEWS ooooooo -----INITIATIONS AND BANQUETS: To the 14 Minervals recorded in the last Newsletter, have been added: July 16 -- 3 Minervals/ August -- 8 Minervals/ for a grand total of 25 0 Degree's. August 20 -- 2 First Degree initiations and one Second Degree initiation -- growth since April this year. During the same period 30 Associates have joined the Order. As part of our efforts to follow A.C.'s admonishment that things must be "nobly done" some of us in Berkeley have taken upon ourselves the task of making the Banquets which follow the initiations as magnificent a feast as circumstances permit. As examples, two of the Banquets have had specific themes: May -- a Medieval Feast (from "To the King's Taste") -- Gourdes in Potage (Squash cooked in sweet ginger broth) -- Douce Ame (chicken cooked in milk and honey with pine nuts) -- Aquapatys (boiled garlic) -- Funges (leeks and mushrooms sauteed with ginger) -- Sawse Galantyne with Pork Filets -- Salat (fresh herbs, vegetables and flowers). August -- a Middle Eastern Feast (from "Foods of the Middle East") -- Cacik (cucumber & yogurt salad with mint and garlic) -- Roz Pilav (Saffron rice with nuts) -- Batilla (filo chicken pie) -- Kousa bi Gebna (zuchinni with cheese) -- Kadaif with Atr (ricotta pastries with orange flower syrup) -- Zhourat (mint tea) and Arasous (rose water syrup sherbet). Other banquets were organized "pot-luck" affairs, which were coordinated in advance and maintained the tradition of excellence which we are attempting to set. Planning and most of the cooking were done by Sister Linda, with able and energetic assistance from Sister Shirine and Sister Patricia. -----ASSOCIATES: In the previous issue of our Newsletter we instituted the policy of accepting as Associate Members those who could not be present for physical Initiation, but who {17} wished to obtain close contact with Aleister Crowley's O.T.O. This has been successful beyond what many of us considered possible. We now have more than thirty Associate Members, including some in countries outside the U.S. such as Australia, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Germany. There are also a few Associates who for various reasons are in "durance vile" (prison). Recognizing that they have as much right to access to O.T.O. as anyone else, and that their means are somewhat limited, we have accepted them as Associates without payment of fees. Some are in need of contact with other Thelemites -- anyone wishing to correspond with one of them should get in touch with sister Linda c/o O.T.O. P.O.Box 2303 Berkeley, California, 94702, U.S.A. She will be coordinating correspondence for them. -----AMBASSADOR IN EUROPE: Our roving Ambassador in Europe, Steve Englehart, has been touring Scotland, and was received at Boleskine by the caretaker. He was able to see many of the rooms used by Crowley, and chatted amicably with the caretaker. He later had a nice chat and visit with Nessie down at the Loch while sitting on a rock and partaking of a sacrament. -- on to Amsterdam! LATE DEVELOPMENTS: While this Newsletter entered final stages of production, the Order received another letter from Brother Steve. Our Ambassador passed through England briefly (he will return later), enjoyed two hours of 3AM solitude at Stonehenge after climbing the barbed wire fence, pondered the Zodiac of Gastonbury Tor and generally met and traveled about. Rock carvings in Sweden provided insights into other worlds. The elementals gamboled with the Angel in Norway, and Brother Steve continued on his way. The Order in Berkeley will be bringing him up to date on inquiries along his itinerary. France and Spain are next, with England again in Feb. and Switzerland with its Lodge at an undetermined date. Crowleymass and Dedication of Thelema Lodge: Plans for Crowleymass (A.C.'s Birthday) in Berkeley on October 12th are proceeding. We intend a formal declaration of Thelema Lodge and signing of the Lodge Charter at that time. "Thelema Lodge" has been in operation informally for some time, but the Rite of Chartering the Headquarters Lodge will be done as the Sun emerges from partial Solar Eclipse on Crowley's birthday. Thus again the Phoenix rises! Weekly rehearsals of the "Gnostic Mass" are underway, and preliminary work on the robes and instruments has been done. We will present the Mass in Semi-dress form at Crowleymass. Chapters of the Order: New York State. The Initiate and Associate Chapter of the O.T.O. of Aleister Crowley in Syracuse, New York is progressing towards formal chartering as a Lodge. The Caliph will be at Syracuse for Minerval initiations in the month of November (about the 19th). The success of this venture is due the efforts of our representative Michael Ripple and several initiates and associates in the area. A travel fund has been established for the visit of the Caliph. For more information on East Coast activities and initiation, please write to Br. Michael, P.O. Box 6018, Teall Ave. Station, Syracuse, NY 13217.<> After a period of informal existence, the New York Lodge will be fully chartered, with local origin initiation eventually taking place under mandate from the Caliph. {18} Costa Mesa, California. Plans are under way for initiations in this area. For further information, address an inquiry to the Berkeley Lodge at the address on the cover of this newsletter. Additional groups are in various stages of organization elsewhere; activity of this sort is expected in Washington State, Minnesota and in New England. Canada and Denmark show promise. Profess-Houses: Limited access Profess Houses are beginning to operate in Berkeley, San Francisco and San Anselmo. Communications: We are opening lines of exchange and communication with other Thelemic organizations, publications and individuals. The College of Thelema is well know as a branch of O.T.O. with several IXth Degree members. Although O.T.A. is not a Thelemic organization, this body has a Thelemic Collegium. C.R.Runyon deserves special commendation for his aid in exposing a problem for O.T.O. in the O.T.A.'s bulletin, THE SEVENTH RAY, Spring Issue.<> The address of Ordo Templi Astartes is P.O.Box 3341, Pasadena, CA 91103. Of interest to Australians: A Television camera crew has filmed the Thelemic Banishing Ritual and highlights from the Bornless Ritual at San Anselmo. Associates in Australia may wish to watch this segment when it is aired either on Oct. 17 & 18 or Oct. 24 & 25 from 7:30 to 9:30 PM on the 0/10 Network. The rituals were performed by an initiate, and the material will probably be presented -- so the director indicated. Membership -- late developments: Between typing page 18 and this page of the Newsletter, 8 Minervals have become initiated into O.T.O. in Berkeley -- Sept. 24. Before this page is stapled with the others into finished form, we will initiate another First Degree. The Order grows. *Progress* The book order department will soon become operational. It has been delayed to permit Incorporation happening first. Our first listing will include over 100 titles. The Order is printing a minimum expense edition of "Liber AL" -- available after checking of proof has been fully completed. Br. David Scheffler has sent us a study of discrepancies between the MS of "Liber AL" and printed texts found in the "Equinox" and elsewhere. We will review his observations and adjust the printed text where necessary. The Articles of Incorporation have been drawn up; and we should have them filed and processed before the next Solstice. {19} Correspondence courses are firming up. In the process of preparation are: Qabalah, Simple Ritual Robe Making, I Ching, Tarot, Astrology & Tarot. Topics under consideration include: Journal Keeping, Psychological insights into Initiation, Ontology ... Those who wish to receive instruction in these areas before the formal completion of the correspondence section may obtain it. We can respond via letter of instruction on particular points -- this requires initiative on the part of those of our Associates and Initiates who write in. Classes are available in Berkeley, Syracuse, and Santa Barbara. Other areas are under consideration as teaching locations. A Brother of the Order is available in Minnesota; Louisiana is being considered. We will provide instruction in Magick and in the seeking of the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel to those who ask for it and show initiative. Correspondence courses in these two areas are not presently planned. More personal contact through active correspondence or class-on-locaton instruction is required for safety. "Magick in Theory and Practice" is a suitable text for the former study, while "The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abra-Melin the Mage" provides a preliminary basis for the latter. ============================================================================== THE ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS OF ALEISTER CROWLEY: MEMBERSHIP AND GENERAL POLICY UNDER THE CALIPH. Two categories of membership: Associate and Initiate Associate ------------ $10.00 per year. Informal. Structured to the extent desired by the Associate -- no more or less. Active work as an Associate can approximate that of an Initiate up to the middle degrees in some matters. Association can be quiescent -- no active involvement with the formal Order beyond payment of dues. The degree or lack of involvement for an Associate depends entirely on the active will of the Associate. We will go along with most of what is asked of us. For further information, see Newsletter number 1, pages 8 and 9. Initiate ------------- Fees and dues vary with the degree of initiation. Entry degree is Minerval, one year only unless unusual circumstances obtain, $30.00<>. INITIATES MUST BE PHYSICALLY PRESENT AT INITIATION. Anyone of good report may become initiated through the IIIrd degree -- subject to the rules of the Order. The Caliph and his council are the sole arbiters of the meaning of "good report". In general, this matter is one of considerable lee-way. A waiting period of one year minimum is presently in force between each initiation (no wait for Minerval). This waiting period may be changed by the Caliph in unusual cases -- lengthening of the time is more likely than shortening. For further information, see the News section of this Newsletter and pages 8 and 9 of the first issue. {20} Outer Head of the Order ----- the Caliph is acting O.H.O., with full powers. When the Order becomes firmly reestablished with properly initiated and proven National Heads, a council of the Xth Degree will be called. Other O.T.O. Organizations ----- they exist. Most are fully bogus. Anyone can call themselves O.T.O., but we are the O.T.O. established as such by Aleister Crowley. Only the Swiss Lodge has presented anything like a valid claim to this date. Grant's O.T.O. is not Crowley's. The German and other National Lodges of the old O.T.O. fell out of communication long ago. We welcome contact with old O.T.O. initiates and with any Thelemic organization. Official recognition of surviving fragments of the old structure of O.T.O. will proceed with caution. For the credentials of our organization please see issue number 1 of this Newsletter. Facsimiles of Crowley's letters to Hymenaeus Alpha will appear in later issues. ============================================================================== The Caliph would like to hear from those who recognize the Tarot Trump which corresponds to the poem which appears on the following page. For that matter, any suggestions, comments, criticisms, etc., regarding this Newsletter and its contents are welcome. ============================================================================== Next issue -- more of the same plus articles and poetry written by O.T.O. Initiates and Associates. We continue to remain open to contributions of the like. {21} Alien Star Deeper by far Than any Star Deeper than the Unknown Night The spaceworm spins its prison bar Its casement tower, height on height "Shell by the Abyssal Crustacea" Alien Star Alien Light Shine upon our Alien Fright Alien Sun Alien Star Shine upon our Prison Bar The nematodes In their abodes Renew the categories The scaly reptile in the roads Seeks on Her Lunar Glories "Shell by the Abyssal Crustacea" Alien Star Alien Light Shine upon our Alien Fright Alien Sun Alien Star Shine upon our Prison Bar from "The Angel and the Abyss." by Grady L. McMurtry (Frater Hymenaeus Alpha) 8/21/61 e.v. "Love is the law, love under will." -- AL I:57 ************************************************************************ P.O. Box 2303 Volume I, No. 3 Berkeley, CA Winter Solstice 94702 An. LXXIII E.N. U.S.A. Dec., 1977 E.V. Ordo Templi Orientis O.T.O. NEWSLETTER Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. "-- LIBER AL: I,40" At Sunset, facing West: Hail unto Thee who art Tum in Thy setting, even unto Thee who art Tum in Thy joy, who travellest over the Heavens in Thy bark at the Down-going of the Sun. Tahuti standeth in His splendour at the prow, and Ra-Hoor abideth at the Helm. Hail unto Thee from the Abodes of Day! -- "from" Liber Resh (This is the third of the four daily Thelemic Invocations. An article on the Egyptian Origin and modern variation of these salutation rituals has been included in this issue. We have presented the first two parts of "Liber Resh" in the two previous issues of the Newsletter. The last part will be published at the Spring Equinox.) All content Copyright (c) 1977 by Caliph Hymenaeus Alpha. -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Back issues of this Newsletter will be available at $1 + mailing, with occasional delays for reprinting. Single copies of Vol. I, # 1 free on request. One year's subscription includes mailing expense and follows the rate below: $3.00 North American; $5.00 International Issued quarterly.<> {1} A Hymn of Praise to Ra heru-kuti First One of the Dawn when he riseth on the eastern horizon of heaven. Homage to thee, Ra Heru-Khuti, holy god, creator of the things which exist: Tanen who givest life to the gods and to the beings of primeval matter, maker of heaven, which thou didst stablish firmly by thy two hands and didst make for thyself a place wherein to rise. Beautiful art thou, O Ra Heru Kuti in thy rising on the eastern horizon! Gods and men lift up their hands in praise of thy beautiful face. Beautiful art thou, O Ra Heru Kuti in thy rising in the egg within the sky! All the Hamemet beings praise thee after thy rising. Beautiful art thou, O Ra Heru Kuti in thy rising on the Tuat within Akert! The ape-gods sing praises to thy beautiful face. Homage to thee, watcher, living one, new being, whose youth is renewed, first one of the dawn! The gods in Amenti praise thee! {2} Homage to thee, rising, shining, crystal in color, thou vanquishest the darkness. Homage to thee, Mighty One, who art exalted in thy name of Lord of the Mighty Ones twice-valiant Power. Homage to thee Great One, Divine One, in thy name of Lord of the Utchati who dost make thy birth come to pass. Homage to thee, who dost rise anew in thy name of Giver of Thrones, Advancer to Dignities. Homage to thee, the Company of the gods praise thee, and men and gods greet thee with cries of joy when thy settest O Beautiful Face! from: The Permhru of Nesitanebtashru {Illustration: cartouche with hieroglyphics for Nesi...} Last Priestess of Amen-Ra at Thebes Priestess of Mut of Ashru Priestess of Nekhebet of Eileithyiaspolis Priestess of Osiris of Abydos Priestess of Menu, Isis and Horus of Panopolis circa. 970 B.E.V. Published as: "The Greenfield Papyrus in the British Museum" -- E. A. Wallis Budge, 1912 E.V. {3} On Liber HB:Resh by the Secretary of Thelema Lodge<> "Liber Resh vel Helios Sub Figura CC" The salutations to the four quarters of the Sun are an important part of Thelemic observance. Many pages could be written on the mystical significance and psychological effect of daily practice of Liber Resh, but this is a matter for the individual discovery of Thelemites. Here will be written only a few observations and a few hints. This is the ritual of the Sun. Hence it is called Helios (Sun) and referred to the Hebrew Letter "Resh". In Tarot, Resh matches the Sun Trump. Resh is the Sun in Astrology. The number assigned to this ritual is the Gematria value of "Resh". The name of the Great Solar Deity in Egypt is RA -- in Hebrew, this word begins with "Resh". Many of the titles of Crowley's works mystify. Let this be an example of the way to understand the keys to the rituals through the correspondences in "Liber 777." Adoration of the Sun is ancient. It is practiced in many cultures. Even the plants and animals heed the course of the Sun. Our bodies must obey the Sun on its journey, for they are made from the energy of its rays. Our minds rise from the Midnight Hour. Thoughts quicken at Dawn. Thinking grows heavy and Mid-day. Dusk produces lassitude and a taste for mystery. Perform the adorations at the appointed times and receive knowledge of doing at these points. There are great mysteries of Magick in this ritual. To obtain clues concerning them, study the ancient Hymn of pages 2 and 3 of this issue of the Newsletter. A close examination of "Liber AL" will shed light upon such as the "ape gods" and the deities of the present Aeon as the relate to "Liber Resh". It will be quickly seen that the salutations of "Liber Resh" are short in comparison to the ancient ones. Learn first the simple practice, then progress to the more complex with caution. Should another form of the Ritual tempt, test it. Remember always that the best rituals are those you make yourself. The most effective of these fly forth at the moment of impromptu performance. Add or alter in accord with your Will -- yet remember that familiarity with the work of others grants range and depth to understanding. Many have composed their own Adorations. Here's a fine example by Sharon Walker, an Associate Member from the American South West: {4} Evening Adoration Hail to Thee Who art RA in thy setting Thy Splendid cloak is shadowed By ever changing hues Of slate and scarlet blended brown Soft and subtle is Thy Kiss To the Earth as She turns Her Face from Thee: Winsome Moon as She tosses your light Like laurels on a lake ... Beauty is thy name that All Men may speak Though Thee girt it with a serpent: Thy beauty surpasseth all for It passes from the eyes of men Thy strength is mightier for thy gentleness Thy wrath more fierce for thy mercy Each opposite thing reaches out And grasps hands at infinity So with Absolute nothing and absolute Power So with Love and Will -- And lo, all is Truth And lo, the Truth is One. ------ by Sharon Walker {5) Crowley's writings are often a bit difficult to understand. He was widely read and often liked to use the things he learned in his studies. Explanation was not always his strong suit. For those who are a bit puzzled by the god names in "Liber Resh", study of Eygptology is the best solution -- along with careful reading of "Liber AL" and "The Book of Thoth." Until then, one must make due with simplification of the attributes of the gods for the adorations. Here is a break-down: RA-HOOR RA = Sun or {Hieroglyphic name} This is a special form of the great God RA. Most of the names of the later Egyptian deities can be thought of as particular "titles" or manifestations of RA. Some of the older deities precede RA in the hierarchy. See "Liber AL." TAHUTI = {Hieroglyphic name} This deity is also called THOTH and is similar to Mercury and Hermes. Tahuti is the familiar god, the guide of souls and the god of writing and knowledge. The Tarot is his. AHATHOOR = GR:Alpha-theta-omega-rho or Het-Hert = {Hieroglyphic name} This is a variation on HATHOR. She is an aspect of ISIS as the Great Mother. In a very subtle manner for the mind but a very direct one for the body, she relates to NUIT. TUM = Tem = {Hieroglyphic name} TUM is the Great Father, a bit akin to Saturn but more gentle. There are a few parallels to Hadit. KEPHERA = Khepera = {Hieroglyphic name} This is the god of reincarnation and the god of the Sacred Scarab Beetle. In this is found the concealed half to many mysteries. See "Liber AL:" III, 74. The Boat of Egypt is the Chariot of Qabalah. Through union with the course of the Sun, great Magick can be worked. Neglect not the Moon and the other luminaries. Even the Great Dark discloses the way to the Work -- beware, for the power there is as a thing bounded and yet limitless. "There is an end of the word of the God enthroned in Ra's seat, lightening the girders of the soul." --- "Liber AL:" III, 61. ******* ******* ******* The next article was written by Brother Al MacGregor. It is based upon a more brief message from Grady McMurtry, Hymenaeus Alpha, the Caliph of Ordo Templi Orientis. The original message will be printed in the Official Journal of the Order, "The Oriflamme," when this Members-only publication is issued. Present plans project the first Issue of "The Oriflamme" under the Caliphate for some time within the next two years. It will contain official pronouncements, special studies and supplements, general instructions for Initiates and information of interest to active Associates. Much of the material now presented in the Newsletter will be moved to the "Oriflamme," but some items cannot be printed until the Official Journal appears. The Newsletter will remain for public news and instruction.<> {6} "Democracy Dodders" by Brother Al MacGregor --- ab op. Fr. H.A. The Western Magical Tradition has bequeathed to the world a voluminous body of Illuminated teachings which contain esoteric reference to so-called elemental beings, that is, fragmented consciousness,, or consciousness disengaged from Spirit. It terms of popular literature, for example, Carlos Castenada offers some valuable insight into this phenomena. There exist 'forces,' as he calls them, seemingly human beings but having no soul, i.e. they are incarnated elementals, angels, circuits, whatever, but they cast no shadow in the psychic realm. They are incomplete. As Dion Fortune puts it in "Psychic Self Defense," (Aquarian Press, London, 1970, p. 81), "We must not allow the human form to mislead us as to the existence of a human soul. A non-human is a pet animal, not a fellow creature. That frankly is the only possible ground upon which they can be approached." Now it is not my intent to delve into the many complexities which anything even approaching a complete consideration of the nature of the elemental beings would require. Indeed the solution to these problems is best left to the individual aspirant as both a method and measure of his/her magical development. In any case, no matter how curious it may seem to the uninitiated, it is indeed a fact that some "people" are less real than others. Immediately, all true spiritually or magically magically oriented persons are confronted with a serious dilemma in regard to the fundamental principle of the political theory of democracy. This problem of accounting for "people" who are not people will undoubtably become one of the greater enigmas of the New Age. "The Book of the Law" is quite specific on the subject, and the reader is encouraged to look up the relevant portions. This particular problem and its relation to Thelema is by no means new, however, -- as the Caliph can attest. Incidentally it has sometimes been remarked that the "Rap with the Caliph" or "Tales My Caliph Told Me" has an extraordinary ring of reality. It should be understood that here is someone who has "been there," not just in regard to ideological empathy, but also in terms of actual experience and participation. For example, when Grady first became involved with old Agape Lodge (at the time the only active Lodge of O.T.O. in the U.S. with direct dispensation from Crowley) on Winona Blvd. in Hollywood in the late 30's, they were in the process of publishing a copy of "The Book of the Law." A commendable exercise, and certainly important for the times. It was a small paperback, and it had a blue cover with gold lettering. It was a completely authentic edition of "The Book of the Law" in every respect, for those people, Wilfred Smith, Regina Kahl, Jane Wolfe, Lew Carroll, Jack Parsons, etc., were dedicated Thelemites. But, it did leave one thing out. Not out of "The Book of the Law" itself; they would never had dared tamper with that -- but out of Aleister Crowley's "introduction" to "The Book of the Law." Before we become too harsh on them for having done so, we must remember the temper of the times. Those were the days of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and of the Nazis running all over Europe and exterminating the better part of six million Jews. It was a time of paranoia, and one did have to think in terms of survival. So they left two words out of the Crowley Introduction (Refer to any of the correctly reproduced previous editions or to "The Equinox of the Gods" wherein the first sentence of the fifth chapter reads; "Democracy dodders."). Well, quite obviously they had some idea of surviving the {7} times without being crucified, and the line "Democracy dodders" was considered just too heavy an epitaph. Personally I commend their good sense. The times have changed, however; and today it has become notorious that a substantial portion of the American people have lost their confidence in the ability of the modern democratic establishment to deal effectively with their basic governmental needs. The present disillusionment effecting the political environment would seem to indicate that democracy as we know it is experiencing a certain crisis, i.e., a state of transition. One must be aware that dissolution or death on one plane is but the initiator of an expansion of consciousness into another dimension of greater freedom from form and heightened awareness. Now, as to the precise nature and/or the particular outcome of the current forces tending toward a considerable change in the political sphere ... Well, the situation is obviously so complex that I will not even venture to guess. Although the immediate climate is uncertain, in the long run the Caliph is optimistic. Being an occultist of both the Eastern and Western traditions and a dedicated Thelemite (IXth Degree O.T.O. for over 40 years standing) as well as a political theorist (Masters Degree, Political Theory, University of California, 1953 E.V.), he adheres to the tradition that the political revolutions of the late 18th century which culminated in the American revolution of 1776 E.V. were inspired and directed by the inner adepts of the Great White Brotherhood (often re-identified by Crowley as the Argentum Astrum or A.'.A.'.) as a magical expression on the objective plane of the more universal revolution soon to occur. (This would fully transpire onto the material realm in 1904 E.V. when Aleister Crowley received "The Book of the Law," and is now generally known as the transition into the Aeon of Horus, or the Age of Aquarius.) It must be remembered that the leading revolutionary figures of the time, Jefferson, Washington, Franklin and a host of others, were high Masons and held intimate association with the continental Rosicrucians as well as the German Illuminati movement. (Adam Weishaupt, founder of the Order of the Illuminati, in 1776 E.V., is included among the Gnostic Saints in Crowley's Gnostic Mass.) The primary talisman of the forces set in motion at that time, is of course, The Great Seal of the United States. This beautiful emblem, which can be found on the back of the dollar bill, includes such provocative magical symbols as the pyramid, the eagle or phoenix in triumphant posture and the eye in the triangle; this combined with the many esoteric relationships illustrated through the use of the numerous 13's should provide an obvious indication to even a casual student of occultism that these individuals were involved in a powerful and wide-ranging magical operation. It should also be obvious that the increasing unreality and dogmatic rigidity which is being imposed by the materialistic forces at large is completely out of contact with the magical current embodied in the Great Seal and consequently must only be a stage of transition. (For a more thorough exposition of the initiatic process of putrefaction, death, and transition please consult Atu 13 of the Thoth Tarot Deck.) It must be recognized at once and for all that, if the higher vibrations destined to regenerate this planet are to manifest and the truly illuminated brotherhood of Aquarian Age humanity is to appear, something less quantitative and more qualitative -- something less materialistic and more spiritual -- something less elemental and more real must replace the old-Aeon structures. We are greatly in need of a system that recognizes the existence of psychic phenomena, something that could of its very nature provide direction and expression between the hierarchies of consciousness in the Universe. How truly illumined we have become then, if we can finally realize along with the great philosophers of the past that man can not be governed nor will he ever be governed in this world until man realizes his very existence in this world to be a result of his inability to govern himself, i.e., the dissident inner forces of his own nature. How fortunate we are at this time of crisis in the outer affairs of men to have so widely disseminated among us the once unobtainable writings and teachings of those few who aspired to the governing {8} of their own inner selves and transcended the need to be governed. As it is written in "The Book of the Law;" Chapter I, verse 40: "Who calls us Thelemites will do no wrong, if he look but close into the word. For there are therein Three Grades, the Hermit, and the Lover, and the man of Earth. Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. ******* ******* ******* Liber LXXVII {Illustration to the left: This is the word "Oz" with the "O" made large and in the form of Crowley's mark of the beast: a downward pointed circumscribed heptagram with "666" marked over the lower point and a phallic emblem consisting of a sun disk with central dash and two crescent moons below, horns touching sun disk. To the right of the "Oz" is this text: "the law of the strong: this is our law and the joy of the world." AL. II. 21} "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." -- AL. I. 40. "thou hast no right but to do thy will. Do that, and no other shall say nay." -- AL. I. 42-3. "Every man and every woman is a star." -- AL. I.3. There is no god but man. 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. 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. 5. Man has the right to kill those who would thwart these rights. "the slaves shall serve." -- AL. II. 58. "Love is the law, love under will." -- AL. I. 57. {9} The Motto of the Caliph: {Illustrations on pages 10 and 11: half-tone facsimiles of the two pages of the letter described on page 10 and transcribed on pages 11 to 12.} Quite a few are a bit puzzled about the Magical Motto of the Caliph. Some wonder what it signifies, while others inquire about the origin of "Hymenaeus Alpha," 777. This is the Motto of Grady Louis McMurtry, IXth Degree O.T.O. and Caliph of our Order. It was not obtained directly by Grady, but through a request made to Aleister Crowley. Crowley had asked Grady several questions and elevated him to the IXth, but Grady had not motto. Thinking that a knowledge of gematria beyond his own would be requisite, Grady applied to Crowley for help ... A.C. asked: "What is your Will?" Grady answered: "... to unite that which is above with that which is below." Some time later, Brother Grady received from Crowley the letter that is reproduced on these pages. In it the motto was set out and briefly explained, amid notes on business and pleasure. We have reproduced the letter and its envelope as the most direct means to answer the many questions we have received. There are other 777's, no patent on that; but here's one picked by A.C. to do the work of the number. In the back of the LEVEL PRESS edition of "Liber Aleph" there is a comment about the "Childe 777" -- made by one who resigned from our Order several years ago. This Brother-abscondere has his own opinions, and his own 777 -- among these that the text of "Liber AL" may be {10} changed without regard to the original. We don't hold that opinion; L.H. is his own man, by his own word. H.A. should not be confused with this or any other person using 777 and his number. Hymenaeus Alpha, 777, is the motto of Grady McMurtry; please don't mistake similar labels on your book store shelves. O.T.O. stands by its Caliph, but we can't vouch for somebody else's "Childe." For that matter, we haven't come out in favor of any of the claims to being Crowley reincarnated or the One to Come After. O.T.O. is an Outer Order after all; recognition of the highest should come from the Inner -- and probably before publication of any claim. CONTENT of the LETTER: "93, Jermyn St. {O.T.O. Lamen} S.W. 1 Nov. 19 {1943 E.V.} die Venusis {Friday} "Care Frater" "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." "Sorry you couldn't wangle yesterday. The Christ-Child, the Sinner saved by Grease, the Stick o' Liquorice, Ferdinand the Bull, the Black Widow Spider, the McClergyman, Mrs Mother Murrumbidgee, the Tub of Molasses, Professor Proboscis and others united to lament the absence of Big Chief Wandering Wapiti.<> "Ah! United. Yes: Sometimes I sat and thunk, and sometimes I just sat. But no nearer to your motto. "Then ---- a flash! "Well, yes, I think it may do. 'GR:Upsilon-Mu-Epsilon-Nu-Alpha-Iota-Omicron-Sigma GR:Alpha (Hymenaeus Alpha (=Aleph)" {end of page one of the letter} "You know the Greek Alphabet & its values of course?) "Hymenaeus, the Graeco-Roman God of Marriage; and Alpha (Aleph) with all its meanings -- see Essay on Atu 0 in the Tarot. And the whole show adds up to 777. Good Enough? --------------------- "About that loan. The bulk of the Tarot book has now been printed off: this releases metal and labour sufficient to take on the smaller book mentioned in that proposal {11} -- OLLA. We have enough paper, too. Now, that means that we ought to chinch the deal by dashing the Chiswich Press a matter of Pounds50 ($200 near enough) this next week if humanly possible. For if we slipped up on our priority, it might be months before we got another chance, so great is the excess of demand over supply. Therefore, if you can do anything, do it: if you think that you could arrange for it by cable, telegraph me that you are so doing, that I may have something to show the printer to induce him to give us a week or so extra 'grace.` "Sorry to bother you! "Love is the law, love under will "Yours fraternally 666. "Hope you can get a spot of leave soon! A.C. {Illustrations on this page: Front and back of the envelope used to mail the letter: Back, sealed with the Crowley ring in wax, U.S. Army postmark NOV 22 194(3). Written on the back flap in a column: GR:Upsilon -- 400 GR:Mu ------- 40 GR:Epsilon -- 5 GR:Nu ------- 50 GR:Alpha ---- 1 GR:Iota ----- 10 GR:Omicron -- 70 GR:sigma ---- 200 GR:Alpha ---- 1 ---- 777 Front, postmarked "LONDON S.W.1. 12:4(?) PM 20 NOV 1943" Addressed to "Lieut. Grady L. McMurtry 1684th Ord MM Co (Avn) (Q) APO 635 AAF 473 U.S.Army"} {12} Book Review: The Law is for All. by Aleister Crowley edited & introduced by Israel Regardie (Llewelyn Publications, St. Paul, MN. 349 + i pp., $7.95 ppr.) That Crowley, no matter how one chooses to think of him, had "something" worthy of attention, seems to be the primary statement made by Regardie in his lengthy introduction to this edition of "Liber AL" and the extenuation. He sees, or so the work suggests, Crowley the Magician comprehensible as Crowley the man, using modern depth psychology as the key. And, one may not deny a certain interesting fascination in the parallels Regardie draws, even if one is forced to question the legitimacy of such thought. For should it become possible to communicate Truth by the psychoanalytic approach (or for that matter in any mode short of experiment) texts will replace the various schools of initiation, including the O.T.O. Simply put, it is not possible to offer any but a strictly utilitarian explanation of the experience or consciousness of the Magician. "Also reason is a lie; for there is a factor infinite & unknown; & all their words are skew-wise." -- "Liber AL:" II, 32. Yet the introduction does serve a useful purpose, particularly in acquainting the non-Thelemite with the basic history of the text and offering suggestions of a "reasonable" explanation for its existence to the vulgar who, supposedly, need such things. As for the organization and arrangement of the text, it is the most comprehensive and practical I have seen in my experience. Regardie did an excellent job putting together the Great Beast's commentaries along with the text of the Law in an accessible and handy format, and his inclusion in the appendix of Liber XXVII along with the extended elucidation of ABRAHADABRA were especially welcome additions; not to mention the Gematrias, several relationships suggested therein of a nature I found novel. I found no significant faults in the text other than several minor typos and incorrect values for the final forms of the letters given on the last page of the appendix. As well, one might wish that the holograph of the written text of "Liber AL" had been somewhat larger, but the instructions of "AL:" III, 73 appear to have been fulfilled in print for the first time. All in all, as a beginning text on Thelema for the student, Regardie's book is unsurpassed by any other with which I am presently familiar, and I believe that even the experienced Thelemite can find the book an improvement when reference to the extenuation must be made. --- Soror Taowa, Asoc. O.T.O. T.'. CLXI Sol in 19 Degree Libra this LXXIII year of Horus {13} The I Ching by Christopher Gait "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." -- "Liber AL:" I, 40 The "I Ching" (or "Yi King") is a collection of poems, proverbs, omens, sermons and judgments assembled in piecemeal fashion. It is also a book accepted by many, myself included, as the most sublime of oriental classics. It is extremely old, and has been called the most ancient book in the world. This is not easily proven, since the text is assembled from so many sources. Much of the text was probably transmitted orally, with only the symbolic figures in written form. These symbols represent the forces of nature as lines and, originally, dots which have come down to modern times looking like this: ####### ### ### ####### ### ### ####### ### ### ### ### ####### ####### ### ### ### ### ####### ### ### ### ### ####### ####### ####### ### ### ####### ### ### ### ### ####### ####### ### ### HEAVEN EARTH FIRE WATER MOUNTAIN THUNDER LAKE WIND According to tradition they were devised by the Emperor Fu Hsi five thousand years age, as a map of universal forces These same are doubled to make six-lined ########## figures. The resulting sixty-four emblems are #### #### called hexagrams and are the basis of the Yi. Li ########## {Chinese Here, for instance is the Hexagram Li: ########## character} The accompanying text gives a judgment #### #### on the symbol as a whole, followed by state- ########## ments on each of the lines. 30. The questioner inquires by the throwing of coins or sorting of yarrow stalks, and receives one or more hexagrams which he then finds in the text, reading the applicable parts. These matters, and others, will be dealt with thoroughly in an O.T.O. correspondence course on the subject,<> which is in the planning stage. The answer received from the Oracle reflects both the nature of the question and the questioner. Thus if the question is frivolous or the questioner insincere, the answer will be ambiguous at best; at worst severe. Let me explain with an example; in my early days as a diviner I would ask a question, not understand the response, and ask again. The "Yi" almost always answered the repetition with the fourth hexagram, Meng. Here is the judgment of that hexagram: "Meng, there will be progress and success. I do not seek the youthful and inexperienced, but he comes and seeks me. When he shows the sincerity that marks the first recourse to divination, I instruct him. If he apply a second and third time, that is troublesome, and I do not instruct the troublesome. There will be advantage in being firm and correct." The first and last sentences are diviners terms telling how the 'Superior man' should act. But between them is a firm (and deserved) crack on the knuckles. Meng gives the most severe reprimand in the book. For the most part the attitude is friendly and realistic. The advice of the "Yi" is the counsel of a living being. It is not "living" in the normal sense of the word. It has no body or permanent home that I know of, and yet it makes its influence felt through its students -- living through them, {14} so to speak. The always sensible and sometimes startling advice of the "Yi" turns the questioner's mind by degrees onto the path of wisdom. It freely advises on matters both sublime and mudane, sometimes giving answers which can only be described as funny. When any danger approaches it is quick to give warning to its student so that he can avoid the peril or prepare for the shock. As we read in the third appendix of the "Yi": "The "Yi" moreover, makes plain the nature of anxieties and calamities, and the causes of them. Though its students have neither master nor guardian, it is as if their parents drew near to them." II, VIII, 55. The "Yi" has been the life study of millions of Chinese scholars, from neolithic times to the present. Confucius spent his last years studying it and was quoted as saying: "If some years could be added to my life I would devote fifty of them to the study of the "Yi" and could then perhaps avoid falling into major errors." (This article continues on the next page.) {Illustration: To the left, a column with these words: "CROWLEY'S "YI KING:" The illustration at the right is a photo of a note made by A. C. in his personal copy of the Legge "Yi King" translation. The page shown here relates to Trigrams to the Qabalah & Tree of Life. This volume contains many of Crowley's notes -- as well as quite a few quips on Legge's intelligence. ******* From the original in the O.T.O. Archives at Berkeley." The illustrated notes at the right of the page are approximated below. Note that Crowley does not use the standard correspondences to the Trigrams in all cases, but attempts to adjust the Trigrams to the Western correspondences. This appears as possible error, and has been noted here with the usual mark "sic". All but the Ch'ien Trigram are enclosed in circles, including the dot and the single broken and unbroken lines at the top of the diagram. There is a horizontal dashed line across the Ch'ien Trigram, representing the Abyss on the Tree of Life. The triads of the tree appear to be marked in the left margin, but those words are difficult to make out: . Hwrm {??} #### #### ########## Consciousness ########## ########## ########## 1. GR:phi #### #### #### #### #### #### Motion Master ########## ########## ########## 6 Fire {sic} 2 Water {sic} The Conscious Being ########## Ulu {??} #### #### ########## 4 Sun Ananda ########## Chit ########## ########## #### #### #### #### #### #### 3 Air 7 Earth {sic} Sat #### #### ########## #### #### 5 Moon #### #### #### #### 8 K Zwy {??} #### #### } {15} Confucius spent most of his life studying the practical instructions of the "Book of Rites" and the delicate artistry of the "Book of Odes." It was only at a very advanced age that he undertook the study of the esoteric "I Ching." This pattern was not unusual. In China it is traditional that children and old men meet with the greatest success in the study of the "Yi." This is not unconditionally true. Anyone who is willing to devote sincere attention to the study of the "Yi" will meet with success. Witness Aleister Crowley, Richard Wilhelm and C.G.Jung. All took up the book between childhood and old age and attained many profound insights through it. The "I Ching" is a subject of such wide comprehension that a hundred articles could hardly do justice to any one aspect of it. It resolves all questions of metaphysics, Magick and philosophy as well as such vital matters as who's to take the dog for a walk. It is all things to all people. Freedom is the way of Thelema and the disciplined progress of the Superior Man leads to total freedom "Love is the law, love under will." -- "Liber AL:" I, 57. {signed with four obscure characters and a circled eye-in-triangle} ********* ********** "Pan is not dead; he liveth, Pan! Break down the bar!" --- from "One Star in Sight" An Article by Angel Goodrick Yes ... the Law has reached the confines of Prison; and I shall tell you of my struggles and what has manifested to bring the Law of Thelema into the confines of a prison. I have been incarcerated for the last six and a half years. My time started in the State Prison of Idaho, and I was transferred to the Federal Prison as a security risk -- though, if the Truth be known in the matter, the Prison Chaplain in Idaho considered me a threat and did not want me to talk with men about the Law or the Great Work. When I was 10 years old I went to my first Sabbat and entered a Coven. At the age of 16, I attained third degree and became a High Priest of the Craft. I continued on to High Magick and Ceremonial Magick, attaining various degrees and positions within Orders and Fraternities. At these times I took vows and Oaths, but forsook them and went about my misguided way in a life of organized crime. In the end it landed me in prison for a crime that I had not committed. I look at this as Karma catching up with me for past deeds in which I trespassed upon the rights and lives of others. When I entered prison in 1971 I was very bitter and did not give a damn about {16} anything or any person. I had no idea of the Law of Thelema or that I would be playing a part in establishing it. In Idaho I first tried to establish a Coven to teach the Mysteries of Wicca to a few serious persons whom I knew were interested and ready for this Path. I proposed to the State Prison Chaplain that a room within the Chapel be set up for meetings and classes on Wicca. Naturally ... the man acted as if I had slapped him in the face and retorted that I was the "Son of the Devil" and the Beast of Revelation spoken of in the Bible. Like Crowley, this remark stuck in my mind and played a very important part in my life of accepting the Law in the years to follow. Since I failed with the Chaplain, I approached the Warden and the Associate Warden -- they give me the same sort of answer and rebuke. Next I got myself some law books and began to petition the courts for the right to worship under the first Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. Though the Courts agreed that I did have a right to worship, they also stated that Wicca was not a Religion, even though in 1971 the Federal Government had granted the prisoners in the Federal Correctional Institution in El Reno to meet worship and practice the Craft under Federal Grant to cover costs for materials, etc. The courts told me that my worship would have to be personal, and that I could not teach or instruct any other persons. If we did meet or congregate it would be called unlawful assembly and I would be legally charged with inciting a riot. Needless to say, between 1972 and April of 1976 the State of Idaho charged me twice with inciting riots and once for stabbing another inmate. All of these charges were unfounded. These were mere tactics of harassment to keep me in solitary confinement (known as the "hole") and out of "population" where they considered me a threat to their Christian doctrines. During this time I was beaten three different times by guards and once was placed in the hospital for three weeks with injuries sustained at the hands of the guards. Upon my release from the hospital I filed a law suit against the prison and the guards, but the courts condoned them and all but gave them a medal and verbal commendation for their actions towards me. During that time the books, papers and notes that I had were destroyed. I could not get any sort of redress from the courts on this even though in all instances I had ample evidence that the guards were at fault. In May of 1976 I was transferred from the Idaho State Prison to McNeil Island, a Federal Prison at Steilacoom, Washington, because the State authorities reported me a threat to their security and the general running of the Prison in Idaho. In reality I presented a threat to their organized Christian religion. Upon arriving at the Island my personal affects were confiscated and gone through with a "fine-tooth comb." Many of my materials were lost or destroyed. The rest I sent to some brothers and sisters of the Craft to use and preserve sacred for future times without profanation. After being in the Institution here at the Island for about three months, I received a few books and began secretly speaking of the Craft, of the New Aeon and establishing the Law of Thelema within the confines of this prison. Finally the time came when I thought it best to approach the Catholic Father here in the Institution and hopefully speak to him about the Law, the Craft and organizing a study group. He is a Jesuit priest, and I hoped that he was not as the other ministers and priests who were so narrow-minded. I felt that he would be more receptive toward my desire to worship and practice the Law without harassment. Upon meeting the priest, I told him of the Law and of the Ways of Wicca. He seemed very interested in it and asked a lot of questions. I left him with a promise to me that he was going to the Warden and the Regional Director of the Federal Prisons and present my request and desires to them. I waited for about three months. Every time I saw the priest I asked him what if anything had come of his promise to see the Regional Director and the Warden of {17} the Island. Finally the priest told me that they were completely against the practice, study and worship of Wicca and the Law of Thelema in the Institution. He further stated that the Prison System did not recognize Witchcraft or the Law as a religion and that, if I persisted in pursuing such, the Regional Director said that he would bury me in Prison or in the graveyard outside the walls of this Institution. Nonetheless, I have gone about this task; promoting the Law and speaking to men and hopefully showing them the way out of darkness and letting them see that "Every man and every woman is a star."; that there "is no man but God" and we are to do our own Will. It finally came to pass that the "goon squad" snatched me up and they shot me to the mental ward of the prison hospital, where I was placed in what is commonly known as the "strip cell." This strip cell is a five-sided room which is approximately five and a half feet long and three and a half feet wide. It has a mattress on the floor and a 40 watt bulb in the ceiling. The door is solid steel, and there is no ventilation to speak of. I was kept in this cell for 17 days. After release from the strip cell, I was placed in isolation for another two months before being returned to the main population again. At this time I had a large sketch I had previously done of the Horned God, Kernunnos. The doctors bitched about this and told me that I was mentally ill. They said this is what put me in the mental ward, and that I had to disown my beliefs and all that I held sacred. I was seen by a lot of doctors. All of the shrinks wanted to know why I held the beliefs that I held. I explained, but they still couldn't understand. They said that I was living a fantasy and that I was mentally ill. I finally was released from the mental ward and allowed back into the main population of the prison to continue the propagation of the Law and the Craft. My personal property was returned. My personal property had included several books, but when I received it this time all of the books were either missing or defaced. I asked about this, and again I ran up against obstacles and opposition. I finally filed suit in the Federal court and gained some little bit of recognition for the Law and the Craft; but this decision was overturned by a higher court. Now I'm back to where I started years ago. I can now get books sent in to me. Material that has a book store or publisher's label has a better chance, as these are not checked so closely. The person who censors these is very liberal. I receive a record of all the material that I have coming to me. In December of this year I see the Parole Board. The State Board of Corrections from Idaho will come to see me and discuss the process and possibility of a parole. They have set certain requirements that I have to meet; i.e. a favorable report from a psychiatrist, a job placement and a home placement. The Parole Board tells me that these are basic requirements. I realize this; but they are very particular about mine, as they are trying to keep me from getting out. They want to make me quit my beliefs and renounce them. This I will not do. When I took my Oath as a Witch many years ago, I was told: "Ye must suffer to Learn; Are Ye willing to suffer to Learn?" I answered in the affirmative, and I will always answer in the affirmative. I was 21 years old when I came into prison. In September I became 28. They still have not broken me, nor will they break me, nor ever make me change my ways, nor have me turn against my True People and profane the Craft, Law and/or our Religion! In the future I hope to be able to meet the requirements and be paroled. I hope to see the Law and the Ways of the Old Ones recognized as a Religion within the confines of institutions across the United States. At this writing, I believe that we are far from being safe. The Witch burnings are not over; they have just been in slumber. Organized Religions, the Church, etc. have brainwashed the masses of people and the collective consciousnesses into believing that the People of the Magical Arts and Law are devils, and are a threat to them. {18} It is time that we all give support to each other and project ourselves and thoughts to the betterment of mankind and the establishment of the Law. 93, Fra {Elaborate signature, pos. "Angel"} = 11 (Any comments or letters can be sent to me directly: Angel Goodrick # 36057 Box 1000 Steilacoom, Wash. 98388 -- or in care of the Order)<> ********** ******* ********** Notes on Liber 777: Magical Images of the Decans. by Bill Heidrick (Columns CL, CLI & CXLIX) These tables list traditional images of the Decans (10 Degree divisions of the Zodiac). Column CXLIX gives the first Decan (0 Degree to 10 Degree) of each sign, starting with Aries and ending with Pisces. Column CL does the same for the second Decan (10 Degree to 20 Degree) of the same signs; while Column CLI gives the last Decan (20 Degree to 30 Degree) of each sign. The images listed by Crowley in "777" are often abbreviated, and generally come from the "Picatrix" and/or the images found on the gems of King Alfonso of Spain. Many other, more detailed images are assigned to the Decans in ancient manuscripts. Here's an example for the Second Decan of Capricorn (10 Degree to 20 Degree Capricorn. Late Dec. to about Jan 11th): "777," Col. CL, Key No. 26. "A man with an ape running before him." Here are summaries of images for 2nd Decan Capricorn, as tabulated in "Dekane und Dekansternbilder" from 12 manuscripts of considerable age (mostly Medieval or older): Prob. Oldest: A man with an animal's head (Bull or pig-headed). He sometimes has a jug and sword. His body is vase- shaped and may appear shining black in color. Most Common: A woman with unusual (lotus-like) eyes. She wears a black, flame-like robe & has jewelry of gilded iron in her ears. Sometimes she is shown pouring water into a sieve. A weasel & lizard may also be present. 2nd most common: A man with an ape standing before him. Least common types: A. A man with Pallium, leopard robe & robe of fire. B. Two women (Several variations) 1. with a man & a bird. 2. with a vine. 3. alone. {19} These images are suitable for astral working and for designs for talismans (to be consecrated during the passage of the sun through the particular Decan). They are mostly Indian, Egyptian and Chaldean in origin. Later versions tend to remove animal and violent elements. Later versions also may include extraneous elements accumulated over the centuries by artistic license. *Note that the versions given by Crowley may be selected modifications resulting from astral working. Bibliography: "777" (several editions). "Dekane und Dekansternbilder" by Wilhelm Gundel, 1936 (German). "Picatric" Das Ziel Des Weisen von Pseudo-Magriti" translated into German by Helmut Ritter & Martin Plessner, 1962. ** The nearest thing to the "Necronomicon" anyone is likely to find in print. ********** ******* ********** The English Qabalah by J. E. Cornelius (In September of this year, the Order received a letter from Brother Cornelius. The following is taken from that letter. Brother Cornelius was an Associate Member at the time of the writing of this letter, but he has since received Initiation into the Minerval Degree of O.T.O. The Grand Lodge has received permission to publish this valuable material by a serious student of Thelema. -- BH). The mathematical system I use for the English language is basically of Hebrew origin. Yet it's not Hebrew. This is the system which has best represented the English Language in my knowledge: 1 A 9 T 80 P 2 B 10 I,J,Y *90 Tz or Tz = T9 + Z7 *These three letter 3 G 20 K 100 Q combinations may be 4 D 30 L 200 R taken either as 5 H,E 40 M *300 Sh or Sh = S60 + H5 special values, or 6 F,V,W,X,U 50 N *400 Th or Th = T9 + H5 they may be broken 7 Z 60 S down. Either way works. 8 C 70 O The values that match the Hebrew Final letters may also be transferred to similar letters in English, when they appear on the end of words. A very important factor about Qabalah is that its foundation is simplicity and its usage is infinity. Many adepts who attain to a higher degree forget this and try to find the English Qabalistic System relating to their own mental capacity and attainment. There have been many mathematical "codes" created in the past to express people's thoughts upon the universe and to hide these ideas from the profane. Yet there have been few Qabalistic systems in the course of history which fulfill the obligations required of ultimate truth. Hebrew and Greek are examples of such systems. If an English system is to be found, it must be judged not on its attributes alone, but rather on its working ability to express in the "English" Language the exact, or similar forms of the universal truths, which in {20} the past were expressed in the Hebrew and Greek Qabalistic systems. Each Qabalistic system is Aeonic. The Hebrew Qabalah expressed the thoughts of the age of Aries, and predominately Jewish thoughts toward "their" God. The Greek Qabalah expressed mostly the Christian current, but Hebrew systems were also used in the Piscean Age. The English system must mathematically express the Aquarian current and its gods, as the other systems did in their Ages of dominion. The English Qabalah must also use the truths found in both Hebrew and Greek, as well as disclose new ones. To dispute the attributes given here to the English letters, without proper study, would be a great mistake. Under indepth study one will find these number values for the English letters to express perfectly many of the truths spoken by Crowley and expressed in "The Book of the Law." When this number system was first discovered, I wondered about the extent to which it expresses the Aeonic current of Horus through English. After many years of study I've compiled a number dictionary of hundreds of thousands of words, phrases and sentences in the English language. This has enabled me to study the system carefully. A word here and a word there expressed seemingly little in meaning by its English number value. An overall look at all the numbers in relation to each other brought forth unbelievable results: To begin, I will show the number value of the word "MAN", and thus explore his relationship to the universe and the gods in the Aeon of Horus. MAN numerically is M40 + A1 + Nfinal700 = 741 Man is a combination of the four elements of Nature as one. Air Aleph 1 Water Mem 40 Fire Shin 300 Earth Taw 400 --------- Total: 741 = MAN Man is the elements in harmony as one. If the element of the human physical body, Earth = 400, is taken away to reveal the inner essence of MAN, we have 741 - 400 = 341. 341 is numerically the value of the God Horus (H5, O70, R200, U6, S60; Total = 341). Thus within every "man" is the God of the Sun waiting to be born and show its glory. "The Book of the Law" states in Chapter I, 3: "Every man and every woman is a star." Hidden within this verse is the name of Horus, the essence of the star which all are destined to become if they follow the Law. "... is a star." "is" = 70, "a" = 1, "star" = 270; 70 + 1 + 270 = 341 = HORUS Within every man and every woman is the Sun God, Horus, waiting to be born to claim his rightful destiny. We cannot discard our human body of Taw = 400 to find him. It is only through flesh that he may incarnate and find his glory. FLESH = F6 + L30 + E5 + Sh300 = 341 To incarnate mighty Horus, man must admit that he is a Beast with the soul of Nuit inside him, waiting to be born. The first step in finding a guardian Angel is the admittance that the Angel is there: The Beast is 666 NUIT = N50 + U6 + I10 + T9 = 75 666 + 75 = 741, the number of MAN In Alchemy and in the Grail Legends of Parzival, the inner essence of Man was considered as the symbol of the sacred stone LAPSIT EXILLIS = 341. The words GRAIL LEGEND = 341. EMERALD TABLET = 341, the Tablet of Hermes whose Mercurian metal THE CINNABAR is spoken of in Alchemical works. Note also that AL (meaning "god") has the value 31. If this is multiplied by 11 (the one beyond ten) we also obtain the value of HORUS: 31 x 11 = 341. Even more important is the actual Law of "AL" itself. The Three chapters in "The book of the Law" each correspond to a god. For the chapter one is of the goddess Nuit, while chapter two is of Hadit. The reward of the two is ABRAHADABRA, 418, or the third chapter. Thus the end of the chapter of Hadit gives a clue to {21} the reward spoken of in the beginning of the next: AL II: 79 "... end of the hiding of Hadit ..." 59 + 76 + 19 + 82 + 76 + 29 = 341 Thus the end of the hiding of Hadit will produce the birth of the star of Horus in every man and woman, and give to each the reward of ABRAHADABRA, 418. This will come through individual identification with "Hadit". Each must come out of hiding, admit that he, "MAN" is actually the Beast with the soul of Nuit, or HORUS, 341, born within. Mathematically 418 is 38 times 11 (the one beyond ten), and the numbers 1 through 38, when each is added together with the others, have a total number value of 741, MAN. 38 (Editor's note: in modern mathematical notation, Sigma n = 741). n=1 Note that if man is the Beast with the "Soul of Nuit" there are other implications. The actual soul of Nuit is Horus, 341, and basically not Nuit, 75. Yet: HORUS = 341 BEAST = 77 ----- Total 418 "Behold the reward for they who seek" ABRAHADABRA, 418, is the reward spoken when Nuit and Hadit unite to produce the Sun/Son -- in the magical sense, the joining of the Beast and the Whore of Babalon: BEAST (77) AND (55) WHORE (286) = 418. Thus the union will produce the birth of the Sun God "Mighty Horus" = 418 within every man and woman, providing he has excepted the role of the Beast to allow the birth of the "Manchild of a Sun" = 341. Man's destiny is to understand his role in the Aquarian Age. This is just an example of literally thousands of mathematical equations which have been produced over the years by this English system. I hope others who study this system will be equally amazed with the truth that it holds in its equations. The Hebrew Qabalah itself is based upon the relationship of the twenty-two paths upon the Tree of Life to the twenty-two letters in the Hebrew Alphabet. The English system demonstrated here is also based on this. Thus the English system is almost identical in many respects to the Hebrew number code. Qabalah speaks of truth, and man relates truth through his language. The Ancients really didn't change the foundation, and neither should we. We should build upon a system which has been proven to work over the ages, and not try to change or create a totally new system for the English Language. The attributes which have been given to the letters and numbers upon the Tree of Life have been proven to work when one studies Qabalah. The difference here is that when the "letters" are formed into "English" words, the English language is tapped for knowledge. The English language is said to relate more precisely to the forces in the Aeon of Horus than do other languages. When English is mathematically broken down, it holds many of the mysteries that man must seek in the Aeon ... For, as it states in "The Book of the Law," Chapter II; 55: "Thou shalt obtain the order & value of the English Alphabet; thou shalt find new symbols to attribute them unto." This does not state that may must seek and create a totally new Qabalistic system to correspond to the English language. The phrase"... thou shalt find new symbols to attribute them unto." has a clue to understanding. For "... them ..." is the letters of the English Alphabet, not individual letters or whole words. Once the English number value is discovered, man must set about the task of discovering new symbols, or hidden meanings to the English language. By this means, new meanings are attributed to simple words which the profane can read and not understand. "We." as the early Hebrew Qabalists did in their days, can write books on our beliefs and explain our truth to all who seek -- at the same time we will be able to conceal in each work the inner {22} essence of divine truth which the profane would not understand. In this manner we will be able to keep alive our mystery in the centuries to come. The profane shall not destroy what they cannot see. ********** ******* ********** Book Review: Book of Perfection by "777" --- Not H.A. 93 Publications. Cost $8.88. Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Under normal conditions writing a book review is a rather simple process. The reviewer simply condenses the content of the book in a few short paragraphs, then gives his opinion on the coherency, style and general value of the work in question. Reviewing "The Book of Perfection," however, becomes a bit more complex than eulogizing the #1 novel on the New York Times bestseller list. The major problem lies in the allegation that this book was not written by a rational human being whose ideas are subject to rational criticism. No indeed! This book claims to be the Class A dictation of none other than Aiwas, the same discarnate prater-human intelligence that brought us "The Book of the Law." This is no thesis on the practical applications of the 93 Current from an individual star-viewpoint. This is a document claiming to lay down the Law to all beings manifesting that current. It is not my intention to cast derision on the being who channeled this book. I'm quite convinced that this "777" did indeed contact some intelligence that was most eager to give his message to mankind. I'm also quite convinced that the documents I've seen by 5 other "777's" have information vitally important for the establishment of the kingdom of the Crowned and Conquering Childe. If I may be so presumptuous, I wish to address the being who is said to have composed this manuscript. Though I realize that I may be guilty of hubris, I remember "your" own words "... If he be a King, thou canst not hurt him. Therefore strike hard & low, and to hell with them, master!" -- "Liber AL," II; 59-60. Dear "Aiwaz": Let me first say that while your writing style is much better in this book than in the ones you dictated to T. Casy Brennan (remember "The Book of the Damned?"), you still haven't gotten the old flair back. Your poetry just isn't up to your usual standards. To be quite frank these lines sound like weak imitations of something Aleister Crowley would write during one of his less fluent moments. I really admired the manner in which you proved to my mind that "Liber AL" was indeed written by a being having knowledge unknown to any human mind. Your current book (or so it seems to me) could well lie within the ability of a human mind to construct. The prophecies concerning the 80's could easily be uttered by a mere human projecting the current political situation ahead 5 years. In fact most of the prophecies I heard during the late sixties & early seventies, uttered by radical student theoreticians. Are you asking me to accept this book on faith? Did I misunderstand your intentions when you communicated (I bring you) "... certainty, not faith..."? I really admired the way you handled the question of Christianity in "Liber AL." In three or four lines you destroyed the decaying edifice, then moved on to more important factors. In this new book you rant and rave over this religion that I thought was already dead!? Also you state that the 80's is to be the time the Christians call Armageddon -- I thought the world was destroyed by fire in 1904! One of the the things that really puzzled me was your suggestions on dealing with {23} the "Christian Problem"! If I get the drift of your thought, you are suggesting that we physically annihilate them, and everyone else who disagrees with us. I don't feel genocide is the answer or practical method, a final solution. The lesson of history seems to indicate that negative energy vampires feed and grow strong on persecution. Nailing them to a cross simply won't stop them. Now I may be completely wrong; the shit may hit the fan exactly as you say. The next few years will tell. Until then I'm afraid your prophecy "My California Order will at first be skeptical" seems pretty accurate, at least from this star-viewpoint. As far as "eventually coming around," time will tell. To the readers of this review: I do recommend that you purchase this book if your budget isn't limited. It does purport to be THE voice on the 93 current, and should be individually apprised in that light. If your funds are limited, however, the $8.88 this paperback costs could be more profitably spent. Love is the law, love under will. by Frater Iakasa 93 ()() News: West Coast: Initiations have continued through the Autumn and into Winter. During this period Minerval Initiations were held at the following times and places: September, Berkeley -- 8 Minervals October, Berkeley -- 2 Minervals October, San Anselmo -- 2 Minervals November, San Francisco -- 5 Minervals December, San Francisco -- 5 Minervals * The next Bay Area Initiation will be held about Jan.21, 1978e.v. * An Initiation is set for the L.A. Area about Jan. 7, 1978e.v. * Bay Area Initiations will continue monthly. The total number of Minervals initiated on the West Coast since April now stands at 47. The order is growing rapidly indeed. To this number must be added the East Coast initiates, 21 Minervals, 2 Firsts and 1 Third Degree. Application for initiation in the San Francisco Bay Area should be made to the address given at the front of this Newsletter. Notice a month or more ahead will enable the Grand Lodge to select a date for the convenience of distant travelers. Very limited free accommodation is available for short visits. Crowleymass: -- a resounding success! The Chartering of Thelema Lodge, the Grand Lodge {24} of Ordo Templi Orientis under the Caliphate, took place just as the Sun passed the peak of eclipse. The signing of the Charter was coordinated with this unique event on Crowley's Oct. 12th Birthday. Crowley's seal ring was pressed into the wax at the correct time to link to the rise of the spirit of Frater Phoenix. Various rituals were performed both on the West Coast and in Syracuse, New York to further receive the Current. Sister Patricia presented an Astrological chart and concise interpretation for the event. V.H. Fr. H.A. performed an I Ching divination by Crowley's method and with his sticks. The Hexagram Kwai resulted, #43. At the same time, without the knowledge of the Order in Berkeley, Br. Chris Gait also performed an I Ching divination on the East Coast. The Hexagram Fu, #24 resulted, changing to Khwan, #2. It is the opinion of the Editor that the Kwai Hexagram represents the reading for the Grand Lodge in itself, while the Fu and Khwan Hexagrams represent the outer effect of the Founding of the Lodge. After the formal proceedings, in Sister Linda's words: "We had one Hellova Party!" A company is being formed on the West Coast for the specific purpose of presenting Dramatic Rituals, including the Gnostic Mass. Similar activities have taken place in New York City and elsewhere. Profess Houses on the West Coast remain as noted in the 2nd issue of this Newsletter. Maintenance of the three Houses is difficult, but two are firm and the third is continuing to act as a center for Initiation in San Francisco. East Coast: Syracuse, New York: Thanks to the efforts of Brother Michael Ripple, the visit of the Caliph in November met with great success. The 21 Minervals, 2 Firsts and 1 Third Degree Initiations took place as planned. The ranks of the Order were expanded to include Minervals who traveled from as far away as Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania and the closer states of Rode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey and, of course, New York. Many new centers of the Order will owe their start to the efforts of our Initiates and past Associates in Syracuse and New York City. Other Chapters are being set up as a direct result. These will be noted below. An East Coast O.T.O. Newsletter is being put together by the Allan Bennett Chapter in Syracuse. For information concerning this publication, and for further information on possible 1978e.v. Initiation in Syracuse, please contact Br. Michael, P.O.Box 6018, Teall Ave. Station, Syracuse, NY 13217<> New York City: Fr. Geram Bellum, IIIrd Degree, is teaching and performing the Gnostic Mass. He has received a charter for Mobius Chapter of the Order, and is planning to set up an Initiation in the coming year. Contact Mobius Chapter at Box 357, Bowling Green, New York, NY 10004. Connecticut, New Haven Area: A Chapter of the Order is being formed in the Pagan Community. Inquiry should be sent to the Berkeley address of the Grand Lodge at this time. The chief actor in this labor has contributed an article which appears in this issue. More information in issue # 4. Florida, Miami Area: A Chapter has formed and will be chartered by the time this Newsletter reaches our members. Initiations are projected for the near future. Address inquiry to Berkeley for now.<> {25} Other Chapters and/or areas of activity: Salt Lake City, Utah and Houston, Texas are beginning to form as centers for further growth of the Order. Initiates in those locations have reported enough interest to justify hope for formation of Chapters and organization of Initiations. Address inquiry to the Grand Lodge in Berkeley. Los Angeles Area; Costa Mesa, California: Initiations are set for early January. These can be held again later in the year if interest continues to mount. Local classes and activities are in the planning stages. Inquire through Berkeley. Santa Barbara, California: Sadly, the Equinox Bookcentre is no more. Our Initiates retain their study-group charter. Inquire through Berkeley. Many other areas of the country are potential locations for Chapters and Lodges. Our Initiates are widely spread. When enough local interest is found in these places to justify announcement, the O.T.O. Newsletter will carry further announcements. Outside the U.S.A.: There are many individual Associates in different parts of the World, but as yet few Initiates in communication with the Caliphate. Ten countries are involved in O.T.O. Associate and Initiate activity. Local formation of study groups and Associate Chapters is encouraged. Ambassador in Europe: Brother Steve Englehart is wintering in Spain. He will be back about his rounds in the early part of 1978e.v. Persons who wish contact with Steve should write immediately. Switzerland: Frater Paragranus is active within his dominion. The Caliphate recognizes his standing as Rex Summus Sanctissimus in Switzerland, but little communication presently exists.<> Our Ambassador made an informal visit, as an ordinary member of the Order under the Caliph. He was very kindly received, but formal diplomatic links are not expected in the near future. One very important point must be made. For some time a story has been noised about concerning alleged changes made by Fr. Paragranus in his German Edition of "Liber AL." It has been said that the name of the "Virgin Mary" has been introduced in the place of "Nuit". We have a copy of the book in question. These allegations are FALSE! The German "Liber AL" is a faithful translation. The South American O.T.O. of sometime past still survives in active dependent organizations. Friendly letters have been exchanged. The work of R. S. S. Krumm Heller continues to bear fruit. England: Grant's Order continues its useful publishing work. Although this Order is definitely not the same as Aleister Crowley's, Grant has a valid point in the manner of his operation. We recognize his efforts on behalf of Thelema. Grant's O.T.O. bears a similar relationship to the Caliphate that the Stella Matutina bore to the original Golden Dawn. The parallel is not exact, but the similarities out weigh the differences. We are a continuation of Aleister Crowley's O.T.O. Grant's Order is a major variation made by an Initiate who refused to submit to Fr. Saturnus as O.H.O.<> The Grant O.T.O. is also active in the U.S.A. We will forward correspondence -- providing that it is addressed in care of Hymenaeus Alpha. The few letters which we have received bearing Grant's name have also confounded him with the Caliph and the Order in California. When a letter is sent to us in that manner, we must assume that the Caliph is the intended recipient, and that Mr. Grant's name appears only out of ignorance on the part of the sender. Any correspondence that is obviously intended for Mr. Grant or his Order will be forwarded. {26} The Franco-Haitian O.T.O. still exists, and is active in the U.S. This body is pre-Crowley, but Thelemic. We have received cordial communication from a member, and hope to learn more in the future. A.'.A.'. This body still exists. There are several forms, based on various manners of working and having different types of credentials. Here is a basic over-view: I. Purely Astral types -- no credentials. Reconstructions based on reading Crowley's works. The leader of this type of body is a teacher, usually self educated in the occult. LIBER II. Partly Astral types -- started as type # I, but received AL vel some form of credential from a person or persons who SUB FIGURA represented themselves as being A.'.A.'.. Some are CCXX possibly genuine, but we don't have a formal position AS DELIVERED on recognizing them as yet. BY III. Fragments of old A.'.A.'.. This form of the organization XCIII=418 has some claim to recognition. Actual members of A.'.A.'. TO in continuity with Crowley's organization, are involved. DCLXVI Some of these have openly advertised themselves. Confusion exists over the rules of A.'.A.'. operation. This has resulted in some difficulies for these bodies. Crowley changed the rules several times, and the historical point of departure from the parent organization has produced a wide variety in the manner of conduct of these bodies. IV. The Secret A.'.A.'. Yes, it exists; but that's all anyone below the IVth Degree is likely to learn from us. Incorporation: We didn't get it together this quarter. The delays were caused by and effort to broaden the involvement with the members and by an effort to do the job right. If this is viewed from the standpoint of the formula IAO, we are making it through the latter part of the Apophis phase. Osiris is close ahead! Book Sales: THE BOOK OF THE LAW The Order has succeeded in publishing a minimum expense edition of "Liber AL, The Book of the Law." This edition contains only the printed text, Crowley's introduction and a brief statement concerning O.T.O. The cost, with the help of many Minervals, came to 25 Cents for materials. Half the issue of 1000 + will be given out free at Minerval Initiations. The remainder will be sold to recover expenses. Price to Initiates (extra copies) is 50 Cents. Price to booksellers (wholesale) is 60 Cents each. All others may purchase a copy for $1.00 in USA currency. An additional amount should be added to cover the cost of mailing. (Weight of one copy in mailer is just over 2 ounces). This edition is photo-offset on white "Krystalite" textured paper. The cover is blue, "Leather Embossed" heavy cover stock, hand silk-screened with the title and seal of the A.'.A.'. in metallic gold on red orange. The binding is two staples -- which accounts for the price. Size: just over 4 inches by 5 1/2 inches. Book Suppliers: The O.T.O. Order is fine, but our book order department is still limited to what we publish ourselves. Those who wish to obtain the works of Crowley may do so from the following: Thelema Publications, P.O. Box 1093, Kings Beach, CA 95719 U.S.A. {27} Samuel Weiser, Inc., 734 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 U.S.A. Llewellyn Publications, P.O. Box 3383, St. Paul, Minn. 55165 U.S.A. For local outlets, the most direct way is to check the yellow pages of your local phone directory -- or the directory of the nearest large city. The Order will in time be able to supply directly, but we have decided to provide addresses for those who have difficulty obtaining Crowley's works. In some instances we know of local outlets. Thelemite Publications Quite a number of small newsletters and other periodicals exist. Many of these contain valuable information. It is the policy of the Order to inform our subscribers and members about these manifestations of the Aeon:<> "The Newaeon Newsletter," The Temple of Thelema, 5910 ALder Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15232 U.S.A. 6 issues per year. $6.66 per year USA 1st class $7.77 per year if overseas. ***Independant*** "MEZLA," Ms. J. R. Ayers, Box 3004, Ellicott Station, Buffalo, NY 14205 U.S.A. 2 issues per year. Inquire for subscription. ***Grant O.T.O.*** "SOTHiS," 346, London Rd., St. Albans, Herts. ENGLAND. Issued at intervals. Inquire for subscription or placement on mailing list. ***Grant O.T.O. tends to predominate, but others are represented*** "AGAPE," Agape Magazine (CCI), 7 Turner's Tower, Faulkland, Nr. Bath, AVON, BA3 5UP ENGLAND. Inquire. ***Independent*** "The Cincinnatti Journal of Ceremonial Magick," Conquering Child Publishing Co., P.O. Box 1343, Cincinnati, Ohio 45201 U.S.A. ***Independent*** Check other issues of the "O.T.O. Newsletter" for additional periodicals. We welcome exchanges of publications and unpaid advertising notice. Let's get the Thelemic current out to Thelemites! Mention of the Caliphate: "Cosmic Trigger: Final Secret of the Illuminati," by Robert Anton Wilson, 269 pp., And/Or Press, Box 2246, Berkeley, CA 94702 U.S.A., $4.95. ***Accounts of conversations with Fr. H. A. + much else of New Aeon interest. By the co-author of the "Illuminatus" trilogy*** "Berkeley Barb," Issue 643, Dec. 9 - 15, 1977; P.O. Box 1247, Berkeley, CA 94701 U.S.A. ***A full page article on the O.T.O. and the Caliph*** Associate and Initiate Reminder: Note that our Brothers and Sisters are members of a Thelemic Order. We don't tell each other what to do. If you need or desire instruction, ask for it. This is the manner in which the teaching work of the Order is conducted. As Editor of the Newsletter and Secretary of the Grand Lodge, I frequently get a bit behind in my share of the correspondence -- if you don't get an answer in six weeks , send another letter, please. All mail is answered eventually, but my working space has an unfortunate tendency to hide things for long periods. -- BH Minervals: Have you asked about the Minerval studies? Not prompting is part of the instruction, but the Grand Lodge is relaxing this a bit. See the next page. {28} {WEH NOTE: The next two pages were printed in line with the long edge of the paper in two column-panels per page. These are rendered here as separate sections. Note that the pages also contained Roman numeral numbers -- the intention was to allow detachment of the back folio so that it could be folded in half as a booklet.} The Redeemer that is in the Waters. <> O who will go with the mermen bold With the mermen, wild and free O who will rule from the castle old In the Chasm of the sea And who will brave the abyssel cold for all eternity! O I will go with the mermen bold With the mermen, wild and free And I will rule from the castle old In the Chasm of the sea And I will brave the abyssel cold for "one" eternity! --- Mar. '61e.v. from The Angel and the Abyss. by Grady L. McMurtry. -ii- MINERVAL STUDY PROGRAM: These are the practices and studies that the Order strongly suggests for the Minerval year. No formal examination is required, but proficiency in these matters is important. 1. Study "The Book of the Law." Memorization of at least the first Chapter is advised. This may be done a verse a day, with review at intervals -- that's often the easy way. 2. Keep a daily Journal or Magical Diary. 3. Practice "Liber Resh" daily. 4. Become proficient in the Lesser Pentagram Banishing Ritual -- twice daily use is wise. 5. Do "Will" at the beginning of the main meal of the day. 6. Study "Magick in Theory and Practice." See the study guide in the 2nd issue of this Newsletter. 7. Keep in touch! P. O. Box 2303, Berkeley, CA 94702 U.S.A. Phone number on request from initiates. ** ******* ** Will: Knock: 333-55555-333 Give sign. "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law" ** What is thy will? It is my will to eat and drink. ** To what end? That my body may be fortified thereby. ** To what end? That I may accomplish the Great Work. "Love is the law, love under will." Knock: 1 Fall to. (May be done at all meals. Should be done at the principal meal.) -iii- {29} {This half page carried a calendar for 1978 e.v. At the top: "LXXIVe.n. 1978e.v." At the bottom: "Love is the law, love under will. -- Liber AL: I, 57.} -iv- {This half page carried a photo of Grady McMurtry in turban and loose white robe, seated in asana. A stick of incense burns in the foreground. The photo is deliberately blurred. Above: "Ordo Templi Orientis" Below: "Caliph Hymenaeus Alpha"} {30} ************************************************************************ P.O. Box 2303 Volume I, No. 4 Berkeley, CA Spring Equinox 94702 U.S.A. An. LXXIII E.N. March 1978 E.V. Ordo Templi Orientis O.T.O. NEWSLETTER Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. "-- LIBER AL: 1,40" At Midnight, facing North: Hail unto Thee who art Khephra in Thy hiding, even unto Thee who art Khephra in Thy silence, who travellest over the heavens in Thy bark at the Midnight Hour of the Sun. Tahuti standeth in His splendour at the prow, and Ra-Hoor abideth at the Helm. Hail unto Thee from the Abodes of Evening! -- "from" Liber Resh (This concludes the presentation of the four daily Thelemic invocations. The three previous issues of this Newsletter contain the first three portions.) All content Copyright (c) 1978 by Caliph Hymenaeus Alpha. -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Back issues of this Newsletter will be available at $1 + mailing, with occasional delays for reprinting. Single copies of Vol. I, # 1 are free on request. One year's subscription includes mailing expense and follows the rate below: $3.00 North American; $5.00 International Issued quarterly.<> {1} {This page contains an illustration of Isis-Nuit, which cannot be reproduced in this format} Secret of the Great Sea Woman has always known the secret of pain that it is ecstasy masquerading a mischevious jester in the court of the queen And she has known, always, that this recreation is as much her joy as she can bear as much her child as she can love And if the weak ones cry aloud "Enough! No more!" -- it is their choice, They will not let the child grow into a dancer They will not see the child dance this masquerade of colours breaking endlessly and sparkling -- They will not see the fiery sparks flying from his feet to prick the womb and bear the child, Joy. As well, as well, my sisters, bear your pain as I shall bear my joy and let your cry of birth-travail be unto me the song to which my child dances. Soror Ishtar <> {2} ON THE ' {Pentagram} / \ / \ ---------------- '/ . . \' FROM THE / . " . \ MANUSCRIPTS / ' ' \ AND NOTES OF Aleister Crowley THE FOLLOWING "selections and commentaries deal with aspects of the Lesser and other Pentagram rituals. The majority of this material comes from previously unpublished writings by Aleister Crowley. This collection of primary resource material is intended for use by advanced students of Magick -- however, descriptive notes and additions have been added to aid the beginner in the performance and study of the Pentagram rituals. When editorial comment has been added to material by Crowley, this ITALIC type style has been used. -- Editor." NOTES ON THE RITUAL OF THE PENTAGRAM "from a Crowley manuscript in the possession" "of the Caliph." You are supposed to be standing at the intersection of the paths of Samekh and Pe. You are facing Tiphareth (the Sun), thus on your right hand is Netzach (Venus) on your left hand Hod (Mercury), and behind you Yesod (the Moon.) You take one step with the right heel in the hollow of the left foot towards Tiphareth and vibrate the Divine Name as given in the ritual. You then carry round the point of the wand towards Netzach, then take a step again (always recovering after each forward step so that you remain in the centre) and vibrating the Divine Name as before. Continue the process facing Yesod and vibrating; then Hod, and vibrating; but carry the point of the Wand round to Tiphareth so as to complete the circle. As you vibrate the Divine Name the angels, as given in the ritual, appear, (note well that they should appear and if the ritual is properly performed do appear.) You are thus standing in a Column which is protected by your microcosmic invocation. The consequent result, being macrocosmic response, is that without any effort on your part the hexagram or sixfold star appears both above and below you. (Note the equilibration of 5 = 6.) In this way you are completely shut off from the outer and Qliphotic parts of the universe. Get well into your mind the realization of this Column with its surrounding pentagrams and its hexagrams above and below you. Continuous practice is essential if you are to perform this ritual as you should. It is particularly important not to slur any part of it; to visualize clearly and cleanly the forces invoked, with the exception of the Divine Being, who will not appear, in the ordinary course of events, for such slight cause. You can figure out for yourself the forms of the angels, or rather archangels. For instance, Raphael commencing with an "R" will have a head of solar glory and the Pe which follows shows that the rest of him is marital: the "AL" which concludes the name (in the case of most angelic beings) indicates that they wield the sword and the balance. {3} "Addendum: the method of constructing 'Telesmatic Figures' for Angels and other spirits will be found in Regardie's THE GOLDEN DAWN, 'volume' 4, pages 64 to 73 -- This valuable work is now sold as a single bound volume, but it is divided into four parts or 'volumes'." MANUSCRIPT NOTES FROM A COPY OF THE SOUL OF OSIRIS. "The facsimilies reproduced on the following pages, with a typed transcript of the marginalia, are taken from a copy of THE SOUL OF OSIRIS once in the possession of Frater Achad. Although some of the marginalia found in this copy seem to come from the hand of Frater Achad and possibly others, this particular material probably comes from Crowley's hand. The reader is invited to make a comparison between the handwriting here and that known to be by Crowley -- as shown in other items published in this issue." "THE SOUL OF OSIRIS is a continuation of the poetical works of Aleister Crowley, as previously published in THE COLLECTED WORKS. 'The Palace of the World' involves the Lesser Pentagram Ritual in its imagery. Many of the marginalia reproduced here were intended to become footnotes in a later edition." "O.T.O. is indebted to Mr. John F., who presented this rare volume to the Caliph." "************** The Marginal Notes ***************" "Facing page 103:" "(N.B. Face East at the beginning of this ritual -- Ed.)" (I) Touching the forehead, say Ateh (unto Thee) (II) " " breast, say Malkuth (the Kingdom) (III) " " right shoulder, say ve-Geburah (the Power)* (IV) " " left " , say ve-Gedulah (and the Glory)* "*Ed. note: a consistent typo. has entered {nearly} all printings of Magick in Theory and Practice, LIBER 0, page 379 (most editions). Geburah is correctly translated as given here." (V) Clasping the hands upon the breast, say le-Olahm, Amen (to the ages, Amen) (VI) Turning to the East, make a pentagram with the desired weapon. Say HB:YHVH (VII) " to the South, the same, but say HB:ADNY (VIII) " " " West, " " " " HB:AHYH (IX) " " " North, " " " " HB:AGLA (X) Extending the arms in the form of a cross, say (XI) Before me Raphael (XII) Behind me Gabriel (XIII) On my right hand Michael (XIV) On my left hand Auriel (XV) For about me flames the Pentagram, (XVI) and in the Column stands the six-rayed Star Repeat (I) to (V), the Qabalistic Cross Those who regard this ritual as a mere device to invoke or banish spirits, are unworthy to possess it. Properly understood, it is the Medicine of Metals and the Stone of the Wise (Author's Note) "N.B. Diagrams and pronunciation guides will be found toward the end of this collection. The instruction given by Crowley on the Pentagram and Hexagram rituals is published as LIBER O," Magick in Theory and Practice, "pages 375 to 379. A more practical introduction to the Lesser Pentagram Ritual is published in Regardie's" The Golden Dawn, "'volume' I, pages 106 to 109 and 'volume' III, pages 9 to 36. Many other authors have published variations and expositions on this ritual, but the one most worth noting is W.E.Butler`s" The Magician; His Training and Work, "pages 166 to 169 -- for the method of tracing pentagrams." {4} {Illustration on page 5 described: This is a facsimile of pages 102 and 103 of a particular copy of "The Soul of Osiris". On the left is written the material noted above from "(I)" through "(Author's Note) -- except the footnote on "(IV)" is not a part of this text. On the right is the beginning of a poem, at the top is written the text noted below from "2." through "Pentagram unwound". At the bottom is written the text noted below from "1." to "this one." The printed text on this illustration has numbers written to indicate the future position of these notes. These have been enclosed in parentheses to differentiate them from the printing, but no such parentheses are present in the illustration: "THE HOLY OF HOLIES. 103" "THE PALACE OF THE WORLD. (1) "THE fragrant gateways of the dawn (2) Teem with the scent of flowers. The mother, Midnight, has withdrawn Her slumberous kissing hours: Day springs, with footsteps as a fawn, Into her rosy bowers. "The pale and holy maiden horn (3) In highest heaven is set. My forehead, bathed in her forlorn Light, with her lips is met; My lips, that murmur in the morn, With lustrous dew are wet. "My prayer is mighty with my will; My purpose as a sword (4) Flames through the adamant, to fill The gardens of the Lord With music, that the air be still, Dumb to its mighty chord. "I stand above the tides of time And elemental strife;" } "************** Marginal Notes continued ***************" "On page 103:" 2. This ritual was given to Neophytes of the Order of the Golden Dawn. 3. The moon, as before, signifies Aspiration to the Highest. 4. For the "Flaming Sword" is the "Pentagram unwound" "The next note evidently was intended to precede the marginalia facing page 103." 1. Describe the spiritual aspect of the "Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram" which we append, with its explanation. The abstruse nature of mastering poems is well reflected in this one. {5} {Illustration on page 6 described: This is a facsimile of pages 104 (to left) and 105 (to right) of a particular copy of "The Soul of Osiris". On the bottom left is written the material noted below from "1. The arms ..." through "... the Sufi." On the right bottom is written the text noted below from "1. Binah, ..." through "... triple tongue" and "4. These archangels ..." through "... Tiphereth, Beauty." Along the far right side, written vertically, the notes to this page 105 continue: "6. Gabriel, ..." to "... of the Human Soul." The printed text on this illustration has numbers written to indicate the future position of these notes. These have been enclosed in parentheses to differentiate them from the printing, but no such parentheses are present in the illustration: "104 THE SOUL OF OSIRIS." "My figure stands above, sublime, Shadowing the Key of Life, (1) And the passion of my mighty rhyme Divides me as a knife. "For secret symbols on my brow, And secret thoughts within, Compel eternity to Now. Draw the Infinite within. Light is extended. (2) I and Thou Are as they had not been. (3) "So on my head the light is one, Unity manifest; A star more splendid than the sun Burns for my crowned crest; Burns, as the murmuring orison Of waters in the west. "What angel from the silver gate Flames to my fierier face? What angel, as I contemplate The unsubstantial space? Move with my lips the laws of Fate That bind earth's carapace? "No angel, but the very light And fire and spirit of Her, Unmitigated, eremite, The unmanifested myrrh," {next column-page} "THE HOLY OF HOLIES. 105" "Ocean, and night that is not night. The mother-mediator. (1) "O sacred spirit of the Gods! (2) O triple tongue!(3) Descend, Lapping the answering flame that nods, Kissing the brows that bend, Uniting all earth's periods To one exalted end. "Still on the mystic Tree of Life My soul is crucified; (4) Still strikes the sacrificial knife Where lurks some serpent-eyed Fear, passion, or man's deadly wife Desire, the suicide! "Before me dwells the Holy One Anointed Beauty's King; (5) Behind me, mightier than the Sun, To whom the cherubs sing, A strong archangel, (6) known of none, Comes crowned and conquering. "An angel stands on my right hand With strength of ocean's wrath; (7) Upon my left the fiery brand, Charioted fire smites forth: (8) Four great archangels to withstand The furies of the path. (9)} "On page 104:" 1. The arms being extended, and the magus being clad in a Taw-shaped robe and a nemmes, his figure would cast a shadow resembling the Ankh, or "Key of Life." 2. Khabs am Pekht, Konx om Pax, Light in Extension. The magus's words which seal the current of light in the sphere of the aspirant. 3. Cf. Omar Khayyam the Sufi. "On page 105:" 1. Binah, the revealer of the Triad of Light. 2. Ruach Elohim (See Genesis I) adds up to 300 = HB:Shin = Fire 3. HB:Shin by shape hath a triple tongue. {6} "Page 105 continued:" 4. These archangels are at points on the "Tree of Life" which cause them to surround as described one who is 'crucified' thereon. 5. Raphael dwells in Tiphereth, Beauty. 6. Gabriel, dweller in Yesod, where are the Kerubim. 7. Michael, lord of Hod, an Emanation of a watery nature. 8. Auriel, Archangel of Netzach, to which Fire is attributed. 9. The path of HB:Th, or Saturn and Earth, which leads from Malkuth to Yesod indeed, but is dark & illusion. This first step upward attracts the bitterest opposition of all the Enemies of the Human Soul. {Illustration on page 7 described: This is a facsimile of page 106 of a particular copy of "The Soul of Osiris". At the bottom is written the text noted below from "1. As asserted ..." to "... Attainment." The printed text on this illustration has numbers written to indicate the future position of these notes. These have been enclosed in parentheses to differentiate them from the printing, but no such parentheses are present in the illustration: "106 THE SOUL OF OSIRIS." "Flames on my front the fiery star, About me and around. (1) Behind, the sacred sun, afar, Six symphonies of sound; {note tag for "1" covered by "2", blotted out} Flames, as the Gods themselves that are; Flames, in the abyss profound. (2) "The spread arms drop like thunder! So Rings out the lordlier cry, Vibrating through the streams that flow In ether to the sky, The moving archipelago, Stars in their seigneury. "Thine be the kingdom! Thine the power! The glory triply thine! (3) Thine, through Eternity's swift hour, Eternity, thy shrine -- Yea, by the holy lotus-flower, Even mine! (4)"} "On page 106:" 1. As asserted in the ritual. 2. It flames both above & beneath the magus, who is thus in a cube of 4 pentagrams and 2 hexagrams 32 points in all. And 32 is HB:AHYHVH, the sacred word that expresses the Unity of the Highest and the Human. 3. As in ritual. 4. Supreme affirmation of Unity with the Highest in the Lotus, the universal symbol of Attainment. "The next manuscript deals with the Greater Pentagram in combination with the Hexagram. This version was copied from a typescript in the possession of the Order. A manuscript version exists in the personal collection of Capt. Fuller, the editor of the first volume of the" Equinox. "The Fuller collection is now at the University of Texas, Humanities Research Center, at Austin Texas. There is reason to believe that this particular item was intended for inclusion in the" Equinox. "Crowley is the author. The MS bears the date: May 1906." The True Greater Ritual of the Pentagram (It is here combined openly with the Hexagram, for the secret formulation of Abrahadabra). For the use of Adepts only. As the lesser Ritual places the worker on the path of Samekh, so this places him on the path of Gimel above, instead of below Tiphereth. -------------------- {7} I Take up your position facing the West & strike a bell once, or else cry aloud<> Abrahadabra giving the three-fold sign Enterer, Silence, Apophis. Whirl around as on a pivot as rapidly as you can with the wand or sword outstretched, thus making a circle. Then say, with all the escalation possible. The Light is mine; its rays consume Me: I have made a secret door Into the House of Ra (Enterer towards East) and Tum (Enterer to West) Of Khephra (Enterer to North ) & of Ahathoor. (Enterer to South) (In centre, facing West with sign of Silence) I am thy Theban, O Mentu The Prophet Ankh-af-na-Khonsu (Bell) {Illustration on this page approximated below. This is a circumscribed regular hexagram, with words as shown. A compass cross is to upper right, with West marked to top. W /:\ Ankh-f-n-Khonsu : . /\ . : . / \ . S----------+----------N . / \ . : . / Tum \ . : Hadit --------/-----------------Nuit : . \ / \ / . E . \ / \ / . . \ / \ / . .Hathor\ Magus \Khephra . / \ / \ . . / \ / \ . . / \ / \ . Bes-n-maut----------------/--------Ta-Nech . \ / . . \ / . . \ / . . \/ . Ra-Hoor-Khuit} {8} II Bell Turning 60 Degrees to your left, make the Pentagram invoking of Fire {Upright pentagram with arrow showing trace from upper point lower right} and cry Nuit. Turning 60 Degrees E of your original right (i.e. to the North of West) make the same Pentagram & cry Hadit. Turn to East, & cry Ra Hoor Khuit with Pentagram These three pentagrams to be reversed {inverted pentagram with arrow showing trace from bottom point to upper left point} thus Then turn to 60 Degrees North of East & cry Besnamaut with Pentagram Then 60 Degrees South of East & cry Ta-Nech with Pentagram Then to West and cry Ank-f-na-Khonsu with Pentagram. These Pentagram's erect. Seat yourself with your hands on your knees, like an Egyptian God enthroned. (If you have no chair, stand in the sign of Silence.) "(Note from Fr. H.A.: This refers to the sign of Harpocrates, the God of Innocence. There are two signs. One is given with the right forefinger to the lips. The other is given with the right thumb enclosed in a tight right forefinger. There is a significance; it depends upon the planet you are invoking, i.e. the thumb is directly connected with the Visudha chakra, the pentagram that brings all five elements & spirit together.)" Say slowly, and very forcibly, in a low voice "Ardent and awful on my right Rage Ratziel and Tzadquiel. Red Raphael on his burning throne Guards me behind: with magian might Dread Khamael and Tzaphquiel War on my left: the angles "(Note, this word is different but hard to distinguish in the Fuller collection MS -- possible error in type copy)" own Before me flaming out alone The Majesty of Metatron! For round me in six several ways The five fold sword-stars beat and blaze; While in the column swirls and slays The star that hath eleven rays. Abrahadabra Bell Rise and give the threefold sign, remaining in the sign of Apophis to invoke whatever force thou wishest to invoke Bell III Repeat I. Remark that ritual is not satisfactory unless there be a properly constructed circle marked with the Hexagram & Six Lamps. Nor is it perfect or inspired. Close fitting robe of shot-silk, purple & green & cloak without sleeves of bright blue, covered with golden sequins & scarlet within. The room should have no window From the roof a lamp wherein is a red glass to burn olive oil. Beneath the lamp an altar foursquare: the length should be twice itself of the breadth or double the breadth -- "Several weapons and other objects are to be used. They include a flask of crystal fire, anointing oil, a wand of Almond wood or Hazel, etc." {9} Guide to the PENTAGRAMS & Pronunciation of HEBREW words in the Ritual of the Lesser Pentagram. by The Secretary of the Grand Lodge<> The following Pentagrams are used in the performance of this ritual. In general, it is best to learn this ritual with the Earth Banishing Pentagram. The reversed pentagrams require a bit more skill than most of the normal ones. It is especially wise to avoid use of the reversed banishing pentagrams, until fully aware of the astral effects of the normal pentagrams. {Illustration on this page narrated. REVERSED PENTAGRAMS: All have one point directly to the bottom. Spirit Equilibrium of Actives, Reversed: Banish: start from lower right point and move toward upper left. Invoke: start from upper left point and move toward lower right. Spirit Equilibrium of Passives, Reversed: Banish: start from lower left point and move toward upper right. Invoke: start from upper right point and move toward lower left. Fire, Reversed: Banish: start from upper left point and move toward bottom point. Invoke: start from bottom point and move toward upper left point. Water, Reversed: Banish: start from lower left point and move toward lower right. Invoke: start from lower right point and move toward lower left. Air, Reversed: Banish: start from lower right point and move toward lower left. Invoke: start from lower left point and move toward lower right. Earth, Reversed: Banish: start from upper right point and move toward bottom point. Invoke: start from bottom point and move toward upper right point. NORMAL PENTAGRAMS: All have one point directly to the Top Spirit Equilibrium of Actives, Normal: Invoke: start from lower right point and move toward upper left. Banish: start from upper left point and move toward lower right. Spirit Equilibrium of Passives, Normal: Invoke: start from lower left point and move toward upper right. Banish: start from upper right point and move toward lower left. Fire, Normal: Invoke: start from top point and move toward lower right point. Banish: start from lower right point and move toward top point. Water, Normal: Invoke: start from upper left point and move toward upper right. Banish: start from upper right point and move toward upper left. Air, Normal: Invoke: start from upper right point and move toward upper left. Banish: start from upper left point and move toward upper right. Earth, Normal: Invoke: start from top point and move toward lower left point. Banish: start from lower right point and move toward top point. {In all cases, continue along the connected sides of the pentagram in question until the starting point is again reached. A further discussion of this subject will be found in "Thelema Lodge Calendar" for May, 1988 e.v., together with this diagram.}} USE: In brief, the "Normal" pentagrams are active on the material plane and the near astral. Their function is to banish the five elements from, or invoke them onto those planes. The "Reversed" pentagrams are active in the more spiritual planes. Their function is to manipulate the elements of those planes with respect to the lower planes. The reversed pentagrams are more effective, but more difficult. They are only "evil" to amateurs. {10} Hebrew Pronunciation for the Lesser Pentagram Ritual: The pronunciation of an unfamiliar language is often difficult. Because of such a difficulty, many people are hesitant about working with ritual involving Hebrew and other languages. A few have even gone so far as to argue that all rituals and words of power should be in the language of one's nationality. This is a serious error. An unfamiliar language has a very different psychic impact, simply because it is unfamiliar. In addition, many of the older languages have sound and meaning characteristics that are not to be found in modern languages. Possibly the most difficult language for magical working is English. This bastard language has no real core and structure. English lacks a basic structure; and, instead of having simple modes for word analysis, it is a mass of varying rules and word sizes. Because English lacks a core of formal root derivations (Hebrew has a very stable core of three-letter roots), English cannot easily be adapted to consistent vibration. Although poetry anD therefore ritual can be constructed in English, the results generally lack the refinement possible to Hebrew, Greek or even Latin. Arabic makes English sound like a rabid cat fight -- complicated by the cats both having hick-ups. The ancient languages of India are literal song. One method of using English for words of power involves restriction to words of common origin: Limitation to Norman Latin or Celtic or even Saxon words permits a substantial improvement in the ritual use of English. If you are minded to go that far, it's only another step to learn the root language itself. The creation of a ritual and Qabalistic method for English is one of the major problems for the Aeon of Horus. The number approach has been ably investigated (see the last issue of this Newsletter, and the next), but much more work needs to be done to work up the basics for direct analysis of words of power in English along the lines in "777." What does it all mean? Learn a little Hebrew and save a lot of Magick. Most uses of Hebrew in Thelemic ritual are restricted to simple words. A correspondence course in pronouncing and working with Qabalistic Hebrew is in the planning stages. Until it is further along, the following may help. Manner of Pronunciation: Hebrew is not one simple style of pronunciation. There are many ways to consistently pronounce Hebrew words. The more important ways are these: Masonic (absolutely the worst) -- one simply writes the Hebrew word in the Latin Alphabet and then pretends that it isn't Hebrew. Ashkenazic (common in America. Based on a mixture of German and Eastern European speech styles. Often considered easier for speakers of European languages, but far from Biblical Hebrew.). Sephardic (relatively close to Biblical and therefore ancient Hebrew. Not all that difficult.) Yemenite (probably the best for ritual and Qabalistic uses. Very difficult). Israeli Modern (second only to Masonic at the bottom of the list of little value). In the pronunciation guide on the following page, Sephardic Hebrew has been used as a basis for pronunciation. There are a few basic things to consider in using this guide. Remember to accent the correct syllable (in quotes or italics) -- doing this correctly is necessary to render the word intelligible. Perfect the way of saying the word as in ordinary speech before perfecting it in vibration. When in doubt, attempt to utter the word anyway you can in ritual -- after all, doing the best you can is all that really matters in elementary work. Those who refuse to perform rituals until they have everything perfect are also those who never perform rituals. Ready? Good luck! {11} ATEH = thine = HB:AThH = "unto thee" = pronounce: AT-TA first A like in bard second A like in father MALKUTH = kingdom = HB:MLKVTh = "the kingdom" = pronounce: MAL-KOOT A as in bard OO as in moon VE-GEBURAH = and the strength = HB:V-GBVRH = "the power" = pronounce: VE-GE-BOO-RA both E's like the first in believe. OO as in moon A as in father VE-GEDULAH = and the greatness = HB:V-GDVLH = "and the glory" = pronounce: VE-GE-DOO-LA E's both like the first in believe OO as in moon A as in father LE-OLAHM = for eternity = HB:La'a-VLM = "to the ages" = pronounce: LE-A-A-O-LA-M (this one isn't so easy) E as first in believe A-A is not in English. Try catching your breath for a fraction of a second -- like getting punched in the gut while you are swallowing. The sound is very short. O as in bore last A as in father. AMEN = "an expression of firm belief" = HB:AMN = "amen" = pronounce AM-EN A as in father E as in bet "Alternative: you may wish to use Crowley's" AUMGN "in place" "of this word. See" MAGICK IN THEORY AND PRACTICE, "Chapter VII, section V for instruction." IHVH = "several meanings, according to pronunciation. see below." =HB:YHVH "In order to provide one uniform method, the following is suggested:" = pronounce: YE-HO-VAH (using the adonai vowels, Mapiq & male = Yod-Shewa Hay Vau-Holam Qamas Gadol Hay-Mapiq) {12} Y as in yes E as first in believe O as in bore A as in father "With this pronunciation, the meaning is simply" = he is = "Jehovah" "If the A is replaced with an O (as in born), the meaning becomes" "she is". "This last trick is a bit to remember; the vowel point added in that manner is called Qamas Qatan. This point can replace a Qamas Gadol just before a Hay at the end of a Hebrew word. The result is to change a male word into a female word. Qamas Qatan is rarely used in Modern Hebrew. Just more of that creeping, old Aeon chauvinism." "This is the basis for preferring the pronunciation given above: 'Adonal' appears in the Ritual -- hence its vowels are selected to make the Tetragrammaton pronounceable in this particular case. For the use of this word in Binah on the Tree of Life, the vowels of "Elohim" should be used instead -- this applies above Tiphereth and in the column of severity generally. This Divine name is addressed to Tiphereth; again Adonai applies. The male gender is taken to commemorate the Solar nature sometimes attributed to the Lesser Pentagram Ritual. Female users of this ritual may wish to use the female pronunciation, but more is involved than simple gender change for a single word of power. A re-design of the ritual would be a better idea. Such a re-design could either emphasize the Moon, or simply replace all deity names with their female forms: IHVH as above, Adonai with Adonah, Eheieh either as is or replaced by Eheioh (not good Hebrew), and Agla left as is. Again, such a change requires a good bit more work than simple replacement of the words. Unless compensating changes are made within the structure of the ritual, the result may be of doubtful value in some workings." "Here are twelve vowel points of IHVH, with their meanings. Sadly, space does not permit the inclusion of a pronunciation guide for all of these:" he is = Yod-Shewa Hay Vau-Holam Qamas Gadol Hay she is = Yod-Shewa Hay Vau-Holam Qamas Qatan Hay he is = Yod-Shewa Hay Vau-Holam Qamas Gadol Hay-Mapiq she is = Yod-Shewa Hay Vau-Holam Hay-Mapiq he is = Yod-Seghol Hay-Shewa Vau-Seghol Hay she is = Yod-Seghol Hay-Shewa Vau Qamas Qatan Hay he is = Yod-Seghol Hay-Shewa Vau-Seghol Hay-Mapiq she is = Yod-Seghol Hay-Shewa Vau Qamas Qatan Hay-Mapiq he creates = Yod-Patah Hay-Shewa Vau-Seghol Hay she creates = Yod-Patah Hay-Shewa Vau Qamas Qatan Hay he creates = Yod-Patah Hay-Shewa Vau-Seghol Hay-Mapiq she creates = Yod-Patah Hay-Shewa Vau Qamas Qatan Hay-Mapiq ADONAI = my lord = HB:ADNY = LORD = pronounce: ADO-NAY A as in bard, but shorter O as in bore second A as in father Y as in yes EHEIEH = I am = HB:AHYH = "eheieh" = pronounce: E-HE-YE E as met E as first occurrence in believe Y as yes E as met {13} AGLA = thou art mighty forever o' lord = HB:AGLA = "AGLA" "Again, we have a problem. Strictly speaking, "AGLA" is not a word, but an abbreviation for "Ateh Gibor Le-Olahm Adonai" = "HB:AThH GBVR La'aVLM ADNY "This kind of thing is called a Noteriqon in Qabalah. One means of obtaining a way of pronouncing such a Noteriqon is found through the use of the vowel points on the letters used for the Noteriqon. If that is done, we get:" Aleph-Patah Gimel-Hirik-Qatan Lamed-Shewa Aleph-Hataph-Patah. pronunciation A-GI-LE-A A as in bard I as in bit E as the first occurrence in believe A as in bard, but shorter RAPHAEL = god heals = HB:RPAL = "raphael" = pronunciation: RE-FA-EL E as first e in believe A as in father E as in bet GABRIEL = god is mighty = HB:GBRYAL = "gabriel" = pronounciation: GAB-RI-EL A as in bard I as in police E as in bet MICHAEL = god's likeness = HB:MYKAL = "michael" = pronunciation: MI-KA-EL I as in police K "not in English, the German "ch" sound." K as in a real cough A as in father E as in bet URIEL = god's light = HB:AVRYAL = "auriel" = pronunciation: OO-RI-EL OO as in moon I as in police E as in bet "In closing this article and collection of primary material on the Lesser Pentagram Ritual, some mention should be made of the historical antecedents. The part played by Eliphas Levi is generally known. Also similarities between this ritual and the Catholic sign of the cross are known. Anciently, a similar sign was made by the worshippers of Thor. A major part of the present ritual is a Jewish night Prayer, with slight variation: See Birnbaum," Daily Prayer Book (Ha-Siddur Ha-Shalem) "Sephardic edition, page 852, Hebrew Publishing Co., 1969." {14} The Prophet and His Caliph by Hymenaeus Alpha, 777 {Photo on this page: Portrait of Crowley, c. 1943. "Aleister Crowley, as he appeared When Grady (Hymenaeus Alpha met him"} {15} The Prophet and His Caliph One of the mysteries of Thelema is why Aleister Crowley should choose me to be his Caliph. Perhaps it is because I am a poet. As the greatest poet of the English language, Aleister Crowley would appreciate that. It was indeed my privilege to submit my poetry to Aleister Crowley for his critique. How many times in an incarnation would you have a chance to do that? It was not an unmixed blessing. Sometimes his judgments could be severe. Getting a stinging letter from Aleister Crowley, especially when he had rejected your favorite poem and praised one you had thought was just off-hand, could be a sobering experience. Or it could have been karma. The great men of the time in the Thelemic government were otherwise occupied. Jack Parsons was too great a genius; to this day, the only member of O.T.O. to have a crater on the Moon named for him. Wilfred Smith was too old for the armed forces, and, besides, as Lodge Master of Agape Lodge, in much too responsible a position to go galavanting around. Somehow, that left only me. There is a saving grace in being Parcival, the stupid soldier. War may be bad for your health, but you damn sure see a lot of sunrises and sunsets. Anyway, I offloaded the troopship at Grenock, Scotland, on my birthday, Oct. 18, 1943. (It is a curious fact that three of the heaviest people in Thelema ... Crowley, Jack Parsons and myself ... are all Librans) .. went thru the interminable processing ... spent time in Liverpool ... came barreling down the road from Bath to London in a jeep over Salisbury heath ... stopped at Stonehenge under a leaden sky racing East at about 30 miles an hour about thirty feet off the ground ... there was absolutely no one there ... it was the most prehistoric thing you can imagine ... and found 93 Jermyn Street (which is spelled "Jermyn" but, British style, is pronounced "GERman") which is just off Picadilly Circus in London. I walked up to the door and pounded on it. The gentleman who opened it you can see on the other side of this page. His name was Aleister Crowley, and this is what he looked like at the time. In fact, he gave me the original of this photograph. He said; "Yes?" and I said, "I am Lieutenant McMurtry." "Well, come in dear chap!" was the response.<> Naturally I was in uniform. You can see here what I looked like at the time. {photo in text: Grady McMurtry in dress uniform. "London, late '43"} Don't tell me that you do not believe it. Looking at these photographs, I do not believe it either. As Shirine, my Lady has said, "How could a Company Commander in the Invasion of Normandy have also been an associate of Aleister Crowley in London in the '40's?" My answer was that of the little Japanese prostitute who had just been balled by this American GI, and they are sitting there smoking a cigarette. He says to her, "How did a nice girl like you get mixed up in a lousy racket like this?" She came back with, "Oh, just luck, I guess!" I think you have to have done time in the Orient to appreciate that. ... but this is an Oriental Order. It says so right in the title. People have asked me what it was like to know Aleister Crowley. The answer is; "It depends." "The Aleister Crowley I knew," I.e., the gentleman who opened the door at 93 Jermyn St., in London in Oct. of 1943 was a person capable of meeting you at any level you could meet him. He was at the height of his powers. I mean psychically and mentally. Of course he wasn't climbing mountains any more. Unfortunately I was a dumb kid from Oklahoma and completely incapable {16} of taking advantage of my situation. On top of that, I was heavily involved in the War. I was a Company Commander of a unit destined for the invasion of the Continent. We did not know it would be Normandy. Fortunately, neither did Hitler. He thought we were coming into Calais. That is why he withheld the armored units from Rommel until it was too late. By the time we were established on the beach-head there was no way he could stop us. Some time I must tell you about good old Ernie ... but, anyway ... {photo in text: Grady McMurtry in field uniform, with helmet. "Luxemburg, Late '44 or Early '45 -- Ist Lt. McMurtury"} I wasn't so dumb that I couldn't think. I was stationed up at Bury St. Edmunds at the time. That is up in East Anglia, the "Land of the Angels." -- because they had blond hair and blue eyes. They were the Vikings who would come up the water ways ravaging and raping as they came. We were surrounded by B-17 bases. It was fantastic. In the early morning dawn you would hear the thunder as they were revving up. Then you would see them start taking off. A B-17 loaded with bombs is as heavy as a pregnant goose. They would come swinging around, with their bottoms painted light grey and their tops dark green. The rising sun would glint off their undersides. Once in a while you would hear this fantastic explosion. Wartime explosive ordnance was not all that good, and sometimes the vibrations from the propellers would set off a bomb load. The funny thing was, that the next bomber would take off right thru the flailing debris. Then they would swing higher and higher, forming up by section and echelon and division until finally they formed up into a vast aerial armada. Whoever was in command would give the word, and they would all take off into the East, trailing contrails (England is very damp). It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I was writing the poem "Pangenetor" at the time. The part that wasn't beautiful came when they would return home at night. The B-17's came back thundering in low. You could see empty spaces where the Messerschmits and the Folkswolfs and the flack had gotten to them. That one was gone, and that one was gone. One would show two red very pistol shots out of the left waist gun position, meaning "wounded aboard!" One thing was for sure. They never broke their formation. This is something that the American soldier learned in the Civil War, "Never break your discipline!" It is the one thing that will get you thru when all else fails. Once in a while I could turn the Company over to my 2nd in Command and grab the Company jeep to go barreling into London. That was like driving onto a battlefield. I mean a real battlefield. It was the time of the second "Baby Blitz" on London. I would sit down with Crowley at 93 Jermyn Street, playing chess with him, drinking brandy and smoking perique. The black-out blinds would be on the windows. We could hear the German bombers upstairs with their motors revving up and down. The British anti-aircraft over in Trafalger Square would be blasting away, making sheet lightning in the night. One night we were sitting there, and after a while he excused himself to disappear into the kitchen. He went to make tea. We sometimes forget, but Crowley was a Britisher. He drank tea, not coffee. Immediately after he left the room ... there I was, big eyes all over the place. How many times in an incarnation would you have a chance to check out Aleister Crowley's personal library? Down at my right was a sort of turntable full of books. I took a look {17} and flashed on one of them. The covers were obviously artificial. They were Crowley's paintings. That was unusual. So I picked it up and sat down to look. There were two paintings. One was of a light visaged Oriental sage obviously doing a guru trip in the Himalayas. The other was a dark image showing a small temple in what seemed to be an Oriental setting. I didn't get it. It was too dark. Unfortunately, at that point Crowley came in with the tea tray, saw me looking at it, and asked me what I thought. Stupid me, I told him "Not much!" Whereupon he stood over me and gave me a finger wagging lecture. The substance of which was that I was an ignoramus who wouldn't appreciate a good painting if I saw one! It was one of the only two times he ever got really pissed with me. Unfortunately he was right, but at the time I really didn't appreciate it all that much. There is a sequel.<> When we finally brought down the Superior Court Order in the State of California saying that Crowley's library by law belonged to me as the representative of O.T.O., I found the volume. This time I opened it. It is absolutely priceless. It is the original Legge edition of the "I Ching," with Crowley's notes, and comments on Legge's mentality, all over it in Crowley's own handwriting. "(Editor's note: See Issue #3 for an example of a page from this volume.)" In other words, being around Aleister Crowley was like being around a very hot fire. You were lucky if you didn't come off scorched. On the other hand, he could be a very beautiful human being. As I have said, how many times in an incarnation would you have a chance to ask Aleister Crowley questions? So I thought about it. Yes, I was young. Yes, I was stupid. But I could think. One thing I thought was; "You know, on occasion this guy has really blown it." So one night we were sitting at 93 Jermyn Street. Maybe two games of chess had been played. My uniform blouse was unbuttoned -- "Big John the First Lieutenant" relaxing. I had a brandy snifter in my left hand (Crowley was civilizing this "American Barbarian.") My perique pipe was in my right hand. I took all my courage in both hands. I knew that he was my friend, but I never forgot (Old Oriental Maxim) that this was the Great Wild Beast of the Aeon sitting across from me. I said, "Well, you know, there have been times when you have done things that didn't turn out the way you expected." He looked up at me with a twinkle in his eye. He knew exactly what I was thinking, that he could very easily kick my ass out into the street and tell me to never come back. Instead, what he said was, "Well, you have to do what seems right at the time!", and made his next move on the chess board. I heaved a big sigh of relief, and we went on with the evening. I think that that is also one reason why he designated me to be his Caliph to come. He admired courage. He didn't want any weak sisters around. If a guy had the guts to stand up and "beard the Lion in his den," -- and I had done just that -- then there was some hope that that guy might make it. 93 H.A. What did Hymenaeus Alpha {photo of 500 lb bomb laying on dirt} do in WARII? He transported 500 pound bombs like this one. Sometimes tossing them off the primemover into the mud -- like bales of hay! {18} THE CALIPHATE LETTERS -- in facsimile "In the first issue of the" O.T.O. Newsletter "the content of two documents crucial to the Caliphate appeared. These letters from Aleister Crowley to Hymenaeus Alpha (Grady Louis McMurtry) are the chief formal basis for the present reconstruction of the Order. Success is thy proof, and all Thelemites must judge that for themselves; but without such articles of authorization there is no valid continuity of the Order in the Outer from Crowley to the present." "It is said that the Phoenix takes up a bit of shell from the hatched egg, inorder to retain continuity with the past incarnation. The Phoenix has emerged from the edge of the flames. About her are shards of the egg of her renewal. She will take up one fragment and fly to her place of mystery for the Aeon of Horus. Only time will tell which shard will be taken to the nest of history. The others are destined to the darkening flames of Saturn. We trust ourselves to this. Even if we err, we are born again in the phoenix -- tho' in erring we become substance rather than thought. Let those who guard their bits of shell beware of pointless battles. The fledgling Phoenix hungers to devour the worrisome shards. Time enough to rest before the end of the beginning." "Read then the words of the last Great O.H.O. of O.T.O. -- the Prophet Priest of the Princes, " ANKH-F-N-KHONSU, TAKE HEED! "(Typetranscripts. Letters follow on next pages)" ***March 1946 e.v.*** Ex Castro nemoris inferioris An Ixx Sun in 0 Aries Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. This is to authorize Frater Hymenaeus Alpha (Capt. Grady L. McMurtry) to take charge of the whole work of the Order in California to reform the Organization in pursuance of his report of Jan 25, '46 e.v. subject to the approval of Fr.'. Saturn (Karl J. Germer). This authorization is to be used only in emergency. Love is the law, love under will. {Masonic Builder's Mark} Baphomet O.H.O. <> ***April 1946 e.v.*** Ex Castro Nemoris Inferioris An Ixx Sun in 20 Degree Aries (The Ridge Hastings England) Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. These presents are to appoint -- Frater Hymenaeus Alpha -- Grady Louis McMurtry IXth Degree O.T.O. -- as Our representative in the United States of America, and his authority is to be considered as Ours, subject to the approval, revision, or veto of Our Viceroy Karl Johannes Germer IXth Degree O.T.O. of 260 West 72nd St., New York City, N.Y. Love is the law, love under will. Witness Our Hand and Seal. {Impression of the rign seal} {Masonic Mark} Baphomet Xth Degree O.H.O. <> (This is the ring on Crowley's hand in the photograph on page 15. It now graces the hand of the Caliph, Hymenaeus Alpha, Grady Louis McMurtry) {19} THE FIRST CALIPHATE LETTER {Facsimile of one page letter, as transcribed above.} {20} THE SECOND CALIPHATE LETTER {Facsimile of one page letter, as transcribed above.} {21} ONE OF MANY LATER CALIPHATE LETTERS FROM CROWLEY TO HYMENAEUS ALPHA. This letter gives clear evidence of Crowley's view of Grady as a probable successor after Frater Saturnus, Karl Germer. Germer died in 1962 e.v. Crowley died six and a fraction months after this letter. {Facsimile two page letter on this and the next page. Only the signature is hand written, the bulk of the letter being typed. The first page has the mark of the beast at top: A downward pointed circumscribed heptagram with "666" marked over the lower point and a phallic emblem consisting of a sun disk with central dash and two crescent moons below, horns touching sun disk.} "Netherwood", The Ridge, Hastings. 17th June, 1947. Dear Grady, Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. It seems a long while since I heard from you. This is a great mistake: I will tell you why in strict confidence. In the event of my death, Frater Saturnus is of course my successor, but after his death the terrible burden of responsibility might very easily fall upon your shoulders; for this reason I should like you to keep closely in touch with me. I am sending you a bound copy of "Olla" to remind you of me. By the way, "Magick without Tears" is almost finished, but there are two letters missing; these will either have to be found or re-written. There appears to be quite a good chance of getting the book issued through a regular Publisher. This means, of course, that the discount will be very much heavier, but this is all to your advantage, because it means the selling of many more extra copies, and your share is 25% of the gross receipts, not of the nett. /over {22} -2- I am very busy this afternoon so I must break off here. Love is the law, love under will. Yours fraternally, {signed} Aleister It will be noticed, of course, that this letter is typed, rather than handwritten. Crowley often relied upon secretarial help with his correspondence. This was especially the case in the last year of life, owing no doubt to the difficulty of handwriting -- note the slightly shaky "A" in the signature. There have been others who claim authority from Crowley in this matter -- for the sake of peace, let them also publish their credentials. Any authority given by Karl Germer after December 2, 1948 e.v. is subject to dispute. Br. Germer directly violated a provision of Crowley's Will regarding election of O.H.O. This matter will be continued in a later Newsletter. Nonetheless, let those who claim authority from Germer also publish evidence. {23} {Illustrations on this page: At top the vignette panel from the Stele, at left and right bottom, full front and back of the stele. The title text is between these latter half-tones.} THE STELE OF REVEALING A commentary and interlinear translation by an Associate Member of O.T.O. {24} "The editor wishes to offer public apology to the author on the outset. Numerous changes have been made in content and some changes in meaning in this commentary. Only the difficulties of distance and time have prevented a proper discussion of these changes. The author's style of writing is excellent, but many of the points originally included have been altered to include traditional Thelemic interpretations. Some points of fact have been deleted, owing to lack of time for proper confirmation. The translation is intact, except that actual photographs of the hieroglyphs from the Stele itself have replaced the author's skillful drawings of the same hieroglyphs. Further, a departure from the usual manner of printing such translations has been introduced: The hieroglyphs here are correctly oriented above each word of English translation. Normally such printings of Egyptian text are reversed to read entirely left to right. This departure has been introduced to permit easier identification of the hieroglyphs on the reproductions of the Stele." A Short Commentary on the Stele of Revealing It is common knowledge to all Thelemites and students of the works of Aleister Crowley that the Stele of Revealing was one of the principle instruments through which Crowley received his revelation for THE BOOK OF THE LAW. Aiwass, whose number is 93, was the spiritual mediator for this work. We are told in Verse 10 of Chapter III of THE BOOK OF THE LAW to, "Get the stele of revealing itself; set it in thy secret temple -- and that temple is already aright disposed -- & it shall be your Kiblah for ever. ...", it seemed rather important to me to get a more exact rendering of the original hieroglyphic text. With this in mind I have attempted this translation and transliteration of the Stele. The Stele is probably from the period of Egypt's XVII Dynasty, circa 1660 B.C., although it may date from the earlier Middle Kingdom of circa 2100 B.C. Such funeral stele or tablets are a fairly common feature in the tombs of the wealthy or the priest class from the Middle Kingdom on up to the Arab conquest in 642 A.D. "Editor's note: These dates are supplied by the author. They have not been checked or exposed to discussion. (Caliph: XXIV Dynasty in 'Eq. of the Gods,' p. 73)" The Stele deals with several gods and goddesses, but in the main it is an address to RA-HERU-KHUTI from the deceased priest Ankh-n-hefen-khonsu, a former incarnation of Crowley's, or so he believed. RA-HERU-KHUTI is a Solar god, one of the forms of HORUS who is the son of ISIS and OSIRIS, in his aspect as the warrior who defeats SET or TYPHON, thus avenging the murder of his father. By identifying with this form of the Sun an attempt is made to assume the glorious victory of the forces of light over the forces of darkness. It is an allegory of the struggle within each of us as to whether enlightenment will triumph over ignorance "(Much more is involved here than allegory. There is an initiated meaning -- Ed.)" Through active striving for perfection of the Work, of a Tantric attitude, the Adept becomes an epoptes -- one who sees clearly -- the Gates of Universal life open before him and the Veil of ISIS is lifted. Ankh-n-hefen-Khonsu is a priest of MENTHU, a Solar god who was called "Lord of Thebes", and was eventually incorporated into AMEN-RA, the god who displaced all others officially as chief in the early 1500's B.C. -- "in exoteric matters." On the Vignette we see the arched goddess NUT (Nuit) who personifies the Great Mother, the firmament or the vault of the heavens from which all things come forth. -- "Note that further interpretations are given in LIBER AL" -- Below her is the winged disk of the Sun; on both sides of the disk are the two cobras that are symbolic of the goddesses Nekhebet and Uatchit, the entire figure is known to Egyptologists as the behutet, and is a form of RA-HERU-KHUTI ("Thelemic interpretation differs somewhat. The phallic aspect is emphasized and the identity is to HADIT"). In this aspect he had flown up {25} to heaven after he had been victorious over recalcitrant Nubians. He was ever after called "Great God, Lord of Heaven." This is the meaning of the first group of hieroglyphs, and corresponds to line "A" of the translation. In its broader sense, the winged disk is a very ancient symbol, probably antedating Egypt. It is found in practically all ancient civilizations, notably in China, India, the Americas, and Mesopotamia. It is almost always associated with the male principle of fertility, Yang-Solar-Phallic. The next line of writing are the words spoken between RA-HERU-KHUTI and the priest after the latter had been found justified or triumphant. To be found Maakeru or justified, one's heart was weighed on the scales of justice before all the gods and goddesses. The feather of truth was placed in one pan, the deceased's heart in the other. They were to balance exactly, one against the other. It is interesting to note that in Egyptian philosophy the heart is the seat of consciousness and of being, a concept that is quite similar to the one expressed in the Old Testament (see Genesis VI, v. 5 as an example.). RA-HERU-KUTI is seen wearing the red disk of the sun and the serpent symbolizing light and wisdom. In his left hand he is holding the W(HB:A)s<> (WAS) scepter, denoting wealth and protection. Behind the god is the falcon figure which represents "Horus of the West". Before him is an offering table which may hold stylized bread, feathers, or something unknown to us. Most Egyptologists seem to think it is loaves of bread. The hieroglyphs below the table mean "Majesty, likeness of the Bull & give offerings" Because these are abbreviated word forms they may have alternative meanings. "-- Initiated interpretation does not entirely agree with standard interpretations of Egyptologists in all these particulars. Also, one alternative for the meanings of the hieroglyphs under the offering table would be a magical list of offerings of Bulls, etc. -- ED" The lines of translation then run in order as they do on the Stele, but individual groups of hieroglyphs are reversed left to right with respect to other groups of hieroglyphs, to accommodate the English. The Priest is requesting to be among the company of the gods, and he specifically mentions TEM (or TUM), the setting Sun, KHEPERI (KHEPHRA), the rising Sun ("In Thelemic tradition, the Sun at Midnight. Often taken to be the Sun just before rising."), both being forms of RA, HATHOR (AHATHOOR), the sky goddess in whom the Sun travels, MUT the vulture goddess, a personification of the World Mother called Lady of Thebes, and THOTH (TAHUTI) the divine intelligence. There is also some allegiance to the Moon because Ankh-n-hefen-Khonsu says in line 12 that he is "in the brilliance of the Moon god," and, indeed, his name, means "life that is of the Moon." The priest of AMEN-MENTHU is asking to reside with the gods and goddesses; or, as he says rather poetically in lines 14 and 15 "... may there be given to me who is in light eternal entrance into tomorrow's place." The spirit of the Stele seems to emphasize light and love. A Helpful Bibliography; Aleister Crowley, The Book of the Law. Magick in Theory and Practice. Confessions. Wallis Budge, The Egyptian Book of the Dead. The Gods of the Egyptians (2 vols.) William C. Hayes, The Scepter of Egypt (2 vols.) Sir Alan H. Gardiner, Egyptian Grammar. Richard Cavendish, Encyclopedia of the Unexplained. Robert B. Clarke, Mysterious Powers. Lionel Casson, Ancient Egypt. John Gray, Near East Mythology. Gustav Davidson, A Dictionary of Angels. several Authors, The Holy Bible. {26} The TRANSLATION of the STELE<> Behutet Neter-wed Nebt A/ Dweller in Bahutet Great God Lord of the Heavens Rai hp Hru Dhyty hp em hr Netru B/ In Unity I am with Horus Thoth in lasting Sight of Heaven & Gods Asar Neter hm Mutu Nbt W(HB:A)st un C/ Osiris Priest of Menthu Lord of Thebes being open (to me) Nut em ip t swt Nut (goddess of heaven) of "The Most Select of Place" (Karnak), Ankj n hf nkn sw h Ankh-en-hefer-khonsu Revered Deceased. Detn Asar ntr-hm Mnth Nbt W(HB:A)st wn 1/ Says Osiris Priest of Menthu Lord of Thebes being open Nut em ipt - swt Ankj n hfn kn sw Nut of "The Most Select of Places" (Karnak) Ankh-n-hefen-khonseu maaxeru ia k(HB:A)(HB:A) dw(HB:A) w-f uru 2/ revered person, justified (in) joy height adoration thou great B(HB:A)w b(HB:A) wed AA nr-f Spirits mighty and worthy of terror n-neteru hr gr t pr-f wru w(HB:A)t e-b(HB:A) e-b(HB:A) 3/ of the Gods in the place of great roadways of souls of souls {27} nt iw ap-r-md(HB:A)t kw (HB:A)hw He is provided with great brilliance im Ap-r-md(HB:A)t irn w(HB:A)t er-bu(pr)-emti-entiket 4/ As provided with great Beauty the roadways to the place in which Tem Khpri Het-Heru im Asar hm-neter Mentu Not W(HB:A)st Tem, Kheperi, Hathor As Osiris priest of Menthu Lord of Thebes Ankh f-n ksew (maaxeru) Ab Ma b(HB:A) s(HB:A) Mut 5/ Ankh-f-n-khonseu triumphant, heart like soul following Mut, Inmntsp Nb - pr Dhwty revered person Amen Lord's House Thoth Det Asar hn-Ntr Mutu Nbt W(HB:A)st Ankh N hf 6/ Saith Osiris priest of Menthu Lord of Thebes Ankh-n-hefe NKN SW Maaxeru ABA N Mut SEP SN 7/ n-khonseu, revered, triumphant, my heart of my mother twice, He ty WN Maaxeru my heart eternally triumphant hr-tp me wh Apr ER-A em b(HB:A)h em hrw ER-A 8/ I chief of Kusae go forth myself in the presence of myself {28} (in Upper Egypt) Em d(HB:A) d(HB:A) t em rb ER-A Em bAh 9/ in the council of myself in the presence hm-Ntr Nbt Imnt as priest of lord of the West is sm(HB:A) pt imy uru 10. Indeed, united in the heavens & am in great m(HB:A)ct m(HB:A)h hr-tp truth eternal as chief Det Asar imy w(HB:A)s Ankh-nhf nhn sw 11/ Saith Osiris who is in protection, Ankh-N-hefen-khonseu maaxeru m(HB:A)ot revered person, triumphant am I in Truth rp ps rr em i r h 12/ in the brilliance of the Moon god PR Asar Ankh n hf going forth Osiris Ankh - n - hef N KN SW EM EM rs(HB:A)t r(HB:A)t ntw 13/ en khonseu among many men and women Lord one ii rr t w of the double gate {29} hry-mr r w Ets in y ws 14/ overseer, may me there be given to, who is in light wn N r eternal entrance to dw (HB:A) w tpr is Asar Ankh n hf knsw 15/ tomorrow's place, Indeed, Osiris Ankh n hefen khonsu PR EM going forth as KER Arit mRR j Nbt 16/ (on earth?) where he was in love I Lady hr-tp Mut Ankh w chief of mothers of life this. *****END OF TRANSLATION***** by Lawrence Daniel Caldwell {mark of "\" crossed by five rt. lines} {30} On the Translation some notes by the Editor. Brother Dan has remarked in his letters about this translation being "amateurish". I don't agree with that accessment. This translation appears to be a good effort at a very difficult subject. To be sure, there are gaps and probably some errors; but the most learned Egyptologists are not certain about every aspect of this work. It will be noticed that many of the hieroglyphs are not accompanied by phonetic renderings (just above the English, and below the Hieroglyphs). This is due to a general lack of knowledge about the actual Egyptian language. Also note that Egyptian is a Semitic tongue; like Hebrew, the vowels are rarely represented. This has given rise to wide variation in modern pronunciation of Egyptian words. For example, TUM is also rendered TEM -- no one really knows what vowel is proper. Scholars have a way of avoiding problems. This has given rise to many undesirable gaps in our knowledge of the past. Most scholars use clearly known Greek names in place of the Egyptian names for the Egyptian deities. Thus, we say Hathor (Greek) instead of Het-Heru (one possible Egyptian form of the same name). All these and many other problems make the accurate translation of Egyptian writings impossible. A close approach can often be made, and it is the opinion of this Editor that Brother Dan has come very close indeed. Some further observations: Close study of this translation with reference to the small cuts of the entire Stele is advised. Only in that manner will the reader be able to properly associate the meanings with the hieroglyphs. Once such association is made, these hieroglyphs can easily be used in ritual work. Consider the hieroglyphs for "Brilliance" at the end of line #3. This is also SHU, the name of the sky god. Reflect also that this is close to IHV, the name of power in Qabalah. The "S" sound and the "I" sound are sufficiently alike in rapid and soft pronunciation to permit a close sound-alike. This may be worth investigation. Consider the hieroglyphs at the end of line #9. The longer hieroglyph is a stylized form of the hawk and segment that appears behind the seated Horus on the Stele. Although the meaning is "West", this is the East side of the illustration -- by traditional placement of the body of Nuit. Thus, we have a problem in confusion directions. This particular problem can be easily resolved. The word translated as "West" is phonetically rendered here as "Imnt". A more widely known rendering of the same sounds is "Ameti" or "Amenti" -- The sacred land of the West in which the gods dwell. In that land there are also directions, North, South, East and West. The placement of the more elaborate form of this hieroglyph behind the "Lord of Amenti" need not be confused with directions of orientation on the Stele. Note further that this particular deity can be roughly identified with nearly any "Lord of the next world" -- thus Horus in this form relates also to Mait-Grand-Bois-D'Ilet, to Legba and perhaps also to Ghede of the Voodoo traditions. Close inspection of the actual hieroglyphs will reveal fine distinctions that have often escaped Egyptologists. The small differences between the two forms used for "of souls" at the end of line #2 should illustrate this. Anyone who wishes to contact the Brother who made this translation may do so through the Grand Lodge. Please send such a letter to "Dan Caldwell" in care of O.T.O.<> at the address given on the cover of the current Newsletter. {31} Doing Liber Al by Bill Heidrick In the past three issues of the O.T.O. NEWSLETTER, several aspects of LIBER AL, THE BOOK OF THE LAW, have been taken up. One thing that seems to have been left out, however is DOING LIBER AL... that is, practices that relate to the book but do not involve mental study as the primary activity. This brief article will mention a few ideas that may be of interest. Memorization and diary: Consider writing one verse of Liber AL per page of your diary, or per entry. The verse could be memorized through mental repetition throughout the day. Thoth working: Copy the entire text out by hand. This is a very good practice to perform before one's meditation. Bibliomancy: When in need of divination, simply open Liber AL at random and take an omen from whatever verse strikes your eye. Crowley cast aspersions on bibliomancy in general, but he often advised the use of Liber AL in this manner. The operative principle behind this method rests on the esteem in which the book is held. Agreements between Thelemites: When engaging in business, parting, meeting or otherwise holding gentle commerce between Thelemites, an appropriate act would be the reading or recitation of the first chapter of Liber Al together. This practice is similar to the manner of Moslems with the first chapter of the Koran. In times of confusion and loneliness: Try reading or reciting the second chapter of Liber AL. This practice is also advised as a preliminary to study or the making of a difficult decision. In times of physical and Magical danger: The third chapter is a proper device. Read it or recite it together before entering military combat, going to a dangerous place, or in times of fear. A letter or other document that is loaded with bad vibes may be neutralized through placement in the third chapter of Liber AL -- kindly do not over-stuff the book with old bills. Mantra: This is a particular favorite of the Caliph. Some of the passages in Liber AL lend themselves very well to mantric chant. This is particularly true of the poetic variations on The Stele of the Revealing that are present in Liber AL. Many of these lines are a bit far removed from literal translation of the lines of the Stele, but poetry transcends precision in the strictly literal manner. Suggested sections for mantra include: I: 14, II: 17. III: 37 and 38. The last mentioned is of particular value in circle chants with many people: "Show thy star-splendour, O Nuit! Bid me within thine House to dwell, O winged snake of light, Hadit! Abide with me, Ra-Hoor-Khuit!" {32} Artistry: Draw, model or paint the images of the deities in Liber AL. Make the devices described. Illustrate the images. Astral Travel: Journey to the temples and places mentioned. Invocation of the deities: This is particularly important for Order work. Such invocation can be active on many levels. It can be a simple practice to lessen the problems of the day, or it can become a key to the inner workings of Thelema. If you are oppressed with anger or frustration, your Hadit nature is too contracted. It is correct to invoke Nuit. If you are without aim or focus, your Nuit nature is too diffuse. It is then correct to invoke Hadit. For the two forms of Horus, study the two parts of the third chapter to obtain a subtle understanding. Consider the two basic forms of souls. Crowley said that a man's soul is concentrated in a core, while a woman's soul is empty -- its essence is on the outside. This classification is not strictly one of physical gender; more it is a way of speaking about a primary mystery. The same mystery is voiced when it is said that: "The aspirants to A.'.A.'. are men. The brothers of A.'.A.'. are women." This mystery cannot be explained fully outside of initiation; but it is closely related to the invocation of the deities of Liber AL, and to the differences between a "male" or Outer Order like O.T.O. and a "female" or Inner Order like A.'.A.'. As an aid to these things, try this. Meditate on all that surrounds you as a single thing apart from you. Continue this mental focus until all about you is like a vast and crowded shell of alien matter. This is the concentration in the outer of Hadit. Turn your concentration inward to the essential point of self. This is the concentration in the inner of Hadit. Then let the point quest toward the shell outside. Let a great yearning grow toward the ending of the separation. Now, let your mind extend itself to objects near you. Feel the calendar on the wall, the wall itself, the earth outside, the sky -- all as parts of your essential self. When this identification becomes so complete that you are able to see through solid objects with Astral vision, you have come to Nuit in the outer. To discover the inner of Nuit, you must learn to sacrifice a part of the grip you hold to your physical body. Literal Practices: At times, especially in the third chapter of Liber AL, practices are suggested that are only valid in a crude manner in the most extreme of circumstances. Be cautious in listening to the voice of the Ape of Thoth. Many of the things that can be literally done according to Liber AL are not so limited by circumstance. Physical love between two people of any physical gender is a thing of beauty. Let circumstance and good sense determine these workings. With regard to strange drugs -- reckon by the whole of the Law. Other ways of doing: These are many. Establishment of feasts, design of ritual, passing out copies of Liber AL ... the list is endless. {33} NOTES ON LIBER 777 --- ON USEFUL HERBS "There is much room for enlargement of the tables in 777. The following article by an Initiate Sister examines additional items for column XLIII, Vegetable Drugs, with additional material proper to notes. Further articles along this particular line will be published, but separately from the "Notes on Liber 777" column." SOME NOTES ON USEFUL HERBS If you are using botanicals for any number of reasons, it is best to know a few basic rules about their care and selection. This applies whether you are using these to find altered states of mind, cure illness, as food, spice or tea -- also as indirect influences such as incense or as talismans. As far as I know, all plants, fresh or dried, have life spans. Dried herbs are good for one or two years if dried properly and kept in closed containers in a cool, dark place. This is a hard thing to control if you are buying them from a commercial source instead of picking your own. Dried herbs' worst enemy and energy robber is the sun, followed closely by light, temperatures over 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Centigrade) and air. If you are storing herbs, it's best to follow the rules of a paranoid marijuana user. Keep them hidden from light and in a tight box. Use them up fast. My suggestion is to keep your dried herbs that you have purchased from a commercial source no more than six months. It is best to buy little amounts and use them up quickly, no matter what kind of great "deal" you get buying bulk. A herb that has little life is useless for anything. If the herb store is difficult to get to, plan ahead. Two trips a year can keep you well supplied without your herb collection becoming useless. In September get your winter herbs in for colds as well as "spells." Then in the spring buy a few blood cleansers along with needed summer supplies. Throw out the dead or very weak remains of herbs you have, just before your next trip to the herb store. In the spring and summer many of the things I will talk about will be green and fresh and growing nearby. It's best to pick these over dried herbs, since they will be stronger. I will go more into this in a later article. When you are buying herbs, here are some tests to run on your product. If you are buying from a bulk dealer, ask to smell the plant you are buying. It should have a good strong odor, characteristic of that plant. It should not have a musty under smell or seem faint, which tells you that the plant is useless or soon will be. It should have a good color, this maybe harder to define unless you know your herb really well. For some plants, such as peppermint, tasting might help, for others it's not recommended. If you have a choice between bulk buying and sealed-clear plastic bags, take the bulk. If the container is a sealed bag or box where no light can enter, you can be pretty sure these will be ok. If you can find a traditional Herbalist in your city, their products are usually better than the local health food store. The best herb {34} store keeps their products in tightly closed opaque containers and not all herb stores do this. Buy only what you need, take it home and store it in a tight container and keep it in a dark cool place. Use it up in the next six months to a year. Throw it out when it gets old. Of course, if you are doing this to impress your friends and clients, a wall covered with pretty glass bottles full of strange things makes a great stage prop. Keep your working supplies somewhere else under cover away from the sun. Try to learn what grows around you and what herbs you can grow yourself. In later articles, I will give you instructions for drying and keeping them. You would be surprised what and how many of these plants are common roadside weeds. In gathering herbs there are other controls that are impossible to find out about when buying herbs in a store. All plants and parts of plants have times when they are strongest in the qualities you are looking for. Some become even stronger in these properties if they are growing in special places or regions. Most of this information has been lost or forgotten. There is a fine example of research done along this line in the many books out on growing primo marijuana. Yerba Santa is an example of regional difference. It will cure your bronchitis, cough and taste awful no matter where it grows; but if your source is from the hot, dry deserts of the Southwest or Mexico it will get you high if you boil it as a tea for five minutes. The Pomo Indians of California claim that Douglas Iris is a medicine instead of a poison if picked on the right side of the mountain. So far, I haven't found the right side of the mountain. If you know the scientific botanical name of a plant it may save you some money. Angelica archangelica under the Chinese name Dan Quan costs $5 an ounce. In a herbstore it's about a $1 under the name Angelica. If you know a lot about plants and won't mistake it for hemlock, it grows wild in California and on the East Coast. You can also buy it from a Nursery and grow it in your garden. Herbs sold in Candle and Voodoo shops tend to go by many names. Therefore, if you can identify the plant you can avoid duplication. Beth Ront, Trillium and Low John are all the same root. Iris also goes by two or three names. Another mistake is being taken in by advertising without proper research -- e.g. Ginseng as a cure-all. This can get you into trouble, especially if you are female this time around. Ginseng is a very Yang root and does wonders for male problems; but it only intensifies the problem if used to cure female complaints. In Chinese medicine, Angelica is the cure-all for Women. Now, I want to talk about three common weeds that you find in the Spring. They will feed you, make you feel better and one will get you mildly high. One word of caution, don't pick them near a busy highway -- they tend to collect lead from car exhaust fumes! DANDELION (Tarafacum offinale) Key # 4, Jupiter As a food, the parts used are young leaves, young flower buds, the flowers, crown and roots. This plant is high in protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin, niacin and vitamins A, C and B. The leaves are cooked as greens or used in salads. They should be used before the plant blooms. Very young roots are boiled 20 minutes and eaten. Beware of the water since it now contains a sedative that can make you dopey. The crowns are also cooked and the older roots roasted and used in place of Coffee. -- and then there is Dandelion Wine. 2 gallons dandelion flowerheads. 2 gallons boiling water 2 pounds honey 1 tablespoon yeast softened in 1/4 cup warm water 2 sliced lemons 1 sliced orange 6 whole cloves. {35} Pour boiling water over flowers in a large warm crock. Let stand for a week and then strain, squeezing out all the juice in the flowerheads before discarding them. Add honey, lemon, orange and the cloves. Stir in well and add yeast. Let stand covered for about two weeks. Strain again and bottle, leaving the bottles uncorked for five days. Then cap or cork and leave it alone for at least two months. {Illustration on this page: An old botanical woodcut of a Dandelion plant} Medically, Dandelion is used for kidney and liver disorders. Indians used it to neutralize the effects of carolena anema and hangovers. Its main action seems to be to remove poisons from the system. It is also used for stomach ulcers and skin diseases. Here is a plant that definitely changes its strength during the seasons. Most herbalists follow the rule that you dig roots of annuals or this plant in the fall. That is the Dandelion root you will find in the store. But my Indian friend dug his in the spring in the dampest place he could find one. He would pick a plant that had only one flower, that had bloomed but hadn't gone to seed. He would then drink the tea, eat the plant and wait for a mild opium high. If you do this at the start of a strong spring cold, it will put you to sleep 12 to 14 hours and you will wake up with the cold on its last legs. It only works in the spring when the Dandelion plants are young. When summer comes and dandelion dies back, you can replace it with Chicory Root; but Chicory will not get you high -- only help with kidney and liver disorders. In Voodoo, the root is carried as a talisman to make your wishes come true, and the tea induces clairvoyance. YELLOW DOCK (Rumex crespus) Key #15 Aries {Illustration on this page: An old botanical woodcut "Sharpe pointed Docke".} Another common roadside weed is yellow dock. You notice them best in the fall by their reddish brown seed heads. The leaves are about the first plant up in the spring. As a food, these young leaves are one of the finest tasting vegetables I know. Except when very young, you need to boil them 45 minutes and then drain and put them in a second water for another 5 minute boil. Drain again and add salt, butter and lemon juice and enjoy. Don't pick leaves after the flower stalk begins to form. They are too bitter then -- even two waters won't make them good. These leaves are quite high in protein and Vitamin A as well as iron. The seeds can be ground into flower, but it's a lot of trouble and the Indians used the seeds in their smoking mixtures. As a medicine, the root is used. It's a blood builder and purifier. It is considered by some to be a good spring tonic. This herb is used for skin disorders. I find a crushed leaf rubbed on the part of the skin that has just touched stinging nettle helps stop the sting. {36} In Voodoo, this herb is used as a tea or wash to bring good fortune to your house or place of business. The tea is either sprinkled in the corners or used to wash the floor. PLAINTAIN (Plantago species) Key # 31bis Earth The last herb I want to talk about is Plaintain. I used this plant mainly as a bandaid. Its leaf can be laid around a cut or bite on a finger. For that matter the leaf is strong enough so that you can tie a couple together for a bigger bandage. It is also used for blood poisoning, kidney and bladder troubles. A tea can be made from either leaf or root. Crushed leaves are reported to extract poisons from bites and stings if the bites and stings are fresh. Seeds crushed and mixed with water make a wonderful salve for bites and stings. Crushed leaves are also used to rub on areas contacted by poison oak immediately after exposure, to keep the skin from breaking out. The tea is also used for coughs, respiratory problems and problems of the lower intestinal track. Some books on wild plants report the leaves, if found young enough, can be eaten. So far I haven't found one young enough to be without its tough fibers. Seeds can be parched and ground into a meal, but again it's a hell of a lot of work. {Illustration on this page: An old botanical woodcut "Hoaric Plantaine".} That's it for now. I would like feed-back on what you would like to know about plants. I will try to give you some summer plants in the next issue and how to dry and store them. by Soror Racheal {37} BOOKS REVIEWED THE SECOND RING OF POWER BY CARLOS CASTANEDA The Second Ring of Power: "by Carlos Sastaneda" "Simon and Schuster, $9.95 hardback." {Illustration: The front cover dust jacket} "The Second Ring of Power" is the latest in a series of books by Carlos Castenada about his association with Mexican Indian Sorcerers and Shamen. Castenada's first volumes dealt mainly with a Yaqui shaman named Don Juan who made Casteneda an apprentice and introduced him to alternative forms of awareness through drugs, meditations and mental gymnastics. In this volume, it is Don Juan's apprentices who engulf Castenada in further revelations of the "Sorcerer's World." Through active involvement with other apprentices, the teachings of Don Juan become interwoven in Castenada's personal dream. Second Ring of Power is yet another presentation of relevant points in common to Don Juan's teachings and the way of Thelema. "The search for and control of power" becomes the search for the Holy Guardian Angel. The "awareness of enemies of a searcher for power" is like Thelemic dealings with the Adversary. The "difference between people and elementals" relates to "Every man and every woman is a star." -- to give a few examples. When Castenada confronts the apprentices, he finds himself in a serious dilemma. Before Don Juan departed into the "other world," he assigned tasks to each of his apprentices. These tasks, as well as tasks appointed for the apprentices of Don Genaro, center on Castenada. The women are to elevate their power by stealing Castenada's. If they fail, their direction will be tied into Castenada's. The men are to prevent the women from accomplishing their task. If the women fail, Castenada will become the "Nagual." It is intimated in the book that Don Juan left a little of himself with each apprentice, and only mutual effort can raise their power. Another point raise in the book relates to children. According to this view, children leave holes in their parents' psychic bodies; and the parents must learn to patch these holes to become effective sorcerers. The particular differences between power sources for men and women is another important theme in "The Second Ring of Power." I concur with regard to the difference discussed about the source of power, but I am affronted by the idea of having to hate your children to achieve power. I agree that a psychic hole may be left by both conceiving and bearing, but I fell a person could mend his/her holes by means other than hatred of and battle with one's own children. Though in many places, Don Juan's teachings and my metaphysical education agree, I feel that he is somewhat off-base here. It might be that a parent in Don Juan's culture would have to overcome a greater problem than one in the U.S.A. Family devotion is stronger in less industrialized social groups than in urbanized and technological societies. In such an intimate society, the only answer to the search for power might be complete severance of familial ties. {38} I found it interesting that Don Juan has his women apprentices achieve power through the wind. A few years back I wrote a poem about the wind as a source of power, before I had ever heard of Magick, Crowley, Castenada or anyone. I was into Bahai and, a bit later, Tibetan Buddhism. A kind of synchronicity appears to be here somewhere. Don Juan's teachings are metaphysical and at the same time tangible. As a protagonist, Castenada comes off as an indulgent idiot, who, though he experiences all these adventures and teachings of Don Juan, is a hard nut to crack. Am I saying Castenada is an idiot, or, is he portraying himself as an idiot to make Don Juan more real? Castenada writes as an anthropological and sociological student doing research on Indian psychedelics. What is interesting here, is that as the hippy drug scene formed, Castenada's books were drug-filled. As the turn toward Eastern metaphysics occurred, his books became more mystical. Now that the genesis of a new age flowers, the old Aeon dies and Don Juan disappears, leaving work for his apprentices. Whether or not the personages that are characterized in Castenada's writings are real, he does tune into a channel that approximates the current psychic energy at the time. The factualness of Castenada's experiences can be taken with a grain of salt -- the truths lying beneath should be savored for their validity. If you like Castenada, "Second Ring of Power" focuses the earlier books and is the final piece of the puzzle of exactly what Don Juan was up to, anyway. by Soror Shirine "(a second review of" Second Ring of Power")" I found two major shortcomings in "Second Ring of Power." Looking first at it as a literary work, it is poorly written. The dialogue is wooden (he said, she said, he said, etc.), which made it very hard to wade through; and the translation of the character's statements is a best inconsistent. There are over a dozen spots where very glaring modern idioms are sort of haphazardly tossed into the speech of these isolated mountain Indians. Having written three other books dealing with the same or similar characters and set, Castenada does not seem to have achieved even a basic level of consistency in writing about them, whether you take the book to be a factual account or a fictional creation. The book's other major problems lie in it's purported use as a manual of magical instruction. In fact, the only usable portion for me was the information relating to the wind directions and their power allocations -- any other possible data were generally so obscured by the "literary" problems mentioned earlier as to be not easily recoverable, if at all. The other point made by Castenada is that dealing with parents and their children and holes in the "psychic body," (referred to in Shirine's review). As a parent (and once upon a time, a child) and a seeker on the initiate path, I too have grave disagreements with the solution as outlined in the book. Children do indeed have the potential for creating energy drains & other forms of "holes" in their parents' psychic bodies & in their own. My main disagreement with Castenada & Don Juan is over the violent and vehement manner of severing the connections in order to "patch up" the holes. While there is a need to separate oneself from one's parents/children/mates/lovers/friends so as to maintain on's own personal energy & power, it does not need to be so negative and drastic. There are various exercises and rituals for building up one's own psychic body. There are also ways of arranging one's family and intimate relationships so as to avoid the necessity of violent rejection scenes with children; a good technique is to raise them to be as independent of you as possible -- That is, to be a complete self-sufficient entity. It is possible to do this while maintaining warmth and communication with them. The only rationale for Don Juan's apprentices' way of severing these ties might well be as Sister Shirine has suggested -- that this might be the only way to handle it {39} in a less industrialized & technical society -- and if such is indeed the case, I wonder of what use this (or any other of Don Juan's techniques) can be to us in such a totally different society. by Soror Linda ROBERT ANTON WILSON'S COSMIC TRIGGER COSMIC TRIGGER "FINAL SECRET OF THE ILLUMINATI." by Robert Anton Wilson, And/Or Press, $4.95. {Illustration: The front cover.} Having been a follower of the writings of Robert Anton Wilson for the past five years, I was delighted to see "Cosmic Trigger" published at last!] Up until two and a half years ago, Mr. Wilson was a brilliant, yet undeservedly obscure writer on subjects relating to the occult and evolving psychic potentials in the human species. He first came to my attention in 1972 e.v. through a number of articles written for Gnostica News. The one thing that impressed me then (and still does) is the originality in his approach to the subject, as opposed to the usual scissors and paste technique of so many authors. In the fall of 1975 e.v. the "Illuminatus Trilogy" was published. While I enjoyed this work very much, I felt that it was not a true representation of what Mr. Wilson was capable of producing. I realized that I would have to wait a bit longer for a truly serious book. In Oct. of 1976 e.v. (at the time he was writing "Cosmic Trigger") I was fortunate enough to have taken a class in Exo-Psychology from Mr. Wilson. At that time I got a preview of the information he was correlating for "Cosmic Trigger", yet I had to wait another year before he was able to get the damned thing published. Probably the most important aspect of "Cosmic Trigger" is Mr. Wilson's attempt to connect a wide variety of seemingly unconnected phenomena into a pattern, into a web of cognitive intelligence. Rather than attempting to impose a structured view of reality on the reader, Mr. Wilson presents many models of viewing the universe, allowing the reader to create a unique point of view. Pancakes from outer-space, Aleister Crowley, immortality, Timothy Leary, Quantum Mechanics, multiple universes, evolving DNA consciousness, the Iluminati, LSD, the Dog Star, etc.,etc., begin to form into a unique mosaic of the possible realities beyond the veil of the logical mind. The book escapes the trap of merely relaying a bunch of unexplainable phenomena, such as was done by Charles Fort. It also succeeds in transcending the limitations inherent in a guru-chela type of relationship. The reader is given the impression of being a fellow traveler with Mr. Wilson rather than being the recipient of a lecture from some god almighty authority. {40} The book is also a very personal biography of the author. It is a personal account of his unfolding consciousness. Mr. Wilson goes beyond portraying second hand experiences, and explains many personal experiences with "THEM" in a most objective and non-dogmatic style. I consider this book to be very important in the work of propagating the Law of Thelema. This is one of the few books out to explain the importance of the work of Aleister Crowley beyond the usual "occult" category. "Cosmic Trigger" is going to be read by a lot of people who normally would not be attracted to the occult, and will thus be an excellent introduction to Crowley to many people who normally wouldn't approach the "Great Beast" with an eleven foot pole. The book does much in dispelling the malignant shadow of the "demon Crowley" which has been fostered on the general public for so long. The book is also of special interest to those of us working with the O.T.O. through the auspices of Hymenaeus Alpha. Cosmic Trigger contains many interesting tales about the Caliph, even though Grady's name was inadvertently spelled "McMurty" throughout the book "(correct spelling: "McMurtry". Also, note that "Stephen McAuley" is not "Stephen McCaully's" correct name either. Such errors are easy to make<>. I blew the spelling of the Caliph's name on the caption of the photo on page 17 of this Newsletter! Not only that, but Hymenaeus is incorrectly spelled on the Copyright notice for Issue #1 ... A note from your chagrined Editor.)". Oh well, Mr. Wilgus never claimed omniscience. In the interest of historical accuracy, it should be noted that the story on page 161 of "Cosmic Trigger" concerning the Abramelin and Enochian entities got a bit jumbled. Aleister told Grady that it was the Enochian Angles who "bite" and the Abramelin Spirits who "come for you," rather than the other way around as recorded by Mr. Wilson. Nevertheless the essence of the transmission came through. On the inside of the back cover, it is claimed that Mr. Wilson is a member of O.T.O. To prevent any misunderstanding it should be noted that Mr. Wilson was not initiated through the auspices of the Grand Lodge in Berkeley ("Possibly Franco-Haitian?") A good friend of mine recently asked Mr. Wilson who he was initiated by. He replied that he was initiated by a person in Virginia who broke with Mr. Grant. He also stated that he was given the IXth degree by this person in return for elevating this person to the exalted position of "Grant Master of the Bavarian Illuminati." Knowing Mr. Wilson's sense of humor, I tend to classify this story in the same file as the mysterious pancakes from Outer-Space. I'm sure it would be interesting to the readers of this Newsletter if Mr. Wilson should verify, or retract this story in time for the next Newsletter. "Cosmic Trigger" is a very complex and interesting book. In a short review it is difficult to accurately convey it's many brilliant facets. All I can say in conclusion is pick it up and decide for yourself. It's going to be with us for a number of years. by Frater Iakasa 93 P.S. If after reading "Cosmic Trigger" you have yet to discover the "final secret" of the Illuminati, read Mr. Wilson's introduction to "Zen Without Zen Masters" by Camden Banares. {41} ADVANCE BOOK NOTICES: BOOKS SOON TO BE PUBLISHED. The Magician of the Golden Dawn: The Story of Aleister Crowley by Susan Roberts {Illustration: The front cover dust jacket} "No copy yet received for review. MS unchecked. Official publication date: June 6, 1978 e.v. Author has worked with Dr. Regardie and received some additional information from Hymenaeus Alpha. Author appears to be able to produce a more balanced account than has hither-to-fore been published. Will probably include later events in Crowley's vita. Author has indicated interest in writing an account of experiences for the O.T.O. NEWSLETTER. Review will appear after receipt of copy." Magical and Ritual Use of Herbs by Richard Alan Miller (RAM) {Illustration: O.T.O. Lamen.} "$4.95 paperback. No copy received. MS reviewed. Actual publication date in mid April, 1978 e.v. Approved by O.T.O. under the Caliphate, on basis of MS. This work contains an exhaustive study of a well chosen group of 'legal highs'. Scientific information is well presented, along with preparation and ritual methods. The book is well researched and easy to use -- to judge by the manuscript. Should provide a model for all future works of its kind. Br. RAM has wide experience in this field. USERS CAUTION: Observe the dictum: 'Begin with 1/4 the minimum dose' and check for possible allergies. Have a happy high!" IMPORTANT NOTICE: O.T.O. Kaaba Clerkhouse IMPORTANT NOTICE: The O.T.O. is pleased to announce that it is now able to supply (almost) all of Aleister Crowley's works as well as the publications of most of today's major occult publishing firms (i.e. Weiser, Llewelyn, Askin, Helios, 93 etc.) We are also able to supply many diverse occult supplies which may (or may not) be of interest to Thelemic and other magicians. A complete list of both books and supplies readily available will be provided for $2.00 -- AFTER APRIL 15. Instructions for ordering are included with the booklist. Books and supplies which are not on our book list (rare items) may be available at an additional $2.00 search fee (Xerox and microfilm + tapes will be available). All inquiries, suggestions and requests should be directed to: O.T.O. KAABA CLERKHOUSE P.O. BOX 2303, BERKELEY, CA 94702.<> We cannot guarantee delivery within 6 weeks. All profits will go directly towards running the Order. Order publications will be available, including back issues of the Newsletter. Service will improve with the course of the current year. Member discounts as announced. "This enterprise is independent of the normal running of the Order. Thus your Editor -- Secretary -- Handyman breaths a great sigh of relief. Correspondence should greatly improve as a result. Please observe the address and allow for organization to develop. This service has long been needed." {42} NEWS Initiations: Even though initiations were expected to decline during the Winter, Minerval Initiation has continued without major interruption. January, LA Area -------------- 7 Minervals January, Berkeley ------------- 5 Minervals Feb. No initiation, candidates posted to March March, Berkeley --------------- 5 Minervals March, San Anselmo ------------ 1 Minerval *The next Bay Area Initiations: Ist Degree -------------------- April 8 Minerval & Thelemic Marriage -- April 15 *See Issue #3 of the Newsletter (Vol. I) for planned Initiations elsewhere. *Bay Area Initiations to Minerval Degree will continue monthly. *Bay Area Initiations to Ist Degree will be given monthly, bi-monthly or tri-monthly according to application. Dues and Initiation Fee Schedule: "(Revised from the Blue Equinox at aprox. 1/2 inflation rate)"<> 0 Degree MINERVAL ............ $15 initiation & $15 yearly dues I Degree ..................... $15 initiation & $15 yearly dues II Degree .................... $15 initiation and $30 yearly dues III Degree ................... $15 initiation & $45 yearly dues IV Degree .................... $30 initiation & $60 yearly dues Other degrees accordingly. Intermediate levels (P.'.M.'., Prince of Jerusalem, Knight of the East and West, etc.) to be determined. Application Method: Application to the Minerval Degree and Advanced Degrees is by request only. No solicitation by the Grand Lodge should be expected. Individual members are expected to signal their desire by direct application to the Grand Lodge. Advancement is subject to the following: Time in former Rank (usually one year. 1/2 year very rare for Minerval, more common for very active higher Rank. 1 1/2 years in cases of occult distress.). Good Report, as determined by special committee. Fulfillment of payment of fees or alternate accepted at time of initiation -- note that 6 months in arrears of fees constitutes a breach of "Good Report". Other breaches of "Good Report" include violations of oaths, fraud in the name of the Order, Expulsion offenses (see "Blue Equinox"), incessant bad-mouthing of Brothers and Sisters after repeated warnings, etc. Breach of civil or criminal law may or may not be taken as "Bad Report". -- in this case, the nature of the breach and of the law will be taken into consideration, as will "social repayment" (restitution, being busted, etc. all act to reduce the state of possible "Bad Report."). To those who charge that all Outer Order Initiations should be free of charge, there is a simple answer: "Nonsense! Initiations and Operation Cost $" {43} A New Newsletter from Allan Bennett Chapter Ordo Templi Orientis proudly announces the first of the new generation of Order Newsletters: K A A B A -- a quarterly Newsletter issued by Allan Bennett Chapter. The first edition is ready now. It consists of 32 pages of articles, announcements and poetry. Original works by living and past Thelemites are presented in a clear and accessible manner. Addresses of East Coast Chapters and East Coast News of the Order are to be found in this issue. A special study of the procedure of Chapter formation and Initiation organization makes this issue a must for active members of O.T.O. Single issues $1.00. One year subscription $4.00 (4 issues). Send directly to KAABA, O.T.O., P.O. Box 6018, Teall Ave. Station, Syracuse, New York 13217. U.S.A.<> NATAL ASTROLOGICAL CHARTS are also available from the Allan Bennett Chapter. Send information on time, date and place of birth to the above address, together with $5.00 donation (proceeds to go to the "Great Wild Beast Retirement Beer Fund for O Noble Whats-his-face." "A worthy cause for a worthy Thelemite."). Contact Addresses of Chapters and Proto-Chapters:<> Thelema Grand Lodge of the Order: P.O. Box 2303, Berkeley, CA 94702 U.S.A. Heru-ra-ha Proto Lodge (fast approaching full Lodge Status) in Costa Mesa, Address via Thelema Lodge. Allan Bennett Chapter (functioning on a Lodge level in most respects) Address above on this page. Mobius Chapter (regular Gnostic Mass & classes), Box 357, Bowling Green, New York, NY 10004 U.S.A. Frater Saturnus Chapter, 18 - 0443 Rawlings Hall, University of Florida, Gainsville, Florida 32612 U.S.A.<> Frater Achad Chapter, 178 Cosey Beach Ave., East Haven, Conn. 06512 U.S.A. Representative in Rode Island: Christopher Gait, P.I,. Box 214, Bristol, R.I. 02804 U.S.A. Representatives are soon to be announced in Pennsylvania and several other States. European and South American Representatives are pending. A Representative of the Order is to be found in Australia -- address via Grand Lodge for now. See Issue #3 for more details, and KAABA Newsletter. For additional addresses of Thelemic and other groups not under the Caliphate, see later items in this issue. See Issue #3 of this Newsletter for information on other forms of O.T.O. and A.'.A.'.. Notice of Caution! A number of letters of complaint and distress have been received concerning attempts to purchase LIBER 777 at a $50.00 rate. The Order has investigated and discovered the nature of the matter. Krishna Press, a division of Gordon Press, P.O. Box 459, Bowling Green Station, New York, NY 10004 U.S.A. appears to be the center of this problem. Avoid advance payment for these people. Their merchandise is overpriced and often delayed. Such is our conclusion, based on cases checked. This company specializes in reprinting {44} rare items at small issue costs -- often five to ten times normal rates. The cause of the delays (6 months or more in some instances) is not known, but these delays have been reported. In general, Thelemites should beware of inflated costs for collector editions of Crowley's works. One English firm has offered a copy of an O.P. "Magick in Theory and Practice" for a rate about four times normal. Buying at such rates hurts all Thelemites. In general, an uninscribed first edition in this field should go at from $50.00 to $150.00, depending on rarity. Single numbers of the 1st edition Equinox have sold for as low as $12.00 in 1970 e.v. Because of inflationary buying, the current price per number commonly exceeds $100.00. Inscribed copies of Crowley's works should range from $200.00 to $600.00, depending on the presence or absence of notes in the margins. The latter price is realistic, but fortunately not yet common. The Grand Lodge in Berkeley as obtained a Printing Press and Plate making equipment. We will be issuing inexpensive editions of Crowley's works, with "777" being issued in a facsimile of the 1st edition toward the end of this year. Our prices will be as low as is practical -- generally less than $3.00. Collectors of rare editions may be able to afford the premium editions, but we feel that Thelemites should be able to receive the necessary books and off-prints at prices made possible only by donated labor, an in-house press and support from the dues paid to O.T.O. This Newsletter has been printed on our Chief 15 press at one third the lowest commercial rate. We were considering keeping or press a thing unknown, so that we could say that we had a "Secret Chief" in the back room, but that's definitely an Old Aeon Pun. Limited use of the Press will be granted to Thelemic and sympathetic organizations -- subject to labor availability. Suggestions for short items to be printed by the Order are very welcome. Our publications will be sold through KAABA CLERKHOUSE (not to be confused with KAABA NEWSLETTER) as noted on page 42 of this Newsletter. Copies of LIBER AL are still available. Problems with Grand Lodge Correspondence. The present load of mail has hit 30 letters per week. Whenever a special project is undertaken, the system for answering letters breaks down. New procedures are being instituted for opening up rapid correspondence again, including a separate order department. Unfortunately, many of the requests for detailed instruction will have to go unanswered for months at a time, unless some changes are made beyond the present. This was foreseen, but the time of the problem has arrived. Most of the correspondence instruction of the Order will now begin to shift toward formal Correspondence Courses (see first announcement below). It is to be hoped that these courses will furnish much of the information requested by our Associates and Initiates in specific subjects. We will continue to respond to direct questions, but much of this will have to be delayed at the times of issue of the Newsletter. When a number of requests for information are found to deal with the same subject, an article on that subject will be published in the Newsletter. Other means of instruction are being worked out -- Chapters of the Order will soon be able to receive taped lectures with slides for local use. A separate Chapter Newsletter is under preparation (sent to all representatives). Off prints and short topical essays will be made available to fill special needs. In some cases, form letters maybe necessary; but that will be avoided at any reasonable cost. The Order is building capacity to publish tapes of instruction on ritual. These should appear by the end of the year. A major research department is being assembled. When adequate volunteer help becomes {45} available, it will be possible to end photocopies, slides, and microfilm of nearly any open document, letter, book, or manuscript available to the Grand Lodge to anyone who requests such an item. In this manner, it will be possible to get, for example, John Dee's Enochian Manuscripts, the manuscripts consulted by Mathers for his Greater and Lesser Keys of Solomon, Crowley's letters to and from many individuals and many other items at 1/2 to 2/3 the usual Library copy rates. Only volunteer labor can make this possible. At the present time, we can only sup[ply these materials to Chapters and special consultants. Correspondence Courses. #1. Qabalah and the Tree of Life. Projected to begin this Summer.<> Information on this course will be published in the next Newsletter. At that time, the first portion of the course will be printed and ready for mailing. A fee will be charged to defray expenses. The course is intended for Associate and Initiate Members, but it has been decided that this course should also be made available at a substantially higher rate to non-members. Projected cost: Members $1.00 per lesson. Nonmembers $5.00 per lesson. It is hoped that enough people will be silly enough to want to pay the higher fee (Associate Membership only costs $10 per year, and that permits the lower rate) so that a substantial number of sets of lessons can be sent out to hard-up Thelemites at less than $1.00 each. This fee scale will probably be standard for all course, and it is normal for correspondence schools. The course will consist of between 40 and 60 lessons (unless the instructor runs off at the typewriter). Each lesson will have a cover illustration or diagram relating to the particular subject. Each lesson will contain from 8 to 14 pages of 4 1/4" by 5 1/2" size. The treatment will be in depth. The back of each lesson will provide topics for more advance study, special projects, meditations, general course related information and Bibliographies. Some color diagrams are projected. Topics for the Course, in order: Introduction to the Tree of Life. Emanation treatments. Body meditation and sensory correspondences. Activities that reflect the 32 parts of the Tree. Imagery and fable on the Tree. Legends of the Tree. Astral travel on the paths and Sephiroth. Rational study of the Tree. Self-initiation on the Tree. Ordering of the states of Consciousness. Emotional study of the Tree. The Qlipoth and how to overcome them. The Tree of Life as a growing and changing thing. Other versions of the Tree. Centering. Projecting and Multiplying the Tree. Dynamic use of the Tree. Guiding and other practical applications. The Magick of the Tree. Meditation techniques with the Tree. Intro. to the two basic types of Qabalah: Bereshit and Merkabah. Luria Qabalah and its descendants. The Modern Qabalists. -- These topics are already assembled on tapes of lectures. Other material will be added. Other Courses: Planned: Robe making. Herbs. Tarot (several series). Astrology (several series). Hebrew for Magicians and Qabalists (being written now). I Ching (being written). Astral and Psychic Body (taped in part). Magick (special subjects & a series for M in T & P). Other Subjects are proposed, and under initial review. These will be inspired to some extent by letters of request for instruction and by classes given. {46} Incorporation. The Order is nearly ready for application. The chief delay at this point revolves around the differences between incorporation as a Religion and as a Fraternity. Ideally, O.T.O. would incorporate as a Fraternity; and the religious aspect of the Order, the Gnostic Catholic Church, would incorporate separately at a later time. Unfortunately, the Gnostic Catholic Church has been incorporated in several countries (the name, not the actual institution). It would be impossible to separate the two essential functions of the Order in those countries. Final research is now being completed on the differences of privilege and obligation for a Religion and a Fraternity in the U.S.A. A decision will be reached in two months. At that time the necessary adjustments will be made in the existing draft papers of Constitution and Bylaws. These papers will be filed before the Solstice.<> Some will be a bit confused about all this talk of a new Constitution. After all, there is an outline Constitution in the BLUE EQUINOX. The need for new work is actually quite simple. The Constitution in the EQUINOX contains provisions that make it illegal in most countries. The BLUE EQUINOX Constitution will always be the guide on the Inner, no matter where the Order manifests. In the Outer, accommodation will always have to be made with the changing laws of the land. Provisions held to be improper in a particular place will have to be replaced by the form and manner allowed by the civil authority in each country. When any change permits a return to the provisions of the Inner Constitution, those provisions will be returned to the Outer Constitutions in the legal language of the time and place. Gnostic Mass. The Grand Lodge has considerably improved its performance of the Mass. Cakes of Light with the necessary blood of sacrifice<> are provided at each celebration. By watching attendance closely, we have managed to avoid most of the limitations imposed by "Barbarous Countries".<> Our ritual setting has improved considerably, with the addition of several pieces of Temple Furniture. The Gnostic Mass is also celebrated in New York City and at other Chapters, as circumstances permit. The Grand Lodge is about to print a booklet of the rubrics of the Mass, for use by celebrants and others. A project for a special instructional booklet on the procedures and gestures is in the works. Organizations and Publications -- a follow-up and correction: In previous issues, errors have been made with regard to two organizations. Statements have been obtained from the leaders of these organizations. These follow: {47} Church of the Hermetic Sciences, Inc. P.O. Box 3341 Pasadena, CA 91103 U.S.A. & Publication: Ordo Templi Astartes The Seventh Ray "The Church of the Hermetic Sciences, Inc. and its Fraternal Order, the Ordo Templi Astartes (O.T.A.) are more NeoPlatonic than Gnostic in philosophy. Liber AL vel Legis may be as valid as any scripture but we do not accept any scripture as 'gospel'. We operate a Collegium ad Spiritum Sanctum of the O.T.O. {sic} in our Philosophus Grade as a research and study program. In its own context, it is Thelemic; but we do not initiate or operate ceremonially under a Thelemic aegis. We have great respect for the works of Aleister Crowley but we consider him a Master of the Art in much the same way the Sufis consider Jesus a Great Prophet -- without calling themselves Christians." ------ signed: Carroll R. Runyon, Jr. Pres., CHS, Inc. Fra. Aleyin, G.M., OTA *************************************** Rite Ancien et Primitif de Memphis-Misraim Michael Bertiaux Franco-Haitian Ordo Templi Orientis P.O.Box 1554 Chicago, Illinois The Applied Lattices Research Institute 60690 U.S.A. The following are extracts from a letter dated 12 March, 1978 "I don't want to say that we are anti-thelemic, non-thelemic, unthelemic, as we do not think that way at all. If we were to be observed, we would be seen as appearing to be thelemic. We do not take official stands on this..." "We invite correspondence with anyone who is interested in our work and will refer to your group any who are interested in the OTO traditions represented by yourselves. "Our main work is in the Ecclesia Gnostica Spiritualis, which is our Gnostic and Catholic Church and which might be very different from your own, as we do not have female clergy." "Our lodge in the U.S.A. to which all the members belong is called "FAMILLE GHUEDHE." We work very close to esoteric voodoo of the Guede-family type. This is the magical side of voodoo entirely not the religious, although both have mystical higher-mysteries." In previous correspondence with the Order, Brother Michael has provided a very respectable list of direct initiatory antecedents, leading to the French masters of the Order in the last Century. {48} An Important Thelemic Magazine "In the Continuum" "In the Continuum" is a Thelemic magazine which features writings by Aleister Crowley that are very difficult to find in print. There are also basic instructional articles aimed at the beginner in Thelemic occult studies who might be bewildered by the profundity of Crowley's thought. Basic Astrology is sometimes included as well as other articles of instruction on related subjects which assist the student to find his own True Will through self-knowledge. There is a regular section on Qabalistic analysis of various numbers and poetry by Crowley and others. The Summer Solstice issues of "In the Continuum" have been mainly written by students; to date there are three of these, 5A, 7A, and 9A. Interesting poems and articles having to do with Magick, Mysticism, Astrology, Yoga, the Occult in general, scientific experimentation along these lines, or Thelemic methods of viewing these subjects and disciplines are welcome. The editor reserves the right to be selective. "In the Continuum" appears three times yearly at the Spring and Fall Equinoxes when the regular articles appear, and at the Summer Solstice for student writings. It is suggested that the magazine be ordered from Vol. I, Nos. 1-10 in succession since much of the instructions are serialized as well as some of the writings of Aleister Crowley. Subscription is $12.00 yearly or $4.00 per copy, payment with order. IN THE CONTINUUM, P.O. Box 2043, Dublin, California 94566 U.S.A.<> ******************************** New issues of SOTHiS, MEZLA, & THE NEWAEON NEWSLETTER have appeared since the last issue of THE O.T.O,. NEWSLETTER. The addresses for these publications will be found in our issue #3 MEZLA -- the organ of the Grant Organization. Grant's views differ greatly from our own; but, for the sake of balance, we suggest an examination of this issue. SOTHiS -- a new issue with a number of interesting articles and items. THE NEWAEON NEWSLETTER -- good material on Frater Achad this issue. ******************************** "In the next issue of the O.T.O. NEWSLETTER, the focus will be on Gematria and similar methods of textual analysis. More poetry will be included, history, informative articles and news. The issue will probably not be quite as large as this one, but will contain more than thirty pages." "We would like the comments of our readers, and we invite other Thelemie groups to submit brief accounts of their organizations for publication. As always, submissions of material for publication are welcome." ******************************** Thelemic Dates: After three months of doubt as to the beginning of the Thelemic year, a ruling has been made. Henceforth, official dating of the new year will begin with the Equinox of the Gods. This applies to official letters and documents of the Order from this present notice. {49} The Unicorn I saw the god Harpocrates Stride forth into the glow Of cloud bank suns, whole galaxies Their stars like drifting snow I saw the wide eternities Of dust stars sift and flow. O Lady Ishtar lift the bowl And drain the Life that is our Blood O Wine, Illusion of the Soul, Be Nectar of the living flood! (5-18-61) O hollow god Harpocrates Writ large upon the rift Of space-time continuities Thy bloodless Saints adrift Between the walled realities Have felt the space tide's lift! O Lady Ishtar lift the bowl And drain the Life that is our Blood O Wine, Illusion of the Soul, Be Nectar of the living flood! (6-11-61) from The Angel and the Abyss. by Grady L. McMurtry Love is the law, love under will. -- LIBER AL: I, 57 {50}