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[Opinion] Thelema.. Is it worth studying?

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Firetree

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I think that it is overly complex and because so it limits the magus who reaches its conclusion. It is hard for someone who has been unraveling the psychotic ramblings of Aleister Crowley for a decade to look at magic through another lense once they have outgrown his system.

With that being said it is robust and everything you need is in the box. Its just self limiting. I feel the same about golden dawn.

As AI agrees with me in that ; '' term "Thelemite" does not have a single, universal, and strictly dogmatic definition, as the philosophy of Thelema emphasizes individualism and personal interpretation. ''

You must have some specific form of , or definition of , what type of Thelemic practice you are referring to ? IE the 'system ' ... which particular Thelemic 'system' ? ( In regard to the OP's '' ... with this particular system . '' )

A Thelemite is basically someone who accepts the idea and worth of pursuit of the ''True Will'' and accepts the revelation of the Book of the Law ( with no authority on how they should interpret it ) .

I dont think any curriculum like that for the O.T.O. or the A.A is specified ? Nor having to go through Magick in Theory and Practice Bk IV and the required 'reading lists' and ' Libers ' and doing all those rituals . If that were the case I would agree with you .

Considering what is being asked , I feel it could be as complex or simple as one wants .
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Ohhh .... I meant to mention ,,,, ' stellar magick ' eh ? Interesting ... our group did a 'Stella Yoga ' practice for several months .

- can you link me to some posts on it ? ( I did a search but not much came up )
 

Accipeveldare

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As AI agrees with me in that ; '' term "Thelemite" does not have a single, universal, and strictly dogmatic definition, as the philosophy of Thelema emphasizes individualism and personal interpretation. ''

You must have some specific form of , or definition of , what type of Thelemic practice you are referring to ? IE the 'system ' ... which particular Thelemic 'system' ? ( In regard to the OP's '' ... with this particular system . '' )

A Thelemite is basically someone who accepts the idea and worth of pursuit of the ''True Will'' and accepts the revelation of the Book of the Law ( with no authority on how they should interpret it ) .

I dont think any curriculum like that for the O.T.O. or the A.A is specified ? Nor having to go through Magick in Theory and Practice Bk IV and the required 'reading lists' and ' Libers ' and doing all those rituals . If that were the case I would agree with you .

Considering what is being asked , I feel it could be as complex or simple as one wants .
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Ohhh .... I meant to mention ,,,, ' stellar magick ' eh ? Interesting ... our group did a 'Stella Yoga ' practice for several months .

- can you link me to some posts on it ? ( I did a search but not much came up )
So far, Thelema is sounding very promising to me. I have a few of the central texts. I shall study them thoroughly. Perhaps i will report back soon :)
 

Van Horne

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Is it worth studying? Yes, of course it is! Why?

First: You are the only one who can decide if it's worth for you!
Secondly: If you don't try it out you will never know if it is!
Thirdly: If it's not at least you assured yourself now! That's also a lesson learned.
Fourthly: The journey is the reward! Maybe you learn something along the way, finding new insights even not related to Thelema.

Ok, enough wiseguying from me. I recently started to go deeper into Thelema myself, after a long time of thinking it was not for me. Reason for that was basically not understanding it. So I'm not expert on it, but here is what I can say from my own experiences I made until now.
Most appealing to me, Thelema is not dogmatic. Within you can find your own personal way, it's just offering the framework. You can go full on ceremonial magick the traditional way, with all the goofy Golden Dawn-esque greatness or take the more philosophical way, meditating about the nature of one's true will.

As I said, I'm still a newby myself, so I would like to share a great podcast I really enjoyed. Dr. David Shoemaker is one of the prominent figures of today's Thelemic community within the US, here he talks about Thelema in general, common misunderstandings, challenges and dangers of practicing magick and about the different organizations within the Thelemic system.

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sahgwa

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I think that it is overly complex and because so it limits the magus who reaches its conclusion. It is hard for someone who has been unraveling the psychotic ramblings of Aleister Crowley for a decade to look at magic through another lense once they have outgrown his system.

With that being said it is robust and everything you need is in the box. Its just self limiting. I feel the same about golden dawn.
I think that is a great post with some good insight, obviously I disagree on some things but the most important thing you said is that especially the curriculum of the A.:.A:. is great, if you do the Work, everything you need is definitely 'in the box'

Now as for being 'psychotic ramblings' I think that is extremely disingenuous- the man was very erudite and experienced in spiritual practises and thought. His works merely take multiple readings to unravel.

I also don't think that Thelema is very complicated, it's more of a cosmic view than a system in and of itself. it's the Ordo A.:.A.:. that provides the system.
In other words, the best thing about Thelema to me, is you don't even need to be 'a Thelemite' to use the system and still gain from it.
Also you can be both a Thelemite and something else, a Hindu, a Buddhist, a Daoist, a Muslim etc. Thelema can be your religion or it can be a philosophical and spiritual framework. It's very flexible.
I enjoy the syncretism.
Thanks for your post!
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Is it worth studying? Yes, of course it is! Why?

First: You are the only one who can decide if it's worth for you!
Secondly: If you don't try it out you will never know if it is!
Thirdly: If it's not at least you assured yourself now! That's also a lesson learned.
Fourthly: The journey is the reward! Maybe you learn something along the way, finding new insights even not related to Thelema.

Ok, enough wiseguying from me. I recently started to go deeper into Thelema myself, after a long time of thinking it was not for me. Reason for that was basically not understanding it. So I'm not expert on it, but here is what I can say from my own experiences I made until now.
Most appealing to me, Thelema is not dogmatic. Within you can find your own personal way, it's just offering the framework. You can go full on ceremonial magick the traditional way, with all the goofy Golden Dawn-esque greatness or take the more philosophical way, meditating about the nature of one's true will.

As I said, I'm still a newby myself, so I would like to share a great podcast I really enjoyed. Dr. David Shoemaker is one of the prominent figures of today's Thelemic community within the US, here he talks about Thelema in general, common misunderstandings, challenges and dangers of practicing magick and about the different organizations within the Thelemic system.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
David is a great person, and I highly recommend his books Living Thelema, and The Way of the Will.
 

Vlitmer

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Yes , in study and practice .

One thing about it is , it is a fairly loose definition and basically depends on individual interpretation . It can be on many different levels as well . Ie. what constitutes a 'Thelemic system ' ? Again , there is no 'authority' to dictate that .

There is the basic Thelemic 'cosmology ' / 'magical view of the universe ' one might choose to ascibe to .

There is the Book of the Law that is wonderfully infamous for all sorts of reasons . . . and people 'winging it' resulting in all sorts of different results .

There are formal pathways related to expressions of Thelema ; Liturgical as in the E.G.C. Mass . There are (perhaps equivalent to Monks - those that undertake 'Holy Orders' ) 'Orders' and people in these in the initiatory bodies like the O.T.O.

There are some books and rituals that might relate to Thelema . There are some that I would specifically relate to it , eg 'Liber NV ' , but this is serious and experienced practice , better to start with (if you have the preliminary experience and understanding of what you are doing ) Liber Resh . Before that all the 'preliminary stuff'

I would say for the best results ; the O.T.O initiation system of graded levels of development , with accompanying ritual practices .


Some things about it that I am totally into is the Prime axioms ; 'True Will ' ( which is not original to Crowley , by the way , its a crucial part of all systems that the west seems to have lost ! Its in ancient Zoroastrianism as Khvarenah - basically, the whole reason you are here and what you are : 'Love is the Law ' : Every Man and every Woman is a Star ! : Ch 1 in the Book of the Law ( me being a 'Goddess type of guy ' ) .

Here is a sample teaching document (its actually lifted from G.D. but its still used )

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- cool stuff , IMO .
just out of curiosity what is your takeaway from the book of the law? specifically with the coded sections.
 

sahgwa

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Also bear in mind, OTO is social, it is for those type of people who like to work with others and who could be considered a 'group' type of person.
I am not really oriented in that fashion, like Masonry for example. It comes from the old German group, which Crowley 'usurped' or took over from Heinrich Tränker. There is also an interesting link to the Frat. Saturni there, but Eugen Grosche/ Fr. Gregorious is a whole other can of worms. Some good stuff some bad stuff. ha relativism.

So there is also the A.:.A.:. which is for individual study and practise, and you don't know the other members until you are more advanced on the Tree, only the ID of your Superior and if you have a Student, no one else. This is to focus on your Self, and the Work.
It is all solo work, and you ask questions of your Superior.
 
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Why is this in the left hand path section? Thelema is a religion wherein one seeks to uncover god's will. I hear the objections already, but really what is the true will but a reconfiguration of god's will for you? lol

The true will is a phantasm and presupposes one is 'locked in' at a divine level to one particular course of action (if one uncovers it). The concept of this came about because Crowley was religiously indoctrinated, and he read things like Hegel.

When Crowley says 'do what thou wilt', he is talking about doing what one must- one's true will. He even (I believe in Magick without Tears) outright says free will is identical with necessity.

But much more importantly than this-

Rather than a 'left hand' concept of constructing immortality and liberation for one's self, Thelemic techniques focus on achieving mystical states of mind that ultimately are chasing one's own tail.

Crowley was himself a bundle of unresolved issues, and when he met Gurdjieff (seeking help with his smack addiction0, he turned tail and slunk away.
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There is also an interesting link to the Frat. Saturni there, but Eugen Grosche/ Fr. Gregorious is a whole other can of worms. Some good stuff some bad stuff. ha relativism.
Bizarrely, Grosche accepted the Book of the Law, meanwhile the FS was superior as far as magic.
 

sahgwa

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Why is this in the left hand path section? Thelema is a religion wherein one seeks to uncover god's will. I hear the objections already, but really what is the true will but a reconfiguration of god's will for you? lol

The true will is a phantasm and presupposes one is 'locked in' at a divine level to one particular course of action (if one uncovers it). The concept of this came about because Crowley was religiously indoctrinated, and he read things like Hegel.

When Crowley says 'do what thou wilt', he is talking about doing what one must- one's true will. He even (I believe in Magick without Tears) outright says free will is identical with necessity.

But much more importantly than this-

Rather than a 'left hand' concept of constructing immortality and liberation for one's self, Thelemic techniques focus on achieving mystical states of mind that ultimately are chasing one's own tail.

Crowley was himself a bundle of unresolved issues, and when he met Gurdjieff (seeking help with his smack addiction0, he turned tail and slunk away.
I read Beelzebub and the Beast, a good examination of both individuals teachings and lives, and I believe the meeting between the two rather went more like Gurdjieff almost refusing to see him and then kicking him out, something of that nature.

I personally fail to see how finding one's purpose in this particular incarnation (True Will) , ie what should this particular meat bag do, in order to fit into a cosmic Whole, is a 'phantasm' and 'chasing ones tail'? If you would care to elaborate it would be beneficial perhaps :)

You shouldn't get confused between little will and big Will. one is doing what one wants and one is finding one's soul's purpose in this particular time and space. Not necessarily outside of the body or after one dies. (Hence the HGA meeting) .


After studying and practising many of the FS teachings in the original German, I heartily disagree that FS is superior.
It is locked into the lower astral, and Yesod, and rarely rises above personal wants and desires.
 
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I personally fail to see how finding one's purpose in this particular incarnation (True Will) , ie what should this particular meat bag do, in order to fit into a cosmic Whole, is a 'phantasm' and 'chasing ones tail'? If you would care to elaborate it would be beneficial perhaps :)
I don't believe it is cosmically ordained (however you want to conceive it) for a person to , say, choose playing in a band over becoming an author. I don't believe in purpose at all like this. There are only tendencies, talents and possibilities.

Free will is different. It's actually a sliding scale rather than a static, monolithic concept. One gains more as one develops more. The idea that one is 'uncovering' one's 'real' will is actually anathema to real freedom. There are tendencies and possibilities based on mundane physical and social factors, as well as carry-over from previous fragments from other lives (or more than fragments, if the person has developed enough in the past). But that is not the same as a cosmic true will.


You shouldn't get confused between little will and big Will. one is doing what one wants and one is finding one's soul's purpose in this particular time and space.
I'm not sure what you mean here.
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I read Beelzebub and the Beast, a good examination of both individuals teachings and lives, and I believe the meeting between the two rather went more like Gurdjieff almost refusing to see him and then kicking him out, something of that nature.

I personally fail to see how finding one's purpose in this particular incarnation (True Will) , ie what should this particular meat bag do, in order to fit into a cosmic Whole, is a 'phantasm' and 'chasing ones tail'? If you would care to elaborate it would be beneficial perhaps :)

You shouldn't get confused between little will and big Will. one is doing what one wants and one is finding one's soul's purpose in this particular time and space. Not necessarily outside of the body or after one dies. (Hence the HGA meeting) .


After studying and practising many of the FS teachings in the original German, I heartily disagree that FS is superior.
It is locked into the lower astral, and Yesod, and rarely rises above personal wants and desires.
Runes are more powerful than anything in thelema
 

sahgwa

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I don't believe it is cosmically ordained (however you want to conceive it) for a person to , say, choose playing in a band over becoming an author. I don't believe in purpose at all like this. There are only tendencies, talents and possibilities.

Free will is different. It's actually a sliding scale rather than a static, monolithic concept. One gains more as one develops more. The idea that one is 'uncovering' one's 'real' will is actually anathema to real freedom. There are tendencies and possibilities based on mundane physical and social factors, as well as carry-over from previous fragments from other lives (or more than fragments, if the person has developed enough in the past). But that is not the same as a cosmic true will.



I'm not sure what you mean here.
Thanks for your response!
I don't think that one soul's True Will is cosmically ordained. I think one's True Will is innate and always there. It is a 'flavour' or 'personality' of their current incarnation.
It is using their current body and life in order to help the Earth , but also oneself to raise one's frequency and to become more in line with 'cosmic' harmony or existence. A way to match the primordial AUM?
Now as far as True Will for a soul after this human death, I think that is only a part of an even greater cosmic Will.
We are all like little pieces trying to fit into the larger.
And I think because we live in a Universe with laws like this, as above so below, any kind of egoic fighting against cosmic law, as in 'black magick' or hardcore LHP 'immortality' always ends in failure. All things die and recycle.

I agree that free will is a sliding scale - that is to say, you don't even REALISE the possibilities if you are not attuned to them. Kind of like a drummer able to play a 32nd note in a count, or a boxer able to slip in a jab.

Is this making sense? I dont want to be talking in circles

To sum up , I dont think True Will in Thelema is attempting to be 'THE' Cosmic Will. It is a personal thing for that particular soul.
 
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Thanks for your response!
I don't think that one soul's True Will is cosmically ordained.
Crowley says outright 'free will is predestination'. So it's a matter of semantics really. One is 'fitting into' the cosmic schema. Crowley says one doing their true will faces the inertia of the universe so they are 'unopposed', so obviously it's a cosmic perspective.

Now as far as True Will for a soul after this human death, I think that is only a part of an even greater cosmic Will.
We are all like little pieces trying to fit into the larger.
And I think because we live in a Universe with laws like this, as above so below, any kind of egoic fighting against cosmic law, as in 'black magick' or hardcore LHP 'immortality' always ends in failure. All things die and recycle.
The whole point of real esotericism is to create an immortal subtle body, so I consider things like this just pointless mysticism.
 

sahgwa

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Crowley says outright 'free will is predestination'. So it's a matter of semantics really. One is 'fitting into' the cosmic schema. Crowley says one doing their true will faces the inertia of the universe so they are 'unopposed', so obviously it's a cosmic perspective.


The whole point of real esotericism is to create an immortal subtle body, so I consider things like this just pointless mysticism.
That is what is beautiful about Thelema, it is not guru worship.
You don't have to do what Crowley did or believe what Crowley believed- that's why it's flexible. it's a framework .

I don't think mysticism is pointless. You meditate to be able to focus and control energy. This helps with this goal:
I agree with creating an immortal subtle body, but dont think you have a better chance while working in harmony with the Universe? Thats what I think Thelema is trying to do also.

You lose your human ego, but you never lose your soul.
Its about still being conscious in your soul. You cant really call it ego, but you cant really call it death either.
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I don't believe it is cosmically ordained (however you want to conceive it) for a person to , say, choose playing in a band over becoming an author. I don't believe in purpose at all like this. There are only tendencies, talents and possibilities.

Free will is different. It's actually a sliding scale rather than a static, monolithic concept. One gains more as one develops more. The idea that one is 'uncovering' one's 'real' will is actually anathema to real freedom. There are tendencies and possibilities based on mundane physical and social factors, as well as carry-over from previous fragments from other lives (or more than fragments, if the person has developed enough in the past). But that is not the same as a cosmic true will.



I'm not sure what you mean here.
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Runes are more powerful than anything in thelema
I can use runes in Thelema, its a tool box, not a set in stone Religion really. its merely a system framed by Egyptian imagery but using many different skills.
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In fact, many grades ask you to use a form of divination or magick of your choosing and report results etc. WIth the themes of the different frequency/sephiroth

Likewise you can focus on Bhakta or divine love worship on any deity of your choosing. etc etc

It can be a Religion if you want it to be, but I prefer to use it as a spiritual system of tools and archetypes images and practises, rather than THOU MUST DO THIS its contrary to the Law of Thelema.
 
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Kepler

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in his essay on the Three Schools of Magick he states that Thelema is a yellow school as it uses pieces of everything .
To offer a different interpretation, I read 666's P.S. to the third letter of the Three Schools as implying Thelema is a "new" school and Red. Aligning Thelema to a fourth school. An interpretation that required adjusted attributions for a primordial origin with evolution in an immanent hyperdimensional universe, rather than a transcendent universe with a static realm of ideal form.

Coincidently, or by nature, the Taijitu is one of the symbols to represent a philosophy of their balance in this formula of four.

The outro of the third letter is added as it pertains to OP.
It has been said by some that the Law of Thelema appeals only to the élite of humanity. No doubt here is this much in that assertion, that only the highest can take full advantage of the extraordinary opportunities which it offers. At the same time, “the Law is for all.” Each in his degree, every man may learn to realise the nature of his own being, and to develop it in freedom. It is by this means that the White School of Magick can justify its past, redeem its present, and assure its future, by guaranteeing to every human being a life of Liberty and of Love.

Fraternally,
666
P.S. Our own School unites the ruby red of Blood with the gold of the Sun. It combines the best characteristics of the Yellow and the White schools. In the light of M. Aumont's exposition, it is easy to understand.
 

sahgwa

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To offer a different interpretation, I read 666's P.S. to the third letter of the Three Schools as implying Thelema is a "new" school and Red. Aligning Thelema to a fourth school. An interpretation that required adjusted attributions for a primordial origin with evolution in an immanent hyperdimensional universe, rather than a transcendent universe with a static realm of ideal form.

Coincidently, or by nature, the Taijitu is one of the symbols to represent a philosophy of their balance in this formula of four.

The outro of the third letter is added as it pertains to OP.
I like that too.
There is a lot of meat digging into the Typhonian current, and how it relates to Thelema as well as what AC liked to view as Thelema's ...justification? With ties to Sumeria/Mesopotamia and Chaldea.
You can see a lot of good food for thought in Cultus Sabbati too, all very Draconian.
When I hear red, that's what I think of.
Then I start to get a little confused. :) I am still learning.
 
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That is what is beautiful about Thelema, it is not guru worship.
You don't have to do what Crowley did or believe what Crowley believed- that's why it's flexible. it's a framework .

I don't think mysticism is pointless. You meditate to be able to focus and control energy. This helps with this goal:
Ok I wasn't knocking meditation lol It's absolutely crucial

I agree with creating an immortal subtle body, but dont think you have a better chance while working in harmony with the Universe? Thats what I think Thelema is trying to do also.
I think this 'harmony with universe' is an illusion. Someone uncovers their 'true will' is to become a gymnast, what they are doing is just seeing their inner tendencies, emotions, etc etc collating and making them think the universe gives a shit what they do lol

You lose your human ego, but you never lose your soul.
Its about still being conscious in your soul. You cant really call it ego, but you cant really call it death either.
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When you're in a more developed subtle body, outside of the physical body, you're still you. The ego only disappears if someone is completely wiped out and non-existent, ie second death. Immortality is achieved with both a strong ego and activating parts of the human energy complex that systems (such as thelema) are generally not even touching. That's why so few achieve immortalization

A lot of mysticism is actually fucking around with the physical brain. And a lot is about being overwhelmed by egregores. This is something very , very few understand. There's even a darker element there with beings manipulating humans into more submissive stances.
 

sahgwa

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Ok I wasn't knocking meditation lol It's absolutely crucial


I think this 'harmony with universe' is an illusion. Someone uncovers their 'true will' is to become a gymnast, what they are doing is just seeing their inner tendencies, emotions, etc etc collating and making them think the universe gives a shit what they do lol


When you're in a more developed subtle body, outside of the physical body, you're still you. The ego only disappears if someone is completely wiped out and non-existent, ie second death. Immortality is achieved with both a strong ego and activating parts of the human energy complex that systems (such as thelema) are generally not even touching. That's why so few achieve immortalization

A lot of mysticism is actually fucking around with the physical brain. And a lot is about being overwhelmed by egregores. This is something very , very few understand. There's even a darker element there with beings manipulating humans into more submissive stances.
If we are both honest with ourselves, no one knows what happens after death.
We can astral travel, we can go out of body, we can skry, be clairvoyant, call up entities, spirits, become abducted or meet aliens, but at the end of the day this is all supposition based on our own experiences.

Maybe we could talk about a little ego and a big ego, like we talk about a big will and a little will. I dont like the word cosmic, it implies to me outer space and only ONE POINT OF VIEW. When I think the Universe is made up of many Stars or souls , not with one overarching intelligence, but an overarching life force and energy.

I disagree that we need to keep our little ego, the ego of this human being intact, to have conscious 'life' after death. We merely need to be self realised, and to 'never forget' or 'remember' our training and Be our gnosis during and after we pass. The soul never forgets if we have been doing all these energetic practises and meeting these nonhuman helpers.

Lastly, if you are saying that Thelema does not touch on human energy systems, you dont know Thelema. I think the yoga and meditation as well as the rituals we do, strengthen, hone, and enable one to control the energy around and within us. That's the point.
Chakra meditation, kundalini awakening, out of body travel. The whole shebang is in there.
 
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If

Lastly, if you are saying that Thelema does not touch on human energy systems, you dont know Thelema.
I said it doesn't touch on the parts that are needed to activate/transmute/ascend into the immortal subtle body. Not that it doesn't involve the energy system at all.
 

sahgwa

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I said it doesn't touch on the parts that are needed to activate/transmute/ascend into the immortal subtle body. Not that it doesn't involve the energy system at all.
Can you elaborate on why you believe this is so?
What parts are these, to you?
 

Firetree

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I think that is a great post with some good insight, obviously I disagree on some things but the most important thing you said is that especially the curriculum of the A.:.A:. is great, if you do the Work, everything you need is definitely 'in the box'

Now as for being 'psychotic ramblings' I think that is extremely disingenuous- the man was very erudite and experienced in spiritual practises and thought. His works merely take multiple readings to unravel.

There is also the issue of ' magical shorthand language ' ( I just made that up ) . I mean a language that contains deep level symbology and cross reference . All professions do it to some extent ; the language of math or engineering is a 'short hand way' of explaining long concepts ; think of two astrologers ; one says he has Mars trine Neptune .... the other understands instantly what might take a few minutes talking to a non- astrologer .

Crowley's writing is full of this , as well as contemporary references and 'social jokes' . In some cases ( eg . initiation degrees knowledge lectures ) you need to pass a correspondence test first , to make sure you know your hermetic kabbalah and all those correspondences as the knowledge lecture would seem 'psychotic ravings' otherwise .

A psychotic rave is similar in that the only person that knows the correspondences and links are the person raving and they are all inside their own head .

There is a great 'psychotic rave' from Madam Blavatski about 'Hermanubis ' .... and its one of the best Mercury raves I have heard ... and affirmed my theory about the placement and role of Mercury in the schemata of the personal psyche . If I had not previously understood that placement , and the significance of the words used and what they represented and related to .... yes, it would have seemed a 'psychotic rave' to me .

I also don't think that Thelema is very complicated, it's more of a cosmic view than a system in and of itself. it's the Ordo A.:.A.:. that provides the system.

One of the systems .

In other words, the best thing about Thelema to me, is you don't even need to be 'a Thelemite' to use the system and still gain from it.
Also you can be both a Thelemite and something else, a Hindu, a Buddhist, a Daoist, a Muslim etc. Thelema can be your religion or it can be a philosophical and spiritual framework. It's very flexible.

Agreed .


I enjoy the syncretism.
Thanks for your post!
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David is a great person, and I highly recommend his books Living Thelema, and The Way of the Will.
 
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