Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Modern Thelema

Hello everybody! Wanted to introduce another piece of occult writing that is to be published in our premier issue. This is written by a budding Thelemite that practices the ritual and adheres to the ethos of this magical tradition. Make sure to check out issue 1 for the full article!


“Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Love is the Law, love under Will.” This phrase alone can be used to express the fundamental meaning of what it is to be a Thelemite. Thelema is simply the Koine Greek word that translates into English as “Will”. While the monk, François Rabelais, was known for his satirical writings on the concepts of Thelema, it was British writer and ceremonial magician, Aleister Crowley that put Thelema into workable practice. Inspired during a visit to Egypt in 1904, Crowley's Holy Guardian Angel, (Aiwass) dictated to him the Book of the Law. The book was written in three different segments and on three different days. It is from this sacred Book that “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law” comes from and through this saying, modern Thelema has gained a foothold in our culture’s religious philosophy.
            Quite a few people mistake “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law” with do AS thou wilt. The difference between these two seemingly identical phrases is that one tells you to find your Will and enact it while the other refers to your “lesser will” or desires. This confusion is one of the first principles understood by the budding Thelemite. Finding the True Will becomes the focal point of the Thelemite. It is not uncommon for the Thelemite to search through several different kinds of occult sciences and various philosophies as well as religions in search of their True Will. Once that True Will has been discovered, the Thelemite makes it the point of their life to only perform what is in alignment with that True Will.
There are many rituals that a Thelemite will enact to further their Will and keep the concept in the front of their consciousness. One of these rituals, “saying Will”, is done before a meal. The idea behind this small ritual is to remind the Thelemite than even so small an action as consuming food is designed to further their True Will. In Book Four, Chapter XIII, Aleister Crowley wrote as a footnote : “…The point is to seize every occasion of bringing every available force to bear upon the objective of the assault. It does not matter what the force is (by any standard of judgment) so long as it plays its proper part in securing the success of the general purpose.” 

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