being the Lecture Notes of Frater Achad Osher 583 on Saturday, June 21st, 2008
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. –AL I:40
Many people read Liber AL vel Legis, The Book of the Law, from cover to cover but rarely do they look at the over-all structure which flows from one section to the other, nor research other sources. That is what my lecture on Saturday, June 21st, 2008 at our OPEN HOUSE was all about; this three-fold system and its correlations, focusing primarily on the man of earth. These notes were not meant to, nor do they, spell out everything to the reader as much as they were simply reflective of tidbits of thought that I wanted to discuss in the hopes that my ramblings might inspire those who came to my lecture. Some of my students, however, wanted these notes to be posted and I have agreed. –JEC 6/24/2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
~Lecture Notes~
“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 AL vel Legis I:40
History
In February of 1904 Crowley and his wife Rose arrived in Egypt at Port Said just west of Alexandria, the ancient home of the Gnostic sect known as Basilidians, the Alexandrian Gnostic sect which had originated during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian (76-138AD). … Shortly afterwards they moved into a small flat in Cairo where Rose, in a trance-like state, kept repeating over and over, “They are waiting for you” and finally she named Horus as the God who wanted to communicate. Crowley inevitably evoked Horus where he received a divine message that the Equinox of the Gods was at hand, a New Aeon was emerging and that he would be responsible for giving its Gnosis to mankind. What Crowley achieved in this ritual by telling the Gods to “Come Thou Forth and dwell in me” was to set himself up as a vehicle whereby an invisible entity known as Aiwass, whom Crowley later identified as his own Holy Guardian Angel, literally descended and communicated the Gnosis. In other words, Crowley channeled his daimon or Aiwass and, of course, the rest is history. On April 8th, 9th and 10th, while Crowley was sitting in his hotel room, he ‘heard a voice’ which dictated to him The Book of The Law, one chapter each day at approximately noon.
“This that thou writest is the threefold book of Law.”
Breakdown of Liber AL vel Legis
The first chapter represents the material stage
or the God of Earth who is known as Hadit
The second referring to a female sky goddess Nuit
who instructs us intellectually as to the methods
by which we must live.
Finally a third chapter on the child Ra-Hoor-Khuit
as a personal descended Gnosis in our Temple, or human body,
after it has been prepared properly as a vehicle
between heaven (Nuit) and earth (Hadit).
More history : After years of magickal accomplishments, Aleister Crowley returned to England in 1906. In Liber Cavsae, he states that he “laid his achievements humbly at the feet of a certain adept D.D.S.” .. Frater D.D.S. 7=4 [Adeptus Exemptus ] was George Cecil Jones who was his original sponsor and mentor in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. He told Jones of his accomplishments culminating with him obtaining the knowledge and conversation of his Holy Guardian Angel. Jones agreed and accepted him as his equal; 7=4. Then on July 29th 1906 in Crowley’s diaries we get the first indication that Crowley wanted to start a new Order but both he and Jones agreed; they had no authority to do such from the Secret Chiefs (i.e. above the Abyss). All this changed when Aleister Crowley became a Magister Templi 8=3. He now resided in the Third Order. He had become one of the Secret Chiefs. He took the motto Vi Veri Vniversum Vivus Vici (By the power of Truth, I, in my lifetime, have conquered the Universe); he had the authority to start a new Order.
“Members of the Order are each entitled to found Ordersdependent on themselves on the lines of the R.C. and G.D. orders,to cover types of emancipation and illumination not contemplatedby the original (or main) system. All such Orders must, however,be constituted with the AA as regards to essential principles”
“And he says to me, quite disconnectedly:The man of earth is the adherent. The lover giveth his life unto the work among men. The hermit goeth solitary, and giveth only of his light unto men.”
[Note: Aleister Crowley’s footnote to this verse in his commentaries reads “See Liber AL vel Legis. Cap. I, V.40. These are the three grades of the Great Order.” And the above quote from The Vision & The Voice is also mentioned in Chapter XII of Magick Without Tears which is titled The Left-Hand Path—The Black Brothers.]
The System of the AA [of Grady Louis McMurtry’s branch]
HERMIT
1. Kether 10=1 Ipsissimus
S.S. 2. Chockmah 9=2 Magus
3. Binah 8=3 Magister Templi
The Babe of the Abyss
LOVER
4. Chesed 7=4 Adeptus Exemptus
5. Geburah 6=5 Adeptus Major
R.C. 6. Tiphereth 5=6 Adeptus Minor
7. Netzach 4=7 Philosophus
8. Hod 3=8 Practicus
(Dominus Liminis—the Link)
MAN OF EARTH
9. Yesod 2=9 Zelator
G.D. 10. Malkuth 1=10 Neophyte
0=0 Probationer
Student
Regarding the A.’.A.’. Aleister Crowley writes:
“Our system of initiation is to be triune.
For the outer, tests of labour, pain, etc. For the inner, intellectual tests.
For the elect of the AA, spiritual tests.”
The Equinox I:7, p. 392 (1912)
The next bit of history in order to understand what Crowley channeled in 1904:
The author of The Sacred Magic of Abramelin tells us – “I at length arrived at a little town called Arachi, situated on the bank of the Nile.” This is the exact area of northern Egypt where the ancient Alexandrian Gnostic sect of Basilides had originated during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian (76-138AD); or the group which creasted the magickal formula of ABRAHADABRA. …. Basilidians (Gnostics of Alexandria) refers to their teachings in a three-foldmanner; first the ‘material’ stage of an individual’s personal development, then comes the intellectual stage and finally the third stage they obtain spirituality.
“There is a word to say about the Hierophantic task. Behold!
there are three ordeals in one, and it may be given in three ways.
The gross must pass through fire; let the fine be tried in intellect,
and the lofty chosen ones in the highest.
Thus ye have star & star, system & system;
let not one know well the other!”
Liber AL vel Legis I:50
Note: Many A.’.A.’. branches claim that this verse tells us that each of the three grades must remain hidden from each other but the verse clearly does not state this to be the case. It says that each shall not know ‘well’ the other which implies ‘everything’ about the grade which they do not hold.
“But she said: the ordeals I write not: the rituals
shall be half known and half concealed: the Law is for all. “
Liber AL vel Legis I:34
Now that we understand the ‘basics’ of the three-fold system,
how does it fit on the Tree of Life and reflect the nature of our soul:
Man of Earth-10 & 9Malkus-Nephesch
Lover-8 – 4 Ruach
The Hermit -3 -1 Animus+ /Anima –
EARTH – This stage represents the man of Earth in general, wherein the
Law is for all (I:34). This stage is reflective of the Thoth cards of The Fool
and The World; the Alpha (1) and the Omega (400). … Earth THAN.
WATER – This stage also refers to The Lovers. The Lower Self. Water is
the first half of the equation that is half-known (I:34); or their
‘personality’ which everyone sees. … Water-MEM
FIRE – This stage refers to The Lovers. The Higher Self. Fire is the second
half of the equation that is half concealed (I:34); partly because it comes
from areas of our genius which only we ‘see.’ … Fire-SHIN
AIR – Intimates the grade known as the Hermit. This grade is reflective of
the card also known as The Hermit. Yod-10. Here, the ordeals are not
written (I:34). … Air-ALEPH
Man of Earth
… being an overview of the entire system as reflected within the man of Earth.
Suggested Reading List
1. Student Man of Earth In The Name of the Beast
2. Probationer Lover (Lower Self) The Middle Pillar by Israel Regardie
3. Neophyte Lover (Higher Self) The Sacred Magic of Abramelin
4. Zelator The Hermit The Soul’s Code by James Hillman
[Books: 1.Mundane history of our Order’s founder, 2.Understanding the Lower Self,
3.Preparing for the Higher Self and the HGA and 4. the nature of the Thesis]
FOURFOLD BREAKDOWN OF MALKUTH
… being an overview of the entire system as reflected within the man of Earth.
Student Black (Earth) toward the Qliphoth
Probationer 0=0 Russet (Water) toward Hod
Neophyte 10=1 Olive (Fire) toward Netzach
Zelator 9=2 Citrine (Air) toward Yesod (Tiphereth)
BLACKBOARD LAYOUT DURING THE LECTURE
… given by Frater Achad Osher 583 on June 21st 2008
“This that thou writest is the threefold book of Law.” – Liber AL vel Legis I:35
(For the numbered references to each line, see below the chart.)
man of Earth the Lover Hermit (0)
Ch. One Ch. Two Ch. Three (1)
Hadit Nuit Ra-Hoor-Khuit (2)
Adherent giveth his Life Giveth his Light (3)
outer labours intellectual spiritual (4)
material intellectual spiritual (5)
1st ‘2’ Moons 2nd ‘2’ Moons Final ‘2’ Moons (6)
Gross-fire intellect Chosen Ones (7)
Law is for all rituals Ordeals, write not (8)
10 & 9 8-4 3-1 (9)
Malkus &
Nephesch Ruach Animus+ /Anima – (10)
[Note: To understand each grade reflect downward with each column]
REFERENCES:
(0) Liber AL I:40
(1) Liber AL
(2) Liber AL
(3) Vision & the Voice 13th Aethyr
(4) Equinox I:7
(5) Basilides
(6) Abramelin System
(7) Liber AL I:50
(8) Liber AL I:34
(9) The Tree of Life
(10) Parts of the Soul
THE OBLIGATIONS
The PROBATIONER stage in Grady McMurtry’s AA is laying a foundation for the first half of what an individual will inevitably be confronted with and must already have achieved before reaching the grade of the Lovers; in their Lower Self. It represents the Element of Water (emotions). The Thoth card known as The Lovers rules the zodiac sign of Gemini, or the twins. Zain–7. This implies the two-fold nature behind many aspects of the Lover grade. The first task for the PROBATIONER is the realization that their ‘personality’ is the ‘half known’ part of the equation (I:34) which everyone sees. We want our PROBATIONERS to realize the hypocrisy of this-plane thinking and the diversity of thought. A PROBATIONER should learn to think for his or herself, study and find joy in the research which molds their personality. See The Book of Lies Chapter 69 of the Blue (ascending) Triangle (water) of prayer. … The new PROBATIONER is told to start with OBLIGATION No.1.
The First OBLIGATION
[… begin immediately]
The PROBATIONER is required to obtain and read CORNELIA No.1. It is mandatory for advancement into the grade of the Lover that the PROBATIONER also begins keeping a Magickal Diary. When beginning they should not look for perfection as much as the affirmation of doing such. In a future lesson of The Magickal Essence series we shall go in-depth in discussing what a real Magickal Diary encompasses and its purpose. For now the PROBATIONER simply records their thoughts and insights regarding what they are learning. They should include books, movies or anything from this date forth which inspires them to reflect upon their life. Any and all rituals should also be included. The first stage of a Magickal Diary can be summed up by one single word—Reflection. If it is their affirmation not to keep a Magickal Diary and to remain simply amongst their peers within the grade of the man of Earth then so be it. Since we are a Thelemic organization, there is no Law beyond Do what thou wilt.
It is also the responsibility of all individuals within the man of Earth to begin studying Chapter One of Liber AL vel Legis which details the God of Earth (Malkuth); HADIT or HAD. They should also read Aleister Crowley’s commentary The Law is For All which pertains to these verses.
CORNELIA No.1 [contents]
1. AN OPEN EPISTLE ON GRADY LOUIS McMURTRY’S AA
2. AN OPEN EPISTLE ON THE BIRTH OF THE AA
3. IN QUEST OF THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGEL, Part One: THE DAIMON, BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL
4. THE MAGICKAL ESSENCE OF ALEISTER CROWLEY
Epistle No. 1 – AN OPEN EPISTLE REGARDING THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGEL
5. AN OPEN EPISTLE ON THE FALLEN
6. GRETA VALENTINE (A BIOGRAPHY on ALEISTER CROWLEY’S MISTRESS)
7. OBLIGATION NO.1
The Second OBLIGATION
[… start at the beginning of the Second Month]
The PROBATIONER is required to obtain and read CORNELIA No.2. It is mandatory for advancement into the grade of the Lover that the PROBATIONER begins performing the ritual of Liber Resh vel Helios which can be found in Aleister Crowley’s opus Magick in Theory & Practice. In a future lesson we shall explain this ritual in-depth as to its real intent. For now, the PROBATIONER should simply begin doing the ritual and recording the exact date and time in their Magickal Diary when each of the Salutations were performed. As with all our Obligations, if it is their affirmation not to do such and to remain simply amongst their peers within the grade of the man of Earth then so be it. Since we are a Thelemic organization, there is no Law beyond Do what thou wilt.
CORNELIA No.2 [contents]
1. AN OPEN EPISTLE ON LINEAGES OF THE AA
2. IN QUEST OF THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGEL, Part Two: THE AUGOEIDES AND THE ELEMENTAL
3. THE MAGICKAL ESSENCE OF ALEISTER CROWLEY
Epistle No. 2 – An Open Letter on the Origins of BRAHADABRA
4. AN OPEN EPISTLE ON ALEISTER CROWLEY’S I-CHING STICKS
5. AN OPEN EPISTLE ON THE NOTION OF VERTICALITY by Frater ZLA282
6. WALTER DURANTY (A BIOGRAPHY on a participant in THE PARIS WORKINGS)
7. OBLIGATION NO.2
The Third OBLIGATION
[… start at the beginning of the Third Month]
The PROBATIONER is required to obtain and read CORNELIA No.3. It is important for all PROBATIONERS to begin doing the simple ritual of Will before every major meal. It is also suggested that they read Chapter XIII of Magick in Theory & Practice titled “Of the Banishing: And of the Purifications” for further information. They should add into their Magickal Diary every time they do Will and also include those meals in which they forgot to do Will and why. This is not a test, nor something to be graded upon but is done simply for a reflection of an affirmation. If they decide not to do the ritual of Will and to remain simply amongst their peers within the grade of the man of Earth then so be it. Since we are a Thelemic organization, there is no Law beyond Do what thou wilt.
CORNELIA No.3 [contents]
1. AN OPEN EPISTLE ON CHANGES WITHIN OUR AA
2. IN QUEST OF THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGEL,
Part Three: IS THIS TENUOUS SOMETHING AN OBJECTIVE OR SUBJECTIVE REALITY?
3. THE MAGICKAL ESSENCE OF ALEISTER CROWLEY
Epistle No. 3 – An Open Letter on the Formula of ABRAHADABRA & ON
4. WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD …
5. AN OPEN EPISTLE ON THE METHOD OF SCIENCE,
THE AIM OF RELGION by Frater Raj-El
6. GWENDOLINE OTTER (A BIOGRAPHY)
7. OBLIGATION NO.3
The Fourth OBLIGATION
[… start at the beginning of the Fourth Month]
The PROBATIONER is required to obtain and read CORNELIA No.4. It is every PROBATIONER’S Obligation to read Frater Achad’s “Stepping Out of the Old Aeon into the New” and write a suitable paragraph(s) of their opinion, analysis and over-view. This is not a test or something to be graded upon but is done simply for personal reflection. If they decide not to do this and to remain simply amongst their peers within the grade of the man of Earth then so be it. Since we are a Thelemic organization, there is no Law beyond Do what thou wilt.
CORNELIA No.4 [contents]
1. AN OPEN EPISTLE ON THE DANGERS OF BEING A NEOPHYTE
2. IN QUEST OF THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGEL, Part Four – THE HIGHER SELF
3. THE MAGICKAL ESSENCE OF ALEISTER CROWLEY
No.4 – An Open Letter regarding the Truth behind the HGA
4. ON RELIGION by Soror Meral
5. MEMOIRS OF AN OTO INITIATE
Being an Historical Romp into a Quasi-Magickal Fraternity in California, Introduction & Chapter One
6. ABRAXAS, ON A ROMAN COIN
7. CHRISTABEL ABERCONWAY (biography)
8. ONE STAR IN SIGHT!
9. OBLIGATION NO.4
The Fifth OBLIGATION
[… start at the beginning of the Fifth Month]
The PROBATIONER is required to obtain and read CORNELIA No.5. At this stage we want them to begin memorizing The Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram which is found in Aleister Crowley’s opus Magick in Theory & Practice in Liber O vel Manus et Sagittae. In a future issue of Cornelia this ritual will be explained in-depth. For now it is not mandatory that they perform the ritual if they’re not comfortable with attempting such on their own, but they must memorize it at this stage. If they decide not to learn this ritual and to remain simply amongst their peers within the grade of the man of Earth then so be it. Since we are a Thelemic organization, there is no Law beyond Do what thou wilt.
CORNELIA No.5 [contents]
1. AN OPEN EPISTLE ON THE CLARIFICATION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MAN OF EARTH …
2. IN QUEST OF THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGEL, Part Five – THE ANGEL AND THE DEMON
3. THE MAGICKAL ESSENCE OF ALEISTER CROWLEY
No.5 – An Open Letter on the Greater Mysteries of the Formula ON & 418
4. MEMOIRS OF AN OTO INITIATE
Being an Historical Romp into a Quasi-Magickal Fraternity in California – Chapter Two
5. AN OPEN EPISTLE ON THE USE OF ‘93’
6. THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST, A Serious Qabalistic Study of 666
7. GEORGE SYLVESTOR VIERECK (biography)
8. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
9. OBLIGATION NO.5
The Sixth OBLIGATION
[… start at the beginning of the Sixth Month]
The PROBATIONER is required to obtain and read CORNELIA No.6 and 7. The PROBATIONER must begin a serious study of the 10th Qabalistic sphere of Malkuth on the Tree of Life and it their responsibility to read and study all things related to this sphere in as many sources as can be located, documenting each source, along with their findings in their Magickal Diary. This should not be considered an idle task. It is designed to immerse the PROBATIONER in their first primary Qabalistic magickal Law. Magicians know this Law as I AM, or within Malkuth as Cogito, ergo sum (I think therefore I AM). In other words, any intense research, like that upon the sphere of Malkuth, shifts one’s consciousness into that Sphere. Liber AL vel Legis I:44. If the PROBATIONER decides not to do this study and to remain simply amongst their peers within the grade of the man of Earth then so be it. Since we are a Thelemic organization, there is no Law beyond Do what thou wilt.
CORNELIA No.7 [contents]
1. EDITORIAL on new ABRAMELIN BOOK
2. IN QUEST OF THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGEL
Part Six; The Three Stages in Obtaining The Holy Guardian Angel
3. THE MAGICKAL ESSENCE OF ALEISTER CROWLEY
No.6 – An Open Letter on BABALON 156 & the Formula of Nun
4. THE FORMULA OF ON, drawings by J. Edward Cornelius
5. MEMOIRS OF AN OTO INITIATE
Being an Historical Romp into a Quasi-Magickal Fraternity in California – Chapter Three
6. WHOSE STREAM IS IT ANYWAY? by Frater Raj-El
7. BERESFORD EGAN (biography)
8. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
9. OBLIGATION NO.6
THE OBLIGATIONS FROM THIS POINT ON
ARE NOT TO BE MADE PUBLIC OR TO ANY PROBATIONER BEFORE THE APPROPRIATE TIME.
AN OPEN EPISTLE ON
LIBER COLLEGII SANCTI
Sub Figura CLXXXV
Being the Tasks of the Grades proper to Liber XIII,
the publications of the A.’.A.’. for the man of Earth.
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. –AL I:40
“If an individual desires to move forward into the next Hierophantic task he or she must accomplish the ordeals of the man of Earth which encompass both Malkus and Nephesch, conscious thought and our animalistic nature. Qabalistically we can say that these are represented by the spheres of Malkuth & Yesod on the Tree of Life, if we require such reference points for further study. In other A.’.A.’. structures our ‘one’ grade would entail three separate degrees from Probationer and Neophyte to Zelator. The first two are very vague in their tasks while the latter, Zelator, implies a zealous student who has established a suitable Foundation which, of course, works out of Yesod-The Moon. Foundation is the key word. This is our interpretation of the first stage of A.’.A.’. training corresponding to the man of Earth. It should in no way be confused with older branches whose Golden Dawn type schools include grades up to Dominus Liminis. We do not utilize this system. Like Aleister Crowley, we refer to the Grade of the man of Earth simply by a single degree, or Zelator.” – “An Open Epistle on Changes Within Our A.’.A.’.“
Of course, Dear Student, although we do not adhere to many of the Obligations and Tasks
set up by Aleister Crowley in the old A.’.A.’. system as found in LIBER COLLEGII SANCTI,
we do feel it is important to at least inform you of these Tasks and even suggest that the dedicated might try to fulfill them. First, in Magick in Theory & Practice it briefly
mentions the Student. – “His business is to acquire a general intellectual knowledge
of all systems of attainment, as declared in the prescribed books.”
PROBATIONER
“His principal business is to begin such practices as he may prefer,
and to write a careful record of the same for one year.” – One Star in Sight
“I. The Probationer. His duties are laid down in Paper A, Class D.
Being without, they are vague and general. He receives Liber LXI and LXV. [Certain Probationers are admitted after six months or more to Ritual XXVIII.] At the end of the Probation he passes Ritual DCLXXI, which constitutes him a Neophyte.”
Liber XIII vel Graduum Montis Abiegni
A Syllabus of the Steps Upon the Path
AA Publication in Class D
THE TASK OF A PROBATIONER.
0. Let any person be received by a Neophyte, the latter being responsible to his Zelator.
1. The period of Probation shall be at least one year.
2. The aspirant to the A.’.A.’. shall hear the Lection (Liber LXI) and this note of his office; IF HE WILL, shall then procure the robe of a Probationer; shall choose with deep forethought and intense solemnity a motto.
3. On reception, he shall receive the robe, sign the form provided and repeat the oath appointed, and receive the First Volume of the Book.
4. He shall commit a chapter of Liber LXV to memory; and furthermore, he shall study the Publications of the A.’.A.’. in Class B, and apply himself to such practices of Scientific Illuminism as seemeth him good.
5. Beside all this, he shall perform any tasks that the A.’.A.’. may see fit to lay upon him. Let him be mindful that the word Probationer is no idle term, but that the Brothers will in many a subtle way ‘prove’ him, when he knoweth it not.
6. When the sun shall next enter the sign under which he hath been received, his initiation may be granted unto him. He shall keep himself free from all other engagements for one whole week from that date.
7. He may at any moment withdraw from his association with the A.’.A.’., simply notifying the Neophyte who introduced him.
8. He shall everywhere proclaim openly his connection with the A.’.A.’. and speak of It and Its principles (even so little as he understandeth) for that mystery is the enemy of Truth. One month before the completion of his year, he shall deliver a copy of the Record of his year’s work to the Neophyte introducing, and repeat to him his chosen chapter of Liber LXV.
9. He shall hold himself chaste, and reverent toward his body, for that the ordeal of initiation is no light one. This is of peculiar importance in last two months of his Probation.
10. Thus and not otherwise may he attain the great reward: YEA, MAY HE OBTAIN THE GREAT REWARD!
NEOPHYTE
“Has to acquire perfect control of the Astral Plane.” – One Star in Sight
2. The Neophyte. His duties are laid down in Paper B, Class D.
He receives Liber VII. Examination in Liber O, caps. I-IV, Theoretical and Practical.
Examination in The Four Powers of the Sphinx. Practical. Four tests are set.
Further, he builds up the magic Pentacle. Finally he passes Ritual CXX,
which constitutes him a Zelator. “
Liber XIII vel Graduum Montis Abiegni
A Syllabus of the Steps Upon the Path
AA Publication in Class D
TASK OF A NEOPHYTE
0. Let any Probationer who has accomplished his task to the satisfaction of the A.’.A.’. be instructed in the proper course of procedure: which is: — Let him read through this note of his office, and sign it, paying the sum of One Guinea for Liber VII which will be given him on his initiation, and One Guinea for this Portfolio of Class D publications, B – G. Let him obtain the robe of a Neophyte, and entrust the same to the care of his Neophyte. He shall choose a new motto with deep forethought and intense solemnity, as expressing the clearer consciousness of his Aspiration which the year’s Probation has given him. Let him make an appointment with his Neophyte at the pleasure of the the latter for the ceremony of Initiation.
1. The Neophyte shall not proceed to the grade of Zelator in less than eight months; but shall hold himself free for four days for advancement at the end of that period.
2. He shall pass the four tests called the Powers of the Sphinx.
3. He shall apply himself to understand the nature of his Initiation.
4. He shall commit to memory a chapter of Liber VII; and furthermore, he shall study and practice a chapter of Liber O in all its branches: also he shall begin to study Liber H and some commonly accepted method of divination. He will further be examined in his power of Journeying in the Spirit Vision.
5. Beside all this, he shall perform any tasks that his Zelator in the name of the A.’.A.’. and by its authority may see fit to lay upon him. Let him be mindful that the word Neophyte is no idle term, but that in many a subtle way the new nature will stir within him, when he knoweth it not.
6. When the sun shall next enter the sigh 240 (degrees) to that under which he hath been received, his advancement may be granted unto him. He shall keep himself free from all other engagements for four whole days from that date.
7. He may at any moment withdraw from his association with the A.’.A.’., simply notifying the Zelator who introduced him.
8. He shall everywhere proclaim openly his connection with the A.’.A.’. and speak of It and Its principles (even so little as he understandeth) for that mystery is the enemy of Truth. Furthermore, he shall construct the magic Pentacle, according to the instruction in Liber A. One month before the completion of his eight months, he shall deliver a copy of his Record to his Zelator, pass the necessary tests, and repeat to him his chosen chapter of Liber VII.
9. He shall in every way fortify his body according to the advice of his Zelator, for that the ordeal of advancement is no light one.
10. Thus and not otherwise may he obtain the great reward: YEA, MAY HE OBTAIN THE GREAT REWARD!
ZELATOR
“His main work is to achieve complete success in Asana and Pranayama.
He also begins to study the formula of the Rosy Cross.” – One Star in Sight
“3. The Zelator. His duties are laid down in Paper C, Class D.
He receives Liber CCXX, XXVII, and DCCCXIII. Examination in Posture
and Control of Breath (see Equinox No. 1). Practical. Further, he is given two
meditation-practices corresponding to the two rituals DCLXXI and CXX.
(Examination is only in the knowledge of, and some little practical acquaintance with,
these meditations. The complete results, if attained, would confer a much higher grade.)
Further, he forges the magic Sword. No ritual admits to the grade of Practicus,
which is conferred by authority when the task of the Zelator is accomplished.”
Liber XIII vel Graduum Montis Abiegni
A Syllabus of the Steps Upon the Path
AA Publication in Class D
THE TASK OF A ZELATOR
0. Let any Neophyte who has accomplished his task to the satisfaction of the A.’.A.’. be instructed in the proper course of procedure: which is:– Let him read through this note of his office, and sign it, paying the sum of Three Guineas for the volume containing Liber CCXX, Liber XXVII and Liber DCCCXIII, which will be given him on his initiation. Let him cause the necessary addition to be make to his Neophyte’s robe, and entrust the same to the care of his Zelator. Let him make an appointment with his Zelator at the pleasure of the latter for the ceremony of initiation.
1. The Zelator shall proceed to that grade of Practicus at any time the authority confers it.
2. He shall pass Examinations in Liber E, Posture and Breathing. He shall have attained complete success in the former, i.e., the chosen posture shall be perfectly steady and easy; and attained the second stage in the latter, i.e., automatic rigidity.
3. He shall further show some acquaintance with and experience of meditations given in Liber HHH. And in this his Record shall be his witness.
4. He shall commit to memory a chapter of Liber CCXX; he shall pass examinations in Liber HHH.
5. Beside all this, he shall apply himself to the work of the A.’.A.’. upon his own responsibility. Let him be mindful that the word Zelator is no idle term, but that a certain Zeal will be inflamed with him, why he knoweth not.
6. When authority confers the grade, he shall rejoice therein; but beware, for that that is his first departure from the middle pillar of the Tree of Life.
7. He may at any moment withdraw from his association with the A.’.A.’. simply notifying the Practicus who introduced him. Yet let him remember that being entered thus far upon the Path, he cannot excape it, and return to the world, but must ultimate either in the City of the Pyramids or the lonely towers of the Abyss.
8. He shall everywhere proclaim openly his connection with the A.’.A.’. and speak of It and Its principles (even so little as he understandeth) for that mystery is the enemy of Truth. Furthermore, he shall construct the magic Dagger, according to the instruction in Liber A. One month before the completion of his eight months, he shall deliver a copy of his Record to his Zelator, pass the necessary tests, and repeat to him his chosen chapter of Liber CCXX.
9. He shall in every way establish perfect control of his Automatic Consciousness according to the advice of his Practicus, for that the ordeal of advancement is no light one. 10. Thus and not otherwise may he obtain to the great reward: YEA, MAY HE OBTAIN THE GREAT REWARD!
Love is the law, love under will. –AL I:57
Frater A.