Why does Aleister Crowley obligate the Probationer (and thus every member of his Inner School, the A.’.A.’.) to “everywhere proclaim his connection with the A.’.A.’.”?
Why is every member obligated not to obscure or downplay his or her A.’.A.’. membership from family, employer, etc.? Surely, as Thelemites, we have a right to make these decisions for ourselves.
Of course, Crowley answers the question himself: “[F]or that mystery is the enemy of Truth.”
Even if one is not an A.’.A.’. member, one should savor the lesson. It applies universally to the Thelemic aspirant.
For that Mystery is the Enemy of Truth
Forthrightness, courage, clearly standing for Thelemic freedom: these are the principles that an A.’.A.’. member must embody.
Whenever one begins to reason, “Well, I don’t need to shove my involvement in their faces. They know what I’m into,” the world’s hands begin to squeeze around one’s neck. The problem is not that this statement is false. It isn’t. The problem is that it is uttered in a pit of Because.
“He shall fall down into the pit called Because, and there he shall perish with the dogs of Reason.”
–The Book of the Law, II:27
One is hamstrung by the world the minute that one begins to take action or inaction from considerations of convenience instead of from the Universal Will. The only way to remain free is to have no “hooks.” Unless you are willing to give up everything for your spiritual path, it’s best not even to begin.
Unintentional Betrayal
Sadly, once one begins to reason from considerations of convenience, contrary forces will immediately infiltrate the aspirant’s world.
“[N]o sooner does a man make up his mind to enter the Path of the Wise than he rouses automatically the supreme hostility of every force, internal or external, in his sphere.”
–Aleister Crowley, Confessions, Chapter 62
Handing the world a way to interfere with one’s spiritual path imprisons the aspirant in its vice-like grip. Suddenly job, health, and relationship create “emergency” after “emergency”. Naturally, to a person who will “reason” with it, the world takes precedence.
Further, an A.’.A.’. member who attempts to reason with these forces unintentionally threatens the Order. In his Confessions, chapter 68, Crowley writes, “I believed then, and believe now, that the probationer of A∴A∴ is nearly always offered the opportunity to betray the Order….” Such a member may be extremely well intentioned. However, through the excuses of reason, they have become blind to the world’s hostility.