two symbols:what are their meanings?
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Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
It's significant because the union of opposites is an important theme within Thelema.
Love it the law, love under will.
Yours in LVX,
-M -
@Law said
"Well I just find it funny that Crowley starts this "religion" and gives no central tenants, and doesnt even explain his symbol. What is the significance of the "union of opposites" ?"
93,
I believe in the thread titled "Thelema Tattoo" we recently discussed why the Unicursal Hexagram is not the symbol of Thelema.
If you would like to enlighten yourself as to the central tenets of this "religion," and/or the concept of the union of opposites I refer you to the following link:
www.sacred-texts.com/oto/index.htm
love=law
- C
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The eye most likely refers to Ayin suggesting the Phallus, BAVOMIThR, or Atu XV. The 3 drops of blood may, like the nine Yod-shaped drops of impure blood in Atu XVIII that represent the Moon, be 3 Yods suggesting the Graal, Binah or the Blood of the Saints.
616
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@Law said
"Well I just find it funny that Crowley starts this "religion" and gives no central tenants, and doesnt even explain his symbol. What is the significance of the "union of opposites" ?"
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Actually, there is a central tenet. You know, the whole "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law" thing, "There is no law beyond do what thou wilt" and whatnot... those appear to be as central as one can get.
As for the significance of the union of opposites, Aum418 gave you a good starting point.
Love is the law, love under will
Yours in LVX,
-M -
Actually, I have read and reread book 4 a number of times, and nowhere in that scattered and disorganized mess does it clearly state that "the union of opposites" has anything to do with the Unicursal Hexagram, nor is there a clear definition of the tenets of Thelema. Just because some of you write "do what thou wilt" doesnt mean a thing; not any more than if I was to write "believe in Jesus" at the beginning of all my e-mails.
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@Law said
"Actually, I have read and reread book 4 a number of times, and nowhere in that scattered and disorganized mess does it clearly state that "the union of opposites" has anything to do with the Unicursal Hexagram, nor is there a clear definition of the tenets of Thelema. Just because some of you write "do what thou wilt" doesnt mean a thing; not any more than if I was to write "believe in Jesus" at the beginning of all my e-mails."
93
Law, absolutely correct. A belief in the Holy Law, whether it be Christian, Jewish, or Thelemic, is just that: a statement of Faith. It has meaning which is derived from its significance to the individual.
Holy Bible, KJV, John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
Liber AL vel Legis, Chapter I, 39, 40 -
"39. The word of the Law is THELEMA.
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. "This, taken with I,57 "...Love is the law, love under will." represents the core philosophy of Thelema as much as John 3:16 represents one of the most sublime statements of the core of Christianity.
No one says that anyone in particular has to accept it as true, or even that it makes any sense... but for those who do, the power of faith brings light into their lives.
That said, book 4 is a treatise on Magick, not religion. The tenets of Thelema are contained in the Holy Books. I'll agree also that the discussion of these ideas as pertains to the unicursal hexagram do not appear in book 4. But the ideas themselves do, and in relation to other forms of hexagrams.
I would recommend picking up a copy of the Big Blue Brick (Magick: Book 4, Liber ABA) if you haven't one already. It is well annotated, includes Liber AL vel Legis, discussions of symbolism and rituals, curriculum of the A.A., many supplementary papers and texts, as well as all of book 4. It runs a hair short of 1000 pages I believe.
Oh, and regarding union of opposites in book 4:
"The phrase "together with the Lord," is then literally identical with the word Samadhi, which is the Sanskrit name of the phenomenon described by Saint Paul, this union of the ego and the non-ego, subject and object, this chymical marriage, and thus identical with the symbolism of the Rosy Cross, under a slightly different aspect." -- Book 4, part 2
"The adept will laugh over his early absurdities -- the disproportions will have been harmonized; and the structure of his soul will be seen as perfectly organic, with no one thing out of its place. He will see himself as the positive Tau with its ten complete squares within the triangle of the negatives; and this figure will become one, as soon as from the equilibrium of opposites he has attained to the identity of opposites." -- Book 4, part 2
And in the appendix -- The Star Sapphire.
93/93
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Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
There was never a question posed in this thread in regards to what the central tenets of Thelema actually MEANT, only an incorrect statement saying "Crowley starts this "religion" and gives no central tenants (sic)".
That statement has been subsequently demonstrated as false, and if clarification about what the central Thelemic tenets mean is desired, that desire should be communicated in a sufficient fashion.
Love is the law, love under will.
Yours in LVX,
-M
well actually, friend, the thread was about my "desire" to know that meaning of the unicursal hexagram, as well as the "starfire" star, the likes of which has not been adequately stated "in a sufficient fashion." 