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It seems many Thelemites seem overly obsessed with wealth

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Thelema
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  • D DarkStar

    93

    Yes, I am new here and will freely admit that I am a neophyte Thelemite (although with many years in chaos magick, shamanism, witchcraft (not "Wicca").............I decided within the past year that the principles of Liber Al suited me best.

    Anyway, I have noticed that many Thelemites (not on here, necessarily) seem overly obsessed with wealth, money and other material things that in the end mean nothing. Now I understand Thelema to be the attainment of one's true will, but surely not everyone's true will is to be rich with earthly possessions? What of the Thelemite like myself whose true will is to create, see and experience all this plane has to offer while he is on it, (and enough of Because..............be he damned for a dog!) knowing that in the next life he may not exist on planet Earth?
    Of course we are to be Kings (and Queens, to update from the culture of 1904) and stars, but wealth is not the only way to be a King, it is possible to be a King in many ways, and every being has it's right to its will. I of course do not crave poverty and do all right for myself in that regard, but i view it as a necessity of life on earth, not as the attainment of my true will.
    Mind that I am not attempting to provoke an arguement, just a discussion of the one aspect of Thelema (as I understand it so far) that doesn't sit too well with me.

    L Offline
    L Offline
    Law
    wrote on last edited by
    #11

    I think that the first thing a magician should be attempting is to rack up enugh assets that contemporary work is no longer neccessary to sustain your lively hood. Though the more I say this, the more "experienced" magicians pop up to say I got it all wrong. It makes me wonder how efficacious this stuff really is. 🙄

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    • D DarkStar

      93

      Yes, I am new here and will freely admit that I am a neophyte Thelemite (although with many years in chaos magick, shamanism, witchcraft (not "Wicca").............I decided within the past year that the principles of Liber Al suited me best.

      Anyway, I have noticed that many Thelemites (not on here, necessarily) seem overly obsessed with wealth, money and other material things that in the end mean nothing. Now I understand Thelema to be the attainment of one's true will, but surely not everyone's true will is to be rich with earthly possessions? What of the Thelemite like myself whose true will is to create, see and experience all this plane has to offer while he is on it, (and enough of Because..............be he damned for a dog!) knowing that in the next life he may not exist on planet Earth?
      Of course we are to be Kings (and Queens, to update from the culture of 1904) and stars, but wealth is not the only way to be a King, it is possible to be a King in many ways, and every being has it's right to its will. I of course do not crave poverty and do all right for myself in that regard, but i view it as a necessity of life on earth, not as the attainment of my true will.
      Mind that I am not attempting to provoke an arguement, just a discussion of the one aspect of Thelema (as I understand it so far) that doesn't sit too well with me.

      H Offline
      H Offline
      Herr Meow
      wrote on last edited by
      #12

      @Law said

      "I think that the first thing a magician should be attempting is to rack up enugh assets that contemporary work is no longer neccessary to sustain your lively hood. Though the more I say this, the more "experienced" magicians pop up to say I got it all wrong. It makes me wonder how efficacious this stuff really is. 🙄"

      The notion that mastery of the material plane involves getting rich enough to avoid having to work seems like a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of Malkuth to me. Malkuth is a sphere of work, work is fundamental to the nature of Malkuth. Change cannot be affected on this plane without work. I would think that one of the first tasks of a magician is, as Gurdjieff advised, to learn to love work for its own sake.

      You can make the argument that it would be better to spend 100% of your time doing your True Will and your True Will alone. I'd say that part of your True Will is to ensure the maintenance of your Guph, an ongoing task which inevitably involves several types of work.

      I've known several people who have managed to make a living running a magical order, teaching magic, and the like. Every single one of them has run into serious conflicts between doing their Will effectively and ensuring their income. Seems like the easiest solution to that particular issue is simply to get a job. The best artists (even those who make quite a bit of money) don't do what they do for the money, and would (often do, in fact) continue to work when the money runs dry.

      I suppose you could force the hand of chance with a rich relative, or maybe cause a batch of precious metals to appear under your back yard. In the meantime, seems like the most expedient thing to simply learn a trade while you pursue to Great Work.

      As an addendum - I will say that it is very possible to get rich using Geomantic divination. I've seen this work wonders with the stock market several times. Crowley has a very amusing story (in Magick Without Tears, if I remember correctly) about a man who used Geomancy to find a large deposit of mineral wealth. The difficulty with this method lies in the fact that the amount of work required to do the necessary amount of Geomancy rivals the amount of work needed to learn a trade. Seems like it always comes down to that.

      FM

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      • D DarkStar

        93

        Yes, I am new here and will freely admit that I am a neophyte Thelemite (although with many years in chaos magick, shamanism, witchcraft (not "Wicca").............I decided within the past year that the principles of Liber Al suited me best.

        Anyway, I have noticed that many Thelemites (not on here, necessarily) seem overly obsessed with wealth, money and other material things that in the end mean nothing. Now I understand Thelema to be the attainment of one's true will, but surely not everyone's true will is to be rich with earthly possessions? What of the Thelemite like myself whose true will is to create, see and experience all this plane has to offer while he is on it, (and enough of Because..............be he damned for a dog!) knowing that in the next life he may not exist on planet Earth?
        Of course we are to be Kings (and Queens, to update from the culture of 1904) and stars, but wealth is not the only way to be a King, it is possible to be a King in many ways, and every being has it's right to its will. I of course do not crave poverty and do all right for myself in that regard, but i view it as a necessity of life on earth, not as the attainment of my true will.
        Mind that I am not attempting to provoke an arguement, just a discussion of the one aspect of Thelema (as I understand it so far) that doesn't sit too well with me.

        L Offline
        L Offline
        Law
        wrote on last edited by
        #13

        My main concern is clearig the proper road for me to begin yoga, which I find impossible working 6am to 6 pm one week, then opposite the next. I can barely keep my eyes open long enpugh to read. i tried all those sigils and what not that austin osman spare supposedly succeeded with and got nothing. I know little of geomancy. Working for its own sake makes to me as much sense as hurting for hurts sake. If you can avoid the pain of somthing, then do so. Thats what the entire civilized world is built on. I dont know. I dont think theres much room for me in this magick stuff, even though I think I have a thourough grasp of the basics. 😱

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        • D DarkStar

          93

          Yes, I am new here and will freely admit that I am a neophyte Thelemite (although with many years in chaos magick, shamanism, witchcraft (not "Wicca").............I decided within the past year that the principles of Liber Al suited me best.

          Anyway, I have noticed that many Thelemites (not on here, necessarily) seem overly obsessed with wealth, money and other material things that in the end mean nothing. Now I understand Thelema to be the attainment of one's true will, but surely not everyone's true will is to be rich with earthly possessions? What of the Thelemite like myself whose true will is to create, see and experience all this plane has to offer while he is on it, (and enough of Because..............be he damned for a dog!) knowing that in the next life he may not exist on planet Earth?
          Of course we are to be Kings (and Queens, to update from the culture of 1904) and stars, but wealth is not the only way to be a King, it is possible to be a King in many ways, and every being has it's right to its will. I of course do not crave poverty and do all right for myself in that regard, but i view it as a necessity of life on earth, not as the attainment of my true will.
          Mind that I am not attempting to provoke an arguement, just a discussion of the one aspect of Thelema (as I understand it so far) that doesn't sit too well with me.

          H Offline
          H Offline
          Herr Meow
          wrote on last edited by
          #14

          @Law said

          "My main concern is clearig the proper road for me to begin yoga, which I find impossible working 6am to 6 pm one week, then opposite the next. I can barely keep my eyes open long enpugh to read."

          I would suggest going into another profession.

          @Law said

          "i tried all those sigils and what not that austin osman spare supposedly succeeded with and got nothing. I know little of geomancy. Working for its own sake makes to me as much sense as hurting for hurts sake. If you can avoid the pain of somthing, then do so. Thats what the entire civilized world is built on. I dont know. I dont think theres much room for me in this magick stuff, even though I think I have a thourough grasp of the basics. 😱"

          Magick involves more work that the hardest of professions. Passion, drive, a willingness to change and quite a bit of adaptability are required in order to succeed.

          The exact same things are pre-requisites for mastery in any field. Can you imagine an aspiring violin player who refuses to invest their time in daily practice? Or a martial artist who can't be bothered to exercise and stay in shape? There is a pervasive myth that magick can be used to make your life easier and to avoid work - exactly the opposite is true. It can, however, if persisted in, lead you to find the joy in every moment, whether that moment be spent at work or in rest.

          FM

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          • D DarkStar

            93

            Yes, I am new here and will freely admit that I am a neophyte Thelemite (although with many years in chaos magick, shamanism, witchcraft (not "Wicca").............I decided within the past year that the principles of Liber Al suited me best.

            Anyway, I have noticed that many Thelemites (not on here, necessarily) seem overly obsessed with wealth, money and other material things that in the end mean nothing. Now I understand Thelema to be the attainment of one's true will, but surely not everyone's true will is to be rich with earthly possessions? What of the Thelemite like myself whose true will is to create, see and experience all this plane has to offer while he is on it, (and enough of Because..............be he damned for a dog!) knowing that in the next life he may not exist on planet Earth?
            Of course we are to be Kings (and Queens, to update from the culture of 1904) and stars, but wealth is not the only way to be a King, it is possible to be a King in many ways, and every being has it's right to its will. I of course do not crave poverty and do all right for myself in that regard, but i view it as a necessity of life on earth, not as the attainment of my true will.
            Mind that I am not attempting to provoke an arguement, just a discussion of the one aspect of Thelema (as I understand it so far) that doesn't sit too well with me.

            R Offline
            R Offline
            RosenKreutz
            wrote on last edited by
            #15

            "I would suggest going into another profession."

            It's that easy with unemployment about to hit double digits?

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            • D DarkStar

              93

              Yes, I am new here and will freely admit that I am a neophyte Thelemite (although with many years in chaos magick, shamanism, witchcraft (not "Wicca").............I decided within the past year that the principles of Liber Al suited me best.

              Anyway, I have noticed that many Thelemites (not on here, necessarily) seem overly obsessed with wealth, money and other material things that in the end mean nothing. Now I understand Thelema to be the attainment of one's true will, but surely not everyone's true will is to be rich with earthly possessions? What of the Thelemite like myself whose true will is to create, see and experience all this plane has to offer while he is on it, (and enough of Because..............be he damned for a dog!) knowing that in the next life he may not exist on planet Earth?
              Of course we are to be Kings (and Queens, to update from the culture of 1904) and stars, but wealth is not the only way to be a King, it is possible to be a King in many ways, and every being has it's right to its will. I of course do not crave poverty and do all right for myself in that regard, but i view it as a necessity of life on earth, not as the attainment of my true will.
              Mind that I am not attempting to provoke an arguement, just a discussion of the one aspect of Thelema (as I understand it so far) that doesn't sit too well with me.

              H Offline
              H Offline
              Herr Meow
              wrote on last edited by
              #16

              @RosenKreutz said

              "
              "I would suggest going into another profession."

              It's that easy with unemployment about to hit double digits?"

              It may or may not be. My point is that entering onto the spiritual path will not quickly solve this type of problem for you in the early stages (or, necessarily, in the later stages).

              When I say the 'spiritual path', at least while I'm on this particular forum, I'm referring specifically to the path as defined by the A.A. If you attain to K&C of the HGA and pinpoint your True Will, you're still responsible for generating an income in order to survive. Work is still going to be a major part of your life (probably more so!)

              FM

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              • D DarkStar

                93

                Yes, I am new here and will freely admit that I am a neophyte Thelemite (although with many years in chaos magick, shamanism, witchcraft (not "Wicca").............I decided within the past year that the principles of Liber Al suited me best.

                Anyway, I have noticed that many Thelemites (not on here, necessarily) seem overly obsessed with wealth, money and other material things that in the end mean nothing. Now I understand Thelema to be the attainment of one's true will, but surely not everyone's true will is to be rich with earthly possessions? What of the Thelemite like myself whose true will is to create, see and experience all this plane has to offer while he is on it, (and enough of Because..............be he damned for a dog!) knowing that in the next life he may not exist on planet Earth?
                Of course we are to be Kings (and Queens, to update from the culture of 1904) and stars, but wealth is not the only way to be a King, it is possible to be a King in many ways, and every being has it's right to its will. I of course do not crave poverty and do all right for myself in that regard, but i view it as a necessity of life on earth, not as the attainment of my true will.
                Mind that I am not attempting to provoke an arguement, just a discussion of the one aspect of Thelema (as I understand it so far) that doesn't sit too well with me.

                L Offline
                L Offline
                Law
                wrote on last edited by
                #17

                "See how the Amish live for example. Their life is better or worse than one living in a big city ? Much better for sure. This applies for any farmer as well. "

                mass inbreeding, high rates of meth addiction.....this is better? absurd.

                "I would suggest going into another profession. "

                well, I take by your name fraulien that your a woman so I gues I am almostt forced to forgive the fact that you seem oblivious to the current rate of unemplyment here in the USA, not that you work yourself, any way Gods only know that in my 25 years on this garbage dump that there is one thing i can say for sure, if your a women not much is demanded of in general. must be nice. For those of us not blessed by more vaginal gifts, I think ther should definetly be an emphasis on sucuring enough in the material realm where all its dramas and hysterics fall into the background. But again Im sure that there are plenty of enlightened scholars out there who would cast this notion off in a second, but not for having any better answer. again I cant help but be suspicious......

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                • D DarkStar

                  93

                  Yes, I am new here and will freely admit that I am a neophyte Thelemite (although with many years in chaos magick, shamanism, witchcraft (not "Wicca").............I decided within the past year that the principles of Liber Al suited me best.

                  Anyway, I have noticed that many Thelemites (not on here, necessarily) seem overly obsessed with wealth, money and other material things that in the end mean nothing. Now I understand Thelema to be the attainment of one's true will, but surely not everyone's true will is to be rich with earthly possessions? What of the Thelemite like myself whose true will is to create, see and experience all this plane has to offer while he is on it, (and enough of Because..............be he damned for a dog!) knowing that in the next life he may not exist on planet Earth?
                  Of course we are to be Kings (and Queens, to update from the culture of 1904) and stars, but wealth is not the only way to be a King, it is possible to be a King in many ways, and every being has it's right to its will. I of course do not crave poverty and do all right for myself in that regard, but i view it as a necessity of life on earth, not as the attainment of my true will.
                  Mind that I am not attempting to provoke an arguement, just a discussion of the one aspect of Thelema (as I understand it so far) that doesn't sit too well with me.

                  H Offline
                  H Offline
                  Herr Meow
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #18

                  @Law said

                  "well, I take by your name fraulien that your a woman..."

                  No, in fact I am not (updated my profile name to reflect gender - Fraulein Meow is a pseudonym that I have often used in person, where my gender is more obvious).

                  My point was not that it is easy to change professions in the current economic climate, but that work is part and parcel of the spiritual path as defined by the curriculum of the A.A.

                  HM

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                  • D DarkStar

                    93

                    Yes, I am new here and will freely admit that I am a neophyte Thelemite (although with many years in chaos magick, shamanism, witchcraft (not "Wicca").............I decided within the past year that the principles of Liber Al suited me best.

                    Anyway, I have noticed that many Thelemites (not on here, necessarily) seem overly obsessed with wealth, money and other material things that in the end mean nothing. Now I understand Thelema to be the attainment of one's true will, but surely not everyone's true will is to be rich with earthly possessions? What of the Thelemite like myself whose true will is to create, see and experience all this plane has to offer while he is on it, (and enough of Because..............be he damned for a dog!) knowing that in the next life he may not exist on planet Earth?
                    Of course we are to be Kings (and Queens, to update from the culture of 1904) and stars, but wealth is not the only way to be a King, it is possible to be a King in many ways, and every being has it's right to its will. I of course do not crave poverty and do all right for myself in that regard, but i view it as a necessity of life on earth, not as the attainment of my true will.
                    Mind that I am not attempting to provoke an arguement, just a discussion of the one aspect of Thelema (as I understand it so far) that doesn't sit too well with me.

                    A Offline
                    A Offline
                    Anonymous
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #19

                    ROFLMAO...

                    Funny turn of events, no?

                    My fiance's response to Law's post was, "Yeah, it's been so easy continually being undervalued and sexually harassed at work." And having gone through all that with her, taking all the steps necessary to make it stop yet ensuring she wouldn't lose her job, I'd have to agree completely with her - especially since every word of Law's post completely illustrated both her experience and her point.

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                    • D DarkStar

                      93

                      Yes, I am new here and will freely admit that I am a neophyte Thelemite (although with many years in chaos magick, shamanism, witchcraft (not "Wicca").............I decided within the past year that the principles of Liber Al suited me best.

                      Anyway, I have noticed that many Thelemites (not on here, necessarily) seem overly obsessed with wealth, money and other material things that in the end mean nothing. Now I understand Thelema to be the attainment of one's true will, but surely not everyone's true will is to be rich with earthly possessions? What of the Thelemite like myself whose true will is to create, see and experience all this plane has to offer while he is on it, (and enough of Because..............be he damned for a dog!) knowing that in the next life he may not exist on planet Earth?
                      Of course we are to be Kings (and Queens, to update from the culture of 1904) and stars, but wealth is not the only way to be a King, it is possible to be a King in many ways, and every being has it's right to its will. I of course do not crave poverty and do all right for myself in that regard, but i view it as a necessity of life on earth, not as the attainment of my true will.
                      Mind that I am not attempting to provoke an arguement, just a discussion of the one aspect of Thelema (as I understand it so far) that doesn't sit too well with me.

                      E Offline
                      E Offline
                      Escarabajo
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #20

                      @Red Eagle of Death said

                      "Were we not promised wealth in Hamvs Hermeticvs? or was that all just pillow talk? 😆

                      "I give you power earthly and joy earthly; wealth, and health, and length of days." - Hamvs Hermeticvs, v. 31"

                      I think a lot of this issue has to do with black-and-white type of thinking. It's one thing to want more wealth because you "only" have 3 million in the bank and your country club friends bust your balls because of it... it's another thing because you are sharing a cramped studio apartment, you can't hold down work, and can't afford new shoes.

                      I think wealth should be aimed for, but it's really about getting to a place where you're comfortable and can do what you want to do relatively easily. This could mean totally different things for different people from different backgrounds.

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