Pre-Student: Starting the Beginning
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The following quote is taken from a pm I sent Jim a little bit ago. While I know he probably just hasn't got around to responding yet, I figured I would make the message public to see what everyone else had for feedback..
Also, to clarify, I am referring to the "student phase" not as something that begins when the individual picks up a book and begins reading, but something that starts when the person is officially accepted into his/her lineage as a student. So in this case "pre-student" simply means before that official 3+ month period.
As I understand it, you are a member of the Soror Estai lineage of the AA. In the future, I believe I will be pursuing that lineage.. In several different posts you have said, "find a teacher first." I was wondering if this applies to the pre-student phase? I am not a very fast reader, and I did not even want to apply as a student for the AA until I have finished reading and am familiar with the Equinox Vol. 1. I thought that maybe I should have a firm grasp on that before I even began to practice, which leads me to my next question..
This question has two parts. In your posts you have identified Liber E and Liber O as a great starting point for people who are beginning their practice. From my research, it seems that the student phase is considered to be strictly concerned with familiarizing the individual with the material. Probationer, from what I understand from your posts, is the stage where you try out a variety of things that you have intellectually learned in the student phase. So my question is: was your recommendation of the Liber E and Liber O for students or probationers, and as someone who hasn't even applied as a student yet, should I practice anything or wait?
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I am with you in that I intend to apply to the Estai Lineage at some point. I hope to go through either the Temple of Thelema's First Order or the College of Thelema's Course 1 first, though.
I have heard this advice given to others, and I think it is appropriate: Follow whatever interests you right now. Don't forget that the Probationer of the A.'.A.'. is to be familiar with everything because, not only are they about to use it themselves, but they are about to be a Neophyte (presumably), and, as a Neophyte, they must be able to guide their Probationers too!
The case isn't the same for those of us who aren't Probationers. We have all the time we could need to explore everything, with no commitment to do anything specific with it just yet (i.e. learn it to teach it).
In my eyes, some good practices to mess around with are:
Asana
Performance of the LBRP/LIRP
Tarot reading
Anything related to astrology (which I am absymal at)
Keeping a Magical Diary
Liber Resh.Also, are you familiar with Israel Regardie's One Year Manual: Twelve Steps to Spiritual Enlightenment? I intend to try and complete the system outlined in that book, and perhaps you would find it interesting or helpful.
(The book is extremely cheap on Amazon - I got my copy used for like $5. It's also available as a PDF in a million different places.)Do you have any experience with any magical or mystical practices?
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I don't know the context, but Jim could have been a) talking to people who were going it alone or b) just conveying open, solid information in answer to a direct question. E and O are foundational work for early A.'.A.'. degrees c) other?
There's no requirement that a person can't do any practices that would be assigned to probationers or above, while in a pre-student phase. And as a student, so long as you're focusing on fulfilling your student task, I can't see how keeping a journal, or doing LBRP or MP rituals would be objected to, even if they are normally stuff that probationers do, so long as one is still fulfilling the student task.
For example, I would consider myself a "pre-student", technically, even though I've done more than a tiny bit of practice, and have been a Thelemite for about 6 years. I've been keeping a journal of my often very probationer-style practices for over a year (semi-consistently). But I still haven't applied to be a student in the Soror Estai lineage, by applying to take coursework at the CoT. I wouldn't recommend this very round-about path to everyone. It was simply a result of my personality and choices.
I think opting to include practice during my "pre-student" phase has been a very good choice for me, individually. If I had opted to stick to practice-free study for the last several years, as I aspired to eventually be ready to join the A.'.A.'., I shudder to think where I would be. Many of my practices have been instrumental in helping me grow to the point of being ready to actively work toward joining the A.'.A.'.
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A liberal helping of Paul Foster Case is always very helpful. Dion Fortune and Israel Regardie are helpful. Maybe you've dipped into those wells already but, if not, they can help to clarify some of what Crowley wrote.
It's also important to practice as others have mentioned. LBRP, Resh, Middle Pillar, Will with meals, assuming god forms, and that sort of thing should be part of the regular routine of life for aspirants to this Art. Also, soak yourself in Liber AL and the other Holy Books (particularly LXV and VII) as much as possible. Become a Holy Books junkie. Pick one chapter from AL, LXV, and VII and read it aloud each day. It has an interesting and tangible effect if done over time.
Don't be afraid of magick but be prudent with it. The effects are mostly cumulative, but that's desirable. When I was a young person I really did harm to myself with my some-is-good-so-more-is-better attitude about magick. I had that attitude because I didn't respect it like I should have.
Find a routine, like what's suggested above, and commit to doing it daily for six months. Crowley teaches us that "the pain of the obligation" is a magical weapon itself. Wait to start with Enochian magick, evocation, and sex magick until later when you've got some magical muscles developed.
Anyway, for what it's worth...
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I feel this is in the pre-Student area... although I thought about making a new thread.
The question is related to The first robe. I ask this quest because my tarot cards said that I did not plan and that seems to be quit true.
So the question is... What materials is the robe and all the symbols made of.... Or did I miss something and need to re read a section?
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@AvshalomBinyamin said
"I think opting to include practice during my "pre-student" phase has been a very good choice for me, individually. If I had opted to stick to practice-free study for the last several years, as I aspired to eventually be ready to join the A.'.A.'., I shudder to think where I would be. Many of my practices have been instrumental in helping me grow to the point of being ready to actively work toward joining the A.'.A.'."
This quote seems to be the summary of the responses I’ve gotten. After reading the posts, I can see why some practices during the pre-student phase would be a benefit.
@Ash said
"I am with you in that I intend to apply to the Estai Lineage at some point. I hope to go through either the Temple of Thelema's First Order or the College of Thelema's Course 1 first, though."
You should consider yourself fortunate. My location, geographically, make CoT impossible. However, since I’m in the United States (Georgia), I can drive/fly anywhere I need to for A.’.A.’. initiation. But to be able to regularly attend classes is unrealistic.
@Ash said
"In my eyes, some good practices to mess around with are:
Asana
Performance of the LBRP/LIRP
Tarot reading
Anything related to astrology (which I am absymal at)
Keeping a Magical Diary
Liber Resh."Thanks for the recommendations. This looks like mainly the practices from Liber E and O, but that confirms my question.
@Ash said
"Also, are you familiar with Israel Regardie's One Year Manual: Twelve Steps to Spiritual Enlightenment?"
I am not. However, I’ve read a good deal of The Tree of Life by him, and I own the Golden Dawn ritual published under his name. So I am familiar with him. I’ll have to look into that manual..
@Ash said
"Do you have any experience with any magical or mystical practices?"
No, but I have spent a good deal of time with the historical aspect of magical/mystical practices. You see, despite being raised Christian, I spent the majority of my life studying many religions. I got deep into religious history, and eventually found my way to Manly P. Hall, Crowley, and other authors exposing me to Western and Eastern esotericism. Thelema, in particular really struck a chord with me. I believe that truth is something that resonates from within the individual, and different spiritual paths/religions have truth to each individual. After I felt that connection, I began to focus my studies. After learning about the A.’.A.’., I decided that was what I wanted to work towards. It’s a long winded way of saying that, I haven’t had any practices yet, but I am familiar with the material and excited to start when I feel am ready. Which leads me to my last part...
@Grabarkiewctz said
"Don't be afraid of magick but be prudent with it."
I never saw it like this, but I suppose you’re right. I am sort of treating magical practice a bit too over-cautiously. It’s kind of hard to explain, but for some reason, I keep thinking I need more read more and more before I’m ready. As it has been suggested in some of these posts, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to experiment. Crowley even encourages it.
So I suppose that is where I’ll take it next. It’s time to buy a journal and begin practice.
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@ANEA said
"Thanks for the recommendations. This looks like mainly the practices from Liber E and O, but that confirms my question.
"Liber O and Liber E contain the "bulk" of the practices from the first few grades. Any and all experimentation/practice of these will be good for you. So yes, buy your journal and hop to it
@ANEA said
"As it has been suggested in some of these posts, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to experiment. Crowley even encourages it."
The method of science, tha aim of religion. Quote on the Equinox. The study of magick is definitely a science (and some art mixed in there too) and experimentation is critical to science.
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Get started!!!! Don't be afraid to do a ritual just because you haven't analyzed very single aspect of it (though eventually this is important), I made that mistake and wasted valuable practice time, magick is something you do. Also don't neglect meditation, sitting still in a painful posture might not be as exciting as the Middle Pillar ritual but don't make the mistake of just going for the "cool" stuff right away. I too, live nowhere near a Thelemite group but if you really believe that you were meant to follow this path, than one will come to you, visualize it, see yourself in the robes. Good luck
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