Guidance sought - what now?
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Greetings everyone, as you can no doubt see, I'm new here.
I'm a sole practitioner in Australia who has only very recently discovered Thelema after a period of staunch atheism which eventually manifested itself as a sort of spiritual nihilism. It wasn't a very pleasant way to live, and I'm very grateful for what Thelema has done to my life, I have regained control and balance by doing my best to incorporate the Great Work into every facet of my life.
At the moment I am trying to read as much as I can, I have read a lot of Lon Milo DoQuette and Crowley's Book of Thoth so far. I work with the Thoth cards, study Qabalah and endeavour to perform the LBRP most nights. I'm very fortunate, as I live on a farm that is very hilly. Within 5 minutes from my house I can walk to the top of a large hill, with a 270 degree view over the surrounding valleys - it feels like a very powerful place to perform the LBRP, especially under starlight that hasn't been tainted with bright city lights. It also helps that there is no chance of being disturbed, so I can invoke the god names very powerfully without feeling self conscious.
I only know the LBRP so far, and I am very much enjoying performing it. I have never really experienced anything like it, it clears my thoughts and inspires me to take control of my life and environment.
My question is this : Which ritual should I be aiming to learn next? As I am very new to this, I don't want to rush too quickly into things.
Some guidance would be very much appreciated. I do not know of any possibility of me finding contact with any form of the A∴A∴ in Australia. I know that there is an OTO lodge a few hundred kilometres from me, but I am yet to decide if that is the path that I wish to take.
Thankyou, in advance. I have been reading this forum for a while now, and it has helped me immeasurably.
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Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
"My question is this : Which ritual should I be aiming to learn next? As I am very new to this, I don't want to rush too quickly into things."
LIRP.
Rituals aren't everything. Check Liber O and Liber E.
Love is the law, love under will.
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Thankyou.
I just started reading Liber O and came across this :
"These rituals need not be slavishly imitated; on the contrary the student should do nothing the object of which he does not understand;"
That is exactly why I was hesitant to continue. I think that it's best I slow down and work on my understanding. I'm not ready for more, yet. I'll keep reading, keep thinking, keep working on my Asana and Pranayama.
It's a bit like taking a bite from a delicious apple, then having the willpower to put it down. My ego wants it all, but I know that I need to progress forwards slowly, cautiously. I guess there's no power in something that is taken too lightly.
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Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
I think the point Crowley was trying to make is that you have to know what you are doing with the ritual because, well, that's the point; for it to be most effective you have to understand its parts (and it as whole). It's not because it's dangerous somehow. "... exceed! exceed!"
Love is the law, love under will.