College of Thelema: Thelemic Education

93 AllMyWill,

I wouldn't pay much attention to the whole Frater/Sorror thing in my opinion even though that is tagged along to the name you choose , it is not a part of the name. The equivalent of joining a fraternity/sorority and refering to you fellow members as brothers and sister , frater=brother , sorror=sister.

I felt the need in the beginning of my path to choose a magical motto early on to seperate my new magickal life from the old mundane life I was trying to escape from. I will explain how I chose my name and if you like the method give it a try.

After a bunch of google searches on "how to choose a magickal name" and things of that nature I decided to chose a name using numerology. I used a simple method I found on some site related to magick. You take the digits of your birth date and add them up individually. When you get your answer continue adding those digits until you have a single digit number. The only double digit numbers the page said were acceptable were 11 and 22. Once you have added it all up and you have your number that is your life path number. Now find names that you like and add them up using the chart below to find the value of that name. I feel this method starting off is a good way to choose a name with a little more meaning and more personal. I will give an example below.

http://www.numerologyguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/inclusion-chart-e1283384690753.png

My birth date is 07/02/1991
7+2+1+9+9+1= 29
2+9=11

Out of curiosity I also added my first and last name up seperately and they also both added up to 11. I then hit google again to try to find a word or phrase in another language, god name, etc that resonated with me. One of Crowley's many names was 'Perdurabo' (Latin: "I Will endure to the end").

I chose Isa(ee-sah) which is short for Isadoros or Isadore and means "gift from Isis" which I have my own personal reasons as to why that resonates with me that I will not share. I felt that Frater Isa was missing something it did not sound complete. I just kept adding up random things that I liked and landed on gold. It was a 2 which is my 11 broken down 1+1=2. Which is also my birthday July 2 so it worked. I googled up metaphysical properties of gold and things related to the color I liked it and it stuck. Once I get a grasp of gematria I will probably look into a name with more meaning and significance to me, hopefully when I'm ready to make that step into initiation as a neophyte in my local OTO.

Any how I am glad I read this post for a while now I have wanted to start my own thread sharing how I landed upon my name and to ask others if they would like to share what their name means or method use to acquire it, etc. I thought some may feel it too personal to explain something that may be extremely personal to them however if anyone would like to share I'd love to read.

Love is the Law, Lover Under Will.

• Frater IG

93,

Thank you for your suggestions, I was immediately drawn to the 'One Year Manual' just off the title and description and lucky for me I found a full color PDF which I will be printing at work tomorrow. Thanks again. 93/93

Do What Thou Wilt Shall Be the Whole of the Law,

93 Everyone,

As my book collection is growing I ask myself what would the ideal Thelemites dream library contain as far as titles that relate not only to Thelema, but Magick and the Occult in general? I have attached an image below of my collection thus far, and I hope to see some of you post your pictures as well.

I have only been seriously studying Thelema for about a month or two, and even though I feel I have learned so much already and at the same time I feel like I haven't even grasped the slightest bit of the knowledge in these writings.

I know when you think of dream library one could name an endless amount of books, I would however like you to try and select a top 15-20 "must haves" for a serious student of Thelema. What do ya say?

My library(thus far):

1. The Book of the Law (+Printed paper pdf version of the full commentary)
2. Liber 777 ... Writings
3. The Book of Thoth
4. Mini Book 4 (Parts I + II)
5. Understanding Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot - Lon Milo Duquette
6. Chicken Qabalah - Lon Milo Duquette

Love is the Law , Love Under Will.

Frater IG

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t673/younggiftednstrapped/image_zps82ce083b.jpeg

93,

Indeed I do have a local body extremely close to my home. I just sent them a message today about possibility of membership and to plan a visit. I will update you when and if that happens.

93/93

93 Jim,

Thank you for your comments, I found them to be very insightful.

93 Archaeus,

Many Thanks for your comment. I am sure I will be fine and that it is just my mind over thinking the subject as we tend to do.

93 93/93

Do What Thou Wilt Shall Be the Whole of the Law,

I have a particularly question regarding Race/Ethnicity in Thelema specifically in regards to the OTO. Before I get to my question I feel a little background info is necessary. I am new to the forum and a new student of the Law of Thelema (extended intro can be found in the 'Introduce Yourself' section ) . A child of the new aeon, I am 23 years old and of Puerto Rican & Costa Rican descent.

I have been thinking about reaching out to my local OTO body here in Philadelphia after reading the 'Open letter to those who may wish to join the OTO' PDF floating around the internet. I started to seriously consider initiation into the order as I do not know any other Thelemites in my area nor anyone to talk to of such matters.

Thus we have gotten to my question or concern if you will regarding Race/Ethnicity in the OTO and Thelema in general. In my day to day life I have never met another Thelemite in person nor knew what that was till a few months ago. Most of my friends would not even begin to understand, my family would say magick is of the devil. So I really have no one to talk about my beliefs and new path in life. So like most in my generation and age I have gone to the internet to try to connect with other like minded individuals (thus me being here).

While looking for other Thelemites (via Social networks, youtube, forums, etc.) I couldn't help but notice that its would seem most subscribers of Thelema and the OTO are of Caucasian descent. It was also hard to find brothers or sisters closer to my age that could relate to being a young adult in today's society with most members I found being older Caucasian men.

So my question is what are your views on Race/Ethnicity in Thelema and the OTO? Maybe I am wrong are there more members of non Caucasian descent that are accepting the Law of Thelema and becoming members of the OTO? If your are of non Caucasian descent would you care to share your experiences with race in Thelema and the OTO?

I know Thelema is a "religion" of Love and personal Will but I guess there is a fear in me that even with that said in today's society I expect some sort of judgment based on cultural differences. When I ask about Race it's not that I fear racism from the OTO as I'm sure the members of my local OTO body would be very welcoming. But do you think there is a possibility that differences such as Dress, Appearance, Music preferences(Mainly Hip-Hop), Speech would affect relationship with other members of the the OTO.

I appreciate any feedback, Thanks in advance.

Love Is the Law, Love Under Will

• Frater Isa Gold

Thank you for your kind words, and I would agree, oh how I love my Thoth deck!

I read your introduction thread as well and saw you mentioned you recently began your probationary degree in the OTO and I have a simple question if you will.

At what point, or what triggered your decision to go from being a solo practitioner to becoming an initiate of the OTO?

Thanks again.
93 93/93

Do What Thou Wilt Shall Be the Whole of the Law!

[What started out as a short introduction turned into a short essay on how I arrived at Thelema and my current state. I totally understand if you go ahead and skip to the last paragraph All jokes aside if you do read the whole thing I am looking forward to any words of wisdom you can provide.]

Greetings everyone, I am a new student to the Law of Thelema. Roughly a few months, I can't place my finger on the exact timing but it feels like forever when it comes to the writings of Crowley. Any how I renounced the Christian religion about 2 years ago after much soul searching and personal experiences. Shortly after I became interested in the occult at which point I felt like a child at the candy store. That's when I became aware that there were many paths and spiritual systems and mystery schools but that I must choose one as man could not master all teachings at the same time unless he was a genius of sorts.

I knew I felt drawn to Magick and spent some time looking into Wicca but at the end of the day I just wasn't into it 100%. I then stumbled across a PDF of the Satanic Bible and figured hey, why not read what the so called "other-side" of the religion I had grew up with had to say on the subject of life. I will say it was a good read, however not what I was looking for. I was always fascinated with Crowley as a man but I had never looked much into his writings or the book of the law. I purchased a copy of little Book 4(Parts 1 & 2 Only) during a trip to my local occult store but shortly after put it down as I could not make sense of, or retain what I was reading.

Time passed as it usually does and I had still not found my "path". One day while at my local occult shop picking up some crystals and incense I was drawn to a glass case that showcased a variety of tarot decks. I was not familiar with the tarot at all beyond that it was used for "fortune telling" or divination. However I felt the need to buy one and that's when I purchased the Thoth deck. I thought to myself Crowley was a bad a** in his time, so his tarot deck must be bad a** as well and indeed it was. I took it straight home from the store, and did a reading straight out the box for my friend. I immediately felt the energy I knew I was on to something. I returned to the store a week or two after and purchased The Book of Thoth. After reading the introductory concepts of the Thoth book I decided I was going to start my journey in Thelema.

I have since then purchased a copy of The Book of the Law from my local occult shop, as well as printed a copy of a PDF I found of the Book of the Law w/ Crowley's comments. I also just purchased Liber 777 along with Understanding Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot & Chicken Qabalah by Lon Milo Duquette from Amazon. They should arrive in the mail Monday after the Christmas weekend and I am super excited. I have accepted the Law of Thelema as my new religion (for lack of a better word) and hope that it will be the one constant as my life continues to move forward.

Since deciding to commit to the study of Thelema I have started a daily regiment of Resh, I am trying to begin saying will before every meal as of today but I seem to remember at the point I have finished stuffing my face. Oh and I am also 6 days without nicotine or cigarettes. If you have read this far thank you, and any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Love is the Law, Love Under Will

-Frater Isa Gold