College of Thelema: Thelemic Education

You should absolutely buy books, study, and practice by yourself. There's no sense in denying yourself experience of the magical world simply because there's nobody there to guide you through. When Crowley first published the Equinox, he insisted on a very high standard of quality so that the books would hopefully survive the coming cataclysms he believed were coming. He felt it was important to preserve the teachings so that future generations could pick up the pieces and revive the tradition after the dust settled. That means that there is sufficient material in published sources to get you quite far, if you study it carefully and practice it regularly and attentively.

That being said, do I think it best to do so? Only in the interim. My magical education results from many years of solitary study and practice, and I'm sure I'd be a lot further along if I'd had a guide to help me avoid many of the pitfalls and distractions which have befallen me. In any case, the A:.A:. sets the bar pretty high, so it would probably prove very advantageous to have some experience under your belt before beginning any formal work with them, the T.O.T., the C.O.T., or any other such group.

Also, beware that there is a lot that went unsaid in the published works of Crowley, the Golden Dawn, and numerous other sources. You may find that, when and if you begin work with the Order, the method your instructor teaches proves very different from what you develop on your own. As to if its better, that depends on your unique attunements, and the strength of your intuition to evolve magical rituals. Again, Crowley comes to mind; he once remarked that anyone with real aptitude for magick would find their own, crude rituals to be more effective than the highly polished rituals of others. (Of course, one must have a pretty good, deep understanding of magical formula in order to construct effective rituals, even crude ones, so it is wisest to practice with the highly polished rituals until one has sufficient understanding, or you'll never get anywhere.)

"it seemed like a legitimate question to me. Crowley and other occultists use the word "formula" in a peculiar sense, and dictionary definitions are not very helpful. Usually a formula prescribes the input or ingredients you need to produce a specific result. For example, if I know the radius of a circle and want to know the circumference, there's a well-known formula. I can put in the radius and get the circumference. Or if I have a formula for rocket fuel, that means I know what ingredients to mix and how to mix them to wind up with rocket fuel. But what does it mean to say that INRI is a formula? What do I put in, what do I do with it, and what comes put at the end?"

I.N.R.I., ABRAHADABRA, VIAOV, and so forth are formulas much like the formulas employed in physics or mathematics, in my understanding. Just as someone without basic training in calculus has difficulty making sense of physics formulas, one needs occult training and experience to understand these formulas. The formulas are of broad use, and the results depend on what you apply them to. These formulas can be applied to a person as in the case of initiation, invocation, and so forth, or to items to perform consecrations, as well as being useful to a wide variety of other purposes. The Golden Dawn offered many examples of methods for applying the formula of the Neophyte to numerous operations, including alchemy, evocation, and, of course, initiation.

In a mathematical sense, I understand each of the letters in the magical formulas to represent both a variable and a function. The functions must occur in a particular order, according to specific relationships. The variables change according to the nature of the first matter. For example, I in I.N.R.I., corresponding to Virgo, quickly suggests purity of the first matter. So, if a person is the subject of the formula's application, that person must be purified before the operation even begins.

Of course, this is just my opinion, based on independent study and practice. Others may have learned differently, or come to different results. I just find this the most useful, practical available interpretation, as it limits speculation and makes the various formulas more clear and adaptable. Take what you will from my ideas, and leave the rest as the unneeded mental baggage it could easily become.

93,

Where to begin?

Let's make this brief, I suppose.

For over 17 years, I've studied and practiced Magick. Of all the material that I've worked with, and all that I've studied, the works of Aleister Crowley have made the most sense, and provided the clearest sense of direction and inspiration. I find a lucidity in Crowley's work which lacks in many occult publications. That, and the level at which many of the Thelemic Holy Books speak to me, form the foundation of my interest in Thelema.

I have worked in a solitary manner for the majority of my life. I received initiation from a Brother who no longer lives anywhere near me, yet with whom I correspond. I no longer sit as his apprentice, but we share ideas and indulge in discussions of our disparate experiences as equals. I have never been a member of any formal organization, nor would I pretend to have been. While I have nothing but the highest respect for the A:.A:. and their ilk, I could not at any point enter into that admirable fraternity, having made so much progress in a solitary manner. It would feel like back-pedalling for the prestige of diplomas and degrees, which I have no need of. (That is not to say that the Order does not present significant advantages, many of which would ultimately make my education far more balanced and complete. However, I'd rather move forward with an imperfect vehicle than run in place in a perfect one.)

Guided by a wide variety of sources, I've brought myself up a good way along the path, though I know there is far more that I have never experienced, and may never reach. All I can do is my best to read the sign posts along my path, and walk along until I can walk no more; then, it becomes time to fly.

Enough of this, though; mostly, this post is just a way to say "Hi! Here I am!", and that purpose is more than accomplished. Anything further about me could be discussed ad nauseam, but such discussion could be no more than empty boasts. From this point forward, I'll let my posts and contributions to discussions speak for me, and perhaps therein such consistency will shine as to let those who desire such to get to know me.

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