College of Thelema: Thelemic Education

Hey well thank you all for your well thought out answers. To answer the question about atheism, I'm skeptical about everything. It's not so much that I think the rituals would work, its more that I'm hoping they will. And by proof, I mean a token or sign that these work. I don't mean it in any perverse manner and I apologize if it sounds that way. Even if he wasn't a rock star evil villain type, Crowley is interesting to me and my interest is becoming a spiritual person, I don't quite know if the prerequisite for that is a believe in Deity. In any case I want to give this a shot.

So start off with Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram? Can anyone tell me what exactly it's supposed to do. I think I understand the gist of it --clearing the area for magickal work-- but I'm guessing that is just a glib generalization. Perhaps a deeper something I'm supposed to find?

So I've taken an interest in Crowley-ian magick lately. I have two main questions I'm hoping people can answer.

1.) So I've been reading up on some rituals like the Lesser Banishing rituals of pentagram and hexagram in Regardie's book on the Golden Dawn --I'm not dabbling just reading-- and I've noticed that there aren't really "black magick" spells or anything in the books I've read, just things like the LBRP. I was wondering if this is something that has to be taught in person or is there a source where I can read on magick other than cleansing rituals. I'm not looking to smite anyone or anything. I've just heard of his reputation for being the "beast" and a black magician etc. I'd like to know if there are "standardized" rituals that everyone knows or if this system is a do it yourself kind of thin. Perhaps my second question will provide more information about me.

2.) I'm a certified atheist, but I'm utterly fascinated with Crowley. I'm curious as to how deep this magick goes. I'm not actively looking for proof (I'm neither antagonistic nor patronizing) but I was also wondering if there was anything minuscule that might convince me other wise. Perhaps a better description is an atheist that wants to follow a magick path. That sounds absurd, I'm sure, but it's the truth.