College of Thelema: Thelemic Education

Just to make this even more convoluted:

I've found that the simplest answer I can give is that it's my religion. People who have never heard of Thelema still know what a religion is, so that's a simple frame of reference, and the details don't matter unless they're curious and want to go in-depth. It's like if I said I'm a Hindu: people at least know what category that goes in.

But the problem with that answer is, I think "religion" has a lot of connotations for people that aren't necessarily true, and that are derived from Judeo-Christianity (i.e. belief in a Supreme Being). So even if it would be accurate to say "it's my religion", it would create even more confusion and require even more explanation. I think.

Any thoughts? I feel like there has to be a simplistic catch-all answer for casual chit-chatty purposes... but maybe there isn't.

Thanks for all the replies!

To clarify: my Gnostic Mass example is a real one.

Friend: What are you up to tomorrow afternoon?
Me: I'm going to a Gnostic Mass.
Friend: What's that?
Me:

And this is where I get confused. I don't know how to give a brief, casual answer that makes sense to someone who lacks a frame of reference for this. A long, in-depth answer wouldn't be appropriate for the situation. If I say "it's a Thelemic ceremony", that sounds like gibberish. And so on... you get the idea.

I hope I don't sound like I'm too hung up on labels or summaries. I know what all of this means to ME, but I just don't know how to put it into a casual conversation.

Thanks!

When you're talking to someone who's never heard of Thelema or Crowley, and the subject comes up, how do you put it in a nutshell?

Like maybe you're on a first date and want to give a quick answer. Or you say you're busy tomorrow afternoon and someone asks why and the answer is that you're going to a Gnostic Mass and they don't know what that is. You know... a basic answer.

Seems like a simple question, but I'm never sure what to say!

Just wondering if, apart from the obvious Liber 777, anyone has any particular sources they like to consult for magickal correspondences when creating a ritual. You've decided to invoke a deity; where do you look to figure out how? Or do you feel Liber 777 covers all the bases?