Announcements from
Lodge Members and Officers

First published in The Grady Project #2 (December 1987 e.v.)

    For most Thelemites this new aeon began on March 20, 1904 e.v. The "e.v." refers to Crowley's designation for the old calendar, era vulgaris, which is Latin for "common era" (an English phrase which many non-Christians use in preference to a.nno d.omini - year of our lord). It is only natural that Thelemites would take this date as the beginning point for a new calendar with its year running from one spring equinox to the next. Logically this first year (1904-5 e.v.) would be dated 1; however, Crowley was victorious over simple logic and called this year "0". In the e.ra n.ova (or a.eon of H.orus) the year number "1" is 1905-6 e.v.
    This system makes a good deal of sense when we think of the new aeon as if it were a child; until a child is one year old its age is given as 0 years and so many months. Also this approach makes the mathematics of conversion from the old chronology to the new one much easier; just subtract 1904 from the standard year to arrive at the year of the aeon which begins at spring equinox of the standard year in question. Crowley's use of Roman numerals to designate the years of the new aeon sometimes serves to confuse those who declare, "But there isn't any zero in Roman numerals!". The Prophet refused to let any such small-minded hair-splitting dissuade him from blithely combining the Arabian cypher with his Latin lettering.
    AC developed an ingenious method of notation for what might be called Thoth-years. Year "xxi" is succeeded not by "xxii", but by "Io", "Ii", and so on down to "Ixxi" which is followed by "IIo", and so on. The present year (1990-91 e.v.) in this system is IIIxx a.H. (for symmetry, and to avoid confusion, the first 22-year cycle may also be written 0o, 0i,...0xxi). In working with some of the larger numbers, Roman numerals can be incredibly cumbersome to use, but still, the worst the aeon of Horus has to offer is LXXXVIIIxviii, and at least we have almost 1900 years to wait for it! As you may have noted, these numerical designations for the years conform admirably to the Tarot Trumps; while the capital letter Roman numerals refer to the number of 22-year cycles thus far completed in the new aeon, the small letter Roman numerals correspond to the Atu numbers of the Trumps. Thus 1904-5 e.v. might be called the Year of the Fool, 1947-8 e.v. the Year of the Universe, and this year the Year of the Aeon. A cycle like this may be used along the same lines as Chinese astrology. "Those people born in the Year of the Hierophant are prone to write pedantic articles like this" comes to mind as an example of what such a system might spawn.
    Here is a chart of the first five Thoth-years, with their corresponding common era dates. Remember that the years start at vernal equinox:

                       Year of:

   *(it's interesting to note that WWI started in the Year of Fortune and ended in the Year of Art while WWII started in the Year of Death and ended in the Year of the Sun)*

    Beside the question of year numbering there are other, perhaps less obvious, issues in Thelemic calendar reform. A calendar itself may be defined as a method of measuring time based on one or more recurrent cycles, usually natural cycles like the sun through its seasons or the moon through its phases. Calendars have existed as long as history; some of the earliest written records are calendars. Two of the most common types are the solar (year = 365 days 5 hr 48 min 46 sec) and lunar (year = 354 days 8 hr 48 min). Since ancient times Western calendarmakers have attempted to reconcile these different cycles. The month is roughly one full round of phases; the seven day week roughly approximates the length of a lunar quarter. Our present Western system of leap years (an extra day every four years) was widely adopted four hundred years ago under the authority of Pope Gregory, although Britain didn't adopt it till some 170 years later, and the Russians finally forsook the old Julian calendar only in this century. Thelemite practice has been to use the internationally popular Gregorian system for months and days while numbering the years of the new aeon as described above. New Year's Day is spring equinox, a different date from year to year in this system, instead of the first day of the first month. This alone might incline us to institute a calendar reform; however, there are other clumsy aspects to the Gregorian system which call for a new Thelemic calendar for keeping track of months and days as well as merely years.
    The twelve months of the old calendar harmonize between the solar and lunar rhythms of the year; therefore there is no reason not to retain this numerical symbolism in a new calendar, though under new names (my own nominees are derived from the Tree of Life: Kingdom, Foundation, Splendor, Endurance, Glory, Might, Benevolence, Mind, Understanding, Wisdom, Crown, Light). The seven days of the old aeon week harmonize the Sun (Tiphereth) with Venus (Netzach); the path of the Death Trump runs between them. This symbolism is no longer the most appropriate. The new aeon week must harmonize the Sun (Tiphereth) and Mars (Geburah), just as Ra Hoor Khuit does. The path is of Adjustment, and the simplest number of Geburah is five. Thus a Thelemic week could consist of five days instead of seven.
    Of course the five day week is better for more than just symbolic reasons. Its adoption would end all struggles to figure out what day of the week the 31st falls on this year, or what's the date of the last Friday of the month, or any similar time-waster. No longer would it be necessary to throw out last year's unused calendar; just change the year number and use it, because every year's dates are the same. Here's how it works: in a 365-day year there are 73 five day weeks (73 is a number of Chokhmah, hence Crowley's use of 5 Chokhmah-days to a year in some of his diaries). Twelve months of six weeks (30 days) = 360 days; the extra week, which is six days long in leap years, could be added to one of the months or placed by itself somewhere in the year.
    I have worked out one possible system in detail. The twelve months follow the names and order listed above; they represent the ten Sephiroth along with Da'at and the Ain Soph Aur. The extra week is called the Shells and is placed at the end of the year. The leap years are every four years, the first of the aeon being year "iii" and the most recent year "IIIxiii" (placing the first leap year in the fourth year of the aeon rather than in the first puts our leap years in closer correspondence with the Gregorian system of our troglodyte brethren). By this particular Thelemite system of dating the Equinox of the Gods was on Kingdom 1, 0o a.H.; the three days of the writing of the Book of the Law were Kingdom 20, 21, 22, 0o a.H.; Crowley died on Understanding 17, Ixxi a.H.; Grady McMurtry was born on Mind 3, 0xiv a.H. and died on Endurance 25, IIIxv a.H.; the author of this essay was born on Endurance 8, IIv a.H. and died on Kingdom 27, IIIxv a.H.
    In practical terms the concept of Thelemic calendar reform is entirely workable, whichever of the various possible manifestations turns out to be favored by most Thelemites; however, it can only remain at most an odd religious custom, a mere intellectual curiousity, unless the political authority to institute it can somewhere and somewhen be exercised. That time may be never, tomorrow, or it may be far in the future, but in any event we may as well be prepared for it in every possible way, even down to our wall calendars!

RITUAL ALEPH

    This ritual is to be performed in conjunction with a study of the Tree of Life. It should be used once a day in the evening or just before bed. In addition to the powers noted and a general attainment of the Merkabah vision, this ritual is particularly suited to the attainment of the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel.

    "May the Holy Angel Raziel () grant a safe and fruitful fulfillment of this Ritual."
    "May the fifteen abilities that change Abdach () into Abgadach () be freely given and received."

    Pause and consider what has just been said. If these powers are sought in their own right, they will not come. These powers are only granted for the attainment of higher purpose: This is the "Discovery of the True Will and the Completion of the Great Work" as Crowley put it; and for leading "the Creator back to His (Her) Throne again" in the words of the Sepher Yetzirah --- in plain terms, Enlightenment. The magical powers are a gift along the way and an aid to attainment. Only LAShTAL, freedom from lust of result, can be the way of doing this Work.

    Before is Raphael
    Behind is Uriel
    At Right is Michael
    At Left is Gabriel

    This change is made to align the ARCHangels in the pattern as Angels of the ARK, or Throne Angels. The usual attribution of the ritual is to the prevailing winds, and changes depending on East or West coast location and position North or South of the Equator. This allocation is to the Kerubic Signs and is less geographically dependent.
    The pentagram ritual should be well learned in its usual form before applying it in this fashion.
    In this use, the banishment is directed toward all earthly things.

10. "I invoke Da'at in Malkut that my senses fail me not. May the
    Aishim (), the flames, foundations, the angels of existence,
    bring me to ride in the Chariot of Shabbatai (), Saturn in
    this world."
9. "I invoke Da'at in Yesod that my imagination deceive me not. May the
    Kerubim (), the angelic Cherubs of four ways, winds and forms,
    bring me to ride in the Chariot of Lebanah (), the Moon in
    this world of Yesod."
8. "I invoke Da'at in Hod that my intellect guide me well. May the
    Beni Elohim (), the angelic sons of the gods and goddesses
                                              who followed after the children of Adam,
    bring me to ride in the Chariot of Kokab () Mercury in
    this world of Hod."
7. "I invoke Da'at in Netzach that my emotions bear me up. May the
    Elohim (), the angelic gods and goddesses who formed the world,
    bring me to ride in the Chariot of Nogah (), Venus in
    this world of Netzach."
6. "I invoke Da'at in Tipheret that my life be fulfilled. May the
    Melakim (), the royal angels of the middle place,
    bring me to ride in the Chariot of Schemesh (), the Sun in
    this world of Tipheret."
5. "I invoke Da'at in Geburah that my life be ordered. May the
    Seraphim (), the burning ones, the exalted angels of wrath,
    permit me to ride in the Chariot of Madim (), Mars in
    this world of Geburah."
4. "I invoke Da'at in Chesed that my life be blessed. May the
    Chashmalim (), the shining angels of divine love,
    carry me to ride in the Chariot of Tzedeq (), Jupiter
    in this world of Chesed."

    Continue with these statements. Project positive feeling that the angels named are your friends and companions.

    "Through the aid of the great angels of the lesser chariots who are my friends and companions"
    Cassiel () above my reach (Saturn).
    Sachiel () the tabernacle (Jupiter).
    Samael () the spice (Mars).
    Michael () the likeness (Sun).
    Anael () the ship (Venus).
    Raphael () the healing (Mercury).
    Gabriel () the mighty (Moon).
    Cassiel () the throne as it appears below (Saturn as Earth).
    "I shall become worthy of the great Vision of the Merkabah () in Binah beyond Proket Zohar (), the veil of Splendour, when Da'at (Abdah) becomes Abgadah."
    "From the Vision I shall pass to the Throne's Voice, the voice of the one who wears the pure linen garment in Chokmah, --- by the gift of dew."
    "In hearing the Voice, may it be granted that I dwell with the Crown in Keter and yet know the Kingdom in Malkut."

Note: as a death prayer or prayer at the moment of death, the words "and yet know..." are not used unless the person dying wishes to reincarnate with conscious memory of the previous life --- a most painful event.

Events Calendar for September 1990 e.v.

    The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of OTO or its officers.

   Note to update: the addresses and phone numbers in these issues of the Thelema Lodge Calendars are obsolete since the closing of the Lodge. They are here for historic purposes only and should not be visited or called.