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.
Thelema Lodge
Ordo Templi Orientis
P.O.Box 2303
Berkeley, CA 94702 USA
September 1990 e.v. at Thelema Lodge
Announcements from
Lodge Members and Officers
Were I a high and mighty God | |
Who never had to pant and plod | |
Along one straight and narrow way, | |
I'm sure I'd want to run and play | |
Across the ordered fields of stars | |
And scatter them with jolts and jars, | |
Then swing upon the chandeliers | |
Of clustered suns, to tweak the ears | |
Of other Gods who might be nigh | |
Within the vast and empty sky. | |
Then where these chandeliers are hung | |
Down from the arching rafters swung | |
That roof the curving universe | |
I'd stop awhile and then converse; | |
With much ado and apish wit | |
I'd seat myself and there I'd sit | |
To state my views and eloquize | |
With those who would philosophize | |
Upon the broad celestial view-- | |
Or pitch a bit of apish woo. | |
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:
the Fool | '04-05, | '26-27, | '48-49, | '70-71, | '92-93 |
the Magus | '05-06, | '27-28, | '49-50, | '71-72, | '93-94 |
the Priestess | '06-07, | '28-29, | '50-51, | '72-73, | '94-95 |
the Empress | '07-08, | '29-30, | '51-52, | '73-74, | '95-96 |
the Emperor | '08-09, | '30-31, | '52-53, | '74-75, | '96-97 |
the Hierophant | '09-10, | '31-32, | '53-54, | '75-76, | '97-98 |
the Lovers | '10-11, | '32-33, | '54-55, | '76-77, | '98-99 |
the Chariot | '11-12, | '33-34, | '55-56, | '77-78, | '99-00 |
Adjustment | '12-13, | '34-35, | '56-57, | '78-79, | '00-01 |
the Hermit | '13-14, | '35-36, | '57-58, | '79-80, | '01-02 |
Fortune | '14-15, | '36-37, | '58-59, | '80-81, | '02-03 |
Lust | '15-16, | '37-38, | '59-60, | '81-82, | '03-04 |
the Hanged Man | '16-17, | '38-39, | '60-61, | '82-83, | '04-05 |
Death | '17-18, | '39-40, | '61-62, | '83-84, | '05-06 |
Art | '18-19, | '40-41, | '62-63, | '84-85, | '06-07 |
the Devil | '19-20, | '41-42, | '63-64, | '85-86, | '07-08 |
the Tower | '20-21, | '42-43, | '64-65, | '86-87, | '08-09 |
the Star | '21-22, | '43-44, | '65-66, | '87-88, | '09-10 |
the Moon | '22-23, | '44-45, | '66-67, | '88-89, | '10-11 |
the Sun | '23-24, | '45-46, | '67-68, | '89-90, | '11-12 |
the Aeon | '24-25, | '46-47, | '68-69, | '90-91, | '12-13 |
the Universe | '25-26, | '47-48, | '69-70, | '91-92, | '13-14 |
*(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!
THE HALF LYRE:
You went looking for a voice, | |
but you found this song instead | |
You keep hoping for a choice, | |
but you sing these words with dread | |
of revealing the feelings you know that you feel, | |
of unsealing the dealings of gods with your soul, | |
of repeating the meeting of halves in a whole, | |
of decoding the meaning of what you're all for | |
You keep striving for your goal, | |
but it slips and slides away, | |
and you never gained control | |
of the lips that silence pays | |
It's a heartache to wake up and look in the mirror | |
Sets you reeling when feelings are suddenly clear, | |
and you're able to open the door without fear | |
of decoding the meaning of what you're all for | |
You've been working so many years | |
at imbalancing your brain | |
Who can see that all those tears | |
you've been storing up like grain | |
are for tomorrow's sowing time | |
when you'll start the same new game? | |
You don't know You can't know | |
exactly where I've been, | |
but if you'll | |
take chances | |
you just might let me in |
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.
9/2/90 | Gnostic Mass 8 PM | Thelema Ldg | ||
9/7/90 | Initiations Workshop 2nd Deg 8 PM | Thelema Ldg. | ||
9/9/90 | Gnostic Mass 8 PM | Thelema Ldg. | ||
9/12/90 | Magick & Qabalah #7 with Bill 8 PM | Thelema Ldg. | ||
9/14/90 | Rites of Eleusis '90 meeting 8PM | |||
9/16/90 | Gnostic Mass 8 PM & Clean-up | Thelema Ldg. | ||
9/18/90 | Magick Theatre reads: Jephthah by Crowley 7:30 PM | Thelema Ldg. | ||
9/19/90 | Magick & Qabalah #8 with Bill 8 PM | Thelema Ldg. | ||
9/20/90 | Lodge of Perfection | LOP | ||
9/21/90 | Initiations Workshop 3rd Deg 8 PM | Thelema Ldg. | ||
9/22/90 | Atumnal Equinox (call for info) | Thelema Ldg. | ||
9/23/90 | Gnostic Mass 8 PM | Thelema Ldg. | ||
9/27/90 | Thelema Lodge Meeting 8 PM | Thelema Ldg. | ||
9/28/90 | "Introduction to Trance" 8PM with Mordecai | Thelema Ldg. | ||
9/30/90 | Libra Birthday party 4:18 PM | Thelema Ldg. | ||
9/30/90 | Gnostic Mass 8 PM | Thelema Ldg. |
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.