Articles

Grady and his Thoth Deck

Posted by on March 24, 2017

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The images above and below are of Grady McMurtry’s personal Thoth deck – one of the early Llewellyn editions.  Grady would be directly involved with the production of this deck which was first published in 1969.  This was the first time I had seen…


What exactly is a Clerk House?

Posted by on March 24, 2017

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. There are several ways in which the various lines of A∴A∴ operating today differ.  Clerk Houses, which are found in branches of Grady’s lineage, are one of the more distinguishable differences – and for this reason I am often asked, “Just what is a…


Crowley’s Yi King Sticks

Posted by on December 22, 2016

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Yi King was Crowley’s preferred method of divination and he consulted it regularly if not daily.  He also cast an omen with every Word of the Equinox which were sent to members of the A∴A∴ as a sort of oracular “password” – (See The…


The Words of the Equinox

Posted by on December 22, 2016

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. In 1907 Crowley began the tradition of issuing a new “Word” at each equinox.  These were sent to each member of the A∴A∴ (Neophyte and above) in good standing.  Commonly issued on Crowley’s personal stationary featuring his “Mark of the Beast” or a lamen…


Notes on the Original Student Reading List

Posted by on September 27, 2016

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.  By late 1911, Crowley noticed that many who approached the Great Work lacked the proper intellectual foundation.  This was placing a huge burden upon teachers, most of which were Neophytes at the time.  Hoping to alleviate the problem Crowley introduced the Student curriculum. What follows are three…


Notes on The Original Student Exam

Posted by on September 26, 2016

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Like many aspects of the A∴ A∴ system, the Student exam has varied some over its history.  However, it has never wandered far from its original design or intent.  Compiled here are four examples of exams utilized by Crowley. The first dates from 1912 and bears the…


The Official Seals of the Officers of the A∴ A∴

Posted by on September 24, 2016

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Rarely seen outside of the Order –are the original seals of its Officers as per Crowley design.  Being that these seals are wax, they are fragile and very few have survived undamaged into modern times. For example, here are images of both Jane Wolfe…


Remembering Soror Meral

Posted by on March 21, 2016

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Eleven years ago today Phyllis Seckler, AKA Soror Meral, Celebrated her Greater Feast. She was the first Thelemite I ever knew and the first I called teacher, but most importantly she was a dear friend. Someone who taught me how to BE a Thelemite….


The Star in the West

Posted by on March 21, 2016

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Here is something you won’t see every day. It is a first edition of J. F. C. Fuller’s “The Star in the West” — A Critical Essay Upon the Works of Aleister Crowley – (1907). Signed by both Crowley and Fuller. This limited edition…