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Liber ‫ את‬vel Via Vitae Sub Figurâ CCCCI THE RULE OF THE ABBEY OF THELEMA -Ad Salutem Thelema-

"Ye shall gather goods and store of women and spices; ye shall wear rich jewels; ye
shall exceed the nations of the earth in splendour & pride; but always in the love of me, and so shall ye come to my joy."(CCXX, i, 61) "Thus ye have star & star, system & system; let not one know well the
other" (lbid, i, 50) ARTICLE ONE.The Abbey of Thelema shall consist of aspirants to the Great White Brotherhood, or A A, of both sexes and sexual preferences. ARTICLE TWO. The rite of initiation
in the Abbey of Thelema shall take the form of a matrimonial union between the monk or nun and 666 or 156, according to his or her biological identity. The new monk or nun shall take a new name based
on the Holy Books of Thelema. ARTICLE THREE. Neither the Abbey of Thelema nor its members shall discriminate against any person on the basis of their race, national or ethnic origin, sex or sexual
preference, or age. The Abbey of Thelema is completely non-sectarian and non-dogmatic. The Abbey of Thelema is ecologically responsible and opposes the continuing destruction of the body of Our
Lady Babalon (the Earth). ARTICLE FOUR. The study and discussion (discussus) of the Book of the Law are forbidden. However, the reading, realization, and interpretation of the Law are not forbidden.
This prohibition is moreover specific to the Book of the Law, and does not apply to any other Book. The Comment is the most "Zen" of all of Aleister Crowley's writings. Note Bene! Cave! ARTICLE
FIVE. The Word and the Letter of Truth, and the sole Rule of Life, is the Holy Books of Thelema (Official Publications of the A  A in Class A). These books represent the utterance of an Adept entirely
beyond criticism, and may not be changed. The individual right of interpretation is, however, absolute. Books may only be added to the Canon on the Authority of the Collegium Summum, by the Chief of
the A A. ARTICLE SIX. The Head of the Abbey of Thelema is the Abbot or Abbess. He or she is appointed for life, except as provided for in Article X. The Abbot or Abbess manifests the True Will of
the Abbey, speaks for the community, and is the sole source of power, strength, and authority within the Abbey, the Abbey's Magical Link to the Highest. Each Abbey shall have its own Abbot or Abbess,
and no Abbot or Abbess shall have power or authority over more than one community, except as provided for in Article VIII. ARTICLE SEVEN.Every member of the Abbey shall swear a Vow of Holy
Obedience to the Abbot or Abbess. ARTICLE EIGHT. The maximum number of the community shall be eleven. However, abbeys may congregate in larger communities, in which case they shall be
governed by a council of abbots or abbesses. In no case shall the governing council exceed eleven members. ARTICLE NINE. Each Abbot or Abbess shall appoint his or her successor at or prior tohis or
her death. Failing that, the new Abbot or Abbess shall be chosen by unanimous agreement of the governing council of which he or she was a member within thirty days. Should he or she not have been a
member of a governing council, then his or her successor shall be chosen unanimously by the three highest ranking members of the Abbey within one year from the date of his or her death. In the interim the
Abbey shall be governed by a triumvirate of the same members. ARTICLE TEN. The new Abbot or Abbess shall appoint a Regent to act in his or her name until such time as the new Abbot or Abbess has
completed the Ordeal of the Pyramid (see Article XII), which he or she shall undertake within ten days of his or her appointment. ARTICLE ELEVEN. The Abbot or Abbess may be removed from office by
the unanimous agreement of all the inhabitants of the Abbey or the governing council (if any), other than himself or herself. ARTICLE TWELVE. The Ordeal of the Pyramid. In a suitable place prepared let
a truncated tetrahedral pyramid be constructed. On the sides of the interior are sigils in colour corresponding to the spirits of the elements, painted on a white base. The base of the interior shall be painted
black, and the exterior shall be painted white or black according to the season (spring and summer or autumn and winter respectively). The top shall be open to the Sky. The height of the pyramid shall be
equal to the height of a man, and the rest shall be proportional. Let the sides of the pyramid be oriented to the four quarters of the compass. The pyramid shall be constructed such that it shall be possible to
collect and pass out faeces, urine, and utensils, while food, water, and utensils may be passed in. Let the candidate for the office of Abbot or Abbess be ceremonially entombed in this pyramid for exactly ten
lunar months, with purifications and consecrations, during which time he or she shall aspire continually to Nuit in perfect solitude and silence. He or she shall have nothing therein save the Holy Books of
Thelema, his or her Magical Record, a pen, a single candle, and matches. The candidate shall be permitted a single robe, which shall be changed at intervals of one week; sufficient bedding for the weather;
a sufficiency of water, bread, and vegetables for daily consumption, but absolutely no animal products or drugs; water, soap, nail scissors, and a cloth once per week; and a container for urine and the
collection of rainwater. The removal of faeces and urine, and the passing in of food, shall occur once per day, in the midst of the night, and shall be attended to by the members of the Abbey in turn, by twos,
chosen at random, in perfect silence. At any time the candidate may terminate the ordeal by breaking his or her Vow of Silence, at which time he or she shall be removed. Such a candidate ceases to be a
member of the Abbey of Thelema for life. He or she shall be removed after sunset on the last day. Upon completing the Ordeal, the Abbot or Abbess shall be installed with all feasting and rejoicing, and the
day of his or her installation shall be kept as a feast day by the Abbey for the duration of his or her life. ARTICLE THIRTEEN. The Abbot or Abbess shall be entirely supported by the Abbey, and shall be
provided with a private room, chapel, and bathroom, furnished in the style of King Lamus. Other than his or her administrative responsibility, the Abbot or Abbess shall devote himself or herself entirely to
the tasks of the A A and such other work as he or she may see fit (see Article XLII). ARTICLE FOURTEEN. The Abbot or Abbess may appoint officers to carry out the practical and administrative work
of the Abbey, at his or her convenience, in which case they shall receive the same obedience of the community to which the Abbot is entitled, subject to his or her authorization and approval. ARTICLE
FIFTEEN. The Abbey shall maintain a Thelemic temple in accordance with the specifications prescribed in the Thelemic Holy Books. It shall be equipped for the tasks of the A  A and the celebration of
the Gnostic Catholic Mass, for which additional props shall be kept available as needed. ARTICLE SIXTEEN. Every member of the Abbey shall wear a bright blue tau robe, lined with scarlet and provided
with a hood, with a golden girdle optional. The masters shall wear a scarlet tau robe, lined with blue. The Abbot or Abbess shall wear a bright blue tau robe, as above, emblazoned with the Eye of Horus in
scarlet. Members of the A A may wear the robe of their grade (see Article XLII). ARTICLE SEVENTEEN. All male members of the Abbey shall shave the head with the exception of a single lock in the
centre of the forehead, or an inverse tau at the hairline made with vermilion sandalwood paste. ARTICLE EIGHTEEN. All female members of the Abbey shall wear their hair bobbed and died with optional
red or yellow henna. ARTICLE NINETEEN. The children of the Abbey shall be encouraged to go naked in order to free them from the bond of sexual shame. ARTICLE TWENTY. Upon reaching puberty
each child shall be initiated privily by the oldest member of the Abbey of the opposite biological gender, whereupon he or she may become a full member of the Abbey. ARTICLE TWENTY-ONE. Every
member of the Abbey shall be vowed by a Vow of Holy Obedience to the Abbot or Abbess and by a Vow of Simplicity. Concerning the Vow of Chastity it is not here written. ARTICLE TWENTY-TWO.
The day shall be divided by a tom-tom, bell, or other alarum, at 6 a.m., 12 noon, 6 p.m., and 12 midnight, followed immediately by a communal Adoration of the Sun, according to the formula of Liber CC,
followed by one hour of solitary meditation, except on Sunday (see Article XXXI). ARTICLE TWENTY-THREE. Meals shall be served twice daily, at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. All meals shall be eaten
communally in silence, and shall be preceded by the saying of “Will”. All members of the Abbey shall fast between meals, save for the imbibition of water. All meals shall be accompanied by wine.
Dinners may be cooked in the French style. Breakfast shall be vegan. Red meat shall only be served on the feast days of the Book of the Law. White meat shall not be served more than three times per week
(see Article XXXIV). ARTICLE TWENTY-FOUR. The morning shall be dedicated to work and physical training and exercise. The afternoon shall be dedicated to intellectual study, magic, or meditation,
according to the member's grade. The evening shall be dedicated to the communal recitation of the Cries of Adoration of Liber CMLXIII, or other chants, performances, readings, celebrations, or
observances, with the approval of the Abbot, except on Wednesday (see Article XXVII). ARTICLE TWENTY-FIVE. The Abbey shall consist of seven grades, as follows: postulant, consisting of one year
of service; novice, consisting of two years of physical training; disciple, consisting of three years of intellectual study; aspirant, consisting of four years of magical work; adept, consisting of five years of
mystical work; master; and the Abbot or Abbess, who is created by the Ordeal of the Pyramid. An abbott or abbess serving on a governing council shall be referred to as an archimandrite. ARTICLE
TWENTY-SIX. The members of the Abbey shall fast totally on each Wednesday. ARTICLE TWENTY-SEVEN. Every Wednesday night the Abbot or Abbess shall preach to the community, commencing
at 7 p.m., according to the formula of Liber LXIV. ARTICLE TWENTY-EIGHT. All monks shall be addressed as "Brother." All nuns shall be addressed as "Sister." The Abbot and masters shall be
addressed as "Father" or "Mother" in accordance with their biological gender. Monks and nuns may be addressed by a superior or equal by their chosen names or, if they are also members of the A.'. A.'.,
mottoes, or an acceptable abbreviation or English equivalent thereof. Children shall be addressed by their given names. ARTICLE TWENTY-NINE. The corporal punishment of children is forbidden.
ARTICLE THIRTY. The mass media are forbidden within the Abbey of Thelema. ARTICLE THIRTY-ONE. The use of the first personal pronoun is forbidden by all save the masters and Abbot. ARTICLE
THIRTY-TWO. The members of the Abbey shall greet each other with the words "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law," followed by the reply, "Love is the law, love under will." The farewell
is "Love is the law, love under will," reiterated. ARTICLE THIRTY-THREE. Any discord or disagreement between the members of the Abbey shall be brought to the immediate attention of the Abbot or
Abbess or an officer appointed for the purpose. Once the cause of such a discord or disagreement is identified, the Abbot or Abbess shall appoint a test, such that the result of the test shall determine the
resolution of the discord or disagreement by indicating the True Will in the matter, which shall be interpreted by the Abbot or Abbess. Once resolved, any further discord or disagreement for the same cause
shall be considered to be a breach of the Vow of Holy Obedience, and punishable by penance. ARTICLE THIRTY-FOUR. The entry of the Sun into the signs of the zodiac, the newness and fullness of the
Moon, the birth and puberty of children, the marriages and deaths of members, the quarter days, and the feast days prescribed in the Book of the Law shall be observed by rituals and celebrated by feasts. In
addition, the Abbey of Thelema shall sponsor public readings and performances of the works of Aleister Crowley, and such other works as the Abbot may authorize. ARTICLE THIRTY-FIVE. The Mass of
the Gnostic Catholic Church shall be celebrated every Sunday at 12 noon, following the Adoration of the Sun. ARTICLE THIRTY-SIX. Those who do not accept the Law of Thelema may not trespass upon
the consecrated grounds of the Abbey. Above all entrances to the Abbey the motto "DO WHAT THOU WILT" shall be superscribed. Guests and new members shall sign the following pledge form
immediately upon admission to the Abbey: "I do solemnly declare that I accept the Law of Thelema, that I will devote myself to discover my True Will, and to do it." Those who refuse to sign must be
expelled. ARTICLE THIRTY-SEVEN. Members of the Abbey may, by special dispensation of the Abbot or Abbess, work in the world on behalf of the Abbey, in which case any or all of their duties may be
forgiven them, for the duration of their absence from the Abbey, without penance. ARTICLE THIRTY-EIGHT. The admission, expulsion, and advancement of members of the Abbey shall be at the personal
discretion of the Abbot. Penances may be exacted by the Abbot at his or her personal discretion, excluding corporal punishment. The education of the Abbey's children shall be the personal responsibility of
the Abbot. ARTICLE THIRTY-NINE. Any member of the Abbey may leave the Abbey without shame simply by informing the Abbot of his will, provided he or she is not under any penance or shunning at
the time. ARTICLE FORTY. Any member of the Abbey who fails to observe the Rule of the Abbey of Thelema shall be shunned. The duration of shunning shall be determined by the Abbot, according to
the severity of the infraction. ARTICLE FORTY-ONE. Any person may establish an Abbey of Thelema in accordance with this Rule. Each Abbey shall endeavour to incorporate itself as a religious order,
in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is located, and to establish itself on a sound financial basis. In particular, the Abbey shall endeavour to acquire any land or property which may
become available in its vicinity, in order to enlarge its domain. Abbeys shall extend hospitality to each other's members, at the discretion of the Abbot. ARTICLE FORTY-TWO. Any Abbot or Abbess who
satisfies the criterion of the twenty-one tests may confer the instruction, grades, and initiations of the Great White Brotherhood, or A  A, in the name of the A A, as an Exempt Adept of the A A.
ARTICLE FORTY-THREE. Any person soever may claim the grade of Master of the Temple by taking the oath of the grade, subject to recognition of a recognized Master of the Temple of the A  A.
ARTICLE FORTY-FOUR. Each Abbey of Thelema shall be located at a power point based on the figure genethhacal for the moment of the advent of the New Aeon. The name of the Abbey shall be based
on the god names of the Holy Books of Thelema and shall be derived from the significant planets for the chosen location. If local mythology attests to a regional power point the Abbey shall be oriented to
that.

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