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Magazin 418may2012 PDF
Magazin 418may2012 PDF
So what does 418 stand for? The qabalistic number of the word
Abrahadabra is 418. Abrahadabra is also referred to as the “Word of
Double Power.” More specifically, it represents the uniting of the
Microcosm with the Macrocosm—represented by the pentagram and Photograph taken by
Gwendolyn Beaulieu
the hexagram, the rose and the cross, the circle and the square, the 5
and the 6, etc.—also called the attainment of the Knowledge and
Conversation of one's Holy Guardian Angel. You can see the importance of the number 418 to
those of us who practice Thelema.
Abrahadabra Oasis
Abrahadabra is a word that appears in the Book of the Law, the central sacred text of
Thelema. Its author, Aleister Crowley, described it as “the Word of the Æon”, which signifieth
418
the Great Work accomplished. My hope is that this newsletter can serve as a medium for us all
to accomplish the Great Work of our local body.
In this issue M ay 2 0 1 2
About Ordo Templi Orientis 2 Special points of interest:
Original Art by
Alphonse Louis Constant 3
Nicholas “The Barbarian” Kelley
Upcoming Event Descriptions 4-5
Calendar of Events on back page.
About us
Ordo Templi Orientis is the first of the great Old Æon orders U.S. Grand Lodge is not a Lodge in the above sense; rather,
to accept the Book of the Law, received by Aleister Crowley in it is the name of the entire national section of Ordo Templi
1904 e.v. This book proclaims a New Æon in human thought, Orientis in the United States, comprising all the local bodies
culture and religion. The Æon arises from a single supreme and members in the U.S., together with the administrative
injunction: the Law of Thelema, which is Do what thou wilt. officers and governing bodies responsible for its operation.
As a nonprofit corporate entity, U.S. Grand Lodge is known
This Law is not to be interpreted as a license to indulge every as “O.T.O. U.S.A.” Our program synopsis and mission
passing whim, but rather as the mandate to discover one’s True statement provide a summary of the purpose and activities of
Will and accomplish it; leaving others to do the same in their U.S. Grand Lodge.
own unique ways. “Every man and every woman is a star.” The
Law of Thelema can ultimately be fulfilled only through the If you wish to become a member of O.T.O., many re-
individual efforts of each person. Nevertheless, many worthy sources are available to assist you in locating and
aspirants to the Great Work of Thelema have a genuine contacting a local body to apply for initiation.
need for information, guidance, fellowship, or the op- See the membership page (and the pages to
portunity to assist their fellow aspirants and serve hu- which it refers) for details. It should be clearly
manity. Such aspirants will find welcome in O.T.O. understood that initiate membership in O.T.O.
requires a physical ceremony, and that we offer
O.T.O. was originally affiliated with European Mason- no formal correspondence courses or other re-
ry but is no longer a Masonic organization, though it mote services, though informal correspondence
shares some terminology and traditions with Masonry. with members is welcome.
The complex but intriguing history of O.T.O. may be
of interest for the light it sheds on the origins of our O.T.O. is a California nonprofit corporation and
current organization and goals. a federally recognized tax-exempt religious enti-
ty under IRS section 501c(3). We have proven
The O.T.O. operates local bodies throughout the ourselves to be the genuine O.T.O. of Aleister
world; most members participate directly in one or more of Crowley, both in the U.S. Federal Courts, and
them. There are three levels of local bodies within the O.T.O.: more importantly by our demonstrated success
Camps, Oases, and Lodges, in order of increasing importance in faithfully promulgating practical Thelemic philosophy
and services available. Most local bodies offer classes on mag- through a careful implementation of Crowley’s vision of the
ick, ritual, cabala, and other topics of interest to practicing The- mission of the Order.
lemites. Many bodies perform the EGC Gnostic Mass on a reg-
ular basis. Other common local activities include performance All material © 1996-2011 by Ordo Templi Orientis.
of group rituals (for example, the Rites of Eleusis), publication
Ordo Templi Orientis, O.T.O., and the O.T.O. Lamen are regis-
of a newsletter or journal, and cooperative activities with other tered trademarks of Ordo Templi Orientis.
local alternative-religious groups. To find a local body near
you, see the US local bodies or international contacts listings. Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica is a registered trademark of Ordo
Templi Orientis USA.
2
Alphonse Louis Constant Noémi Cadiot, who left him seven years later.
(1810-1875 e.v.) In 1852, Constant met the messianic mathematician Jozef Ma-
ria Hoëhne-Wronski (1778-1853), whose brilliant attempts at
by T. Apiryon fusing philosophy, religion, and mathematics provided Con-
stant with the impetus towards synthesizing the disparate ele-
Copyright © 1995, 1997
ments of his own life: Christianity, utopian idealism, mysti-
Ordo Templi Orientis. All rights reserved. cism, and rationalism. This synthesis manifested as occultism,
whose tenets Constant set forth in a treatise called Dogme de
Usually known by his pseudonym “Eliphas la magie, written under the pen name Eliphas Lévi. The trea-
Lévi Zahed,” which is a translation of his tise was later developed into Lévi's most famous work, Dogme
name into Hebrew, this Parisian was almost single-handedly re- et rituel de la haute magie.
sponsible for the popular resurgence of the Secret Traditions in the
19th Century. Lévi synthesized Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, After Noémi had left him, he moved for a short time to Eng-
Qabalism, Gnosticism, Masonry, Rosicrucianism, Alchemy, Tarot, land, where he met with Sir Edward Bulwer (later Lord) Lyt-
Mesmerism, Spiritism, along with the writings of Boehme, Swe- ton, and where he performed his famous evocation of Apollo-
denborg, Paracelsus, and Knorr von Rosenroth into what we know nius of Tyana. He returned to Paris, took on a number of pu-
today as “occultism.” pils, and became increasingly famous and influential through
his unique writings on philosophy and scientific theurgy, as
Constant was born the son of a poor shoemaker in Paris. He at- well as his personal charm.
tended a Catholic school for poor children, where he showed a
great aptitude for religion. At 15, he entered the seminary of Saint Aleister Crowley considered him to have been an Adeptus Ma-
Nicolas du Chardonnet to study for the priesthood, where he jor, as well as his own immediately previous incarnation.
learned, among other religious matters, the Hebrew language. The Crowley translated his La Clé des Grandes Mystéres (“The Key
master of this seminary, Abbé Frère-Colonna, taught the young of the Mysteries” 1861), which Crowley considered to be his
Constant that humanity, fallen from the bosom of God through own Adeptus Exemptus thesis. Lévi’s Dogme et Rituel de la
original sin, must return towards Him by a process which tears haute magie (1855-56 & 61, translated into English by A. E.
him away from matter and gradually spiritualizes him. He also Waite under the title “Transcendental Magic”) is included in
taught the boy that history was divided into four great eras of pro- the Liber E reading list and is required reading for entry to the
gressively greater spiritualization: the first began with Adam; the probationer level of A ∴ A ∴
second began with Abraham; the third began with Jesus; and the
His other major published works include: Histoire de la magie
fourth was to begin with the advent of the Paraclete, the Holy
(1860), La Mystéres de la qabalah (Ms. 1861, publ. 1920),
Spirit. Abbé Frère was deposed for his views while Constant was
Legendes et symboles (1862), La Science des esprits (1865),
still attending the seminary. Constant always remained faithful to
Paradoxes of the Highest Science (1883), Livre des splendeurs
the basic tenets of Catholicism, but he never forgave the Ecclesias-
(1894), Clés majeurs et clavicules de Salomon (1895), Le Livre
tical authorities for disgracing his beloved teacher.
des sages (1912) and The Magical Ritual of the Sanctum Reg-
In 1832, he entered the theological college of Saint-Sulplice and num (1970).
was ordained Deacon in 1835. His years at Saint-Sulplice were
References:
dreary and disillusioning, as the students vied for the favor of the Crowley, Aleister; The Book of Thoth [1944], Samuel Weiser, New
directors who manipulated and coerced them. He was scheduled York 1969/74
to be ordained Priest in 1836, but he had met and fallen in love King, Francis and Isabel Sutherland; The Rebirth of Magic, Corgi,
Aylesbury 1982
with a young girl. Although nothing ever came of the relationship,
McIntosh, Christopher; Eliphas Lévi and the French Occult Revival,
he realized that he could not live without human affection and Rider & Co., London 1972
abandoned his vows before his ordination. Webb, James; The Occult Underground, Library Press, LaSalle,
Illinois 1974
After hearing of his apostasy, his mother committed suicide. After 2/1/97
Saint-Sulplice, Constant spent a period associating with revolu- Originally published in Red Flame No. 2 - Mystery of Mystery: A
Primer of Thelemic Ecclesiastical Gnosticism by Tau Apiryon and
tionary socialists, including Flora Tristan, grandmother of Paul Helena; Berkeley, CA 1995 e.v.
Gauguin and M. Ganneau, the “Mapah.” He spent three short
3
Upcoming Event Descriptions
Frater Ne’reus
Soror Lilith
4
Tarot Night
Come! all ye, and learn the secret that hath not yet been revealed.
From gold forge steel!
I, Hadit, am the complement of Nu, my bride. I am not extended,
and Khabs is the name of my House.
The night begins with a short introduction into the system of the
Tarot itself, and the floor is open to all who might want to add
their understanding of a certain card or suit of cards. Currently we
are working with the Atus or Trumps, starting with the elemental
cards associated with the three mother letters of the Hebrew al-
Original Art by
phabet, and the unfolding of the rose in the symbol of the Rosy
Cross. We have put together posters with enlarged images of each Nicholas “The Barbarian” Kelley
card and its correspondences, as well as its location upon the glyph
of the Qabalistic Tree of Life. We plan to move from there to the
planetary and zodiacal Trumps and finally the individual suits.
But your holy place shall be untouched
We hang large posters on the walls of the library with details of
throughout the centuries: though with fire and
various spreads, their layout and instructions for reading them.
The idea is to help each other learn and become comfortable read- sword it be burnt down & shattered, yet an in-
ing for each other in an atmosphere of friendship and equality. Of visible house there standeth, and shall stand un-
course we teach, but at the same time we are all learning. til the fall of the Great Equinox; when Hruma-
chis shall arise and the double-wanded one as-
Originally Tarot Night was to be held only once a month, but very sume my throne and place. Another prophet
quickly it became popular and those attending asked for more. We
shall arise, and bring fresh fever from the skies;
currently hold Tarot Night twice a month (the first and third
another woman shall awakethe lust & worship
Thursday night from 6:30 to 8:30), and at this time we are seri-
ously considering a weekend seminar in early June. of the Snake; another soul of God and beast
shall mingle in the globed priest; another sacri-
fice shall stain the tomb; another king shall
Frater Ne’reus reign; and blessing no longer be poured To the
Hawk-headed mystical Lord!
Soror Lilith
Liber AL vel Legis
5
Abrahadabra Upcoming events
Oasis
Thursday, May 3, 6:30 pm- Tarot Night
991 Forest Avenue, Suite #203 Sunday, May 20, 10:00 am- Gnostic Mass
Portland, Maine 04103
12:00 pm- Class: Liber XV: The Gnostic Mass
P.O. Box 10468 Thursday, May 24, 6:30 pm- Philosophical Furnace
Portland, Maine 04104
Sunday, June 10, 10:00 am- Gnostic Mass
The Gnostic Mass was written by Aleister principles of Thelema. It is quite a formal
Crowley in 1913 and is the central public ritual and can be a very beautiful one.
and private ceremony of O.T.O.
The Gnostic Mass is a group participatory
Gnostic Masses are held regularly at many ritual and you are therefore expected to
O.T.O. bodies. They are performed participate fully if you wish to attend.
under the auspices of Ecclesia Gnostic There are a few things to be read out, for
Catholica, the Gnostic Catholic Church, which you will be provided a missal to
which is the ecclesiastical arm of O.T.O. read from, and a few gestures to perform
A copy of the text of the ritual is available with the rest of the congregation.
with annotations online. More details
about E.G.C. are available on the E.G.C. Guests are welcome. There are no specific
website. requirements of dress for those attending
the mass. Public Masses at Abrahadabra
The Gnostic Mass is similar in structure to Oasis are open to all adults who wish to
the Mass of the Eastern Orthodox Church. attend.
However, the comparison ends there, as
the Gnostic Mass is a celebration of the Sunday, May 20th at 10:00am
Original Art by
Nicholas “The Barbarian” Kelley