Do What Thou Wilt: Understanding the Core Principles of Thelema
Thelema, established by Aleister Crowley in the early 20th century, is a spiritual philosophy and religious movement centered on individual freedom and the pursuit of one’s True Will, a unique life purpose transcending mundane desires.
Crowley introduced Thelema through “The Book of the Law,” a text he claimed was dictated to him by a supernatural entity named Aiwass. This book’s central tenet is: “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law,” emphasizing personal autonomy and the alignment of actions with one’s True Will, guided by love.
Core Beliefs and Deities
Thelemic beliefs incorporate deities from Egyptian mythology. Nuit symbolizes the infinite possibilities of the universe, Hadit represents manifestation and motion, and Ra-Hoor-Khuit embodies the active energies of Thelemic magick.
Magick, encompassing various physical, mental, and spiritual practices, is central to Thelema. It serves as a tool for discovering one’s True Will and effecting change in accordance with it. Thelemites engage in rituals such as the Gnostic Mass and celebrate holy days connected to Thelemic traditions.
Historical Influences
The concept of will or desire, denoted by the Greek word “thelema,” has historical significance. In the Septuagint and the New Testament, it often refers to the will of God. Augustine of Hippo’s sermon echoes a similar sentiment to Thelema’s axiom: “Love, and what thou wilt, do.“
During the Renaissance, “Thelemia” appeared as a character representing will in Francesco Colonna’s “Hypnerotomachia Poliphili.” Rabelais’s “Gargantua and Pantagruel” features the Abbey of Thélème, where the only rule was “Do what thou wilt.” While Rabelais’s utopian vision was driven by a Christian humanist perspective, it is an early reference to Thelema’s philosophy.
In the 18th century, Sir Francis Dashwood inscribed “Do what thou wilt” on his abbey at Medmenham. Associated with the Hellfire Club, this phrase is a precursor to Thelemic thought, though the club’s exact beliefs remain speculative, with suggestions of Freemasonry and clandestine Catholic sacraments.
Development and Evolution
Post-Crowley, Thelema continued to evolve through figures like Jack Parsons, who performed the Babalon Working, Kenneth Grant, who developed the Typhonian Order, James Lees, who discovered the English Qaballa, and Nema Andahadna, who created Maat Magick. These individuals expanded Crowley’s teachings, blending new ideas and practices with Thelemic principles.
The Central Text: “The Book of the Law”
“The Book of the Law” (Liber AL vel Legis) is the central text of Thelema, written by Crowley in 1904 during his honeymoon in Cairo. Crowley claimed the text was dictated by a spiritual entity named Aiwass, associated with his Holy Guardian Angel.
The book, comprising three chapters written over three consecutive days, presents a complex numerical and literary structure, which Crowley believed was beyond human capability to forge.
Thelemic Cosmology and Theology
The cosmology of Thelema centers around three main gods:
- Nuit: The overarching sky goddess representing infinite possibilities.
- Hadit: Nuit’s consort, symbolizing manifestation and motion.
- Ra-Hoor-Khuit: A form of Horus associated with the Sun and active magic.
Other deities like Hoor-paar-kraat (Harpocrates), Babalon, and Therion also play roles within Thelemic theology.
Fundamental Axioms
The philosophy of Thelema is encapsulated in three primary axioms:
- “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law”: The fundamental tenet emphasizing the pursuit of one’s True Will, the unique and ultimate purpose of an individual’s existence.
- “Every man and every woman is a star”: Suggests that like stars, individuals are unique entities with their own paths, and when they act according to their True Will, they align with the universal order without conflict.
- “Love is the law, love under will”: Love, particularly in the form of agape (selfless love), is central to Thelema, but it must be directed by the individual’s True Will. The number 93 is significant in Thelema as it represents both “Thelema” and “Agape” in Greek Qabalah.
Ethics and True Will
The concept of True Will is fundamental to Thelema. It is the individual’s true purpose or calling, distinct from the desires of the ego. Discovering and following one’s True Will is considered the Great Work.
According to Crowley, the True Will is linked to the Holy Guardian Angel, and realizing it requires overcoming socially-instilled inhibitions, particularly those related to sexuality.
The ethics of Thelema are derived directly from its axioms, with “Do what thou wilt” being the core directive. Interpretations vary, with some suggesting that it includes an obligation to allow others to follow their own Will without interference.
Crowley’s additional writings, such as “Liber OZ” (Book 77), outline rights and liberties consistent with Thelemic principles, and “Duty” discusses the Thelemite’s obligations to self, others, mankind, and all beings.
“Duty” in Thelema
“Duty” is divided into four parts:
- Duty to Self: Develop oneself in a balanced manner, maintain autonomy, and serve one’s True Will.
- Duty to Others: Recognize the interconnectedness of all beings, fight when necessary, enlighten others, and respect their divine nature.
- Duty to Mankind: Promote the Law of Thelema as the basis of ethics and law, aiming for the greatest liberty for all individuals.
- Duty to All Other Beings and Things: Apply Thelema ethically in all matters, respect the fitness and purpose of all things, and avoid wasteful exploitation of resources.
“The Message of the Master Therion” (Liber II)
“The Message of the Master Therion” condenses the Law of Thelema into the phrase “Do what thou wilt—then do nothing else,” highlighting the importance of pursuing one’s Will with tireless energy and detachment from outcomes.
Thelema: An Overview
Core Beliefs
Thelema is centered on the maxim “Do what thou wilt.” It emphasizes the pursuit of one’s True Will, avoiding dogmatic thinking, and integrating various spiritual and philosophical practices. Modern Thelema is a syncretic philosophy, and adherents often practice other religions, such as Wicca, Gnosticism, Satanism, Setianism, and Luciferianism. They also incorporate elements from alchemy, astrology, qabalah, tantra, tarot divination, and yoga.
Magick
Thelemic magick involves physical, mental, and spiritual exercises aimed at discovering and manifesting the True Will. Crowley defined magick as “the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will” and used it as a tool for personal and spiritual development. Practices include yoga, rituals from the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, eucharistic rituals like The Gnostic Mass, and sex magick.
Rituals and Practices
Crowley recommended keeping a magical diary to skeptically examine results from meditation or magick. The central aim is achieving the “knowledge and conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel,” leading to the realization of one’s True Will.
The process involves “crossing the abyss,” a symbolic relinquishment of the ego. Crowley emphasized that every intentional act could be a magickal act, and his work combined Eastern and Western esoteric practices.
The Gnostic Mass
Crowley wrote ‘The Gnostic Mass,’ which is the central rite of Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) and its ecclesiastical arm, Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica. The structure is similar to the Mass of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church, communicating Thelemic principles.
Holidays
The Book of the Law outlines several holy days for Thelemites, including:
- March 20: Feast of the Supreme Ritual
- March 21: Equinox of the Gods
- April 8-10: Feast of the Three Days of the Writing of the Book of the Law
- June 20/21: Summer solstice
- August 12: Feast of the Prophet and His Bride
- September 22/23: Autumnal equinox
- December 21/22: Winter solstice
- The Feast for Life: Celebrated at birth and birthdays
- The Feast for Fire/Water: Celebrated at puberty
- The Feast for Death: Celebrated at death anniversaries, including Crowley’s on December 1.
Greetings
The number 93 is significant in Thelema, derived from the numerological values of the Greek words for ‘will’ (Thelema) and ‘love’ (Agapé), both summing to 93. Thelemites often greet each other with “93” or “93 93/93,” symbolizing “love under will.”
Post-Crowley Developments
Numerous figures have contributed to Thelema after Crowley:
Jack Parsons
An American rocket engineer and Thelemite, Parsons identified fear as an obstacle to True Will. He engaged in the Babalon Working, a series of rituals based on Crowley’s work, aiming to invoke the goddess Babalon. He wrote ‘Liber 49,’ considered a fourth chapter to Crowley’s ‘The Book of the Law.’
Kenneth Grant
Grant founded the Typhonian Ordo Templi Orientis, blending Thelema with various esoteric traditions. He believed Thelema was part of a broader, ancient spiritual tradition rooted in Africa. His work emphasized the importance of female sexual secretions in sex magic and introduced the concept of the ‘Mauve Zone,’ a symbolic realm representing the Self.
James Lees
Lees discovered the system of English Qaballa in 1976 and founded the order O∴A∴A∴. His work involved decoding the manuscript of ‘Liber AL’ using a grid system. Subsequent publications by Jake Stratton-Kent and Cath Thompson have expanded on his findings.
Nema Andahadna
Nema developed “Maat Magick,” aiming to transform humanity. She co-founded the Horus-Maat Lodge and influenced many occultists through her writings and teachings. Her system focuses on the evolution of human consciousness and integrates Thelemic principles.