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THE MYSTICAL &
MAGICAL SYSTEM
of the A... A..
The Spiritual System of
Aleister Crowley & George Cecil Jones
Step-by-Step
by James A. Eshelman
PUBLISHED BY
THE COLLEGE OF THELEMA
222 North Manhattan Place
Los Angeles, CA 90004-4018 |
|
i
i
Copyright © 2000 James A. Eshelman
Al rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means. electronic or mechanical, including photocopy. without permis-
sion in writing from the author, Reviewers may quote brief passages,
All proceeds from the Sale of this book are donated hv the auhor to the
College of Thelema and its ceremonial and initiator’ vehicle. the Temple
of Thelema, in support of their ongoing work on behalf of the A:.8
and its principles.
First Ein, December 1995
Secoed Revised Editon Mateh [998
Thi Revised , “/
The Pantacle of Frater Achad.
‘The Four-Headed Kerubim, “¥
The Magician. #0
AA Flaming Sword, 82
‘The Serpent of Wisdom. 85
The Zelator Hood Ensign. &f
‘The Magick Sword. 89
The Rosy Cross, #
The Caduceus of Hermes. 9”
Frater O.M.. 94
‘The Cup of the Stolistes. 96
A Magick Cup. 98
Tarot. 99
The Four Great Wetchtowers. oF Enochian Ele
‘mental Tablets. /0/
Pythagoras. 103
Equilibraung the Elements. 104
The Mystic Aleister Crowley. 105
‘The Fire Wand. J07
‘The Magical Lamp. 1/4
Frank Bennett. 1/6
The Lamen, 121
Adonai ha-Areiz. 123
The Sun of the Soul. 12
Adepr's Rosy Cross. 128
‘Torch-Bearers of Their Generations, 130
Crucifixion. 132
The Hesagram,
An Invocation trom Liber Siloam. 136
The Cross & Triangle, 136
The Lamen of V.. He: Fra, Christeos Lueifiias.
is
‘The Pentagram, 147
The Floor of the Vault of the Adepti,/43
Grasping the Currents, J47
Lion-Headed Serpent. 149
Liber Harum Via, 150
Chief Adepr's Wand, 1S
Aleisier Crowley. 158
‘The Pyramid of Initiation. 159
The Holy Grail. 161
‘The Master Therion. 163
‘The Slopes of Abiegnus. 176
Witham Northam, Robe Maker. 239
The Seal of the Cancellarius. 244
The Sea! af the Imperator. 244
‘The Seal of the Praemonsirator, 244
Frater Satumus, 8°=3°, 246
‘The Sign of Silence. 24°
The Pentaprams of Spirit. 265
‘The Pentagrams of Fire. 266
The Pentacrams of Water, 266
The Pentagrams of Air. 206
The Pentagrams of Earth, 266
The Hexagrams, 267
Axatrum Securum. 2 A CKNOWLEDGMENTS
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law
[As always. there are many to ¢
snk, formally and
genuinely
BeThis present book contains numerous quotations
from the writings of Aleister Crowley. The literary es-
tate of Aleister Crowley. including ownership of all
surviving coptights. is the property of Ordo Templi
Oriemtis (0.7.0.). JAF Box 7666, New York. NY
10116 USA. Although most Crowley writings pera
ing to the As.A.. are nonproprietary and in the public
domain. we have occasionally quoted apparently: pro-
prietary material as well. The author and publisher both
‘Nish to thank O.T.0., not only for its courtesy. but for
continuing its fine management of this important liter-
ary legacy. The present Grand Master of O.T.O.. Frater
Hymenaus Beto, has long displayed a panicular Genius
for this kind of work
Certain quoted and referenced documents are from
the archives of the Soror Estai (Jane Wolfe) lineage of
the AsAs.. Whatever their origin, all source docu:
iments ate respectfully used here for educational pur-
poses consistent with the high aims and purposes of the
ALA
‘Anna-Kria King. Greg Peters. and Michelle
Spedotio lovingly read nearly every chapter of this
book as it was being written, and gave the benefit of
their opinions. Numerous others read a chapter here. a
passage there, at our request. The book now in your
hands has benefited from their recommendations. With
the usual caveat that any weaknesses thet remain are:
solely the responsibility. of the author. we especially
thank them all for their interest and labor
Alison West and Valerie Cole, although neither
understands (formally) the material presented here.
have each contributed generously to the book. Were it
not for them. this work would not be nearly so rich. Ali
© Shining One. your unfolding has barely begun. and
already is so full of promise. Val, no one has ever be-
fore offered me so precious a compliment. I love you
both.
‘Thank you to all of my Wednesday night students,
now and over the past decade-plus. Your voracious
‘curiosity, your passion for the Light, and your pure and
ardent aspiration have invoked whatever worthwhile
teachings have been offered. You ask far better ques-
tions of me than I have ever asked of myself. A teacher
is made by the quality of his or her students: and it is
your own desire 10 receive that has set the standard for
‘our time together
Paul Clark and Linds Clark have been dear friends
for many years. whose support has long been felt in
innumerable ways. To them (and also ~ especially! ~ to
CA. and D.G.) go my thanks for proving anew that
doctrinal differences are no bar to the love that blooms
among the Children of the Light.
‘The late Francis Israel Regardie was 2 man rich in
friends ~ most of whom, it seems. have recently been
publishing thew own books with his picture on the
cover. Fortunately, | am certain his sense of humor is
adequate to the challenge! A man of Kindness, and 2
gracious guest, Francis also had a marvelous power to
heal by speaking the truth, His most important words to
me were during a health crisis when we didn’t think
he'd live (but he fooled us). 1 was trying to thank him
adequately for certain contributions he had made to my
life. sure | could never pay him back for what he had
fBiven, His response was thal you don’t go through life
paying back that kind of thing - you pass it on to those
who come along next. He was entitely right, of course:
and he lived his life that way. Thank you, Greatly Hon-
ored Frater.
As Liype this, my cat Crawford has sauntered over
to visit me. reminding me of the pleasure she has added
to my life during the best years of this work. However
(as | am reminded this very minute). her typing leaves
much to be desired. Thanks. Crawford
Finally, in Eastern style and with profound rever-
cence, esteem, and gratitude. 1 acknowledge and thank
my teacher, Soror Meral, who his been to me many
things: who knew and bore the Light of the Gnosis from
the dark age of Saturnus usto the dawn of a new gen-
eration, carrying the seeds of this Work farther and
‘wider than any who has lived since that winter of °47
ex, And I thank. esteem, and praise her teacher as well,
Soror Esiai, who (though she and Therion Knew each x PRELIMINARIES
other not) was the only Scarlet Woman who bore viable
progeny to the Beast. and this by her perseverance.
strength, and love of the Great Work. And I thank, e5>
teem, and praise her teacher as well, Frater To Mega
Therion, who did prepare this pathway unto the Light
during His incarnation on earth: who delivered unto us
The Book of the Law and who did awaken the splendor
solis and true gnosis of the Holy Number 666. Blessing
land worship to the prophet of the lovely Star. And I
thank. esteem, and praise His teacher as well, Frater
D.DSS.. that Hermit, that Hermes, who did ever bear the
Lanter of Truth before him. Thus does the Mystery
come full circle.
‘And unto all those who have ever gone before us.
“that transmitted the light of the Gnosis to us their sue
ceessors and their heirs.” do we give honor. thanks. and
blessing. By their Light in Extension, the Light of
Sitver Stak. may all come to dwell under the Shadow
Of the Wings of that Oxt Most Beloved.
SUB VMBRA ALARUM TUARUM.
Love is the law. love under will
James 4. Eshelman, Los Angeles, Ca
‘Autumn, 1993 Eb
In the 59" Year of the -£on of Horus
AV" anno Legis)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FOR THE SECOND EDITION
1am immensely grateful for the scores of positive
responses this work has received in its First Edition,
and especially 10 1wo individuals who have been of
great help to me in preparing for the Second Edition,
Scott Brush of Los Angeles provided many pages of
errata and worthy questions. which allowed for correc-
tions and clarifications in subsequent editions. Vilas
Keith of Michigan provided reseatch assistance that
was helpful to me in improving Chapter 3, Thanks 10
you both!
JAE. March 10. 1995 EV.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FOR THE FIRST HARDCOVER EDITION
In the seven years since its fist publication. this
book has been permitted 10 mature by the involvement
and response of is readers, Thank you.
Tony De Luce has been the primary motivator for
this hardcover presentation, and has handled much of
the project management. His time, energy. and ideas
have been true gifis of devotion 10 tris Werk of L.V.X.
‘Truly. without him this edition would not have existed.
He deserves your thanks. and has mine
Angela Wistrom has provided valuable anistic
‘contributions, enabling me 10 improve many small areas
of the book. tothe overall benefit of the whole, Regular
readers of the College of Thelema’s journal Back
Prow: will be familiar with Angela's astounding an
work. Which graces the covers of many issues, For
lending her gifts 10 the present work. she again has
eared my thanks,
Michelle Spadotto has devoted dozens of hours 10
proofreading and general review of the work. By the
time yeu read ahis. | suspect she will have done the
same for the galieys - a tedious and dermanding task
which. By these acknowledgements, | will at least keep
from being thankless
Phyllis Seckler (Soror Meral) has continued to be 3
ligts of inspiration. a severe critic. and a passionate
supporter of my work. as she has been for over 20
years. No writing by me on the A.A, can fail to have
benefited quite directly from her contribution, inasmuch
as she bas been the central. guiding flame of the Order
for sevctal decades. and my own most dear and wise
teacher. Were we an otder of knights, Phyllis would be
the queen and dame in whose honor | bear my arms
JAE. September 1, 2000 E.¥ FOREWORD
to the Third Revised Edition
52. There was also an humming-bied that
spake uno the horned cerastes. and proved
‘him for poison. And the preat snake of Khem
the Holy One, the roval Uraus serpent. ar
swvered him and said
53, I sailed over the skv of Nu in the car
called Millions-of- Years. and J saw no! an:
‘creature upon Seb that was egual to me. The
venom of wey fang 1s the inkeruance of my fa~
ther, and of my jather's fatier: and how shall J
ive itunto thee? Live thaw and rhe children as
and my fathers have lived. evea wnto an hun-
red millions. of generations, and it may be
that the mercy of the Mighny Ones may: beste
pon thy children a drop of the potson of eld
34, Then the humming-bird was afflicted in
hs spirit, and he flew unto the flowers, and it
was as if naught had been spoken berween
them, Yet im a litle while a serpent struck him
that he died,
‘55, But an Ibis that meditated upon the bank
of Nile the beautiful god listened and heard.
4nd he laid aside his ibis wavs. and became as
‘a serpent. saving Peradventure in an hundred
millions of millions of generations of my chil
ren, they shall attain 10 a drop of the poon
of the fang of te Exalted Onc
56, And behold’ ere the moon waxed thrice
hhe became an Ureus serpent. and the poison
of the fang was established in him and ins seed
even for ever and for ever
~ Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente.
Cap. V. wy. $4-56
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the
Law
Initiation is a reality. Humanity has 2 potential
to grow far beyond its own native state of con-
sciousness and capability. This growth is a spini-
tual growth, and its fruits inform and empower
every facet of human. mortal expression, in addi-
tion to disclosing to each of us our own inherently
immoral natures.
Ii is on this spiritual growth, more than any
‘other thing. that the future welfare and progress of
humanity depends,
We know the means of unlocking and awaken-
ing this growth, and of bringing its fruit to matur-
ity. That is. we know how to unleash genius at
will, and to produce its miracles on demand. It is
not an overnight process. but it is a sure process
for those who persevere. The means of doing this
are not my discovery. or that of any person in re-
cent history: rather. they have been known for
thousands of years.
im modem English we say that a person is a
‘genius: bot the ancient Greeks and Romans. who
originated the word, said a person has a genius, by
which they meant a protective and instructive
spiritual being - a holy guardian angel. one might
say ~ that inspires. awakens, and fulfils us each
‘The word “genius.” at root, means. “that which
begets and gives birth.” Whether anthropomor-
phized. as an angel or spirit or god ~ whether un-
derstood as a force of nature, oF as cosmic con-
sciousness or. for that matter. a8 any other thing
whatsoever — there is THAT within each of us. im-
‘mortal and infinitely creative. which truly gives us
birth, Something in us knows. instinctively, that
‘we must (each in our own ripe time) seek this.
embrace this. and surrender 10 this as we would to
the most overpowering and fulfilling love. And
then we must give it expression in our lives and
our work. must pour forth the very essence of our-
selves into that which we love most. I say “must,”
because it feels deeper than a biological impera-
tive. and. in time, grips us with an inner conviction
'eefore which the best reasoned logic is impotent.
In this entwining of love and will, we find not
only the greatest joy and fulfillment of life, but
