Thelema



The Book of the Law by Aleistar Crowley

This blog will explore the rich symbolic system developed chiefly by Aleistar Crowley, the religion's founder and main prophet. These images and symbols convey many of the pillars of Thelemic philosophy, including gnosticism, occult magick and Satanic worship. To do this I will be using clips from the experimental film Lucifer Rising directed by Kennith Anger, who was also a dedicated Thelemite.

THELEMIC PANTHEON

In 1904, when Aleistar Crowley began writing the religions main text Liber AL vel Legis or The Book of the Law, he believed the world was entering the Aeon of Horus, a new age in which religious expression would take on a new form. Previously the world had worshipped female fertility spirits (Aeon of Isis) and singular male gods (Aeon of Osiris), but the current Aeon is one of self-realization and actualization (Aeon of Horus).

Here we see Anger's representations of the Aeon's of Isis and Osiris. The scene begins with the materialization of the Ankh (a symbol associated with Isis and eternal life) which has been appropriated in Thelema as a symbol of the eternal life force in the physical realm. Next, we see Osiris whom carries the Crook and Flail (again, a symbol associated with Osiris and the afterlife) that symbolizes the death and the spiritual realm.

In the next clip, we witness the birth of Horus whom represents a linking of the physical and spiritual realms (Horus being the child of Isis and Osiris). The Thelemic gods together act as symbols of the gnostic cosmos. Humans exist in the physical realm (Isis) and Gods exist in the spiritual realm (Osiris) and it is knowledge/light (Horus) that enables humans to transcend the physical realm into the spiritual.

TRUE WILL

Crowley wrote that everyone has a True Will, or a divine calling, and that the only way to realize this calling was through the practice of ritual magick. Thelemites believe that they can use magick in everyday life to effect the world around them, in accordance with their will. Whether it is a mental, physical or spiritual exercise, magick is the tool that allows Thelemites to carry out their True Will.

In this clip, we see a mass ritual in which Thelemites dance and are able to invoke a spiritual Deity. They are able to physically interact with the spirit (climbing on its limbs, Deity begins picking them up with its hands). We then see a man evoking nature, causing thunderstorms and earthquakes. Common rituals also include purification, divination even sexual fulfillment. Rituals often are accompanied by symbolic tools which help Thelemic mystics control magick to their will.

This longer clip shows a slew of ritual tools, which bear symbols of Thelema.

A list in order of appearance followed by a description of significance:

1. Wand - The wand is a magic tool that can be used to command elemental spirits. (followed by the Eye of Horus, a key symbol of Thelema). [0:12-0:25]

2. Speculum - The mirror is used to see into the spirit realm or a non-adjacent physical location. (Framed by the Hexagram, a six pointed star which is prominent symbol of Thelema). [1:07-1:09]

3. The Throne - The throne is often used by overseers of rituals to observe and command mass ritual (has the Winged Sun Disc symbol associated with Horus). [1:35-1:50]

4. Spear/Sword - Used in rituals to cast circles of control over spirits (the man is also wearing a Hexagram with a 5 petal flower in the middle which symbolizes unity of the divine and the earthly) [1:57-2:06]

SATANIC WORSHIP

In accordance with Thelemic gnosticism, Thelemites believe that the physical realm was created by a demiurge, like Satan. The non-corporeal spirit whom dictated The Book of the Law to Crowley was named Aiwass and, like Satan, reins over the physical realm. The worship and communication with this spirits through ritual magick was vital in order to fulfill ones True Will.

This scene shows the Pentagram, a symbol of Satan, which is used as a cover for a portrait of Crowley. One of the men also retrieves The Book of the Law and opens it to The Book of Thoth, which discusses Satan and other devils. The illustration at the top of the page shows the copulation of Lucifer and Sin, which brings Death into existence.



This scene shows a Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram. Mystics will use incense and candles to purify the air in their circle, which has a pentagram in the center (In this case, Anger places a giant T in the middle for Thelema). Like all of Anger's films, the film's title is printed onto the back of a leather jacket and displayed by the main actor.

 

To learn more about Thelema, go to http://www.thelema101.com/

A director who's short films are well worth your time, go to http://www.kennethanger.org/

DISCLAIMER: I do not own rights to the above mentioned video material. Under fair use, I used clips from Lucifer Rising for criticism and analysis of Thelema and its precepts.