Note that the chapters of Magick in Theory and Practice are numbered to
match the
Tarot Trumps or Atus. This can be something of a help in understanding the
why and
what of Crowleys writing. There are many footnotes and references throughout
the
book, and most of these can be ignored on a first or second reading. One
particular
exception, the matter of the letter F: This letter is sometimes the Hebrew
letter Vau.
Watch for it in formulas especially.
In addition to several other aids, the reader of Magick in Theory and Practice
will be
better armed for the fray with a copy of Magick Without Tears (not the Motta
pirate
edition, despite his assurances to the contrary, the book was significantly
altered by
Motta. The Falcon Press is going under contract to O.T.O., at last report,
and is
Regardies editing work). This book is composed of letters written by Crowley
to Jayne
Wolfe. These letters explain many of the more difficult points in Magick
in Theory and
Practice. Grady McMurtry and Karl Germer were also involved in editing and
publishing the first edition to varying extents. Crowley assigned Grady
25% of the
copyright, personally. There is also a slender volume sometimes published
separately
under the title Book Four. This is an introduction to the technical aspects
of Magick,
especially the physical equipment and more basic methods. Liber Aleph is
also very
useful in this study.
[ 1 ] Magick in Theory and Practice is roughly divided into two parts: Theory
and
Practice-hence the title. This Study Guide will chiefly concern itself with
the Theory
part. Notes will be added on some of the Rituals, but they require a more
extensive
discussion than is possible here.
Obviously the first thing to do with the book is to have a good look at
it. Mark
especially the diagrams of the signs at the beginning and the list of recommended
reading found in the middle. There are additional signs and gestures described
in the
essay with Liber V vel Reguli in the latter part of the book. Many of these
signs derive
from the Order of the Golden Dawn.
[ 2 ] INTRODUCTION This is intended to perform several functions. For a
person
already able to confront Magick without undue scepticism, it may be unecessary.
For the
beginner, it includes a psuedo-rational exposition of the Magical world-view.
I consider
this introduction to be a series of images and tropes. It is intended to
begin an opening
of the more closed minded and to trap those who should not study this work.
Crowleys
definition of Magick is here, but that definition seems to reduce itself
to include almost
any deliberate action. Perhaps that is not so far off.
Chapter O Basic philosophy and method. This is the real introduction to
the book.
Some knowledge of Qabalah, especially the Tree of Life, is necessary to
make sense of it.
Note also that Crowley espouses a Hegelian concept of "Thesis, Antithesis,
Synthesis" in
his approach. This is also drawn from Qabalah.
Chapter I Definition of terms and fundamental advice. Learn this before
going
further. The material is relatively light. Any difficult points may be returned
to later.
Such difficulty will be more a matter of trying to find problems that aren't
there, then it
will be of confronting real obstacles.
Chapters II - VII Magical formulas. These are mental ways of organizing
thought and
ritual. The reader will not be able to understand them perfectly at first.
They must be
perfectly understood before any of the rituals can be fully mastered. Each
of these
chapters should be studied and learned in sucession before any but light
reading of the
rest is undertaken. Crowley provides a minimum set of correspondence columns
from
Liber 777 in the latter half of Magick in Theory and Practice. These chapters
will teach
you how to use that material, and therefore also how to use Liber 777 to
some extent.
Thelema Lodge can still supply copies of Liber 777 to O.T.O. members for
$1.00 +
postage and for $2.00 + postage to non-members. Crowleys formulas are his
original
contribution to Magical method.
[ 3 ] Chapter VIII This sets the method for the whole of the Work. It must
be studied
well. It may be studied along with Chapters II through VII without full
mastery of the
former material first.
Chapter IX Basics of use of sound and general notes on working. Necessary
for ritual,
but not absolutely necessary for understanding of general theory. Some valuable
points
of philosophy are to be found here.
Chapter X Method of physical action in ritual. Necessary for the rituals.
Chapter XI The critical work of performing Magick rests in the development
of the
Body of Light. This chapter introduces the method and concept. Master the
ideas here
before going on. Techniques come later.
Chapter XII Technical instruction. Not all of this material is to be taken
literally.
Those who wish to become involved in this level of working should proceed
cautiously
and with instruction from those they can accept as teachers. Learn before
you burn.
Bloody sacrifice is not all it seems. Some of this refers to preconception
birth control.
Postpartum birth control is murder. Don't get the two confused! When Crowley
says
that he has sacrificed a child, he means that he has diverted the act of
conception to
magical ends. (or as M. Aquino put it, "...made a wish").
Chapters XIII and XIV This must be studied closely. The material here is
of very wide
application in all workings.
Chapter XVI, part 1 The main point is not to take a magical Oath until you
are ready
to set the pattern for your life's work.
Chapter XV Read and reread this material until it becomes an integral part
of your
thought. This is absolutely basic material and attitudinal orientation.
You can't even
disagree with it until you at least understand it. Until you have a working
understanding
on these levels, you are a dabbler.
[ 4 ] Chapters XVI, part 2 and XVII This is not generally important unless
you are
going into Gotic or Solomonic style working. If you like Faust, this is
for you!
Chapter XVIII Very important. Study closely. This material is essential
to sucessful
working and control. Without the knowledge presented here, your Body of
Light will be
effectively blind and blundering.
Chapter XIX Specialized work again. Study it if it appeals to your interest.
References
here are mostly to the Rites of Eleusis, and you may still catch some of
them in the San
Francisco Bay Area by the time you [...read this]. Dramatic ritual involving
significant
numbers of people.
Chapter XX This will appear obscure at first. It is the advanced theory
of ritual design.
Without this material, one cannot understand some of the shorter rituals
given in the rest
of the book. Some of the ideas presented here are misleading if looked at
lightly. Study
of this chapter is especially suited to extended work of a particular sort
with a Magical
Journal or Diary. In that, you would devote extended portions of your writing
to
developing ideas presented here. Devise experiments to make them real (not
that easy!),
and restate the ideas at greater length in your own words.
Chapter XXI The material here is mostly advanced philosophy or Magick. Some
parts
will appear clear on first reading. This chapter may be read chiefly for
entertainment
until one has read The Book of the Law. While the theory chapters of Magick
in Theory
and Practice are being studied, one should practice several rituals. Study
of Appendix III
on pages 245 and 246 of the shorter edition of the book is advised. Rituals
for special
attention include Liber E (general exercises), Liber O (especially the Lesser
Pentagram
Banishment), Liber Resh (daily). The student is advised against Liber III
in instruction
#2, the basic method is excellent; but this particular technique is not
for most people,
including the most promising students.
[ 5 ] Here is a brief note on some of the rituals in the RPracticeS section
of the text.
Liber Samekh Excellent for gathering magical force. Should be performed
only in
conjunction with banishing rituals or in a consecrated place. The injuction
that no names
be used unless understood perfectly may be considered a trope. This is re-written
from a
Greco-Egyptian 6th century exorcism ritual, and contemporary material will
be found in
the Leyden Papyrus (Dover Books sells that, as well as an inexpensive edition
of Magick
in Theory and Practice). O.T.O. published a study of this ritual and its
precursors by
Regardie in O.T.O. Newsletter #6, 1978 e.v. (out of print). Liber Samekh
is especially
useful to study with the formula chapters, as a sort of work-book of the
method.
Appendix VI: "Grimorium Sanctissimum" The Latin portion beginning
this section.
This material may be interpreted as a method for securing the fluids of
the sex act for
magical application. It is unwise to attempt this work without instruction,
an effective
Body of Light under control, and either someone you know well or a clean
H...3 test.
Liber XXV Difficult. Successful performance of this ritual may be a goal
to set in
testing your own comprehension of this book. This ritual is the most important
for those
who would seek to understand the magical nature and invisible working of
the O.T.O.
Degree initiations. By comparison of this ritual with its explanations to
the initiation
rituals received in O.T.O., the initiate will be able to learn how to perform
unique ritual
and Magick for each degree in O.T.O. Such a study is a very fit object for
the K of E
&W Thesis.
Liber XV This is the principle group ritual of the O.T.O. and the central
act of worship
of the Thelemic Gnostic Catholic Church. It is also a complete, though symbolic,
presentation of the IX technique advocated by Crowley in his private instructions.
Appendix VII, Liber HHH Mostly in the line of the Order of the Golden Dawn.
Alteration and adaptation to circumstances is valid.
[ 6 ] Liber E Very important to take up with the study of the theory sections.
Liber O Golden Dawn rituals for practical working. This material should
be relatively
easy to understand and is the basis for Crowley's own education in ritual
Magick. It is
assumed knowledge for the more elaborate workings presented before and after
it in the
text. The Lesser Pentagram Ritual is the single most important ritual to
learn in the
entire body of Golden Dawn and Thelemic literature. The version given here
sometimes
carries a typo. Find it also in O.T.O. Newsletter #4 (available from THELEMA
LODGE for $1.00 + postage), tape M-6 ($3.50 + postage, O.T.O. members on
this one),
and Magick and Qabalah #1 (members 50", non-members $1.00, both plus
postage).
Liber Astarte Very useful. It may be undertaken without reading the rest
of the book.
Because the elements in it which can kill or drive the practicioner mad
are not generally
effective until considerable progress is made, it is better to study this
material before you
know enough to get hurt.
Liber RU Yoga instruction. Should be taken up as an independent practice
throughout
one's working and study. It furthers all efforts.
Liber YOD Another item that may be considered a sort of self-proficiency
test. Very
good mental yoga when attained. It furthers all efforts. Some hazards for
the overly
determined.
Liber Thisharb For very advanced working only. Do not attempt it until skilled
in all
other workings and experienced by several years of magical practice. It
may be studied,
if the temptation to pactice it can be mastered, at any level. The traditional
hazzards of
Rsickness, insanity and an early death apply. Still, what's life without
some fuss or other?
Liber B Its value is invisible for those who are not ready to understand
it.
[ 7 ] Liber Resh Daily use by all.
Liber III Excellent discipline, if the part about the razor is not taken
rashly. Crowley
must have his little joke.
________________
Those who are more interested in A\A\ should read One Star in Sight and
collect the
library in the middle of Magick in Theory and Practice. There is also Liber
185,
published in Regardies Gems from the Equinox. The original A\A\ still exists,
and is
reached at 418 LODGE, P.O. Box 415, Oroville, CA. 95965 USA. Soror M, in
residence, received A\A\ membership directly from Jayne Wolfe, who had it
directly
from Crowley. Soror M. is also approaching her Golden Anniversary of 50
years as an
O.T.O. member in a few years, and only one other living person can make
that claim!
Sage advice: If you canUt stand going to a plastic supermarket, you are
meditating or
medicating too much. Agoraphobia is nature's way of warning you that your
work in
Magick needs a break. This is not to be confused with disliking plastic
supermarkets or
the government. That can be symptomatic of good, mental health. Losing function
is
the thing to watch out for.
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