The Franklin Files

Omega · Guru

RE: The Thule Society II

Omega · Guru

From: "Blue Resonant Human"
Originally to: iufo@xbn.shore.net
Original Date: Tue, 28 May 1996 06:07:18 GMT

What is the A.'. A.'.?
======================

Interesting excerpts:

It is the most hidden of communities, yet it contains members
from many circles; nor is there any Centre of Thought whose
activity is not due to the presence of one of ourselves. From
all time there has been an exterior school based on the interior
one, of which it is but the outer expression. From all time,
therefore, there has been a hidden assembly, a society of the
Elect, of those who sought

[...]

The interior Order was formed immediately after the first
perception of man's wider heritage had dawned upon the first of
the adepts; it received from the Masters at first-hand the
revelation of the means by which humanity could be raised to its
rights and delivered from its misery. It received the primitive
charge of all revelation and mystery; it received the key of
true science, both divine and natural.

[...]

Faithful to the spirit of truth, the members of the interior
Order live in silence, but in real activity.

Yet, besides their secret holy work, they have from time to time
decided upon political strategic action.

[...]

This school of wisdom has been for ever most secretly hidden
from the world, because it is invisible and submissive solely to
illuminated government.

It has never been exposed to the accidents of time and to the
weakness of man, because only the most capable were chosen for
it, and those who selected made no error.

[...]

But all exterior societies subsist only by virtue of this
interior one. As soon as external societies wish to transform a
temple of wisdom into a political edifice, the interior society
retires and leaves only the letter without the spirit. It is
thus that secret external societies of wisdom were nothing but
hieroglyphic screens, the truth remaining inviolable in the
Sanctuary so that she might never be profaned.

[...]

It is a society which unites superior strength to its own, and
counts its members from more than one world. It is the society
whose members form the republic of Genius, the Regent Mother of
the whole World.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

AN ACCOUNT OF A.'. A.'.
FIRST WRITTEN IN THE LANGUAGE
OF HIS PERIOD
by
THE COUNCILLOR VON ECKARTSHAUSEN
AND
NOW REVISED AND REWRITTEN
IN THE UNIVERSAL CIPHER

A.'. A.'.
Official publication in Class C.

Issued by Order:
D.D.S. 7* = 4*
O.S.V. 6* = 5*
N.S.F. 5* = 6*

[The Revisers wish to acknowledge gratefully the translation of
Madame de Steiger, which they have freely quoted.]

IT is necessary, my dear brothers, to give you a clear idea of
the interior Order; of that illuminated community which is
scattered throughout the world, but which is governed by one
truth and united in one spirit.

This community possesses a School, in which all who thirst for
knowledge are instructed by the Spirit of Wisdom itself; and all
the mysteries of nature are preserved in this school for the
children of light. Perfect knowledge of nature and of humanity
is taught in this school. It is from her that all truths
penetrate into the world; she is the school of all who search
for wisdom, and it is in this community alone that truth and the
explantation of all mystery are to be found. It is the most
hidden of communities, yet it contains members from many circles;
nor is there any Centre of Thought whose activity is not due to
the presence of one of ourselves. From all time there has been
an exterior school based on the interior one, of which it is but
the outer expression. From all time, therefore, there has been
a hidden assembly, a society of the Elect, of those who sought
for and had capacity for light, and this interior society was
the Axle of the R.O.T.A. All that any external order possesses
in symbol, ceremony, or rite is the letter expressive outwardly
of that spirit of truth which dwelleth in the interior Sanctuary.
Nor is the contradiction of the exterior any bar to the harmony
of the interior.

Hence this Sanctuary, composed of members widely scattered
indeed but united by the bonds of perfect love, has been
occupied from the earliest ages in building the grand Temple
(through the evolution of humanity) by which the reign of L.V.X.
will be manifest. This society is in the communion of those who
have most capacity for light; they are united in truth, and their
Chief is the Light of the World himself, V.V.V.V.V., the One
Anointed in Light, the single teacher for the human race, the Way,
the Truth, and the Life.

The interior Order was formed immediately after the first
perception of man's wider heritage had dawned upon the first of
the adepts; it received from the Masters at first-hand the
revelation of the means by which humanity could be raised to its
rights and delivered from its misery. It received the primitive
charge of all revelation and mystery; it received the key of
true science, both divine and natural.

But as men multiplied, the frailty of man necessitated an
exterior society which veiled the interior one, and concealed
the spirit and the truth in the letter, because many people were
not capable of comprehending great interior truth. Therefore,
interior truths were wrapped in external and perceptible
ceremonies, so that men, by the perception of the outer which is
the symbol of the interior, might by degrees be enabled safely
to approach the interior spiritual truths.

But the inner truth has always been confided to him who in his
day had the most capacity for illumination, and he became the
sole guardian of the original Trust, as High Priest of the
Sanctuary.

When it became necessary that interior truths should be enfolded
in exterior ceremony and symbol, on account of the real weakness
of men who were not capable of hearing the Light of Light, then
exterior worship began. It was, however, always the type or
symbol of the interior, that is to say, the symbol of the true
and Secret Sacrament.

The external worship would never have been separated from
interior revel but for the weakness of man, which tends too
easily to forget the spirit in the letter; but the Masters are
vigilant to note in every nation those who are able to receive
light, and such persons are employed as agents to spread the
light according to man's capacity and to revivify the dead
letter.

Through these instruments the interior truths of the Sanctuary
were taken into every nation, and modified symbolically
according to their customs, capacity for instruction, climate,
and receptiveness. So that the external types of every religion,

Continues in the next message -->

Omega · Guru

From: "Blue Resonant Human"
Originally to: iufo@xbn.shore.net
Original Date: Tue, 28 May 1996 06:07:18 GMT

* Continuation from previous message....

worship, ceremonies and Sacred Books in general have more or
less clearly, as their object of instruction, the interior
truths of the Sanctuary, by which man will be conducted to the
universal knowledge of the one Absolute Truth.

The more the external worship of a people has remained united
with the spirit of esoteric truth, the purer its religion; but
the wider the difference between the symbolic letter and the
invisible truth, the more imperfect has become the religion.
Finally, it may be, the external form has entirely parted from
its inner truth, so that ceremonial observances without soul or
life have remained alone.

In the midst of all this, truth reposes inviolable in the inner
Sanctuary.

Faithful to the spirit of truth, the members of the interior
Order live in silence, but in real activity.

Yet, besides their secret holy work, they have from time to time
decided upon political strategic action.

Thus, when the earth was night utterly corrupt by reason of the
Great Sorcery, the Brethren sent Mohammed to bring freedom to
mankind by the sword.

This being but partially a success, they raised up one Luther to
teach freedom of thought. Yet this freedom soon turned into a
heavier bondage than before.

Then the Brethren delivered unto man the knowledge of nature,
and the keys thereof; yet this also was prevented by the Great
Sorcery.

Now then finally in nameless ways, as one of our Brethren hath
it now in mind to declare, have they raised up One to deliver
unto men the keys of Spiritual Knowledge, and by His work shall
He be judged.

This interior community of light is the reunion of all those
capable of receiving light, and it is known as the Communion of
Saints, the primitive receptacle for all strength and truth,
confided to it from all time.

By it the agents of L.V.X. were formed in every age, passing
from the interior to the exterior, and communicating spirit and
life to the dead letter, as already said.

This illuminated community is the true school of L.V.X.; it has
its Chair, its Doctors; it possesses a rule for students; it has
forms and objects for study.

It has also its degrees for successive development to greater
altitudes.

This school of wisdom has been for ever most secretly hidden
from the world, because it is invisible and submissive solely to
illuminated government.

It has never been exposed to the accidents of time and to the
weakness of man, because only the most capable were chosen for
it, and those who selected made no error.

Through this school were developed the germs of all the sublime
sciences, which were first received by external schools, then
clothed in other forms, and hence degenerated.

According to time and circumstances, the society of sages
communicated unto the exterior societies their symbolic
hieroglyphs, in order to attract man to the great truths of
their Sanctuary.

But all exterior societies subsist only by virtue of this
interior one. As soon as external societies wish to transform a
temple of wisdom into a political edifice, the interior society
retires and leaves only the letter without the spirit. It is
thus that secret external societies of wisdom were nothing but
hieroglyphic screens, the truth remaining inviolable in the
Sanctuary so that she might never be profaned.

In this interior society man finds wisdom and with her All ---
not the wisdom of this world, which is but scientific knowledge,
which revolves round the outside but never touches the centre
(in which is contained all strength), but true wisdom,
understanding and knowledge, reflections of the supreme
illumination.

All disputes, all controversies, all the things belonging to the
false cares of this world, fruitless discussions, useless germs
of opinions which spread the seeds of disunion, all error,
schisms, and systems are banished. Neither calumny nor scandal
is known. Every man is honoured. Love alone reigns.

We must not, however, imagine that this society resembles any
secret society, meeting at certain times, choosing leaders and
members, united by special objects. All societies, be what they
may, can but come after this interior illuminated circle. This
society knows none of the formalities which belong to the outer
rings, the work of man. In this kingdom of power all outward
forms cease.

L.V.X. is the Power always present. The greatest man of his
times, the chief himself, does not always know all the members,
but the moment when it is necessary that he should accomplish
any object he finds them in the world with certainty ready to
his hand.

This community has no outside barriers. He who may be chosen is
as the first; he presents himself among the others without
presumption, and he is received by the others without jealousy.

It if be necessary that real members should meet together, they
find and recognize each other with perfect certainty.

No disguise can be used, neither hypocrisy nor dissimulation
could hide the characteristic qualities which distinguish the
members of this society. All illusion is gone, and things
appear in their true form.

No one member can choose another; unanimous choice is required.
Though not all men are called, many of called are chosen, and
that as soon as they become fit for entrance.

Any man can look for the entrance, and any man who is within can
teach another to seek for it; but only he who is fit can arrive
within.

Unprepared men occasion disorder in a community, and disorder is
not compatible with the Sanctuary. Thus it is impossible to
profane the Sanctuary, since admission is not formal but real.

Worldly intelligence seeks this Sanctuary in vain; fruitless
also will be the efforts of malice to penetrate these great
mysteries; all is indecipherable to him who is not ripe; he can
see nothing, read nothing in the interior.

He who is fit is joined to the chain, perhaps often where he
thought least likely, and at a point of which he knew nothing
himself.

To become fit should be the sole effort of him who seeks wisdom.

But there are methods by which fitness is attained, for in this
holy communion is the primitive storehouse of the most ancient
and original science of the human race, with the primitive
mysteries also of all science. It is the unique and really
illuminated community which is absolutely in possession of the
key to all mystery, which knows the centre and source of all
nature. It is a society which unites superior strength to its
own, and counts its members from more than one world. It is the
society whose members form the republic of Genius, the Regent
Mother of the whole World.

[From: The Equinox Vol. I No. 1]

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

A.'.A.'. is the one true and invisible Order which has operated
under various names and guises throughout history to guide the

Continues in the next message -->

Omega · Guru

From: "Blue Resonant Human"
Originally to: iufo@xbn.shore.net
Original Date: Tue, 28 May 1996 06:07:18 GMT

* Continuation from previous message....

spiritual evolution of humanity. The goals of the A.'.A.'. are
those which have motivated spiritual exploration and religious
inquiry throughout human history. Its methods are those of
science; its aims are those of religion.

It is the Arcanum Arcanorum, and the Holy of Holies wherein the
Sacred Ark rests inviolate. Every legitimate magical order,
mystery school, religion, or other agency disseminating some
portion of Wisdom or Light is or has been but an Outer Vehicle
of this Inner Fellowship of Light. "All words are sacred and all
prophets true; save only that they understand a little..."
(Liber Legis, I:56).

This is the highest and purest meaning of A.'.A.'..

More commonly, however, we use the name A.'.A.'. to mean not
only this Invisible and Eternal Order, but a particular outer
structure, or terrestrial incarnation of the Interior School,
which came into being, beginning in 1906 C.E., at the hands of
two Adepts named Aleister Crowley and George Cecil Jones. This
Order survives today through various authentic lineages which
can be traced back to these two Adepts.

::: LINEAGES OF THE A.'.A.'. :::

Since the death of Aleister Crowley in 1947 there have been no
universal Chiefs of the A.'.A.'. Karl Germer (S.'.H.'. Frater
Saturnus, 8=3), was the senior living A.'.A.'. member at
Crowley's death, and many turned to him for guidance; but he
never took up the mantle of governance of the Order. After
Germer's death, no single person emerged visibly as a central
guiding figure.

Yet the Order itself has continued, according to its original
plan whereby a member of sufficient Grade may admit others to
the chain.

Various lineages have survived. Claims are periodically
encountered that one individual or another is an authentic link
to A.'.A.'. Some of these claims are quite real; some are
honest mistakes; and some are fraudulent. It is not our present
purpose to play arbiter to these claims, to upraise one or knock
down another. It is a universal truth of Initiation that each
student, at each step along the way, gets the teacher he or she
"deserves," based on the real maturity and needs of the soul;
and that while sometimes spiritual growth is fostered by finding
the BEST teacher, at other times it is best fostered by lessons
of discrimination taught in the School of Hard Knocks.

In this matter we give but one sage piece of advice: "By their
fruits shall ye know them!" The Works of the Adept, the fruits
of his or her garden, are the signs of his or her attainment.

Let it be enough, therefore, that we say that the founder of the
College of Thelema is one valid link in the chain of A.'.A.'.
initiation; and that other valid links exist and can be found.

::: ADMISSION AS A PROBATIONER :::

From its beginning, the A.'.A.'. philosophy supported the
admission of any interested person soever into the instruction
and practice of Scientific Illuminism. In other words -- in the
earliest years -- anyone at all could write to the A.'.A.'. and
request an interview with a Neophyte who (all things proceeding
agreeably to the applicant) would admit the individual as a
Probationer (0=0 Grade) forthwith.

Unfortunately, this complete "open door" policy resulted in a
very high percentage of failures. By early 1912 it was found
necessary to make a change in the admission requirements. It was
thus ordered "that every person wishing to become a Probationer
of A.'.A.'. must first pass three months as a Student of the
Mysteries." A specific study and testing curriculum was
established for this Student period.

However, although Aleister Crowley inaugurated this Studentship
in 1912, and gave examination in it as late as 1945 (about two
and a half years before his death), there is little evidence
that he paid much attention to it, in that form, during the
intervening 33 years. Instead, he tried numerous ways of
preparing people to undertake the Probationer Grade of A.'.A.'.
He moved from one approach to the next, apparently adapting each
to the needs of a particular student as best he could.

Many years ago, this same approach was adopted by the Soror
Estai lineage. While each applicant is required to pass through
a formal Student period, many avenues are accepted for
accomplishing this. (For clarity, we should mention that
beginning with Probationer, the administration of the A.'.A.'.
Grades is strictly by the criteria established by Aleister
Crowley and George Cecil Jones. It is only in the Student, or
preparatory, stage that such broad variation is practiced.)

Any sincere aspirant seeking to affiliate with the A.'.A.'. as
a Probationer may write to:

College of Thelema
222 North Manhattan Place
Los Angeles, CA
90004-4018.

For further information, the principles, teachings, and
structure of the A.'.A.'. can be investigated in the various
writings of Aleister Crowley; in numerous articles in the
journal In the Continuum; and in the book The Mystical & Magical
System of the A.'.A.'., published by the College of Thelema.
Additionally, background information is available from:

http://www.crl.com/~thelema/aa.html

::: A.'.A.'. Student Programs :::

Today, the Soror Estai A.'.A.'. lineage adheres to the basic
requirement that "every person wishing to become a Probationer
of A.'.A.'. must first pass three months as a Student of the
Mysteries," and pass examination therein.

We formally note that The Master Therion employed, over the
years, many different approaches to this task, "to help people
along in the early stages of the work, even if there was no hope
of their turning out first-class." We have done the same. We
recognize three or four forms of the Student task, each an
avenue of approach to the Probationer Grade.

First, we recognize the original Student program, published in
The Equinox and quoted, in full in Chapter 1 of The Mystical &
Magical System of the A.'.A.'. A Student can get the assigned
books, study them, and take examination.

Also, we recognize the successful completion of Course I of the
College of Thelema as fulfillment of the Student requirement.

Similarly, passage through the First Order of the Temple of
Thelema satisfies the Student requirement. This is primarily
because a person who completes the First Order will, in the
course of their work, have completed the whole of C.O.T.
Course I.

Additionally, there is an occasional individual whose personal
study and life experience are clearly equivalent to any of the
foregoing. Such a seeker may be admitted as a Probationer
without further requirements. However, such individuals are
rare; and we have observed that, generally where a Probationer
has been admitted on this basis and has passed on to other
grades, they have gone back and undertaken one or more of the
other offered programs as well. This kind of behavior is not
at all surprising, considering the character type of those

Continues in the next message -->

Omega · Guru

From: "Blue Resonant Human"
Originally to: iufo@xbn.shore.net
Original Date: Tue, 28 May 1996 06:07:18 GMT

* Continuation from previous message....

aspirants who typically succeed.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

COLLEGE OF THELEMA
==================

::: INTRODUCTION :::

Founded in service to the A.'.A.'. in the early 1970's CE by
Soror Meral, the College of Thelema seeks to guide the student
to an understanding of the Law of Thelema. Most especially,
this means a deeper understanding of oneself and of one's True
Will -- "Every man and every woman is a star" Liber Legis, I:3

For over twenty years, the College of Thelema has continued to
grow and expand, while ever maintaining its high standards of
excellence and quality in Thelemic education. Originally
composed of one individual campus headed by Soror Meral, the
College of Thelema now has several locations throughout the
United States, Canada and Europe, with a growing faculty of
experienced and dedicated individuals.

From the main campus in Oroville, California, Soror Meral has
continually published the bi-annual journal In the Continuum,
which features important (and rare) writings by Aleister
Crowley, as well as original research and other material.
All back and current issues are available.

A personal teacher is assigned to each student. Successful
completion of Course I is one way to fulfill the A.'.A.'.
Student requirement. A combination of instruction techniques is
employed, including seminars and classes, written texts, and
individual work. The organization of the College is designed
with the individual student in mind. Once enrolled, the student
works at her own pace, within a two-year time period. The
student is expected to determine how much personal instruction
she requires, and take the initiative to seek out that
instruction by maintaining contact with her teacher and
attending classes and seminars.

The College of Thelema is suitable for serious students who wish
to study Thelema and apply themselves actively to the Great
Work, while working at their own pace and providing their own
level of structure and schedule.

::: GENERAL INFORMATION :::

Experience has shown that teaching done in a classroom or on an
individualized, one-on-one basis is much more effective than any
correspondence course can possibly be. Hence, the College
requires inperson contact with students. A minimum amount of 60
class hours must be accumulated in order to complete each
Course, and these hours may be acquired through attendance at
classes, seminars, and personal instruction.

Should the student prove competent, and should she desire it,
she may request admission into A.'.A.'. after successful
completion of Course I. If accepted, she may affiliate through
that Initiate in her vicinity, or with the teacher who appeals
to her the most.

The College of Thelema holds high standards of excellency in
both its teachers and students. All teachers of the College are
Initiates of A.'.A.'., and are bound to the Order and to Its
precepts and philosophy as revealed in Liber AL vel Legis, and
through the work of TO MEGA THERION, the Prophet of the Aeon of
Horus. The College is autonomous, and is not affiliated with
any other organization other than A.'.A.'. The faculty of the
College serve without personal pay in the great tradition of A.'.
A.'.; any fees requested scarcely cover the cost of materials
and operation. The College reserves the right to expel from its
faculty and otherwise discipline any teacher who fails to live
up to the Policies of the College as stated, and to the great
principles of A.'.A.'.

::: ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS :::

Following is an outline of the minimum requirements which must
be met by the student applying for admission into enrollment in
the College of Thelema:

Acceptance of Liber AL vel Legis, with no desire to make changes
therein.

Two years of previous college work, preferably with attention
to psychology, philosophy, science, mathematics, English and
humanities. Please be prepared to submit a transcript of this
work. Exceptions to this requirement may be waived due to
equivalent experience if deemed appropriate.

Desire to explore, understand and know, in all of its detail,
and with integrity, honesty and love of Truth, the nature and
powers of one's own Being -- to Know Thyself.

::: COURSE OVERVIEW :::

The curriculum of the College of Thelema is broken into four
consecutive Courses, which deal progressively with the practical
application of psychology, Thelemic philosophy, qabalah,
astrology, and magick.

Once enrolled, the Student has two years to complete the Course.
If, at the end of this period, the Student has not completed
the course work but would like to remain enrolled, extensions
can be granted for an additional fee. Other than the two year
time frame, there are no other time restrictions on the Student.
You are free to work at your own pace, and accumulate a minimum
of 60 class hours at your convenience. As an enrolled Student,
the resources of the College will be made available to you. You
will be assigned a personal teacher, with whom you will be
responsible for keeping in contact, for arranging individual
sessions and for coordinating examinations and assignments.
Additionally, you will be informed of classes, seminars, and
other events which you may choose to attend. The amount of your
participation is left entirely up to you.

::: APPLICATION PROCEDURE :::

Write a detailed letter to the College of Thelema, introducing
yourself, explaining all aspects of your background you feel to
be relevant, and describing your reasons for seeking admission.
The mailing addresses of several of the College's campuses are
below. With the letter, be sure to include any transcripts of
previous college work. If you do not have two years of college
experience, then please explain what experience or background
you have that may be equivalent. Please be as objective and
candid as possible in your self-assessment.

In writing your letter, please include the following
information:

Your full legal name and sex.
Your complete mailing address.
Daytime and evening telephone numbers.
Date, time, and place of birth.

If necessary, you may be requested to provide further information.
If appropriate, you will be contacted for arranging a personal
interview with a member of the faculty.