Hadit speaks: “Remember all ye that existence is pure joy.” It is the high holy days for Thelemites. Today we commemorate the reception of Chapter 2 of the Book of the Law by Aleister Crowley and Rose Kelly Crowley on April 9 1904. The play of Nuit and Hadit is a love story. It is the love story, the one in which the universe is created, played out in the loves of all the goddesses and gods. This love story... Read more
Nuit speaks: “Every man and every woman is a star. ” It is the high holy days for Thelemites. Today we commemorate the reception of Chapter 1 of the Book of the Law by Aleister Crowley and Rose Kelly Crowley on April 8 1904. Revelation has gone out of fashion. The words of the gods are no longer self-authorizing. Since the Enlightenment elevated human reason over divine inspiration, the messages of prophets have been met with skepticism. This is in... Read more
Does my body demonstrate my spiritual worth? I’ve been meditating recently on the body as a focus for spiritual practice. As a Thelemite I know that I am spirit in matter. My soul has touched down to earth in a body. Leaning into physicality, embracing my body’s needs and pleasures, offers me opportunities for illumination. Through body my soul evolves. Does this development also reflect in my body? Does the state of my body visibly display my soul’s accomplishments? Does... Read more
The body is a powerful spiritual focus. I take a stretching class at the gym on Tuesday mornings. The teacher begins by telling us “come back to the body”. This is my cue to collect my thoughts from all the places they’ve scattered: out to my house, checking on my friends, dipping into memories, scurrying ahead to the future. I settle into the strength of my back, the firmness of my support, the steady rhythm of breathing. What if I... Read more
As a Thelemite use the word faith differently than most people do. I don’t mean a belief that isn’t backed by science. That kind of faith doesn’t work for me because I’m a scientific illuminist. Aleister Crowley described scientific Illuminism as “the method of science, the aim of religion”. I incorporate scientific knowledge into my practice and test what I plan to do before I put my weight on it. So when I say “faith” I am using the term... Read more
Going to PantheaCon this year reminded me that connecting is why I go to Pagan conventions. I skipped the last two years so I came in with a fresh perspective. I’m aware of the conflicts and negative experiences people have reported in the last several years. People fear talking about these and even fear talking about enjoying the event! I was very interested learn what is happening for myself. This year I realized how much I have come to depend... Read more
At Pantheacon a few years ago I ran a discussion on diversity in Thelema. We talked about race, gender, cultural appropriation, secrecy. I thought we had covered most of the bases until a guy in the back stood up and let me know I had missed something. “Brandy, I have some feedback for you,” he said. “I’m J. Gordon Melton.” I was simultaneously thrilled and alarmed – thrilled because I knew his work from the 1970s when he was writing... Read more
I choose to act from Love, in the knowing that I can only truly manifest Love if I behold each and every one of these refugees as an embodiment of the One. It is only through my actions in this matter that I can help manifest Holy Wholeness in this world. Read more
White light is good. Black magic is evil. We use these terms routinely in everyday language and in our magical work too. What do we mean by them? Read more
I am a Thelemite gun owner who wholeheartedly believes in gun control. I am marching with the kids today in the March for Our Lives. Read more
Star and Snake
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In