Abyss (Thelema): Difference between revisions

{{short description|Concept from Thelemic mysticism}}

{{Thelema|expand=Core concepts}}

 

In the [[Qabalistic Tree of Life]], the Abyss is symbolized by [[Da'ath]], the hidden sephira that separates the lower sephiroth from the supernal triad of Kether, Chokmah, and Binah.{{sfnp|Kaplan|1997}} This separation marks a significant metaphysical divide between the material and the divine.

 

 

Aleister Crowley, a former member of the Golden Dawn, significantly expanded upon these teachings in his Thelemic system. His experiences and visions, particularly those documented in ''[[The Vision and the Voice]]'', played a crucial role in shaping his understanding of the Abyss. During his exploration of the [[Enochian Aethyrs]] in the Algerian desert in 1909, Crowley, accompanied by his disciple [[Victor Benjamin Neuburg]], encountered [[Choronzon]], the demon guardian of the Abyss, an event that became a cornerstone of his metaphysical writings.{{sfnmp|1a1=Crowley|1a2=Neuburg|1a3=Desti|1y=1999|2a1=Kaczynski|2y=2012}}

The preliminary practices related to the concept of the Abyss in Thelema involve a series of rigorous spiritual exercises and rituals designed to prepare the magician for the crossing. This preparation is central to the aspirant's progression within the [[A∴A∴]], Crowley's magical order, and represents a transformative journey that demands both psychological and spiritual fortitude.{{sfnmp|1a1=Crowley|1y=1991|2a1=Kaczynski|2y=2012|3a1=Asprem|3y=2013|4a1=Gunther|4y=2014}}

 

 

Next, the Thelemic magician may engage in the [[Star Ruby (Thelema)|Star Ruby]], a ritual created by Crowley specific to Thelema, which serves to banish negative influences and establish control over one's environment. This can be followed by the [[Star Sapphire (Thelema)|Star Sapphire]], another advanced ritual by Crowley, designed to invoke and align the magician with the [[divine will]].{{sfnmp|1a1=Crowley|1y=1997|2a1=Kaczynski|2y=2012|3a1=Gunther|3y=2014}}

The [[Bornless Ritual]] aims to achieve the [[Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel]] (K&C of the HGA). This is a crucial preparatory step, as the guidance of the HGA is considered essential for navigating the perils of the Abyss.{{sfnmp|1a1=Crowley|1y=1991|2a1=Asprem|2y=2013|3a1=Gunther|3y=2014}} The [[The Book of Abramelin|Abramelin Operation]] is a well-known example of such a practice, involving months of prayer, purification, and devotion.{{sfnmp|1a1=Dehn|1y=2006|2a1=Sutin|2y=2002}}

 

 

In addition to these practices, the aspirant must undergo a period of intense introspection and self-examination. This involves identifying and confronting the deepest fears, desires, and attachments that bind the individual to the material world. By systematically dismantling these egoic structures, the magician prepares for the ultimate surrender required to cross the Abyss.{{sfnmp|1a1=Churton|1y=2012|2a1=Gunther|2y=2014}}

Several writers have analyzed and interpreted the Abyss from various angles:

 

* '''Egil Asprem''' in ''Arguing with Angels: Enochian Magic and Modern Occulture'' examines the interplay between Enochian magic and the concept of the Abyss, highlighting its significance in contemporary esoteric traditions.{{sfnp|Asprem|2013}}

* '''[[Tobias Churton]]''' in ''Aleister Crowley: The Biography'' discusses the Abyss as a crucial part of the spiritual journey, emphasizing its transformative power.{{sfnp|Churton|2012}}

{{refbegin|2|indent=yes}}

* {{cite book |last=Asprem |first=E. |year=2013 |title=Arguing with Angels: Enochian Magic and Modern Occulture |publisher=State University of New York Press |isbn=978-1-4384-4190-0}}

* {{cite book |last=Churton |first=Tobias |author-link=Tobias Churton |year=2012 |title=Aleister Crowley: The Biography: Spiritual Revolutionary, Romantic Explorer, Occult Master and Spy |publisher=Watkins Media |isbn=978-1-78028-384-5}}

* {{cite book |last1=Cicero |first1=Chic |author1-link=Chic Cicero |last2=Cicero |first2=Sandra Tabatha |author2-link=Sandra Tabatha Cicero |year=2004 |title=The Essential Golden Dawn: An Introduction to High Magic |publisher=Llewellyn Publications}}

* {{cite book |last=Farr |first=Florence |author-link=Florence Farr |year=1996 |editor-last=Kuntz |editor-first=D. |title=The Enochian Experiments of the Golden Dawn |publisher=Holmes Publishing Group |isbn=978-1-55818-340-7}}

* {{cite book |last=Grant |first=Kenneth |author-link=Kenneth Grant |title=The Magical Revival |publisher=Frederick Muller |year=1972}}

* {{cite book |last=Gunther |first=J. D. |year=2014 |title=The Angel and the Abyss: The Inward Journey, Books II and III |publisher=Nicolas Hays |isbn=978-0-89254-211-6}}

* {{cite book |last=Hulse |first=David Allen |year=1996 |title=The Key of It All: The Western Mysteries |publisher=Llewellyn Publications |isbn=978-0-87542-379-1}}

* {{cite book |last1=Kaczynski |first1=Richard |author-link=Richard Kaczynski |title=Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley |edition=rev. & exp. |year=2012 |publisher=[[North Atlantic Books]] |isbn=978-1-58394-576-6}}

* {{cite book |last=Kaplan |first=Aryeh |author-link=Aryeh Kaplan |year=1997 |title=Sefer Yetzirah: The Book of Creation |publisher=Weiser Books |isbn=978-0-87728-855-8}}

* {{cite book |last=King |first=Francis |author-link=Francis King |title=Modern Ritual Magic: The Rise of Western Occultism |publisher=Prism Press |year=1989 |isbn=978-1-85327-032-1}}

* {{cite book |last=Kraig |first=Donald Michael |author-link=Donald Michael Kraig |year=2010 |title=Modern Magick: Twelve Lessons in the High Magickal Arts |publisher=Llewellyn Publications}}

* {{cite book |last=Pasi |first=Marco |year=2014 |title=Aleister Crowley and the Temptation of Politics |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-317-54630-6}}

* {{cite book |last=Pendle |first=George |author-link=George Pendle |title=Strange Angel: The Otherworldly Life of Rocket Scientist John Whiteside Parsons |publisher=[[Houghton Mifflin Harcourt]] |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-15-603179-0 |location=Orlando, FL}}

* {{Cite book |author-link=Lawrence Sutin |last=Sutin |first=Lawrence |title=Do What Thou Wilt: A Life of Aleister Crowley |publisher=St. Martin's Griffin |place=New York |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-312-25243-4}}

* {{cite book |title=Magia Sexualis: Sex, Magic, and Liberation in Modern Western Esotericism |last=Urban |first=Hugh B. |year=2006 |publisher=University of California Press |location=Oakland, California |isbn=978-0-520-93288-3}}

 

==Further reading==

* {{cite book |last=Barrick |first=M. C. |year=2011 |title=Soul Reflections: Many Lives, Many Journeys |publisher=Summit University Press |isbn=978-1-60988-061-3 |ref=none}}

* {{Cite web |last=Crowley |first=Aleister |author-link=Aleister Crowley |year=1912 |title=Liber OS Abysmi vel Daath |url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/oto/lib474.htm |via=sacred-texts.com |access-date=2022-09-09 |ref=none}}

* {{Cite book |last=Crowley |first=Aleister |year=1986 |title=[[777 and Other Qabalistic Writings of Aleister Crowley]] |publisher=Samuel Weiser |place=York Beach, Maine |isbn=978-0-87728-670-7 |ref=none}}

 

{{Thelema series}}

 

[[Category:Thelema]]