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Page 1 of 41996 · PDF PAGE 303
Index of AL Citations CHAPTER I Verse 22 111 Verse 26 99 Verse 28 94 Verse 29 13,14, 15, 17, 30, 34, 40, 49, 76, 87, 89, 92, 98, 99,101, 111,113, 114,115, 127, 130, 133, 144,146, 148, 150,158, 160, 171,173,176 CHAPTER III Verse 3 17, 87, 89,92, 114, 17: Verse 34 34,130 Verse 36 15 Verse 40 17,176 Verse 41 92 Verse 44 111,148,150 Verse 47 14 Verse 51 60, 100 Verse 53 63,76 Verse 54 133 Verse 57 40,49,114,133, 144 Verse 61 98 Verse 62 171 Verse 65 171 Verse 69 98 Verse 9 95 CHAPTER II Verse 11 13 Verse 12 98,99 Verse 15 87 Verse 16 87 Verse 21 11…
1996 · PDF PAGE 96
Chapter II A Verses 9—11 97 It is also explained in that place how I was prepared for this Work by that period of Dryness. If I had been in sympathy with it, my personality would have interfered. I should have tried to better my instructions. See, in Liber 418, the series of visions by which I actually transcended Sorrow. But the considerations set forth in the comment on verse 9 lead to a simpler, purer, and more perfect attainment for those who can assimilate them in the subconscious mind by the process described in the comment on verse 6. It…
1996 · PDF PAGE 86
…y character of Nuit and Hadit. Nu conceals Had because He is Everywhere in the Infinite, and She manifests Him for the same reason. (See verse 3.) Every Individual manifests the Whole; and the Whole conceals every Individual. The Soul interprets the Uni verse; and the Universe veils the Soul. Nature understands Herself by becoming self-conscious in Her units; and the Consciousness loses its sense of separateness by dissolution in Her. There has been much difficulty in the orthography (in sacred languages) of these names. Nu is clearly stated t…
1996 · PDF PAGE 98
Chapter II A Verses 11 — 13 99 13. for why? Because thou wast the knower, and me. Commentary: Hadit had to overcome the silly “knower,” who thought everything was Sorrow. Cf. “Who am I?”—“Thou knowest” in Chapter I. I am far from satisfied with the above interpretation of this verse. We shall see a little later, verses 27 sqq., a general objection to “Because” and “why”. Then how is it that Hadit does not dis dain to use those terms? It must be for the sake of my mind. Then, “for why” is detestably vulgar; and no straining of grammar excuses o…
1996 · PDF PAGE 94
Chapter II * Verses 7—9 95 8. Who worshipped Heru-pa-kraath have worshipped me; ill, for I am the worshipper. Commentary: Harpocrates is also the Dwarf-Soul, the Secret Self of every man, the Serpent with the Lion’s Head. Now Hadit knows Nuit by virtue of his “Going” or “Love.” It is therefore wrong to worship Hadit; one is to be Hadit, and worship Her. This is clear even from His instruction “To worship me” in verse 22 of this chapter. Confer Cap. I, v. 9. We are exhorted to offer ourselves unto Nuit, pilgrims to all her temples. It is bad Mag…
1996 · PDF PAGE 33
… The Law is for All 1:34 “my servants”; not those of the Lord of the /Eon. “the Law is for all”; there can be no secrecy about that. The verse refers to specially chosen “servants”; perhaps those who, worshipping the Khabs, have beheld Her light shed over them. Such persons indeed consummate the marriage of Nuit and Hadit in them selves; in that case they are aware of certain Ways to Power. There is also a mystical sense in this verse. We are to organize our minds thoroughly, appointing few and secret chiefs, serving Nuit, to discipline the va…
1996 · PDF PAGE 12
…e and taught me ever since.1 1 [Crowley, Commentary to AL 111:19, p. 161 below.] 2 [Quotations from Liber Legis are cited by chapter and verse in the margins throughout this edition, except when occurring in that section of the Commentary where the verse quoted is the subject.] But the writer from this dictation was not, at the time, in sympathy with this “intelligence.” Aiwaz, in fact, was dictating to a hostile scribe; to one who was forced to write against his will. “I see thee hate the hand & the pen; but I am stronger.”1 2 To the scribe th…
1996 · PDF PAGE 133
… of the inspiration; the expiration is sweeter than death, more rapid and laughterful than a caress of Hell’s own worm. Commentary: This verse conceals a certain Magical Formula of the loftiest initiation. It refers to a method of using the breath, in connection with the appropriate series of ideas, which is perhaps not to be taught directly. But it may be learnt by those who have attained the necessary degree of magical technique, suggested automatically to them by Nature herself, just as newly- hatched chickens pick up corn without instructio…
1996 · PDF PAGE 45
46 The Law is for All 43. Do that, and no other shall say nay. Commentary: The general meaning of this verse is that so great is the power of asserting one’s right that it will not long be disputed. For by doing so one appeals to the Law. In practice it is found that people who are ready to fight for their rights are respected, and let alone. The slave-spirit invites oppression. 44. For pure will, unassuaged of purpose, delivered from the lust of result, is every way perfect. Commentary: This verse is best interpreted by defining “pure will” as…
1996 · PDF PAGE 99
…0 The Law is for All the fulfilment of the Magical Formula of Hadit and Nuit. And to know Nuit is the very definition of “joy.” The next verse confirms this: “thou” (the Beast) “wast the knower” (Hadit) “and” (united with) “me” (Nuit, as in Cap. I, verse 51 and others). Finally, Nuit is indicated by two different symbols, “not” (Grk. OY) and “me” (Grk. MH). Now OY MH was my Motto in the Grade of Adeptus Exemptus; Aiwaz thus subtly reminds me that I was pledged to deny the assertions of my intellectual and moral consciousness. He combines in the…
1996 · PDF PAGE 24
Chapter I A- Verses 1—3 25 Further, this verse is to be taken with the next. The “company of heaven” is Mankind, and its “unveiling” is the assertion of the independent godhead of every man and every woman! Further, as Khabs1 (see verse 8) is “Star,” there is a further meaning; this Book is to reveal the Secret Self of a man, i.e. to initiate him. 1 [Usually khaib in modern Egyptian transliteration.] 2 [A Crowley diary from 1919 e.v.; the relevant passage is quoted on p. 26.] 3. Every man and every woman is a star. Commentary: This thesis is fu…
1996 · PDF PAGE 112
Chapter II A Verses 22-24 113 It is the heritage of the whip, the brand of the born slave. Inciden tally, we cannot allow people who believe in this “God;” they are troglodytes, as dangerous to society as any other thieves and murderers. The Christians to the Lions! Yet, in the reign of Good Queen Victoria, Matthew Arnold was considered rather hot stuff as an infidel! Tempora mutantur, p.d.q.,1 when a Magus gets on the job. 1 [Lat. “times change” and slang “pretty damn quick.”] The quintessence of this verse is (however) its revelation of the …
1996 · PDF PAGE 26
Chapter I A Verses 3—4 27 circumference inwards. This is what is meant when we say that woman has no soul. It explains fully the difference between the sexes.1 1 [Surviving fragment from “The Book of the Great Auk.” See also The Book ofThoth, pp. 15-16, and Part III of Book 4, Parts I-IV, rev. ed., p. 248n.] 2 [The “Star-Sponge” Vision was usually characterized by Crowley as “Nothingness with Twinkles”; see p. 79.] 3 [A lake in Bristol, New Hampshire.] 4 [A lengthy technical commentary to this verse, omitted by Dr. Wilkin son, is given as Appe…
1996 · PDF PAGE 60
Chapter I i Verse 52 61 Our first consideration only adds to our sense of surprised repugnance. It becomes evident that one type of act is forbidden, with the penalty of falling altogether from the law of liberty to the code of crime; and our amazement and horror only increase as we recognize that this single gesture which is held damnable, is the natural exercise of the most fatidical function of nature, the innocent indulgence of irresistible impulse. We glance back to the previous verse—we examine our charter. We are permitted to take our fi…
1996 · PDF PAGE 30
Chapter I A Verse 7 31 while later Mary attributed her condition to the agency of a Spirit—spiritus, “breath,” or “air”—in the shape of a dove. But the “Small Person” of Hindu mysticism, the Dwarf insane yet crafty of many legends in many lands, is also this same “Holy Ghost,” or Silent Self of a man, or his Holy Guardian Angel. He is almost the “Unconscious” of Freud, unknown, unac countable, the silent Spirit, blowing “whither it listeth, but thou canst not tell whence it cometh or whither it goeth.”1 It com mands with absolute authority wh…
1996 · PDF PAGE 158
Chapter III & Verse 19 159 I found XAIPE A/.A.-., 718, “Hail to the A.-.A.-..” I grace fully acknowledged the greeting to Our Holy Order, but went on with my search. There is no such word as AXPIETA,1 “unchristlike things”; only blind bigotry could be satisfied with so crude an invention. 1 [The ST has the numeration 6.] Then came XAPATH, 713, an “engraved character.” That was a true name for the Stèle; if I suffixed AA, 5, it might read “The Mark of Hadit.” But I did not feel inwardly that thrill of ecstasy that springs in the heart or that d…
1996 · PDF PAGE 77
…Splendour; and thy Light is as a Beacon to them that Wander afar, strayed in the Night. Amount The “old comment” covers the rest of this verse sufficiently for the present purpose.2 I see no harm in revealing the mystery of tzaddi to “the wise”; others will hardly understand my explanations. Tzaddi [H] is the letter of “The Emperor,” the Trump IV, and he [H] is “The Star,” the Trump XVII. Aquarius and Aries are therefore counterchanged, revolving on the pivot of Pisces, just as, in the Trumps VIII and XI, Leo and Libra do about Virgo. This last…
1996 · PDF PAGE 138
Chapter II a Verse 70 139 Now when Brillat-Savarin1 (was it not?) served to the King’s table a pair of old kid gloves, and pleased the princely palate, he certainly proved himself a Master-Cook. The feat is not one to be repeated constantly, but one should achieve it at least once—that it may bear witness to oneself that the skill is there. One might even find it advisable to practice it occasionally, to retain one’s confidence that one’s “right hand hath not lost its cunning.”1 2 On this point hear furthermore our Holy Books: 1 [Anthelme Brill…
1996 · PDF PAGE 134
Chapter II * Verses 61 — 67 135 “Higher Self”; True Self is more the idea. For each Star is the husk of Hadit, unique and conqueror, sublime in His own virtue, independent of hierarchy. There is an external hierarchy, of course, but that is only a matter of convenience. 66. Write, & find ecstasy in writing! Work, & be our bed in working! Thrill with the joy of life & death! Ah! thy death shall be lovely: whoso seeth it shall be glad. Thy death shall be the seal of the promise of our agelong love. Come! lift up thine heart & rejoice! We are one;…
1996 · PDF PAGE 140
Chapter II a Verse 70 141 18. Between its wings I sate, and the aeons fled away. 19. Then the swan flew and dived and soared, yet no whither we went. 20. A little crazy boy that rode with me spake unto the swan, and said: 21. Who art thou that dost float and fly and dive and soar in the inane? Behold, these many aeons have passed; whence earnest thou? Whither wilt thou go? 22. And laughing I chid him, saying: No whence! No whither! 23. The swan being silent, he answered: Then, if with no goal, why this eternal journey? 24. And I laid my head ag…