Path: shell.portal.com!svc.portal.com!sdd.hp.com!swrinde!newsfeed.internetmci.com!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!newsfeed.acns.nwu.edu!news.acns.nwu.edu!merle.acns.nwu.edu!wabehun From: wabehun@merle.acns.nwu.edu (William Behun) Newsgroups: alt.magick,alt.magick.chaos Subject: Re: Introductions to Thelema Date: 12 Dec 1995 16:44:08 GMT Organization: Northwestern University, Evanston IL Lines: 42 Message-ID: <4akbgo$lic@news.acns.nwu.edu> References: <47p36n$7ip@madison.tdsnet.com> <79940@toad.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: merle.acns.nwu.edu Xref: shell.portal.com alt.magick:61216 alt.magick.chaos:6153 Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Ave Fratres et Sorores: I think that it is perfectly appropriate for "introductory" Thelemic texts for mass consumption to rely heavily on restatements of Crowley. Crowley's work form the foundation of much of the current Thelemic culture, and his import cannot be understated. While I agree that it is important for Thelemites to not stop with Crowley, neither should we forget the important place that he holds in Thelemic literature and praxis. It seems that the certain elements of the Thelemic community are very much in danger of loosing sight of their roots. While a composer should be expected to "move beyond" simple harmonies and counter-point, she should never loose sight of those fundamental theories and practices which form the foundation of her art. Similarly, while we should not allow the Thelemic Culture to be a Crowley cult of personality, neither should we neglect to give beginning students exposure to that material on which we cut our teeth. On this basis, I think it is rash to dismiss even Del Campo's text, and we should certainly not be disparaging introductory texts for their reliance on Crowley. We should not be holding primers and texts for more sophisticated readers up to the same standards of judgment. Rodney Orpheus' text comes close, in my opinion, to the appropriate balance between restating Crowley's work which beginning students may otherwise not have immediate access to, and showing applications of the work by an experienced and intelligent practitioner. I do think, however, that such lacunae in the text such as the text of the Star Ruby (which is omitted in favour of the "Nu-Sphere Ritual," which is a simplified Pentagram Ritual) present a serious problem, not for the student who is already familiar with Crowley's text, but for students who are just setting out on the path. Best regards: William Behun Fra. Ad Dexteram Love is the Law, Love under Will. -- "I'm willing to break laws, but I won't commit a crime" -Stephen Brust & Adam Stemple