Thelemic Customs

 

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

 

Thelemites, in general, have a few customs that you might see when interacting with a community in real life. Mostly, in an immediate sense, they are designed to keep you mindful of  your pursuit of what Thelemites refer to as “The Great Work”. These practices, beyond just being exercises in mindfulness, also have deeper spiritual meaning to some. As such, they often come in the form of rituals.

 

• Greeting each other with the Law- “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law”, or alternately by saying “93!” Aleister Crowley thought we should all be greeting each other with the Law. He consistently did so throughout his VAST correspondence and other writings. The term “93” is more of a modern shortened version of this, and in some people’s opinion, does not accomplish the same goal as stating the Law in full. Often times it is stated in full unless you are casually speaking or corresponding with other Thelemites, in which case “93” is usually the norm. In formal communication it is the opinion of the current author that the Law should be declared fully and CAPITALIZED CORRECTLY… “the letters? change them not in style or value!”– AL II:54
• Saying Will before meals- A short call and response dedicating the energy of a meal toward the accomplishment of the Will. It is, in essence, a simple daily Thelemic Eucharist. This is sometimes adapted as a monologue and performed alone in the absence of other people, or other people who are familiar with the response.
• Liber Resh Vel Helios- A Solar Adoration which is performed at Dawn, Noon, Dusk, and Midnight. Liber Resh aligns the individual with the Sun, that is, it keeps them mindful of their own light which is always shining. It is also a mindfulness tool that reminds the individual four times a day to consciously do their Will. It keeps Thelema fresh in their minds and helps maintain focus on The Great Work.
• Feasting- The Book of the Law is all about the Feasting. You may find that in some locations where Thelemites gather, there is a feast of some sort attached to just about everything.  “A feast every day in your hearts in the joy of my rapture! A feast every night unto Nu, and the pleasure of uttermost delight!”- AL II:42-43

 

Love is the law, love under will.