Collection of works by Aleister Crowley
The Holy Books of Thelema is a collection of 15 works by Aleister Crowley, the founder of Thelema, originally published in 1909 by Crowley under the title "", and later republished in 1983, together with a number of additional texts, under the new title, "The Holy Books of Thelema", by Ordo Templi Orientis under the direction of Hymenaeus Alpha.
Content.
"The Holy Books of Thelema" consists of the wholly class A libri of Aleister Crowley, which indicates that they that are not to be changed, even to the letter. According to Crowley, they were not so much written "by" him as "through" him, and are therefore referred to as inspired works. Additionally, "Liber LXI", a class D text, is included as an introduction after a preface by Hymenaeus Alpha and synopsis compiled from Crowley's writings. "Liber LXI" was originally class A, then changed to class B, indicating works of scholarship, then changed to class D, indicating official rituals and instructions. "Liber I" was originally a Class B document but was reclassified as class A in 1913, and so it is included in "The Holy Books of Thelema". The majority of these texts were written between the years 1907 and 1911. They are listed in numerical order, following their designation in Roman numerals, with the exception of "Liber XXXI" which immediately follows "Liber CCXX".
"The Book of the Law".
"Liber AL vel Legis", also known as "The Book of the Law", is the foundational text for Thelema. It is included in both "Liber CCXX" and "Liber XXXI". The latter is the handwritten original, while "Liber CCXX" was transcribed from the original and was given the number 220 because it is composed of 220 verses. It is the only "Holy Book" that Aleister Crowley claimed to have had no part in the authorship of. Its primacy is indicated in chapter 3, verse 47: ;templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" / ;This book shall be translated into all tongues: but always with the original in the writing of the Beast; for in the chance shape of the letters and their position to one another: in these are mysteries that no Beast shall divine.
"The Comment" is sometimes considered to be part of the "Book of the Law"; at other times, it is considered to be a different document. In either instance, it has been understood by some to mean that no discussion of any of the "Holy Books" may take place, despite the fact that "the Comment", which was written after all of the "Holy Books" were written, only applies to the "Book of the Law". According to this interpretation, the purpose of "the Comment" is to allow others to interpret the "Book of the Law" for themselves; in other words, no one is to preach its contents or tell you their understanding of it is the one true understanding. However, "the Comment" also prohibits the study of the "Book of the Law". The stated punishment for violating "the Comment" is anathema (shunning).
Other holy books of Thelema.
Three libri "containing" class A material (but which are not wholly class A) are excluded from the collection, namely: "Liber CDXV — Opus Lutetianum" (commonly called "the Paris Working"); "Liber XXX Ærum vel Sæculi sub figurâ CDXVIII" (commonly called "The Vision and the Voice"); and "Liber sub figurâ DCCCCLXIII" (commonly called "the Treasurehouse of Images").
Stele of Revealing.
Despite its significance to Thelema, the Stele of Revealing is not listed as one of "The Holy Books of Thelema"; however, its English translation is included in "Appendix A" alongside supplementary materials. Crowley purports to have authored the text in a past incarnation as the ancient Egyptian priest Ankh-ef-en-Khonsu i.
References.
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Sources.
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