Abyss (Thelema)
Encyclopedia
Within the mystical system
of Thelema
, the Abyss is the great gulf or void between the phenomenal world
of manifestation
and its noumenal
source.
, says of the Abyss in his Little Essays Toward Truth
:
On a practical level, Crowley's published instructions on the Abyss tell the reader to consider some philosophical problem without using magic or intuition, until the mind focuses on this problem of its own accord: "Then will all phenomena which present themselves to him appear meaningless and disconnected, and his own Ego will break up into a series of impressions having no relation one with the other, or with any other thing." This prepares the student for the mystical experience that Crowley elsewhere calls Shivadarshana. Crowley modeled these instructions on his own experiences in the year 1905. The Vision and the Voice
describes two additional methods of entering the Abyss. The first of these "concerns things of which it (was) unlawful to speak openly under penalty of the most dreadful punishment," namely receptive homosexual intercourse under the desert sun that went against Crowley's social habits of conduct or his conscious self-image. The second involves ceremonial magic and focuses more on the theory behind the Abyss.
In the Qabalistic system of Crowley, the Abyss contains the 11th (hidden) sephira
, Da'ath, which separates the lower sephiroth from the supernals. This account derives from the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
's view of Genesis, in which Da'ath represents the fall of man from a unified consciousness into a duality between ego and divine nature. The Abyss is guarded by the demon Choronzon
, who manifests during the third, ceremonial method of crossing this gulf. He represents those parts of one's consciousness and unconsciousness -- "a momentary unity capable of sensation and of expression," in Crowley's terms -- that are unwilling or unable to enter the Divine. According to Grant Morrison
in the Richard Metzger
Book of Lies, at least, Choronzon
"Crossing the Abyss" is regarded as a perilous operation, and the most important work of the magician's career. Success confers graduation into the degree of Magister Templi, or "Master of the Temple."
, for what he called the "Babes of the Abyss" (writing at the start of the book, "It is an official publication for Babes of the Abyss").
Thelemic mysticism
Within the modern system of Thelema, developed by occultist Aleister Crowley in the first half of the 20th century, Thelemic mysticism is a complex mystical path designed to do two interrelated things: to learn one's unique True Will and to achieve union with the All...
of Thelema
Thelema
Thelema is a religious philosophy that was established, defined and developed by the early 20th century British writer and ceremonial magician, Aleister Crowley. He believed himself to be the prophet of a new age, the Æon of Horus, based upon a religious experience that he had in Egypt in 1904...
, the Abyss is the great gulf or void between the phenomenal world
Phenomenon
A phenomenon , plural phenomena, is any observable occurrence. Phenomena are often, but not always, understood as 'appearances' or 'experiences'...
of manifestation
Manifestation
Manifestation may refer to any one of the following:* Manifestation of God, the prophets of the Bahá'í Faith* Avatar, manifestation of God in Hinduism...
and its noumenal
Noumenon
The noumenon is a posited object or event that is known without the use of the senses.The term is generally used in contrast with, or in relation to "phenomenon", which refers to anything that appears to, or is an object of, the senses...
source.
Theory and Practice
The founder of Thelema, author Aleister CrowleyAleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley , born Edward Alexander Crowley, and also known as both Frater Perdurabo and The Great Beast, was an influential English occultist, astrologer, mystic and ceremonial magician, responsible for founding the religious philosophy of Thelema. He was also successful in various other...
, says of the Abyss in his Little Essays Toward Truth
Little Essays Toward Truth
Little Essays Toward Truth is a 1938 book written by the mystic Aleister Crowley . It consists of sixteen philosophical essays on various topics within the framework of the Qabalah and Crowley's religion of Thelema...
:
This doctrine is extremely difficult to explain; but it corresponds more or less to the gap in thought between the Real, which is ideal, and the Unreal, which is actual. In the Abyss all things exist, indeed, at least in posse, but are without any possible meaning; for they lack the substratum of spiritual Reality. They are appearances without Law. They are thus Insane Delusions.
Now the Abyss being thus the great storehouse of Phenomena, it is the source of all impressions.
On a practical level, Crowley's published instructions on the Abyss tell the reader to consider some philosophical problem without using magic or intuition, until the mind focuses on this problem of its own accord: "Then will all phenomena which present themselves to him appear meaningless and disconnected, and his own Ego will break up into a series of impressions having no relation one with the other, or with any other thing." This prepares the student for the mystical experience that Crowley elsewhere calls Shivadarshana. Crowley modeled these instructions on his own experiences in the year 1905. The Vision and the Voice
The Vision and the Voice
The Vision and the Voice chronicles the mystical journey of Aleister Crowley as he explored the 30 Enochian Æthyrs originally developed by Dr. John Dee and Edward Kelley in the 16th century. These visions took place at two times: in 1900 during his stay in Mexico, and later in 1909 in Algeria...
describes two additional methods of entering the Abyss. The first of these "concerns things of which it (was) unlawful to speak openly under penalty of the most dreadful punishment," namely receptive homosexual intercourse under the desert sun that went against Crowley's social habits of conduct or his conscious self-image. The second involves ceremonial magic and focuses more on the theory behind the Abyss.
In the Qabalistic system of Crowley, the Abyss contains the 11th (hidden) sephira
Sephira
Sephira is an Irish band comprising sisters Joyce and Ruth O'Leary, who both play the violin and provide vocals. They released their debut album Believe in 2006...
, Da'ath, which separates the lower sephiroth from the supernals. This account derives from the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was a magical order active in Great Britain during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which practiced theurgy and spiritual development...
's view of Genesis, in which Da'ath represents the fall of man from a unified consciousness into a duality between ego and divine nature. The Abyss is guarded by the demon Choronzon
Choronzon
Choronzon is a demon or devil that originated in writing with the 16th century occultists Edward Kelley and John Dee within the latter's occult system of Enochian magic...
, who manifests during the third, ceremonial method of crossing this gulf. He represents those parts of one's consciousness and unconsciousness -- "a momentary unity capable of sensation and of expression," in Crowley's terms -- that are unwilling or unable to enter the Divine. According to Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
in the Richard Metzger
Richard Metzger
Richard Metzger is a television host and author. He was the host of the TV show Disinformation , The Disinformation Company and its website, Disinfo.com...
Book of Lies, at least, Choronzon
is Existential Self at the last gasp...Beyond Choronzon we are no longer our Self. The "personality" on the brink of the Abyss will do anything, say anything and find any excuse to avoid taking this disintegrating step into "non-being."
"Crossing the Abyss" is regarded as a perilous operation, and the most important work of the magician's career. Success confers graduation into the degree of Magister Templi, or "Master of the Temple."
The Book of Lies
Crowley specifically wrote his 1913 volume, The Book of LiesThe Book of Lies (Crowley)
The Book of Lies was written by English occultist and teacher Aleister Crowley and first published in 1912 or 1913...
, for what he called the "Babes of the Abyss" (writing at the start of the book, "It is an official publication for Babes of the Abyss").
Sources
- Crowley, Aleister. 777 and other qabalistic writings of Aleister Crowley, edited with an introduction by Israel Regardie. Samuel Weiser, Inc. York Beach, Maine. 2000. First printing 1973. Copyright 1912, 1955 "Ordo Templi Orientis".
- ___ Confessions of Aleister Crowley, online version from Hermetic.com retrieved December 19, 2009.
- Regardie, IsraelIsrael RegardieIsrael Regardie, born Francis Israel Regudy was an occultist and writer, author of books on the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.-Early life:...
. (1989). The original account of the teachings, rites and ceremonies of The Golden Dawn. Sixth Edition, Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications. - Sutin, Lawrence. Do what thou wilt: A life of Aleister Crowley. St. Martin's Griffin, New York 2002. Copyright 2000.