Note to update: the addresses and phone numbers in these issues of the Thelema Lodge Calendars are obsolete since the closing of the Lodge. They are here for historic purposes only and should not be visited or called.
Thelema Lodge
Ordo Templi Orientis
P.O.Box 2303
Berkeley, CA 94702 USA
February 1988 e.v. at Thelema Lodge
Announcements from
Lodge Members and Officers
Other Events:
Rick runs various events in San Francisco this month- "Video Magick" the 8th
at 6 pm, Mass class 8 pm the 12th, Gnostic Mass the 19th at 8 pm, and a
personal view of the Spear Of Destiny 8 pm the 22nd. Call for directions -- 759-6247.
March...
2nd: Full Moon ritual 9:30 pm.
8th: Lodge Meeting at 8 pm.
I have found a place to dwell | |
A quiet, peaceful part of Hell | |
Far from the heavy trafficked Styx. | |
My house is built of lava bricks | |
And in my nurtured garden grow | |
The black and lustrous Leper rose. | |
On Furnace Road | |
Lies my abode | |
Close by the Temple of the Toad. | |
And where I live, tho not in state | |
My life is dignified, sedate. | |
Within our peaceful neighborhood | |
Live other martyrs of the Rood | |
Who served their Master well - and now | |
May share the promise of their vow, | |
To live their days | |
Beneath the gaze | |
Of Him whose eyes with evil blaze. | |
And of my cherished work in Hell | |
I have but only this to tell; | |
That once a week I don my gown | |
And catch the midnight train to town | |
To oversee my Sabbat's mirth | |
And represent our Hell on Earth. | |
A parish priest | |
For those who feast | |
And pledge their souls unto the Beast. | |
This is the principal O.T.O. symbol, called the Lamen of O.T.O. It can be
described as: a vesica containing an eye within a triangle with glory of 24
rays, descending dove below, at bottom a chalice with heartshaped host, cross
of {Malta} and flame. The word "lamen" signifies a unique talisman or
device which identifies the nature of a particular person or entity. A lamen is used by the person or entity so identified, and is therefore not the same
as a segil, which may merely represent a spirit in some more limited sense.
The O.T.O. Lamen is the legal "Trademark" of Ordo Templi Orientis, and it is
used to identify O.T.O. publications and products. This particular device
appears to predate Crowley's involvement in O.T.O. {in some elements.} In early versions, it was
not shaped like a vesica pisces, but had the distinctly "parachute" shape of a
Norman shield with rounded top and pointed bottom. The vesica shape was in
general use by 1919 e.v. Individual symbols within the Lamen have
significance in Masonic, Christian and Crusader lore. The Eye in the Triangle
with rayed Glory is a Masonic symbol of the Eternal Light of Wisdom, a
Christian symbol of the Trinity, a veiled symbol of the Tree of Life and many
other things. The Dove is a Masonic symbol of the Messenger of Noah, a
Christian symbol of the Holy Spirit, a symbol of purity and a symbol of the
Soul. The Cup in Masonry signifies the trials of life, and is called
"Bitterness". One of the nobler aims of Masonic Craft Initiation is to raise
the strength to drink of this Cup. Christianity sees the Holy Grail in this
Cup. Within and above the Cup are elements hearkening to Pentecostal descent
of Spirit in a tongue of fire, sacrifice and the Crusading Order of Knights
Templar. More Thelemic interpretations are preferred and available.
The Eye in the Triangle is the Egyptian eye of Horus, divine presence in
the Aeon of Horus. This Egyptian motif also reminds us of our traditional
descent from the Egyptian masonry of Cagliostro and the Illuminati of
Weishaupt. From this eye emanates a "Glory" of 24 lines, taken either as 24
presences or 12 bands. 24 stands for the 24 Righteous ones, Patriarchs of the
Old Testament and the secret and invisible beings who maintain the world and
human society (In Hassidic tradition, there are 36 of these, possibly
reflecting the 36 decans). 24 also represents the hours of the day and night
that emanate from the Divine Sun. In standard versions of the Lamen, eight of
these rays pass through the wings of the Dove to symbolize the eight invisible
presences that witness our initiations. As 12 bands, this Glory represents
the regimen of 12, Zodiacal signs chiefly.
The Descending Dove represents the spiritual identity of the O.T.O. and the
blessing of the God of the Aeon. By its descent it signifies incarnation of
the God into this time and place, attracted by the content of the Chalice.
The Chalice contains the lives of individual members of the O.T.O. and
represents dedication to Thelema. The Heart-shaped Host symbolizes love of
Thelema and the sacrifice of the "Bloodless Knights of Babalon". The Cross of
(Malta) on that host recalls the Crusader Order of Knights Templar from
which we derive the name of O.T.O. A Flame at the top of the Chalice is the
purified fire of Will which attracts congress with the Dove. About the
perfected central host others form a rose of desire and striving.
Even the shape of the Lamen has a significance for O.T.O. A vesica is an
intimate symbol of the Goddess. This is frequently taken to represent the
vulva, and the symbols on the Lamen can be interpreted anatomically. O.T.O.
members are collectively known as "Brothers", even though we are men and women
in equality. The Order itself is our Lady. This distinction is reversed in
A A, where the symbol is the Star of Babalon, and the members are
collectively known as "Sisters" of the Star. Incidentally, a vesica is not
just a spindle shape but a precise geometrical figure defined as the
intersection of two equal circles through their centers. Achad elaborates on
the vesica as a geometrical criterion for drawing the Qabalistic Tree of Life
in his book, The Anatomy of the Body of God. The word "vesica" literally
signifies "bladder", as this is the general shape of a fish bladder --- no
offense intended to Our Lady's hygiene.
Crowley experimented with colors and a modification of the design of the
O.T.O. Lamen along Qabalistic lines. This can be seen on the cover of our new
Equinox III, 10 (inside the cover in some editions). The color version was
never used as official O.T.O. letterhead, even by Crowley; but it remains an
interesting major variation from the standard design. Those who missed
getting a copy of Equinox III,10 in the budget edition may be interested to learn that the paperback is due out again soon.
Kenneth Grant also discusses the O.T.O. Lamen in his Night Side of Eden,
page 167. As do many of Grant's remarks on O.T.O. and Crowley, this
particular view represents an inversion of actual O.T.O. usage and symbolism.
Grant, like Waite, can be read to advantage if one remembers the "Law of the
Goat": "When the idea is stressed, the opposite is probably true." Grant's
views are based on his own interests and do not reflect those of O.T.O. This
is particularly the case where the words "Set", "Typhon", "Satan", "Qlipoth",
"Crowley", "O.T.O.", "O.H.O.", "Extra-terrestrial", and synonyms are used.
Enjoy his work, but 'taint Crowley and 'taint us.
Kalisti, a new bimonthly magazine ---- inquire of Kalisti; P.O.Box 19566; Cincinnati, OH 45219 USA. Includes mention of events at Kali Lodge O.T.O. in the January 1988 issue. Single issues $1.00. $9.00 per year.
Forward In this issue of the Thelema Lodge Calendar we begin a transcription of John Dee's spiritual diaries. Our serialization begins with Elias Ashmole's preface to Doctor Dee's Five Books of Mystery (Doctoris Dee Mysteriorum Libri Quinti), comparing the texts of Slane Manuscripts 3188 and 3677. Though this particular passage is already avaiable in several modern editions, we include it here as a general introduction, and in order to preserve the continuity of our project. In preparing this text we have expanded most abbreviations, noting the first instance of each. Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation have been left intact. References to manuscripts in the Sloane collection are designated "SL," with all textual variations noted. Ashmole's annotation is given in the left hand column, with our commentary upon his notes following. Our own editorial annotation is placed opposite, on the right hand, and standard abbreviation has been used. Textual variations are noted all together, following the text. It is our intention over the course of time to provide a completely standardized edition of the magical manuscripts of John De, that serious practitioners and interested students of Enochian Magick may have a reliable guide in their work. |
1. | Be it remembered, That the 20th: of August | ||||||
2. | 1672. I received by the hands of my Servant | ||||||
3. | Samuell Story, a parcell of Doctor Dee's | ||||||
4. | Manuscripts, all written with his owne hand; | ||||||
5. | vizt:1 his Conference with Angells, which first | 1. 2. | L. abbr. 'videlicet' namely L. = in the year | ||||
6. | began the 22d: of December anno2 1581. And | ||||||
7. | continued to the end of May anno 1583, where the | ||||||
8. | printed Booke of the remaining Conferences | 3. 4. | Meric Casaubon, ed., A True & Faithful Relation (London: 1659) the volume now catalogued as Sl. 3188 | ||||
9. | (published by Doctor Cawsabon3) begins, and are | ||||||
10. | bound up in this Volume.4 | ||||||
11. | Beside these, the Booke intituled, the 48 | ||||||
12. | Claves Angelicae5, also Liber Scientia | 5. 6. | L. = The Forty-Eight Angelic Keys L. = The Book of Earthly Science: Aid and Victory | ||||
13. | Terrestris -- Auxilij et Victoria6 (These two | ||||||
14. | being those very individuall Bookes, which the | ||||||
i. 10 Aprila 1586 ii. 30. April 1586 | 15. | Angells commanded to bei burnt, and were afterii | |||||
16. | restored by them as appeares by the printed | ||||||
a. 'April abbr. 'Apr:' Sl.3188; abbr. 'Ap:' Sl. 3677. | 17. | Relation of Doctor Dee's Actions with Spirits7 | 7. | Casaubon. op. cit. | |||
18. | pages 418. & 419.) The Booke intituled De | ||||||
19. | Heptarchia Mystica -- Collectaneorum Liber | 8. 9. 10. 11. | L. = A Collection con- cerning the Mystic Seven-fold Doctrine: First Book: cf Turner, ed., The Heptarchia Mystica (1986) cf. James, ed., The Enochian Evocation (1984) the volume now catalogued as Sl. 3191 i.e. days | ||||
20. | primus,8 and a Booke of Invocations or Calls, | ||||||
21. | beginning with the Squares filled with Letters, | ||||||
iii. of both which there are Trans- cripteb made with my owne hand E.A.c | 22. | about the Black Cross. These foure Bookes9 I | |||||
23. | have bound up in anotheriii volume.10 | ||||||
24. | All which, were a few daies11 before | ||||||
25. | delivered to my said Servant, for my perusall (I | ||||||
b. catalogued as Sl. 3678. c. this note given in Sl. 3677 only. | 26. | being then at Mr: William Lillies house at | |||||
27. | Hersham in Surrey) by my good friend Mr: Thomas | ||||||
28. | Wale, one of him Majesties Warders in the Tower | ||||||
29. | of London. | ||||||
30. | The 5th: of September following Mr: Wale | ||||||
31. | (having heard of my retourne to Towne) came to my | ||||||
32. | Office in the Excise Office in Broadstreete, and | ||||||
33. | told me he was content to exchange all the | ||||||
34. | aforesaid Books, for one of myne, vizt: The | ||||||
35. | Institution Lawes & Ceremonies of the most Noble | ||||||
36. | Order of the Garter,12 to this I agreed, and | 12. | published London: 1672 | ||||
37. | provided one, which I sent him fairely bound, and | ||||||
38. | gilt on the Back. | ||||||
iv. As a further tes- timony of the sense of Mr: Wales kindnes; shortly after his death, I sent for his Son, and bestowed on him one of my deputies places in the Excise, withd an allowance of 80: L pere Annum.f | 39. | On the 10th: of the said September Mr: Waleiv | |||||
40. | came thither to me againe, and brought his wife | ||||||
41. | with him, from her I received the following | ||||||
42. | account of the preservation of these Bookes, even | ||||||
43. | till they came to my hands, vzit: That her former | ||||||
44. | Husband was one Mr: Jones a Confectioner, who | ||||||
45. | formerly Dwelt at the Plow in Lumbardstreet | ||||||
46. | London, and who, shortly after they were married, | ||||||
d. 'with'] abbr. 'wth' both MSS. e. 'per'] abbr. ;p' both MSS. f. L. = each year. | 47. | tooke her with him into Adle Streete among the | |||||
48. | Joyners,13 to buy soem Houshold stuff, where | 13. | i.e. furniture crafts- men: lit. joiners of wood | ||||
49. | (at the Corner house) they saw a Chest of Cedar | ||||||
50. | wood about a yard and an halfe long, whose Lock | ||||||
51. | and Hinges, being of extraordinary neate worke, | ||||||
52. | invited them to buy it. The Master of the shop | ||||||
53. | told them it had been parcell of the Goods of one | ||||||
54. | Mr: John Woodall Chirurgeon14 (father to Mr: | 14. | i.e. surgeon | ||||
55. | Thomas Woodall late Serjant Chirurgeon to his now | ||||||
56. | Majestie King Charles the Second (my intimate | ||||||
57. | friend) and tis very probable he bought it after | ||||||
58. | Doctor Dee's death, when his goods were exposed | ||||||
59. | to Sales. | ||||||
60. | Twenty yeares after this (and about 4 yeares | ||||||
61. | before the fatall Fire of London) she and her | ||||||
62. | good husband occasionally removing this Chest out | ||||||
63. | of its usuall place, thought they heard some | ||||||
64. | loose thing ratle in it, toward the right hand | ||||||
65. | end, under the Box or Till thereof, and by | ||||||
66. | shaking it, were fully satisfied it was so: | ||||||
67. | Hereupon her Husband thrust a peece of Iron into | ||||||
68. | a small Crevice at the bottome of the Chest, and | ||||||
69. | thereupon appeared a private drawer, which being | ||||||
70. | drawne out, therein were found divers Bookes in | ||||||
71. | Manuscrpt, and Papers, together with a litle | ||||||
72. | Box, and therein a Chaplet of Olive Beades, and a | ||||||
73. | Cross of the same wood, hanging at the end of | ||||||
74. | them. | ||||||
75. | They made no great matter of these Bookes, | ||||||
76. | etc. because they understood them not; which | ||||||
77. | occasioned their Servant Maide to wast about one | ||||||
78. | halfe of them under Pyes, and other like uses, | ||||||
79. | which when discovered, they kept the rest more | ||||||
80. | safe. | ||||||
81. | About two yeares after the discovery of these | ||||||
82. | Bookes, Mr. Jones died; and when the fire of | ||||||
83. | London hapned, thought the Chest perished in the | ||||||
84. | Flames, because not easily to be removed, yet the | ||||||
85. | Bookes were taken out and carried with the rest | ||||||
86. | of Mrs: Jones her goods into Moorefields, and | ||||||
87. | being brought safely back, she took care to | ||||||
88. | preserve them; and after marrying with the | ||||||
89. | aforesaid Mr: Wale, he came to the knowledge of | ||||||
90. | them, and there upon, with her concent, sent them | ||||||
91. | to me, as I have before set downe. | ||||||
Textual Variants The following notes record all variations of any significance between our text and the two manuscripts from which it has been edited (Sloane 3188 and Sloane 3677). Notes are keyed to line numbers in the text where the contested readings occur, with the adopted reading given first, and the variations listed afterward. |
2. | 'by' Sl. 3188 ] var. 'from' Sl. 3677. | 31. | '5th: ] abbr. '5t:' Sl. 3188: 'fift' Sl. 3677. | |||
3. | 'Doctor' ] abbr. 'Dr.:' both MSS. | 31. | 'September' ] abbr. 'Sept:' both MSS. | |||
5. | 'which' ] abbr. 'wch' both MSS. | 39. | 'said' Sl. 3677 ] abbr. 's:d' Sl. 3188. | |||
6. | '22d:' Sl. 3677 ] var. '22th' Sl. 3188. | 45. | 'Lumbardstreet' Sl. 3188 ] | |||
6. | 'December' ] abbr. 'Dec:' Sl. 3188; | var. 'Lumbardstreete' Sl. 3677. | ||||
abbr. 'Decemb:' Sl. 3677 | 47. | 'Adle Streete' SL. 3188 ] | ||||
6. | 'anno' ] abbr. 'ano:' both MSS. | Adel=Streete' SL. 3677. | ||||
6. | 'and' ] abbr. &' both MSS. | 50. | 'Yard and a halfe' Sl. 3677 ] | |||
11. | 'intituled' Sl. 3188 ] | var. 'yard and halfe' Sl. 3188. | ||||
cap. var. 'Intituled' Sl. 3677; | 51. | 'Hinges' Sl. 31888 ] | ||||
an interesting var. considering | var. "hindges' Sl. 3188. | |||||
E.A.'s interest in "Titles," | 55. | 'Thomas' Sl. 3677 ] abbr. 'Tho:' Sl. 3188. | ||||
cf. his Noble Order of the Garter (1672) | 56. | 'Second' Sl. 3677 ] abbr. '2d:' Sl. 3188. | ||||
13. | 'et' ] abbr. '&' both MSS. | 59. | 'Sales' Sl. 3188 ] var. 'sales' Sl. 3677. | |||
18. | 'pages'] abbr. 'pag:' both MSS. | 61. | 'She and her good husband' ] abbr. 'she & | |||
19. | 'Liber' ] abbr. Lib: both MSS. | her gd husband' Sl. 3188; var. 'her | ||||
22. | 'filled' Sl. 3188 ] var. 'filed' Sl. 3677. | husband & she' Sl. 3677. | ||||
23. | 'foure' Sl. 3677 ] abbr. '4' Sl. 3188. | 67. | 'peece' Sl. 3188 ] var. 'piece' Sl. 3677. | |||
28. | 'Surrey' Sl. 3188 ] var. 'Surry' Sl. 3677. | 76. | 'etc.' ] abbr. '&c:' both MSS. | |||
29. | 'Majesties' ] abbr. 'Ma:ties' both MSS. | 83. | 'aforesaid' Sl. 3677 ] abbr. 'foes d' Sl. 3188. |
Afterword Further biographical information regarding Elias Ashmole, the various persons and events mentioned above, and the circumstances of his interest in John Dee, may be found in C. H. Josten's five volume work noted below. These bibliographic references are by no means exhaustive, and are concerned only with the specific content of the previous document. Manuscripts: Sloane MS. 3188. Dr. Dee's Mysteriorum Libri V; five books and an appendix containing his earliest extant experiments in what was to become the system of Enochian Magick. Sloane MS. 3191. The four books refered to in paragraph two of Ashmole's preface, being Dee's grimoire and instruction manual for the practice of Enochian Magick. Sloane MS. 3677. Ashmole's transcription of the material designated above as Sl. 3188. Sloane MS 3678. Ashmole's transcripton of Sl. 3191. (Note that all manuscripts in the Sloane collection are held in the British Library.) Published Works: Elias Ashmole. The Institution Laws & Ceremonies of the most Noble Order of the Garter (London: 1672; fascimile reprinted Baltimore: Genealogical Publ. 1971). Meric Casaubon, D. D., A True & Faithful Relation of What Passed for many Yeers Between Dr. John Dee ... and some spirits (London: 1659; facsimile reprinted Glasgow: Antonine Publ., 1974). Geoffrey James, ed. & trans., The Enochian Evocation of Dr. John Dee (Gillette, NJ: Heptangle Books, 1984). Contains a translation of Sl. 3191, as well as extracts from Ashmole's preface, pp. 192-3. C. H. Josten, ed., Elias Ashmole (1617-1692): His Autobiographical and Historical Notes, His Correspondence, and Other Contemporary Sources Relating to his Life and Work, 5 vols. (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1966). A wealth of interest- ing and useful information; pp. 1265-7 contain a version of Ashmole's preface. Robert Turner, ed., The Heptarchia Mystica of John Dee (Welling- borough, Northamptonshire: Aquarian Press, 1986). Contains the text and translation of the book refered to in note 8, as well as extracts from Sl. 3188 and a version of Ashmole's preface (pp. 18-19). Acknowledgements: We would like to thank the following individuals in particular for making this project possible. First, Ms. Christina Daves, for her support and for her time and effort in researching the life and works of Elias Ashmole. Also, Brother Bill Heidrick, for the use of his microfilm copies of the manuscript materials for transcription. And Brothers Equus and Vandemere, for inspiration and encouragement in the work. Lastly, the fellows of the Center for Enochian Studies at Thelema Lodge: Brothers Leoviridis, Adam Weishaupt, and Nick Guliaeff, for the work involved in preparing the text. Interested persons may obtain an unbound photocopy reproduction of the manuscript versions of this text, and pertinent ancillary materials from the CENTER FOR ENOCHIAN STUDIES at Thelema Lodge, for the sum of $3. (Please make checks payable to "cash.") {Note to web edition: this offer is no longer in effect. Here for historical reasons only.} Next month, John Dee's own introduction to his spiritual diaries. |
2/2/88 | Full Moon Ritual 9:30 PM Bring Bread and Wine (FM in Leo 12:51 PM) | Thelema Ldg | ||
2/6/88 | Brigid Ritual at New Horizons begins at 5:23 PM 5205 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg, CA | Thelema Ldg. | ||
2/6/88 | Tarot and the Tree of Life 8PM | Selene Camp | ||
2/7/88 | Gnostic Mass at 8:00 PM | Nefertiti | ||
2/8/88 | Video Magick 6 PM (SF) | |||
2/9/88 | Thelema Lodge Meeting 8 PM | Thelema Ldg. | ||
2/10/88 | Class: Magick and Qabalah #1 with Bill: Malkut and Intro. (LQ Moon in Scorpio 3:01 PM) | Thelema Ldg. | ||
2/12/88 | Gnostic Mass Class 8PM (SF) | Nefertiti | ||
2/13/88 | Initiations to Ist and IInd Deg | Thelema Ldg. | ||
2/13/88 | Tarot and the Tree of Life 8PM | Selene Camp | ||
2/14/88 | Gnostic Mass at 8:00 PM (Happy Lupercalia!) | Thelema Ldg. | ||
2/14/88 | IInd Degree Initiations | Selene Camp | ||
2/14/88 | Whale Watching ticket deadline call: | Aiwass Oasis | ||
2/15/88 | Dramatic Reading of The God- Eaters by Crowley. 8PM | Magick Theat. | ||
2/16/88 | Enochiana Class: "Watchtowers" 8 PM with Dave. | Thelema Ldg. | ||
2/16/88 | New Moon Ritual 9:30 PM | Thelema Ldg. | ||
2/17/88 | Class: Magick and Qabalah #2 with Bill: Astral and Imaginative (NM in Aquarius 7:54 PM) | Thelema Ldg. | ||
2/19/88 | Gnostic Mass 8 PM (SF) (Sun enters Pisces 2:35 AM) | Nefretiti | ||
2/20/88 | Minerval initiations | Thelema Ldg. | ||
2/20/88 | Tarot and the Tree of Life 8PM | Selene Camp | ||
2/21/88 | Gnostic Mass 8 PM | Thelema Ldg. | ||
2/21/88 | Whale watching and Wine Tasting (must reserve by 2/14/88) | Aiwass Oasis | ||
2/22/88 | Talk on "Spear of Destiny" 8PM (SF) | Nefretiti | ||
2/23/88 | Secret Meeting invitation only Thelema | Thelema Ldg. | ||
2/24/88 | (FQ Moon in Gemini 4:15 PM) | Thelema Ldg. | ||
2/25/88 | Presentation on "Sir Speed Houlihan" Niel Cassady depiction with Lew 8PM | Thelema Ldg. | ||
2/27/88 | IIIrd Degree Initiations | Thelema Ldg. | ||
2/27/88 | Tarot and the Tree of Life 8PM | Selene Camp | ||
2/28/88 | Pisces Birthday party 4:18 PM | Thelema Ldg. | ||
2/28/88 | Gnostic Mass 8 PM | Thelema Ldg. | ||
2/29/88 | Enochiana Class: "Reading Dr. Dee" with Dave. 8PM | Thelema Ldg. |
The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the
contributing authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of OTO or its
officers.
Note to update: the addresses and phone numbers in these issues of the Thelema Lodge Calendars are obsolete since the closing of the Lodge. They are here for historic purposes only and should not be visited or called.
Thelema Lodge
Ordo Templi Orientis
P.O. Box 2303
Berkeley, CA 94702 USA
Phone: (510) 652-3171 (for events info and contact to Lodge)
Production and Circulation:
OTO-TLC
P.O.Box 430
Fairfax, CA 94978 USA
Internet: heidrick@well.com (Submissions and circulation only)