Daughter of Sunset Updates

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

The Tree of Life, or etz chaim, is a complex system of attributions said to be a cosmology and a representation of the macrocosm, or the outside world, and the microcosm, the inner world. There is much debate when and how this system was “received”, (kabbalah), but it is studied and used by people of various beliefs and backgrounds. There are several representations of the etz chaim, and the one studied in our first meetup was the  ‘”Hermetic” Tree of Life’ as published in Aleister Crowley’s Book 4 (above).

The etz chaim is primarily characterized by the 3 egg-shaped rings surrounding the tree, 10 sephiroth, or emanations/spheres, and 22 paths -associated with the letters of the hebrew alphabet and major arcana (32 paths total). It is also divided into 4 elemental realms, 3 pillars, and contains 2 veils. The complexity of this system is such that it can be studied throughout one’s entire life as the associations placed upon it can encapsulate all within existence.

Understanding of the Tree is critical in making sense of many of the “Thelemic” rituals and can be remarkably illuminating and a wellspring of much practical use in daily life.

The next session is tentatively scheduled for May, where we will go into further depth on this topic and primarily focus on the paths and tarot associations. For those that attended the first group, or those wishing to attend the next class, please bring a self-drawn copy of the etz chaim to the next session using the 3 1/2 circles method (using a compass to lay the foundation for the placement of the spheres.) Thank you to Soror Laylah for a concise and beautifully presented introduction.

If you would like to attend please visit the calendar page and  contact us if you have any questions. =)

Love is the law, love under will.

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

The Book of the Law, or, Liber AL vel Legis sub figura CCXX, is the central text of Thelema and of the Ordo Templi Orientis as it exists now. One of the “rituals of the elements and feasts of the times.” is “[a] feast for the three days of the writing of the Book of the Law.” As the “rituals shall be half known and half concealed [...]“, this year the Daughter of Sunset O.T.O hosted this Feast by having a public reading of each chapter of the Book of the Law on April 8th, 9th and 10th at 1pm- the time and days of it’s original writing in 1904. Incense and candles were lit and many arrived with copies of the Book of the Law to read the chapter in unison. Feasting and merriment followed. :)

Thank you to all who celebrated this text with the Daughter of Sunset and to those who have, do and will celebrate it, together or alone- and may it continue to illuminate you forevermore.

Love is the law, love under will.

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

“According to Aleister Crowley (777, The Law is for All), each Thelemic year starts on the Aries equinox, coinciding with the Thelemic Holiday called the Feast for the Equinox of the Gods. There are, however, several different modes of observance among Thelemites today. These include:

• Strict Observance: The Thelemic New Year is celebrated on the Aries equinox.
• The Feast for the Supreme Ritual: This holiday is explicitly different trom the Feast for the Equinox of the Gods, and Crowley states that the holiday is March 20 (The Law is for All). Since the Equinox of the Gods typically will be March 19, 20, or 21, this can be confusing. Quite often, in fact, the two holidays occur on the same day. Because of this, the two are sometimes conflated and the Thelemic New Year said to be March 20.
• Thelemic High Holy Season: This holiday is recognized as the period of twenty-two days falling between the common dates of March 20 (The Feast for the Supreme Ritual) and April 10 (the Third Day of the Writing of the Book of the Law). Thelemites observing this Season variously attribute the Thelemic New Year to the Aries equinox, March 20, or the First or Third day of the Three Days of the Writing of the Book of the Law. Some have treated this Season as existing outside any “year,” in the conventional sense, or as one long, twenty-two day Thelemic New Year. Some celebrate the Thelemic High Holy Season by conducting a 22-day Pathworking.
• Convenience: Due to the fact that Thelemites today live in a worldwide culture which does not use the Thelemic Calendar, the Holidays are often translated to a date on the common calendar. When the Feast for the Equinox of the Gods is translated in this way, it is typically ascribed to March 20 as a matter of convenience. As another matter of convenience, Thelemic New Year is at times observed on the weekend, when the accepted date occurs on a weekday.

Many Thelemites combine two or more of the above approaches, and possibly others, sometimes varying from year to year.”

-Thelemapedia

Blessings to all on this auspicious day; “Aye! feast! rejoice! there is no dread hereafter. There is the dissolution, and eternal ecstasy in the kisses of Nu.” -Liber Al Vel Legis, Ch. II, 44. :)

Love is the law, love under will.

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

The Gnostic Mass is a complex, publicly-performed, participatory ritual considered to be the crux of the Ordo Templi Orientis and contains therein allusions to many traditions. It is profound and beautiful;  ‘those who say not so are mere liars.’ From the lovingly adorned, richly textured and multicolored vestments to the beautifully crafted and skillfully wielded tools, to the sight of fresh crimson roses and warm glowing candles and the intoxicating smell of incense and the taste of rich red wine on one’s lips; it is a ritual of joy and beauty. But there is certainly more to the Gnostic Mass than Earthly pleasures of the body- the awakening, growth and strengthening of the psyche (and spirit if you believe in such things) may also be achieved thereby.

Certainly there is some ambiguity in the text as most of Aleister Crowley’s rituals are purposely ‘half known and half concealed’ and there is room for personalization, but for the most part it is quite specific and consistent no matter where it is being performed world-wide. The Daughter of Sunset O.T.O. has been performing the Gnostic Mass on a monthly basis for many years and has grown by the dedication and love of it’s members. It is no simple feat to bring this remarkable ritual to life but it is a Work that is gladly done.

We welcome men and women of all ages and people of all faiths- please contact us by e-mail at body_master@daughterofsunset-oto.org if you would like to attend or if you have any questions. :)

Love is the law, love under will.

The Daughter of Sunset Oasis recently added “The Thelemic Foundations Reading Group” to its regular activities  (although it may change its ‘official name’ into, perhaps, “The House of Thoth” or some other words to that effect). The group is led by Frater Iskandar. The idea is to meet once a month and to read, before the meeting, a particular text, which we further discuss and interpret at the meeting. The books/texts rotate between more specifically Thelemic and magical in their content on the one hand, and those that address more general esoteric subjects on the other. The intention is to facilitate our ongoing education so that we all have an opportunity to learn more about Thelema, fill the gaps in our knowledge, and take our understanding deeper. It’s especially but not at all exclusively geared towards newer members.

The group started in June and our first text was The Heart of the Master by Crowley. This text was selected because it provides a narrative and poetic account of the advent of the New Aeon, together with the new model of the Tree of Life and the 22 paths associated with the Major Tarot Arcana: an ideological template of the new world. In addition, the book provides a parampara of the Great White Brotherhood, which forges the link with the historical predecessors of Thelema. The second text was  The Golden Thread by Joscelyn Godwin, which we discussed in July. Godwin’s book was selected for its erudite and succinct survey of the Western Esoteric Tradition in its historical unfolding. We will have a break in August and will continue in September with Eight Lectures on Yoga by Crowley,which introduces an important undercurrent represented by the ‘wisdom of the East,’ followed by The Mystical Qabalah by Dion Fortune in October. Fortune’s text remains a classic in the field; she designates Kabbalah as ‘the Yoga of the West’ and its importance in Western esotericism is paramount.

The group is open but we would like to be informed if you decide to attend.

Author and Mystic Brother Lon Milo DuQuette is coming to our fair city June 2nd to 5th.

“In the dark and brooding firmament of occult literature and media, Lon Milo DuQuette is a star of unique and exceptional brilliance. Although he takes the subjects of Magick, Qabalah and the Western spiritual traditions very seriously, he tries to remember not to take himself too seriously. This rare combination of common sense and self-effacing humor has in the last 15 years secured him a unique and highly respected position in the world of esoteric literature. Hailed by critics as the most entertaining author in the field. His style has been compared to that of Mark Twain and Robert Benchley. His books, seminars and radio and television appearances evoke from his audiences a curious mixture of laughter, terror, and wonderment.”

Daughter of Sunset Oasis is happy to sponsor and support this event being held at various locations locally.

Please visit this website for more information and to register.

A new biography of Aleister Crowley by Tobias Churton is scheduled for publication in September 2011. The book supposedly includes a wealth of new material and it is significant that it is highly recommended by the Frater Superior of the O.T.O., while the Foreword is written by Christopher Macintosh, a highly respected scholar of western esotericism and the author of Eliphas Levi and the French Occult Revival.

Aleister Crowley: The Biography may be pre-ordered through Amazon.ca.

On Sunday January 9th at 4pm Daughter of Sunset Oasis held a discussion group focused on  Liber CL De Lege Libellum. Ten people were in attendance including several who were attending for the first time. Brother Spreeuw facilitated the very lively discussion with participation from all attendees. A special thanks to Frater Iskandar for an initial overview of the text.  This discussion covered the Preface and part one “Liberty”.  Further classes will be held in future months for the remaining three parts starting with part two “Love” in February.  Please subscribe to our calendar to be notified of dates and locations.

Many thanks to Mr. J. Daniel Gunther for making the long trek to be with us here in British Columbia last week. Both days of seminars were well attended and the book-signing at Banyen Books & Sound had nearly 30 in attendance! Thanks also to all the initiates of Daughter of Sunset Oasis who had a hand in making these events happen.

In 2011 we will have many other speakers, classes and other public events.

If you are interested in being notified in advance of future events please email us at body_master@daughterofsunset-oto.org and ask to be added to our calendar email list.