The A∴A∴ ( ) is a magical organization established in 1907 by Aleister Crowley, a Western esotericist, and George Cecil Jones. Its members are dedicated to the advancement of humanity by perfection of the individual on every plane through a graded series of universal initiations. Its initiations are syncretic, unifying the essence of Theravada Buddhism with Vedantic yoga and ceremonial magic. The A∴A∴ applies what it describes as mystical and magical methods of spiritual attainment under the structure of the Qabalistic Tree of Life, and aims to research, practise, and teach "scientific illuminism".
A central document within the A∴A∴ system is One Star in Sight, which provides a detailed framework for the aspirant's journey through various grades of spiritual development. This document outlines the stages from the initial grade of Probationer to the ultimate attainment of Ipsissimus, each representing significant milestones in the individual's spiritual evolution. "One Star in Sight" emphasizes practices such as meditation, ritual magic, and the invocation of the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel, aiming to guide the aspirant towards achieving personal discipline, intellectual mastery, and spiritual attainment. The document is essential for understanding the A∴A∴'s structured approach to spiritual enlightenment and the syncretic nature of its teachings.
History The A∴A∴ describes itself as having been present in all societies and epochs, although not necessarily under that name.
The A∴A∴ is composed of two orders, known as the inner and outer college. The outer college in its modern form was formulated in 1907 by Aleister Crowley and George Cecil Jones, who stated that they derived their authority to do so from Aiwass (the Author of The Book of the Law) and other Secret Chiefs of the planetary spiritual order after the schism in and subsequent collapse of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn at the turn of the twentieth century. The principal holy book of the A∴A∴ is the book Crowley called AL and Liber Legis, technically called Liber AL vel Legis sub figura CCXX as delivered by 93=418 to DCLXVI, whose scriptural title is The Book of the Law, by which name the Book is most commonly known and referred to. There are several other holy books venerated in A∴A∴, which comprise the so-called Class A and AB material.
In 1919 the O.T.O. considered itself to be a "close ally" of the A∴A∴, both organisations having accepted the authority of The Book of the Law, although the O.T.O., being a temporal and fraternal society, in no way participates in the A∴A∴'s strictly hierarchic and spiritual initiatory program, nor does O.T.O. represent A∴A∴. or transmit its functions or authority.
The classic account of A∴A∴ is Karl Von Eckharthausen's The Cloud upon the Sanctuary, re-issued by the A∴A∴ as Liber XXXIII: An Account of A∴A∴.
After Crowley Following Crowley's death in 1947, his student Karl Germer took over running the outer college of the order, but since Germer's death the situation has been less clear. Various lineages of the A∴A∴ that survive today descend from Crowley's order.
One such lineage descends from Crowley's student, actress Jane Wolfe (known as Soror Estai). Soror Estai's one student, Phyllis Seckler (Soror Meral), founded College of Thelema in 1973 and (with James A. Eshelman and Anna-Kria King) founded Temple of Thelema in 1987. She designated Eshelman as her successor in the Jane Wolfe branch of A∴A∴ and as chancellor of College of Thelema. Later, she also affirmed David Shoemaker's authority to "admit, supervise, and train" A∴A∴ initiates.
Several lineages run through pupils of Marcelo Ramos Motta, such as that of J. Daniel Gunther. Another lineage links itself to Crowley through Israel Regardie and his pupil Gerald Suster. Other lineages run through Grady McMurtry and Charles Stansfeld Jones.
Name Language Possible Name Translation Latin Argenteum Astrum silver star Note: This name has frequently been asserted as the true name of the Order; however, according to James Eshelman, this Latin translation of the phrase "silver star" is not the correct name of the Order. Greek Άστρον Αργόν (transliteration: Astron Argon) silver star James Eshelman gives the true name of the Order as (transliteration: Astron Argon.) By gematria this name enumerates to 451, the value of the Greek words Konx Om Pax, an important mystical phrase interpreted in the old Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn as meaning "Light in Extension". Eshelman also points out that 451 also corresponds to the Hebrew phrase Eth ha-Adam, "The Essence of Humanity". A variant on this Greek rendering of the words "Silver Star" is Aster Argos. Eshelman states that due to Crowley's use of the phrase "Astron Argon" (once in a note and once in an official document in Crowley's handwriting) that the latter is to be taken as the true Greek name. The gematria of Aster Argos is 489, also the value of Sothis, the Greek name for the star Sirius. Eshelman states that "Sirius commonly is held to be the physical expression of that 'Silver Star' after which the Order is named." Latin Arcanum Arcanorum secret of secrets. James Eshelman states "Were we not otherwise informed, we might suspect that these initials refer to the Arcanum Arcanorum ('Secret of Secrets'), which is to be found within the Sanctum Sanctorum ('Holy of Holies'). In fact, the initials have a different meaning." English Angel and Abyss Angel and Abyss Eshelman explains this as an 'affectionate' meaning for the Order's name. It refers to the work of the initiate in working with the Holy Guardian Angel and with the work of aspiring to cross the Abyss of the Qabalistic Tree of Life. English Atlantean Adepts Atlantean Adepts Suggested by L. Sprague de Camp. none A∴A∴ In the novel series The Illuminatus! Trilogy, Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea asserted that A∴A∴ is the entire name of the fraternity; they argue that the name is a trap for debunking anyone who falsely claimed membership, as any ascribed meaning they would offer would be known by actual members to be incorrect. Whether Wilson and Shea meant this as a serious proposal outside of the novel is unclear. Aramaicאריך אנפין (transliteration: Aryk Anpin)In Crowley's Sepher Sephiroth, the order's name is mentioned as a shorthand for Aryk Anpin, or "the vast countenance", a Qabalastic reference to the Macroprosopus from the Zohar as well as the Book of Daniel 8:23. The sum of Aryk Anpin is 422, connecting it with Linea Flava or path of the Sun through the sky. Crowley put a special emphasis on the Egyptian story of Ra's traveling across the sky in his Solar Bark in his own mythology. The Order acts as the external counterpart to the Magician's own internal reality, the individual Star, traveling through each Grade as the Sun passes through the Sky of Nu. In Thelemic eschatology, this corresponds to the relationship between Nuit and Hadit, respectively.
Membership Members of the First Order of A∴A∴ (Golden Dawn) and Dominus Liminis are sworn to openly declare everywhere their connection with A∴A∴ (Liber CLXXXV). Adepts, however, are expected to work in silence, whereas Magi are required to declare "their Law". The Ipsissimi, who "existeth without form", the highest initiates manifest on this plane, are sworn to silence as to their attainment to this degree (Liber B vel Magi, One Star in Sight).
In A∴A∴ members officially only know those directly above and below in the chain of instruction. Members are expected to work alone, consulting as needed with their superior in the Order. In this way the founders of the system hoped to avoid the many political problems that allegedly brought about the downfall of the predecessor organisation, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The A∴A∴ is an organisation focused on enlightenment of the individual, with a strong emphasis on maintaining the chain of initiation from teacher to student, and devoting all of one's attainments to those individuals below them (One Star in Sight).
All members of the A∴A∴ at some point, are expected to perform two central tasks: The Task of the grade of Adeptus Minor, the first grade of the Middle Order, being the attainment of the experience known as the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel, the attainment of which is the central theme of the order's official instructionsLiber Collegii Sancti sub figura CLXXXV. The Task of the Adeptus Minor. The experience of the passage through the Abyss, resulting in the attainment of the grade of Magister Templi, the first grade in the Third Order
Any person may swear the Oath of the Master of the Temple of A∴A∴ and be admitted into the Opening of the Grade of Magister Templi and the Order of the S∴S∴ the opening of which is the passage through the Abyss.
It is the strict and inviolable rule of the Order that members of A∴A∴ never accept payment or other consideration for initiation or other services, on pain of irredeemable expulsion.
Initiatory structure The initiatory structure of A∴A∴ is based on the Qabalistic Tree Of Life, its grades following the sephirot up the tree in reverse order. The A∴A∴ is sub-divided into three orders: The S.S., being the governing body (Third Order) and comprising those grades that are above the Abyss; The R.R. et A.C. (Second Order), comprising those degrees that are below the Abyss but above the Veil of Paroketh; and The Golden Dawn (First Order), comprising the grades below the Veil of Paroketh. A complete description of the tasks of the First Order is given in Liber XIII vel Graduum Montis Abiegni: a syllabus of the steps upon path, in The Equinox Volume 1.
Two additional "grades", the Dwellers on the Thresholds, link the orders: Dominus Limnis in Paroketh, and Babe of the Abyss in the Abyss.
Members of the Third Order can generate their own variations of the First and Second Order teachings as reflections of their own Understanding, contemplating systems of attainment not compassed in the curriculum of the main system.
Student A student's business is to acquire a general intellectual knowledge of all systems of attainment, as declared in the prescribed books. At the end of a fixed period, the Student takes a written examination to test his reading, after which he passes through a small ritual involving the reading of the History Lection (Liber LXI), and passes to the grade of Probationer.
The Order of the G∴D∴ (Golden Dawn)
Probationer (0°=0□): The Probationer's principal business is to begin such practices as he or she may prefer, and to write a careful record of the same for at least one year.
Neophyte (1°=10□): Has to acquire perfect control of the body of light on the astral plane.
Zelator (2°=9□): The Zelator's main work is to achieve complete success in asana and pranayama. The Zelator also begins to study the formula of the Rose Cross.
Practicus (3°=8□): Is expected to complete the intellectual training, and in particular to study Qabalah.
Philosophus (4°=7□): Is expected to complete the moral training. Is tested in Devotion to the Order.
Dominus Liminis (The Link): Is expected to show mastery of pratyahara and dharana.
The Order of the R∴C∴ (Rosy Cross)
Adeptus Minor (Without)
(5°=6□): Lesser Adept (Without). Is expected to perform the Great Work and to attain the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. In the system of the A∴A∴ magical order, the single most important goal is to consciously connect with one's HGA and, by doing so, the magician becomes fully aware of their own True Will. For Crowley, this event was the single most important goal of any adept:
Adeptus Minor (Within) (5°=6□): Lesser Adept (Within). Is admitted to the practice of the formula of the Rosy Cross on entering the College of the Holy Ghost.
Adeptus Major (6°=5□): Greater Adept. Obtains a general mastery of practical Magick, though without comprehension.
Adeptus Exemptus