A MANUSCRIPT PROPOSAL

Holy Books of
Thelema
International Standard Version
Student Edition

2008

[SOCIETY FOR THELEMIC LITERATURE]

 Holy Books of Thelema [ISV]
A Manuscript Proposal

Copyright © 2007-2008 Society for Thelemic Literature.

All Rights Reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any

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www.thelemicsociety.org

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 SA MP LE T IT LE P AGE

Annotated and Expanded

Holy Books of Thelema
Fully Revised and Updated
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD VERSION

SAMPLE Student Edition

General Editor
JOHNATHON VICTOR REESE

PAGE ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Peter Ashley
Kimberley Goodman
Elsa Hahn
Walker Hayes

With the Society for Thelemic Literature

Publisher Logo
& Imprint

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 Holy Books of Thelema [ISV]
A Manuscript Proposal

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sample Title Page ........................................................................................................................ 3

Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 5
The OTOV & Academic Objectivity ................................................................................. 6
International Standard Version [ISV]........................................................................... 7
Process and Design ................................................................................................................. 9
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 12
Appendix I: The Holy Books of Thelema .................................................................. 13
Appendix II: Companion Volumes ............................................................................... 14
Appendix III: Commissioned Essays ........................................................................... 15
Appendix IV: Tables, Maps, & Illustrations ............................................................ 16

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 INTRODUCTION

Since the first corrected publication of Liber AL vel Legis as a typescript

edition in 1913 we have seen at least one more set of corrections to the text
in 1979 and 1981 based on careful examination of the manuscript and earlier
printed editions. There is no reason to believe these corrections have done
anything other than comply with the mandate of Liber AL and continue the
tradition of ensuring accuracy to this most important document in thelemic
literature. This proposal is a continuation of that editorial tradition.
We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the O.T.O. for the faithful
conservatorship of Crowley’s corpus along with the original publication of
The Holy Books of Thelema in 1983. It was certainly Crowley’s desire that the
O.T.O. form a specific kind of social model for Thelema and to continue
publishing the legacy he left the Order. However, times change and very little
within the thelemic publishing community has changed with them. It is time
to bring The Holy Books of Thelema out of the darkness of cultic isolation and
into the light of modern scholarship and academic excellence.
This proposal illustrates the need, process and goal for the Society for
Thelemic Literature and a courageous publisher to pursue the publication of
a new and updated edition of The Holy Books of Thelema. This proposal,
however, goes beyond the implementation of a new edition to suggest the
establishment of an INTERNATIONAL STANDARD VERSION [ISV] which would create
an accurate baseline for future editions on objective academic standards
rather than cultic adherence to tradition.
This is also one of a series of proposed projects to be undertaken in an
effort to provide even more tools and resources for those who wish to pursue
a comprehensive study with detailed information and research on many
different subjects in the companion volumes to this edition of The Holy Books
of Thelema. These additional projects include A Thelemic Dictionary and
Pronunciation Guide, Comprehensive Commentaries to the Holy Books of
Thelema, and The Exhaustive Concordance of the Holy Books of Thelema. A
brief synopsis of these additional volumes can be found in Appendix II of
this proposal.
It is my hope this dedicated focus on the Law of Thelema might assist
scholars and students to dig further into the implications and applications of
the Law in far more than an individual and cultic perspective of western
esotericism.

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 THE OTOV & ACADEMIC OBJECTIVITY

For the last one hundred years, the only available version of Liber AL vel
Legis has been through the best effort of Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) and its
publishing endeavors. This version has been fairly consistent in its content:
the typescript text formally titled Liber CCXX, the manuscript formally titled
Liber XXXI, and depending on who is in charge of the layout it could include
one or more (or none) of the various introductions Crowley wrote for the
book. For all practical purposes, this approach has gone unquestioned and
unchanged for no other reason than to follow Aleister Crowley’s lead in
publishing the Book of the Law. And, frankly, for the purposes of the O.T.O.,
there has been no reason to question this approach.
Without too much stretch of the imagination, one could suggest that this
ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS VERSION [OTOV] has similarities to the 1611 King James
Version of the Christian Bible. It is a foundational and inspirational version
that is subject to a reverent sort of honor among other attempts to create
more literal transcriptions of Liber XXXI. In fact, the majority of editions that
have been produced over the years are merely that: a literal transcription as
close to accurate as the editor can make based on their own evaluation and
ingenuity as to the substance of Crowley’s handwriting.
Unlike the Christian Bible, however, Liber AL vel Legis is not subject to
issues surrounding translation of original languages, missing pieces of
original manuscripts, and other problems that require a constant revision
process as new information and material is discovered. Such transcriptions
as mentioned above have resulted in variations drawn along individual or
cultic lines that are not appropriate for such a text as this. To date there has
been no formal or academic approach that would create an edition through
objective standards working outside individual or cultic bias. The aim of this
proposal is to correct that deficiency within the thelemic community.
Over the years the O.T.O. has published The Holy Books of Thelema, The
Authorized Popular Commentary of Liber AL Vel Legis Sub Figura CCXX, the
Book of the Law, and Commentaries on the Holy Books and Other Papers. Each
of these volumes is out of print, bowdlerized, or thrown together in what
appears to be much haste and little scholastic care. These volumes seem only
to be designed around publishing the works of Aleister Crowley. This is, after
all, exactly what the O.T.O. is supposed to be doing with Crowley’s corpus. But
in order to best represent Thelema, and promulgate the Law of Thelema in a
serious and sustained manner, there is more to be considered and a baseline
standard that should be created through an excellence in academic resources
and publications outside organizational mandates.

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 INTERNATIONAL STANDARD VERSION [ISV]

The primary motivation behind the creation of an INTERNATIONAL STANDARD

VERSION of The Holy Books of Thelema is found in the words of the Prophet’s
tormented rhetoric when he postulated an alternate life more suited for
spreading the Law of Thelema to the world.
For, today, if I were an Ambassador, versed profoundly in
Science, financially armed and socially stainless, I should be
able to execute my Will by pressure upon all classes of
powerful people, to make this comment carry conviction to
thinkers, and to publish the Book of the Law in every part of
the world.
We acknowledge that Crowley’s own life was far from a picture perfect
illustration of the social morals of his time — indeed, even of our own time.
This is not an apology for his lifestyle or his life choices, but an honest
evaluation of the challenges his legacy — both written and perceived —
continue to bring to the efforts of promulgating the Law in a world still in the
grips of a specific mode of social morality rooted in over 2,000 years of
influence from the three largest Western religious institutions and a number
of lesser Eastern religious influences. It is little more than a delusion to
believe the Law can spread in this environment through the personality of
Aleister Crowley rather than the principles of light, life, love, and liberty
found within and derived from The Holy Books of Thelema. It is with this
understanding that we approach a new version of the Book of the Law as well
as the rest of The Holy Books of Thelema with the intention of executing the
Will of the Prophet and to see the Law spread to every part of the world with
the authority and clarity suited to the its stature as an important part of
humanity’s most sacred religious traditions.
The mandate provided within the Book of the Law is clear — “Change not
as much as the style of a letter” — and has been taken to cover a category of
books labeled as Class A materials. By definition this category “consists of the
manuscripts of which not so much as the style of a letter may be changed:
that is, they represent the utterance of an Adept entirely beyond all
criticism.” Each of these Holy Books represents Crowley’s contributions to
this highest and most honored class of thelemic literature, but not even his
own publication of these texts adhered completely to this mandate or the
intent on which it was premised. While there is no indication Crowley felt
these Class A texts would be collected as ‘holy books’ or these would be the
only inclusions to such a corpus, it is certainly a hope of this author that a
general and open synod of recognized and qualified thelemic leaders will join

7
 together someday to seriously discuss the expansion of this corpus to include
literature outside the Class A designation yet premier models of thelemic
ritual and inspiration.
Such a project as this, without a more rounded inclusion of additional
materials, might better be titled The Class A Initiatory Texts of the A∴A∴, but
the O.T.O. let the genie out of the bottle and it would be difficult at best to
change that lead. Of course, this brings up the question as to what should be
included in this edition though the answer is explored in a latter section of
this proposal.
This primary motivation, then, is to provide a different venue of exposure
for The Holy Books of Thelema with modern academic standards divorced
from the perception of cultic or organizational bias while adhering to the
traditional mandate as provided by Liber AL vel Legis itself.
There is a secondary need for the creation of an INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
VERSION of The Holy Books of Thelema found in the lack of quality resources
for students and adherents alike. The capitulation to the Tunis Comment, or
the so-called Short Comment, is one of the most controversial issues in the
thelemic community. The resources to be included in this edition of The Holy
Books of Thelema are not to be construed as interpretive but as assistive. The
nature of these resources — to name a few — is in the form of historical
introductions, footnotes of explanatory form, and textual connections to
obscure concepts. These are expounded upon more fully in the next section
of this proposal.
Concerning Liber AL vel Legis, this author agrees with the Prophet when
he wrote in The Equinox of the Gods
Terse, yet sublime, are these verses of this Book; subtle yet
simple; matchless for rhythm, direct as a ray of light. Its
imagery is gorgeous without decadence. It deals with
primary ideas. It announces revolutions in philosophy,
religion, ethics, yea, in the whole nature of Man.
Certainly, knowing that the Law of Thelema encompasses every area of
life, other guides and resources outside the specifics of this edition are
possible and a few are outlined in the appendix of this proposal. The purpose
of this new edition of The Holy Books of Thelema is to bring the Law of
Thelema to the widest possible audience with the greatest amount of
opportunity to reach an honest understanding of Thelema and interpret its
principles to their own satisfaction. The purpose of this proposal is to bring a
standard of excellence in research and publishing to a new edition of The
Holy Books of Thelema.

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 PROCESS AND DESIGN

In order to provide the proper foundation for an INTERNATIONAL STANDARD

VERSION of The Holy Books of Thelema, it is recommended that an academic
association form committees around the necessary elements of the process.
This would include at least one transcription committee for Liber AL vel Legis
alone as well as committees for any number of the other texts, combined or
alone, and for the purpose of research for introductions and footnotes as
described below. A committee for design and publication and an advisory
committee would be advisable as well.
Original Manuscripts & Textual Integrity
In order to secure the integrity of this edition, it will be necessary to work
from original manuscripts or full size, high resolution photographs of the
same. It is understood that many of the Holy Books exist only in transcript
form. It will still be necessary to obtain and transcribe from these originals
rather than from already published editions. If the original manuscripts are
discovered and made available to the committees, corrections can be made
after careful comparison and analysis. It is important each Class A document
is accurately transcribed and maintained as closely to the original as possible.
Textual Footnotes
Changes from previous published versions, explanations for discrepancies
in typescripts, explanations of technical terms, unclear lettering in original
manuscripts, and relationships to other texts should be indicated with the
presence of footnotes. The widest possible latitude should be provided to
ensure that interpretive meaning is distanced from material research or
explanatory notations. These footnotes may also be used to explain words or
phrases in a text which have general unfamiliarity as to origin or use in a
different context but which illuminates the current use through an
educational value. Every caution should be made to keep research into
origins from determining doctrine or the reality of entities or forces which
are not made objectively clear through the text.
For example: while HADIT may be a bad translation of the Egyptian god
Hor-Behudeti, that fact has little bearing on the doctrines of Thelema outside
of trivia. To assume that HADIT is literally the Hor-Behudeti of the ancient
Egyptian tradition would be a mistake. Even if the mandate to “Change not as
much as the style of a letter” were not in place, a textual correction of the
word “Hadit” to “Hor-Behudeti” would make no difference to the implications
of the concept underlying the term. The same applies to HERU-RA-HA, though

9
 such an explanation is better suited for resources such as the proposed A
Thelemic Dictionary and Pronunciation Guide.
Footnotes may be used to provide limited inclusions from Crowley’s
Commentary on a specific portion of the text only if it clarifies context and
use. As a general rule, however, the Commentary should be not be included in
the footnotes to avoid undue influence or lengthy explanation better left to a
separate resource. Commentary is never to be included in footnotes if it was
not written by the Prophet.
Textual Introductions
For each text within the INTERNATIONAL STANDARD VERSION of The Holy
Books of Thelema an introduction should be included. These introductions
should have no interpretive value but historical information, general theme,
Crowley’s explanation, and, if possible, an outline of the text in question.
Given the diversity of each text, a standard format for these introductions is
not advised and each should be specific to the text it introduces.
Commissioned introductory essays are recommended for inclusion for the
beginning of this edition. A list of possible subjects is found in Appendix III.
Section Headings
Section headings within the text may be added if such breaks are fully
quantifiable by appearance and would enhance the use and study of the text
by indicating themes and topics throughout the Holy Books. These should be
set apart clearly from the original text so as to not be misidentified as part of
the Holy Book itself.
Canonical Placement & Inclusion
There have been many different publications or partial publications of The
Holy Books of Thelema throughout the last century. For the most part, there
has been no specific or canonical arrangement of the texts. Most editions, like
the OTOV publication of the Holy Books, placed them in a numerical order with
Liber XXXI out of place but following Liber CCXX. This proposal includes a
suggested arrangement for the INTERNATIONAL STANDARD VERSION of The Holy
Books of Thelema in Appendix I of this proposal but it should be noted this is
only a suggestion subject to review of the advisory committee. However,
placement brings up the question of inclusion as mentioned in a previous
section of this proposal.
Due to the previous compilation of ‘holy books’ published by the O.T.O.,
most assume any Crowley text with a Class A designation should be included.
With the proper justification, this may be the case. However, there is at least
one Class A text that does not meet the general standard for a ‘holy book’:
10
Liber CD, Liber Tav vel Kabbalæ Trium Literarum. This author has yet to hear
any reasonable argument as to why this text should continue to be included
in any compilation of thelemic ‘holy books’. There is no question as to its
inclusion in a Class A compilation, but even a reasonable doubt should be
enough to question its inclusion in an edition of ‘holy books’ or to include it
with a selection of apocryphal writings. This is, however, a question to be left
to the advisory committee and not the prejudice of this author. It is merely
raised as one of the potential issues that should be taken into consideration
in the decisions affecting the creation of the INTERNATIONAL STANDARD VERSION
of The Holy Books of Thelema.
Apocryphal Writings
Under the guidance of the advisory committee, it also may be determined
that certain inspirational texts may be included with the INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD VERSION of The Holy Books of Thelema subject to author or property
owner permission. One text suggested for a section with apocryphal writings
is Jack Parson’s Liber 49, The Book of Babalon. Such works may be considered
as inspirational but not formally part of the canonical selection of ‘holy
books’. All of the previous process and academic considerations for the
annotation and introduction of the ‘holy books’ should be afforded these
writings as well. They may be treated as extracanonical but no less important
as thelemic literature.
If such inclusions are to be introduced, the cover, title pages, and table of
contents should clearly demarcate between the formal ‘holy books’ and the
apocryphal writings. The phrase “With Apocryphal Books” or “Including
Apocryphal Books” must then be used for clarity of their inclusion.
Textual Design & Illustrations
This particular Student Edition of the INTERNATIONAL STANDARD VERSION of
The Holy Books of Thelema should be, in this author’s opinion, designed in a
standard page format of 6x9 (the same as this proposal) with double column
text. Other editions may require alternate formats based need and intent.
It is also the recommendation of this proposal that this edition include
several different illustrations both within the text and at the end of the
volume. A suggested list of possible tables, illustrations, and maps is found in
Appendix IV.

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 CONCLUSION

In examining the foundation and process of the INTERNATIONAL STANDARD

VERSION of The Holy Books of Thelema, this proposal sets forth what could be
the next standard for academic studies in the field of Thelema and thelemic
scholarship. By taking on a small piece of the larger field, this could open
doors for other scholars to come out with more investigative and academic
research of interest to thelemic communities.
It is this author’s sincere hope that such a proposal will be met with
enthusiasm and action.

Final Thoughts on the O.T.O & Sponsorship

This proposal makes no exclusion or argument for any particular
academic association to sponsor and publish the INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
VERSION of The Holy Books of Thelema outside the tacit sponsorship by the
Society for Thelemic Literature. As a general rule, individuals on the
committees should be free of organizational agendas. At no time should any
one organization be capable of influencing the outcome of the project; but the
makeup of the committees operating to produce this edition should be as
broad as possible to include all manner of perspective from the thelemic
community. The rights and responsibilities for the project, however, are the
ownership of the institution publishing the final result. Any financial
sponsorship should not be tied to a specific agenda or implied outcome in
favor or disfavor of any other institution.
It is highly doubtful that the O.T.O. would be interested in such a project.
Any indication of a desire for the inclusion of its sponsorship, however,
should not be dismissed. Such sponsorship should be provided only in the
way of scholars and advisors. The recommendation of this proposal is to have
an O.T.O. scholar on at least the Liber AL transcription committee and the
advisory committee.

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 APPENDIX I: THE HOLY BOOKS OF THELEMA

This is a breakdown of the proposed arrangement for the INTERNATIONAL

STANDARD VERSION of The Holy Books of Thelema. It includes a proposed set of
standard abbreviations to be used in footnotes and other reference materials.
A primary reader is formed with seven specific Class A texts. Together,
these form a loose “Heptateuch” of initiatory books in a specific pattern.
 TZA Liber Tzaddi vel Hamus Hermeticus Sub Figurâ XC
 COR Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente Sub Figurâ XXVII
 LLL Liber Liberi vel Lapidus Lazuli, Adumbratio Kabbalæ
Ægyptiorum Sub Figurâ VII
 AL | ALM Liber AL vel Legis Sub Figurâ CCXX | Sub Figurâ XXXI
 TRI Liber Trigrammaton Sub Figurâ XXVII
 ARA Vel Ararita Sub Figurâ DLXX
 POR Liber Porta Lucis Sub Figurâ X
The following texts are not less important than the seven listed above, but
form a secondary list of texts with a different kind of emphasis.
 CHET Liber Cheth vel Vallum Abiegni Sub Figurâ XC
 AASH Liber A'ash vel Capricoroni Pneumatici Sub Figurâ CCCLXX
 MAGI Liber B vel Magi Sub Figurâ I
 ARC Liber Arcanorvm των Atu του Tahuti Quas Vidit Asar in
Amennti Sub Figurâ CCXXXI Liber Carcerorum των Qliphoth
Cum Suis Geniis. Assuntur Sigella et Nomina Eorum
STEL Liber Stellæ Rubeæ Sub Figurâ LXVI
 TAU Liber Tau vel Kabbalæ Trium Literarum Sub Figurâ CD
It is suggested that Liber DCCCCLXII: ΘΗΣΑΥΡΟΥ ΗΙΔΩΛΩΝ [The Treasure-
House of Images] be included in this collection in the second set of texts.
While only the introductory “note” is Class A material, the whole of this text
is certainly important to thelemic study, meditation, and ritual. A textual
abbreviation of THI is suggested by this proposal.
It is certainly within the vanity of this author to suggest a broad scope of
additional works for a volume such as this. While a title of The Holy Books of
Thelema might not be appropriate for such a suggestion, it would be a fairly
complete compendium of important and relevant thelemic materials in one
volume. A new proposal for such a volume could be designed upon request.
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 APPENDIX II: COMPANION VOLUMES

This is the synopsis for a series of proposed projects to be undertaken in

an effort to provide even more tools and resources for those who may wish
to pursue a comprehensive study with detailed information and research on
many different subjects in these companion volumes to the INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD VERSION of The Holy Books of Thelema. These are merely suggestions
and should not be construed as more than viable additions. Such decisions
should be left to the academic institution in coordination with the advisory
committee.
I. A Thelemic Dictionary and Pronunciation Guide
Covering topics from across a wide spectrum of thelemic topics, this
thelemic dictionary provides essential information for profitable study of
Thelema and the Holy Books. It includes short historical sketches, information
on rituals for the thelemic magician, as well as names, dates, places and much
more in a concise, accurate, and easy to understand format.
The pronunciation guide provides accurate information concerning the
various languages used within the thelemic framework, variations of words
and names found in the Holy Books, and a complete guide to Hebrew and
Greek, both used widely in thelemic texts, rites, and rituals.
II. Comprehensive Commentaries to the Holy Books of Thelema
Ranging from Crowley to Jones to Motta and beyond, the Comprehensive
Commentaries to the Holy Books of Thelema is the most complete reference to
the thoughts and opinions of the greatest minds in the history of Thelema.
Compiled from original manuscripts, publications, and other sources such as
diaries and notes, this volume is the wellspring of thelemic philosophy and
thought that gave birth to the academic avenues that designed and published
the INTERNATIONAL STANDARD VERSION of The Holy Books of Thelema.
III. The Exhaustive Concordance to the Holy Books of Thelema
The Exhaustive Concordance of the Holy Books of Thelema is nothing short
of exhaustive. It is more than a word-to-verse index. The "Topical Index"
references hundreds of verses relating to thelemic subjects, names, places,
things, concepts, events, and doctrines. Included are the enumerations for
more than half a dozen different cabalistic systems. Any thelemic library
would be incomplete without this indispensable volume.

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 APPENDIX III: COMMISSIONED ESSAYS

As mentioned within the primary text of the proposal, it is recommended

that commissioned introductory essays be included at the beginning of this
volume of the INTERNATIONAL STANDARD VERSION of The Holy Books of Thelema.
A list of possible essays is included here for the purposes of providing some
direction in this regard.
 A Brief History of Thelema.
 Canonical and Critical Readings of the Holy Books.
 The Process and Challenges of Transcription.
 A Proposed Cycle of Readings.
 Analysis of the Translation of the Stele of Revealing.
The selection and commission of introductory essays would be a decision
for the advisory committee.

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 APPENDIX IV: TABLES, MAPS, & ILLUSTRATIONS

As found previously it is the recommendation of this proposal that this

edition include several different illustrations both within the text and at the
end of the volume of the INTERNATIONAL STANDARD VERSION of The Holy Books of
Thelema. A list of suggested possibilities is provided below for illustrative
purposes.
 A Map of Cairo in 1904.
 The relationship between NUIT, HADIT and RA-HOOR-KHUIT as found
within the Book of the Law and expounded upon by the Prophet.
 A reconstruction of the Tree of Life as seen through the initiatory lens
of The Holy Books of Thelema.
 A Complete List of Magi of the A∴A∴.
 A Timeline of Important Thelemic Events.
 Aeonic Theory According to Crowley.
 The Stele of Revealing.
 Grade Attainments of Crowley.
The exact nature of these inclusions is to be determined by the advisory
committee in coordination with other committees as may be necessary for
completeness or design.

16