Origins: Aleister Crowley and the Book of the Law
Thelema emerged in the early 20th century through the work of Aleister Crowley (1875–1947), one of the most infamous and influential occultists in history. Trained in the rituals of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Crowley was steeped in Hermetic Qabalah, astrology, ceremonial magic, and Enochian systems. Yet he broke from tradition to forge his own path, declaring a new spiritual law for humanity.
In 1904, while in Cairo with his wife Rose, Crowley experienced a revelation: a discarnate being named Aiwass dictated to him a short text known as Liber AL vel Legis (The Book of the Law). This book declared the central tenet of Thelema:
“Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.”
“Love is the law, love under will.”
Crowley interpreted this as the declaration of a new Aeon of Horus—an age of self-realization, spiritual freedom, and the discovery of True Will.
Christian Lens and Occult Reinterpretation
Thelema, unlike Hermeticism or Enochianism, did not arise within a Christian framework, but it responded to it. Crowley cast off the morality of the old Aeon of Osiris (which he associated with Christianity, sacrifice, and dogma) and proclaimed the Aeon of Horus (associated with the Child, freedom, and self-expression).
Still, Christian categories lingered in the language of Thelema. Angels, demons, and gods appear—but reframed. Where Christianity divided spirits into heavenly and infernal, Crowley saw them as currents of power to be contacted, bound, or integrated depending on the magician’s True Will. This is very much in line with witchcraft’s broader view of spirit-influences: not absolute good or evil, but different modes of force.
Thelema’s Cosmology and Symbols
Thelema weaves together Egyptian deities, Hermetic correspondences, and Qabalistic structures into a new esoteric tapestry:
- Nuit – Infinite star goddess of the cosmos.
- Hadit – Point of consciousness, the spark within every being.
- Ra-Hoor-Khuit (Horus) – Crowned and conquering child, lord of the Aeon.
These three figures frame Thelema’s cosmology: Nuit as the infinite, Hadit as the individual spark, and Horus as the dynamic union of the two.
The Qabalistic Tree of Life remains central, as do the Tarot (which Crowley reimagined in his Thoth Tarot deck), astrology, and ceremonial ritual. Thelema is not a rejection of older systems but a reinterpretation of them in light of the New Aeon.
Social Dynamics: Thelemites vs. Witches
Thelema developed within an elite, literary, and ritual-focused milieu. Crowley gathered disciples and founded magical orders like the A∴A∴ and eventually took over leadership of the O.T.O. (Ordo Templi Orientis). His circles were secretive, hierarchical, and often scandalous.
By contrast, witchcraft (especially modern Wicca, emerging in the mid-20th century through Gerald Gardner) developed as a grassroots, initiatory tradition emphasizing community, cycles of nature, and devotional practice.
Yet the two traditions overlap heavily: Gardner drew on Golden Dawn and Crowley’s O.T.O. materials when shaping Wiccan ritual. Many witches today practice elements of Thelema, whether knowingly or not.
Angels, Demons, and Spirit-Influences
Thelema integrates the angels of Qabalah, the spirits of Enochian magic, and the demons of the Goetia into its system—but reframed. To Crowley, all spirits were expressions of the psyche and the cosmos. The goal was not to avoid demons and chase angels but to integrate all powers in service of True Will.
This is where Thelema resonates with witchcraft’s view: spirits are not locked into rigid categories of good vs. evil. They are forces—sometimes disruptive, sometimes guiding—that can be worked with carefully. This stance represents a holy syncretism of older angelology and witchcraft’s broader understanding of spirit.
Practices of Thelema
Thelema combines ritual, meditation, and mysticism. Core practices include:
- Liber Resh – Daily solar adorations to the sun at its four stations, aligning with cosmic cycles.
- Rituals of the Pentagram and Hexagram – Adapted from the Golden Dawn, used for banishing and invoking elemental/planetary forces.
- Gnostic Mass (Liber XV) – A central communal rite of the O.T.O., blending Thelemic cosmology with Eucharistic-style ritual.
- Magick in the Goetic Tradition – Evocation of spirits, angels, and demons in service of True Will.
- Mystical Yoga and Meditation – Crowley integrated Eastern practices, emphasizing balance between body, mind, and spirit.
Practical Examples
- Solar Adoration (Liber Resh) – A practitioner salutes the sun at dawn, noon, sunset, and midnight, reciting hymns to Ra, Ahathoor, Tum, and Kephra.
- Invoking Horus – Through ritual calls, the magician channels the energy of the Crowned and Conquering Child to embody the New Aeon.
- Witchcraft Blend – A witch might adapt Thelemic rituals of the pentagram alongside circle casting, weaving planetary and elemental forces into spellwork.
Influence on Witchcraft and Modern Occultism
Thelema is one of the major currents flowing into modern witchcraft and esotericism. Its influence can be seen in:
- Wiccan Ritual – Borrowed invocations, circle structures, and correspondences trace back to Crowley and the Golden Dawn.
- Tarot – Crowley’s Thoth Tarot shaped modern readings, full of Hermetic-Qabalistic symbolism.
- Chaos Magic – Later magicians took Crowley’s emphasis on individual will and experimentation as a foundation for postmodern approaches.
Thelema’s insistence on True Will—discovering and aligning with one’s deepest purpose—remains one of the most powerful ideas in modern magic.
Dangers and Cautions
Thelema, like Hermeticism, is demanding and carries risks:
- Ego Inflation – The doctrine of “Do what thou wilt” can be misunderstood as license for selfishness, when it truly means discovering and fulfilling True Will, not personal whim.
- Spirit Overload – Evocation of powerful entities without discipline can destabilize practitioners psychologically and spiritually.
- Hierarchical Abuse – Some Thelemic orders have been criticized for secrecy, exploitation, or authoritarian leadership—discernment is vital.
- Isolation – Thelema’s intellectual and ritual density can overwhelm those without community or mentorship.
Like Hermeticism and Enochianism, Thelema requires grounding, humility, and patience.
Sidebar: Holy Syncretism in Thelema
Thelema itself is a grand act of holy syncretism. It fuses:
- Egyptian mythology (Nuit, Hadit, Horus).
- Hermetic Qabalah (Tree of Life, correspondences).
- Enochian Calls (integrated into Crowley’s visionary work).
- Eastern yoga and meditation.
- Christian liturgical echoes (in the Gnostic Mass).
For witches, Thelema shows how ancient, medieval, and modern traditions can be woven into a new current. Its Law of Thelema—“Do what thou wilt”—becomes another lens to understand the universal magical truth that spirit flows through many paths.
Key Figures and Works
- Aleister Crowley – Prophet of Thelema, author of Liber AL vel Legis, Magick in Theory and Practice, 777, The Book of Thoth.
- Rose Edith Crowley – Medium for the Cairo revelation, whose visions opened the door to Thelema.
- O.T.O. (Ordo Templi Orientis) – Adopted Thelema as central doctrine; administers the Gnostic Mass.
- A∴A∴ – Crowley’s initiatory order, emphasizing personal attainment.
- Contemporary Thelemites – Kenneth Grant, Israel Regardie, and later interpreters extended Thelema’s reach.
Popularity and Accessibility
Thelema remains less accessible than witchcraft, but far more visible than Hermeticism or Enochian magic. Its influence radiates through occult orders, Tarot, Wicca, chaos magic, and pop culture. Some embrace Thelema as a full spiritual path; others adapt fragments (the Thoth Tarot, rituals, or philosophy) into their witchcraft.
Conclusion
Thelema is the great current of modern occultism, born from Aleister Crowley’s revelation of the Book of the Law. It reframes Hermeticism, Qabalah, and Enochian magic into a new vision: that each person has a True Will, a destiny aligned with the divine, and that the task of magic is to discover and embody it.
For witches, Thelema is both inspiration and challenge. Where it invokes Egyptian deities, we may see the powers of night, sun, and child. Where it calls angels and demons, we may see spirit-influences of light and shadow. Where it proclaims “Do what thou wilt,” we may hear the deeper call to live in harmony with our spirit’s true current.
Thelema is powerful, intoxicating, and demanding. It requires discernment and humility—but its influence on modern magic is undeniable. It shows how the ancient sources of magic can be reinterpreted through new lenses, creating currents that shape generations.