The Formula of Change
Written by David Bersson
The purpose of this essay is to cover the apparent contradictions in instruction involving the formula of change as laid down by the Master Therion, in the Book of the Law, Liber 418 and the Book of Wisdom and Folly, called Liber Aleph to the multitudes.
The concept of change has two main facets. We have the concept of change being futile; for you are what you are; either a king, a King, a servant or a slave. The Book of the Law sums this up in the second chapter, line 58.
Yea! deem not of change: ye shall be as ye are, & not other. Therefore the kings of the earth shall be Kings for ever: the slaves shall serve. There is none that shall be cast down or lifted up: all is ever as it was. Yet there are masked ones my servants: it may be that yonder beggar is a King. A King may choose his garment as he will: there is no certain test: but a beggar cannot hide his poverty.
To "deem not of change" is not to hold an opinion or thought in that direction; for this would be "lust of result".
The second facet we have the change that is initiation and is imperative for growth of each Grade. Yet this is change only feasible for an Aspirant if the potential for that change is already dormant within that Aspirant. The Aspirant has no conception what the next Grade will be. It is impossible for him or her to see therefore "lust of result" cannot occur. If the Aspirant is unqualified that Aspirant goes to Grade of his or her limitation and stays that Grade for this lifetime. Of course, an Aspirant can "claim" a higher Grade than they really deserve; but in the long run "a beggar cannot hide his poverty" and that Aspirant unmasks himself or herself as a fraud.
Very well, we shall be as we are. Let us reflect momentarily on this line in the Book of the Law. The word "ye" means "us" meaning into the primal us that is humanity.
(Noted that ye=11 which is of us, and do not confuse "yea" which is an affirmative, (like yes) and adds to 81, the number of Yesod and the Moon showing us positive reflection and understanding of the planes Study Liber 418, the 11th Aethyr and I quote, "For in the number nine is the changefulness of the numbers brought to naught.")
We see that a Master of the Temple, so called in the AA is simply reaching that consciousness that was already possible for him or her in the first place. The AA training prepared him for the strain of returning to the consciousness of us which has come to be called the crossing of the Abyss. Of course, you cannot be completely sure if an Aspirant is of us until that Aspirant has successfully crossed the Abyss.
Thelemites attempting to rationalize what they are on the lower planes more often is a confusion of pride and ego. The issue is radiantly simple. They misunderstand the abstraction of change. Therefore the type of change that is being rectified in the Book of the Law is that change inharmonious with the evolutionary wave of our species. And the Book of the Law highlights most vehemently what is of us and what is not of us.
All this should at last clarify the apparent contradiction (read folly) in Liber Aleph where the Master Therion states in the Chapter named DE FRATRIBUS NIGRIS, FILIIS INQUITATIS that "Change is an act of Love under will", and the Book of the Law which tells is not to deem of change. For only those who do not deem of change shall understand how it is act of "Love under will". And only those who move forth without lust of result will abstain deeming change and following the formula of change in this, the new Aeon of Horus.
Who are they who are not of us is the subject of another essay altogether. One initiate stated that they are guests in our System. If this is true they are incapable of ever changing and becoming of us. They are different star dust from another exploded star than every man & woman is written of in the Book of the Law, Chapter I, verse 3. I may cover this complex problem in another essay. This will explain further theories of the meaning of "of us".
Love is the law, love under willFrater Sphinx
Written August 20th, An XCVII 2000 e.v.