☉︎ in 2° Gemini : ☽︎ in 13° Gemini : Anno Vvi
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
To my Beloved Companion: Greeting and health.
We made it through all the starting points. Now it’s time to lay the foundation of our continued journey through these Spiritual Exercises.
In all the sacred writings of Thelema, the word refuge is only used once. We talked about that several letters back when we talked about the desert journey. “Nu is your refuge as Hadit your light; and I am the strength, force, vigour, of your arms.” It really is a rock in the middle of a storm. However, we are still in the grip of a pandemic despite the cautious or careless (depending on your point of view) opening of our country in various places. Refuge is one thing. Island strength is another.
Once again, we return to the Source of comfort and sustenance, and what does it say? “Choose ye an island!” It goes on, “Fortify it! Dung it about with enginery of war! I will give you a war-engine. With it ye shall smite the peoples; and none shall stand before you.” We mentioned before how this time is a war. It’s a war on our security. It’s a war on our privacy. It’s a war on our mental health. It’s a war on our finances. It’s a war on our community. We need enginery of war. We need a war-engine.
I think it is entirely appropriate here to mention that in every case where the Book of the Law mentions “the people,” Crowley, in his commentaries, equates “the people” with the chaotic mental processes in our head. In fact, his commentary on this very verse about how we are to “smite the people,” he says, “Ye shall easily suppress invading thoughts.” Is that not the simplest elucidation of what we’re talking about here?
Meditation Text: “Choose ye an island! Fortify it! Dung it about with enginery of war! I will give you a war-engine. With it ye shall smite the peoples; and none shall stand before you.”
Repeat these three phrases to yourself as necessary, as a mantra of sorts, to remind yourself of each step of the path.
1. Choose. I choose my Island, my center of my own strength.
Maybe you find an object of some kind that symbolizes this strength for yourself, that is emblematic of your island. Maybe it is the community that you have begun to draw to yourself and listening to the stories and strength of those around you. Whatever that may be, you find that island that is your own, that is yours to defend against the onslaught of the world around you.
Remember this: you chose an island. This is a deliberate act, not an accidental or haphazard act.
2. Fortify. I fortify my Island.
Consider three things:
Where is spiritual strength present in my life?
Where is spiritual strength absent in my life?
What is contrary or opposed to this strength in my life?
Fortify yourself through your own spiritual strength. Remove all obstacles that stand in the way of your own spiritual and mental health. Find what is opposed to you and remove it or move yourself away from it.
3. Accept. I accept the war-engine I am given.
Meditate on the text above. Choose to be guided through this time by your own Inner Voice. Choose to reject all that disheartens you and discourages you. Turn away from that which breaks down your war-engine, that which tries to invade your Island, and choose the strength of resistance.
4. Overcome. I smite down all that invades my thoughts.
Imagine with me here, if you will, standing on the walls of your fortifications around your Island. You’re watching the invading hordes moving toward you. In this moment, find yourself comforted in knowing that your Island is fortified with enginery of war, it has a war-engine that is mighty, you will not be overcome. Rest in that certainty that you do not need faith to reside in the peace of your own making. You only need to remain firm in your own Island strength.
In the end, give thanks. You don’t have to give thanks to anything or anyone in particular. Just be thankful for the moment. In that moment, though, consider two things: first, if possible, how can I connect with someone who made me stronger, who was a part of my fortifications; and, second, is there anyone that I could pass along this same exercise, someone who might need some encouragement in fortifying their own Island?
I look forward to continuing this journey with you, if you choose to continue, and see where it takes us.
Love is the law, love under will.
B∴