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Astrum Argenteum
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Do What Do Will

Thelema
Will

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

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A∴A∴

The Practicus Grade

A∴A∴

 

The Initiatory Structure of the A∴A∴

The Order consists of eleven degrees or levels, organized into three groups, the Orders of the SS, the RC and the GD respectively set forth in One Star in Sight sub figurâ CDLXXXIX. In the A∴A∴, blind is not blind guide and progress is measured by this series of degrees. The Order of A∴A∴ adheres more or less strictly to the guidelines set forth in Liber Collegii Sancti sub figura CLXXXV by Aleister Crowley.

[Read more about the initiations in the A∴A∴ Initiation section.]

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The Order of the G. D.

(Dominus Liminis — the link)

4. Philosophus 4° = 7□
3. Practicus 3° = 8□
2. Zelator 2° = 9□
1. Neophyte 1° = 10□
0. Probationer 0° = 0□

The Order of the R. C.

(Babe of the Abyss — the link)

7. Adeptus Exemptus 7° = 4□
6. Adeptus Major 6° = 5□
5. Adeptus Minor 5° = 6□

The Order of the S. S.

 

10. Ipsissimus 10° = 1□
9. Magus 9° = 2□
8. Magister Templi 8° = 3□

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Practicus
3° = 8□

The Robe of a Practicus

When this Grade is confirmed by Authority, the Practicus shall add a Sash of Orange to the right sleeve of the Zelator Robe. [Liber Vesta vel פרכח sub figurâ DCC]

The Robe of the Practicus

The Robe of the Practicus

The Oath of a Practicus:

"I, _____, (motto) being of sound mind and Body, and prepared, on this _____ day of _____ (An _____ Sun in _____ degrees) do hereby resolve: in the Presence of _____, a Philosophus of the A∴A∴: To prosecute the Great Work: which is, to obtain control of the vacillations of my own being. Further, I promise to observe zeal in service to the Zelatores under me, and to deny myself utterly on their behalf. May the A∴A∴ crown the work, lend me of Its wisdom in the work, enable me to understand the work! Reverence, duty, sympathy, devotion, do I bring to the A∴A∴ and right soon may I be admitted to the knowledge and conversation of the A∴A∴! Witness my hand [motto]: _____"

  • His duties are laid down in Paper D Class D. (Liber CLXXXV)
  • Instruction and Examination in the Qabalah and Liber DCCLXXVII.
  • Instruction in Philosophical Meditation (Gnana-Yoga).
  • Examination in some one mode of divination: e.g., Geomancy, Astrology, the Tarot. Theoretical. He is given a meditation-practice on Expansion of Consciousness.
  • He is given a meditation-practice in the destruction of thoughts.
  • Instruction and Examination in Control of Speech. Practical.
  • Further, he casts the magic Cup.
  • No ritual admits to the grade of Philosophus, which is conferred by authority when the Task of the Practicus is accomplished.
  • [Liber XIII vel Graduum Montis Abiegni]

The Task of a Practicus:

  • 0. Let any Zelator be appointed by authority to proceed to the grade of Practicus.
    • Let him then read through this note of his office, and sign it.
    • Let him cause the necessary addition to be made to his Zelator's robe.
    • Let him make an appointment with his Practicus at the pleasure of the latter for the conferring of advancement.
  • 1. The Practicus shall proceed to the grade of Philosophus at any time authority confers it.
  • 2. He shall pass examinations in Liber DCCLXXVII, the Qabalah, and Sepher Sephiroth.
  • He shall attain complete success in Liber III, Chapter I.
  • 3. He shall further show some acquaintance with and experience of his chosen method of divination. Yet he shall be his own judge in this matter.
  • 4. He shall commit to memory Liber XXVII and pass examinations in the Ritual and meditation practice given in Liber XVI. Further, he shall pass in the meditation practice S. S. S., in Liber HHH.
  • 5. Besides all this, he shall apply himself to a way of life wholly suited to the Path.
  • Let him remember that the word Practicus is no idle term, but that Action is the equilibrium of him that is in the House of Mercury, who is the Lord of Intelligence.
  • 6. When authority confers the grade, he shall rejoice therein, but beware, for that that is his second departure from the middle pillar of the Tree of Life.
  • 7. Let him not venture while a member of the grade of Practicus to attempt to withdraw from his association with the A∴A∴
  • 8. He shall everywhere proclaim openly his connection with the A∴A∴ and speak of It and Its principles (even so little as he understandeth) for that mystery is the enemy of Truth.
  • Furthermore, he shall construct the magic Cup, according to the instruction in Liber A.
  • One month after his admission to the Grade he shall go to his Practice, pass the necessary tests, and repeat to him Liber XXVII.
  • 9. He shall in every way establish perfect control of his wit according to the advice of his Philosophus, for that the ordeal of advancement is no light one.
  • 10. Thus and not otherwise may he obtain to the great reward: YEA, MAY HE OBTAIN THE GREAT REWARD!
  • [Liber Collegii Sancti sub figurâ CLXXXV]

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"Practicus" Summary

The Great Work, for the Practicus, is defined as, “to obtain control of the vacillations of my own being.”

"Practicus" is a Latin word meaning, “one who practices,” or “one who takes action;” from the Greek praktikos, “fit for action, practical, effective.” The root idea is activity. In commenting on the grade name in Liber 185 the A∴A∴ founders remarked:

"Let him remember that the word Practicus is no idle term, but that Action is the equilibrium of him that is in the House of Mercury, who is the Lord of Intelligence."

In the Tree of Life, the consciousness of the Practicus is in Hod and a study on this sephirah, the sixteenth path, and their relationships is indicated.

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Advancement from Zelator

There is no admission ritual to the grades of Practicus, Philosophus, or Dominus Liminis. Advancement “is conferred by authority when the task of the Zelator is accomplished” (Liber XIII). The details are given in Liber 185, Paper D., par. 0, as follows:

Let any Zelator be appointed by authority to proceed to the grade of Practicus.
Let him then read through this note of his office, and sign it.
Let him cause the necessary addition to be made to his Zelator’s robe.
Let him make an appointment with his Practicus at the pleasure of the latter for the conferring of advancement.

The Practicus robe is identical to that of the Zelator, but with the addition of a silver hexagram of 48 rays surrounding the triangle on the hood.

One “rule” changes in the Practicus Grade. The Probationer, Neophyte, and Zelator were advised that they might resign from the A∴A∴ at any time. However, the Practicus and Philosophus are counseled in Liber 185 not to attempt to withdraw from their association with the A∴A∴. The intent is that they persevere at least to the point of equilibrating themselves, again on the Middle Pillar, in the Grade of Dominus Liminis.

The candidate must be guided by a superior in order, at least one Philosophus.

The Practicus's Journey

Then we came out into the Third (or Eighth, it depends which way you count them, because there are ten) House, and that was so splendid you can't imagine. In the first place it was a bright, bright, bright orange colour, and then it had flashes of light all over it, going so fast we couldn't see them, and then there was the sound of the sea and one could look through into the deep, and there was the ocean raging beneath one's feet, and strong dolphins riding on it and crying aloud, "Holy! Holy! Holy!" in such an ecstasy you can't think, and rolling and playing for sheer joy. It was all lighted by a tiny, weeny, shy little planet, sparkling and silvery, and now and then then a wave of fiery chariots filled with eager spearmen blazed through the sky, and my Fairy Prince said: "Isn't it all fine?" But I knew he didn't really mean it, so I said: "Kiss me!" and he kissed me, and we went on. He said: "Good little girl of mine, there's many a one stays there all his life." I forgot to say that the whole place was just one mass of books, and people reading them till they were so silly, they didn't know what they were doing. And there were cheats, and doctors, and thieves; I was really very glad to go away. [The Wake World - Domus VIII v. Splendor]

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Qabalah

Practicus. - Is expected to complete his intellectual training, and in particular to study the Qabalah. (One Star in Sight sub figurâ CDLXXXIX)
He shall pass examinations in Liber DCCLXXVII, the Qabalah, and the Sepher Sephiroth(Liber 185)
Instruction and Examination in the Qabalah and Liber DCCLXXVII(Liber XIII)

Liber 777 and Sepher Sephiroth are both listed as specific items of study for the Practicus. Additionally, the Practicus Syllabus contains several other official Qabalistic instructions: Gematria (Liber LVIIIEQUINOX V); Liber Arcanorum ("The Book of Sacred Mysteries"); Liber Tav vel Kabbalae Trium Literarum ("Book Tav" or "The Book of the Qabalah of Three Letters"); and A Note on Genesis. Beyond this, further studies in the Qabalah depend on the needs, interests, and inner promptings of the Practicus.

For the most part, the method of testing the Qabalistic progress is left to the supervising Philosophus. However, one specific examination is described in (One Star in Sight sub figurâ CDLXXXIX):

In the Qabalah, the candidate must discover for himself, and prove to the examiner beyond all doubt, the properties of a number never previously examined by any student.

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Gnana Yoga

Instruction in Philosophical Meditation (Gnana-Yoga). (Liber XIII)

Gnana yoga is usually translated, “Union by Knowledge.” It is an intellectual route to attainment, though one requiring an illuminated intellect. Qabalah is primary the Gnana Yoga of the Western magical tradition. Aleister Crowley wrote no separate official instruction on Gnana Yoga. In Liber Aleph, Cap. 137, he mentioned,

Gnana Yoga... of which I have written only here and there, as one who would strew great stones upon the Earth in Disorder, by Default of building them nobly into a Pyramid.

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Control of Speech

Instruction and Examination in Control of Speech. Practical. (Liber XIII)
He shall attain complete success in Liber III, Cap. I. (Liber 185)

The actual task is “control of speech.” One tool that is given for this purpose is Liber III, that is, Liber Jugorum.

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Casting the Magick Cup

Furthermore, he shall construct the magic Cup, according to the instruction in Liber A. (Liber 185)
Further, he casts the magic Cup. (Liber XIII)

He shall in every way establish perfect control of his wit according to the advice of his Philosophus, for that the ordeal of advancement is no light one... (Liber 185)

Let the Practicus take a piece of Silver, and fashion therefrom a cup. The height shall be eight inches, and the diameter three inches. Let him by his understanding and ingenium devise a Number to represent the Universe. Let his Philosophus approve thereof. Let the Practicus engrave the same upon his cup with his own hand and instrument. Let it when finished be consecrated as he hath skill to perform, and kept wrapped in silk of azure blue. (Liber A vel Armorum sub figurâ CDXII)

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Expansion of Consciousness

He is given a meditation-practice on Expansion of Consciousness. (Liber XIII)

This meditation-practice on expansion of consciousness is Liber DXXXVI, titled Liber Batrachophrenobookosmomachia.

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Divination - The Path of Qoph

He shall further show some acquaintance with and experience of his chosen method of divination. Yet he shall be his own judge in this matter. (Liber 185)
Examination in some one mode of divination: e.g., Geomancy, Astrology, the Tarot. Theoretical. (Liber XIII)

This study and practice were inaugurated during the Probationer or Neophyte period. As a Practicus, it must be brought to a high standard of perfection. One Star in Sight admonishes that, “in divination, the answer must be as precise as a scientific thesis, and as accurate as an audit.”

INTERPRETATION: This practice is one of several in this Grade intended to bridge the gap between the Yetziratic and Briatic modes of consciousness. This “bridge-building” is one of the basic characteristics of the Grade. Divination, properly done, both mobilizes Yetziratic faculties and potencies in a magical way, and provides a reliable channel of access to the practitioner’s intuition. It is a device for increasing one’s skill at listening to the Inner Voice, which is the voice of the Holy Guardian Angel.

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Quickening the Light - The Path of Tzaddi

Further, he shall pass in the meditation practice S.S.S., in Liber HHH(Liber 185)

Two of the meditations in Liber HHH were undertaken by the Zelator. Called MMM and AAA, they corresponded to Water and Air, respectively. The Practicus must undertake the third, called SSS, which is attributed to the element Fire, and deals with the conscious raising of kundalini.

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Destruction of Thought - The Path of Peh

He shall... pass examinations in the Ritual and meditation practice given in Liber XVI. (Liber 185)
He is given a meditation-practice in the destruction of thoughts. (Liber XIII)
PE - The Destruction of the House of God. Liber XVI. (Liber Viarum Viae)

Liber XVI is Liber Turris vel Domus Dei ("The Book of the Tower" or "The Book of the House of God"). It is the “meditation-practice in the destruction of thoughts” mentioned in Liber XIII.

Liber Turris is issued to the Philosophus as well as the Practicus, and is one of the best preparations for the forms of Raja Yoga required of the Dominus Liminis Grade. Success, for the Practicus, therefore, does not mean anything approaching complete success in Liber Turris.

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Other Tasks

The Practicus is to commit to memory Liber Trigrammaton ("The Book of Trigrams"). This Class A document is “an account of the cosmic process: it describes the Course of Creation under the Figure of the Interplay of Three Principles,” according to the Syllabus.

Besides all this, he shall apply himself to a way of life wholly suited to the Path. (Liber 185)

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Advancement to Philosophus

According to Liber 185, the process of advancing to Philosophus and later to Dominus Liminis is identical to that of advancing to Practicus. There is no minimum time. There is no ritual of advancement beyond the reading of the Task and the ascription to the Oath. One advances when the work of the previous grade is finished.

When authority confers the grade [of Philosophus], he shall rejoice therein; but beware, for that that is his second departure from the middle pillar of the Tree of Life. (Liber 185)

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THE PRACTICUS SYLLABUS

Syllabus of the Practicus Grade

Publications in Class A
– The Holy Books of Thelema –

LIBER
Number
Class
Title
O.T.O.
core
A∴A∴
core
LIBER XXII
22.
A
Liber Carcerorum Των Qliphoth Cum Suis Geniis. Adduntum Sigilla et Nomina Eorum - (» in Hungarian)
– ("The Book of the Prisons of the Qlippoth, with Their Own Spirits.")
   
      It presents in tabular form the names and sigils of the Genii of the 22 Scales of the Serpent and of the Qliphoth.    
LIBER XXVII
27.
A
Liber Trigrammaton sub figurâ XXVII - (» in Hungarian)
– ("The Book of Trigrams")
   
      A book of Trigrams of the mutations of the TAO with the YIN and the YANG. An account of the cosmic process: it describes the course of Creation under the figure of the interplay of three principles. The book corresponds to the "Stanzas of Dzyan" in another system.    
LIBER XXXI AL
31.
A
The Holograph Manuscript of Liber L vel Legis
– ("Book L." or "The Book of the Law")
 
A∴A∴
      This book is the foundation of the New Aeon, and thus of the whole of our Work.    
LIBER CCXX
220.
A
Liber AL vel Legis sub figurâ CCXX - (» in Hungarian)
– ("The Book of the Law")
 
A∴A∴
      The Book of the Law - which is the foundation of our whole work, and the commentary thereon by the Master through whom it was given to the world.    
LIBER CCXXXI
231.
A
Liber Arcanorum τών Atu τού Tahuti Quas Vidit Asar in Amennti sub figura CCXXXI - (» in Hungarian)
– ("The Book of the Mysteries of the Atus of Tahuti Whereby Asar Makes His Way Through Ammenti.")
   
      This is an account of the cosmic process so far as it is indicated by the Tarot Trumps.    
LIBER CD 400. A Liber Tau vel Kabbalae Trium Literarum
– ("Book Tav" or "The Book of the Qabalah of Three Letters")
   
      A graphic interpretation of the Tarot on the plane of initiation.    

Publications in Class B
– Scholarship of Thelema –

LIBER
Number
Class
Title
O.T.O.
core
A∴A∴
core
LIBER XVI
16.
B
Liber Turris vel Domus Dei
– ("The Book of the Tower" or "The Book of the House of God")
 
(A∴A∴)
      An instruction for attainment by the direct destruction of thoughts as they arise in the mind.    
Liber LVIII
58.
B
Qabalah (Gematria)
– (from "The Temple of Solomon the King")
   
      A general discussion of the Method and uses of the Qabalah. (This is an article on the Qabalah in the "The Temple of Solomon the King" EQUINOX V.)    
LIBER LXIV
64.
B
Liber Israfel sub figurâ LXIV - (» in Hungarian)    
      An instruction in a suitable method of preaching. An example of ceremonial invocation of a God-force. (Formerly called "Liber Anubis".)    
LIBER LXXXIV
84.
B
Liber Chanokh
– ("The Book of Enoch")
   
      A Brief Abstract of the Symbolic Representation of the Universe derived by Doctor John Dee through the skrying of Sir Edward Kelly.    
LIBER D
500.
B
Sepher Sephiroth sub figurâ D οαριθνοσ    
      A dictionary of Hebrew words arranged according to their numerical value.    
LIBER DXXXVI
536.
B
Liber Βατραχοφρενοβοοκοσμομαχια sub figurâ DXXXVI
– ("The Book of the Battle of the Frog, the Mind, the Roar, and the Universe")
   
      An instruction in expansion of the field of the mind.    
LIBER 777
777.
B
Liber 777 vel Prolegomena Symbolica Ad Systemam Sceptico-Mysticæ Viæ Explicandæ, Fundamentum Hieroglyphicum Sanctissimorum Scientiæ Summæ
– Subtitled, "A Compilation of Symbols, Towards a Systematization of the Skeptical-Mystical Way Set Forth. A Hieroglyphic Foundation of the Most Holy Things of the Higher Knowledge."
 
(A∴A∴)
      A complete dictionary of the correspondences of all magical elements, reprinted with extensive additions, making it the only standard comprehensive book of reference ever published. It is to the language of occultism what Webster or Murray is to the English language.    

Publications in Class C
– Suggestions of Thelema –

LIBER
Number
Class
Title
O.T.O.
core
A∴A∴
core
LIBER LXVII
67.
C
The Sword of Song    
      A critical study of various philosophies. An account of Buddhism.    
LIBER MMCCLXI
2261.
C
A Note on Genesis - (» in Hungarian)    
      A model of Qabalistic ratiocination.    

Publications in Class D
– Official Rituals and Instructions of Thelema –

LIBER
Number
Class
Title
O.T.O.
core
A∴A∴
core
LIBER III
3.
D
Liber III vel Jugorum
– ("The Book of Yokes")
 
A∴A∴
      An instruction for the control of speech, action and thought.    
LIBER XIII
13.
D
Liber Graduum Montis Abiegni
– ("The Book of the Slopes of Mt. Abiegnis")
 
A∴A∴
      An account of the task of the Aspirant from Probationer to Adept.    
LIBER CLXXXV
185.
D
Liber Collegii Sancti sub figurâ CLXXXV
– ("The Book of the Holy Society")
 
A∴A∴
      Being the tasks of the grades and their Oaths proper to Liber XIII. This is the set of official papers of the various grades from Probationer through Adeptus Minor.    
LIBER CCCXLI
341.
D
Liber HHH sub figurâ CCCXLI  
A∴A∴
      Gives three methods of attainment through a willed series of thoughts.    
LIBER CDXII
412.
D
Liber A vel Armorum sub figurâ CDXII - (» in Hungarian)
– ("The Book of Arms or Tools")
   
      An instruction for the preparation of the Elemental Instruments.    

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Last updated: 21-12-2021