Thelemic

Thelemic refers to the beliefs, practices, and adherents associated with Thelema, a spiritual philosophy developed in the early 20th century by the British occultist Aleister Crowley. The term Thelema comes from the Greek thelēma, meaning will or desire. Thelemites commonly base their views on the central scripture The Book of the Law (Liber AL vel Legis), which Crowley said was dictated to him in 1904.

The core principle of Thelema is expressed in the maxim “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law,” often paired with “Love is the law, love under will.” This framework is intended to emphasize the discovery and following of one’s True Will, an inner, higher purpose. Thelema also presents an ethical dimension: acting with love and consideration for others while pursuing one’s path, rather than indulging selfish impulses.

Practices commonly associated with Thelemic work include ceremonial magic, meditation, and study of esoteric systems such as tarot, qabalah, and astrology. Thelemites have historically been connected with organizations such as the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO), which Crowley led for a time, and the A∴A∴, a separate magical order. Thelema has influenced modern occultism and various esoteric and religious movements, contributing to contemporary magical practice and spiritual literature.

Thelemic is used to describe things related to Thelema, including its philosophy, texts, rituals, and adherents. The movement remains a subject of both interest and controversy, in part due to Crowley’s notoriety and the provocative nature of some of Thelema’s writings.