Welcome

The number 93 is of great significance in Thelema, founded by English author and occultist Aleister Crowley in 1904 with the writing of The Book of the Law (also known as Liber AL vel Legis).

The central philosophy of Thelema is in two phrases from Liber AL: “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law” and “Love is the law, love under will.” The two primary terms in these statements are “Will” and “Love”, respectively. In the Greek language, they are Thelema (Will) and Agape (Love). Using the Greek technique of isopsephy, which applies a numerical value to each letter, the letters of each of these words sum to 93:

• Thelema: Θελημα = 9 + 5 + 30 + 8 + 40 + 1 = 93
• Agapé: Αγαπη = 1 + 3 + 1 + 80 + 8 = 93

It is common for Thelemites to greet each other with “93” in person as well as in the opening and closing of written correspondence. This custom derives from Aleister Crowley’s guideline that Thelemites should greet each other with the Law of Thelema by saying “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.” Since saying the entire Law can be cumbersome, using 93 has become a kind of shorthand.

In informal written correspondence, one often finds the number singularly at the head of a letter, representing “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law” and in the form “93 93/93” at the end, which stands for “Love is the law, love under will.” Crowley often used this form himself within his own letters.

Aleister Crowley wrote thus on the matter:

“I am often asked why I begin my letters this way. No matter whether I am writing to my lady or to my butcher, always I begin with these eleven words. Why, how else should I begin? What other greeting could be so glad? Look, brother, we are free! Rejoice with me, sister, there is no law beyond Do what thou wilt!”

The Path

Your path begins with you and your Will. What do you Will to learn? What do you Will to accept as your Truth, your Gnosis?

Every Man and Every Woman is a Star.

There is no part of you that is not of the Gods.

Know Thyself.

Love is the Law, Love under Will.

We Believe

We believe that all life-affirming practices, faiths & journeys are valid. None are higher or better than another; rather, the melding of practices can lead to a Higher Wisdom & Understanding.

We acknowledge and take responsibility for our own actions, rather than passing them onto someone or something else. 

Community

St. Hamilton’s & The Thelemic Order are progressive Orders in the matters of social justice & human rights. We are open-armed in practice and our walk of life. Intolerance in any aspect other than being non-life-affirming is not accepted within our walls and beings. We are also heterodox, meaning we are syncretic & eclectic in our community & practices.

Ordained clergy through The Thelemic Order (TTO) are official representatives of EGH.  They have initial and continuing educational requirements as governed by The Order (TTO) and may lead all rituals and ceremonies, administer all sacraments, saving Ordination, which is reserved to the College of Prelates, and Attainment which is not administered.

The Lay Clergy is made up of all of those individuals who are at least Corresponding members and who hold various roles of leadership and responsibility within the EGH, but who do not currently intend to progress to ordination.  The organization and acceptance of various positions within the Lay Priesthood is under the authority of the Ordained Clergy of a Chartered Group. For example, a given Group (St. Hamilton’s) might establish a system of Deacons, Assistant Priests, Sacristans, or any other arrangement which suits their operation. 

As part of our establishment at St. Hamilton’s , we are adhere to the following guidelines as outlined by The Order:

• All Lay Clergy will be Confirmed in EGH
• The position of Lay Clergy does not convey outside the Chartering Group
• Lay Clergy are not official representatives of The Thelemic Order (TTO)
• The creation of Lay Clergy must be reported as with the creation of any other Officer of a Local Group

The EGH has no “official” Liturgy, or official rites and rituals, which are mandated by the leadership.  Instead EGH attempts to make a wide variety of Liturgical material available, but Clergy are also welcome to use their own material.

Services which are marked with * shall be administered to the people.

Communion *

An act, most usually, though not of necessity involving the consumption of consecrated host and wine, by which the virtues are administered to the people. It is not required to be confirmed into the EGH, or declare harmony with the Understandings, in order to communicate.

Confirmation *

The act of accepting membership in the The EGH.  This is a personal sacrament in which the individual recognizes a spiritual bond and intellectual kinship with other members of the Communion.  It is by definition open only to those who are principally at harmony with the Understandings.

Unbaptism *

The renunciation of beliefs or spiritual or magical claims which may have been imposed unjustly in the past.  The ceremony of unbaptism places the authority and collective will of the church behind the act of freeing and cleansing.  Unbaptism can be applied to any ritual, initiation, or set of beliefs which were imposed unfairly, both as a child or adolescent, and as an adult through social pressure, manipulation or which were accepted through previous ignorance.  The Sacrament of Unbaptism may be bestowed on any who wish it, freely, whether or not they are Communicant within the EGH or accept the Understandings.

Baptism *

The celebration of the baptism of wisdom.  This may be administered at any time, by request, and be administered more than once in response to the inner experience of the individual of the light of Gnosis.   The Sacrament of Baptism may be bestowed on any who wish it, freely, whether or not they are Communicant within the EGH or accept the Understandings.  

Union *

The sacrament of Union, Matrimony, or Marriage is between two or more individuals.  There shall be no limitation on which individuals, on in which patterns, they may be cojoined, nor on what shall constitute an individual.  The Sacrament of Union may be bestowed on any who wish it, freely, whether or not they are Communicant within the EGH or accept the Understandings. 

Ordination 

The acceptance of the duty and obligation to administer the virtues within and without the community, to devote oneself to the growth of the community through hard labor and through teaching, and the obligation of living as an example. 

The Sacrament of Ordination is held to be internal and personal, however the recognition and celebration of Ordination within the Church is subject to the approval of the Prelacy, and open only to those who are principally at harmony with the Understandings.

Attainment of Knowledge and Conversation 

This sacrament may not be administered to another, or by another, but may only be experienced by the self.  Even the words which are used to describe this sacrament are an approximation, and while may be equated to the knowledge and conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel, it embraces also many similar concepts, in whatever terms, or cultural paradigm they are expressed.  

Because this sacrament is personal it is not celebrated, however an individual may ask for the participation of the Clergy in arranging for Feasting, or other celebration of an individual’s experience of this sacrament as they will.

Consolation *

The sacrament of Consolation is passed down from the ancient Gnostics, but practiced somewhat differently among Thelemites.  It is the recognition of the imminent or recent passing of life, and provides any needed support for the quick and the dead “that they may be granted the accomplishment of their true Wills; whether they will absorption in the Infinite, or to be united with their chosen and preferred, or to be in contemplation, or to be at peace, or to achieve the labor and heroism of incarnation on this planet or another, or in any Star, or aught else.”  

While the EGH provides a liturgy for Consolation, it is by nature personal, and must be conformed to the will of the individual receiving it, or if they are departed to the will of those nearest to them.