I'd read from some works by Aleister Crowley,
notably Magick In Theory and in Practice, but the material seemed a bit formal to me at the time (something I've come to appreciate since).
My real practice of magick started when I was introduced to Donald Michael Kraig's Modern Magick: Eleven Lessons in the High Magickal Arts.
My initial reading from Magick In Theory and in Practice, however, formed the framework for my definition and understanding of magick, causing me to reject some restrictions on its
definition as asserted by Kraig in Modern Magick.
It seemed there were a lot of people out there who could do little more than regurgitate Crowley's words, and that kind of turned me off to his works in the early days. (I've gotten over that since.)
I was oddly attracted to
The Book of The Law after my first reading, but I had no concept of what it was or what it represented.
But that's how I got started in the study and practice of Ceremonial High Magick.
I now see the Law as a thing of beauty and immensely applicable wisdom, teasing the mind to unlock the proper approach to
running a successful life. The things I've learned simply pondering the Law are impossible to gracefully convey in a few
words on a web page, and rightfully so. Those who wish to learn must walk the Path, and take all the stumbles and foibles
the journey provides. There is no shortcut to this finish line. Those who seek the easy path -- and I have been that
person -- will not make much progress here.
You have to do the work. With much emphasis on do.
I keep the name now simply because so many people know me by this name. I'm not sure I deserve it; but, then, I suppose
that gives me something to strive for.
Life is full of interesting confluences. At one point, I was quite pleased to discover that the three names I had
chosen in my life -- the specific signature of my given name, the name of the band I had started, and Solemnus -- all
came out to the same value when computed against the English gematria
and Theosophically reduced.
I was furthermore pleased to note that the value to which they reduced was 10 -- which reduces to 1 and 0, an interesting combination of the Alpha and the Omega.
One final note, largely humorous (to me, anyway) -- There is a reference in The Book Of The Law which says "...my
prophet is a fool with his one, one, one...". Yes, this is in reference to solving a cipher within the text
of Liber AL, so I am not placing a lot of emphasis here, but it's entertaining in a magick geek sort of way.
Why PER ME SPLENDET LUX? This is at once highly public and extremely
personal. There are several components, however, to my reasons for
having choosen this Motto.
This Motto was retired to Qlippoth approximately August 31st, 1999
e.v.
Index:
Who is Solemnus?
Solemnus (Sahl'' · ehm · nuss') n.
(I don't object to standard Latin pronunciation, but it's not the one I'd intended when I selected the name)
Why Magick?
The concept of Magick speaks to me. I can't fully relate how or why in writing. It just does.
Why Thelema?
Over time, I grew to realize that fervently avoiding Crowley's works
was as narrow and faulty as adhering too stringently to them, and
sought for a more balanced approach. Throughout, however, my
attraction to Liber AL somehow remained, and, piecemeal, I
began to absorb components of its wisdom. Critical mass in this
regard was achieved sometime in 1996 e.v., and I began to
actually research Thelema actively, with another defining moment in
1997 e.v. where certain revelations finally came to me -- and
led to my acceptance of the Law of Thelema.
Why Solemnus?
I chose this name largely to remind myself to be respectful. For all my best intentions, I have from time to time failed
miserably at this, and I, somewhat akin to a motto, chose the name as a reminder. It is strictly a social name, not a formal
motto in and of itself.
What is v.o.c.?
This stands for "void of course", which is how I felt in the time that passed between having retired P.M.S.L. to Qlippoth and having selected I.A. as my new Motto; it is similarly the term I used to describe my circumstance when I retired I.A. to Qlippoth prior to selecting P.S. It is not so much a reflection of my Work as it was my inability to summarize my work into a Motto during those times.
What are P.M.S.L., 185 and CLXXXV?
P.M.S.L. is an acronym for the Latin phrase PER ME SPLENDET LUX.
This was my Magical Motto. Translated literally, it means "The light
shines through me." The more full, connotative and conceptual
defintion of PER ME SPLENDET LUX, as it applied to me, is "Divinity
works through me." PER ME SPLENDET LUX evalutes to 185 using Latin
Qabala Simplex, a particular form of Latin gematria (numerology).
CLXXXV is the Roman (Latin) representation of the number 185.
What are I.A., 188 and CLXXXVIII?
I.A. is an acronym for the Latin phrase INTERIORES ADVERTE. This was
my Magical Motto. It means "Turn towards the things within." This
phrase evaluates to 188 using Latin Qabala Simplex, a
particular form of Latin gematria (numerology). CLXXXVIII is the
Roman (Latin) representation of the number 188. This Motto was
retired to Qlippoth approximately October 4th, 2001 e.v.
What are P.S., 208 and CCVIII?
P.S. is an acronym for the Latin phrase PATIENTER SUSTINEO. This was
my Magical Motto. It means "Wait patiently" This
phrase evaluates to 208 using Latin Qabala Simplex, a
particular form of Latin gematria (numerology). CCVIII is the
Roman (Latin) representation of the number 208. This Motto was
retired to Qlippoth approximately May 21st, 2006 e.v.
What are F.N., 147 and CXLVII?
This is my current Motto. Sorry, translations are not currently available to the general public. However, 147 is the gematriaic evaluation of the Motto.
What is W.W.B.D.?
What is W.W.B.D.? It is an honorific which means, in English, "Whose Will Be Done". It's an appropriate descriptor for any Thelemite, a tradition I thought I might try to jump start. To date, only one other person has ever adopted the habit. I don't use it myself very often any more. Too many honorifics dwarf the name.
Love is the law, love under will.
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