RED FLAME
~ A THELEMIC RESEARCH SITE ~
is about Grady Louis McMurtry's branch of the
ARGENTIUM ASTRUM
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. - AL I:40
It has always been our policy never to shy away from a subject simply because the over-all theme might bathe itself in a heated debate or might be ruffling a few feathers. The material we are releasing on this site primarily deals with material distributed in our branch of the AA, which is the lineage of the late Grady Louis McMurtry, Frater Hymenaeus Alpha 777. It is not what is typical to other branches. First and most important, before we can continue, I must state categorically right-up-front that we are not releasing this information in order to seek students. In truth, we are a semi-closed branch of the Order and are very selective. We're also not trying to convert anyone to our way of thinking. Releasing this information is merely meant to continue the policy of offering material which is primarily thought provoking. We feel the New Aeon is far too young for any one group, ourselves included, to claim Divine Guidance for humanity as a whole to follow. We are simply releasing our information for the reader to contemplate and consider the possibilities of another approach up the sacred mountain.
We release this information at this time because of the recent craze in establishing pseudo-branches of different ten-degree or Qabalistic systems worldwide, both as inner and outer schools. We feel the ties to the Old Aeon are still very strong and are drawing some individuals to look backwards rather than forwards when establishing their organizations. We tend to forget that our Holy Book tells us, "Abrogate are all rituals, all ordeals, all words and signs." (AL I:49) We want the reader to think about their approach rather than simply follow previously tried or well-worn paths. We want to show how we have dared to be different by looking to Liber AL vel Legis for solutions. As an example of where we have gone, consider this quote from one of the articles included in these pages:"One of the major differences in our branch of the AA compared to others is that they use ten grades, often called initiations, based upon the Tree of Life while the three mentioned in AL I:40 are merely peripheral sub-titles or divisions given to the ten. We reversed this concept. We have only three grades, the Hermit, the Lover and the man of Earth, which we do not consider initiations since Liber AL vel Legis doesn't call them such. We acknowledge the possibility that these could correlate to the Tree, since everything does, but the latter is only a convenient filing system of self and are not grades in themselves. We feel the old system puts the cart before the horse. Let's be honest. The fact is, according to Liber AL vel Legis, being a Thelemite encompasses only 'three grades' and not the ten upon which many fraternities are based. Our most Holy Book clearly states, "Who calls us Thelemites will do no wrong, if he look but close into the word. For there are therein Three Grades, the Hermit, and the Lover, and the man of Earth." (AL I:40) This line is not followed by "and you must correlate these to the ten degree Tree of Life systems used in the old Aeon."
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On this website we will openly examine the noble Order of the AA which is often webbed in contradictions depending upon the literature of the branch which you're reading. It seems that it is difficult for some individuals to grasp the nature of the Inner School or Third Order wherein the Holy of Holies resides. Many people assume that by taking initiation into any given branch of Crowley's AA they have automatically entered this ancient Order and that all the literature which they've read pertains specifically to them. They fail to realize that they have merely joined one of many outer vehicles which disseminate portions of the Inner School Wisdom as a means of guiding humanity forward toward spiritual self realization. According to magickal tradition, the Qabalistic Tree of Life is divided into three mystery schools. The First and the Second Orders of the AA are respectively called the GD and the RC. These Orders are what Aleister Crowley and George C. Jones founded around 1906 in their determination to create a new fraternity. These Orders are not, as some would have you believe, an ancient fraternity which has been around for centuries. They are simply a modern rendition on old themes, teaching what these two gentleman thought appropriate for the times. The Inner School or Third Order known as SS has always existed. Aleister Crowley did not create this Order. It is the real AA. Most of Crowley's literature about the nature of this Order state that it is as old as the hills, very noble and worthy of aspiration. However, it is never able to fully manifest into the First Order. The most to be hoped for upon Earth is a glimmering of its Light. In truth, most AA literature is often confusing. It is difficult to ascertain whether Crowley is referring to the Third Order, the lower two Orders or the entire Tree of Life structure as a whole. This is where many individuals often get befuddled because they are usually unaware of the subtle differences. They read every scrap of paper regarding the AA and lump the writings of the three Orders into one. They fail to understand the needs of each Order in relationship to where each resides on the Tree of Life. You cannot hold one Order by the standards of the other. Many individuals also do not comprehend that a person who claims a degree above Malkuth is not always 'within' that degree every moment of their waking day but rather is capable of being within the sphere epitomized by that degree. There is a big difference. No matter how high we climb on Mount Abiegnus, we still have a foot planted on Malkuth and we must deal with things appropriately thereon without crossing the planes. Often I read people criticizing Aleister Crowley's, Jack Parsons' or Grady McMurtry's mundane life to imply that their attainments were false. This only portrays their own lack of understanding of the planes by judging the attainments of other spheres according to one's every action upon Malkuth. The first major question which needs to be addressed is whether or not Aleister Crowley had the authority to create the two lower Orders. We believe, in all honesty, that he did, due to the degree which he held as a Magister Templi 8=3 and thereby acting from the Third Order. One Star in Sight clearly states that members of the Third Order "are each entitled to found Orders dependent on themselves on the lines of the R. C. and G. D. orders, to cover types of emancipation and illumination not contemplated by the original (or main) system. All such orders must, however, be constituted in harmony with the AA as regards the essential principles." In other words, Aleister Crowley acknowledges the source of his own authority which enabled him to begin the First and Second Orders of his AA. He is telling us that by residing in the Third Order one has the right to establish Foundations below the Abyss. We also want to point out that, according to Aleister Crowley's own writings, anyone who legitimately resides in the Third Order has the right to establish First and Second Orders which disseminate thought that is not necessarily taught in other branches. This is how we, Grady's lineage, get our authority to create or bring to birth new ideas. Does it make our teachings better than others? Not really. Thelemically we're just offering a concept which others do not teach. End of the subject.We hope what we have released on this site will be read by everyone with an open mind. However, I am always amazed and find it very strange that Thelemites of all people, who supposedly accept diversity on all planes, will yell the loudest when people believe differently than themselves. Simply discussing certain subjects, like we're doing on this website, will bring pseudo-authorities out of the wood work like roaches to throw their two-cents around as to what the Order is 'really' all about. I have never understood this Thelemic need to preach the 'correct way' when it's obvious that there can be no one way which is correct for all humanity. ~ Click HERE for a listing of our CLERK HOUSES ~
~ NEW MAILING ADDRESS ~
Gerald Edward Cornelius
P.O.Box 40366
Berkeley, CA 94704-4366
Love is the law, love under Will. - AL I:57
All Contents (C) Cornelius
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Frater Hymenaeus Alpha 777 (1918-1985)
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