A Brief Analysis of The Book of the Law:
Chapter III
1. Abrahadabra! the reward of Ra Hoor Khut.
abrahadabra = 212 = DBVR, Great Voice
{i.e. part of ABRAH DBR, the Voice of the Chief Seer (but see Sepher Sephiroth for the Hebrew value of ABRAHADABRA = 418). This word is composed of the parts abra-had-abra, which are respectively 100-12-100, showing Nuit in the centre (see I:1), encompassed by the Sun, since 200 = Resh, Atu XIX. Note also that 100=KP (Kteis-Phallus) and the initials of Coph Nia. Moreover, 200 = wings (Hb.), suggesting the opposite concept of the winged globe of Hadit. Cf. nuit = 770 = ON / winged, etc. Furthermore, taking three A=8 values (by virtue of the consideration of ABRAH DBR = 415 and ABRAHADABRA = 418 taken with Crowley’s note re: ABRAH DBR as the first meaning of ABRAHADABRA in Sepher Sephiroth) we get abrahadabra = 236 = half concealed (cf. I:34, and note that Abrahadabra is “the key of the rituals”), which is 108-20-108, giving 108 = nothing / whole; perfect (i.e. two nothings, 0 = 2) and 20 = IVD, Yod (spelt in full). Furthermore, 108 × 2 = 216 = strength (etc., etc.); and it is therefore the “word of power, double in the voice of the Master” (cf. Sepher Sephiroth, ABRAHADABRA, 3rd method). 216 is furthermore ompehda and red gleam (f). It ought to be noted that “red gleam” in Hebrew is 417, suggesting by cross-comparison a value of 1 for the central “had”, giving a total value of 217 = HVVR, Hoor (and note that 108 = ra(f), as 100 = ra.). This relies on had = Aleph, which then suggests again ALP, Aleph, 111, etc., etc.}
2. There is division hither homeward; there is a word not known. Spelling is defunct; all is not aught. Beware! Hold! Raise the spell of Ra-Hoor-Khuit.
spelling = 441 = alphabet {A=8} / truth
defunct = 773 = word
{The “word” not known.}
beware = 708 = war / battle
{Something to be wary about.}
hold = 122 = head, summit / end, point, height
{cf. ra-hoor-khuit = 1098 = top, summit, etc.}
{See moreover the notes to III:19 & 20.}
3. Now let it be first understood that I am a god of War and of Vengeance. I shall deal hardly with them.
war = 708 = beware / battle / winged, fleet
{See also III:2}
vengeance(f) = 649 = fight, battle / translation
{Note an odd use of (f) for one and not the other. We get in reverse:}
war(f) = 716 = Hail! / child
vengeance = 639 = the tree of knowledge
{Which is Hoor-paar-kraat and Qabalah itself, which is also QBL, the same as the “other” QBL, “an attacking-engine” (Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon; see also the notes to III:21).}
4. Choose ye an island.
island = 313 = the / secret, unknown
{See “Hermit” in the notes to I:40.}
{“Choose ye” – 2nd person plural; i.e., referring to the Thelemites or perhaps to the Beast and his Scarlet Woman. It is obvious to all rational observers that this must be Britain, not simply for the fact of it being the birthplace of the prophet, or because of its extraordinary importance in world history, but principally for that its populace are the most ready to accept Thelema, and indeed the highest levels of English aristocratic freemasonry already use its formula. There is in fact so much in every sphere of modern life which originates from Britain, and in particular England, that it seems almost trivial to elaborate on any of it. Let me simply note that both the magickal and scientific method that are in use today were born here in the Elizabethan age; and of course it holds a record of 1000 not out against any would-be invaders. Indeed even the fact that I am a native of this island cannot detract from the strength of that line of reasoning, for the evidence is so convincing. In simple geographical terms the evidence is unmistakeable.}
6. Dung it about with enginery of war.
enginery = 1045 = wall
{To build the tower of the following verse.}
7. I will give you a war-engine.
war-engine = 845 = palace, temple / tower
{Refers to Atu XVI, “The Tower” or “War”; and to the “secret temple” of III:10. But furthermore it may refer to the tower in the sense of the Tree of Knowledge, the QBLH (Qabalah).}
8. With it ye shall smite the peoples; and none shall stand before you.
peoples = 478 = temple
{The formula of Atu XVI, the destruction of one’s temple. The old mathematics and Qabalah will fall before this one, which is a general case, of which the former system was a special case.}
9. Lurk! Withdraw! Upon them! this is the Law of the Battle of Conquest: thus shall my worship be about my secret house.
lurk = 570 = of the temple / a couch, bed / gate, the door (Malkuth) [etc.]
{Lurking in bed.}
withdraw = 1622 = there is no god where I am
{Hadit, II:23.}
upon them = 973 = sword / words / Exorcist
{Clear.}
Battle {B=5} = 649 = fight, battle
{Well, 644 didn’t have anything good, and 657 is “messenger” and “love-charm”, which (with 644 = dew) is evidently a method of seduction. This might work, but I should stress that the connotation of “upon them” does not necessarily imply group sex.}
10. Get the stélé of revealing itself; set it in thy secret temple – and that temple is already aright disposed – & it shall be your Kiblah for ever. It shall not fade, but miraculous colour shall come back to it day after day. Close it in locked glass for a proof to the world.
stélé of revealing = 1349 = to receive the law (Hebrews 7:11)
stélé of revealing (f) = 1357 = war + vengeance (f)
{Given that 718 is στηλη 666, the Stélé of Revealing (III:19):}
kaaba + 718 = 748 = serpent / war-engine (Gk.) / image; concealed [etc.]
{i.e. the image (the Stele of Revealing) must be set (or concealed) in the Kaaba (the secret temple, as at Mecca). Combined, these are then the “war-engine” (= root QBL in Hebrew (cognate with the Arabic “Kiblah”) – see Brown-Driver-Briggs).}
aright = 426 = saviour / seed; origin; offspring
aright (f) = 434 = DLTh, Daleth / the Lord of War
disposed = 570 = lurk / of the temple [etc.]
{These must all be taken in context.}
11. This shall be your only proof. I forbid argument. Conquer! That is enough. I will make easy to you the abstruction from the ill-ordered house in the Victorious City. Thou shalt thyself convey it with worship, o prophet, though thou likest it not. Thou shalt have danger & trouble. Ra-Hoor-Khu is with thee. Worship me with fire & blood; worship me with swords & with spears. Let the woman be girt with a sword before me: let blood flow to my name. Trample down the Heathen; be upon them, o warrior, I will give you of their flesh to eat!
conquer = 724 = a leader, chief, judge / the end of the days
conquer (f) = 726 = messiah (Gk.) / unutterable / secret / V.I.Th.R.I.O.L.
{Seems to offer a messianic rôle for the Beast, and in the second place a general formula for conquering oneself.}
{The “ill-ordered house in the Victorious City” is the Museum in Cairo (Al-Kahira, “the conqueror; Cairo”. More properly, this is from Káhir, “Mars” – thus “the city of Mars”, owing to the legend of its foundation under a Martial aspect. See R. F. Burton, et al.). I understand they are currently excavating underneath the building for treasures which have sunk into the earth through neglect, and so the epithet is justified; also by the fact they have changed the number of the stélé to 781 (although the original catalogue number 666 is still on the reverse if I recall aright). The word “abstruction” is evidently derived from Latin, and although Latham gives a 14th Century Mediæval Latin source where abstructio is a variant of obstructio,36And indeed it is used to mean “obstruction” in modern English, as also a mistake for “abstraction”. it seems most likely that its formation is ab-structio, and not ob-structio (nor abs-trudo, since that forms “-usio” and not “-uctio”); and indeed this is more or less confirmed by the context, “abstruction from”, since ab means essentially “a departure from some fixed point”. It has been erroneously suggested that abstruction (from ab-structio) therefore means “to take out of a structure”; but a structure is structura – not the same as structio, which means “a joining together, building, erecting, construction” (from the verb struo). In English, all the words which contain “-structi” are sensibly different from those which contain “-structur”; and so there is no doubt about it. The word “abstruction” can only plausibly mean “to set up/build [a thing] away from [a place]”; which evidently accords with the injunction of III:10.}
danger + trouble = 1088 = ra-hoor-khut
{Suggests a definition of “Ra-Hoor-Khut” as “Ra-Hoor-Khu ... with thee”.}
hoor-paar-kraat = 867 = house of ra
ra-hoor-khu = 788 = the secret wisdom (Qabalah)
{i.e., the “Ra-Hoor-Khu” who is “with thee” is the Qabalah.}
12. Sacrifice cattle, little and big: after a child.
13. But not now.
14. Ye shall see that hour, o blessèd Beast, and thou the Scarlet Concubine of his desire!
{This is evidently the Muslim “Greater Feast” (Eid al-Adha), at which time cattle (little and big)37I believe beef is generally preferred. are sacrificed to commemorate the sacrifice of the ram after the child Isaac’s near-death experience.}
blessèd beast (f) + 1 = 974 = sacrifice cattle
{And blessèd beast = 955 = son (i.e., the child). blessèd beast (f) = exorcist (i.e., the inner nature of the rite).}
scarlet concubine of his desire + 1 = 1865 = but not now (f)
{The use of a concealed unity in the above two phrases seems to relate to “not now” and “sad thereof”; i.e., they have yet to attain to it.}
19. That stélé they shall call the Abomination of Desolation; count well its name, & it shall be to you as 718.
20. Why? Because of the fall of Because, that he is not there again.
{I have already noted stélé babalon = 718, to match στηλη 666 = 718 (where 666= To Mega Therion, “The Great Beast”). However, there is some further gematria on this one, relating to III:2 and twofold division/multiplication:}
666 + babalon = 836 = 418 × 2 = 836 = homeward
{i.e., III:2: “there is division hither homeward; there is a word not known”. The word “Babalon” is is the one unknown (unwritten) word of this book – the “secret name” of Nuit. Furthermore, by metathesis:}
stele + 666 = 1214 = spelling + defunct
{Thus continuing with the next sentence of III:2: “Spelling is defunct.” And 1214 ÷ 2 = 607 = 718 – 111. Which is as much as to say (with I:48) that it is equivalent with 718 × 2, which is 1436 = all is not aught, to conclude that same sentence of III:2. There is similar gematria for “Heru-Ra-Ha”, remembering the phrase “the half of the word of Heru-Ra-Ha” (III:35).}
heru-ra-ha × 2 (i.e., the full word) = 622 × 2 = 1244 = not know me (II:17) / hierophant (Gk.)
{Again connects II:16 with II:17 through the Hierophant. cf. the notes. But more importantly:}
heru-ra-ha (f) × 2 = 638 × 2 = 1276 = hither homeward (f)
{“Division” seen as Hoor-pa-kraat and Ra-Hoor-Khut.}
hither = 432 = remains / RA-HVVR-ChV
{“That which remains” (II:9) is perhaps here identified with Ra-Hoor-Khu, who is “with thee” (III:11). And:
432 ÷ 2 = 216 = red gleam(f) (etc.); where “red gleam” in Hebrew is 418 – 1, and red gleam = 208 = (418 ÷ 2) – 1.}
(heru-ra-ha + 1 + 1 + 1) × 2 = 1250 = not known
{But this smacks of foolishness. However, I think this I:48 folly is justified by III:2 & by:}
beware hold + 111 = 941 = cube in the circle / folly
blessèd beast + 1 = 956 = folly
{Perhaps the Fool (Atu O & Aleph = 1) raises, by the concealed unity (or the letter I), the “spell of Ra-Hoor-Khuit”:}
raise the spell + 1 = 992 = perfect(f) + perfect(f) [etc.]
{cf. I:45.}
raise the spell = 991 = to enter into (etc.)
raise the spell (f) = ineffable place / ineffable god / the ineffable
{i.e. to discover the “word not known” by raising one’s game another level, is as much as to enter into some Sanctuary ineffable. The word not known is then unknown because incommunicable. Note that ra-hoor-khuit equals 1098 which is also “Priestess”; therefore implying the circle, the Holy of Holies.}
21. Set up my image in the East: thou shalt buy thee an image which I will show thee, especial, not unlike the one thou knowest. And it shall be suddenly easy for thee to do this.
{cf. “serpent” in the notes to I:18, which suggest the “image” here; and note that QBL is the same root as the Arabic Kiblah (III:10), and means an “attacking-engine”.}
especial + 666 = 1004 = easy
{cf. the notes to III:11.}
especial + babalon (f) = 544 = prophecy / without object
{cf. III:46, where this is used to indicate a simple prophecy referring to actual events.}
22. The other images group around me to support me: let all be worshipped, for they shall cluster to exalt me. I am the visible object of worship; the others are secret; for the Beast & his Bride are they: and for the winners of the Ordeal x. What is this? Thou shalt know.
ordeal x = 917 = what (f)
{i.e., “What is this” is a statement (“the stops as thou wilt”).}
know = 760 = Nuit (Gk.) / secret, unseen, occult
{i.e., “the others” are secret, Nuit (and Hadit) – cf. II:4, “she shall be known, and I never”.}
ordeal x (f) = 925 = the river of justice / secret, dark / before, in front; earlier; superior
{Refers to the ordeal itself. “Justice” relates to lover, and so it presumably the passage of the Abyss. It is an ordeal, because it is inevitable once the aspirant has attained to his H.G.A.}
visible object(f) = 1170 = secret, hidden, occult / Horus (Gk.)
{The visible object is of course Horus; but this has already been connected with Nuit, and therefore Hadit; which are “secret”. This refers back to know = 760 = Nuit / secret [etc.], above.}
46. I am the warrior Lord of the Forties: the Eighties cower before me, & are abased. I will bring you to victory & joy: I will be at your arms in battle & ye shall delight to slay. Success is your proof; courage is your armour; go on, go on, in my strength; & ye shall turn not back for any!
forties = 690 = the perfect
eighties = 544 = prophecy, oracle / without object
{Suggests a purely literal interpretation: i.e., the Second World War and the self-serving Western culture typified by the Eighties, which was a most shameful and embarrassing decade.}
47. This book shall be translated into all tongues: but always with the original in the writing of the Beast; for in the chance shape of the letters and their position to one another: in these are mysteries that no Beast shall divine. Let him not seek to try: but one cometh after him, whence I say not, who shall discover the Key of it all. Then this line drawn is a key: then this circle squared in its failure is a key also. And Abrahadabra. It shall be his child & that strangely. Let him not seek after this; for thereby alone can he fall from it.
{The circle is not squared, and seeking after the key ends in “falling from it”. This is a trap for the unwary!}
key = 834 = skew / paths
{cf. II:32, “skew-wise”. This prophecy was fulfilled by Frater Achad, who did eventually “skew” the “Paths” of the Tree of Life (see QBL, or The Bride’s Reception). Noting “skew-wise”:}
and abrahadabra = 275 = I am
and abrahadabra = 333 = Choronzon
{This is all meant to signify failure, which is 560 = not of me (I:49).}
strangely = 1511 = νυ-ομικρον-ταυ, “not” (the sum of the letter names of the English word “not” when spelt in Greek; i.e., “not” in a strange way.)
49. I am in a secret fourfold word, the blasphemy against all gods of men.
50. Curse them! Curse them! Curse them!
fourfold = 695 = twofold
{Notwithstanding Crowley’s comment to the effect that this “fourfold word” is “Do what thou wilt”, it is here “Bahlasti Ompehda” – see v.54.}
blasphemy = 1183 = to delude
blasphemy (f) = 1195 = sorcery
{Blasphemy is essentially a kind of sorcery, or willed delusion.}
all gods of men (f) = 588 = none, nothing / perfect, complete
{“There is no other God than me, and my lord Hadit.” (I:21). Note that this, with “fourfold”, illustrates the 0 = 2 equation.}
curse them (f) = 1069 = worship / the viewpoint
{“Let all be worshipped!” If one wishes to curse something, one must love it to death, causing all the flaws to be resolved by death (change).}
54. Bahlasti! Ompehda! I spit on your crapulous creeds.
{Now regarding the blasphemous “fourfold word” (v.49) which is twofold, we see that the twofold “Bahlasti Ompehda” is an anagram of the fourfold “A blasphemi to Had”. Admittedly the spelling is bad, but is it not written “I am in a secret fourfold word”? “Had” is indeed “all gods of men”, since he is “the manifestation of Nuit”, i.e., “Had” is the word of the Creation; and so he is the root of the “Creator” concept (see John 1:1, etc.). Essentially, this is an attack on the “ontological argument”. The ontological argument defines God as the subject of all predicates that belong to existence; and that since existence is such a predicate, the subject must have the predicate “existence”, and therefore exists. This argument, as Kant famously pointed out, is simply a petitio principii: existence is not a predicate, and a hundred imaginary thalers have all the same predicates as a hundred real thalers.38The concept of “creation” does not imply a “creator”; and indeed, if a putative creator may be self-defined, why should not creation be so? This is another way of putting the question “What created God?” It may be stated that the consideration of creation as being one “pole” of the 0 = 2 equation (Nothing = Existence) is not a mere side-stepping of the question itself, and neither is it a statement to the effect that existence implies non-existence, or vice versa. It does not matter that the “Absolute Zero” does not imply existence any more than creation implies a creator, since one is not attempting to prove the existence of existence (or the existence of non-existence, for that matter), but one may say that “Something Is” if one accepts the contrary “Nothing Is Not”, and its trinity.39Nothing – Nothing Is – Nothing Is Not (see The Naples Arrangement; it is our “Not Trinity”). This does not really help to avoid argument about “existence”, but merely states the problem in a workmanlike manner, without forcing us to an “ultimate”. It does not say anything about the universe, nor can it (nor can anyone!); but it may say the least, and so is the most defensible. See Crowley’s The Soldier and the Hunchback: ! and ?, and Berashith: An Essay in Ontology. What is being attacked is the “Creator Creed”, which reasons backwards from creation, stating that creation implies a creator; whereas in fact the very concept of a creator arises out of creation – of thought – itself. And this may be taken further, to include all gods which are conceived as “agents”, which are not gods in any real sense, but merely parts of creation.}
71. Hail! ye twin warriors about the pillars of the world! for your time is nigh at hand.
72. I am the Lord of the Double Wand of Power; the wand of the Force of Coph Nia-but my left hand is empty, for I have crushed an Universe; & nought remains.
universe = nought remains (f) / power of the word
{Clear.}
remains(f) = everywhere
{Note that “nought remains” is as much as to say “Nothing Is” (vide supra), which corresponds with the Hebrew Ain Soph. “Coph nia” was supposed to be a stab by Ouarda at “Ain Soph”, but somewhat reversed (as of course Hebrew is written right to left). The Ain Soph is Nuit, the circle, as it were unmanifest; that is, this is a statement of the uncreation, the corollary of I:1. Creation implies uncreation, after all!}
73. Paste the sheets from right to left and from top to bottom: then behold!
{i.e., bind them into a book.}
74. There is a splendour in my name hidden and glorious, as the sun of midnight is ever the son.
75. The ending of the words is the Word Abrahadabra.
coph nia = 229 = the silence
coph nia (f) = 239 = iron / endurance; victory
{i.e., silence and strength (as III:70). Iron is the metal of Geburah, “Strength”.}
{Note also: ain soph = 429 = coph nia + 200 (Resh, Atu XIX, “The Sun”). Also, since the “wand of the Force of Coph Nia” is a “Double Wand”if “coph nia”, note:}
coph nia × 2 = 458 = nigh at hand
coph nia (f) × 2 = 478 = pillars(f)
{cf. III:71. “Pillars” are then the fourfold pillars holding up the plate of iron in the Egyptian mythos, and the two pillars of the Tree of Life. There is a suggestion of the altar of III:30.}
Love is the law, love under will.
Frater Hoor
☉ in ♋ : ☽ in ♒ : Anno IVxi aerâ novâ
16th July 2003 aerâ vulgari
Valley of London
(This revision 63/5/100 a.n.)
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36 And indeed it is used to mean “obstruction” in modern English, as also a mistake for “abstraction”.
37 I believe beef is generally preferred.
38 The concept of “creation” does not imply a “creator”; and indeed, if a putative creator may be self-defined, why should not creation be so? This is another way of putting the question “What created God?”
39 Nothing – Nothing Is – Nothing Is Not (see The Naples Arrangement; it is our “Not Trinity”). This does not really help to avoid argument about “existence”, but merely states the problem in a workmanlike manner, without forcing us to an “ultimate”. It does not say anything about the universe, nor can it (nor can anyone!); but it may say the least, and so is the most defensible. See Crowley’s The Soldier and the Hunchback: ! and ?, and Berashith: An Essay in Ontology.