The Great Work - Revision history

Frater C.U.G.: spellchecked

2005-08-10T02:56:54Z

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	==In the Qabalah==		==In the Qabalah==

	The term "great work" does not exist in classic Qabalistic texts such as the [[Zohar]] or [[Sepher Yetzirah]]. However, the concept appears in the writings of Qabalists throughout the ~~Rennaisance~~:		The term "great work" does not exist in classic Qabalistic texts such as the [[Zohar]] or [[Sepher Yetzirah]]. However, the concept appears in the writings of Qabalists throughout the Renaissance:

	:''Do not pray for your own needs, for your prayer will not then be accepted. But when you want to pray, do so for the heaviness of the Head. For whatever you lack, the Divine Presence also lacks.		:''Do not pray for your own needs, for your prayer will not then be accepted. But when you want to pray, do so for the heaviness of the Head. For whatever you lack, the Divine Presence also lacks.

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2005-03-26T03:10:55Z

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			{{93}}
	'''The Great Work''' (lat: ''Magnum Opus''), within [[Thelema]], is the process of attaining Knowledge and Conversation of the [[Holy Guardian Angel]] and learning and accomplishing one's [[True Will]]. The concept originates as far back as Medieval [[alchemy]], and came to Thelema through [[Hermeticism\|Hermetic Magic]] informed by the [[Qabalah]].		'''The Great Work''' (lat: ''Magnum Opus''), within [[Thelema]], is the process of attaining Knowledge and Conversation of the [[Holy Guardian Angel]] and learning and accomplishing one's [[True Will]]. The concept originates as far back as Medieval [[alchemy]], and came to Thelema through [[Hermeticism\|Hermetic Magic]] informed by the [[Qabalah]].

Ash: Reverted edit of Adityanath, changed back to last version by Ash

2005-01-15T16:39:25Z

Reverted edit of Adityanath, changed back to last version by Ash

New page

'''The Great Work''' (lat: ''Magnum Opus''), within [[Thelema]], is the process of attaining Knowledge and Conversation of the [[Holy Guardian Angel]] and learning and accomplishing one's [[True Will]]. The concept originates as far back as Medieval [[alchemy]], and came to Thelema through [[Hermeticism|Hermetic Magic]] informed by the [[Qabalah]].

==In the Qabalah==

The term "great work" does not exist in classic Qabalistic texts such as the [[Zohar]] or [[Sepher Yetzirah]]. However, the concept appears in the writings of Qabalists throughout the Rennaisance:

:''Do not pray for your own needs, for your prayer will not then be accepted. But when you want to pray, do so for the heaviness of the Head. For whatever you lack, the Divine Presence also lacks.

:''This is because man is a "portion of God from on high." Whatever any part lacks, also exists in the Whole, and the Whole feels the lack of the part, You should therefore pray for the needs of the Whole.'' (from a disciple of the Kabbalist R. Israel Baal Shem Tov)

The classic Jewish Kabbalist is less concerned about the Great Work as a manifestation of "True Will" than he or she is as a part of bringing the world back to the state which the Creator intended. Thus one finds current Jewish Kabbalistic movements such as the Kabbalah Center in Jerusalem recruiting new "converts" to Kabbalah (such as Madonna) in an attempt to bring each new Kabbalist into their concept of the Great Work. As more individuals come into the Kabbalistic system, the closer the world comes to perfection as was originally conceived in the Kabbalistic scheme.

==Eliphas Levi and the Golden Dawn==

[[Eliphas Levi]], the first of the modern "ceremonial magicians" and predecessor to the "[[Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn|Golden Dawn]]" defined the Great Work thus:

:''The magnum opus is pre-eminently the creation of man by himself, that is, the full and complete conquest which he can make of his faculties and his future; it is pre-eminently the perfect emancipation of his will.''

The modern incarnation of the Golden Dawn defines the Great Work as "a term borrowed from alchemy's magnum opus. Refers to the path of human spiritual evolution, growth and illumination, which is the goal of ceremonial magic."

==Crowley's Interpretation in the New Aeon==

Like the Golden Dawn, Thelemites view the Great Work, at least with respect to the individual magician, as being the quest for Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. However, Crowley never lost sight that the individual Great Work contributes ultimately to the Great Work of the Universe:

:''The first condition of membership of the [[A.'.A.'.]] is that one is sworn to identify one's own Great Work with that of raising mankind to higher levels, spiritually, and in every other way.'' (''Magick Without Tears,'' ch. 9)

It was the practice of Thelemites at the [[Abbey of Thelema]] in Cefalu, after "[[saying Will]] before Meat," to add the question, "What is the Great Work?" (MTP, ch. 13).

==References==
*Levi, Eliphas. Dogme et rituel de la haute magie, published in English as Transcendental Magic. A.E. Waite, trans.
*Crowley, Aleister. (1997). ''Magick: Book 4.'' 2nd ed. York Beach, Me. : S. Weiser.
*____. (1982). ''Magick Without Tears.'' Phoenix, AZ : Falcon Press
*____. Liber CXCVII. Sir Palamedes the Saracen Knight "A poetic account of the Great Work and enumeration of many obstacles."
[[Category:Thelemic terms]]

Ash: simplification

2004-11-01T03:14:00Z

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Fr. Zabed: added link to qabalah

2004-10-04T01:31:56Z

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	==Overview==		==Overview==

	<b>The Great Work</b> (latin: <i>Magnum Opus</i>) refers in general to the principal goal of the [[Kabbalistic]] or [[Ceremonial]] Magician and specifically to the [[Thelemic Magician]] in the practice of [[Magick]]. Like many other concepts in Thelema, The Great Work is not easily defined. Some basics are clear, however.		<b>The Great Work</b> (latin: <i>Magnum Opus</i>) refers in general to the principal goal of the [[Qabalah\|Kabbalistic]] or [[Ceremonial]] Magician and specifically to the [[Thelemic Magician]] in the practice of [[Magick]]. Like many other concepts in Thelema, The Great Work is not easily defined. Some basics are clear, however.

	The concept is based on the idea that the Universe as we know it was created in perfection but became imperfect through the actions of humanity. It is, therefore, the duty of humans to perfect themselves to restore that perfection in the Universe.		The concept is based on the idea that the Universe as we know it was created in perfection but became imperfect through the actions of humanity. It is, therefore, the duty of humans to perfect themselves to restore that perfection in the Universe.

Isomeme: Added cross-ref to "saying will" entry

2004-09-25T05:12:53Z

Added cross-ref to "saying will" entry

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	<i>"The first condition of membership of the A.'.A.'. is that one is sworn to identify one's own Great Work with that of raising mankind to higher levels, spiritually, and in every other way."</i> (<i>Magick Without Tears</i>, ch. 9, "The Secret Chiefs.")		<i>"The first condition of membership of the A.'.A.'. is that one is sworn to identify one's own Great Work with that of raising mankind to higher levels, spiritually, and in every other way."</i> (<i>Magick Without Tears</i>, ch. 9, "The Secret Chiefs.")

	It was the practice of Thelemites at the Abbey of Thelema in Cefalu, after saying "Will before Meat," to add the question, "What is the Great Work?" (MTP, ch. 13).		It was the practice of Thelemites at the Abbey of Thelema in Cefalu, after "[[saying Will]] before Meat," to add the question, "What is the Great Work?" (MTP, ch. 13).

	==Sources==		==Sources==
	*Levi, Eliphas. <i>Dogme et rituel de la haute magie</i>, published in English as <i>Transcendental Magic</i>. A.E. Waite, trans.		*Levi, Eliphas. <i>Dogme et rituel de la haute magie</i>, published in English as <i>Transcendental Magic</i>. A.E. Waite, trans.

Paradoxosalpha at 02:02, 24 September 2004

2004-09-24T02:02:48Z

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	<b>The Great Work</b>, in Thelema, is the process of attaining [[Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel]] and learning and following one's [[True Will]]. The concept originates as far back as ~~Jewish Kabbalah~~ and came to Thelema through Hermetic Magic.		<b>The Great Work</b>, in Thelema, is the process of attaining [[Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel]] and learning and following one's [[True Will]]. The concept originates as far back as Medieval [[alchemy]], and came to Thelema through Hermetic Magic informed by the Kabbalah.

	==Overview==		==Overview==
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	==History==		==History==
			===Alchemy===

	===Kabbalah===		===Kabbalah===

Frater DVV: /* Overview */

2004-09-23T18:05:29Z

Overview

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:05, 23 September 2004
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			<b>The Great Work</b>, in Thelema, is the process of attaining [[Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel]] and learning and following one's [[True Will]]. The concept originates as far back as Jewish Kabbalah and came to Thelema through Hermetic Magic.

	==Overview==		==Overview==
	~~(NB: this is a work in progress. Anyone editing this please remove this comment as the article is improved)~~

	<b>The Great Work</b> (latin: <i>Magnum Opus</i>) refers in general to the principal goal of the [[Kabbalistic]] or [[Ceremonial]] Magician and specifically to the [[Thelemic Magician]] in the practice of [[Magick]]. Like many other concepts in Thelema, The Great Work is not easily defined. Some basics are clear, however.		<b>The Great Work</b> (latin: <i>Magnum Opus</i>) refers in general to the principal goal of the [[Kabbalistic]] or [[Ceremonial]] Magician and specifically to the [[Thelemic Magician]] in the practice of [[Magick]]. Like many other concepts in Thelema, The Great Work is not easily defined. Some basics are clear, however.

Frater DVV at 18:02, 23 September 2004

2004-09-23T18:02:38Z

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	<i>"The magnum opus is pre-eminently the creation of man by himself, that is, the full and complete conquest which he can make of his faculties and his future; it is pre-eminently the perfect emancipation of his will</i>"		<i>"The magnum opus is pre-eminently the creation of man by himself, that is, the full and complete conquest which he can make of his faculties and his future; it is pre-eminently the perfect emancipation of his will</i>"

	The modern incarnation of the [[Order of the Golden Dawn]], the "Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (r), defines the Great Work as "a term borrowed from alchemy's magnum opus. Refers to the path of human spiritual evolution, growth and illumination, which is the goal of ceremonial magic."		The modern incarnation of the "[[Hermetic_Order_of_the_Golden_Dawn\|Order of the Golden Dawn]]," the "Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (r), defines the Great Work as "a term borrowed from alchemy's magnum opus. Refers to the path of human spiritual evolution, growth and illumination, which is the goal of ceremonial magic."

	===Crowley's Interpretation in the New Aeon===		===Crowley's Interpretation in the New Aeon===
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	*Crowley, Aleister. <i>Magick Without Tears</i>. New Falcon Publishing, 1991.		*Crowley, Aleister. <i>Magick Without Tears</i>. New Falcon Publishing, 1991.
	*Crowley, Aleister. Liber CXCVII. <i>Sir Palamedes the Saracen Knight</i> "A poetic account of the Great Work and enumeration of many obstacles."		*Crowley, Aleister. Liber CXCVII. <i>Sir Palamedes the Saracen Knight</i> "A poetic account of the Great Work and enumeration of many obstacles."
			* http://www.hermeticgoldendawn.org/Glossaries.htm . The modern Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn's glossary for definition and discussion of The Great Work and other terms.

Frater DVV at 17:56, 23 September 2004

2004-09-23T17:56:59Z

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	===Crowley's Interpretation in the New Aeon===		===Crowley's Interpretation in the New Aeon===

			Like the Golden Dawn, Thelemites view the Great Work, at least with respect to the individual magician, as being the quest for Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. However, Crowley never lost sight that the individual Great Work contributes ultimately to the Great Work of the Universe:

			<i>"The first condition of membership of the A.'.A.'. is that one is sworn to identify one's own Great Work with that of raising mankind to higher levels, spiritually, and in every other way."</i> (<i>Magick Without Tears</i>, ch. 9, "The Secret Chiefs.")

	It was the practice of Thelemites at the Abbey of Thelema in Cefalu, after saying "Will before Meat," to add the question, "What is the Great Work?" (MTP, ch. 13).		It was the practice of Thelemites at the Abbey of Thelema in Cefalu, after saying "Will before Meat," to add the question, "What is the Great Work?" (MTP, ch. 13).
	==Sources==		==Sources==
	Levi, Eliphas. <i>Dogme et rituel de la haute magie</i>, published in English as <i>Transcendental Magic</i>. A.E. Waite, trans.		*Levi, Eliphas. <i>Dogme et rituel de la haute magie</i>, published in English as <i>Transcendental Magic</i>. A.E. Waite, trans.
	Crowley, Aleister. <i>Magick in Theory and Practice.</i>		*Crowley, Aleister. <i>Magick in Theory and Practice.</i> (in <i>Book Four</i>).Weiser Press, 1994.
	Crowley, Aleister.		*Crowley, Aleister. <i>Magick Without Tears</i>. New Falcon Publishing, 1991.
			*Crowley, Aleister. Liber CXCVII. <i>Sir Palamedes the Saracen Knight</i> "A poetic account of the Great Work and enumeration of many obstacles."