This document is an excerpt from the O.T.O. Newsletter vol. I, no. 2. and is published here with the permission of the author. -- Fr. HRN

In the past three issues of the O.T.O. NEWSLETTER, several aspects of LIBER AL, THE BOOK OF THE LAW, have been taken up. One thing that seems to have been left out, however is DOING LIBER AL... that is, practices that relate to the book but do not involve mental study as the primary activity. This brief article will mention a few ideas that may be of interest.

Memorization and diary: Consider writing one verse of Liber AL per page of your diary, or per entry. The verse could be memorized through mental repetition throughout the day.

Thoth working: Copy the entire text out by hand. This is a very good practice to perform before one's meditation.

Bibliomancy: When in need of divination, simply open Liber AL at random and take an omen from whatever verse strikes your eye. Crowley cast aspersions on bibliomancy in general, but he often advised the use of Liber AL in this manner. The operative principle behind this method rests on the esteem in which the book is held.

Agreements between Thelemites: When engaging in business, parting, meeting or otherwise holding gentle commerce between Thelemites, an appropriate act would be the reading or recitation of the first chapter of Liber Al together. This practice is similar to the manner of Moslems with the first chapter of the Koran.

In times of confusion and loneliness: Try reading or reciting the second chapter of Liber AL. This practice is also advised as a preliminary to study or the making of a difficult decision.

In times of physical and Magical danger: The third chapter is a proper device. Read it or recite it together before entering military combat, going to a dangerous place, or in times of fear. A letter or other document that is loaded with bad vibes may be neutralized through placement in the third chapter of Liber AL -- kindly do not over-stuff the book with old bills.

Mantra: This is a particular favorite of the Caliph. Some of the passages in Liber AL lend themselves very well to mantric chant. This is particularly true of the poetic variations on The Stele of the Revealing that are present in Liber AL. Many of these lines are a bit far removed from literal translation of the lines of the Stele, but poetry transcends precision in the strictly literal manner. Suggested sections for mantra include: I: 14, II: 17. III: 37 and 38. The last mentioned is of particular value in circle chants with many people: "Show thy star-splendour, O Nuit! Bid me within thine House to dwell, O winged snake of light, Hadit! Abide with me, Ra-Hoor-Khuit!"

Artistry: Draw, model or paint the images of the deities in Liber AL. Make the devices described. Illustrate the images.

Astral Travel: Journey to the temples and places mentioned.

Invocation of the deities: This is particularly important for Order work. Such invocation can be active on many levels. It can be a simple practice to lessen the problems of the day, or it can become a key to the inner workings of Thelema. If you are oppressed with anger or frustration, your Hadit nature is too contracted. It is correct to invoke Nuit. If you are without aim or focus, your Nuit nature is too diffuse. It is then correct to invoke Hadit. For the two forms of Horus, study the two parts of the third chapter to obtain a subtle understanding. Consider the two basic forms of souls. Crowley said that a man's soul is concentrated in a core, while a woman's soul is empty -- its essence is on the outside. This classification is not strictly one of physical gender; more it is a way of speaking about a primary mystery. The same mystery is voiced when it is said that: "The aspirants to A.'.A.'. are men. The brothers of A.'.A.'. are women." This mystery cannot be explained fully outside of initiation; but it is closely related to the invocation of the deities of Liber AL, and to the differences between a "male" or Outer Order like O.T.O. and a "female" or Inner Order like A.'.A.'. As an aid to these things, try this. Meditate on all that surrounds you as a single thing apart from you. Continue this mental focus until all about you is like a vast and crowded shell of alien matter. This is the concentration in the outer of Hadit. Turn your concentration inward to the essential point of self. This is the concentration in the inner of Hadit. Then let the point quest toward the shell outside. Let a great yearning grow toward the ending of the separation. Now, let your mind extend itself to objects near you. Feel the calendar on the wall, the wall itself, the earth outside, the sky -- all as parts of your essential self. When this identification becomes so complete that you are able to see through solid objects with Astral vision, you have come to Nuit in the outer. To discover the inner of Nuit, you must learn to sacrifice a part of the grip you hold to your physical body.

Literal Practices: At times, especially in the third chapter of Liber AL, practices are suggested that are only valid in a crude manner in the most extreme of circumstances. Be cautious in listening to the voice of the Ape of Thoth. Many of the things that can be literally done according to Liber AL are not so limited by circumstance. Physical love between two people of any physical gender is a thing of beauty. Let circumstance and good sense determine these workings. With regard to strange drugs -- reckon by the whole of the Law.

Other ways of doing: These are many. Establishment of feasts, design of ritual, passing out copies of Liber AL ... the list is endless.