James A. Eshelman’s The Mystical & Magical System of the A∴A∴
Mystical and Magical System of the A∴A∴
The College of Thelema
2000
282
James A. Eshelman’s The Mystical & Magical System of the A∴A∴ (The Spiritual System of Aleister Crowley & George Cecil Jones Step-by-Step) is a roughly 8.5 by 11 inch hardback published by The College of Thelema on paper meeting the Z38.48 standard (this is what used to be called “acid-free paper”).
The first 170 pages start with a brief history of the A∴A∴ which carefully lays out the differences between the degree system of the A∴A∴ and that of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (as it existed in the late 1890’s, which Eshelman refers to as the “old Order” to differentiate from the Ordo G∴D∴ of the A∴A∴). Although both systems define degrees that map onto the Tree of Life, the A∴A∴ stresses actual mastery and attainment, so that “A Zelator (2°=9⸋), or even an advanced Neophyte (1°=10⸋), of the A∴A∴ is every bit the equal of a 5=6 of the old Order.” Indeed, one of Crowley’s chief criticisms of the old order was that “The Order failed to initiate.” Eshelman doesn’t discuss any modern non-A∴A∴ Golden Dawn orders.
After the introduction, each chapter explains one of the A∴A∴ grades, starting with the student grade, a period of study that precedes the Probationer Grade (0°=0⸋). The book ends with the Adeptus Exemptus Grade (7°=4⸋). Each chapter explains the goal of the grade, what kinds of practices will be studied, how those practices are tested, and an overview of the initiation or transition leading to the next grade.
The key goal of the A∴A∴ system is the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. The student will learn many skills leading up to the Adeptus Minor Grade (5°=6⸋) and will attain K&C in this grade, transitioning from Adeptus Minor (Without) to Adeptus Minor (Within). This is the grade associated with Tiphareth. Indeed, this point emphasizes the spectacular claim of the A∴A∴: that if the work is done, and the goals are mastered, then K&C of the HGA will be attained.
The first 33 pages of this book provide an excellent overview of the history and goals of the A∴A∴ and should be read by anyone wishing to learn more about the order. Appendices start on page 171 and contain various reprints of instructions and notes about the A∴A∴ system. All of the material necessary for a course of A∴A∴ study is in print and readily available on the Internet. Only a few of the initiation ceremonies are unpublished (or difficult to find), not because of secrecy but because the ceremony is more profound if the initiate does not know beforehand what will happen.
Eshelman is associated with The College of Thelema (thelema.org) and the Temple of Thelema and was admitted to the A∴A∴ as a Probationer by Soror Meral (Phyllis Seckler) in 1979. (Phyllis Seckler was initiated by Soror Estai (Jane Wolfe), who was initiated by Aleister Crowley.)