T∴G∴D∴ | Ordo et Templum Aurorae Aureae Novae
Founded In Service to the A∴A∴
"Who calls us Thelemites will do no wrong, if he look but close into theword. For there are therein Three Grades, the Hermit, and the Lover, andthe man of Earth. Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." (AL I:40)
THELEMIC GRADES AND THEIR SYMBOLS
The Thelemic nature of the Order system is threefold, that is, it has three primary Grades of Initiation, called the Hermit, the Lover, and the Man of Earth.
The first Grade is called the Man of Earth - (for men), Woman of Earth (for women), or WoMan of Earth (for both sexes). It concerns the mysteries of the First Order (G. D.) of the Neophyte, Zelator and Dominus Liminis. The First Order of the WoMan of Earth Triad teaches the Lesser Mysteries of Nature. Its corresponding Qabalistic Part of the Soul is the Nephesch (Animal Soul). Its corresponding Alchemical Principle is Salt. Its corresponding Yogic Guna is Tamas. The Magical Symbol of the WoMan of Earth grade is the Fivefold Star or Pentagram, which is a symbol of the five Elements and the Microcosm or Little Universe. The Pentagram is also linked with the four Elemental and Magical Powers of the Sphinx, and with a fifth Magical Power linked to Spirit. The four Elemental Powers of the Sphinx are “to Know, to Dare, to Will, and to Keep Silent.” In Latin these four Powers are called Velle for Will, Audere for Courage, Tacere for Silence, and Scire for Knowledge. The fifth Spiritual Power of the Sphinx is called Ire in the Latin tongue, and it is the power “to Go”. The Pentagram is a symbol of the Magical Power “to Go”, which is the function of a God, or the act of doing one’s True Will. The WoMan of Earth is ultimately an initiate of the Four Powers of the Sphinx, synthesizing these Four Powers into One, to attain the fifth Power of the Sphinx, called “to Go”.
The second Grade is called the Lover. It concerns the mysteries of the Second Order (R. C.) of the Adeptus Minor, Adeptus Major, and Adeptus Exemptus. The Second Order of the Lover Triad concentrates and expounds the Greater Mysteries of Nature. Its corresponding Qabalistic Part of the Soul is the Ruach (Mind, Reason, or Intellect). Its corresponding Alchemical Principle is Sulphur. Its corresponding Yogic Guna is Rajas. The Magical Symbol of the Lover grade is the Sixfold Star or Unicursal Hexagram, also called the Holy Hexagram, which is a symbol of the One Path of the Sun, and of the Macrocosm or Greater Universe. The Hexagram also indicates the Union of the Magical Opposites in Nature, and the Sacred Product of their Holy Union, which we call Lapis Philosophorum, the Stone of the Philosophers. The Hexagram is a perfect geometrical symbol of the Stone of the Philosophers, also called Lapis Mercurius, the Stone of Mercury. Ergo, it is a symbol of what we call the Mystery of Mysteries and the Secret of Secrets, which is also symbolized by Baphomet, and the Hermetic Androgyne or Hermaphrodite, who is the Mercury of the Sages.
The third Grade is called the Hermit. It concerns the mysteries of the Third Order (S. S.) of the Magister Templi, Magus, and Ipsissimus. The Third Order of the Hermit Triad is above and beyond the lesser and greater, the outer and inner: it is the Invisible Apex of the Triangle of Initiation. Its corresponding Qabalistic Part of the Soul is the Neschamah (Divine Soul, Intelligence, Intuition). Its corresponding Alchemical Principle is Mercury. Its corresponding Yogic Guna is Sattva. The Magical Symbol of the Hermit grade is the Sevenfold Star or Heptagram, which is the symbol of BABALON, and of those who have given their life’s blood to Her Service. It is sevenfold, indicating the Completion of the Great Work and the attainment of the Highest Form of Existence. It symbolizes the fulfillment of the Alchemical Formula of VITRIOL, which is a Notariqon for "Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem," which is Latin for "Visit the Interior of the Earth; by Rectification you will Discover the Secret Stone."