FRATER SUPERIOR BAPHOMET X



This is the Word of Baphomet

to All Members of the O.T.O.

VELHMA


This memorandum or epistle is evidently Baphomet X's first step towards
"thelemicizing" the rituals of the O.T.O.internal evidence shows that the
rituals he refers to are the original unrevised Rite. It is also his first
attempt to institute the custom of exchanging the Law on social occasions,
which has since become abbreviated to the familiar "93!", although Baphomet
himself held tenaciously to the literal form. Although an early document and
superseded in some minor technical points by his later work, it nevertheless
stands as an instructive paper. 93!H.B.


IN opening Lodge in any grade, the R.W.M. as he opens the book will say: "Do
what thou wilt shall be the shole of the Law." In closing the second officer
will say this before saying: "I declare the Lodge closed accordingly."

In greeting any other person, even a stranger, this may and should be said,
e.g. "Pleased to make your acquaintance. Do what etc." If the person is one
of us, let him reply: "Love is the law, love under will." This should be the
regular morning greeting in a household: also at Good-night. It is not
obligatory, though it is desirable to make it a habit. It may be omitted to
a superior, if you are afraid (but why should a King have a superior or be
afraid?) that he will think you mad. All letters, especially official O.T.O.
or A...A... letters should open with that sentence.

In conferring a grade, at the obligation, say: "Do what thou wilt etc. I will
and do declare you a man and a `Brother' or whatever it is. Also, closing,
after F.F.F. all add "The word of the Law is Thelema."

The phrase should also be employed on all solemn occasions of consent. This
I have used in accepting a pupil: "Do what etc., I, so and so, will and do
take thee, so and so, for my son (or daughter)." He or she replies in the
same terms using "Father" instead of "son."

Repeat this for "brother" and "sister." Repeat again for "friend" and
"friend." (You can raise the pupil, who is kneeling, at this, by the hand.
Embrace for "brother" and kiss for "friend.") All this preaching is of
supreme A...A... importance. Observe that to revolutionize the world, as I
am now about to do, one must not worry over individuals or details. One must
take some very simple, very deep word, which cuts at the heart of things. The
Buddha did not attack caste and so on; he just said "Anatta" and Hinduism
crumbled at the touch. So Mohammed said "Allahu achad" and upset the whole
show. I say VELHMA. Go on, therefore, preaching this and nothing else, in
season and out of season. You won't have to wait long for results. You must
however be ready to explain that it does not mean surrendering to every whim,
but the reverse. It involves finding out Who you are, and why you came into
this world, and never swerving a hair's breadth from that Will. It's Ekagata
plus Gnana, more or less. But simpler.