Brief A.'. A.'. question.

[Blythe A. Blanche]

<center><b><i>Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.</i></b></center>

I know Crowley says in <i>One Star in Sight</i> that the A.'. A.'. is supposed to function so that, say a Neophyte knows only the Probationer he helps/guides, and the Zelator who helps/guides him. This all makes sense for the reasons provided therein, but I was wondering where the line is drawn regarding privacy. Would a member be discouraged from admitting his membership to those outside the Order? And if so, is this strictly forbidden, or just frowned upon? Thanks for your help.

<center><b><i>Love is the law, love under will.</i></b></center>

[Edward Mason]

93,

From The Task of a Probationer:

He shall everywhere proclaim openly his connection to the A.A. and speak of It and Its principles (even so little as he understandeth) for that mystery is the enemy of Truth.

This is repeated in the Task of a Neophyte, of a Zelator, etc.

93 93/93,

Edward

[Blythe A. Blanche]

93,
Thanks for your response, Edward. I have another question with regard to Liber Resh that didn't seem important or urgent enough to merit the start of another thread. This is for anyone who might be able to help:

Is one to maintain the sign of their Grade throughout the entire prayer (if that's the appropriate term), or just before reciting the text? Also, would a Probationer use the sign of a Neophyte, or is there another I'm not aware of?

I realize these are probably questions better suited for my Superior, but frankly, this is a lot quicker way to get a response for such basic questions.

Thanks for your help.

93, 93/93,

Blythe

[Edward Mason]

93,

During the Adoration in Resh, I've always used the Sign of Osiris Risen - arms crossed over the chest, right over left, fingers touching the shoulders.

In the opening "Hail unto thee ...X ...", use whatever sign you were taught as a Probationer. The Sign of the Enterer is certainly usable here. If you like, there's a well established tradition of using the published grade signs - Zelator for Air/East, Philosophus for Fire/South, Practicus for Water/West, Neophyte for Earth/North.

93 93/93,

Edward

[Blythe A. Blanche]

I have another brief question that doesn't seem quite worth of its own thread:

A fellow Thelemite told me that a member of the A.'. A.'. is not to inform anyone of their Grade therein. But elsewhere it instructs the Adept to declare his membership openly to all.

Is one to say "I'm a Brother of the A.'. A.'." without mentioning their Grade, or is it reserved only for the knowledge of those within the Order, or what?

Thank you for any help you can give.
Frater A.A.P.P.

[Jim Eshelman]

A fellow Thelemite told me that a member of the A.'. A.'. is not to inform anyone of their Grade therein. But elsewhere it instructs the Adept to declare his membership openly to all.

Is one to say "I'm a Brother of the A.'. A.'." without mentioning their Grade, or is it reserved only for the knowledge of those within the Order, or what?

There's no actual rule. But prudence often suggests that one not mention a grade unless there's an actual reason for it. For one thing, one circumvents some ego-inflation issues that way. There's also a certain sensibility that one tends to develop as one moves through the grades, and that sensibility causes one usually to refrain from mentioning a grade unless there's a compelling reason.

[frateruranus]

All you need to know about someone's A.'.A.'. grade is if they are a Neophyte and then if they are a Zelator etc. ad nauseam until you get to a certain point and from there you're usually on your own.