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KWard: A.'.A.'.s

To: alt.magick,alt.magick.tyagi,alt.magick.order
From: tyagi@houseofkaos.abyss.com (mordred)
Subject: KWard: A.'.A.'.s (Reflection)
Date: 25 Jun 1995 12:23:33 -0700

[From: KEN WARD  in Thelema93-L and via personal email]

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

When I first discovered the writings of Aleister Crowley in 1971 e.v.
I was drawn immediately to Thelema.  Of particular interest and desire
to me (perhaps naively) was to find an authentic link to the A.'.A.'.
in the outer.  Although I have had some interest in the O.T.O. my
main preoccupation lies with the A.'.A.'.

Over the years many with whom I have communicated have told me that
the A.'.A.'. no longer exists in the outer.  Perhaps they are right?
Nevertheless, I continued my search regardless.  I will attempt to
relay this search to you as briefly as possible.  Of course most of
the early addresses given will most likely be out-of-date but I
include them for completeness sake.

WILLIAM W. WEBB (P.O. Box 1166, Ramona, CA 92065)

In 1973 I contacted a W.W. Webb who told me the following:
"If you wish to submit your application as probationer in the A.'.A.'.
you may do so."  I continued to correspond with him for awhile and
sort of had my doubts about his claim.  Eventually after I had talked
to others about his claim he denied the whole thing!  Later, in 1978,
I heard from him again, this time in connection with the Q.B.L.H., the
group that bases its work on Frater Achad's writings.

In 1975 I wrote to the late Israel Regardie asking about the A.'.A.'.
and he gave me the following contact:

JAMES LEE MUSIC (General Delivery, Pine Grove Mills, PA 16868)

I made contact and corresponded with a Joseph C. Lisiewski, Jr. (3=8)
until 1977 when response abruptly ended.

MARCELLO MOTTA'S A.'.A.'. (P.O.Box 60411, Nashville, TN 37206)

About the same time I discovered Motta's so-called A.'.A.'. and for
reasons which escape me now I decided to become a Probationer on
Sept.1, 1975.  My Neophyte was J. Daniel Gunther who I found to be
quite lacking as guide let alone a teacher.  He continually made
mistakes but would never own up to it.  When I submitted my record
after a year he requested that I repeat my Probation.  I hesitated
and he promptly expelled me!  Some years later (1979) I got a letter
from a Jelks H. Cabaniss III explaining that my ex-Neophyte had 
been expelled himself and that I was welcome to continue.  Again
I hesitated and he expelled me for life!  Oh dear!

COLLEGE OF THELEMA (Old: P.O. Box 2043, Dublin, CA 94566)
                   (Now: P.O. Box 415, Oroville, CA 95965)

In 1978 I contacted Soror Meral (Phyllis McMurtry/Seckler) and began
receiving "In the Continuum" magazine.  I was somewhat impressed by 
it all but it had been suggested by some that the Jane Wolfe lineage
was somewhat suspect and also the in-person instruction and initiation
was difficult for me considering my location.

THE ABBEY OF THELEMA (P.O. Box 666, Old Greenwich, CT 06870)

Out of the blue in 1989 Gregory von Seewald of the Abbey of Thelema
contacted me asking various questions and claiming A.'.A.'. connection.
I never did join (once bitten, twice shy I guess) but have continued
correspondence with him ever since and we have a good relationship.

RAY EALES (P.O. Box 24691, Tampa, FL 33623)

Also in 1989 I responded to an ad in _Magical Blend_ magazine which
claimed to have connections to the A.'.A.'..  Mr. Eales replied.
Apparently he is carrying on Motta's A.'.A.'. after Motta's death.
He more or less offered to forgive and forget if I joined again but
I haven't heard from him since.

ANTHRA ANDROMDA (P.O. Box 944, Chewelah, WA 99109)

In 1991 I contacted this so-called representative of the A.'.A.'.
who also claims that his mother is a space alien!  Enough said!

TEMPLE OF THELEMA (222 North Manhattan Place, Los Angeles, CA 90004)

Late in 1994 I made contact with James A. Eshelman of The Temple of
Thelema/College of Thelema and ordered his book _The Mystical and
Magical System of the A.'.A.'._.  I found the book very informative
and helpful and I have been corresponding with him ever since.

Well that's it to date.  Does the A.'.A.'. exits in the outer?  Is it
right here before my nose?  What do you think?  I continue my search
but I also continue the practises and study on my own.

Love is the law, love under will.

O.v.N.

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