Many phrases and words in the Book of the Law, especially in the third chapter 'spoken' by Heru-Ra-Ha, cause natural aversions in readers. Is there a possible layer of interpretation of these tabu words approachable through their etymological roots?
Firstly, Crowley's commentary on this chapter should be mentioned:
The first two chapters of this Book describe Ideas without limit; the third concerns a fixed Event due to one union of them, namely the coming of
HERU-RA-HA.The contents of the chapter are instructions to those who are to govern His Aeon in His Name; and these rulers will appeal to me The Beast 666 for a comment upon the text when need is.
Aum Ha.
He appears to be implying that the first two chapters refer to two ineffable Ideas (Nuit & Hadit) and the third is a conjunction of these two, applicable only to a certain Aeon (this falls in line with his Qabalistic mode of understanding Thelema which is apparent in the first chapter of Magick in Theory & Practice and elsewhere). This may make certain lines more intelligble (e.g. 'Fourties' refers to 1940s if this chapter is anchored temporally in 1904).
reward (III:1) - Etymologically, from 1300 the meaning of 'reward' meant, "a regarding, heeding, observation." In this sense, "Abrahadabra" is the observation, heeding, acknowledging of Ra Hoor Khut. " 'Ward' etymologically refers to, "a guarding, a watchman, a sentry," and so re-ward may mean "to guard, watch, etc. again." Crowley writes, "Observe firstly the word "reward", which is to be compared with the words "hiding" and "manifestation" in the former chapters. To 're-ward' is to 'guard again'; this word Abrahadabra then is also to be considered as a Sentinel before the Fortress of the God."
hither homeward (III:2) - 'hither' suggests 'here' and 'homeward' suggests 'going in the direction of home'
defunct (III:2) - "The word 'defunct' is decidedly curious; the implication is 'no longer able to fulfil its function'." (A.C.) Etymologically, 'defunct' is from the Latin defunctus "dead," lit. "off-duty," which in turn is from from pp. of defungi "to discharge, finish," from de- "off, completely," + fungi "perform or discharge duty."
War (III:3) - If we transliterate the letters of War into Hebrew we have Vav-Aleph-Resh, the enumeration of "Aur" (light) and "Ain Soph" (without limit). War also refers to the inherent conflict or agon of forces in all things (Heraclitus). Etymologically, cognates suggest the original sense of 'war' was "to bring into confusion," which has interesting implications when juxtaposed with the infamous quotation from Friedrich Nietzsche, "You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star."
Vengeance (III:3) - Etymologically, 'vengeance' comes from the Latin vindicare "to set free, claim, avenge." Traditionally, Horus is the 'Avenger' of his father Osiris, who was tricked and dismembered by Set. In Crowley's "Supreme Ritual," which he used as his invocation of Horus before the reception, he writes, "Strike, strike the master chord! / Draw, draw the Flaming Sword! / Crowned Child and Conquering Lord, / Horus, Avenger!"
island (III:4) - Crowley writes in his commentary to ch.61 of Book of Lies, "Oe= Island, a common symbol of Nibbana [known more commonly as Nirvana]." Etymologically, 'island' comes from the Proto-Germanic aujo "thing on the water" + land. An Old English cognate was ealand "river-land, watered place, meadow by a river."
Fortify (III:5) - 'Fortify' originally comes from the Latin fortificare, which comes from fortis "strong" + facere "to make"... or simply "to make strong." It has also meant specifically, "to strengthen mentally or morally" since 1477. It has also been attested to mean, "add liquor or alcohol" since 1880...
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