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Aestheteka - Dark Art & The Dark Arts - The Hellfire Club of the Forum World, Home of The Beast
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Zen
The Seated
Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 11655
Respect Earned: +128
Location: Lesser Carpathians, Rusnakia, Ruthenia
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 Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2005 10:24 pm Post subject: The Ranking System |
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The ranking system for Aestheteka is based upon that of the Argenteum Astrum, and is as follows:
Rank....................................Minimum Posts
Probationer 0°=0......................0
Neophyte 1°=10.......................20
Zelator 2°=9.............................50
Practicus 3°=8..........................75
Philosophus 4°=7......................100
Dominus Liminis.........................150
Adeptus Minor 5°=6.................200
Adeptus Major 6°=5.................300
Adeptus Exemptus 7°=4............400
Babe of the Abyss........................500
Magister Templi 8°=3................750
Magus 9°=2...............................1000
Ipsissimus 10°=1.....................2000
Enlightened.................................5000
God............................................10000
Argenteum Astrum, whose primary goals were the pursuit of light and knowledge, define these grades as such:
(0°=0): This grade exists primarily for the candidate to prove himself capable of executing the Great Work, and to prepare him for his initiation into the A∴A∴ proper. His principal business is to begin such practices as he may prefer, and to write a careful record of the same for one year. In this, he is charged with the tasks of attaining a "scientific knowledge of the nature and powers of his own being". Crowley elsewhere mentions that the Probationer must demonstrate a reasonable level of proficiency in the core practices of the Order (as laid out in Liber E and Liber O). This is primarily to ensure that when advancement comes, the newly created Neophyte will have the necessary experience to guide his own Probationers in their work. Initiation into the following grade of Neophyte is conferred after at least one year, through an unpublished ritual titled Liber Throa.
(1°=10): The title of the grade is derived from the Greek neophutos, meaning newly planted. The Neophyte grade is the first grade in which true initiation takes place, and the candidate set in fertile spiritual soil in which to grow. The Neophyte is charged with the task of attaining "control of the nature and powers of [his] own being." This is prosecuted through the acquisition and use of the technique of Rising on the Planes, i.e. by acquiring perfect control of the Astral Plane. Initiation into the grade of Zelator is conferred after a minimum of eight months, through a second unpublished ritual, titled The Passing through the Duat.
(2°=9): His main work is to achieve complete success in Asana and Pranayama. He also begins to study the formula of the Rosy Cross. The word "Zelator" probably stems from the Greek zealos, zeal. This is in reference to the energy-building asanas and pranayamas that characterise the main work of the grade. The Oath of the grade states the Zelator is to "obtain control of the foundations of [his] own being", a reference to the Sephirah Yesod, to which the grade is attributed. Advancement to Practicus is administrative only, requiring no initiatory ritual as such, and may be conferred at any time.
(3°=8): Is expected to complete his intellectual training, and in particular to study the Qabalah. The grade title suggests the "practical" use of the skills acquired through the previous grades. The Practicus is prosecuted to "obtain control of the vacillations of [his] own being", which is to say that he must learn to control his own mind, and become one-pointed in thought, and so in word and action. Advancement to Philosophus, like the advancement to Practicus, is also a purely administrative process, and again may be conferred at any time.
(4°=7): Is expected to complete his moral training. He is tested in Devotion to the Order. In particular, this grade stresses the application of adorations to various deities, such as are outlined in Liber Astarte. The oath of the grade characterises this; the Philosophus resolves to "obtain control of the attractions and repulsions of my own being." This effort is the primarily directed toward transcending the likes and dislikes, deliberately defying one's morality, and so on. The aim is to break out of one's predefined idea of self, and reach a perfectly equanimous perspective. Advancement to Dominus Liminis is made at the perfection of this process, and may take place at any time, with no prescribed ritual.
(the link): The grade of Dominus Liminis is a "bridge" that connects the outer Order of the G∴D∴, centred in Yesod, with the Order of the R∴C∴, centred in Tiphareth. The work of the Dominus Liminis extends and refines the work of the previous grades, synthesising it into a coherent whole. The self-control of the Neophyte, the energy of the Zelator, the one-pointedness of the Practicus and the indifference of the Philosophus are fused together, and turned to the work of strengthening and refining the faculty of aspiration. Indeed, the oath of this grade is precisely this, to "obtain control of the aspirations of [one's] own being". The title "Dominus Liminis" is another reflection of this aspiration: it means "the threshold of the Lord", a reference to the fact that in the next grade, that aspiration will be turned to the attainment of the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel.
(5°=6): The Grade of Adeptus Minor is the main theme of the instructions of the A∴A∴ It is characterised by the Attainment of the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. His work is to manifest the Beauty of the Order to the world, in the way that his superiors enjoin, and his genius dictates.
(6°=5): His work is to use Magical Powers to support the authority of the Exempt Adept his superior. He achieves self-reliance, the proper use of Force, and the authority to govern the lower grades.
(7°=4): The Adept must prepare and publish a thesis setting forth His knowledge of the Universe, and his proposals for its welfare and progress. He will thus be known as the leader of a school of thought. He will have attained all but the supreme summits of meditation, and should be already prepared to perceive that the only possible course for him is to devote himself utterly to helping his fellow creatures.
(the link): The Babe of the Abyss is not a Grade in the proper sense, being rather a passage between the two Orders. It is an annihilation of all the bonds that compose the self or constitute the Cosmos, a resolution of all complexities into their elements, and these thereby cease to manifest, since things are only knowable in respect of their relation to, and reaction on, other things.
or Master of the Temple (8°=3): His principal business is to obtain a perfect understanding of the Universe. The essential Attainment is the perfect annihilation of that personality which limits and oppresses his true self. The Magister Templi is pre-eminently the Master of Mysticism, that is, his Understanding is entirely free from internal contradiction or external obscurity; his Word is to comprehend the existing Universe in accordance with his own Mind.
(9°=2): Attains to Wisdom, declares his law, and is a Master of all Magick in its greatest and highest sense. His will is entirely free from internal diversion or external opposition; His work is to create a new Universe in accordance with his Will.
(10°=1): Beyond the comprehension of the lower degrees. An Ipsissimus is free from limitations and necessity and lives in perfect balance with Nature. Essentially, the highest mode of attainment.
Last edited by Zen on Wed Mar 01, 2006 10:12 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Zen
The Seated
Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 11655
Respect Earned: +128
Location: Lesser Carpathians, Rusnakia, Ruthenia
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| Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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Two more ranks have been added:
Enlightened 5000
GOD 10000
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Zen
The Seated
Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 11655
Respect Earned: +128
Location: Lesser Carpathians, Rusnakia, Ruthenia
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| Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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Note - after 1000 posts, Users may now request their own undertag
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Horror_Writer
Moderator
Joined: 29 Dec 2005
Posts: 4368
Respect Earned: +80
Location: Michigan, USA
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| Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 9:41 pm Post subject: |
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Cool . . . I always wondered what all those strange rankings were supposed to mean.
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I do not hide in shadow, for I am the shadow; thus to hide, I hide within myself. |
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Zen
The Seated
Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 11655
Respect Earned: +128
Location: Lesser Carpathians, Rusnakia, Ruthenia
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| Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 9:42 pm Post subject: |
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my friend, nothing here is randomly placed. all has meaning (although the actual logic pattern behind it may be a tad scarce at times..)
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Horror_Writer
Moderator
Joined: 29 Dec 2005
Posts: 4368
Respect Earned: +80
Location: Michigan, USA
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| Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 9:43 pm Post subject: |
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Oh, I had no doubt of that, I was just glad to see the definitions finally posted.
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I do not hide in shadow, for I am the shadow; thus to hide, I hide within myself. |
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Zen
The Seated
Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 11655
Respect Earned: +128
Location: Lesser Carpathians, Rusnakia, Ruthenia
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| Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 9:45 pm Post subject: |
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they've always been up - just hidden away in The Lore, along with the rules.
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Spirrah
Philosophus 4°=7
Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 144
Respect Earned: +8
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| Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 3:59 am Post subject: |
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"they've always been up - just hidden away in The Lore, along with the rules."
Ya know. That kinda sounds like life. The rules being hidden that is.
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Don't settle for less than your dreams. |
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Zen
The Seated
Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 11655
Respect Earned: +128
Location: Lesser Carpathians, Rusnakia, Ruthenia
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| Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 7:04 am Post subject: |
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that reminds me of the Notice ofDemolition concerning Earth that's been up at teh local Alpha Centurai council building for the last thousand years (HGTTG)
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Alan
Adeptus Major 6°=5
Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 319
Respect Earned: +19
Location: Sydney, Australia
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| Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 12:05 am Post subject: |
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Yeah - in a locked filing cabinet in the basement.
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www.alanbaxteronline.com |
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Abaddon
Probationer 0°=0
Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 14
Respect Earned: +2
Location: Ireland
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| Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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Isn't that always the way - you find what you're looking for in a damp locked basement - Definite symbolism here as regards how everything with intrinsic value is disguised or hidden
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www.spinetinglers.co.uk
Five new authors published every month. |
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Lola
Inanna Defiled
Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 14437
Respect Earned: +81
Location: UK
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| Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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| When did I get the name change? |
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Lola
Inanna Defiled
Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 14437
Respect Earned: +81
Location: UK
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| Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Don't ask me why, but I have a strong personal dislike for the word triumphant. The first word's ok. I hated the word Priestess too, but not as much as I hate triumphant. |
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Zen
The Seated
Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 11655
Respect Earned: +128
Location: Lesser Carpathians, Rusnakia, Ruthenia
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| Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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no worries. I'll put it back to what it should be.
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Lola
Inanna Defiled
Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 14437
Respect Earned: +81
Location: UK
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| Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Lol, that's more like me eh? |
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