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Magical Formulae

Boy in a Suitcase

06:57 / 09.07.02

More research questions:
Does anybody know where the best place to find out extensive info on the Magical Formulae that Crowley mentions in Liber 777 (page 37 in my relatively new Weiser edition, column CLXXXVII)–you know, all those funky words like VIAOV, BABALON, VITRIOL, ABRAHADABRA, TO MEGA THERION, etc... Preferably from a work by Crowley himself?
Thanks!

ONLY NICE THINGS

13:40 / 09.07.02

Well, "to mega therion" is Ancient Greek for "the Great Beast". Vitriol is a mediaeval latin term for caustic sulphates, Babalon sounds a bit like "Babylon", as in Whore of..., Abrahadabra is a variation on the classic quasi-Arabic "Abracadabra", and VIAOV sounds like some cod-Semitic coining.

Can anyone give chapter and verse on this?

16:18 / 09.07.02

You can find all that information in "Magick and Theory and Practice". I have the Routledge Kegan Paul edition (just called "Magick") which has Book 4 added, as well as very useful footnotes by Kenneth Grant/ John Symonds.
From what I recall, not having the book to hand, he devotes a chapter or two to several of these formula close to the beginning of the book. (also 22 Chapters = 22 Trumps) calculated to confuse the hell out of you if you've not read that much.
I didn't understand a bloody word of it the first time I read it.
All the formulas are Crowley's interpretaions of "mystical truths" expressed in the code of Qabalaistic/Tarot/gematria correspondences. A lot of the words have the roots in old gnostic or alchemical terms. I do find it interesting to join the dots academically and follow these links but I must admit I've never found much use for them beyond this. (Anyone else agree/disagree?)Perhaps their real purpose is to encourage you to express yourself and make up your own.

10:00 / 24.08.02

Vitrolic literally means "related to or resembling glass" The vitriolic humour was one of the four humours, as in the melancholic humour, bile, and blood (if I recall correctly). I don't use the four humours system, so I don't remember what the vitriolic humour's significance was, but I do know it's supposedly what your eyes are full of.

And yes, Haus was right, there's another kind of Vitriol, which was a caustic material (possibly a sulfate) used industrially for refining or processing glass.

I don't know if that helps at all, but there you go.

10:18 / 24.08.02

Nah, you're thinking of vitreous humour, in the eyeball. 'Vitreous' means glass-like ie. transparent; 'vitriol' more specifically describes the caustic sulphate of a metal (albeit often with a glassy appearance) and has come to mean bitter, hateful criticism.

The four humours were blood, phlegm, black bile and yellow bile.

Sirhan Sirhan Solo

00:29 / 29.08.02

ABRAHADABRA is Crowley's version of Abracadabra, with its spelling changed to Gematrially add to 418. 418 is also the number of Crowley's house, of AIWASS (his so-called "Holy Guardian Angel"), and of RA HOOR.
Thus, it is the formula for Crowley's "New Aeon."
VITRIOL was an alchemical term for sulphuric acid, I believe. It is also an acronym for the Latin "Visita Interriora Terrae Rectificando Invennes Occultum Lapidem." Unfortunately, I don't know Latin, so I can't offer you a translation.
BABALON is Crowley's interpretation of the "Scarlet Woman" of St. John's Revelation. She rides the Beast (TO MEGA THERION/666) and holds a cup (or GRAAL) filled with the blood of saints. Crowley says that this is to symbolize that all magicians must sacrifice to gain anything. Furthermore, she is symbolic of NUIT, the Egyptian sky-goddess.
VIAOV is the Thelemic variant of IAO. IAO is an old Gnostic god-head, the synthesis of the three supernal Sephira of the Qabalistic Tree of Life (KThR, BINH, and ChKMH). IAO also represents the synthesis of two opposites, as shown by the phallic I, the yonic O, and its synthesis A. The Golden Dawn considered it to be an acronym for Isis-Apophis-Osiris.

Most of this information can be found in Crowley's Liber ABA: Part 3 - Chapter VII. I hope I've been some help to you.

Chaos is relative

03:51 / 29.08.02

Most of these formulae can be found poetically explained with extensive commentary in THE BOOK OF LIES. If you are very interested and have time to invest, click here http://www.the-equinox.org/ and begin reading Volume one. It's all there. This is probably the single most rewarding study I have experienced. Best Wishes.