Abyss (Thelema)

Part of a series on
Thelema
Unicursal hexagram
The Rights of Man
Holy Books and Stele The Book of the Law The Holy Books of Thelema The Stele of Revealing
Key figures Ankh-af-na-Khonsu François Rabelais Aleister Crowley Victor Neuburg Charles Stansfeld Jones Jack Parsons Wilfred Talbot Smith Jane Wolfe Karl Germer Grady McMurtry Marcelo Ramos Motta Marjorie Cameron Sara Northrup Helen Parsons Smith Phyllis Seckler Christopher Hyatt Kenneth Grant James Lees Nema Andahadna James Wasserman Kenneth Anger The Scarlet Women Rose Edith Crowley Mary d'Este Sturges Jeanne Robert Foster Roddie Minor Marie Rohling Leah Hirsig Leila Waddell
Core concepts Abrahadabra Great Work True Will The Abyss Magick Qabalah Holy Guardian Angel Thoth Tarot Yoga Gnostic Mass The Aeon
Methods Abrahadabra Night of Pan Liber Resh Crossing the Abyss Banishing Invocation Bornless Ritual Qaballa Sex magic Body of light Tree of life
Thelemic texts Aleister Crowley bibliography Kenneth Grant bibliography Marcelo Motta bibliography
Organizations A∴A∴ O∴A∴A∴ Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica (EGC) Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO) Society Ordo Templi Orientis (SOTO) Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn Typhonian Order (TOTO)
Deities Nuit Hadit Heru-ra-ha Aiwass Therion Babalon Baphomet Chaos Ma'at
Places Boleskine House Abbey of Thelema Agape Lodge
Related topics Abramelin oil Cake of Light Choronzon Eroto-comatose lucidity Goetia Magical formulae Mass of the Phoenix Number of the beast Obeah and wanga Qlippoth Table of magical correspondences The Beast & Whore of Babylon Worship of heavenly bodies
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In Thelema, the Abyss represents a metaphysical concept that signifies the great chasm or void separating the manifest world from its divine source.^[1] Aleister Crowley, the founder of Thelema, extensively explored and integrated this concept into his esoteric teachings, imbuing it with deep spiritual significance.^[2]

The Abyss represents the formidable barrier that the adept must traverse to attain the grade of Magister Templi. This journey involves the complete dissolution of the ego and confronting Choronzon, the demon guardian of the Abyss, who embodies the chaotic and fragmentary nature of the mind that resists spiritual unification.^[3] Successfully crossing the Abyss signifies a profound transformation, marking the aspirant's progression towards higher consciousness and spiritual enlightenment.^[4]

Before attempting to cross the Abyss, a magician must achieve a significant milestone: the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel (K&C of the HGA). This attainment is crucial, as only those who have successfully established this divine communication are considered prepared to navigate the perils of the Abyss.^[5] The concept is deeply influenced by earlier mystical and esoteric traditions, particularly those of Jewish Kabbalah and Hermeticism, reflecting a synthesis of ancient wisdom and Crowley's innovative interpretations.^[6]