This page is reserved for Official Pronouncements by the Chancellor of the A\ A\ ] Persons wishing for information, assistance, further interpretation, etc., are requested to communicate with THE CHANCELLOR OF THE A\ A\ c/o THE EQUINOX, 33 Avenue Studios, 76 Fulham Road South Kensingston, S.W. Telephone: 2632, KENSINGTON or to call at that address by appointment. A representative will be there to meet them. THE Chancellor of the A\ A\ wishes to warn readers of THE EQUINOX against accepting instructions in his name from an ex-Probationer, Captain J.F.C. Fuller, whose motto was “Per Ardua.” This person never advanced beyond the Degree of Probationer, never sent in a record, and has presumably neither performed practices nor obtained results. He has not, and never has had, authority to give instructions in the name of the A\ A\ . THE Chancellor of the A\ A\ considers it desirable to make a brief statement of the financial position, as the time has now arrived to make an effort to spread the knowledge to the ends of the earth. The expenses of the propaganda are roughly estimated as follows— Maintenance of Temple, and service . . £200 p.a. Publications . . . . . . . £200 p.a. Advertising, electrical expenses, etc. . . £200 p.a. Maintenance of an Hermitage where poor Brethren may make retirements . . £200 p.a. £800 p.a. ii As in the past, the persons responsible for the movement will give the whole of their time and energy, as well as their worldy wealth, to the service of the A\ A\ Unfortunately, the sums at their disposal do not at present suffice for the contemplated advance, and the Chan- cellor consequently appeals for assistance to those who have found in the instructions of the A\ A\ a sure means to the end they sought. All moneys received will be applied solely for the purpose of aiding those who have not yet entered the circle of the light. The Chancellor wishes to express his gratitude to those who have so generously come forward with assistance. The full amount is, however, not yet guaranteed, and he hopes that those interested will make a special effort without delay. Owing to the unnecessary strain thrown upon Neophytes by unprepared persons totally ignorant of the groundwork taking the Oath of a Probationer, the Imperator of A\ A\ , under the seal and by the authority of V.V.V.V.V., ordains that every person wishing to become a Probationer of A\ A\ must first pass three months as a Student of the Mysteries. He must possess the following books:— 1. The EQUINOX, from No. 1 to the present number. 2. “Raja Yoga,” by Swami Vivekananda. 3. “The Shiva Sanhita,” or “The Hathayoga Pradipika.” 4. “Konx Om Pax.” 5. “The Spiritual Guide,” by Miguel de Molinos. 6. “777.” 7. “Rituel et Dogme de la haute Magie,” par Eliphaz Levi, or its translation, by A. E. Waite. 8. “The Goetia of the Lemegeton of Solomon the King.” iii 9. “Tannhäuser” by A. Crowley. 10. “The Sword of Song,” by A. Crowley. 11. “Time,” by A. Crowley. 12. “Eleusis,” by A. Crowley. [These last four items are to be found in his Collected Works.] 13. “The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abra-melin the Mage.” 14. The Tao Teh King and the Writings of Kwang Tzu (Sacred Books of the East, Vols. XXXIX, XL) An examination in these books will be made. The Student is expected to show a thorough acquaintance with them, but not necessarily to understand them in any deeper sense. On passing the examination he may be admitted to the grade of Probationer. With the publication of No. X of THE EQUINOX the Official Pronouncements of the A\ A\ will cease, according to the Rule of the Order, which pre-scribes Five Years of Silence alternating with Five Years of Speech. This Silence was maintained from the year O to the year IV of this era. Speech followed, from the year V to the year IX. Silence will, therefore, be maintained from the year X to the year XIV. There will, therefore, be no further open publications made by the Executive until March 1918 O.S. iv I. N. R. I. BRITISH SECTION OF THE ORDER OF ORIENTAL TEMPLARS O.T.O. M\ M\ M\ [The Premonstrator of the A\ A\ permits it to be known that there is not at present any necessary incom- patibility between the A\ A\ and the O. T. O. and M‚\ ‚M‚\ ‚M‚\ , and allows membership of the same as a valuable preliminary training.] [This Order in no way conflicts with, or infringes the just privileges of, the United Grand Lodge of England.] ORDER OF ORIENTAL TEMPLARS MYSTERIA MYSTICA MAXIMA PREAMBLE DURING the last twenty-five years, constantly increasing numbers of earnest people and seekers after truth have been turning their attention to the study of the hidden laws of Nature. The growth of interest in these matters has been simply marvellous. Numberless societies, associations, orders, groups, etc., etc., have been founded in all parts of the civilized world, all and each following some line of occult study. While all these newly organized associations do some good in preparing the minds of thoughtful people for their eventually becoming genuine disciples of the One Truth, yet there is but ONE ancient organization of Mystics which shows to the student a Royal Road to discover the One Truth. This organization has permitted the formation of the body known as the “ANCIENT ORDER OF ORIENTAL TEMPLARS.” It is a modern School of Magi. Like the ancient Schools of Magi it derived its knowledge from Egypt and Chaldea. This knowledge is never revealed to iiv THE EQUINOX the profane, for it gives immense power for either good or evil to its possessors. It is recorded in symbol, parable and allegory, requiring a Key for its interpretation. The symbols of Freemasonry were originally derived from the more ancient mysteries, as all who have travelled the burning sands know. The ritual and ceremonies, signs and passwords have been preserved with great fidelity: but the Real Key has been long lost to the crowds who have been initiated, advanced and raised in Masonry. The KEY to this knowledge can, however, be placed within the reach of all those who unselfishly desire, study and work for its possession. The Symbols of Ancient Masonry, the Sacred Art of the Ancient Chemi (Egyptians), and Homer's Golden Chain are but different aspects of the One Great Mystery. They represent but different degrees of initiation. By the Right Use of the “Key” alone the “Master Word” can be found. In order to afford genuine seekers after Hermetic Truth some information on the aims of the Ancient Order of Oriental Templars, we now print the preliminary instruction issued by the Fratres of this Order. FIRST INSTRUCTION To all whom it may concern— Let it be known that there exists, unknown to the great crowd, a very ancient order of sages, whose object is the amelioration and spiritual elevation of mankind, by means of viii ORDER OF ORIENTAL TEMPLARS conquering error, and aiding men and women in their efforts of attaining the power of recognizing the truth. This order has existed already in the most remote and prehistoric times; and it has manifested its activity secretly and openly in the world under different names and in various forms; it has caused social and political revolutions, and proved to be the rock of salvation in times of danger and misfortune. It has always upheld the banner of freedom against tyranny, in whatever shape this appeared, whether as clerical or political, or social despotism or oppression of any kind. To this secret order every wise and spiritually enlightened person belongs by right of his or her nature; because they all, even if they are personally unknown to each other, are one in their purpose and object, and they all work under the guidance of the one light of truth. Into this sacred society no one can be admitted by another, unless he has the power to enter it him- self by virtue of his own interior illumination: neither can any one, after he has once entered, be expelled, unless he should expel himself by becoming unfaithful to his principles, and forget again the truths which he has learned by his own experience. All this is known to every enlightened person; but it is known only to few that there exists also an external, visible organization of such men and women who, having themselves found the path to real self-knowledge, are willing to give to others, desirous of entering that path, the benefit of their experience and to act as spiritual guides to those who are willing to be guided. As a matter of course, those persons who are already sufficiently spiritually developed to enter into conscious communion with the great spiritual brotherhood ix THE EQUINOX will be taught directly by the spirit of wisdom; but those who still need external advice and support will find this in the external organization of that society. In regard to the spiritual aspect of this secret order, one of the Brothers says— “Our community has existed ever since the first day of creation when the gods spoke the divine command: ‘Let there be light!’ and it will continue to exist till the end of time. It is the Society of the Children of Light, who live in the light and have attained immortality therein. In our school we are instructed directly by Divine Wisdom, the Celestial Bride, whose will is free and who selects as her disciples those who are devoted to her. The mysteries which we are taught embrace everything that can possibly be known in regard to God, Nature and Man. Every sage that ever existed in the world has graduated at our school; for without wisdom no man can be wise. We all study only one book, the Book of Nature, in which the keys to all secrets are con- tained, and we follow the only possible method in studying it, that of experience. Our place of meeting is the Temple of the Holy Spirit pervading the universe; easily to be found by the elect, but for ever hidden from the eyes of the vulgar. Our secrets cannot be sold for money, but we give them free to every one capable to receive them.” As to the external organization of that society, it will be necessary to give a glance at its history, which has been one and the same in all. Whenever that spiritual society manifested itself on the outward plane and appeared in the world, it consisted at its beginning of a few able and en- lightened people, forming a nucleus around which others were x