Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law
> Liber Stellae Rubeae
> A Secret Ritual of Apep, the Heart of IAO-OAI, Delivered
unto V.V.V.V.V. for His Use in a Certain Matter of Liber Legis, and Written
Down under the Figure LXVI
It is generally agreed that this text includes directions for
the performance of a ‘Black Mass’.
Although not technically a Black Mass, one may consider this the
Thelemic equivalent of that rite.
> 01. Apep deifieth Asar.
>
> 02. Let excellent virgins evoke rejoicing, son of Night!
Apep = 26, Asar = 39. 2 x 13 deifies 3 x 13. Total is 65.
The initial letters of these two verses are an anagram of:
Ada Leverson = 145 = the Ruby Star
Consummate = 145 = 012101 = 5 trigram over the 10 trigram =
Taurus over Leo = Hierophant over Lust.
> 03. This is the book of the most secret cult of the Ruby
Star. = 496
496 is a 'perfect' number, the sum of all its proper divisors.
In Hebrew it is the enumeration of Leviathan, the great serpent whom we met in
Liber 65. 496 is the mystic number of the 31st path of the Tree of
Life, attributed to Shin = Fire/Spirit
> It shall be given to none, save to the shameless in deed as
in word.
> 04. No man shall understand this writing --- it is too
subtle for the sons of men.
Total of the verse is 718 = Greek MORPhH = Form
> 05. If the Ruby Star have shed its blood upon thee; if in
the season of the moon thou hast invoked by the Iod and the Pe, then mayest
thou partake of this most secret sacrament.
Ruby Star = 120 = Concubine. Thus any concubine is a ruby star,
but as per the above, 'the' concubine in this case was Ada Leverson.
> 06. One shall instruct another, with no care for the
matters of men's thought.
Total is 648 = Greek TELETH = Initiation. Cf. v.33
> 07. There shall be a fair altar in the midst, extended upon
a black stone.
Total of the verse is 605 = Greek TO IERON = Sacred rite,
temple, etc.
> 08. At the head of the altar gold, and twin images in green
of the Master.
Master = 77 = Ruby, so the head and foot of the altar match, so
to speak. '77' painted in green would fulfill the verse, as would two uraei.
The verse totals 590 = Greek KUKLON = circle
> 09. In the midst a cup of green wine.
green wine = 120 = burnest, lending credence A.C.’s hashish
interpretation.
The verse totals 295 = Greek KADOS = Urn, pitcher.
> 10. At the foot the Star of Ruby.
Verse totals 247 = Greek ThHRION = Beast
> 11. The altar shall be entirely bare.
Verse totals 261 = Greek HLIADHS = Child of the Sun
So the instructions for the Altar indicate: a circle, urn,
Beast, and sun-child. The circle could be the solar disk, with two uraei on it;
the urn holds the hashish, the Beast recalls the 'magnificent beasts of women',
and the altar itself is the child of the sun, i.e., created by the
solar-phallic god, whose glyph is at the head, (as in typical Egyptian
iconography), whose flame burns the hashish, (and the heart cakkra?), whose
'power of lust' informs the Beast.
This also brings to mind 'the Five Pointed Star with a Circle in
the Middle, and the circle is Red', for the five points could be the five
wounds, and the circle in the middle could be the Ruby Star itself. I am
reminded of this since the next verse indicates that once the altar is
prepared, the pentagram is energized.
> 12. First, the ritual of the Flaming Star.
> 13. Next, the ritual of the Seal.
These verses deal with the Pentagram and Hexagram. Total of the
two verses is 505 = Greek PENTE + EX = Five + Six.
> 14. Next, the infernal adorations of OAI
> Mu pa telai,
> Tu wa melai
> a, a, a.
> Tu fu tulu!
> Tu fu tulu
> Pa, Sa, Ga.
>
> Qwi Mu telai
> Ya Pu melai;
> u, u, u.
> 'Se gu malai;
> Pe fu telai,
> Fu tu lu.
>
> O chi balae
> Wa pa malae: ---
> Ut! Ut! Ut!
> Ge; fu latrai,
> Le fu malai
> Kut! Hut! Nut!
>
> Al OAI
> Rel moai
> Ti --- Ti --- Ti!
> Wa la pelai
> Tu fu latai
> Wi, Ni, Bi.
The ‘infernal adorations’ total 1881 in TQ. 1881 = 11 x
171.
171 = sum of 1 to 18, thus the mystic number of the 18th
path of the Tree of Life, attributed to the letter Cheth, and thus to 418 as
the total of Cheth spelled in full.
Thus the 11 = 418 formula of Abrahadabra, which is the union of
the five and the six, finds a secret expression here.
> 15. Also thou shalt excite the wheels with the five wounds
and the five wounds.
It is curious that there was a need to repeat the phrase in this
verse. Are we to excite the wheels twice? Or are the wounds doubled to
represent some kind of magical charging of the Sefirot? Or are we simply to draw an upright and
averse pentagram on the body?
Total of the verse = 658 = Greek PhRHN = heart, soul
Subtracting the additional phrase, the total is 429 = Greek
ANATIThEMI = to erect.
> 16. Then thou shalt excite the wheels with the two and the
third in the midst; even <<Saturn>> and <<Jupiter>>,
<<Sun>> and <<Moon>>, <<Mars>> and
<<Venus>>, and <<Mercury>>.
Just the English of this verse totals 845 = Greek DWMA = palace,
temple. Note that this is the origin of the word 'Dome', which is symbolic of
the night-sky, and thus the planets within it get magickally charged.
The planetary trigrams in TQ total 130, so if they were inserted
here, the verse would total 975 = DRAKWN = Dragon, serpent. (from the Book of
Revelation).
> 17. Then the five --- and the sixth.
Verse totals 231 = sum 1 to 21, thus the mystic number of the 21st
path of the Tree of Life, attributed to Kaph, the letter of Juppiter. Since
Kaph means palm of the hand, this verse may indicate putting a hand to the
altar to excite the wheels. Spanking, slapping, etc. There's no telling from
this what the sixth might be.
231 = Greek SKIA = spectre, phantom. This may be the 'sixth'?
> 18. Also the altar shall fume before the master with
incense that. hath no smoke.
Verse total is 637 = hexagram 63 of the I Ching = After
Completion = 212121 = conjunction of the Sun and Moon trigrams.
637 = Greek AGENHTOS = Unborn.
> 19. That which is to be denied shall be denied; that which
is to be trampled shall be trampled; that which is to be spat upon shall be
spat upon.
This verse contains the fulfillment of three tautologies. I
certainly wouldn't mind desecrating a crucifix in the heat of passion play.
> 20. These things shall be burnt in the outer fire.
But apparently there were three things to be denied, trampled,
and spat upon. Perhaps symbols of the Holy Trinity?
Verse totals 424 = Greek AMBROSIA = food of the Gods.
This might indicate that, since this is a Black Mass, that we
are to deny the resurrection, trample the host, and spit in the wine, (since
these are foods of the God).
> 21. Then again the master shall speak as he will soft
words, and with music and what else he will bring forward the Victim.
Total of the verse is 951 = Greek EPIKALEW = to summon, invoke.
> 22. Also he shall slay a young child upon the altar, = 355
= Greek KINADOS = Fox
> the blood shall cover the altar with perfume as of roses. =
465 =
Greek KUBELH = Cybele
> 23. Then shall the master appear as He should appear --- in
His glory.
Total is 475 = 122121 = Venus Trigram over the Sol Trigram. The
solar-phallus appears as a mountain. Also, the solar-phallus is at the
threshold of the Archway of the Venus Trigram.
> 24. He shall stretch himself upon the altar, and awake it
into life, and into death.
Total of the verse is 619 = Greek HLIOS + SELHNH = Sun + Moon
> 25. (For so we conceal that life which is beyond.)
Total is 330 = Greek ISON = Equilibrium
> 26. The temple shall be darkened, save for the fire and the
lamp of the altar.
Total is 620 = Hebrew KTR, Keter, which represents the Lamp of
the temple.
> 27. There shall he kindle a great fire and a devouring.
Total is 466 = Greek DIASPORA = Dispersion
> 28. Also he shall smite the altar with his scourge, and
blood shall flow therefrom.
Total is 598 = Hebrew OVNVThINV= Our iniquities
> 29. Also he shall have made roses bloom thereon.
Total is 392 = Hebrew BShMIM = Fragrances
> 30. In the end he shall offer up the Vast Sacrifice, at the
moment when the God licks up the flame upon the altar.
Total is 896 = Greek APhRODISIA = Feast of Aphrodite.
> 31. All these things shalt thou perform strictly, observing
the time.
Total is 555 = Greek DIAKRISIS = separation,division
> 32. And the Beloved shall abide with Thee.
Total is 323 = Greek HADIT
> 33. Thou shalt not disclose the interior world of this rite
unto any one: therefore have I written it in symbols that cannot be understood.
Total is 1267 = Greek PhARMAKEUS = poisoner, sorcerer,
apothecary; cf. English 'pharmacist'.
We may read this work as one of those prescriptions, scribbled
by a doctor, which is indecipherable to the uninitiate.
> 34. I who reveal the ritual am IAO and OAI; the Right and
the Averse.
The Greek IAO = 811 = 1010001. The averse, or reversal of this
number is 1000101 = 739 = KELEUThOS = way, or path.
See verse 39.
> 35. These are alike unto me.
Are they alike because there is no difference in the gematria?
IAO = OAI.
> 36. Now the Veil of this operation is called Shame, and the
Glory abideth within.
An operation any non-thelemite would be ashamed of. This veils the glory for those of us who
know no shame.
> 37. Thou shalt comfort the heart of the secret stone with
the warm blood. Thou shalt make a subtle decoction of delight, and the Watchers
shall drink thereof.
decoction is an unusual word; its value in TQ is 93.
> 38. I, Apep the Serpent, am the heart of IAO. Isis shall
await Asar, and I in the midst.
Apep the Serpent = 143
> 39. Also the Priestess shall seek another altar, and
perform my ceremonies thereon.
Total of this verse is 739, the reversed hexagram of 811:
739 = 1000101
811 = 1010001
This suggests that the priestess shall seek 'another' altar,
i.e., not the IAO, but the reversed formula of OAI.
> 40. There shall be no hymn nor dithyramb in my praise and
the praise of the rite, seeing that it is utterly beyond.
We waste no time glorifying the rite, for this time is better
spent working the ritual itself. The essence of it is apparently beyond speech
anyway.
> 41. Thou shalt assure thyself of the stability of the
altar. = 443 = Greek EILIKRENHS = Pure, unmixed, without alloy. This could well be an alchemical term.
> 42. In this rite thou shalt be alone. = 253
253 = the heart of the
secret stone
> 43. I will give thee another ceremony whereby many shall
rejoice.
I agree that this is probably the Gnostic Mass.
> 44. Before all let the Oath be taken firmly as thou raisest
up the altar from the black earth. = 728
728 = 222222 = the pure Yin hexagram. As such, it is the 2nd
Hexagram of the I Ching, the 'Receptive', which represents Earth, (as opposed
to pure Yang, 'heaven').
> 45. In the words that Thou knowest.
Thou knowest = 143, and probably refers to this name given to
the Prophet, in AL 1:26. It's unclear what oath this may refer to, but the
gematria shows the identification with the scribe, and Apep the Serpent.
Taking an oath 'firmly', may be to take the erect phallus in
hand. The words may then be 'To Me', for the ritual should be 'ever unto me'.
After all, as the title indicates, this ritual was supposed to be used in 'a
certain matter of Liber Legis'.
> 46. For I also swear unto thee by my body and soul that
shall never be parted in sunder that I dwell within thee coiled and ready to
spring. = 1270 = Greek KUKLW = around, in a circle.
> 47. I will give thee the kingdoms of the earth, O thou Who
hast mastered the kingdoms of the East and of the West.
May refer to the mastery of the energy running down the body and
back up again, as in Taoist alchemical practices. See The Secret of the Golden
Flower, by Carl Jung
> 48. I am Apep, O thou slain One. Thou shalt slay thyself
upon mine altar: I will have thy blood to drink.
> 49. For I am a mighty vampire, and my children shall suck
up the wine of the earth which is blood.
> 50. Thou shalt replenish thy veins from the chalice of
heaven.
Obviously this is all alchemical imagery. Cf. RHK's statements
in Liber AL regarding "worship me with fire and blood, etc."
> 51. Thou shalt be secret, a fear to the world.
There certainly were a lot of folks who were afraid of Crowley.
> 52. Thou shalt be exalted, and none shall see thee;
exalted, and none shall suspect thee.
Also, very few folks thought he was the least bit exalted.
> 53. For there are two glories diverse, and thou who hast
won the first shalt enjoy the second.
Perhaps refers to the Snake that lifts up its head to Nuit, and
droops down its head to the earth?
> 54. I leap with joy within thee; my head is arisen to
strike.
Kundalini awakened.
> 55. O the lust, the sheer rapture, of the life of the snake
in the spine!
This comes close to being a hymn of praise in its honor.
> 56. Mightier than God or man, I am in them, and pervade
them.
Total of this verse is 518 = Greek OU MH = the Not, Crowley's
Motto as Exempt Adept.
> 57. Follow out these my words.
> 58. Fear nothing. Fear nothing. Fear nothing.
> 59. For I am nothing, and me thou shalt fear, O my virgin,
my prophet within whose bowels I rejoice.
This passage is very reminiscent of Liber XC
> 60. Thou shalt fear with the fear of love: I will overcome
thee.
total of the verse is 434 = DLT, Dalet spelled in full.
> 61. Thou shalt be very nigh to death. = 290
290= 101202 = Leo over Scorpio = the Lion close to Death, (Atu
XIII).
> 62. But I will overcome thee; the New Life shall illumine
thee with the Light that is beyond the Stars.
I am Life, and the giver of Life, says Hadit. When the adept has
reached the state of Hadit-consciousness, the Light illumines him from within,
by the light 'beyond the stars', i.e., not outer light, but inner.
But I will overcome thee = 207 = Hebrew AVR = Light.
> 63. Thinkest thou? I, the force that have created all, am
not to be despised.
Why would there be any question of despising the Serpent?
> 64. And I will slay thee in my lust.
> 65. Thou shalt scream with the joy and the pain and the
fear and the love --- so that the LOGOS of a new God leaps out among the Stars.
The Word is released in conjunction with the New Life. If
Thelema is this word, then the prophet certainly felt all of the above after
writing down the dictation of Aiwass.
> 66. There shall be no sound heard but this thy lion-roar of
rapture; yea, this thy lion-roar of rapture.
I have been surprised at the second half of this book. In the
first half, virtually every verse by TQ gematria had some relevant Greek
gematria to align with it. In the second half, this phenomenon is lacking.
Nevertheless, at the very end, we get an appropriate value.
thy lion-roar of rapture = 214 = Greek SIGA = silently, under
one's
breath, secretly.
This seems to be exactly the description given in the verse, if
we read it as a positive, that there shall be 'no sound' heard.
Also, the total of this final verse is 871 = Greek XAOS = Chaos.
This word appears 3 times in the Holy Books: in Liber 156, where
Chaos is the 'lawful Lord' of Babalon, (and she is the 'Bride of Chaos').
Babalon, of course, rides upon the Beast, the 7-headed lion, who is probably
emitting his roar of rapture as she rides him.
Also, the final verse of Liber I: "And in the word CHAOS
let the Book be sealed;" which is similar to what is happening here, the
sealing of the Book.
Love is the Law, love under will.
R. Leo Gillis
a fair altar =
70
New Life = 71
black earth. =
89
a great fire =
96
twin images =
106
I am nothing,
= 107
black stone. =
116
Flaming Star.
= 117
my children =
119
Ruby Star =
120
green wine =
120
most secret =
121
Fear nothing.
= 125
chalice of
heaven. = 128
wine of the
earth = 136
secret stone =
137
Apep deifieth
Asar. = 138
the Vast
Sacrifice, = 139
thou slain
One. = 139
Star of Ruby.
= 142
I, Apep the
Serpent, = 143
Apep the
Serpent, = 143
the ritual of
the Seal. = 160
I who reveal
the ritual = 168
I am a mighty
vampire, = 172
secret
sacrament. = 174
subtle
decoction = 176
the five
wounds = 177
a cup of green
wine. = 178
Thou shalt be
secret, = 179
none shall
suspect = 179
the stability
of the altar = 183
lion-roar of
rapture. = 184
beyond the
Stars. = 191
the Glory
abideth within. = 196
shameless in
deed = 197
observing the
time. = 197
thou raisest
up the altar = 206
At the head of
the altar gold, = 209
perfume as of
roses. = 211
thy lion-roar
of rapture. = 214
the infernal
adorations = 233
of the East
and of the West. = 233
in the season
of the moon = 243
the ritual of
the Flaming Star. = 243
I will have
thy blood to drink. = 244
O the lust,
the sheer rapture, = 252
life of the
snake in the spine! = 252
And I will
slay thee in my lust. = 252
the fire and
the lamp of the altar. = 253
the heart of
the secret stone = 253
coiled and
ready to spring. = 261
the words that
Thou knowest. = 264
he shall offer
up the Vast Sacrifice, = 270
The temple
shall be darkened, = 276
Thou shalt
fear with the fear of love: = 281
the Light that
is beyond the Stars. = 281
I am in them,
and pervade them. = 288
All these
things shalt thou perform = 290
Isis shall
await Asar, and I in the midst. = 290
In the midst a
cup of green wine. = 295
a great fire
and a devouring. = 295
make a subtle
decoction of delight, = 319
and the
Watchers shall drink thereof. = 323
most secret
cult of the Ruby Star. = 325
the God licks
up the flame upon the altar. = 332
perform my
ceremonies thereon. = 338
suck up the
wine of the earth which is blood. = 344
Thou shalt
slay thyself upon mine altar: = 345
Let excellent
virgins evoke rejoicing, = 347
that which is
to be trampled shall be trampled; = 347
kingdoms of
the East and of the West. = 354
That which is to
be denied shall be denied; = 359
that which is
to be spat upon shall be spat upon. = 359
assure thyself
of the stability of the altar. = 363
LOGOS = 373
Fear nothing.
Fear nothing. Fear nothing. = 375
Then shall the
master appear as He should appear --- = 379
In the end he
shall offer up the Vast Sacrifice, = 379
the kingdoms
of the East and of the West. = 379
I dwell within
thee coiled and ready to spring. = 389
Also he shall
have made roses bloom thereon. = 392
symbols that
cannot be understood. = 399
replenish thy
veins from the chalice of heaven. = 401
I leap with
joy within thee; my head is arisen to strike. = 416
another
ceremony whereby many shall rejoice. = 434
Thou shalt
fear with the fear of love: I will overcome thee. = 434
thou who hast
won the first shalt enjoy the second. = 434
O my virgin,
my prophet within whose bowels I rejoice. = 435
I will
overcome thee. Thou shalt be very nigh to death. = 443
the Right and
the Averse. These are alike unto me. = 444
I will have
thy blood to drink. For I am a mighty vampire, = 452
I, the force
that have created all, am not to be despised. = 458
Let excellent
virgins evoke rejoicing, son of Night! = 465
the blood
shall cover the altar with perfume as of roses. = 465
There shall he
kindle a great fire and a devouring. = 466
the sheer
rapture, of the life of the snake in the spine! = 466
symbols that
cannot be understood. I who reveal = 488
a fair altar
in the midst, extended upon a black stone. = 495
This is the
book of the most secret cult of the Ruby Star. = 496
I who reveal
the ritual am IAO and OAI; the Right and the Averse. = 497
the moment
when the God licks up the flame upon the altar. = 503
First, the
ritual of the Flaming Star. Next, the ritual of the Seal. = 505
At the foot
the Star of Ruby. The altar shall be entirely bare. = 508
this thy
lion-roar of rapture; yea, this thy lion-roar of rapture. = 518
I will give
thee another ceremony whereby many shall rejoice. = 528
In the midst a
cup of green wine. At the foot the Star of Ruby. = 542
the New Life
shall illumine thee with the Light that is beyond the Stars. = 545
excite the
wheels with the five wounds and the five wounds. = 547
All these
things shalt thou perform strictly, observing the time. = 555
seek another
altar, and perform my ceremonies thereon. = 560
Thou shalt
comfort the heart of the secret stone with the warm blood. = 568
slay a young
child upon the altar, and the blood shall cover the altar = 569
Thou shalt
slay thyself upon mine altar: I will have thy blood to drink. = 589
At the head of
the altar gold, and twin images in green of the Master. = 590
coiled and
ready to spring. I will give thee the kingdoms of the earth, = 592
thou Who hast
mastered the kingdoms of the East and of the West. = 592
thou who hast
won the first shalt enjoy the second. I leap with joy within thee; = 594
There shall be
no sound heard but this thy lion-roar of rapture; = 594
O thou Who
hast mastered the kingdoms of the East and of the West. = 602
There shall be
a fair altar in the midst, extended upon a black stone. = 605
the altar
shall fume before the master with incense that hath no smoke. = 606
raisest up the
altar from the black earth. In the words that Thou knowest. = 618
The temple
shall be darkened, save for the fire and the lamp of the altar. = 620