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Initiation in the Aeon of the Child: The Inward Journey

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This book is the first critical and credible contribution to our doctrinal understanding of the initiatic system of the Order known as A:.A:., and the formulae of the `New Aeon' of Thelema, since the original writings and teachings of Aleister Crowley. Interestingly enough, it is the originality of the new content by Mr. Gunther - or at least its open publication (for a review on the back cover of the dust jacket pretty much says this content is privately taught within the membership of A:.A:.) - that has stirred controversy and even contempt, as one of the other Amazon reviews here confirms. These opinions make for poor literary reviews, and should neither detain nor discourage the serious and interested reader or student. Study the book for yourself and make up your own mind.

My own approach was to read the book in full for an overview, then go back to it and focus on parts which particularly interested me, and then as an ongoing engagement, work through the book carefully. In my opinion, it is a book to be experienced rather than analysed, and worked with and worked through over time. In this sense, Gunther's book can serve as a supplementary textbook to Crowley's teachings and curricula - clarifying some points, hinting at others, and revealing doctrinal contexts that underpin the system. The discussions about the Aeons, what formulae are abrogate and what have been superseded, the doctrines of the Messiah and the Four Gates, the dialectic of Thelema, and the Sevenfold Arrangement of Hoor, are a few of the topics covered. Readers new to Thelema and the A:.A:. system need not be intimidated if the above leaves you wondering what the hell I am referring to - the book is grounded in a scholarly approach to the subject, and articulates many of the processes and formulae within a psychological framework, making the book accessible to readers not necessarily familiar with the language of Initiation and Thelema. Qabalah and Alchemy are also used to explain the various stages of the journey. There are some typos but you'll pick them up on careful examination. Of particular note is the diagram on page 179 - match the trigrams to the descriptions on the following page so you have the right ones. There is an extremely useful glossary provided as an Appendix, which is worth reading through sequentially in its own right.

So, what has all the fuss been about this book? Why are some folks getting so worked up about it? I suspect that by default Inward Journey has put on notice every self-styled Thelemic teacher, authority, and bogus A:.A:. group out there with their fraudulent invention of "lineages". By their fruits ...

I was interested in the review on Amazon for this book titled "The first significant systembuilder since 666 within Thelema" which described how the book would be of relevance to members of the O.T.O. To add to that, I thought it worth mentioning that the Australian Grand Lodge has formally incorporated "Inward Journey" into its curricula.

Those of you who know me know that I have been involved in magick (in one form or another) since the early 1970's. I have been a member of several magickal and mystical fraternities (the Golden Dawn, Theosophy, AMORC, etc.) and have learned much from each of these relationships.

But, it has only been during the last year that I have started reading (in earnest) material written by "the Beast." For some unknown reason I felt that his work was of the "left-hand path," that it was "satanic" (whatever that means), and that it wasn't part of the direction I wanted to go.

But, back on April 16, 2009 I had occasion to read Liber AL vel Legis in order to answer a question that had been posed to me. As I read through it the more I wanted to read. Instead of reading just enough to answer the question (as I had intended) I read, instead, the entire book; and then I read it again; and then I felt confused.

After this exchange I searched through my library and found Book IV, The Book of Lies, THe Book of Thoth, and even The Holy Books of Thelema (from 1988, no less). I started a campaign of reading each of the books and the more that I read the more astounded I became at the knowledge of Crowley, at his profound wit and humor, and his ability to express the deepest of all thoughts and emotions with a simple, innocuous phrase.

I picked up a few books not written by Crowley, but written by Thelemites such as Wasserman, Eshelman, Duquette, Hyatt, and J. Daniel Gunther. This book (Initiation in the Aeon of the Child) is at once simple enough for beginning Thelemites such as myself, but also "rewarding --- especially after repeated readings --- to experienced practitioners" (Hymenaeus Beta).

I found this book immediately accessible and wonderfully entertaining. Even if you haven't yet read any Thelemic material, I encourage you to pick up this book and allow it to speak to you. My expectaion is that you will come away with a different impression of Crowley, and Thelema, in general.

"Subject what you read here to the greatest scrutiny and skepticism. Remember, the author could be wrong!"-James Wasserman, preface to Initiation in the Æon of the Child;



I have heard that my enthusiasm for this book has been rather contagious. I believe that this is in part due to the fact that I generally tend to be very negative towards new works by members of our community.

The reason for this is that I have always felt that what usually is produced is pretty unsubstantial, as they usually fall under three categories, resulting in a rather anemic culture overall:

i. various beginner's books where the parts on Magick limits themselves to presenting basic rituals or innovations of the same, that most people would be far better off if they simply read Liber O instead. Even more unfortunate, the parts on the Law of Thelema are often devoid of a basic understanding of the first principles that lies at the heart of the Law and consequently proceeds to present several nonsensical and even arguably erroneous presentations of of the Law of Thelema.

ii. various idiosyncratic expressions from various magicians or mystics, which while I am sure makes internally sense, has little or nothing to do with the system 666 formulated, let alone Thelema. Whether or not one enjoys this sort of production depends largely on ones aesthetical predisposition and so far I can't think of that many works post-Crowley that I have actually enjoyed, the only two exceptions being Grant's later works (where he leaves history for "fictional history") and Bertiaux.

iii. actual significant research into other systems done by practicing magicians. This is the only of these three categories that I would be comfortable saying actually contributes to the knowledge pool of our community.

Of these three categories I tend to enjoy the third one the most, but these works tends to contribute to the knowledge building of magic in general, not Magick, the particular system of Scientific Illuminism that the A.'.A.'. teach and tests in. As such they still leave our culture very anemic, in the sense that they do not really study our system, work with and evolve it. I believe that 666 represented the first spearhead into making such knowledge building wihtin the western hermeticism possible, when he studied, worked with and developed the system he was taught in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. It was his hope that we would do the same, making possible real progress, rather than merely reinventing the wheel on an constant basis under ever more disingenious names.

Like it or not, there hasn't been any significant work in this area since the death of 666 and as such we seem to have lived forever in the shadow of him. All this has however now changed with this book.

A Ph.D. student at the Center for History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents in Amsterdam, once remarked to me that what keeps the Thelemic current in such an anemic position is the lack of some heavy weight theologians. In 666 Magick had its Augustine, someone who made possible a foundation from which knowledge could be evolved, but we never saw a Aquinas or other heavy weight philosopher or for that matter scientist (in the sense that Magick is our sacred science of theurgy and taumathurgy that forms the backbone of our system) following him. As such both the philosophy and science of our religion suffers.

What my friend meant by this remark was that most Thelemites tends to be part of a sub current within the New Age movement. A sub current which while vastly better off than occultists and neopagans in general and which tends to enjoy counter cultural art and expressions, are still very low on the intellectual discipline, thought and critical thinking that develops significant philosophical and scientific contributions within various more established Religions. After 666 there simply has been noone able to do this important system building which is so necessary for any new religious movement if it wants to actually develop into a living and evolving school of thought.

The Adept and his knowledge of the Universe


"The Grade of Adeptus Exemptus confers authority to govern the two lower Orders of R.C. and G.D.

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."-666, One Star in Sight;



This book is the fruit of more than three decades worth of attainment within the A.'.A.'. It is the knowledge of an Adept, quite possibly the greatest living Adept today, certainly the greatest within our community. He was tested in each of the preliminary grades of the Outer College and have proven his right to admission into the inner by the method of the A.'.A.'.: to test the fit and eliminate the unfit.

The Book starts with a sympathetic preface by James Wasserman, who recounts the story of the reconstitution of the A.'.A.'. after the fall of Motta it's previous Imperator and ranking member. By what authority do they work under? The same as that of the original founders of the A.'.A.'. and as Wasserman stress, in order to know whether or not this is the real deal, we are to judge the fruit, using our skepticism as we scrutinize it.

The book presents in a very intelligible way the magical universe as conceptualized by the Holy Books of Thelema in particular and the writings of 666 in general. These are formulas and aspects of the work that many people remain unaware of except in the most cursory manner, since 666 tended to scatter his system throughout his work, writing as he claimed himself for the need of that particular aspirant or to address that particular problem which had arisen. But these are concepts that are intimately familiar to anyone who has spent a significant time studying and working with the system of 666. Gunther brings all these disparate threads into a cohesive whole as he exemplifies how this relates to initiation or the Inward Journey in the New Aeon.

We are treated with an introductory explanation of the relation of the New Aeon to the Old in general and Christianity in particular, the difference between abrogated and superseded and which parts of the systems of the Old Aeon received which treatment and why. From there he explains the concept of the five powers of the Sphinx and how these relates to the four gates of the Palace at the foot of the Temple of Initiation, how this Temple of Initiation is built by the little known but fundamental formula of the A.'.A.'. known as L.P.D., the Messiah of the New Aeon and his work, the role of Perfection and so on.

This is not the work of some sterile scholastic who wants to present the history and method of a medieval Magician and his grimoire. Nor is it an product aimed to please the histrionic pleas for more consumer products that seems to figure into so many of the demands from people within our community today. Particularly it is not a work for the malevolent contingent, that demands that this new work needs to shock them in order to be valid. It would only be shocking to those who are unfamiliar with the system of 666 and though it reveals deeply uncomfortable truths that challenge us, that is not the goal as the malevolent contingent would want it, but rather an product of our lack of initiated understanding.

Rather this is a cogent and coherent presentation of one Adepts knowledge of the universe, won by the trials of his own initiation within the A.'.A.'. Each part of the system is presented in its proper role and contrasted towards the whole. Each facet of it is examined and traced back to our first principles. Each unit is augmented and evolved in light of the author's initiated insight.

The Animadversion towards the New Aeon


"Within the sphere of the Candidate, the old temple must be razed in order for the new to take its place. To rebuild it anew seekers must effect an animadversion toward the New Aeon. They must begin to 'walk upon their hands.'"-J.D. Gunther, Initiation in the New Aeon.



More importantly he stress that the formula of entering the Temple of Initiation in the New Aeon is no longer L.V.X., but rather N.O.X. and consequently the energies that are being used are the Averse ones. That is, it is the unleashing of the forces of Chaos or bringing out of balance that marks the initiatory progress in this Aeon and this is also why the system of 666 can promise such rewards within this incarnation for those that attain by it. For those that have had unfortunate experiences with Liber V vel Reguli, which specifically is the animadversion of the aspirant towards the New Aeon, let them take heed and counsel, there is a reason for this and as Gunther explains how it will play out will depend on how we greet and work with these phenomenas.

The last chapters, admittedly the books most difficult parts, are particularly intriguing since they set out what might in time become a rudimentary QBLH that contains more than just a simple gematria. I fully believe that this book might be the beginning of such a fully realized and conceptualized QBLH, rooted in our Holy Books rather than old superstitions or systems, in the future. While this might not be realized within our lifetime, the book gives the rudimentary stones by which one can manifest this promise, at which point I believe we will see a rapid increase in the knowledge and culture of Thelemites, as it will then utilize a conceptualized scheme that is more in tune with our teachings.

This is the first book post-666 that was not in some way conceptualized by him, that has been inducted into the curriculum of the A.'.A.'. Published as Class B I can see why the O.H.O. of the O.T.O. recommends that it also become part of the curriculum of the O.T.O. The system of the O.T.O. as revised by 666 is an exemplification of the cosmology and keys to initiation that 666 won by dint of his own ordeals and consequent initiations, particularly his post Magister Templi ones.

Consequently, even if you are not an aspirant to the A.'.A.'. you will still find much insight in this book as an member of the O.T.O. It gives the keys to the work of the Man of Earth Triad as well as further degrees. If you use it's findings correctly you will achieve an deeper insight into the fifth degree and it's relation to the Temple of Initiation, and how the Star of the Messiah relates to the sixth degree. The same holds for all the degrees in the O.T.O. I believe. There is even much light thrown, in an oblique manner, on the Cakes of Light, which supports the findings of our Instructed Sister Lisbeth Kimbell, from Knight Templar Oasis that was published in Agape some issues ago.

In the end, though it is a handbook of Initiation in the New Aeon and though it should be read and studied by every Thelemite, this book is of particular importance to the aspirants to the A.'.A.'. We often hear aspirants complain during their aspiration and wonder why they are left alone to solve problems they tend to encounter and perhaps most importantly it identifies the correct attitude to meet them with. If only this book was available to me when I originally started on the path of my aspiration to the A.'.A.'. nearly a decade ago, I believe it would have made my journey a much easier and sensible one. Reading the book today it has both inspired and fortified me to continue in my aspiration to that most august fraternity, the Great White Brotherhood, the community of the Secret Chiefs which direct the destiny of Man and gave them the Law of Thelema.

It is my belief that it will have a similar effect on every sincere aspirant no matter what Grade he may have attained in the outer and inner.

The book might however experience some unreasonable criticism. It is not an easy book to read unless you are familiar with the Law of Thelema in particular and the writings and system of 666 in general. That it is a progressively more technical book won't add to it's popularity.

Moreover there will always be a certain malevolent contingent who have a vested political interest in disliking this book, either to boost their own egos or to aid them in their quest for power within our community. Pay these no attention and remember the words of advice from our Holy Books:

"This Knowledge is not for all men; few indeed are called, but of these few many are chosen."-Liber Porta Lucis v. 9;

This book is hyped by many online and elsewhere as one of the best books on Thelema and initiation to come out since Crowley. People like Hymenaeus Beta (Frater Superior of the O.T.O.) and James Wasserman endlessly praise the book on the back cover and the introduction. Unfortunately there is little to actually praise within the book itself.

1) The book is poorly written. Gunther jumps from subject to subject with absolutely no reason of doing so. He will introduce topics and never explain them - simply go on to another topic.
2) He contradicts himself. This is part of poor writing but also implies a poor organization of the mind. He will say one thing in one place (for example, 'the formula of LXV is trumped by NOX' to paraphrase whereas a few pages later says something to the extent 'we shouldn't favor darkness over light and vice versa'). Its one thing to poorly explain yourself and another level of poor quality to not even be able to explain an internally coherent & consistent system.
3) This book is NOT for beginners. If you are a beginner in Thelema, Magick, or Occultism in general, chances are you won't understand a thing. Gunther uses terms constantly without explaining what they mean, fails to explain most of his concepts in depth, but instead likes to give two or three sentences to explanation and then end with an enigmatically unexplained quotation. Although Hymenaeus Beta says this is a great book for beginners on the back cover I have to vehemently disagree: it would only serve to confuse & distract beginners.
4) This book doesnt offer much for the advanced practitioner. Just as the book is virtually useless for beginners, its also virtually useless for the advanced practitioner. The things that Gunther DOES explain are already well-known to the advanced practitioner. In this vein...
5) Gunther has no clue who he is writing for. Sometimes it seems as if he is trying to write for the beginner but more often than not it seems he is writing for the advanced practitioner... Yet the beginner would find his writing obscure and the advanced practitioner would find it boring, repetitive, and useless... maybe interesting insofar as it reminded him of clever correspondences between old and new symbols.
6) Gunther never really explains the basics of Initiation in the New Aeon. In fact, about 85% of the book is explaining the symbolism of the Old Aeon with ZERO reference to the New. In this way, the book fails its own title.
7) Gunther contradicts Crowley on many points. Three that can be mentioned are the ideas that (1) "death isnt associated with the Supreme Attainment" (it is, in fact, endlessly), (2) "LVX is superseded by NOX in this Aeon" (why do we have a Liber LXV along with the MANY references to LXV in Thelemic Holy Books? In fact, youll probably find more references to LVX than NOX in the Holy Books of Thelema), and the final point he makes that contradicts Crowley is that (3) "Thelema is antithetical to Determinism." This last one is especially funny as Crowley explicitly writes that free will is "imbecile" in one place, and disparages it in about 4 others. Either he is absolutely ignorant of Crowley's writings on the subject, he is too fearful to actually say that Thelema embraces Determinism, or he should admit that he's speaking of his own brand of idiosyncratic Thelema that has little relation to what Crowley expounded in commentaries to Liber AL, Liber Aleph, etc.

In short the book is a somewhat entertaining look through Old Symbolism. The book teaches the beginner little because it is highly obscure and it teaches the advanced practitioner little because it goes over old, repetitious ideas and most of the book is dedicated to examining old symbolism, not explaining what Initiation actually is in the New Aeon. Gunther is a poor writer who is unable to get points across clearly and confidently. If you want to actually learn about Initiation in the New Aeon, read the essay 'New Aeon Initiation' (http://thelemicstudies.com/NewAeonInitiation.pdf)

Essentially: The book reads like an unorganized tome of unorganized knowledge.

This book is a worthy investment of time and money. It is a marvelous introduction to the subject of initiation for our time and culture. Gunther provides valuable contrast of the subject through history as well as placing it in context of modern practice (particularly, the practices of the Order: A:.A:.)and spiritual climate.

It also provides countless suggested lines of study that will enhance anyone's research into their own spiritual growth.

Though it may be a little overwhelming for some who are new to Thelemic spirituality, if used in conjunction with Lon DuQuette's "Magick of Aleister Crolwey" or Kaczynski/Wasserman's "The Weiser Concise Guide to Aleister Crowley " one can get up to speed on unfamiliar terminology and concepts quickly.

I bought this book and it surprises me so much: objective, practical, instructive, clear and profound in its description of the principles of the new aeon. It's worthy.
Antônio Pereira - Brasil

This book introduces and gives a number of wonderful ideas, but is in serious need of an editor or a ghost writer. Mr Gunther's style makes this an accessible read for most anyone, but the claims on the back jacket by Hymenaeus Beta of this being an introductory text are way off base. It makes the assumption and require that the reader to be familiar with a number of the Holy Books and Book of the Law, sometimes without much note or referrence as a guide. There isn't enough personal experience or listing of the author's testing method to his claims, which seem to have come from an enlightened place, but I felt as a reader that I was expected to take Mr Gunther at his word time and again. This is where the Methods of Science should have made themselves a little more pronounced. I want to see a second edition of this book where more useful annotation and conclusions are given to the concepts that are being given as a thesis for the A.'.A.'., though I'm sure it's years away if it will ever happen.
While I still feel this is a worthwhile book to read and study, I feel it does not live up to the expectations put on it by myself and other as hopefully being a new definitive text in the post-Crowley age of Thelema.

Written in clear and easy to understand language, and the author clearly states what he is trying to say, unlike most esoteric literature & writers. The book is relatively short, and contains something for all (regardless of their level) who may be interested in this time relevant topic.
The book is more of a taste-test rather than offering a 3 course meal.. It definitely has a place on any serious esoteric student's bookshelf, and is a good launching pad to other areas of research. It will interest anyone with an interest in "New Aeon" type theory.

Wow!!! This book is solely for the Magickal Practitioner in general and the student of Thelema in particular. It is excellent. When esoteric students want to read a simple classic introductory work about the topics of the New Age movement; I recommend "The Finding of the Third Eye" by the late Vera Stanley Alder. When students tell me they heard Freemasonry is one of the best schools of spiritual development in the world outside of church, Mosque or synagogue and they are looking for some classic work to validate what they heard; I recommend "The Builders": A Story and Study of Freemasonry, By the late Reverend and Master Mason, Joseph Fort Newton. When students say they heard AMORC (Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis) is one of the best schools of Psychic development in the world today based on the Rosicrucian tradition and they would like to read a classic work to validate what they heard; I recommend "Wisdom of the Mystic Masters" by the late Joseph Weed. Now, when students say they want to be true Thelemites who walk the "Path of the Wise" as created by the genius of Aleister Crowley; I wholeheartedly recommend J. Daniel Gunther's seminal work, "Initiation in the Aeon of the Child": The Inward Journey. It is so good it will definitely become a classic of esoteric literature. I give it my highest recommendation. Bravo, indeed!!!

This long awaited book is the most important work released on subject of spiritual progress and initiation since the death of Aleister Crowley. There is no book more necessary for the modern occultist or magician currently available. It is however an advanced work and not for the kinder garden occultist or dabbler. This is an advanced read and goes to the deepest levels. Bravo!