The Word of the Equinox

In 1907 Crowley began the tradition of issuing a new “Word” at each equinox. These were sent to each member of the A∴A∴ (Neophyte and above) in good standing and certain O.T.O. members. Commonly issued on Crowley’s personal stationary featuring his “Mark of the Beast” or a lamen of the O.T.O. imprinted in red. Sometimes sent on unmarked paper or in a hand-written letter but most often typed on small pieces of stationary.

The manner in which Crowley received each of these oracular Words varied from equinox to equinox. While many were derived utilizing a sex-magick rite of one sort or another, there was no consistency in the method. Sometimes the Word was chosen days before the actual Equinox and at other times after—working alone or with others. At times, he would “hear” the Word, in other instances the Word was given through an assistant or received in a vision. There is also a versified Ritual of the Ceremony of the Equinox incorporating aspects of the Neophyte ritual which remains unpublished and was utilized by Crowley on certain occasions. Many Lineages carry on with this tradition, in one form or another, today.

To the Word of the equinox Crowley would append an Oracle and an Omen, a practice he began in the early 20’s. The Oracle was chosen via bibliomancy. That is, he would open a Holy book to a random page (most often Liber AL) and using either his thumb or ring, (at times just dropping his signet ring of Ankh-af-na-khonsu on the open page), and where ever his thumb or ring came to rest was the Oracle given for that Equinox. The Omen was a Yi King reading utilizing a unique method developed by Crowley.

1907
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	Catena	Word:	Amphora
1908
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	Opleis (?)	Word:	Belluim (?)
1909
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	Perdurabo	Word:	Audio
1910
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	ayata (?)	Word:	Credo
1911
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	Inero	Word:	Keacota
1912
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	Sanctum	Word:	Snake
1913
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	JAHBVLON	Word:	Peotos
1914
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	Poliax	Word:	N.O.X.
1915
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	DUPLEX (given in Enochian DUPLXX)	Word:	Nebulae
1916
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	Sol-om-on	Word:	SAGITTAE. I trust Sagittae refers to "The Paris Working"—arrows shot in the war against the Slave-gods.
		Oracle:	Liber VII.iii.47 "O thou delicious God, smile sinister!", a Phallic reference.
1917
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	ADNI [in Hebrew]	Word:	Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law
	Liber LXV.v.24 “Also thou art beyond the stabilities of Being and of Consciousness and of Bliss; for I am thou, and the Pillar is ’stablished in the void.”	Oracle:	Liber VII.vi.14 “There are deep secrets in these songs. to enjoy song he must be the bird.”
1918
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	Akamrach. The meaning to be obtained later. It refers to a great stream of clear water, Chesed.	Word:	Eleve
1919
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	SA-CL =333 two words	Word:	Teh & Alko 'unhallowed words' Amalantrah refers Teh to of "Union by gnawing". Alko to of "Household". Teh to 71 "Dove" Alko to 457 "Olives" Teh to XVII Alko to XI and says "Teh moves, Alko restrains". There's lots of other prophecy—also, obviously, Al-Teh-Ko
1920
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	OCELLI (Seems to mean eyes, though I don't know in what language, and to refer to the Sun and Moon.)	Word:	Oh, so much! (Word means Plenty)
1921
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	MENTULA: also Menthu—La: Μεντλα = 831)	Word:	FIFTY
Oracle:	Liber VII.vii.42
1922
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	HERU-RA-HA	Word:	טעעש 93 (pronounced "Thighs") (This word means Light—Eyes—Flame—Will.) Its number is 542 418 + 666 / 2. It means therefore the uniting of To Mega Therion Abrahadabra.
Oracle:	AL III.70-71. (Cf. III 35.Where He is called by two names) This is the day of Stretch forth and Conquer!	Oracle:	The Thelema Oracle is AL III-52 "I flap my wings in the face of Mohammed and blind him."
		Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 60
1923
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	GAMA-APPA-OPI	Word:	יתי אוד "Let there be light." (Aud) (AUD is the technical expression for the popular form of light characteristic of the Sacred Magick. The value of AUD is 11 "as all their numbers who are of us". Spelt in full its value is 558 = 6x93 = ךדת (to initiate) and particularly means the principle of Thelema extended in man and particularly in his Ruach, also his human consciousness in Tiphereth. is the symbol of Harpocrates and the form Bacchus, Parsifal, the Great Fool. ו is again 6, thus referring to the sun and to man, especially to the Atu "The Hierophant" and to the sign Taurus, the cherub of earth. is love. The word thus symbolized the redemption of man by Aphrodite and Dionysus. אוד should also be understood as honouring the memory of our brother AUD who fell fighting by my side against malice and treason during the passage of the sun through Aquarius, An. XVIII. ת has the value 25 = the square of 5 היוא (a title of the Beast), that is, the pentagram in action. It represents the conjunction of the Father and the Mother (ה) Spelt in full ידתיוד adds to 60 = ה Atu 14 = Sagitarius = alchemical transmutation. The two words put together contain 6 letters. The total value is 36= the square of 6. This represents the establishment of the solar light and energy in man, especially as manifested by 666, the Solar Man. 25+11=36; tat is, it leads from 52 to 62, the Magical Light raising man to Godhead, the accomplishment of the Great Work. The combined words add to 618 – 2x309 = 2x שט; the secret compound letter which is the third 31 of 93. 618 symbolises the expression in duality of שט
Oracle:	AL III.2 “Conquer	Oracle:	AL II.51 “Purple beyond purple; it is the light higher than eyesight”. A precise description of Aud.
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 2
1924
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	NOVEM or VYHY AUR (Aud)	Word:	O M (Aum)
		Oracle:	AL III.46 “I am the Warrior Lord of the Forties; the Eighties cower before me and are abased. Etc.”
		Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 45
1925
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	צו ין (pronounce oh! Yes!)	Word:	YMHN
Oracle:	Liber VII.vi.27 "There dead Messalina bartered her crown for poison from the dead Locusts; there stood Caligula and smote the seas of forgetfulness."	Oracle:	Liber LXV.v.23
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 55	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 46
1926
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	Zero	Word:	ISh HIR [in Hebrew] (525) Yes Here
Oracle:	AL II.24 “Fire”	Oracle:	Liber VII.vi.50 “my” of "my desire"
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 47	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 22
1927
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	FU. This is the name of the earliest known of the Great Chinese Adepts. Its number (ΦF) is 506 = 8. 80. 418 (see AL). There is an implication of Sincerity putting the Work on a firm basis: a return of the Current from its downward curve,. Great changes may be expected: they may seem evil, but are necessary to progress.	Word:	Cara (???) This was received during Vigil directly from my Superior in the Hierarchy. Audibly for the first time for years.
Oracle:	Liber VII.iii.46. "Let me smother them with my roses!" (Note the context v. 45 in connection with the entry of Herschel into Aries March 31.)	Oracle:	Liber VII.iii.60. "Then shall all this which is written be accomplished: yea, it shall be accomplished."
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 54	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 56
1928
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	MAN (Besides the obvious meaning, consider the Temurahs AMN, MNA etc, and meditate on the value of 91 = 7 x 13)	Word:	To-Day The sum of the first 10 natural squares: Assaiah: the Glory of God etc.
Oracle:	AL III.10 (This may imply the journey of the Beast 666 with the Scarlet Woman 156-667 to Egypt)	Oracle:	AL II.58
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 52	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 5
1929
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	Attention (the French word not the English)	Word:	Viens "Being—in strength". The word adds up to 131. Note also the Temurah ENSI V and others.
Oracle:	Liber VII.vi.27 with the emphasis on 'seas'.	Oracle:	AL III.8
		Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 10
1930
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	YLALU Numerical value (in Hebrew) 77. This word perhaps belongs to the language of "the ancient Book", See Liber VII, vii 6. The general meaning is that full illumination has come to the Work of the Order.	Word:	ANU
Oracle:	AL II.43 “"A feast every night unto Nu, and the pleasure of uttermost delight”. (Thumb on st of "uttermost delight!")	Oracle:	AL I.46 “Nothing”
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 57	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 29 The implication of all is of a mysterious Birth in secret. It is improper to divulge details, but the Working transcends the material plane more than usual.
1931
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	BRAShITh בראשית The meaning should be well known to you, but you may wisely study it further. The point of importance at this moment is that it announces the positive creation prepared by the Word of the past Equinox.	Word:	FATARA (Fhatara) Note Phatara 903 = AShARATh, the Magical Name of the Great Magus of the time of the French Revolution. Fatma, the daughter of Mohammed, whose Hand is the symbol of Protection and good fortune throughout Islam, is a secret implication of this word. The Oracle seems to suggest that Heru-Ra-Ha will break His way through the enemy. The Omen shews the Male and Female elements working together in perfect harmony.
Oracle:	AL II.72 "Strive ever to more"—the accent on "ever".	Oracle:	Liber VII.vi.17 “Thou Gladiator God!”
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 28	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 63
1932
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	PHILUSTRICESS	Word:	AIND VACIMA
Oracle:	AL III.25 Letter s of word “cakes”	Oracle:	AL II.58 ”thumb on yea!”
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 58	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 7
1933
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	Silence breaking into soft music of laughter	Word:	KAVANI (KAANI)
		Oracle:	AL II.9 "Remember all ye that existence is pure joy"
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 13	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 31
1934
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	KRMVTh (Karmuth) meaning vineyards. Its numerical value is 666 (These need no further explanation but should be the subject of meditation.)	Word:	QUAMAH QABLAS [Crowley note: H or B?] The words sound like running water. The meaning is "rejuvenate".
Oracle:	AL II.79 “blessing and worship to the prophet of the lovely Star.”	Oracle:	"Conquer! that is enough"
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 41	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 60
1935
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	Armageddon. (This is associated with a vision of a plain full of dead men. An adept is on the watch) (The Oracle and the Omen are silent)	Word:	Lal (Note numeration in letters. Lal is the Sanskrit for Red. The background is the sandy desert and burnt mountains with corpses and the watching Adept, as with Sun in Aries.)
		Oracle:	The Oracle is "Therefore strike hard and low, and to hell with them, Master!"
		Omen:	The Omen is to be taken be each of the Blessed Brethren for him or herself.
1936
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	Beast	Word:	BAB
Oracle:	Liber VII – IV.34	Oracle:	AL III.38 “door” (Bab is the door herein mentioned. Bab in full is 935: see Equinox of the Gods p 103).
1937
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	ADIL The Oracle and the Omen are silent	Word:	OLVK 70 x 30 x 6 x 20 = 125. Its meaning is Thine Exaltation. It is a Word of the Sun 6 (L 1-6).
		Oracle:	AL III.38 Emphasizes the word “Secret
		Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 63
1938
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	OIDV [Hebrew] Its value is 90, Tzaddi, The Emperor, Aries. It is pronounced very much as the English "Oh, I do" but suggests the howling of the tempest or the roar of a blast furnace.	Word:	RASh ChL or SAShK AL (Rashak Al) [RShAK AK in Hebrew] meaning "Thine Head, O God" or, The Beginning AL.
Oracle:	AL II.15 With emphasis on the word “Not”	Oracle:	AL III.38 1st two lines of verses. 'rays' & 'secret.' "The light is mine; its rays consume Me; I have made a secret door."
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 41	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 50
1939
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	LBA LI	Word:	W.A.R.M. Spelt in full WA.ALP.RISh MIM = 718
Oracle:	AL III.46 thumb on “before”	Oracle:	AL III.38
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 5	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 21
1940
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	AH AH (Value 6, factorial 3, sum of 1-3: second 'perfect' number. The number of the Sun. Also GBA, to gather, collect: G G, Go; BD, a Bear: HA, a Window.)	Word:	R.O.T.A.
Oracle:	AL I.62 “with”	Oracle:	AL I.56 (Thumb between “but” & “thou”)
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 15	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 25
1941
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	PNChAL (Pirochael, 169, Angel who presides over great changes. In method he combines the revealing changes of the Tarot with the changes by reversal of the Yi King)	Word:	Koleso
Oracle:	AL I.13 “joy”	Oracle:	AL I.5 Thumb exactly between the words “warrior lord.”
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 43	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 19
1942
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	KUSIS. [KVSIS hebrew]=156. Kus-Cunt in Persian. Kus=86 IS=70=Ayin Can be read The Goat of the Gods. This word is Enochian, and themeaning is not here declared. But in Hebrew transliteration it is KVSIS, and has the numerical value of BABALON and of TzIVN. KUS is a Persian word, implying the essence of Womanhood; and its value (Hebrew transliteration) is 86,like ALHIM Elohim, the feminine forces of Nature. IS has the value of 70, Ayin, Capricornus. Considering the Oracle and the Omen as below KUSIS may be taken to mean The Great Mother Goddess.	Word:	Thido Its value in either Greek or Hebrew is 93. Its most obvious meaning is the "Head of the Balances" i.e. the edge of agate on which the arms rest. Thus, the critical moment.
Oracle:	AL I.4 My signet fell exactly on the word 'infinite'.	Oracle:	AL III.43 (The cartouche was on the last two syllables of 'ten-derness'. See M.S. for the curious division of the word. 'derness' has the value of 555, and the 'ten' may be read as 10; the word would thus mean the full manifestation of the number 5 on the material plane.)
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 44	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 6
1943
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	Dorafakol (from the Paradilon square in Abramelin III 10 which causes magical storms to cease.)	Word:	K I L I K Notes on the Word of the Equinox. This word comes from the Abramelin Square. ROKEA ORIRE KILIK ERIGO AEKOR Its virtue is to "cure inverterate paralysis". It is hoped that this may be interpreted in connection with the promulgation and acceptance of the Law of Thelema which has been so held up for so long. Every letter in this square, except K which is neutral, has a favourable attribution. Jupiter in Pisces, Venus in Libra—Fire, Mercury in Virgo, Venus in Taurus, Moon in Cancer increasing, Jupiter in Sagittarius and Moon in Cancer decreasing. Investigation of the word itself has so far not shewn any striking phenomena. Its numerical value is, of course, 90, the numeration of Tzadi, the Emperor and this corresponds well enough with the general idea of the square. Suggestions as to the derivation of any of the words in this square would be welcome.
Oracle:	AL II.54 Ring squarely on the “thou” in “The stops as thou wilt”.	Oracle:	AL II.40. The Ring settled on the second 'for'. The Omen: the ring settled on the second 'for'; we might take the value of this to be 286 which is 26 x 11, the magical manifestation of Tetragrammaton and this again corresponds with the Emperor. The word 'for' in this passage has the meaning of 'on account of' or 'in honour of' but there is an essential meaning of positiveness; compare the words 'forecastle', 'forearmed', 'before', 'forth'; Skeat suggests these himself. One might take the word to mean 'over the top of'. The general meaning of the 16th Hexagram is pleasure or satisfaction. It is the fiery mode of the feminine principle, and this suggests the issuing forth of the Great Idea.
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 45	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 16
1944
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	KUKRI=256=28. (This is the knife of the Ghurkas.) Value 256. The 6th power of two and the 4th of 4.	Word:	BIKELON This is the Abramelin square for treasure of diamonds. BIKELON IROKATO KORAMAL ELAMALE LAMAROK OTALORI NOLEKIB The critical key letter is the second O in OTALORI
Oracle:	AL 1.61 (The Ring came to rest on the letters ple of ‘pleasure’)	Oracle:	AL II.53 The ring settled on the word But I whose value is 418.
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 58	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 55
1945
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	A s t ar t e	Word:	ROTARA Rotara (1st A) in Square The Word is taken from the Abramelin square SEARAH ELLOPA ALATOM ROTARA APIRAK HAMAKS Note that, spelt backwards, it is ARATOR, a sower or ploughman. There is also obvious connexion with ROTA, TARO and gofnate ideas. The emphasis is on the first A Venus in Taurus.
Oracle:	AL III.74 “there is”	Oracle:	AL II.22 Ring on “stir”
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 62	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 55
1946
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	SUHAL : Enoch] AQ (latter letter in Enoch) in Gnomon. “To cause visions of a Black Lion to appear”.	Word:	ODAK a vulture. Hence = Mau the Mother Virgin of the Universe. Value 95 (or: Thy Magical Strength).
Oracle:	AL I.37 “The Wand. Ring on the wand”	Oracle:	AL I.32 “Ring on y p”
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 42	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 32
1947
Spring Equinox		Autumnal Equinox
Word:	L i f t	Word:	brilliance (Ring settled on the last five letters.)
Oracle:	AL II.12 “Thee”	Oracle:	AL II.36 “times”
Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 22	Omen:	I Ching Hexagram 8

[34], [109], [116], [122], [123], [293], [341], [342]