Thelema Tradition: Love is the Law
The History
Love is the Law is an independent school within the Thelema tradition. The word “Thelema” is Greek, meaning “will.” This tradition began in the early 1900s, to modernize western esoteric traditions.
The Thelema tradition has always incorporated both the Magickal (practical) and Mystical (spiritual) paths. Honoring Free Will based in Love is a core tenet of the tradition.
The Curriculum
Our curriculum is organized into degrees that mirror the Kabbalah Tree of Life, with each degree focused primarily on one archetypal theme. The Tree of Life is regarded as the path that every person follows but most people meander through unconsciously, struggling with the challenges that arise along the way. Initiates into our training, on the other hand, are made conscious of this journey, so they are prepared and supported for challenges when they arise. At the end of each degree, the student determines whether it is their will to continue; if so, they are initiated into the next degree through a ritual which connects them with the energies of that sephiroth on the Tree of Life.
Degree | Duration | FOCUS |
|---|---|---|
Minerval Degree (“Welcome Guest”) First Degree Second Degree Third Degree Fourth Degree Fifth Degree Sixth Through Tenth Degrees | 6 Months Recommended Exactly 9 Months Approx. 2-3 years Approx. 2-3 years Approx. 3 years Approx. 3 years Completed Independently | A Sampler of the Training Time Management Money/Sex Energies Living Your Earthly Purpose Living from your heart/Leadership Merging the Microcosm with the Macrocosm – |
Blending Structured and Experiential Learning
Structured Learning vs. Experiential Learning
Our training is primarily experiential, meaning you learn from what comes up in your life circumstances during every degree. This is not a classroom training where you need to study and take tests on a regular basis. You prove what you’ve learned by living it.
On the other hand, there is enough structured material to make sure you know what you need to know for your experiences. This comes mostly in the form of handouts and required reading. It is natural for our students to also take outside training or healing programs. Your connection to the Tree of Life makes it clearer which programs are right for you and when. Some of those programs might even be offered by your fellow students. We often support each other’s work.
The Role of a "Link" in the Minerval Degree
The Role of Your Link
From the moment you are initiated into the Minerval Degree, you are assigned a “Link” who walks you through the curriculum step-by-step, during weekly 1:1 meetings. The purpose of this volunteer role is to be a guide, not a teacher. They connect you with the right material, and sometimes share from their experiences, but they are not here to tell you what your experience must be. We say that you teach yourself, or Life teaches you, through the experiences that naturally come up during each degree.
Your Link assignment will change from degree to degree. You are also likely to become a Link yourself, which enhances your training as much as it does your student’s.
Temple Practice
In each degree you learn rituals and practices that deepen your connection to the elements and focus your mind. Temple becomes part of your life routine – a place to anchor to your spiritual self when the chaos of life tries to pull you away.
Summary of Time Commitment
- Initiation (1-3 hours plus travel, beginning of each degree)
- Link meetings (30-60 minutes, weekly)
- Temple practice (starts as 15 minutes and increases through degrees, 3-7 days per week)
- Master Lecture (15-30 minutes, every Sunday 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT)
- Assigned reading (varies)
- Quarterly ritual & feast (60 minutes, every equinox and solstice)
- Karma Yoga service projects (duration and frequency vary)
You might also be invited to participate in initiations of other students and other group learning or social events.
Join Our Email List Now
Start Your Journey with Us!
