Probationer - His principal business is to begin such practices as he may prefer, and to write a careful record of the same for one year. (from "One Star in Sight")
The Syllabus of a Probationer
His duties are laid down in Paper A, Class D [The Task of the Probationer]. Being without, they are vague and general. He receives "Liber LXI" ["Liber Causæ" – "The Cause"] and LXV ["Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente" – "The Book of the Heart Girt with a Serpent"].
(Certain Probationers are admitted after six months or more to "Ritual XXVIII" ["Septem Regum Sanctorum" – "The Seven Holy Kings"].)
At the end of the Probation he passes "Ritual DCLXXI" ["Throa" – "The Gate"], which constitutes him a Neophyte.
The Task of a Probationer
0. Let any person be received by a Neophyte, the latter being responsible to his Zelator.
1. The period of Probation shall be at least one year.
2. The aspirant to the [the Order] shall hear the Lection ("Liber LXI vel Causæ") and this note of his office; IF HE WILL, shall then procure the robe of a Probationer; shall choose with deep forethought and intense solemnity a motto.
3. On reception, he shall receive the robe, sign the form provided and repeat the oath as appointed, and receive the First Volume of the Book.
4. He shall commit a chapter of "Liber LXV" ["Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente"] to memory; and furthermore, he shall study the Publications of the [Order] in Class B, and apply himself to such practices of Scientific Illuminism as seemeth him good.
[A]pply himself to such practices: “One cannot understand the A.'.A.'. system and its teachings without a primary education in the traditional G.D. system and its teachings." -- Eshelman, p47.
5. Beside all this, he shall perform any tasks that the [Order] may see fit to lay upon him. Let him be mindful that the word Probationer is no idle term, but that the Brothers will in many a subtle way prove him, when he knoweth it not.
6. When the sun shall next enter the sign under which he hath been received, his initiation may be granted unto him. He shall keep himself free from all other engagements for one whole week from that date.
7. He may at any moment withdraw from his association with the [Order], simply notifying the Neophyte who introduced him.
8. He shall everywhere proclaim openly his connection with the [Order] and speak of It and Its principles (even so little as he understandeth) for that mystery is the enemy of Truth.
One month before the completion of his year, he shall deliver a copy of the Record of his year’s work to the Neophyte introducing, and repeat to him his chosen chapter of "Liber LXV" ["Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente"].
9. He shall hold himself chaste, and reverent toward his body, for that the ordeal of initiation is no light one.
This is of peculiar importance in the last two months of his Probation.
10. Thus and not otherwise may he attain the great reward: YEA, MAY HE OBTAIN THE GREAT REWARD!
[In regards to "The Treasure House of Images" Crowley wrote: "The Probationer should learn by heart the chapter corresponding to the Zodiacal Sign that was rising at his birth; or, if this be unknown, the chapter 'The Twelvefold Unification of God.'"]
Probationer Curriculum
The basis of our whole work is "The Book of the Law". It is essential for every Probationer to study this book and those which are directly connected with it, as commentaries:
"Liber Causæ". The Preliminary Lection, including the History Lection.
"An Account of A.'.A.'.".
"Liber Libræ".
"Liber AL vel Legis", "The Book of the Law".
"The Message of the Master Therion".
"The Law of Liberty".
"De Lege Libellum".
"Khabs Am Pekht".
Liber Aleph, The Book of Wisdom or Folly.
Magick: Liber ABA.
"Liber E vel Exercitiorum" ["The Book of Exercises"].
"Liber O vel Manus et Sagittæ" ["The Book of the Hand and the Arrow"].
"Resh vel Helios".
"The Star Ruby".
["The Vision and the Voice"] "Liber XXX ÆRUM vel Sæculi". "Being of the Angels of the Thirty ÆTHYRS".
"Liber Porta Lucis".
"Liber TZADDI vel Hamus Hermeticus".
"Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente".
"A Syllabus of the Official Instructions".
This course of reading will furnish the Probationer with a thorough general knowledge of the whole system of Attainment, and of the practices tending to this goal, so that he may choose freely as to what way he will take in his Beginning. For this is always left by the [Order] to his Free Will; They only begin to advise and criticize him on the information supplied to Them by himself in the Magical Record which he prepares for Their Instruction.
The Robe of a Probationer
The Probationer shall wear a Robe of White Linen or Wool or Silk in the Shape of the Tau, trimmed in Gold at the neck, sleeves and hem. On the front of the Robe in Scarlet shall be the Upright Pentagram; on the back, the Hexagram of Nature with the golden Tau in the midst, for “the blue triangle that descendeth is Nuit, and the red triangle that ascendeth is Hadit.” There is no Hood.
The Oath of a Probationer
I, ______________________, being of sound mind and body, on this ___ day of ___________ (An ______ SUN in __° of __) do hereby resolve: in the Presence of ______________________ a Neophyte of the A.'.A.'.: To prosecute the Great Work: which is, to obtain a scientific knowledge of the nature and powers of my own being [i.e: self-knowledge].
May the A.'.A.'. crown the work, lend me of Its wisdom in the work, enable me to understand the work!
Reverence, duty, sympathy, devotion, assiduity, trust do I bring to the A.'.A.'., and in one year from this date may I be admitted to the knowledge and conversation of the A.'.A.'.!