Thelema, a Western esoteric and spiritual philosophy, was established in the early 20th century by the English occultist Aleister Crowley. At its core is the concept of 'True Will,' an individual's unique divine purpose that supersedes ordinary desires. Crowley's foundational text, The Book of the Law, purportedly dictated by a spiritual entity named Aiwass, lays out key principles such as "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law" and "love is the law, love under will." These tenets highlight personal liberty and the pursuit of one's authentic path.

The cosmology of Thelema draws inspiration from ancient Egyptian religion, featuring deities like Nuit (the night sky), Hadit (the infinitely small point), and Ra-Hoor-Khuit (representing active energies). The practice of 'Magick' is central, involving various exercises to uncover and enact one's True Will. Rituals, yoga, and meditation are employed for self-mastery and consciousness exploration. The Gnostic Mass is a significant ritual, and Thelemites observe specific holy days. Later figures have contributed to the development and interpretation of Thelema.

Thelema, a Western esoteric philosophy and religious movement, was founded by Aleister Crowley in the early 1900s. Its central tenet is the discovery and adherence to one's 'True Will,' understood as a divine and individual purpose. This concept is articulated in "The Book of the Law," which Crowley claimed was received through dictation from a non-corporeal entity called Aiwass. The book contains the core axioms: "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law" and "love is the law, love under will," underscoring the importance of personal freedom and self-determination.

Thelemic cosmology incorporates deities inspired by ancient Egyptian mythology, including Nuit, representing the infinite expanse of possibilities; Hadit, symbolizing manifestation and motion; and Ra-Hoor-Khuit, associated with the sun and active energies. The pursuit of one's True Will is considered the path to self-realization, often termed the Great Work. Magick is a fundamental practice within Thelema, encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines aimed at aligning actions with True Will. Practices like rituals, yoga, and meditation are utilized to enhance self-awareness and control.

The concept of 'will' as a driving force has historical roots predating Crowley. The Greek word 'thelema' relates to divine will or desire, appearing in ancient texts. In the Renaissance, Francesco Colonna's "Hypnerotomachia Poliphili" featured a character named Thelemia representing will. François Rabelais later established a fictional Abbey of Thélème in his works, whose sole rule was "Do what you will." This motto was adopted by Sir Francis Dashwood for his Hellfire Club in the mid-18th century. While Rabelais's work is seen by some as a precursor, others emphasize the distinct nature of Crowley's Thelema.

“Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law”

“love is the law, love under will”