Since the death of Frater Saturnus there has been no recognised ruling triad governing the whole of the A∴A∴, although some have tried and failed to assume such a role. The A∴A∴ has proved greater than any one individual or group, and has since grown organically along lines proper to its nature. The teacher to student method of the transmission has meant the Order has naturally divided into lines of descent, which today we refer to as lineages. This can make it difficult to discern the origin and veracity of any given link, and in many cases it may prove impossible. To address this we opt not to publicly judge or make accusations, but instead take the open minded attitude advocated by Frater O.M.
“The Brothers of the A∴A∴ refuse none. They have no objection to anyone claiming to be of themselves. If he does so, let him abide by it”. Liber LXXI III:24
We recognise that beyond the accidents of history the Order is One, and that there is One Eye in the Triangle: the Light of the World himself, V.V.V.V.V. We also maintain that since Frater O.M. made the teachings of the A∴A∴ public, any given individual or group may forge a functional link with the Supernal Order; the A∴A∴ proper. Let success be their proof.
There are groups claiming to be sole representatives of the Great Order, asserting that there is only one 'true' A∴A∴, and it's them; all of the others being mere 'pretenders'. We consider this view to be a politicising force and unworthy of initiates and aspirants to the Holy Order. It is based on the claim that Crowley never intended for lineages as we know them today, but instead envisioned a single ruling triad over the whole Order. We can agree that this probably was his original idea and that he likely didn't intend the A∴A∴ to be divided into dozens of smaller independent groups. However, the assertion that because it wasn't the plan, it therefore didn't happen, is specious reasoning at best and is akin to a traveller saying that because he intended to go to town A, but the signposts indicate that he is in town B, then it is the signposts that must be wrong.
Such idealism that has no basis in reality, and that while some may not like it, many things happened that Crowley didn't intend. We should be cautious in making assertions based on what we would like to be true when the reality before us contradicts our beliefs, particularly as initiates who claim to seek truth. In this instance we need only consider that initiates have at times had more than one student, creating branches. Each student works in isolation knowing only the person who introduced them, and in a generation or two they may not even be aware of each others existence thinking themselves to be the sole representatives of the A∴A∴. Lineages are built into the system, intentionally or not is irrelevant.
We can agree that the current situation is far from ideal, and we seek to maintain good relationships with other lineages of A∴A∴ in an attempt to heal these rifts. Our own history shows that we are not against the idea of mergers where the possibility arises. In any case returning from speculations of the ideal to the actual, Crowley wrought better than he knew: the A∴A∴ is a broad family, and where some see divisions and splits, we see branches of a family tree. This adds nuance and variation, enabling the A∴A∴ to reach a wider spread of people who will naturally be drawn to one or another branch of the Order. It also means that the A∴A∴ is decentralised, making it more flexible, diverse, and resilient to change and upheaval, in particular it protects the Order as a whole from the danger of being corrupted from within by a single bad leader rising to the top and subverting the whole Order to his or her vision, a very real possibility in any spiritual movement. This resilience makes the Order the perfect ark to bear the mysteries through the coming aeons.
A number of lineages have made themselves known to us, and such can be found at the addresses listed below. We encourage aspirants to examine closely each claimant group,send an email or write a letter, find out who managing each line and their history, in order to satisfy yourself as to the validity of the claim as well as the type of people you will likely be working under should you sign on to a given group. Should any group or Initiate wish to be added to this list, they may contact us with their details and we would be pleased to oblige.
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http://www.astrumargenteum.org/en/home/ A lineage overseen by Frater Orpheus, descended from Grady McMurty's line.
https://ordoaa.weebly.com/ Fraternitatis A.'.A.'. (Alostrael Lineage): A lineage founded in 2007 by Fratres Aleisterion 777 and ABA 121.
http://www.astronargon.us/ , probably derived from Ray Eales.
http://outercol.org/ Students of Marcello Motta, currently run by Daniel Gunther, operates worldwide and closely associated with the OTO.
http://www.astron-argon.org/ Unknown affiliations. U.S. based.
http://onestarinsight.org/ a lineage run by students of Soror Meral headed by David Shoemaker, operates from the U.S.
http://www.thelema.org/aa/index.html students of Soror Meral headed by Jim Eshelman, exclusively U.S. based.
http://www.cornelius93.com/ lineage run by Jerry Cornelius, derived from Grady McMurtry.
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Blogs and other links:
https://formlessfire.blogspot.com/, the blog of Frater Pertinax of this lineage. Thoughts and experiences of the path of initiation