THE EDGELORDS OF THELEMA
Why Arrogant Gatekeepers Are The Movement’s Biggest Enemy
One of the most enduring — and undeniably irritating — challenges facing Thelema today is the sheer arrogance and condescension often displayed by its public personas and self-appointed gatekeepers.
For a spiritual and philosophical movement supposedly rooted in the liberating principles of the Law of the New Aeon, the smugness emanating from some of its most vocal and visible promoters is a bitter irony.
These figures, instead of welcoming newcomers or those with a genuine interest in the Great Work, too often position themselves as lofty arbiters of “real” Thelema, all while sneering down at those they deem unworthy.
Take, for example, the outrageous comments that periodically surface in Thelemic circles. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve encountered sneering remarks like:
“Marco Visconti writes books for people barely aware of themselves and totally unable to read anything worth of value.”
The venom in such statements is shocking, given Thelema’s emphasis on self-discovery and personal gnosis. Instead of encouraging people to explore their Will, comments like these disparage anyone who doesn’t meet the speaker’s arbitrary intellectual or spiritual standards. But the dismissiveness doesn’t end with me and my offerings. It spreads like a toxic undercurrent across the broader landscape of Thelemic discourse.
I’ve even heard absurd generalisations such as:
“Everyone who teaches this material, which is available for free for those intelligent enough to find it and understand, are nothing but grifters. Yes, that includes writing and selling books too!”
There’s a twisted logic here, as if someone selling a book — an obvious and legitimate means of knowledge dissemination — is somehow a betrayal of Thelemic principles. The irony is that the very figures making these claims are often obscure bloggers or podcasters, furiously preaching Thelema from their social media accounts, who ranted and raved against those writing books, organising courses, and teaching classes for years… only to start doing exactly the same when they realised that there was a very keen audience ready for it.
Perhaps the most bewildering example of this elitism came from someone scoffing at the growing number of people discovering magick through media like the paranormal documentary Hellier:
“If you watched Hellier and took it seriously, you are too credulous and stupid to be a real Thelemite.”
It’s a breathtaking display of gatekeeping, especially since Hellier — a paranormal series of all things — managed to bring more attention to Thelema and magick in general than nearly anything the O.T.O. has achieved in years. The irony here is palpable: a simple paranormal show put Thelema on the map for a new generation while those supposedly carrying Crowley’s torch sit on the sidelines sneering. If somehow you don’t know what I am talking about, you can read my thoughts on the Hellier phenomenon here.
Yes, many of those who discovered Thelema via Hellier didn’t stay, and sure, Crowley’s controversial life has always been a sticking point. Still, the fact remains that Hellier generated more genuine interest in magick and Thelema than most insiders have managed.
And yet, the backlash against those who resonate with pop-cultural gateways to esotericism is relentless. I’ve personally been targeted multiple times by these elitist types, and I’m old enough to remember when figures like Lon Milo DuQuette and David Shoemaker were under similar fire. Just a decade ago, it was fashionable to deride DuQuette or Shoemaker — both of whom have done more to introduce Thelema to a wider audience than most self-righteous gatekeepers ever will.
The targets change, but the sentiment remains the same: if you’re making Thelema accessible or palatable, you’re doing it wrong.
It’s baffling, especially considering how minuscule and insular Thelema’s reach currently is. For a philosophy whose central mission is seeding the Law of the New Aeon, it seems odd that its proponents are content to stay in their isolated bubbles, exchanging elitist jabs instead of working to expand its influence. In a world desperate for alternative spiritualities, Thelema should be flourishing. Instead, it is hampered by those who prioritise intellectual posturing and smug condescension over actual growth.
Returning to the Hellier example, it’s clear that such accessible portals to magick and Thelema, while not perfect, did more for the movement than years of O.T.O. politicking and petty infighting. Sure, Thelema is difficult — Crowley’s life and writings are complex, and diving deep into the Current’s philosophy requires patience, discernment, and resilience. But that doesn’t justify the disdain shown toward those just beginning their journey, nor does it excuse the endless gatekeeping that seems endemic in so many Thelemic communities.
The last five years have been some of the most exciting for Thelema, precisely because a new generation of magicians is being ushered in.
Many of these new faces come from non-traditional backgrounds and encounter magick through pop culture, social media, or even paranormal shows like Hellier. Yet, instead of welcoming these people, the Thelemic elite sneers at them. This is a recipe for stagnation, not growth.
I don’t claim to have the solution to this problem, but I’m adamant that gatekeeping is toxic. Thelemic orders and organizations that foster nepotism and a false sense of community are not the answer. If anything, the current needs to grow up and move past this idiotic edgelord phase once and for all. We should be striving to make Thelema accessible, inclusive, and dynamic. The Law of Thelema is supposed to be a force of liberation, not a justification for self-aggrandizing superiority complexes.
It’s time for Thelema to step into its potential as a philosophy for the New Aeon, rather than remaining a playground for smug gatekeepers. Only then can we truly honour the spirit of Do what thou wilt — by embracing all those drawn to the current, no matter how they find their way to it.
