2.3.4.1 Heirological Designations

In general, capitalize a word or phrase when it functions as the title of a specific Thelemic text, recognized collection, ritual, commentary, or formal section of a work. Do not capitalize the same word when it is used generically. Thus Book of the Law, Holy Books of Thelema, Law, New Comment, Old Comment, O.T.O. Gnostic Mass, and Star Ruby may be capitalized when referring to specific works, collections, principles, or formal titles. By contrast, write book, holy book, ritual, commentary, mass, law, verse, and chapter in lowercase when the words are merely descriptive.

Thelemic usage is not always uniform, and authors will encounter competing forms in older editions, catalogues, organizational materials, and online sources. The controlling form for recurring titles should be recorded in the project style sheet and applied consistently. As a house preference, use Book of the Law, not The Book of the Law, in ordinary prose unless the article is required by the grammar of the sentence. Use Liber AL vel Legis for the formal Latin title, and AL for abbreviated chapter-and-verse references where appropriate.

At first mention, longer Thelemic hierological titles may be given in full when the formal title is relevant to the discussion. After that, a consistent shortened form may be used. For example, first cite Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente vel LXV sub figurâ אדני‎; thereafter use Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente,  or, in a context where no confusion is possible, Serpente. Likewise, first cite Liber Liberi vel Lapidis Lazuli, Adumbratio Kabbalae Aegyptiorum sub figurâ VII; thereafter use Liber Liberi, Liber Lapidis Lazuli. The shortened form should be clear to the intended reader and should remain stable throughout the work.

Avoid adding generic descriptors to titles when the title alone is clear. In many cases, Liber AL vel Legis is preferable to the book Liber AL vel Legis, Liber Resh vel Helios to the ritual Liber Resh, and O.T.O. Gnostic Mass to the ritual of the Gnostic Mass, unless the sentence specifically requires a descriptive phrase. When descriptors are needed, keep them lowercase: the holy book Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente, the ritual Liber Resh vel Helios, the commentary known as the New Comment.

Do not use roman numerals alone to refer to any Thelemic heirological text.

  • Correct: Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente vel LXV sub figurâ אדני
  • Correct: Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente
  • Acceptable in Specific Circumstances: Serpente
  • Incorrect: Liber LXV

Do not prefix The before Book of the Law except at the beginning of a sentence.

  • Correct: Book of the Law
  • Incorrect: The Book of the Law