Tearing Away The Black Veil
"There is a veil: that veil is black. It is the veil of the modest woman; it is
the veil of sorrow, & the pall of death: this is none of me. Tear down that lying spectre of the centuries: veil not your
vices in virtuous words: these vices are my service; ye do well, & I will reward you here and hereafter." Liber al vel
Legis 2:52
When examined along with Verse 52 in Chapter Three this statement appears to be pointing a finger
directly at the restrictive Moslim people where women hide in public under the cover of black robes with their faces veiled.
Horus promises "I flap my wings in the face of Mohammed & blind him."
Hadit calls the "veil of the modest woman" a "veil
of sorrow, & the pall of death" and declares "this is none of me." He demands us to "tear down
that lying spectre of the centuries . . "
The warnings appear to be an assurance of future change. Nuit in the 52nd verse in Chapter One threatens
"the direful judgments of Ra Hoor Khuit" for those who resist the efforts by stars to move in accordance
to their will, or even for those who take their fill of love without making the act a ritual unto the Mother of Space.
Hadit's message looks beyond the black veil of the Moslim women. I believe he speaks of the practice
of the suppression of women and women's positions in society all over the world. The change has been coming, albeit perhaps
too slowly. We are beginning to see women elected to high office, promoted to executive corporate positions, and even, in
some Christian churches, filling the pulpit as church pastors.
Yet the suppression continues in many societies. It was only within the last century that women
were allowed to vote in the United States. The civil unrest and wars throughout the Moslem controlled nations are resulting
in the lifting of the veils in some areas. The women of the Far Eastern nations where Buddhism is the predominant religion,
are only recently gaining similar freedoms, as are the women of India, where the caste system still prevails under Hinduism.
The wickedness about all of it is sexual suppression. Women are treated like property everywhere.
If they are caught in adultery they are beaten or even murdered by the husband in some societies without the act being considered
a crime. Adultery remains a crime in most societies.
Hadit abhors this social restriction. It is a natural desire for men and women to seek sexual
freedom with one another, whenever, and with whomever they wish, and it is the law of Thelema.
Rather than do these acts in secret, under threat of law, Hadit demands that we "veil
not your vices in virtuous words: these vices are my service; ye do well, & I will reward you here and hereafter."
We are to stop hiding what we do in secret, and enjoy sexual freedoms openly and in honor
of Nuit. Once this happens, we are promised rewards "here and hereafter."
It is time for the world to recognize the equality of women in all things.
Love is the law. Love under will.
Copyright - James Donahue
