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[official
Charter of the Invisible House Society adopted and ratified on
March 20, 2010]
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
0. Every Member, under whatever name or definition, is bound to this Charter, if they desire recognition as a Member within and without of the Invisible House Society.
1.0 THE SOCIETY:
1.1 The Invisible House Society (hereafter referred to as IH or The Society) is a body of Initiates founded as an Outer Order of the
A∴ A∴, being the Astron Argon, and whose purpose is the teaching of the hermetic knowledge and thereby ushering in of the Aeon of Horus. The Society does not claim a lineage.
1.2 The highest mandate of the IH is the training of any and all individuals suited, as per Liber X Porta Lucis, to the Magical and Mystical path of Initiation. A fundamental aspect of our training is the teachings of Aleister Crowley in accordance with the formula of the Law of Thelema: Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law; Love is the law, love under will.
1.3 Thelemic Magick is an amalgamation, an incorporation of spiritual teachings from around the world, reconstructed to their essential principles and integrated into the current of our times. All systems of Magick and Mysticism are therefore accepted by the society, as all systems are equally valid. All such systems may lead to the Universal Truths, the common formulæ, that form the structures of all systems of Enlightenment.
1.4 Instruction provided by The Society establishes a standard within each Aspirant. This standard enables Members to communicate with and teach others; and to understand and work his or her will upon the earth.
2.0 INITIATION:
2.1 A Candidate is herein defined as any person who expresses interest or curiosity toward the workings of the IH, either as a whole or a specific branch functioning within the whole.
Individuals attending any IH event, for themselves or on behalf of another organisation, or seeking potential affiliation, or to otherwise promote cooperation and understanding between magical societies and other institutions or schools of thought will fall under this category and will be treated with the same honour, respect and privileges given any other potential Member.
2.2 Candidates are to be given a copy of Liber LXXVII (77) Oz, which states the intrinsic rights of every man and woman, a copy of Liber CCXX (220) Al vel Legis that is the fundamental piece of thelemic doctrine, and permitted access to this Charter in its entirety, which explains the methods of Initiation employed by The Society, and also the integrity they will be expected to uphold as Members. A Candidate becoming a Probationer of the IH must have their own copy of this Charter.
2.3 Candidates must be given ample opportunity to examine, at a minimum, the Member extending the invitation or the person with whom contact was made, and to ask any and all pertinent questions. The IH is not a secret society and everything of the obvious methods must remain exposed for examination.
Where an answer to a question asked might lead to a false preconception or a misunderstanding of a finer magical or mystical principle that causes problems for the Candidate further along the path, fair warning may be given that they are not ready for such an answer. If pressed, however, the answer provided should be as close to understandable as the answerer is capable of giving.
2.4 Any person seeking Membership, not having been previously admitted to the Society, must be granted the grade of Probationer. This provides opportunity and means for the Membership to properly assess the Candidate, to divine any talents and skills that might be honed, and to determine what weaknesses might be strengthened. The status of Probationer also provides opportunity for the Candidate to explore him or herself, to determine the qualities of their own intent and determination toward a path of enlightenment, and to prove to themselves as well as to the IH such suitability for initiation; or the lack thereof.
2.5 Probationers must complete the grade work attributed to this stage of their initiation and be ready to schedule their grade test within one solar year. This is to be regarded as evidence of the Candidate’s focus and drive, which is necessary to have in order to pursue all future works of the student.
2.6 Probationers must complete the grade work themselves. Instruction and guidance is provided to dispel confusion, ensure minimums are being attained, and to lead Candidates away from pitfalls and dead ends. The work is to be completed exclusively by the Candidate. This, being accomplished, is to be regarded as evidence of the Candidate’s potential and ability.
2.7 The Probationers’ grade test must verify the suitability of the Candidate to the work of the Initiate and ensure that as a Neophyte the Candidate is completely capable of instructing Probationers.
2.8 Probationers do not have the right to speak on behalf of The Society or its Members.
2.9 Probationers do not have the right to extend invitation to The Society; however, introductions may be arranged for any Candidate(s) encountered.
3.0 MEMBERSHIP:
3.1 Candidates passing the Probationer grade test must be granted the grade of Neophyte, if they have chosen to accept it, with the rights, privileges and obligations herein set forth.
3.2 Neophytes are, by definition, full Members of The Society. The rights of a Member shall include, but not be limited to, an equal voice in all Branch decisions, a vote at the Branch’s Annual Meeting, and equal right to elected positions.
3.3 New Members must have their names registered with The Society for official recognition.
3.4 Members are required to take an Oath of Discretion to protect the privacy of other Members and Candidates.
3.5 Members may accept Candidates; and this to include initiating, training, and administering grade tests.
3.6 Members are not obligated to initiate, train, or accept Candidates.
3.7 Members are not obligated to belong to or adhere to any Branch of The Society. Members may choose to be Solitary or Members At Large.
3.8 Members may form a separate autonomous Branch of the Society.
3.9 Members are permitted and encouraged to participate and hold membership in any and all organizations that they find beneficial or desirable, and this without exception, explanation, justification, or fear of reprisal for such association from The Society. Such affiliations promote cooperation and understanding between magical societies and other institutions or schools of thought.
3.10 Attainment in the Zelator, Practicus, and Philosophus grades must be verified by any Member of a higher grade within the IH for official recognition within the Society.
3.11 Adepts of the IH, so recognized by The Society, must be invited to join the Vault of Adepts. No Adept, recognized as such, is required to join the Vault.
3.12 No Member of The Society may charge money or any other form of material gain for admittance, training, or grade testing, and any attempt to do so is unequivocal grounds for immediate expulsion.
Further, Members are to be discouraged from charging for any Magical services rendered, and this to include divination, exorcisms, and other common services, as the virtue of the act is too easily weakened or lost when a fee is levied. However, to do so does not constitute grounds for reprimand, condemnation or expulsion.
3.13 Members may resign from the Society at any time by writing to the Vault of Adepts, and this without consequence from The Society.
3.14 Any Member or Candidate who has been asked to leave a Branch of the Society or has been expelled from the Society may appeal the decision first to those who rendered it, then to the Vault of Adepts. Each case will be decided upon its own merits, but the Vault retains final authority on all such matters. Appeals will not be permitted to undermine the autonomy of Branches as set out in Article 6.01.
3.15 Any Candidate who has previously been admitted to The Society as a Probationer, but not completed the requirements for Membership, may reapply for admission in the same or a different Branch but will be subject to the decision of the membership, which will be based on all available information, including the reason(s) for not fulfilling the requirements previously, as well as any mitigating circumstances that might pertain to re-admittance.
Any Member or Probationer who has completed the requirements for Membership but has left The Society voluntarily may reapply for Membership and upon re-admittance will be subject to any assessment and testing that may be required to determine or reaffirm attainment.
4.0 INSTRUCTION:
The grade structure used by the A∴ A∴ based on the composition of the Tree of Life, is employed by The Society.
4.1 Members must receive, when requested, instruction and guidance, and this from a designated Mentor of a higher grade. It is the duty of this Mentor to observe and guide the progress of said Initiate as best as is possible.
4.2 Members will not receive the same designated Mentor for consecutive grades, with exceptions made in Branches of five Members or less. This demonstrates in practice that the master–apprentice relationship is not the method of instruction provided. Changing the designated Mentor for each grade is intended to provide more than one example of style and perspective to the Initiate.
4.3 Members cannot be grade tested by the designated Mentor training and guiding them, except in Branches of three or less. This demonstrates in practice that neither bias nor sympathy is a factor in progression, and also that the results of attainment are perceivable and acknowledged by other Members.
4.4 Should a Mentor need to be replaced for any reason, it falls to the Head of the Branch to find a suitable replacement.
4.5 Solitary Members and Members-At-Large may take on Apprentices and this to include testing and advancing up to but not including the Grade of Adept.
4.6 Apprentices may request testing and receive standing within a Branch.
4.7 Members may self-initiate through any grade without personal instruction; however, any grade advancements will not be officially recognized until verified by a Member of a higher grade.
4.8 Members who are not affiliated with a Branch or are in a Branch with insufficient Members of higher grade standing may appeal by direct application to the Vault of Adepts for assistance in grade testing.
4.9 Any Member within the Vault of Adepts may verify any grade standing, up to and including the grade of Adept.
4.10 No fees may be charged for instruction, and this to include any documents provided. The student is ultimately required to secure their own materials for completion of the grade work.
5.0 LEADERSHIP:
5.1 Branches elect a leader at the Annual Meeting. Leadership must be changed annually, with exception for Branches with five Members or less.
5.2 The Elected Leader, viz. the Guide, sets the agenda for the Branch for the upcoming year. This to include regular or otherwise planned gathering times, instruction, group workings, projects, and other general or specific foci of the Branch.
5.3 The Elected Leader is the sole voice of the Branch when collaborating with other organizations. The Guide ultimately determines the best choices or necessary courses of action for the Branch.
5.4 The Elected Leader appoints a First Officer whose primary purpose is to provide assistance in implementing the new agenda and running the Branch. The First Officer acts as an intermediary to prevent or resolve conflicts between Members. Final authority for conflict resolution belongs with the Guide.
5.5 Branch Leaders may suspend any Member from participating in Branch activities or may expel them from the Branch on justified grounds; however, only the Vault of Adepts can expel a Member from The Society.
5.6 No Member is required to accept nomination for Leader.
5.7 No Member is required to accept appointment as First Officer.
6.0 BRANCHES:
6.1 Every Branch is autonomous and maintains the right to set its own agendas, methods, traditions, conduct, and affairs, provided that all such activities adhere to this Charter.
6.2 A Branch must contain at least three Members not including Probationers. At the time the Branch is formed, an application, with reasons, can be made to the Vault of Adepts for any exceptions.
6.3 Branches are equal in status and standing regardless of their composition, numbers, location, or mandate.
6.4 New Branches, upon forming and electing their Leaders and appointing First Officers must each submit a chosen name, Lamen, and Branch contact information to the Vault of Adepts.
6.5 Branches have the right to appoint or elect a Secretary if and when the position is required.
6.6 Branches have the right to appoint or elect a Treasurer if and when the position is required.
6.7 Branches have the right to appoint or elect a Temple Guardian if and when the position is required.
6.8 Every Branch has the right to declare themselves open or closed for new Membership at any time. Branches not accepting new Members will have public contact information removed and their current status posted.
7.0 VAULT OF ADEPTS:
7.1 The Society’s Vault of Adepts is a select group of Members who have attained to the grade of Adept and who have been offered and accepted a position within the Vault.
7.2 The primary mandate of the Vault of Adepts ensures that the Members and Branches of the Society adhere to this Charter and that the mandate of The Society is maintained.
7.3 Exceptions to this Charter may only be made by the Vault of Adepts when necessity or circumstance dictates. Any Member may apply for an exception, and determinations made on these matters will include reasons for an exception. Exceptions made will not constitute precedence.
7.4 The Vault of Adepts is the point of contact for a Member or non-Member when all other methods fail.
7.5 The Vault of Adepts is the only authority within the Society that may force expulsions from its Membership.
7.6 The Vault of Adepts is the only authority that can authorize official publications of the Invisible House Society. Any Member may submit material for review and publication.
7.7 The Vault of Adepts is the only authority that may act on behalf of The Society, or appoint a designate, in all legal matters that may arise. Any Member may submit legal matters for review or resolution.
7.8 The Vault of Adepts is the only body that may duly test the assertion of any person claiming a grade above Adept.
7.9 The Vault of Adepts shall appoint or recognize a Master of the Temple or Acting Master of the Temple.
7.10 The structure and the operation of the Vault of Adepts will be in accordance with the mandate The Lighting of the Lamp.
8.0 ANNUAL MEETINGS:
8.1 Annual meetings are held on the Vernal Equinox (Northern Hemisphere) or the Autumn Equinox (Southern Hemisphere).
8.2 The Vault of Adepts holds an Annual Meeting to discuss and make determination on any and all business that may need to be addressed on behalf of The Society as a whole.
8.3 Each Branch is to hold their own Annual Meeting, nominating and electing a Leader, by whichever elective process that is selected by the group. Leadership must be changed annually with exceptions for Branches with five Members or less. The elected Leader must appoint at minimum a First Officer and other offices as required.
8.4 Minutes are to be recorded by the previous year’s Secretary, if such a position was assigned, for every Annual Meeting. A copy of the minutes will be provided to each Member of the Branch without undo delay. Minutes do not have to be distributed to anyone outside the Branch Members, including the Vault of Adepts.
9.0 CONTACT
9.1 All points of contact for the Society as a whole must be maintained by the Vault of Adepts or their designates. Branch names, Lamens, contact information and status must be published by the Vault of Adepts on all official posting places used by the society.
Love is the law, love under will. |
