It could also tie in with Crowley's unique understanding of Dispensationalism. To Crowley Thelema was a new dispensation. The "next step" in the unveiling of the divine. As the prophet of that dispensation he might have reasonably thought he had the necessary authority to make such changes. The usual argument against the switch is 'tradition'. But tradition seems to have been of little or no importance to Crowley at times.
Rather than tradition, I'm thinking more of the elegance of having the natural order of the simple letters line up precisely with the natural order of the zodiac.
ETA. New attachment.
In the P.P.S. that ends letter 9 in Magick Without Tears, Crowley states that a visitor's story reminded him that he may be a Secret Chief without knowing it himself. To the best of my knowledge that's the nearest Crowley ever came to saying that he was one, at least on some level other than the conscious.Crowley considered himself a Secret Chief - as are all 8=3s.
This is supported by Crowley's commentary on column XIII - 777. The Paths of the Sepher Yetzirah.Crowley clearly didn't feel bound by the SY's attributions, that's all.
Aleister Crowley said:These attributions arise from the description of the paths in the Sepher Yetzirah. This is one of the most ancient books of the Qabalah; but it is far from clear how the ideas correspond with the general sceme of symbolism. They seem of no use in practical magical work. It is doubtful whether the text of the book is accurate, or whether (in any case) the rabbin responsible for the text had any sufficient authority.
In the P.P.S. that ends letter 9 in Magick Without Tears, Crowley states that a visitor's story reminded him that he may be a Secret Chief without knowing it himself. To the best of my knowledge that's the nearest Crowley ever came to saying that he was one, at least on some level other than the conscious.
I'm not convinced that the attainment of 8=3 or even the required 9=2 (see letter 9 again) means that one automatically becomes a Secret Chief ipso facto. Although the attainment of such grades may mean that one is a suitable vehicle if need arises.
Nudge, nudge. Say no more.But I think that this was his natural reticence to say so, an oblique way of saying so. They are supposed to be "secret" after all, so what is the use of openly claiming to be one? You are only inviting ridicule, and there is no way to prove it to a skeptic, so just keep them guessing, you'll know it when you see it, a brother knows a brother, kind of thing. A wink.
Agreed. But I'm not altogether clear why you have included Crowley's 7=4 motto, O.M. Surely TO MEGA THERION 9=2 completes the triad.I suppose that the imprimatur of various official books show that the Inner (Supernal) College - which is what the Secret Chiefs are supposed to be - is comprised of V.V.V.V.V. and O.M. (and 10=1, "93", which I take to be Aiwaz as Crowley's Ipsissimus identification with his HGA), suggests to me that he knew full well that he was the voice and vehicle of the Secret Chiefs, although he would never say that "Aleister Crowley is VVVVV and Ou Mh and Aiwaz"... he is THEIR vehicle, they are not HIS vehicle.
Nudge, nudge. Say no more.
Agreed. But I'm not altogether clear why you have included Crowley's 7=4 motto, O.M. Surely TO MEGA THERION 9=2 completes the triad.