The Formula of AThOR

by Soror Het Heru.
Copyright © 2005 e.v.
All rights reserved.

Magick is indeed both a science and an art. As with other sciences, the art of invocation is given a formula for a standard of measurement. This standard of measurement also provides the structure, setting, tone and the very instructions on how the ritual should be carried out in order to achieve the desired results. In short, the formula is the recipe of the magickal act of invocation, whereas the magician uses her art to synthesize the parts to conform with her creative Will. The formula of invocation is given in the godname itself. By using Qabalistic principles, the name is broken down to reveal the 'story' or the series of steps which make the godname complete. Each part or stanza of the invocation should then reflect these steps in order to create a microcosmic glyph of the Name, filled with the intent, aspiration and Will of the author.

AThOR is the traditional Hebrew tranlisteration of Hathoor. By a simple rearrangement of the letters of the name, we also get the Hebrew word "ThROA", which means "gate" and "ThORA", meaning "law". If we use rudimentary Latin transliterations, we also get the word ROTA (wheel) and TARO (tarot). Furthermore, the first two letter of the Name "ATh" means "essence" as it is comprised of the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The last two letters of the Name, "OR", means "to rise" or "to shine". This may open the translation of AThOR to signify the "rising essence" or the "rising Will". Upon further meditation, these meanings in and of themselves should reveal much of the nature and function of Hathoor.

If we are to further break down the Name into its parts, we see it is comprised of four letters. This indicates the association of Hathoor with the elements as the goddess of Nature. Yet, the four elements by themselves refer to the unbalanced and gross aspects of Nature which become purified and sanctified through the element of Spirit. Therefore, in invocation, the magician identifies with the element of Spirit to direct the elements of Nature in accordance with her Will.

In Hebrew Qabalah, AThOR enumerates to 671. In "The Temple of Solomon the King", Crowley wrote this about 671: "671. ThORA, the Law, ThROA, the Gate, AThOR, the Lady of the Path of Daleth, ROThA, the Wheel. Also, ALPH DLTh NUN IVD, or Adonai spelt in full.

This important number markes the identity of the Augoeides with the Way itself. and shows the Taro as a key; and that the Law itself is nothing else than this. For this reason, the Outer College of the AA is crowned by this "knowledge and conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel"."


The letter Aleph in Hebrew and corresponds to "The Fool" in Tarot.  Aleph means "an ox", which is a particularly sacred symbol of Hathoor. The concept of Aleph and The Fool suggests the Hidden Sun, Spirit, the Egg, and the point in which Spirit first clothes itself for its journey through the Paths of the Tarot. First and foremost, The Fool-Aleph represents purity. In invocation, this part should reflect the pureness of the aspiration in the heart of the magician. It represents the pure Spirit of Hathoor and the desire to unite with that Spirit.

The next letter in the series is Tau which corresponds to "The World" in Tarot. In following Aleph, the formula affirms the synthesis and conjoining of Spirit and Matter. Hathoor is at once most material and most sublime. This section of the invocation should reflect the Will or intent of the magician which the Spirit of Hathoor is to breathe Her life into and join her Spirit with the Will of the magician, thereby becoming one Will.

The third letter is Ayin and corresponds to "The Devil" in the Tarot. Thus far, Aleph and Tau have been viewed as the feminine aspects of the Name; Aleph as the Kteis by virtue of it's Atu numbering being 0 and Tau as the Earth, the Will or Malkah, the Bride. In Ayin, ATh, or the essence of Hathoor, is conjoined with Baphomet so the spiritualized Will may be fertilized to come to fruition in balance and harmony. In invocation, an affirmation of union of the body and spirit such as a eucharist may be appropriate at this point.

 with "The Sun" in the Tarot. A celebration and affirmation of the Work complete! Hathoor is primarily known as a goddess of joy and life whose function is to radiate those very things to all living beings. The Sun radiates its life-giving light to all things indiscriminately and the Will of the magician which has been synthesized and fertilized in Spirit is simply a microcosm of that very Sun.

These formulatic interpretations are meant to provide and outline and guide in creating one's own ritual of invocation and an individual study of the formula of AThOR is encouraged.