Thanks Chris! 😀
I'll see what I can do.

Instead of the regular hexagram (don't want people to think we're a Jewish org.) maybe use the unicursal hexagram or the star of babalon.

hmmmm. On second thought, maybe having some kook burn the Abbey down isn't such a bad idea. Nothing survives the Aeons like a good kook-burned-down-our-temple story ie, the burning of the Library at Alexandria, that whole Atlantis thing and of course the Great London Fire of 1166. Carry on.

I agree with the above quoted comments from christibrany.

*Below are some more "straight font" stuff to put within in the middle of your circular layout. (The following was often used by AC, and later other Thelemites, for book covers or decoration:)

**Below, are two more examples of "straight font" stuff:

***Below are two images of AC, that might be placed within an generic temple-like "idol" of the abbey

Leon Engers Kennedy: Aleister Crowley,
1917-18 - oil on canvas (NPG, London).

have to think ahead. cigarette lighter and a gas can. rolled up newspaper. These are modern altar weapons for modern times. It's not 1920 forever you know.

I have to ask... is this to be considered as an abetment to arson, or what?

Regards
Hecate

Greetings!

OK, I think it’s time for an update.
Although I did my best to have the memorandum of association ready today, it wasn’t possible, and it will take us a couple of days yet until we'll find all the information we need in order to state it in the best possible way –this is important if we wish to have things running smoothly. Let me explain:

Until now, I’ve talked to, say, 4 lawyers (and used some help from a 5th one, too), and each of them had something else to add in the brainstorming meeting we had. I told them that AC was a great artist, poet, writer, occultist and philosopher and we wish to buy and restore the Abbey of Thelema and run it as a museum. It was there, I said, that AC experimented on the implementation of Thelema in the daily life of a small community.

During the discussion, the opinions seemed to contradict each other in some cases, but finally we agreed in the following:

- The leasing option would be better for us. However, we’ll need to find the right Italian Bank to buy the property and then lease it to us.

- An Italian Bank wouldn’t even think to lease its property to a small non-profit organization based on another country, so, when we are ready to start talking about the leasing options, we’ll have to establish some form of association in Italy.

- We need to have the ownership of the property and other legal issues checked. To do that, we should hire an Italian lawyer. The lawyers I’ve been talking to co-operate with some law firms in Rome and Milan, but they have none in Palermo. Now, a law firm from Rome or Milan would charge us a couple of thousand of Euros (at least), in order to send a lawyer to Palermo for this job. (Most likely they already have some associates in Sicily to get the job done, but it would be a good opportunity for them to charge us for all the travel expenses as well.) The only way to have things done in the less possible cost would be to look for a lawyer in Palermo on our own, and our Italian partner is going to do that as soon as possible. Of course we’d prefer to have someone recommended, but…

- We also need to have the abbey checked by an engineer before we start making any specific plans. A lawyer who co-operates with some Italian law firms said that this would cost us several thousands of Euros as well.

- If we move on to establishing a form of association in Italy I’d also have to hire a lawyer as a representative (which, of course, would be another big cost).

- I explained to them that it won’t be possible for us to cover all these expenses and they agreed that we’d have to establish a non- profit organization in Greece first, and start receiving donations in order to do all the needed preparations that will take us to the establishment of the final association in Italy. This initial organization’s mission statement will have to show its intention to achieve the community’s welfare and it was suggested to include “the promotion of Aleister Crowley’s spiritual legacy and the advance of the study of his writings and his philosophy”, as well. In this way, they said, it would be easier to have the organization accepted by the Greek authorities, because a non- profit organization needs to offer some service to the community at least by supporting some cultural and spiritual aims.

After that I started discussing a draft with one of the lawyers, (who is a friend and volunteered to do the registration process for free), and I was hoping that it would be ready this morning. Last night however, I realized that we should also check some technical issues regarding the way we will state our mission in the memorandum of association. So, Athenais (another Lashtalian partner) and I are going to pay a visit to the tax service which will be involved in the organization’s audit, in order to ask for their advices.

Therefore, it seems that we won’t be able to sign the memorandum of association before next weekend.

Regards
Hecate

Thanks for your update, Hecate, I appreciate!

Greetings!

Many thanks to decarabia1, who gave us the permission to use his photos of the Abbey and also volunteered to use his expertise in photography to document the restoration process.

Regards
Hecate

Thats no problem 🙂 Anything I can do to help!

Greetings!

As I said previously, decarabia kindly offered us the permission to use her photos of the Abbey for our cause. (Yes, the right word is "her" not "his" 🙂 )

Yesterday I had a look at them and I think it is obvious that they are taken by someone with an expertise in photography. This brought in the idea of another potential way of fundraising.

Many people have been visiting the Abbey and taking pictures of it over the years. As it happened in decarabia’s case, some of them are probably experts in photography and might be kind enough to offer us the permission to use their photos to support the Abbey’s restoration, as well. Then, why not try to find those people and publish a nice photo album about the Abbey of Θέλημα in order to have the profits donated to our cause? (All credits would be properly granted, of course.)

I asked decarabia how she feels about that and if she would like to supervise this work, and I’m happy to announce that she agreed!

So I guess the next step is to ask:

- Are there any photographers who would like to grant us the permission to use some of their photos of the Abbey in this album, in order to support the cause of the Abbey’s restoration?

- Is there any publisher who would kindly volunteer to publish this album?
We believe that a limited numbered edition would be preferable in our case. I have no idea how the publishing houses work though, so a discussion with a publisher might bring up several details that we should take under consideration. Any suggestions would be welcome.

If you are interested in this project, please contact us to start discussing about the options.

All the ones who will participate in this project will also need to decide what they wish to do with the money that will be returned to them in case the donation won’t be used for the cause.

Regards
Hecate

thanks for the update hecate 🙂 I hope this goes as well as you want it to!

Maybe start a "Rites of Eleusis" society in Greece first. You could take foreign thelemic tourists around to various sites and...well, whatever...the Grecian tourist industry would love you for that. Greece is actually more appealing than Sicily. You could branch out to different countries later. Plus Greek ruins are way harder for kooks to burn down... 😆

I must go there at least for few times, the Holy pilgrimige. It is one of my main goals in life.

Be quick or it may disappear!

I hope not!

I prefer to think of it as a 'black pilgrimage' - but that's me!

Hecate thank you for the update. I am constantly inspired by the dedication and determination you and everyone else involved have shown. Keep up the fantastic work!

Scott

Greetings!

Thanks for your kind and encouraging words, Scott.

Today we gave the memorandum of association to the lawyer who’ll file it to the Court next week. It is estimated that we’ll have the organization registered within a month and I keep my fingers crossed that there won’t be any more delays.

Camlion suggested yesterday that I should ask the advice of persons who have considered similar efforts to save the Abbey in the past and it seems to be a very good idea.

So if anyone has some experience or information to share regarding any previous efforts to buy and restore the Abbey, please contact me via pm or at savetheabbeyofthelema@gmail.com; your help will be appreciated.

Regards
Hecate

....what exactly is there to save?

there are still paintings and frescoes on the walls to stop from being unrecognisable, and the building is still standing. that is the least of it.

The green oil paint could be removed from the remaining paintings revealing them for the first time in decades.

You could enlist the assistance of a restoration specialist for this project. Better yet try and get the assistance of a school with a restoration program to bring a class in. www.scad.edu has a campus in Lacoste France with a restoration program.

There are things there worth preserving - I support anyone with the enthusiasm and drive to see the building as partially standing rather than mostly destroyed.

Hecate: once you get everything rolling, you could attempt to contact certain well known individuals like Bruce Dickinson, who has an invested interest in AC, but may not have thought about this cause.

Greetings!

In a totally unexpected turn of fortune’s wheel, the lawyer informed me a while ago that the Organization is officially registered by the Court –and it happened in two days!!! It’s been a rollercoaster, hasn’t it? 🙂

Now we have to hurry a bit to find an accountant to complete the registration in the Tax Office. I believe that we’ll be able to start accepting donations in a few days.

Regards
Hecate

Greetings, Horemakhet!

Thanks for the tip, Horemakhet! The truth is that I am not aware of Bruce Dickinson’s (or any others’) interest in Thelema, so I’d welcome any suggestions.

On the other hand, I often have the impression that people tend to have too many expectations from the famous (and most likely rich) Thelemites. I imagine that, if I were one of them, I’d like to see some substantial efforts from the broader Thelemic community, before I make any generous offer.

I suppose we’ll have to contact them eventually, but, personally, I don’t consider it as a high priority issue for the time being. It would be wonderful to see some interest from the community, first.

Regards
Hecate

93,

Expectations are one thing, realities quite another, as I'm sure you implied. 🙂 It appears that at least one common trend of a Thelemite is to sacrifice great material wealth for spiritual "wealth".

93 93/93

Greetings all

Although I had every reason to believe that our organization would be ready within the first days of January, another problem appeared out of the blue.

For reasons that I can’t even start explaining, we’ll have to move the seat of the organization and, therefore, change our memorandum (which means that we’ll have to go through the registration process once again). Just wish us good luck!

Regards
Hecate

We'll make it, I tell ya!
93s

Good luck, Hecate!

Greetings!

Once again, I’d like to thank ‘Arpokratis’ for his support to our cause.
Last September, when he read about my journey to Cefalu, he offered to publish an article about it in the Mystery magazine.

The article, which presents information about the Abbey, the Lighthouse Working, and the "Save the Abbey of Thelema” non-profit organization, is now published in January’s issue.

Regards
Hecate

PS:
The magazine is published in Greek.

Is there an english translation available or could you translate that for me, Hecate? I can read greek (can't speak it though!), but it will just take me a really long time!

Although we've already talked I would just like to publicly state my support again! I hope things get moving despite any hard hitting bad news. I think this will work...eventually!:)

Thank you all guys! 🙂

N.O.X, I have in mind to translate the text in due time.

Regards
Hecate

Hi Hacate. Did you ever hear from any others who came before you to this idea regarding that Abbey?

Greetings

No Camlion; that is to say not anyone I didn't already know about.

Regards
Hecate

Is there a reverse trend to this too? Where Thelemites sacrifice great spritual wealth for great material wealth? Cause I've got some spare vibes out back I think I can turn into some sort of vitamin supplements.

Greetings 🙂

I was ready to answer "yes, of course you can, but I'm not sure you'd like the consequences".

But then I realized that, although you can sacrifice material wealth because in this small 3D world you experience it as something external to you, I can’t understand how you could do the opposite.

Spiritual wealth is not something "you have"; it is something "you are" and when you really have it you are aware of the Oneness, therefore you can’t just dismiss it (although you can pretend so and convince yourself you did, as we usually do when we incarnate on earth).

But then again, this is only my way to see things…

Regards
Hecate

What I know, is, that if I can convince a millionaire thelemite to give me millions of dollars for my transmutation of good vibes into vitamin supplements idea, I will be able to afford more beer than I know what to do with. Maybe I'm stupid. Maybe I'm just drunk. This is not to suggest that I don't trust you. I do.

93,

Would that beer further enable you to perform the Great Work, or would you just be furthering your own ends?

93 93/93

Ape,
You make the most ridiculous and just plain stupid posts of anyone on these forums. Hell, even WRWB's posts were way better than yours! If it were up to me your account would be deleted for failure, ever, to stay on topic! Okay, I've exercised my moderation abilities....

I salute your moderation! But, man, if I could just find a thelemic millionare who understands by deeply held beliefs, I could make the world much more peppy, probably with my vitamin B vibes which I have perfected between beers. Copywrite 20034.

Greetings!

The seat has changed and the organization is registered once again in the Court of First Instance of Athens under the general number 1370/2011.

With a bit of luck we'll have the whole process completed within the next 10 days.

(keeping my fingers crossed)
Hecate

Although I wish circumstances were better, like you do I am glad you were able to do the legal move. I hope everything goes well with the foundation and everything else! ((hecate))

Greetings

Here are some extracts from the official English translation of the
“Private Agreement on the Establishment of the Civil Non-Profit Organization under the name “Save the Abbey of Thelema”

……….

Article 3
Aim

The aim of the Organization is the gaining of distinction for the intellectual and spiritual heritage of Aleister Crowley, the promotion of the study of his artistic and philosophical work and any other contribution towards the saving of the Abbey of Thelema in Cefalu of Sicily.

Article 4
Scope

To achieve this aim, the Organization can indicatively:

a) Organize or participate in art celebrations, galas and informative events all around the world, aiming at the promotion and better understanding of Aleister Crowley’s philosophy and the saving of the Abbey of Thelema in Cefalu of Sicily.

b) To participate, manage and implement programs (European, National, regional and others) relevant to its goal.

c) To cooperate with other bodies or Organizations pursuing the promotion of Aleister Crowley’s heritage or generally the universal cultural heritage and implement together with them common programs or projects.

d) To issue and distribute free of charge to members and other people interested informative literature, books, CDs, DVDs and other types of multimedia relevant to its goals.

e) To assign special works or projects to competent bodies particularly concerning its legal, accounting, administrative, secretarial and technical support and also the creation of joint informative literature, webpage, etc.

f) To develop any generally means conducive to the accomplishment of the Organization goals according to the opinion of the Administrative Committee.

All the actions will be non profit ones and without any economic profit for the members. Any form of proceeds from these actions will be appropriated for the refinancing of the Organization activities and the accomplishment of its goals.

……….

Article 6
Management-Consultative bodies

The bodies that manage and administer the organization affairs areQ
1.The Partners’ Board (S.E.)
2.The Administrative Committee (D.E.)

……….

Article 13
Dissolution-Liquidation

1. The Company is solved upon the unanimous decision of the Partners’ Board provided it is found out by the Board that its aim has become unattainable.

2. In case the Partners’ Board decides that due to any reason the saving of the Abbey of Thelema is not possible, the contributions made for this purpose will be returned to the donators provided the operational and other expenses of the Organization till the dissolution will be proportionally deducted. Amounts that came from anonymous donators, donators that it was not possible to be detected in order for the donation to be returned to them, coupons of events e.t.c. or contributions the use of which is left to the opinion of the administrative board upon the donators’ written declaration, will be disposed of for the issue of Aleister Crowley’s works, provided the operational expenses of the Organization are proportionally deducted.

……….

4. The responsibility for the liguidation of the property of the Organization following its dissolution is born by the Administrative Board and the liquidation is made according to the provisions of article 777 of the CC. Provision is made that an Auditing Committee will be established which will control the administration of income of the present organization.

……….

True copy of the original recorded in the company books of the Court of First Instance of Athens under the general number 1370/2011, attested for its legal stamping.

The Chairman
Anna Apostolidou

Greetings

I would like to announce that the “Save the Abbey of Thelema” c.n.p.o. will commence its work by organizing a meeting about the life and work of Aleister Crowley. The meeting will be held in Athens, on Friday 27th May 2011.

We’d love to have some speakers from other countries too, however it will be a low budget event and we won’t be able to cover any transportation / accommodation expenses for our guests.

As soon as all the arrangements are made, we will inform you about the place and the program of the event.

Regards
A.A.

Hecate, what have you learned from establishing the 'Save the Abbey of Thelema'-organization, that could be of benefit to others wanting to establish an organization, for example for the sake of the Stele in Cairo?

Are there any new beginner mistakes that can easily be avoided?

Greetings

Not really, wellredwellbred.
Every case is different and the laws differ from country to country.
I wasn’t exactly a beginner since I had established another c.n.p.o. a couple of years ago, but this time we had to deal with many unpredictable problems. I suppose it’s all part of the game.

Regards
Hecate

[…]

Moderator's Note

Troll post deleted. Similar posts will result in the deletion of your account, ApeOfTheApeOfThot

[Moderator's Note: Spam post deleted]

93,

You know kybernetes, there is an accepted way to do things, and this super-spam thing you have done is more like graffiti or litter than advertisement. Such actions are more likely to turn people away from the event than to it.

If you wanted to advertise, you probably should have just sent Lashtal (Owner & Editor) a Private Message stating your intent, and given this is a significant event, he may have even put your advertisement onto the front page.

The manner in which you have presented it just makes you look like a forum troll.

Something else that has come to mind is that Hecate, who's particular thread this is, is busy forming a non-profit organization to help restore the Abbey. Does the effort you have advertised work in collaboration with her efforts, or are two different groups trying to do the same thing?

93 93/93