Crowley himself experimented with diverse styles of face garden, but I can find no instruction in any of his writing on this subject.
However, having spent several years on the fringes of various 'Thelemic' societies I have noticed a disproportionately high occurence of elaborate beard wearing amongst male Thelemites (and a few females). As a non-initiate I am nervous about directly asking about the mysteries of facial hair, but I hope to find some answers here.
A bief look through the Lashtal gallery of site members shows an incredible 37 examples of unruly racial hair, and 16 clean shaven / 'don't yet need to shave' members. The 8 women are not included in the count, nor are the 7 members whose pics are so artistic that hair identification is impossible.
Is beard cultivation a requirement of certain Thelemic organisations?
Is Liber Beard reserved for high ranking members?
Does beard length indicate the level of initiation?
Are razors simply unaffordable after paying the internet bill?
Is shaving a violation of the beard's will?
Discuss...
Whilst it would be most improper of me even to acknowledge the existence of Liber B***d, let me suggest an alternative authority ....
Liber T'ash vel Capriconi Pneumatici, which as all initiates know, is the Book of the Overblown Tache and Goatee.
C
Isn't there something in the "Kabbalah Unveiled" about the beard of Macroprosopus and all its "dispositions"?
And where's the bearded emoticon when you need it?
The most holy mystery of the chin bush is here elucidated:
LIBER LIBERI VEL LAPIDIS LAZULI:
38. Falls it unthinkingly far, with its sorrowful bearded face presiding over it...
THE CRY OF THE 16TH ÆTHYR, THAT IS CALLED LEA:
And he tears out his hair, that is of ruddy gold tinged with silver, and he plucks at his beard...
THE CRY OF THE 10TH ÆTHYR, THAT IS CALLED ZAX:
I have prevailed against the Kingdom of the Father, and befouled his beard...
As I read this a smile creeped along my clean shaving face spreading the unveiled corners of my lips across my face as the naked body of Nuit across the heavens.
Good show Sir, good show.
93,
Beards traditionally indicate mystery and wisdom. Thelemites want to appear mysterious and wise. No occult secrets here unless, like in nursery rhymes, one wants to find them.
IAO131
93
RE: "The 8 women are not included in the count..."
WHY? Please consider:
"Every man and every woman is a star." CCXX I 3
and
As above, so below.
93 93/93
Chuck
I think Crowley did leave instructions on beards... Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law...