Proposing a New Home

An Online Consortium of Writers

Special Dispatches are one-off releases, without a set schedule, on topics based on observation of something in the community or just personal reflection. They may be polemical or apologetic, or they just may be a response to a topic of timely importance.

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Earlier this year, I mentioned that I was considering a future proposal for an online journal for our community that would be highly curated, tightly focused, and incredibly mindful of the image of Thelema being presented. The idea was to encourage writers to explore issues across a broad spectrum of real-world concerns and theological topics through the lens of Thelema, directly and boldly, with an eye for nuance and clarity.

I labeled it a call to maturity rather than a call to unity.

A Vision and A Voice: A Proposal

Allow me to offer you a vision to mull over for a bit, but please believe me when I say it is a choice to take Thelema seriously—for more than just some shadowy cultspeak, that is—rather than continue down the road of self-magibation or base grifting.

As you’ll see, Mere Thelema is designed to attract, encourage, and normalize writers who break the current stereotype of “occultist,” who are willing to put on their big-person pants and broaden the field of applying Thelemic principles to the world-itself. It is not meant to take away from individual work or Substacks or blogs, or even to minimize the “magical” approach so many addictively chase; but rather it is to combine mature voices into a wellspring of revival for Thelema in the world-at-large, to very real concerns and events of all people; that takes seriously the mandate of the Book of the Law both that the “Law is for all,” and that “to each man and woman that thou meetest, were it but to dine or to drink at them, it is the Law to give”; that tackles reality rather than fantasy; that focuses on the concerns of the world as it is rather than the grandiosity of magicians; that looks consistently forward rather than constantly backward. It is for those who see Thelema as their life scaffolding rather than a spooky aesthetic, rebellious angst, spiritual bypassing, or merely some grab at a paycheck.

It’s time to bring intelligence and depth and vigor back to the culture of Thelema. It’s been far too long in the hands of a “creator economy” … and it shows.

To that end, I propose a new journal, a consortium of writers for a dedicated purpose: to strengthen and renew the Thelemic community via strong, irenic, and committed voices, to expand the reach of Thelema beyond the niche world of occult bookshelves, and to address the broad cultural and institutional lives that readers carry with them through their own activities of daily living.

About Mere Thelema

Mere Thelema is a curated, peer-reviewed, open-access journal (primarily online, with the potential for an eventual professionally produced print version) that showcases fresh perspectives from insightful voices exploring the intersection of Thelema with community, culture, spiritual growth, theology, technology, literature, and global affairs.

The goal of Mere Thelema is not to perpetuate the same online “occult content” that has dominated our communities for nearly three decades, but to stop being afraid of the pragmatism of the Law and to foster a dialogue between Thelema and everyday human issues.

We look away from the algorithmic clickbait and soundbites, away from the tribal signaling of organizational bias, and aim toward the irenic challenge of confronting ideas and issues that affect the ultimate concern of both individuals and humanity.

Statement of Principles

Mere Thelema adheres to a set of ideals that shape all we do. Our mission isn't merely to produce “content,” but to embody the kind of Thelema we hope to see in the world. To this end, while no outcome requires a hive mind to be successful, this journal—and our mission—is grounded in five basic principles.

• Rooted Will in a World of Chaos
  Mere Thelema upholds the truths of the Book of the Law and the sacred authenticity of the Self, honoring the divine nature of embodiment in all its forms as expressions of True Will. It navigates the illusions (and realities!) of modern chaos with clarity, embracing existence as it is—coherent, ecstatic, and purposeful.

• Love under Will in a Divided Age
  Mere Thelema proclaims the Law of Thelema, of Love under Will—choosing liberty, courage, and honor over coercion, despair, or dogma—refusing to conquer others through force or manipulate the world through fear.

• Contemplative Discipline in a Reactionary Culture
  Mere Thelema cultivates depth, reflection, and clarity, rather than succumbing to impulsive outrage or empty consensus. It gives sacred pause to what is eternal, drawing from discipline rather than hot takes.

• Noble Speech in a World of Clamor
  Mere Thelema speaks what is True, Beautiful, and Necessary with noble bearing and poetic precision, refusing the snares of faction, clique, and performative virtue. It is focused both outwardly toward a world gone mad and inwardly toward a community untethered from its source.

• Illuminated Media in an Age of Noise
  Mere Thelema wields the tools of the digital age, using art, language, and dialogue to awaken the moral imagination and deepen conscious awareness—never to preach, but always to reveal.

Content Areas for Mere Thelema

Mere Thelema encourages the exploration of a range of topics, all with a focus on application in and engagement with the real world. Here are some general categories for consideration (ordered alphabetically, rather than by relevance).

• Art & Entertainment
  Showcase creative works—poetry, visual art, performance—that channel individual vision and invite transformative reflection, fostering a shared sense of possibility.

• Complex Systems Engineering
  Network dynamics and resilience or antifragile theory in pursuit of adaptive communities—whether virtual cohorts or land-based collectives—that support mutual aid and collective problem-solving.

• Culture & Religion
  Examine cultural practices and norms, as well as magical and theological conversation and religious expressions, through a Thelemic lens while engaging in respectful dialogue with global traditions and preserving cultural diversity.

• Economy
  Analyze economic systems—alternative currencies, cooperative enterprises, regenerative finance—that honor personal purpose and foster fair distribution of resources.

• Education
  Develop open-access curricula and interactive platforms for teaching Thelemic philosophy, ethics, and interpretive skills, encouraging learners from all backgrounds to engage critically and creatively.

• Government
  Investigate how Thelemic principles of individual autonomy and mutual consent can shape governance models—ranging from communal councils to consultative assemblies—that resonate across cultures, as well as critiques of current political structures and policies.

• Healthcare
  Address holistic wellbeing—integrating psychological insight, somatic therapies, and culturally sensitive care—to promote healing and personal empowerment across populations.

• Justice & Human Rights
  Formulate advocacy strategies and legal frameworks inspired by Thelemic ethics to defend personal sovereignty, challenge oppression, and advance equity for individuals and groups globally.

• Sustainable Planning/Living
  Explore environmentally attuned designs and adaptive community-driven practices that support both individual flourishing and ecological resilience in diverse settings, covering a wide range of topics from farming to parenting to collaborating for success in local businesses.

• Technology
  Cover emerging digital and biotechnological innovations—secure communication frameworks, decentralized platforms, data ethics, and privacy-by-design—that empower agency and protect Thelemic networks.

There is considerable overlap among many of these, and this list is not exhaustive. But it provides guidance toward a real-world foundation for the direction of articles best suited to Mere Thelema.

Once again, one of my personal goals (as it was one of Crowley’s) is to dispel the notion that Thelema is reserved for a select few or has a narrow focus on “magick.” “The Law is for all” [AL 1.34d]. Hell, Crowley didn’t even initially teach that magick was reserved for a select few. But the goal of Mere Thelema is to give a voice to Thelema in relation to all aspects and functions of society, directed toward the ultimate concern of humanity and of each individual, without the encumbrance of outmoded occultism and entrepreneurial religion.

Mere Thelema is designed to attract, encourage, and normalize writers who break the current stereotype of “occultist” and broaden the field of applying Thelemic principles to the world.

How We Get There Matters

I’m not ready to start formally recruiting writers yet—that’s still probably going to be next year sometime—though, (We have begun to recruit writers, effective March 2026 to runway articles for a Q2 launch.) [I]f you recall, I mentioned that this wouldn’t be a one-man show, but a collaborative effort; otherwise, it wouldn’t happen at all. But I’ve not stopped thinking about this—obviously—and I’m still collecting my thoughts on infrastructure concerns, long-term stability, aesthetic design, and editorial policies. Before any launch, I’ll likely establish a non-profit to oversee it, keeping it safely separate from any ego-project mentality (as well as a shell for additional adjacent projects in the future).

However, I want to prime the pump, so to speak, and gauge interest in others before I begin working on the site and building an editorial team of diverse individuals—which will be the first task to complete (this is done: January 2026). There is a lot of work to be done in the way of platform, workflow, and editorial processes. I’m not rushing this. It will require people who understand the technology of online publishing and are committed to the work necessary to ensure success. Finding the right people will be the key to success.

I mean, I stand by the Book of the Law, of course, when it says, “all must be done well and with business way” [AL 3.41b]. Whoever ends up on the editorial board, we’re all going to commit to taking this seriously, slowly, and sanely. I refuse to allow organizational bias (ours or others) to interfere with the dissemination of Thelema by any means necessary. I believe that irenic discussions are beneficial to the development of Thelemic theology and philosophy, and that mature adults can disagree without needing to “have their feelings hurt” or break fellowship with each other over such disagreements when they are approached in an irenic manner.

I’ve mentioned this before, but Mere Thelema isn’t about reaching agreement between writers or readers, per se; it’s about elevating the depth and quality of engagement. In the end, I don’t care if a writer identifies as left, right, center, or purple—*taps statement of principles above*—so long as what they write fits within those guidelines and furthers the discussion of Thelema in a way that is thought-provoking and grounded in the life endeavors of the individual, both alone and in relation to the world around them, then I’m all for it even if I disagree with it.

Though still, it’s not entirely up to me: every article has to get through the editorial team.

“I have a dream …” I hope you’ll come along. I’m thinking an independent website, but maybe we’ll just start with Substack. I’m not entirely sure yet. The freedom of an indie website is appealing, but Substack has the advantages of reach and ease of use. (We have merethelema.com that will be the primary platform for Mere Thelema, along with a Mere Thelema Substack that will mirror articles.)

Thelemites and Thelema-adjacent writers are all welcome. The topic is Thelema. I hope that’s clear. But how you approach Thelema, in what way you unfold Thelema to the world around us on some topic or another, is entirely up to you.

I believe in ideas. I believe in encouraging debate. I also believe in discouraging the cesspool that online spaces can quickly turn into, and I have some ideas for the editorial board to discuss on that too.

Yes, a call to maturity, indeed, not merely in topics but in dialogue with each other and with the world-at-large.

Love is the law, love under will.

—Johnathon Victor Reese

You’ll notice that I’ve turned off commenting on this article. That’s on purpose to eliminate the public crosstalk. If you’ve made it this far and are interested in the project, email mt@thelemafdn[dot]com. (info@merethelema[dot]com is your avenue to express interest.) Let me know what area you have the most interest in pursuing: writing, web development, editorial staff, and anything else that comes to mind. I promise to acknowledge your email, put your name on my spreadsheet, and then, in the beginning of Q1 2026, we’ll get started. (Note: The Editorial Board was seated in January 2026 and working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a smooth and unhurried launch.)