Magister Templi or Master of the Temple, is one of three supreme grades-states of being-in which abide the Secret Chiefs who allegedly guide human progress; this is according to the teachings of the Golden Dawn and the A:. A:. A Master of the Temple has annihilated the ego, attained an understanding of the Universe and whose work it is to «tend his garden of disciples.»
The above is Aleister Crowley’s expression of what this supreme grade should mean to its holder. He never accepted it until 1909 after humiliating American journey. Then he felt he had come to sense the full weight of the office.
This feeling was reemphasized on his fortieth birthday as he traveled by train. As was his custom on holidays and birthdays he engaged in Sammastti meditation, the technique of analyzing backward-flowing memories as taught him by Allan Bennett. During his meditation he felt compelled to rip off the platinum top of the engraved ring which symbolized his grade. The connection of events produced an impact upon him which caused him to finally acknowledge himself a Magus and completely identified with his word of Thelema.
Prior to this uttering the word Magus seemed fruitless to Crowley. For him Magus, uttering it, was to make the word an expression of your will. Not to do so was just carrying out the paradox of Magus-making something untrue seem true. When the Madus is justified this actually happens-it becomes his Will-«the most formidable labour that the mind can conceive.» A.G.H.
Sources:
Suster, Gerald. The Legacy of the Beast: The Life, Work and Influence of Aleister Crowley. York Beach, ME. Samuel Weiser. 1989. p. 62
Sutin, Lawrence. Do What Thou Wilt: A Life of Aleister Crowley. New York. St. Martin’s Griffin. 2000. pp. 252-253