The 93 Current is a term used within Thelema to refer to the spiritual, philosophical, and magical energy or force associated with the Thelemic movement. The number 93 holds significant symbolic meaning in Thelema, as it represents the central concepts of Thelemic philosophy: Will (Thelema) and Love (Agape).
The term “93 Current” originated from the numerological significance of the Greek words for Will (Θελημα, Thelema) and Love (Αγαπη, Agape), both of which have a numerical value of 93 according to the Greek system of isopsephy, which is similar to Hebrew gematria. Aleister Crowley, the founder of Thelema, believed that the 93 Current represented the spiritual energy of the new Aeon of Horus, which he saw as a time of individual self-realisation, personal freedom, and the pursuit of one's True Will.
The 93 Current is often used to describe the collective influence and impact of Thelemic philosophy, practices, and the associated community of practitioners on the world's spiritual landscape. It represents a stream of esoteric knowledge, tradition, and power that flows through those who align themselves with the principles of Thelema.
In a practical sense, Thelemites may use the phrase “93” or “93/93” as a greeting or sign of recognition, symbolising their shared connection to the 93 Current and their commitment to the pursuit of Will and Love.
In summary, the 93 Current refers to the spiritual and philosophical force associated with Thelema, signifying the guiding principles of Will and Love, and their influence on the Thelemic community and esoteric practices.
Current 93 is a British experimental music group formed in 1982 by David Tibet, the primary member and driving force behind the project. The band's music is characterised by its eclectic and experimental nature, incorporating elements from various genres such as neofolk, dark ambient, post-industrial, and avant-garde music.
Throughout their career, Current 93 has released numerous albums and collaborated with a wide range of artists, including members of Coil, Nurse With Wound, and Death in June. Their lyrics often draw inspiration from mysticism, religion, and the occult, as well as literary sources. David Tibet, a former member of the band Psychic TV, is known for his interest in esotericism and spirituality, which is reflected in the band's thematic content and name, which is derived from the aforementioned concept of the “93 Current” in Thelema.
Current 93 has a dedicated cult following and is considered an influential act within the experimental music scene. Their extensive discography showcases their versatility, artistic evolution, and unique approach to music, making them a significant presence in the world of avant-garde and experimental soundscapes.
David Tibet, born David Michael Bunting on 5 March 1960, is an English musician, poet, and artist, best known as the founder and creative force behind the experimental music group Current 93. Tibet grew up in Malaysia before returning to England to attend the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, where he studied English Literature.
In the early 1980s, Tibet became involved in the British underground music scene and joined the pioneering industrial band Psychic TV, led by Genesis P-Orridge. After leaving Psychic TV in 1982, he formed Current 93, a project that would become his primary artistic outlet for the next several decades.
Under the Current 93 moniker, Tibet has released numerous albums and collaborated with a wide range of artists from various musical backgrounds, including members of Coil, Nurse With Wound, and Death in June. His music often features elements of neofolk, dark ambient, post-industrial, and avant-garde genres, and is characterised by its eclectic and experimental nature.
Tibet's work often explores themes of mysticism, religion, and the occult, drawing inspiration from sources such as Gnosticism, Christianity, and the writings of Aleister Crowley. His interest in esotericism and spirituality is also reflected in the band's name, which refers to the “93 Current” within Thelema.
In addition to his musical endeavours, Tibet is an accomplished visual artist and poet, with several published works to his name. He has also worked as a curator and translator for the British Museum, specialising in Coptic texts.
Throughout his career, David Tibet has been a significant figure in the experimental music scene, garnering a dedicated cult following and establishing himself as an influential artist in the world of avant-garde soundscapes.
Psychic TV, formed in 1981, is an English experimental and avant-garde music group primarily led by musician, artist, and occultist Genesis P-Orridge. The band emerged from the ashes of Throbbing Gristle, a pioneering industrial music group that disbanded earlier that year. Psychic TV was co-founded by Peter “Sleazy” Christopherson, another Throbbing Gristle member, and Alex Fergusson, a musician with ties to the punk scene.
Psychic TV's music is characterised by its wide-ranging and experimental nature, incorporating elements from diverse genres such as industrial, acid house, post-punk, and psychedelic rock. Their output often delves into themes of spirituality, the occult, and transgressive subject matter, reflecting P-Orridge's long-standing interest in esotericism and counterculture.
Throughout its existence, Psychic TV has undergone numerous lineup changes and collaborated with various artists, including David Tibet of Current 93. In the late 1980s, the band began to experiment with dance music, leading to the creation of a side project called Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth (TOPY), which combined music with occult philosophy and practices.
Psychic TV's discography is extensive, featuring dozens of albums and numerous live recordings. They are particularly known for their ambitious project to release a live album for each month of the year in 1986, resulting in a series of 23 albums known as the “City-Based Live Series”.
Genesis P-Orridge, the driving force behind Psychic TV, passed away in March 2020, but the band's legacy continues to influence the experimental music scene. Psychic TV's innovative sound, unique blend of genres, and exploration of esoteric themes have earned them a devoted cult following and solidified their place as a seminal act in the world of avant-garde and experimental music.
Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth (TOPY) was an influential, international countercultural movement and network that emerged in the early 1980s, with close ties to the experimental music group Psychic TV, led by Genesis P-Orridge. Conceived as both an artistic and spiritual collective, TOPY combined elements of music, performance, visual art, and esoteric practices, embracing a do-it-yourself ethos and a focus on personal transformation, exploration of consciousness, and the development of psychic abilities.
TOPY's philosophy was heavily influenced by the teachings of occultist Aleister Crowley, as well as the works of Austin Osman Spare, Robert Anton Wilson, and Brion Gysin. Members, referred to as “Initiates,” were encouraged to engage in creative expression, magical practices, and the development of their own belief systems, rather than adhering to any rigid dogma. TOPY advocated for individual freedom, sexual liberation, and the use of ritual to bring about personal and collective change.
As a loosely organised network, TOPY had a decentralised structure, with regional “stations” or “access points” across the UK, Europe, and North America, allowing individuals to connect and collaborate on projects. These stations operated autonomously but were connected through a shared interest in the TOPY philosophy and practices.
In addition to its spiritual and artistic pursuits, TOPY was also involved in the distribution and production of music and video content. The network played a key role in promoting Psychic TV's music and other experimental and underground artists through its own record label, Temple Records, as well as the publication of various newsletters and fanzines.
Although TOPY disbanded in the early 1990s, its influence on underground culture and the development of the modern esoteric movement cannot be understated. The legacy of TOPY is still felt today in the works of artists, musicians, and practitioners who continue to explore alternative spiritualities, radical self-expression, and personal transformation.
Genesis P-Orridge, born Neil Andrew Megson on 22 February 1950 in Manchester, England, was an influential and pioneering musician, performance artist, and occultist. P-Orridge is best known as the founder of the groundbreaking industrial music group Throbbing Gristle and the experimental band Psychic TV. P-Orridge passed away on 14 March 2020.
After attending Solihull School and Hull University, P-Orridge became involved in the UK's countercultural scene in the late 1960s and early 1970s, exploring avant-garde art, music, and performance. In 1975, P-Orridge co-founded Throbbing Gristle, a band that would go on to define the emerging industrial music genre with their confrontational sound and provocative themes.
Following Throbbing Gristle's disbandment in 1981, P-Orridge formed Psychic TV, an experimental group that further explored the boundaries of music, incorporating a wide range of genres, from post-punk and psychedelic rock to acid house. Psychic TV also served as a platform for P-Orridge's interest in esotericism and the occult, leading to the creation of Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth (TOPY), a countercultural collective focused on spirituality, personal transformation, and creative expression.
Throughout P-Orridge's life, the exploration of identity and gender was a recurring theme in both art and personal experience. This led to the Pandrogeny Project, a collaboration with P-Orridge's partner, Lady Jaye Breyer P-Orridge (born Jacqueline Mary Breyer), which began in the mid-1990s. The couple underwent a series of surgical procedures and hormone treatments to physically resemble each other and create a shared, androgynous identity, transcending traditional gender roles and societal norms. They referred to themselves collectively as a single “pandrogynous” entity, “Breyer P-Orridge.”
The Pandrogeny Project aimed to challenge conventional ideas about gender, love, and the nature of the self, reflecting the couple's belief in the fluidity of identity and their commitment to breaking down barriers between individuals. Tragically, Lady Jaye Breyer P-Orridge passed away in 2007, but Genesis P-Orridge continued the project as a tribute to their shared vision and love.
Genesis P-Orridge's life and work had a significant impact on the worlds of music, art, and spirituality, leaving a lasting legacy as an iconoclastic and transformative figure in the countercultural movement.