If you've been surfing around the magickal community on the internet, you may have encountered the use of the number 93 or 93/93. Often, you will see 93 used in correspondence, such as on forums and groups, like this:
Dear Sir,
93
How are you?
93
Sirroco

What Is 93?

93 is the numerical value of Thelema (the Greek word for Will). People who follow Thelemic Paths base much of their information on the works of Aleister Crowley. Crowley believed he had received messages that he was a new messiah, and was to create a new religion called Thelema.
93 is also the numerical equivalent for the Greek word Agape, meaning love.
Thelema, or Will is expressed as:
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Agape, or Love is expressed as:
Love is the law, love under will.
These two phrases are the Law of Thelema. In the Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn (T.·.G.·.D.·.) and a few other magickal groups, members greet each other by saying the Thelema part:
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law
The person being greeted then says the Agape part in response:
Love is the law, love under will.
These phrases can also be used as greetings and farewells, the greeting being Thelema, and the parting being agape. Both phrases are abbreviated by the number 93. The sum of the values of the letters in the word Thelema total 93. Also, the sum of the values of the letters in the word agape total 93.
From this greeting developed the abbreviation for written correspondences, 93. This can be somewhat paralleled with the Pagan greeting "Merry Meet" being abbreviated to mm, and "Merry Part" being abbreviated to mp.
However, 93 goes far beyond a greeting, it is a statement of the Law of Thelema, and from a Wiccan perspective can be somewhat roughly compared to a Wiccan stating the Rede in greeting and passing. Don't be confused here however, the Law of Thelema has significant and important differences from the Wiccan Rede, this is simply an example.
So what response do you give to 93? If you sincerely follow the Thelemic path, you would reply 93 or "Love is the law, love under will."
The sample correspondence above could be translated as:
Dear Sir,
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
How are you?
Love is the law, love under will.Sirocco

93/93 is also used as a signature line, translated as:  Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Love is the Law, love under Will.

Why It Is Used

The reasons for 93 being used in most online correspondences do not necessarily compliment the meaning of 93. To be blunt, most of the people we've encountered who use 93 in their email, forum posts, and other online correspondences, have no idea what it means.
After cornering many dozens of people in chat rooms and through email who have used 93 as an introductory greeting, most simply say they use it because it is like the "secret club handshake." Some even admitted to using it simply in order to drive people nuts trying to figure out what it is. Unfortunately, for some it is a way to feel superior, powerful, and knowledgeable.
However, there is a small percentage of people who do know what it means when they use it. Much like Druidic orders, knowledge, wisdom and seeking are very high priorities for those traveling Thelemic paths.
We must respect those who are willing to put forth the effort, are smart enough to not get caught up in power plays and intentionally convoluted or drug induced writings (which may apply in the case of Crowley), and sincere enough to really make progress on these paths. Most importantly, we must respect these few for having to deal with those who use or abuse 93 without knowing its deeper meaning.
Many Pagans are turned off by the hierarchical division of spiritual levels within the Golden Dawn and related paths. These hierarchical divisions extend to both members in groups, and to energies in other realms. Many Pagans are also turned off by the Judeo-Christian overtones they perceive in these paths, as well as the frequent patriarchal attitudes.
However, as Pagans, particularly Wiccans and Witches, we owe a great deal to the magickal progress made through Thelema and the Golden Dawn, as well as the experimentation done by Crowley.
Some Pagan traditions draw heavily on the works of Crowley, the Golden Dawn and other magickal orders, some not at all, and some do so without even knowing the origins of their philosophies. Throughout the Members Area, we strive to show you the origins of all aspects of Paganism so you can develop your own path according to what you feel comfortable with.