XXIX. The Tarot Trump called Le Fou, the

unwise man ; a day of abortion.

Notes.

The Tarot Trump, No. xviii., represents the Moon
in the sky letting fall drops of dew; below is the
land on which stand two towers, and between them
are a dog and a wolf ; in the foreground is water in
which a crayfish is swimming.

THE MOON -]!

The occult meanings ascribed to this trump by
L^vi are : The elements, the visible world, reflected
light and symbolism.

Christian says that the meanings are the abyss of
the infinite \ the shadow which enshrouds the human
ego when it accepts the rule of the instincts un-
checked by spiritual aims ; and on the lowest plane,
the assaults of hidden enemies.

XIX

THE SUN—LE SOLE I L

The Sun is the centre and source of all high Magical

force, and this force nourishes and renews without

pause that latent Light which is the grand agent

manifested in magnetism and vital energy.

The Sun is the central and yet universal magnet of

the stars. It has two poles, one possessing attractive

force and the other repulsive force ; it is alone by the

balance of these two energies that it maintains cosmic

equilibrium and universal motion. The Sun it is

which bestows radiance upon the planets and meteors,

it is of the principle of Fire, and in this world it is

the source of the phosphorescence of the sea and even

of the scintillation of the glow-worm. It is the heat

of the Sun which constitutes the stimulant essence of

the generous wine from the fruit of the grape, and

which brings to perfection the luscious sweetness of

all fruits. It is the Sun which awakens the dormant

energies of all beings in spring time, and which

72

i

THE SUN 72^

prompts to the enjoyment of all the sweet mysteries
of sexual love. It is the Sun's force which courses in
our veins and palpitates in our hearts, and it is the
light of the Sun which empurples our blood and
makes it resemble the purple redness of wine. The
Sun is the sanctuary of spiritual beings who have
been loosed from the ties of earth life, and there is
the blazing tabernacle in which resides the Soul of
the Messiah. You place your altars where the Sun's
rays fall upon them, and renew the sacred fire upon
them from its rays. When you consecrate a talisman
or pantacle you open up a path along which a solar
ray may pass thence into it during the ceremonial.

When the adept seeks to heal the sick or relieve
any pain he raises his hands towards the Light and
Heat of the Sun, and then lowering them he touches
the sick man, saying, "Be thou healed if thou hast
faith and will." The perfumed flowers and leaves to
be used as, incense should be dried in the Sun's rays,
notwithstanding the fact that flowers and leaves
gathered in darkness have more potency than those
plucked by daylight; because plants exhale their aroma
in sunlight, and close up their pores to preserve it
during the absence of the creating rays. Gold is the
special metal of Sol, and it tends to augment the solar
force in all with which it is brought into contact.

74 THE MAGICAL RITUAL

A golden lamen applied to the forehead renders
the mind more open to and receptive of divine
influences.

A golden talisman worn on the breast over the
heart increases the force of emotions which are good
and benevolent, while it tends to banish impure
passions.

Notes.

The Nineteenth Trump represents the Sun shining
above in the heavens and casting its rays upon two
children, who stand holding each other's hands; a
wall of masonry is seen behind them. In some
old cards this wall is garlanded with flowers.

The meanings given elsewhere by L6vi are : The
Prince of the heavens, the summit, the head : he
remarks that some examples of this card show a
child mounted on a white horse and waving a scarlet
banner. Christian believes that this Trump repre-
sents the passage from earth life to that of the
unknown future.

XX

THE LAST JUDGMENT— LE JUGEMENT

These are the Privileges and the Powers of a Magus ;
and first are recited the Seven Grand Privileges : —

Aleph. I. He sees God and is able to commune
with the Seven Genii around the throne.

Beth. 2. He is above the influence of all pains
and fears.

Ghimel. 3. He has authority over High Spiritual
Powers, and can command Infernal forces.

Daleth. 4. He is the master over his own life, and
can influence the lives of other men.

Heh. 5. He can never be taken unawares, nor
weakened, nor overcome.

Yau. 6. He understands the reasons for the Present,
the Past, and the Future.

Zain. 7. He holds the secret of what is meant by
the Resurrection from the dead.

The Seven Major Powers are : —

Cheth. I. The power of making the Philosopher's

Stone.

75

76 THE MAGICAL RITUAL

Teth. 2. The possession of the Universal Medicine.

Yod. 3. The knowledge of the mode of Perpetual
Motion, and of the Quadrature of the Circle.

Kaph. 4. The power of changing any base matter
into gold.

Lamed. 5. The ability to coerce wild beasts, and to
charm serpents.

Mem. 6. To possess the Notorial Art and to have
universal knowledge.

Ifun. 7. The power of discoursing with knowledge
and learning upon any subject, even without previous
study.

The Seven Minor Powers are : —

Samech. i. To know in a moment the hidden
thoughts of any man or woman.

Ayin. 2. To compel any one to act with sincerity.

Peh. 3. To foresee any future events which do not
depend upon the will of a superior being.

Tzaddi. 4. To give instantly wise counsel and
acceptable consolation.

Qoph. 5. To be always calm and content in the
most grievous adversity.

Resh. 6. Never to feel love or hatred unless it is
designed.

Shin. 7. To possess the secret of constant wealth,
and never to fall into destitution or misery.

THE LAST JUDGMENT 77

These Privileges are the final degree of Human
Perfectibility; these are open to attainment by the
elect, by those who can dare, by those who would
never abuse them, and who know when to be silent.

Tau. In conclusion, Magi can control the elemental
forces, calm tempests, heal the sick, and raise the dead.
But these things are sealed with the triple Seal of
Solomon : initiates know of them, this is sufficient ; as
to other persons, whether they deride you, or whether
they are overcome with fear at your audacity, what
matters it to you ?

Notes.

Levi gives the whole of this chapter in his Dogme,
pages 79-83, as a quotation — perhaps from this
treatise.

This Twentieth Tarot Trump shows, at first sight,
a representation of the judgment day. An angel
blowing a trumpet and carrying a banner is flying
overhead. Below is seen a figure with his back
toward the observer, rising from a tomb. On each
side is an imposing human figure, one male and one
female, who also seem to be rising from the earth.
L6vi gives as its meaning the generative force of the
earth, vegetable life, and eternal life.

Christian describes this card as a symbol of the
resurrection.

XXI

THE UNWISE MAN—LE MAT

Do not ally yourself either in affection or interest
with any one who is not an earnest student of the
higher life, unless you can completely dominate him,
and even then be sure that you either recompense or
chastise him according to his deserts ; for the profane
person hears many truths, but understands none ; his
ears are large but have no discretion. The profane
passes his life in giddy risks, deluded with vain de-
sires, listening to imaginary promptings, and with
his eyes fixed on fancied sights. You may think he
is pleased with your aims, but the truth is that he
is absorbed by his own follies; the profane has no
appreciation of the truth, and feels no real affection.
The profane is imprudent and shameless ; he discloses
things which should be kept concealed, and attracts
to himself brute forces which may devour him. That
which he most neglects is himself; he wears his

vices as a blazon, but they are an ever-present burden

78

THE UNWISE MAN 79

to him, yet he does not recognise that they are a con-
stant source of weakness. Make it a definite rule of
life always to avoid : —

1. Such as are ever judging and condemning their
parents, who despise their fathers and have no true
affection for their mothers.

2. All men who show no courage, and all women
who have not modesty.

3. Those who do not maintain their friendships.

4. Those who ask for advice, and then do not
take it.

5. Those who are never in the wrong.

6. Those who are always seeking the impossible,
and who are obstinately unjust to others.

7. Those who, when danger is present, seek only
their own safety.

All such persons are neither worthy of your con-
fidence nor of your love. Fear contamination from
them ; avoid them. Yet even as you yourself must
also avoid the follies of life, be careful not to put
yourself in an attitude of superiority to the con-
ditions of existence merely from a false pride, and
never stoop to debase yourself to the level of the
brute creation ; rise above the common ways of life,
and never become the slave of custom and con-
ventionality. Treat the habits of ordinary life as

8o THE MAGICAL RITUAL

others treat the weaknesses of childhood. Amuse the
crowd to prevent personal injury, but never address
it except in parables and enigmas; such has been
the mode of conduct of all the great Masters of
Magic, and in such an attitude there is wisdom.

Notes.

We are now met by an unexpected difficulty, for
Levi has written this chapter No. 21, following
No. 20, the Judgment, without any notification that
the card referred to is not that numbered 21, which
is the Universe, but the sole unnumbered Trump of
the set. Of other authors, some have numbered the
Universe Moon or Fool as o or as the 22nd. The
fact remains that in all packs the Universe is
numbered 21, and it will in this tract be considered
after the next chapter, which clearly refers to it.

In this chapter, where an author refers so much
to the profane, the Trump Le Fou is clearly indi-
cated. It represents a wayfarer walking along a
road and carrying a burden slung over his shoulder ;
he has a staff in his right hand. Behind, he is
attacked by a tiger which has already fastened on
his clothing, while his face shows that he is as yet
ignorant of its attack. In his Rituel^ Levi assigns

THE UNWISE MAN 8i

to this trump the somewhat incongruous meanings
of the sensitive, the flesh, and eternal life.

Christian gives another description of this card.
Instead of the design described above, he says that
the 2oth trump should represent a blind man carry-
ing a wallet and coming into contact with a broken
obelisk, upon which is couched a crocodile with
gaping jaws; the meaning assigned by him is the
inevitable punishment of sin. This blind man, he
says, is the symbol of humanity, which is the blind
slave of matter. He numbers this card o, but places
it between numbers 20 and 21.

XXII

THE UNIVERSE— LE MONDE

Do you now understand the Enigma of the Sphynx ?

Do you know the thought which exists in its
human head ? the love which pervades its woman's
bosom ? the labour denoted by the loins of the bull ?
the struggle which the lion's claws can wage? the
beliefs and the poesy of its eagle's wings ? Yes, you
know that the Sphynx refers to Man.

But do you know that the Sphynx is one and

alone, and remains unchanged, while as to man, — is

not each one a Sphynx of a different synthesis ? In

some there is the head of a Lion, such as is drawn

on talismans of Fire; these are descendants of the

Salamanders. Others have the head of a Bull, or

of an Eagle or Ibis. Each of these has its divine

counterpart, and this it is which the wise men of

Egypt depicted in those hieroglyphic figures which

the profane scholars of our time find so ridiculous

and misleading.

82

THE UNIVERSE 83

May they be forgiven from the recesses of the
Tomb of the divine Hermes.

It is by reason of this diversity of divine inspira-
tion, and its. influence over the human will, that the
wise have formed such diversified pantacles and talis-
mans. All initiates have had faith in the efficacy of
symbols and emblems. How else could the Word be
expressed without letters and characters, and why
should not letters and characters express the power
of the Word they represent.

Write the words " I love " upon a golden jewel and
wear it upon the breast ; then every time you feel its
touch, will not the idea of your love arise in the
mind ? and I tell you that this jewel, magnetised by
your will and your faith, will deflect from you and
will extinguish all the attacks directed against you.
If you pass through the heat of fire, this will be as a
breeze of fresh air to you. If you are in danger of
drowning, this will bear you up amid the waters.
Never then condemn the use of amulets, pantacles,
talismans, and phylacteries. Unfortunate is the man
who is not impressed by the appearance of any image,
and who does not bow his head before any symbol.

But each wise man should have his phylactery or
talisman, as every Master has his clavicule. Such
are the talismans of Hermes ; there are others of

84 THE MAGICAL RITUAL

Solomon, of Rabbi Chael, and of Thetel; there are
other signs used by Paracelsus, by Agrippa, and
Albertus Magnus.

The symbols of Abraham the Jew gave rise to the
emblematic designs of Nicholas Flamel, which again
differ from those of Basil Valentine and Bernard of
Treves.

All embody the same ideas, but according to the
special form of consecration speak another idiom of
the language of the hieroglyphics.

If you become initiated you will at length make
and vary your own talismans and pantacles; you
will choose the proper hours, select your perfumes
and compose your own invocations, upon the models
you may find among the various clavicules of
Solomon. Ponder carefully over this axiom: "The
man who addresses to a Power unknown to him
words which he does not fully comprehend, makes
a tenebrous prayer to the spirit of darkness; in
other words, he invokes the devil. All that happens
in the world, that is devoid of justice and right, has
the devil for its author. Bemember also that he who
consults the oracles abdicates in some part his liberty
and makes an appeal to fateful forces.

The true sage directs or corrects the oracle but he
never consults it. Saul was already conquered and

THE UNIVERSE 85

lost when he consulted the Witch of Endor. In the
difficulties of life consult in preference the Sphynx.

Is it a decision that is needed, ask it from the
human head.

Is it affection that you desire, ask it of the woman's
breast.

Is it help and protection that you need, ask the
Lion's claws to afford it.

Are you poor and ignorant, invoke the power of
the Bull, and work yourself.

Do the struggles of life weary you, take the
Eagle's wings and raise yourself on high above the
earth.

The Sphynx only devours those who fail to com-
prehend her ; she will obey any one who has learned
the answer to her riddle.

All the forces of Nature correspond to human forces,
and are dependent on the will in its sphere of action :
constant use of will power extends' the sphere of its
action.

Man (and by man I do not intend either fools or
profane persons) — man is worth whatever he believes
himself to be worth ; he can do whatever he believes
himself capable of doing ; he does whatever he really
desires to do; he may at length become all that he
wills to be.

86 • THE MAGICAL RITUAL

He, who was not mad, and yet could say, " I am
the only Son of God," was the only Son of God.
Examples of the past may be re-acted at any time :
the types are still existent, and can be brought again
into action.

Would you become a Moses, or an Elias ?

Would you re-live the career of Paracelsus or of
Eaymond Lulli ? Then learn all that they knew, put
your faith in the doctrines they believed, do the acts
they did ; while awaiting the result, be sober in body,
calm in mind, work and pray.

THE KABALISTIO PRAYER

Be favourable to me, oh ye Powers of the Kingdom
Divine.

May Glory and Eternity be in my left and right
hands, so that I may attain to Victory.

May Pity and Justice restore my soul to its
original purity.

May Understanding and Wisdom Divine conduct
me to the imperishable Crown.

Spirit of Malkuth, Thou who hast laboured and
hast overcome ; set me in the Path of Good.

Lead me to the two pillars of the Temple, to Jakin
and Boaz, that I may rest upon them.

Angels of Netzach and of Hod, make ye my feet to
stand firmly on Yesod.

Angel of Gedulah, console me. Angel of Geburah,
strike, if it must be so, but make me stronger, so that
I may become worthy of the influence of Tiphereth.

Oh Angel of Binah, give me Light.

Oh Angel of Chokmah, give me Love.

Oh Angel of Kether, confer upon me Faith and

Hope.

87

88 THE MAGICAL RITUAL

Spirits of the Yetziratic World, withdraw me from
the darkness of Assiah.

Oh luminous triangle of the World of Briah, cause
me to see and understand the mysteries of Yetzirah
and of Atziluth.

Oh Holy Letter t^, Shin.

Oh ye Ishim, assist me by the name Shadai.

Oh ye Kerubim, give me strength through Adonai.

Oh Beni Elohim, be brothers unto me in the name
of Tzabaoth.

Oh Elohim, fight for me by the Holy Tetragram-
maton.

Oh Melakim, protect me through Jehovah.

Oh Seraphim, give me holy love in the name Eloah.

Oh Chashmalim, enlighten me by the torches of
Eloi and the Shekinah.

Oh Aralim, angels of power, sustain me by Adonai.

Oh Ophanim, Ophanim, Ophanim, forget me not,
and cast me not out of the Sanctuary.

Oh Chaioth ha Kadosh, cry aloud as an eagle,
speak as a man, roar and bellow.

Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh, Shadai.

Adonai, Jehovah, Ehyeh asher Ehyeh.

Hallelu-Jah. Hallelu-Jah.

Hallelu-Jah. '

Amen. Amen. Amen.

THE KABALISTIC PRAYER 89

This prayer should be made use of every morning
and evening, and it should be recited as a pre-
liminary to all grand magical and Kabalistic cere-
monials ; it should be recited when facing the orient
with the eyes raised to the heavens, or fixed on the
Kabalistic emblem of the sublime Tetragrammaton,
which you will find drawn for your instruction on an
accompanying page.

So soon as you apply both body and soul to the
Higher Magic you will have to defend yourself against
all the blind forces of the world and of Hades.
Earth will send the Bacchantes of Orpheus and the
temptresses who assailed Samson and Solomon, even
the stones will rise up and hurl themselves at you ;
Hades will send its Larvae and Phantoms to attack
you. As a defence you will possess the Divine Word,
the aura, the magical sword, the magnetic wand, the
consecrated water, and the sacred fire, but above all
the vigilant power of your invocation.

If you are Royal you may rely upon revolts and
counterplots to force the spiritual powers to obey
you. Perform the conjuration of the Four by means
of the Pantacle of Ezekiel, and proceed by the Sep-
tenary and the Triadic method, and by the Pantacle
of the Hexagram of Solomon, which latter is the
Symbol of the Macrocosm.

90 THE MAGICAL RITUAL

For the conjuration of the Tetrad, the Four, you
bring into action the powers of the four elements duly
consecrated, and you must trace in the air and upon
the earth the pentagrams of fire and of water ; then
make four expirations of the breath, and recite —
making the cross — Nicksa, Ghob, Paralda, Djin.

Fluat udor per Sjpiritum Elohim.

Let the waters flow on, through the spiritual energy
from Elohim, or ye Undines must roll back through
the influence of this consecrated water.

Maneat terra per Adam.

Let the earth remain solid through Adam. Work,
ye Gnomes, as I will, or return to the earth in which
I can imprison you by this Pantacle.

Fiat firmamentum per Elohim,

The firmament must persist through the Elohim.
Submit, ye Sylphs, or pass away by the current of my
breathing.

Fiat judicium per ignem.

Let the decree be carried out by the Fire. Ye
Salamanders, be calm, or be coerced by the sacred
fire.

THE KABALISTIC PRAYER 91

You may formulate the Undine as an angelic form
with the eyes of death ; the Gnome as a winged bull,
the Sylph as an eagle chained, and the Salamander
as a gliding serpent.

Latin Invocation.

0 caput mortuum impero tibi per vivium Serpentem

Kerub impero tibi per Adam

Aquila impero tibi per alas Tauri.

Serpens impero tibi per Angelum et Leonem.

The Conjuration of the Heptad — the Seven, is
made with the Magical Wand and fumigations by
means of the Seven Planetary Spirits.

Planetary Conjuration.

In the name of Michael, whom Jehovah decrees to
command Satan !

In the name of Gabriel, whom Adonai decrees to
command Beelzebub !

In the name of Raphael obey Elohim, thou Sacha-
biel.

By Samael Tzabaoth, and by the name of Elohim
Gibur, lay down thy weapons, thou Adramelek.

By Zachariel and Sachiel Melek, submit to the
power of Eloah, thou Samgabiel.

92 THE MAGICAL RITUAL

In the divine and human name of Shadai, and by
the power of Anael, of Adam and of Chavah, thou
Lilith retire, leave us in peace, thou ISTahemah.

By the holy Elohim, and by the power of Orifiel,
in the names of the spirits Cassiel, Schaltiel, Aphiel,
and Zarahiel, turn back, thou Moloch, there are no
children here for thee to devour.

You must then trace in the air and upon the earth,
with the Magical Wand, the famous and powerful
Hexagram, the Seal of Solomon.

The Conjuration of the Three is performed with
the Tetragrammaton, pronouncing three times in a
deep sonorous voice the Three letters of the Great
Name, tracing in the air and upon the earth the
signs of the four radii of the Wheel of EzekieFs
Vision, with the words Yod, Heh, Vau, Heh, and
then make the sign of the Cross.

You should well understand that the names Satan,
Beelzebub, and others like them, do not mean spiritual
personalities, but rather legions of impure spirits.

My name is Legion, said the Spirit of darkness,
because we are numberless ; in hell, the kingdom of
anarchy, it is number which makes law, and progress

THE KABALISTIC PRAYER 93

is inverse ; for there the most degraded are the least
intelligent and most weak. Thus the law of fatality
compels the demons to descend when they believe
and wish to rise; and so those whom I call the
Chiefs are the most powerless and the most con-
temptible of them all.

Those evil spirits which form the crowd, tremble
before a Chief who is unknown, implacable, and deaf,
never speaking, and whose arm is always raised to
strike. To this phantom are given the names of
Lucifer, Adramelek, and Belial; but this phantom
is but the shadow of God disfigured by their per-
versity, and remains among them to torment and
terrify them for ever.

Be guarded in the words you speak. Speak not of
God, unless you are illuminated. All the images
which you create, whether of God or of other ideals,
remain imprinted on that luminous medium — the
Astral Light of the soul, and of the world; and
there is that Book of the Conscience which shall be
opened and its records revealed in the Last Day.

Know that the Human Brain, although it receives,
does not make any visible record of impressions;
otherwise they would be engraved upon the grey
matter of the Brain and anatomists would see them
there.

94 THE MAGICAL RITUAL

The nerve substance does but perceive and collect,
by reason of this essence (the Astral Light), the
living and ineffaceable pictures of the spiritual
atmosphere which you evoke. You may even by
sympathy, present or past, with the desires, evoke
the impressions of other persons ; and thus it is that
you can communicate with those who are dead and
even perceive the bodily form they have thrown
aside, and which they must retake when the grand
Consummation arrives and the world is transfigured.

To such as ask you where Paradise and Hell are
situated, you should answer : Paradise exists where-
ever you speak the truth, and do the right ; Hell is
present wherever you speak that which is false, or do
that which is evil.

Paradise and Hell are not localities, they are states,
and the contrasted states will remain to eternity;
even as good must ever remain in opposition to evil ;
as the essential of a personality is opposed to that of
Intelligent Existence, which is Liberty.

The plastic universal medium, the unsubstantial
substance, which is light, motion, and life, this
androgyne magnetic force, receives, preserves, and
communicates all the forms and images which are the
impressions of the Word : this it is which gives form
and colour to plants ; it is this which stamps upon

THE KABALISTIC PRAYER 95

the fruit of a mother's womb the impress of her
thoughts and desires.

It is this which produces apparitions and the
sensible visions of exaltation and ecstasy when
Superior Spiritual Powers communicate to us by
the correspondences of the Word, or when Inferior
spirits seek to mount to our plane by sympathy with
our grosser passions.

There is no real isolation in this world, there is no
point of form and no variety of thought which has
not its correspondence, item by item, through analogy,
with that which is above, as well as that which is
below, in the infinite and finite worlds. This is the
true ideal of the mystical Ladder of Jacob whose
rungs are bound together by the two Pillars of Light,
and which provide for the unbroken circulation of
Intelligence and Love through the vast areas of the
Universe.

Nothing entirely new happens under the Sun ;
causes lead to new causes and effects precede these.
Prophetic intuitions are but the result of a con-
sideration of the analogies between the past and the
future, read in that luminous volume composed of
such mobile yet incorruptible characters as are the
waves of the sea.

Hence it follows, that to divine — is to see.

96 THE MAGICAL RITUAL

Each man bears his earthly future in his natural
character, and he has his character imprinted on
his face and in his hands, in his natural movements,
in his glances and his voice.

Each personal will has at its disposal three modes
of force — moral power, instinctive power, and physical
energy. Moral power is that solidarity which exists
between all truly spiritual souls ; instinctive power is
the solidarity given by the sympathies and antipathies
existing in the magnetic aura ; while physical energy
is the solidarity subsisting between the impulses and
resistances of material substances. To each of these
forces there is a corresponding form of life.

The middle or Instinctive force acts upon us with-
out our active participation when our Moral force is
in abeyance, and when one desires to give it free play
one must slumber, or at least sleep more or less.

There is a voluntary slumber, as there is an in-
voluntary or physiological sleep. Voluntary slumber
is somewhat lucid, because it does not absolutely
break away from reminiscence.

Prophecy and Thaumaturgy are Natural faculties.
The E-e-animation of the Dead in the case of
certain men and under certain circumstances is not

THE KA BALI STIC PRAYER 97

a thing naturally impossible. At the moment of
death the soul finds itself free from, yet near, the
earthy tenement it has just left, and if the really
vital organs have not been destroyed, it can be
recalled by one whose will has tremendous force.
Death is only absolute when the vital organs have
lost their integrity.

Examples of re-animation are not infrequent, but
when they occur the occurrence of death is denied,
and the facts observed are explained by saying that
the person was only in a trance or lethargy.

To deny that death has occurred in these cases may
be permissible, but public opinion should have the
courage of its convictions and should always deny it.

0 thou who art now wise, thou hast been an infant ;
what has become of that infant 1 it has passed away,
but you still live.

You have been a youth, he has passed away, but
you are stillwith us. You were once a young man;
what has become of that young man ? you still live.
You are now a man of full years, or perhaps even an
old man ; what will become of you, old man ? You
will die, but you will exist for ever. Is it the corpse
which impresses you with terror ? Yet each of your
stages of development has left its corpse, only you do
not happen to have seen .it. Only believe then that

98 THE MAGICAL RITUAL

your last corpse will not be appreciable by you, and
so you may rest in a peaceful immortality.

You have but to undergo one more transformation
before you remount to that source of life from which
you once sprang.

Transformation results from eternal motion, which
is the essential law of vitality; check this and en-
force a stability at any stage of evolution, and you
create a real death.

Behold thyself then, by natural law, immortal.
Would you then be for ever the slave of secondary
causes, or will you become their controller ?

Will you submit to them, or will you choose the
high alternative of directing them ?

If you will become a Master, set free your spirit
by relying on the Hermetic Stone, and exercise your
Will Power through the Word transmuted into
action. Join to an Intelligence, really set free, an
all-powerful Will, and you will find yourself Master
of the powers of the Elements. L. P. D.

Liberty, Power, Despotism. Power is the correct
equilibrium between Despotism and Liberty. This
is the solution of the Enigma of three letters which
Cagliostro the Initiate formulated to represent the
Kabalah of political and social stability.

THE KABALISTIC PRAYER 99

Liberty is Chokmali.

Despotism is Binah.

Power beneficent is Kether.

Liberty is Gedulah.

Despotism is Geburah.

Power beneficent is Tiphereth.

Liberty is Netzach.

Despotism is Hod.

Power beneficent is in Yesod.

In the essence of the First Cause, Liberty has
Necessity as a counterpoise ; this Necessity is the
despotism of Supreme Reason, and resulting from
this equilbrium is a Wise and Absolute Power.

If you seek to be absolute, be first wise; and if
you are wise, be then absolute. To be a Master you
must be free ; to be free you must have attained the
mastery of yourself.

Liberty is Jakin.

Despotism is Boaz.

Power is represented by the Temple Gate which
was between them.

Four phrases constitute and include all that is
required for the possession of High Magical Power.

To know.

To dare.

To will.

loo THE MAGICAL RITUAL

To keep silence.

Knowledge is represented by the Human head of
the Sphynx.

Courage, by its Eagle's wings.

Will, by the Lion's claws, and the loins of the
Bull.

Secrecy, by its stony silence and by the hidden
answer to its enigma.

When the pupil has grasped the meaning of, and
can carry into practice, these four requirements, he
may then receive permission to Love.

Every force corresponds to all forces, and may
become all powerful in the hands of one who knows
how to direct and use it.

Each form of weakness has a similarity to all weak-
nesses, and may become a slave to one who is strong
and knows how to avail himself of it. Through the
knowledge of this secret, the Magus commands the
forces alike of heaven and hell, and they can but be
submissive to his Will.

Realise clearly that an intelligence which is Free
is of necessity both just and wise. Kero and Caligula
were possessed of despotic will, but their intelligence
was not free ; intoxicated with absolute power, they
were attacked by vertigo. Absolute will power un-

THE KABALISTIC PRAYER loi

guided by a right Reason is the quintessence of the
Devil ; and here is the explanation of the secrets of
Black Magic, which lead to madness of mind and
poisoning of body. Hence the sorcerer is said to
give himself to the Devil, and in the end the Devil
will wring his neck.

You will now need to learn the last secret of
magical force and the final grade of human will
power.

It is Resistance to the Universal Attraction ; this
is the conquest of nature, it is the Royal Authority
of Soul over Body — it is Continence. To have the
power and opportunity to do what gives pleasure, yet
to abstain because one wills it ; this shows the Royal
power of Soul over body.

Happy is the man who can be so placed, and yet so
act : thus it is that the most sublime use of liberty is
absolute obedience. Without obedience no society can
continue to exist. This is why the Magi worshipped
the Christ in the stable at Bethlehem. Christ, that
son of God, greatest of initiates, and the last initiator.

But Christ had, as all great teachers have had, one
teaching for the people and also an esoteric doctrine.
To John, the beloved disciple, he confided the deepest
mysteries of the Holy Kabalah ; and John in after

I02 THE MAGICAL RITUAL

years revealed or revelled them in his Apocalypse,
which is indeed a synthesis of all earlier magical,
prophetic, and Kabalistic works.

The Apocalypse requires as its key or Clavicula the
Wheel of Ezekiel, which is itself explained by the
hieroglyphs of the Tarot.

Notes.

This final card, numbered 21 in the actual Tarot
Trumps, and called Le Monde, represents an angelic
or human figure floating in the air, almost nude, and
holding a short wand in each hand. The figure is
more female than male. Around her is an oval
garland of leaves, and outside of this, at the four
corners, are placed the Kerubic emblems of a man,
lion, eagle, and bull. This figure, says L6vi, is Truth,
and the mystical meaning is the Microcosm, or the
resume of all in all.

Christian draws the garland circular, and as formed
of roses ; the Kerubim are placed at the four cardinal
points, and not at the angles of the design ; he says
its meaning is the Eternal Reward of a life well
spent.

NOTE BY THE EDITOR

The very curious manuscript volume, from which
the preceding pages have been translated, concludes
with a passage which appears to retract the whole of
the foregoing instruction. It is a very notable illus-
tration of the second mind of its author. Mr. Waite,
who published an English translation of much that
Levi has written, has in his Preface called especial
attention to the evidence that L6vi was drawn in a
most mysterious fashion in two different directions
by opposing forces. From his early training he
tended to be a devout Catholic; from his Hebrew
studies he became a Kabalist and a Magician. So
even in this short occult treatise we find him, after
carefully giving magical instruction through twenty -
two chapters, making at its end a solemn recanta-
tion, and pointing out that the duty of a Christian
is to the Church of Christ, which is the best and
highest aim to which a man can attain.

THE CONCLUSION
By £LIPHAZ Lfiyi

One last word remains to be said. When the
Temple is rebuilt, there will be no more sacrifice upon
its High places. Centuries have passed since Hermes
and Zoroaster lived and taught. A voice greater
than that of the Soul of the World has imposed
silence upon the Oracles.

The Word has been made Flesh ; a new symbol of
salvation by holy water has replaced the magical
ceremonies of the day of Luna. The sacrifices to
Samael on the day of Mars are surpassed by the
heroic severities of penitence.

The sign of the Gift of Tongues and the Christian
code have replaced the sacrifices to Mercury.

The day once sacred to Jupiter is now devoted to
the sign of the Kingdom of God in man by the
transubstantiation of love under the forms of bread
and wine.

Anael has vanquished Venus : Lilith and Nahemah

are consigned to Hades, and the sacred rite of

marriage gives divine approval to the alliances of

men and women.

104

THE CONCLUSION 105

Lastly, extreme unction, which prepares a man for
a death of peace, has replaced the sad offerings of
Saturn; and the priesthood of light gives forth
illumination on the day sacred to the Sun.

Glory be to the Christ, who has brought to their
completion the symbols of the Ancient Mysteries, and
who has prepared the reign of knowledge by faith.
Will you now be greater than all Magi ? Hide away
your science in the recesses of your mind. Become a
Christian, simple and docile ; be a faithful servant of
the Church, believe, mortify yourself, and obey.

OCCULT AND EELIGIOUS MAXIMS

From the MSS. of SLIPHAZ L£YI

Every idle word is a fault.

Show your learning by your actions.

The Word is Life, and the First Principle of Life.

The quality of a life is shown by its actions.

An idle word is either without meaning or is of the
nature of a lie.

An idle word in religious matters is a sin.

He who is content with idle words is as if he were
dead.

He who does not make his worship manifest has
no religion.

Better is superstition than impiety.

God judges actions rather than vain thoughts.

He who is religious will do works which accord
with the Word of his religion ; he who has no reli-
gion and believes not in any word, yet he also must
be judged by his actions, for to every man shall it
be according to his works.

True religion is that which showeth a form of

worship which is pure and living ; the perfection of

1 06

OCCULT AND RELIGIOUS MAXIMS 107

worship, however, lieth in self-sacrifice, which is com-
plete and enduring.

The beauty of self-sacrifice is taught in the Church
of Christ, Catholic and Roman; and it is an article
of faith, that any one who denies himself and takes
up this cross, and follows the Mediator to the Altar,
assumes at once the offices both of Priest and
Victim.

No man ever saw God at any time.

Before the dawn of the Microcosm, Azoth was the
Flying Eagle and the Royal Lion; it was the Mastodon
of the Earth and the Leviathan of the Sea. When
the human-headed Sphynx appeared — Azoth became
Man among men, and Spirits among Elementals.
Every substance can and should become Azoth by
adaptation.

In Azoth is the Principle of the Light, which is
the Quintessence of Splendour and Gold. This is
the grand Secret of universal Transmutation.

No man has ever seen the Light ; but we see by
reason of it those objects which reflect the light.

There is nothing occult which shall not be known :
there is nothing concealed which shall not be
revealed.

io8 THE MAGICAL RITUAL

The Kingdom of God is within us.

Initiation passes from East to West.
Intelligence passes from South to North.
Power passes from North to South.

The Word is the garment of the Truth.

God wields not absolute, but regulated power.

To tell the Truth to those who cannot understand
it, is to lie to them. To unveil the Truth to such
persons is to profane it.

THE END

Printed by Ballanttne, Hanson & Co.
Edinburgh and London

g Hart Street Bloomsbury
London,

NEW PSYCHIC BOOKS

PUBLISHED BY

Mr. GEORGE REDWAY.

I.

A Handbook of Palmistry after the Ancient
Methods. By Rosa Baughan. Sixth (Revised)
Edition. With Five Plates. Demy 8vo, 32 pp.,
paper wrapper. Is. net.

11.

Anna Kingsford. Her Life, Letters, and Work.
By her Collaborator, Edwakd Maitland. Illus-
trated with Portraits, Views, Facsimiles, &c. 2 vols.
Demy 8vo, 896 pp., cloth. 31s. 6d. net.

IIL

Light on the Path. A Treatise written for the
personal use of those who are ignorant of the Eastern
wisdom, and who desire to enter within its influence.
By M. C. New (Enlarged) Edition, to which is
added "Green Leaves." Imperial 32mo, cloth.
Is. 6d. net.

IV.

The Story of the Year. A Record of Feasts and
Ceremonies. A sequel to " Light on the Path.'*
By M. C. Imperial 32mo, 56 pp., cloth. Is. 6d. net.

V.

Psychic Philosophy as the Foundation of a
Religion of Natural Law. By V. C. Desertis.
With Introduction by Alfred Russel Wallace,
D.C.L., LL.D., F.R.S. Crown 8vo, 350 pp., cloth
OS. net.

VL

Miracles and Modern Spiritualism. Three
Essays. By Alfred Russel Wallace, D.C.L.,
LL.D., F.R.S. New (Revised) Edition, with Chap-
ters on Phantasms and Apparitions. Crown 8vo,
296 pp., cloth. 5s. net.

VII.

The Great Secret, and its Unfoldment in
Occultism. A Record of Forty Years' Experience
in the Modern Mystery. By a Church of England
Clergyman. Crown 8vo, 320 pp., cloth. 5s. net.

VIII.

Neo=PIatonisni. Porphyry the Philosopher to his
wife, Marcella. Now first Translated into English
by Alice Zimmern. With Preface by Richard
Garnett, C.B., LL.D. Crown 8vo, cloth. 3s. 6d.
net.

IX.

The Gnostics and tlieir Remains, Ancient and
Mediaeval. By C. W. King. Second Edition.
With Woodcuts and Plates. Royal 8vo, xxiii-466
pp., cloth. 10s. 6d. net (formerly published at 21s.)

X.

The Rationale of Mesmerism. A Treatise on
the Occult Laws of Nature governing Mesmeric
Phenomena. By A. P. Sinnett. Second Edition.
Cloth. 2s. 6d. net.

XI.

The Tarot of the Bohemians. The most
ancient book in the world. For the exclusive
use of Initiates. By Papus. Translated by A.
P. Morton. With numerous Illustrations. Crown
8vo. 5s. net.

XII.

Transcendental Magic: Its Doctrine and. Ritual
{Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie), By Eliphaz
JAyi. Now for the first time translated into
English by A. E. Waite. With all the original
Illustrations, and a Portrait of the Author. Demy
8vo. [/n the Press.

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

3 1197 00668 7146