The Equinox (Volume I, Number VI)

THE EQUINOX Magus, the card numbered ι, the first departure from 0, but referred to Beth, 2, Mercury, the god of Wisdom, Magic and Truth. And this Magus has the twofold aspect of the Magician himself and also of the “ Great Magician " described in Liber 418 (EQUINOX, No. V., Special Supplement, p. 144). Now the formula of the mystic is much simpler. Mathematically, it is 1- 1 :0. He is like a grain of salt cast into the sea; the process of dissolution is obviously easier than the shock of worlds which the magician contemplates. “ Sit down, and feel yourself as dust in the presence of God; nay, as less than dust, as nothing," is the all-sufficient simplicity of his method. Unfortunately, many people cannot do this. And when you urge your inability, the mystic is only too likely to shrug his shoulders and be done with you. This path is symbolised by the " Fool ” of the Tarot, who is alike the Mystic and the Infinite. But apart from this question, it is by no means certain that the formula is as simple as it seems. How is the mystic to assure himself that “ God " is really “ God " and not some demon masquerading in His image? We find Gerson sacrificing Huss to his " God " ; we find a modern journalist who has done more than dabble in mysticism writing, “ This mystic life at its highest is undeniably selfish ”; we find another writing like the old lady who ended her criticism of the Universe, " There‘s only Jock an’ me'll be saved; an’ I’m no that sure ο᾿Jock“; we find another who at the age of ninety—nine foams at the mouth over an alleged breach of her 154