1904 · CLOSE READING
The Goetia
The Goetia (1904), PDF p. 17
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their summary (6) is of unusual kind. Its projection back into the appar-
ently phenomenal world is therefore unusual.
Herein then consists the reality of the operations and effects of cere-
monial magic,’ and I conceive that the apology is ample, so far as the
“effects” refer only to those phenomena which appear to the magician
himself, the appearance of the spirit, his conversation, possible shocks from
imprudence, and so on, even to ecstasy on the one hand, and death or
madness on the other.
But can any of the effects described in this our book Goetia be obtained,
and if so, can you give a rational explanation of the circumstances? Say
you so?
I can, and will.
The spirits of the Goetia are portions of the human brain.
Their seals therefore represent (Mr. Spencer’s projected cube) methods
of stimulating or regulating those particular spots (through the eye).
The names of God are vibrations calculated to establish :
(a) General control of the brain. (Establishment of functions relative to
the subtle world.)
(6) Control over the brain in detail. (Rank or type of the Spirit.)
(c) Control of one special portion. (Name of the Spirit.)
The perfumes aid this through smell. Usually the perfume will only
tend to control a large area; but there is an attribution of perfumes to
letters of the alphabet enabling one, by a Qabalistic formula, to spell out
the Spirit’s name.
I need not enter into more particular discussion of these points; the
intelligent reader can easily fill in what is lacking.
If, then, I say, with Solomon:
“The Spirit Cimieries teaches logic,” what I mean is:
“ Those portions of my brain which subserve the logical faculty may
be stimulated and developed by following out the processes called ‘The
Invocation of Cimieries.’”
And this isa purely materialistic rational statement; it is independent
of any objective hierarchy at all. Philosophy has nothing to say; and
* Apart from its value in obtaining one-pointedness. On this subject the curious may
consult my MMWR.
3
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