Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 2)

natural correspondence with microcosmic affairs. But in practice the calculations involved are overwhelmingly complicated. A horoscope is never complété. It needs to be supplemented by innumerable other horoscopes. For example, to obtain a judgment on the simplest question, one requires not only the nativities of the people involved, some of which are probably inaccessible, but secondary figures for directions and transits, together with pro- gressed horoscopes, to say nothing of prénatal, mundane, and even horary figures. To appreciate the entire mass of data, to balance the éléments of so vast a concourse of forces, and to draw a single judgment therefrom, is a task practically beyond human capacity. Besides ail this, the actual efîects of the planetary posi¬ tions and aspects are still almost entirely unknown. No two astro- logers agréé on ail points 5 and most of them are at odds on fonda¬ mental principles.1 This science had better be discarded unless the student chances to feel strongly drawn toward it. It is used by the Master Therion Himself with fairly satisfactory results, but only in spécial cases, in a strictly limited sphere, and with par- ticular précautions. Even so, He feels great diffidence in basing His conduct on the resuit so obtained. Geomancy has the advantage of being rigorously mathematical. A hand-book of the science is to be found in Equinox I, II. The objection to its use lies in the limited number of the symbols. To represent the Universe by no more than 16 combinations throws too much work upon them. There is also a great restriction arising from the fact that although 15 symbols appear in the final figure, there are, in reality, but 4, the remaining 11 being drawn by an inéluctable process from the “Mothers”. It may be added that the tables given in the handbook for the interprétation of the figure are exceedingly vague on the one hand, and insufficiently comprehensive on the other. Some Adepts, however, appear to find this System admirable, and obtain great satisfaction from its use. Once more, the personal équation must be allowed full weight. At one time the Master Therion employed it exten- sivelyj but He was never wholly at ease with it 5 He found the 1. Nearly ail professional astrologers are ignorant of their own sub- ject, as of ail others. 158 -