Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 2)

interprétation very difficult. Moreover, it seemed to Him that the geomantic intelligences themselves were of a low order, the scope of which was confined to a small section of the things which interested Him* also, they possessed a point of view of their own which was far from sympathetic with His, so that misunder- standing constantly interfered with the Work. The Tarot and The Holy Qabalah may be discussed to- gether. The theoretical basis of both is identical: The Tree of Life.1 The 78 symbols of the Tarot are admirably balanced and combined. lhey are adéquate to ail demands made upon them; each Symbol is not only mathematically précisé, but possesses an artistic significance which helps the diviner to understand them by stimulating his aesthetic perceptions. The Master Therion finds that the Tarot is infallible in material questions. The successive operations describe the course of events with astonishing wealth of detail, and the judgments are reliable in ail respects. But a proper divination means at least two hours’ hard work, even by the improved method developed by Him from the traditions of initiâtes. Any attempt to shorten the proceedings leads to disappointment; furthermore, the symbols do not lend them¬ selves readily to the solution of spiritual questions. The Holy Qabalah, based as it is on pure number, evi- dently possesses an infinité number of symbols. ïts scope is conterminous with existence itself; and it lacks nothing in précision, purity, or indeed in any other perfection. But it cannot be taught; 2 each man must select for himseif the materials for the main structure of his System. It requires years of work to erect a worthy building. Such a building is never finished; every day spent on it adds new ornaments. The Qabalah is therefore a living Temple of the Holy Ghost. It is the man himseif and his universe expressed in terms of thought whose 1. Both these subjects may be studied in the Equinox in several articles appearing in several numbers. 2. It is easy to teach the General Princi.ples of exegesis, and the main doctrines. There is a vast body of knowledge common to ail cases; but this is no more than the basis on which the student must erect his original Research. 159 —