Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 2)

CHAPTER XVI (Part /) Of THE OATH The third operation in any magical ceremony is the oath or proclamation. The Magician, armed and ready, stands in the centre of the Circle, and strikes once upon the bell as if to call the attention of the Umverse. Ele then déclarés who he isy reciting his magical history by the proclamation of the grades which he has attained, giving the signs and words of those grades. 1 He then States tlie purpose of tlie ceremony, and proves tliat it is necessary to perform it and to sncceed in its performance. He then takes an oath before the Lord of the Universe (not before the particular Lord whom he is invoking) as if to call Him to witness to the act. He swears solemnly that he will perform it — that nothing shall prevent him from performing it — that he will not leave the operation until it is successfully performed — and once again he strikes upon the bell. Yet, having demonstrated himself in that position at once infinitely lofty and infinitely unimportant, the instrument of destiny, he balances this by the Confessïony in which there is again an infinité exaltation harmonised with an infinité humility. He admits himself to be a weak human being humbly aspiring to something higher; a créature of circumstance utterly dépendent — even for the breath of life — upon a sériés of fortunate accidents. I. This is not merely to prove himself a person in authority. It is to trace the chain of causes that hâve led to the présent position, so that the operation is seen as karma. 123 —