Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 2)

lhe Tarot, on the other hand, being a book, is under Mercury, and the intelligence of each card is fundamentally Mercurial. Such symbols are therefore peculiarly proper to communicate thought. Ihey are not gross, like the geomantic daemons; but, as against this, they are unscrupulous in deceiving the diviner.1 The Y i King is served by beings free from these defects. The intense purity of the symbols prevent them from being usurped by intelligences with an axe of their own to grind.2 It is always essential lor the diviner to obtain absolute magical control over the intelligences of the System which lie adopts. He must not leave the smallest loop-hole for being tricked, befogged, or mocked. He must not allow them to use casuistry in the interprétation of his questions. It is a common knavery, especially in geomancy, to render an answer which is literally true, and yet deceives. For instance, one might ask whether some business transaction would be profitable, and find, after getting an affirmative answer, that it really referred to the other party to the affair! There is, on the surface, no difficulty at ail in getting replies. In fact, the process is mechanical; success is therefore assured, bar a stroke of apoplexy. But, even suppose we are safe from deceit, how can we know that the question has really been put to another mind, understood rightly, and answered from knowledge ? It is obviously possible to check one’s operations by clairvoyance, but this is rather like buying a safe to keep a brick in. Expérience is the only teacher. One acquires what one may almost calî a new sense. One feels in one’s self whether one is right or not. The diviner must develop this sense. It resembles the exquisite sensibility of touch which is found in the great billiard player whose fingers can estimate infinitésimal degrees of force, 1. This does not mean that they are malignant. They hâve a proper pride in their office as Oracles of Truth; and they refuse to be profaned by the contamination of inferior and impure intelligences. A Magician whose research is fuily adapted to his Neschamah will hnd them lucid and reliable. 2. Malicious or pranksome elementals instinctively avoid the austere sincerity of the Figures of Fu and King Wan. — 161 —