ecstasy or silence. Samadhi and Nibbana are but its shadows cast 
upon the universe. 
II 
If the Master Therion effects by tliis book noihing 
else but to demonstrate the continuily of nature and the 
uniformity of Law5 He will feel that Mis work bas not been 
wasted. In his original design of Part III he did not contemplate 
any allusion to alchemy. It has somehow been taken for granted 
that this subject is entirely foreign to regular Magick, both in scope 
and method. It will be the main object of the following descrip¬ 
tion to establish it as essentially a branch of the subject, and to 
show that it may be considered simply as a particular case of the 
general proposition — differing from evocatory and talismanic 
Magick only in the values which are represented by the unknown 
quantities in the pantomorphous équations. 
There is no need to make any systematized attempt to decipher 
the jargon of Hermetic treatises. We need not enter upon an 
historical discussion. Let it suffice to say that the Word alchemy is 
an Arabie term consisting of the article “al” and the adjective 
“khemi” which means “that which pertains to Egypt” h A rough 
translation would be “The Egyptian matter”. The assumption is 
that the Mohammedan grammarians held traditionally that the 
art was derived from that wisdom of the Egyptians which was the 
boast of Moses, Plato, and Pythagoras, and the source of their 
illumination. 
Modem research (by profane scholars) leaves it still doubtful 
as to whether Alchemical treatises should be classified as mystical, 
magical, medical, or Chemical. The most reasonable opinion is that 
ail these objects formed the pre-occupation of the alchemists in 
varying proportions. Hermes is alike the God of Wisdom, Thau- 
maturgy, therapeutics, and physical science. Ail these may con- 
sequently claim the title Hermetic. It cannot be doubted that 
such writers as Fludd aspired to spiritual perfection. It is equally 
sure that Edward Kelly wrote primarily from the point of view 
i. This etymology differs from that given by Skeat; I can do no more 
than présent my submission.