Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 4)

13- Ninth practice.—Let him practice the usual forms of Pranayama, but let Kumbhakarn be used after instead of before expiration. Let him gradually increase the period of this Kumbhakarn as in the case of the other. 14. A note concerning the conditions of these experiments. The conditions favourable are dry, bracing air, a warm climate, absence of wind, absence of noise, insects and ail other disturbing influences,1 a retired situation, simple food eaten in great modéra¬ tion at the conclusion of the practices of morning and afternoon, and on no account before practising. Bodily health is almost essential, and should be most carefully guarded (See Liber CLXXXV, Task of a Néophyte). A diligent and tractable disciple, or the Practicus of the Zelator, should aid him in his work. Such a disciple should be noiseless, patient, vigilant, prompt, cheerful, of gentle manner and reverent to his master, intelligent to anticipate his wants, cleanly and gracious, not given to speech, devoted and unselfish. With ail this he should be fierce and terrible to strangers and ail hostile influences, determined and vigorous, increasingly vigilant, the guardian of the threshold. It is not désirable that the Zelator should employ any other créature than a man, save in cases of necessity. Yet for some of these purposes a dog will serve, for others a woman. There are also others appointed to serve, but these are not for the Zelator. 15. Tenth practice. — Let the Zelator experiment if he will with inhalations of oxygen, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and other gases mixed in small proportion with his air during his practices. These experiments are to be conducted with caution in the presence of a medical man of expérience, and they are only useful as facilitating a simulacrum of the results of the proper practices and thereby enheartening the Zelator. 16. Kleventh practice. — Let the Zelator at any time during the practices, especially during the periods of Kumbhakarn, throw his will utterly towards his Holy Guardian Angel, directing his eyes inward and upward, and turning back his tongue as if to swallow it. 1. Note that in the early stages of concentration of the mind, such annoyances become negligible. 408 —