Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 4)

III. 1. The Magicai Images of the Gods of Egypt should be made thoroughly familiar. This can be done by studying them in any public muséum, or in such books as may be accessible to the student. They should then be carefully painted by him, both from the model and from memory. 2. The student, seated in the “God” position, or in the characteristic attitude of the God desired, should then imagine His image as coinciding with his own body, or as enveloping it. This must be practised until mastery of the image is attained, and an identity with it and with the God experienced. It is a matter for very great regret that no simple and certain tests of success in this practice exist. 3. The Vibration of God-names. As a further means of identifying the human consciousness with that pure portion of it which man calls by the name of some God, let him act thus : 4. (a) Stand with arms outstretched \ (See illustration, in Equinox No. 2, p. 13.) (b) Breathe in deeply through the nostrils, imagining the name of the God desired entering with the breath. (c) Let that name descend slowly from the lungs to the heart, the solar plexus, the navel, the generative organs, and so to the feet. (d) The moment that it appears to touch the feet, quickly advance the left foot about 12 inches, throw forward the body, and let the hands (drawn back to the side of the eyes) shoot out, so that you are standing in the typical position of the God Horus, and at the same time imagine the Name as rushing up and through the body, while you breathe it out through the nostrils with the air which has been till then retained in the lungs. Ail this must be done with ail the force of which you are capable. (e) Then withdraw the left foot, and place the right forefinger I 2 I* This injunction does not apply to gods like Phthah or Harpocrates whose natures do not accord with this gesture. Or the thumb, the hngers being closed. The thumb symbolises spirit, the forefinger the element of water. ~ 378 “