Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 3)

other planes. Thirdly, he must exert his whole power and author- ity to govern the Members of lower Grades with balanced vigour and initiative in such a way as to allow no dispute or complainte he must employ to this end the formula called “The Beast conjoined with the Woman” which establishes a new incarnation of deity ; as in the legends of Leda, Semele, Miriam, Pasiphae, and others. He must set up this idéal for the orders which he rules, so that they may possess a not too abstract rallying-point suited to their unde- veloped States. 10. The Grade of Adeptus Minor is the main thème of the instructions of the A.'. A.*. It is characterised by the Attain- ment of the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. (See the Equinox, The Temple of Solomon the King:\ The Vision and the Voice 8th Aethyrj also Liber Samekh, etc. etc.) This is the essential work of every man; none other ranks with it either for personal progress or for power to help one’s fel- lows. This unachieved, man is no more than the unhappiest and blindest of animais. He is conscious of his own incompréhensible calamity, and clumsily incapable of repairing it. Achieved, he is no less than the co-heir of gods, a Lord of Light. He is conscious of his own consecrated course, and confidently ready to run it. The Adeptus Minor needs little help or guidance even from his superiors in our Order. His work is to manifest the Beauty of the Order to the world, in the way that his superiors enjoin, and his genius dictâtes. To attain the Grade Adeptus Major, he must accomplish two tasks; the équilibration of himself, especiaily as to his passions, so that he has no preference for any one course of conduct over another, and the fulfilment of every action by its complément, so that whatever he does leaves him without temptation to wander from the way of his True Will. Secondly, he must keep silence, while he nails his body to the tree of his Creative will, in the shape of that Will, leaving his head and arms to form the Symbol of Light, as if to make oath that his every thought, Word and deed should express the Light derived from the God with which he has identified his life, his love and his liberty — symbolised by his heart, his phallus, and his legs. It 238 —