Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 3)

(b) We may select any particular property of any object, and give it an astral shape. Thus, we may take the tricky périls of a mountain, and personify them as “trolls”, or the destructive énergies of the simoom, as “jinn”. (c) We may analyse any of these symbols, obtaining a finer formj thus the “spirit” contains an “angel”, the angel an “archangel”, etc. (d) We may synthesize any set of symbols, obtaining a more general form. Thus we may group various types of earth-spirit as gnomes. (e) Ail these may be attributed to the Tree of Life, and dealt with accordingly. (f) The Magician may préparé a sensible body for any of these symbols, and evoke them by the proper rites. 13) The “reality” or “objectivity” of these symbols is not pertinent to the discussion. The ideas of X4 and \/— 1 hâve proved useful to the progress of mathematical advance toward Truth 5 it is no odds whether a Fourth Dimension “exists”, or whether \/— 1 ha s “meaning” in the sense that \L\ has, the number of umts in the side of a square of 4 units. The Astral Plane — real or imaginary — is a danger to any- body who takes it without the grain of sait contained in the Wisdom of the above point of view; who violâtes its laws, either wilfully, carelessly, ignorantly, or by presuming that their psycho- logical character differentiates them from physical laws in the narrower sense; or who abdicates his autonomy, on the ground that the subtler nature of astral phenomena guarantees their autho- rity and integrity. 14) The variety of the general character of the “planes” of being is indefinitely large. But there are several main types of symbolism corresponding to the forms of plastic présentation established by the minds of Mankind. Each such “plane” has its spécial appearances, inhabitants, and laws — spécial cases of the general proposition. Notable among these are the “Egyptian” plane, which conforms with the ideas and methods of magick once in vogue in the Nile valley; the “Celtic” plane, close akin to 249