with cône of pine and ivy tendrilsj the Angel créâtes continually, 
wreathing His Wîll in clinging beauty, imperishably green. 
The Tiger, the symbol of the brutal passions of man, gambols 
about its master’s heelsj and He bestrides the Ass of Priapus; he 
makes his sexual force carry him whither He wills to go. 
Let the Magician therefore adventure himself upon the Astral 
Plane with the declared design to penetrate to a sanctuary of 
discarnate Beings such as are able to instruct and fortify him, also 
to prove their identity by testimony beyond rebuttal. Ail explana- 
tions other than these are of value only as extending and equi- 
Jibrating Knowledge, or possibly as supplying Energy to such 
Magicians as may hâve found their way to the Sources of Strength. 
In ail cases, naught is worth an obol save as it serve to help the 
One Great Work. 
He who would reach Intelligences of the type under discussion 
may expect extreme difficulty. The paths are guarded; there is a 
lion in the way. Technical expertness will not serve here; it is 
necessary to satisfy the Warders of one’s right to enter the 
presence of the Master. Particular pledges may be demanded, 
ordeals imposed, and initiations conferred. These are most serious 
matters; the Body of Light must be fully adult, irrevocably fixed, 
or it will be disintegrated at the outset. But, being fit to pass 
through such expériences, it is bound utterly to its words and acts. 
It cannot even appear to break an oath, as its fleshly fellow may do. 
Such, then is a general description of the Astral Plane, and of 
the proper conduct of the Magician in his dealings therewith. 
264 —