Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 3)

the Third as the Second, and thus to the end. Moreover, let the Adept fling forth his whole consciousness thither. Then at the final Word, let him bring rushing back his Will within himself, steadily streaming, and let him offer himself to its point, as Artémis to PAN, that this perfectly pure concentration of the Elément purge him tho- roughly, and possess him with its passion. In this Sacrament being wholly at one with that Elément, let the Adept utter the Charge “Hear me, and make”, etc. with strong sense that this unity with that quarter of the Universe confers upon him the fullest freedom and privilège appurtenant thereto. Let the Adept take note of the wording of the Charge. The “Firmament” is the Ruach, the “mental plane” ; it is the realm of Shu, or Zeus, where revolves the Wheel of the Gunas, the Three forms1 of Being. The Aethyr is the I* They correspond to the Sulphur, Mercury, and Sait of Alchemy; to Sattvas, Rajas, and Tamas in the Hindu System; and are rather modes of action than actual qualities even when conceived as latent. They are the apparatus of communication between the planes; as such, they are conventions. There is no absolute validity in any means of mental appréhension; but unless we make these spirits of the Firmament subject unto us by establishing right relation (within the possible limits) with the Universe, we shall fall into error when we develop our new instrument of direct understanding. It is vital that the Adept should train his inteilectual faculties to tell him the truth, in the measure of their capacity. To despise the mind on account of its limitations is the most disastrous blunder; it is the common cause of the calamities which strew so many shores with the wreckage of the Mystic Armada. Bigotry, Arrogance, Éewilderment, ail fcrms of mental and moral disorder, so often observed in people of great spiritual attainment, hâve brought the Path ’tself into discrédit; almost ail such catastrophes are due to trying to build the Temple of the Spirit without proper attention to the mental laws of structure and the physical necessities of foundation. The mind must be brought to its utmost pitch of perfection, but according to its own internai properties; one cannot feed a microscope on mutton chops. It must be regarded as a mechanical — 279 —