Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 1)

CHAPTER X Of THE GESTURES. This chapter may be divided into the foliowing parts: 1. Attitudes. 2. Circumambulations (and similar movements). 3. Changes of position (This dépends upon the theory of the construction of the circle). 4. The Knocks or Knells. I Attitudes are of two Kinds: natural and artificial. Of the first kind, prostration is the obvious example. It cornes natural to man (poor créature!) to throw himself to the ground in the presence of the object of his adoration.1 Intermediate between this and the purely artificial form of gestures cornes a class which dépends on acquired habit. Thus it is natural to an European officer to offer his sword in token of surrender. A Tibetan would, however, squat, put out his tongue* and place his hand behind his right ear. Purely artificial gestures comprehend in their class the majority of definitely magick signs, though some of these simulate a natural action — e.g. the sign of the Rending of the Veil. But the sign of Auramoth (see Equinox I, II, Illustration “The Signs of the Grades”) merely imitâtes a hieroglyph which has only a remote connection with any fact in nature. Ail signs must of course be studied with infinité patience, and practised until the connection 1. The Magician must eschew prostration, or even the “bending of the knee in supplication”, as infamous and ignominious, an abdication of his sovereignty. 79 —