Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 1)

the spiral, or in the opposite direction. Each combination involves a different symbolism. There is also the dance proper; it has many different forms, each God having his spécial dance. One of the easiest and most effective dances is the ordinary waltz-step combined with the three signs of L.V.X. It is much easier to attain ecstasy in this way than is generally supposed. The essence of the process consists in the struggle of the Will against giddiness; but this struggle must be prolonged and severe, and upon the degree of this the quality and intensity of ecstasy atained may dépend. With practice, giddiness is altogether conquered; exhaustion then takes its place as the enemy of Will. It is through the mutual destruction of these antagonisms in the mental and moral being of the magician that Samadhi is begotten. III Good examples of the use of change of position are given in the manuscripts Z.i and Z.3; 1 explanatory of the Néophyte Ritual of the G. D., where the candidate is taken to various stations in the Temple, each station having a symbolic meaning of its own; but in pure invocation a better example is given in Liber 831 2. In the construction of a ceremony an important thing to décidé is whether you will or will not make such movements. For every Circle has its natural symbolism, and even if no use is to be made of these facts, one must be careful not to let anything be inhar- monious with the natural attributions. 3 For the sensitive aura of the magician might be disturbed, and the value of the ceremony completely destroyed, by the embarassment caused by the discoverv of some such error, just as if a pre-occupied T-totaller found that he had strayed into a Temple of the Démon Rum! It is therefore impossible to neglect the theory of the Circle. 1. Equinox I, II, pp. 244-260. 2. Equinox I, VII, pp. 93 sqq. 3. The practical necessities of the work are likely to require certain movements. One should either exclude this symbolism altogether, or else think out everything beforehand, and make it significant. Do not let some actions be symbolic and others haphazard. — 8l —